Suppose you were asked to drive to an unfamiliar destination.

Would you set off in what you guessed might be the right direction and hope for the best?

Or would you consult a map and save yourself umpteen wrong turns along the way?

Most of us would surely prefer the second option.

And yet, when it comes to bigger issues, such as achieving our life goals, we often stumble along without directions to help us.

But there is a self-help tool that can guide you — offering a stepping stone between who you are now and who you have the potential to become.

Known as numerology, it’s based on the idea that — just like everything else in the universe — our life is guided by numbers.

Each number has a unique energy and by finding out the numbers that correspond with your life (often linked to your name or birthdate, both of which are incredibly personal and important to you), you can predict its future course.

Numerology’s origins date back thousands of years to the ancient civilisations of Babylon, China, Egypt, India and Greece.

One of the systems, the Chinese I Ching, is widely practised in the Far East, and actor Mark Rylance has revealed that it led him to career success.

But by far the most popular is the Western numerology created by the Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras more than 2,500 years ago.

As you may remember from school, Pythagoras was most famous for his theorem that helps us work out the lengths of different sides of a triangle.

But he also set up one of the world’s earliest universities, in Crotone, Italy.

It combined religious ritual with scientific study, and the curriculum included lessons in how greater knowledge and understanding of our destinies can be gained from a study of numbers.

When people question the validity of numerology, I ask them why one of the acknowledged geniuses of the classical era would have wasted his time creating such a system unless there was something in it.

My own interest in the significance of numbers began when I was in my early 20s and a friend bought me a reading with a numerologist as a gift.

I expected it to be a complete waste of time, but that 40-minute session changed my life.

The numerologist knew nothing about me and yet her assessment of my personality was so accurate that it provided the credibility I needed to take on board everything else she had to say.

I was fascinated and determined to know more — so spent years studying before becoming a professional numerologist.

Now, 24 years later, I’ve given thousands of readings and taught numerology to people all over the world. I’m also the author of two books on the subject and living my dream of helping others.

In this series, I will explain how numerology can help you realise your own dreams, whether they’re finding the right job or partner, travelling or going on an adventure, working on your personal development or starting a family.

Here’s how…

WORK OUT YOUR LIFE NUMBER

Let’s start by identifying the two most significant numbers in your numerology chart: your Life Path Number and your Destiny Number.

Your Life Path Number is the most significant of all numbers as it corresponds to something so personal to you — your birthdate.

Much like astrology, numerology sees this as the driving force in determining your personality.

Your Life Path Number reveals the deepest secrets of who you are and the kind of person you are at heart.

While life may change you and bring other traits to the fore, your Life Path Number is an insight into the depths of your soul.

It can help you interpret the path you’re walking — and what personality traits brought you there — the kind of experiences you’ll encounter on it and the lessons you’ll learn along the way.

Step 1: Add together all of the single digits in your birthdate. Make sure you use the full birth year — for instance, 1969 rather than just 69.

For example, let’s say you have the birth date of October 11, 1969. That adds up in this way:

1+1+1+0+1+9+6+9= 28

Step 2: Add together the two digits in the resulting double-digit number, and do the same with the next resulting numbers until you have a number between one and nine. This is your Life Path Number.

To continue the example above: 2+8=10, 1+0=1 and that’s this person’s Life Path Number.

NOW FIND YOUR DESTINY NUMBER

Your Destiny Number is the second most significant number in your life.

This reveals what you are destined to do — while your Life Path Number is an insight into your personality, your Destiny Number reveals your aptitudes.

It is particularly useful in choosing a career. But it also shows the kind of person you will become — the personality traits you’ll develop as you grow to your potential.

By consulting your Life Path Number and Destiny Number in conjunction, you’ll gain invaluable insights into the choices you should make at key moments in your life — from moving jobs to moving home, or starting or ending a relationship.

To calculate your Destiny Number, you’ll need your full, original name — including middle name — as shown on your birth certificate, regardless of whether you still use that name or were adopted or have since changed your name.

Step 1: Using the letters and numbers chart shown on the left, write down your full, original name and match the corresponding numbers to each letter.

Then add together the digits for each name to give separate totals.

Let’s use the name Mary Ann Smith as an example:

M A R Y A N N S M I T H

4+1+9+7 1+5+5 1+4+9+2+8

= 21 =11 = 24

Step 2: Add together the two digits in each of the resulting totals to create single-number totals.

M A R Y A N N S M I T H

= 21 = 11 = 24

2+1 1+1 2+4

= 3 = 2 = 6

Step 3: Now add the single totals together. As before, continue adding together the two digits in any resulting double-digit numbers until you end up with a single-digit number between one and nine. This will be your Destiny Number.

Continuing the example above:

3+2+6 = 11

1 + 1 = Destiny Number of 2

WHAT YOUR NUMBERS MEAN

Now that you’ve calculated these two key personality numbers, it’s time for us to consider what they mean. Remember:

If a number shown below corresponds to your Life Path Number, it reflects the person you already are.

If it corresponds to your Destiny Number, it means you are destined to become that kind of person.

NUMBER ONE

Ones often have their own way of doing things that may not conform to the norm. Self-motivated and self-reliant, they are natural leaders who don’t like taking orders and prefer to be in charge. If they can’t make their own decisions, they may strive toward a position of authority or simply work alone.

Top five strengths

Pioneering

Courageous

Innovative

Self-motivated

Determined

Top five challenges

Impatient

Intolerant

Controlling

Competitive

Aggressive

Ones make fantastic business owners, managers, supervisors, executives, team leaders, designers, inventors, creators, ideas people, life coaches and property and real-estate professionals.

