One of the many powerful aspects of numerology is that it helps you shine a light on parts of you that may be hidden from your awareness. The essential energy of every number in your chart has the potential to be used in a positive or negative way. Other ways to name this potential include: an expanded or contracted approach to life; playing big or playing small; acting from fear or acting from love. The fundamental concept relates to the Law of Polarity – everything (and every force) has an opposite.
Numerology is very clear about the different forces available to everyone. These forces are represented by the numbers one through nine, and zero. Also clear is how each of these number energies can be used in a positive or negative way. When shown these possible polarities, people often recognize pretty quickly which approach they are using in different areas of their lives. With recognition comes choice. And, well… who would consciously choose contraction over expansion, or fear over love?! It’s that darned unconscious choice you need to watch out for…
Enter: the Saboteur!
The Saboteur, according to Caroline Myss, is one of four basic archetypes that address issues of survival. The others are the Child and the Victim, which I have written about in previous articles, as well as the Prostitute (next month’s post – stay tuned!) We all have these four archetypes in common, although in varying degrees and forms.
The Saboteur illuminates the many ways you might get in your own way and keep yourself from getting what you want most. As with the other basic archetypes mentioned above, the Saboteur does not correspond in Numerology to just one number. Any of the number energies can contain the saboteur.
But wait.
Let’s look closely at the nature of the numbers one through nine. In numerology, the odd numbers are considered to embody masculine energy, while the even numbers represent feminine energy. One exception would be the number eight, which contains both masculine and feminine, and another possible exception would be the number nine, which in some systems of numerology is said to contain the energy of all the numbers coming before it.
The odd numbers tend to be more action-oriented. Even numbers tend to be more about process or connection. Based on this information, I suggest that the odd number energies might be more inclined to struggle in an unconscious way with the Saboteur, whereas the even numbers may gravitate toward either the Victim or the Prostitute as a primary way of learning about negative tendencies.
It makes sense when you think about it in concrete terms. Here’s an example: “One” energy is the energy of initiative and leadership. This energy tends to be strong, active – and therefore less likely to be identified primarily with victimhood (unless it is victimizing someone else) or prostitution (unless it could do so in a way that keeps it in a primary, or leading role.) The most effective way to keep such a strong, directed energy from its own success might be by undermining its own power. The same may hold true for the essential energy of the numbers three, five and seven.
“Two” energy, on the other hand, is more diplomatic, more sensitive, more focused on a way of being, rather than on doing. Rather than leading the way, it sees all possibilities and encourages balance and compromise among all parties. Instead of sabotaging its own progress, this energy may be more inclined to unconsciously give its power to another – either through the Victim or the Prostitute archetype. You could consider the energy of the numbers four and six in a similar way.
Remember that the number eight has both masculine and feminine energy, which makes it a little more of a tricky read. The prominence of the Saboteur may depend on the other numbers present in combination with the eight. And, all else being equal, you might expect an appearance of the Saboteur simply because the eight can be such a power number, oriented toward achievement. The nine, on the other hand, might exhibit first the Victim or Prostitute because even though, like the eight, it also may have both masculine and feminine energy, nine energy is less about power and achievement and more about universalism and connection.
The bottom line is that by knowing your numbers and their tendencies for positive and negative behavior, you can get clear insight into whether the Saboteur is sneaking up behind you, bearing an important message about your fears and tendencies!