NUMBER TWO

Twos are peacemakers, with a natural ability to comfort and heal people, animals and environment around them. Learning to put themselves first is one of their greatest life lessons because people often take advantage of them.

Top five strengths

Harmonious

Intuitive

Loving

Supportive

Understanding

Top five challenges

Moody

Hypersensitive

Insecure

Jealous

Indecisive

Twos make fantastic counsellors, mediators, negotiators, therapists, healers, health professionals, administrators, secretaries, assistants, teachers, analysts, auditors and accountants.

NUMBER THREE

Threes are natural entertainers who love to express their many talents and abilities.

They have a good sense of humour and enjoy being around other people.

But they must be careful to use their words in a positive rather than negative way — to empower and inspire, rather than criticise, gossip or complain.

Top five strengths

Humorous

Imaginative

Creative

Friendly

Charismatic

Top five challenges

Scattered thinking

Critical

Melodramatic

Gossipy

Attention-seeking

Threes make fantastic artists, actors, entertainers, writers, speakers, teachers, salespeople, flight attendants, shop assistants, interior designers, therapists, chefs and hair, make-up and clothing stylists.

NUMBER FOUR

Fours are hard workers who commit themselves to their goals and prioritise a high quality of workmanship.

They are the cornerstones of any enterprise and their accuracy and attention to detail makes them talented auditors, book-keepers and builders.

Though fours are extremely logical, practical and reliable (which are certainly very valuable qualities for anyone to have), they could sometimes benefit from being less serious and thinking outside the box.

Top five strengths

Hard-working

Organised

Grounded

Responsible

Focused

Top five challenges

Inflexible

Intolerant

Pessimistic

Stubborn

Narrow-minded

Fours make fantastic CEOs, managers, accountants, auditors, editors, surveyors, analysts, banking and finance professionals, builders, engineers, architects, planners and law enforcement and property professionals.

NUMBER FIVE

Fives are movers and shakers who desire freedom from restrictions and thrive on variety.

There is never a dull moment for these independence-loving adventurers, as their lives are action-packed and constantly changing.

Multi-talented, adaptable and versatile, fives tend to be good at many different things. They may even have different types of jobs throughout their career.

Whatever it is they choose to do, they’re natural salespeople, consultants and advisers, with a talent for working with people.

Top five strengths

Resourceful

Multi-talented

Adaptable

Charismatic

Good communicators

Top five challenges

Addictive

Melodramatic

Intolerant

Unfocused

Changeable

Fives make fantastic project managers, event planners, promoters, publicists, investigators, reporters, journalists, writers, teachers, salespeople, advisers, consultants, travel consultants, flight attendants, hairstylists and public speakers.

NUMBER SIX

Sixes enjoy being of assistance to others. Whether it’s helping a friend heal a broken heart or nursing a family member back to good health, they love to be of service.

If you’re ever in need of a loyal friend, or a shoulder to cry on, you can rely on a six.

However, they can also be over-achievers and perfectionists who feel as if they’re not giving, doing or accomplishing enough.

Because they give more than they receive, they can often be taken for granted or taken advantage of by others.

Top five strengths

Nurturing

Supportive

Sympathetic

Loving

Reliable

Top five challenges

Bossy

Critical

Interfering

Self-righteous

Perfectionist

Sixes make fantastic teachers, therapists, stylists, designers, nutritionists, stay-at-home parents, personal trainers and life coaches.

NUMBER SEVEN

Sevens are talented problem-solvers and strategists with a yearning for knowledge, wisdom and understanding.

Whether it’s a desire to understand human behaviour, the mechanics of a piece of machinery or the nature of the universe itself, sevens are always searching for answers and meaning.

Sevens need their privacy and alone time for introspection and contemplation. Their life purpose is to discover their spiritual truth from within and to look beyond the surface to uncover the secrets and mysteries of the universe.

Top five strengths

Intellectual

Investigative

Intuitive

Analytical

Technically-orientated

Top five challenges

Intolerant

Secretive

Cynical

Pessimistic

Suspicious

Sevens make fantastic psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, teachers, scientists, philosophers, investigators, reporters, journalists, technicians, engineers, accountants, analysts, strategists, IT consultants, computer programmers, fitness instructors, health and wellbeing practitioners, alternative therapists and spiritual teachers.

NUMBER EIGHT

Eights are drawn to self-employment, the business world and money-making ventures, but their ability to attract abundance and success depends on having a positive mindset about life because their very powerful minds will attract whatever they think and believe.

This is the case for every human being, but it is doubly so for number eights.

Top five strengths

Organised

Self-motivated

Driven

Strong

Hard-working

Top five challenges

Domineering

Intimidating

Superficial

Manipulative

Wealth-conscious

Eights make fantastic business owners, CEOs, supervisors, managers, banking, finance and legal professionals, property developers, project managers and corporate executives.

NUMBER NINE

Compassionate, understanding and kind, nines are drawn to helping others or working in a career of service.

In life, they will often encounter a wide variety of experiences and come into contact with a diverse range of people from all walks of life.

These people and experiences will teach them patience, understanding and tolerance, and how to be less judgmental.

Top five strengths

Sympathetic

Generous

Passionate

Broad-minded

Compassionate

Top five challenges

Unforgiving

Revengeful

Defensive

Melodramatic

Aggressive

Nines make fantastic teachers, therapists, social workers, health professionals, politicians, activists, environmentalists, government workers, lawyers, artists, writers, actors, musicians, photographers, designers, HR and recruitment consultants, personal trainers and fitness instructors.

by MICHELLE BUCHANAN FOR THE DAILY MAIL