Death is the most fateful experience of each of our lives. But no Hindu really fears death, nor does he look forward to it. Death for the Hindu is merely transition, simultaneously an end and a new beginning. Over two thousand years ago Saint Tiruvalluvar wrote that "Death is like falling asleep, and birth is like awakening from that sleep." In one of the ancient languages of our religion, the physical body had a name which literally meant "that which is always dropping off." When key truths are understood and accepted about the nature of the soul and the cycles of birth, life, dying, death, afterlife and rebirth, all sense of foreboding and fear of death perish. Here we explore those realities.

For Hindus, death is nobly referred to as mahaprasthana, the "great journey." When the lessons of this life have been learned and karmas reach a point of intensity, the soul leaves the physical body, which then returns its elements to the earth. The awareness, will, memory and intelligence which we think of as ourselves continue to exist in the soul body. Death is a most natural experience, not to be feared. It is a quick transition from the physical world to the astral plane, like walking through a door, leaving one room and entering another. Knowing this, we approach death as a sadhana, as a spiritual opportunity, bringing a level of detachment which is difficult to achieve in the tumult of life and an urgency to strive more than ever in our search for the Divine Self. At death we drop off the physical body and continue evolving in the inner worlds in our subtle bodies, until we again enter into birth. We are not the body in which we live but the immortal soul which inhabits many bodies in its evolutionary journey.

Our individual soul is the immortal and spiritual body of light that animates life and reincarnates again and again until all necessary karmas are created and resolved and its essential unity with God is fully realized. Our soul is God's emanational creation, the source of all our higher functions, including knowledge, will and love. Our soul is neither male nor female. It is that which never dies, even when its four outer sheaths change form and perish as they naturally do. The soul body has a form just as the astral body has a form, but it is more refined and is of a more permanent nature. It is this body which reincarnates, creating around itself new physical and astral bodies, life after life after life. This process matures and develops the body of the soul. The body of the soul is pure light, made of quantums. It is indestructible. It cannot be hurt or damaged in any way. It is a pure being, created by God, maturing its way to Him in final merger. The body of the soul is constant radiance. Its mind is superconsciousness, containing all intelligence, and is constantly aware, does not sleep and is expanding awareness as the soul body matures. The body of the soul lives in the eternity of the moment, simultaneously conscious of past and future as a one cycle. The true nature, everlasting secure personal identity, is realizing oneself as the soul body. This is truly finding our roots, our source, our indestructible, ever-maturing soul.

In Sanskrit, the bodies of our being are called kosa, which means "sheath, vessel, container or layer." They are the sheaths through which the soul functions simultaneously in the various planes of existence. The kosas, in order of increasing subtlety, are as follows: --annamaya kosa: "Sheath composed of food." The physical body, coarsest of sheaths. --pranamaya kosa: "sheath composed of prana (vital force)." Also known as the etheric or health body, it coexists within the physical body as its source of life, breath and vitality, and is its connection with the astral body. --manomaya kosa: "Mind-formed sheath." The lower astral body. The instinctive-intellectual sheath of ordinary thought, desire and emotion. --vijnanamaya kosa: "Sheath of cognition." The mental or cognitive-intuitive sheath. It is the vehicle of higher thought, understanding, knowing, direct cognition, wisdom, intuition and creativity. --anandamaya kosa: "Body of bliss." The intuitive-superconscious sheath, the ultimate foundation of all life, intelligence and higher faculties. Anandamaya kosa is not a sheath in the same sense as the outer kosas. It is the soul itself.

The term "astral body" names the subtle, nonphysical body in which the soul functions in the astral plane. The astral body includes the pranamaya kosa, the manomaya kosa and the vijnanamaya kosa.

As the physical forces wane, all the gross and subtle energy goes into the mental and emotional astral body. If the person was prepared for death, sudden or otherwise, his mental and emotional astral body would have already been well schooled in readiness. Sudden death to such a soul is a boon and a blessing. At death, the soul slowly becomes totally aware in its astral/mental bodies, and it predominantly lives through those bodies in the astral dimension. The soul functions with complete continuity in its astral/mental bodies. It is with these sensitive vehicles that we experience dream or "astral" worlds during sleep every night.

When the physical body dies, this automatically severs the subtle silver cord that connects the astral and physical bodies. This cord is an astral-pranic thread that connects the astral body through the navel to the physical body. It is a little like an umbilical cord. During out-of-the-body experiences, this silver cord is often seen as a cord of light connecting the physical, astral and spiritual bodies. When the cord is cut at the death of the physical body, the process of reincarnation and rebirth begins. The Vedas say, "When a person comes to weakness, be it through old age or disease, he frees himself from these limbs just as a mango, a fig or a berry releases itself from its stalk."

It is painful to the astral body to have the physical body cut or disturbed seriously within seventy-two hours after death. The soul can see and feel this, and it detains him from going on. As soon as you tamper with his physical body, he gets attached, becomes aware that he has two bodies, and this becomes a problem. Ideally when you die, your physical body goes up in flames, and immediately you know it's gone. You now know that the astral body is your body, and you can effortlessly release the physical body. But if you keep the old body around, then you keep the person around, and he is aware that he has two bodies. He becomes earthbound, tied into the Pretaloka, and confused.

The Sanskrit, loka, means "world, habitat, realm or plane of existence." Hinduism describes three primary lokas, as follows. --Bhuloka: "Earth world." The world perceived through the five senses, also called the gross plane, as it is the most dense of the worlds. --Antarloka: "Inner or in-between world." Known in English as the subtle or astral plane, the intermediate dimension between the physical and causal worlds, where souls in their astral bodies sojourn between incarnations and when they sleep. --Karanaloka: "World of God," and of the Gods and highly evolved souls, existing deep within the Antarloka at a higher level of vibration. It is a world of superconsciousness and extremely refined energy, the quantum level of the universe.

Subdivisions of the Antarloka are: --Devaloka: "Place of radiant beings." The higher astral plane, or mental plane, the realm of "angels." --Pretaloka: "World of the departed." The realm of earth-bound souls, or ghosts. It is an astral duplicate of the physical world and closest to it. --Narakaloka: Abode of darkness. The lower worlds, realm of "demons." Equivalent to the Western term "hell," a gross region of the Antarloka. A congested, distressful area where beings suffer the consequences of their own misdeeds in previous lives. Described as a place of torment, pain, darkness, confusion and disease. Narakaloka is not a place where souls reside forever. Hinduism has no eternal hell.

Where the soul goes in the astral plane at sleep or death is dependent upon his earthly pursuits and the quality of his mind. If the soul body itself is evolved, it will occupy the astral/mental bodies in the Devaloka. If somebody dies in the states of anger and fear, he goes into the lower worlds of those states of consciousness. And in that realm there would be hundreds of thousands of people in that same state of consciousness. The thoughts at death are the next samskaras of the astral body. Even if you have the thought, "When you're dead you're dead," your astral body might just float over your physical body and be "dead." A lot of people who are about to die do not believe in life after death, so they remain hovering over their physical body when it is lifeless. Astral-plane helpers have to come and "wake them up" and tell them that their physical body is dead and explain that they are all right and are alive in their astral body. It is often not easy getting them readjusted.

At death you leave through a nerve ganglia of consciousness, a chakra. Each one is a window, and at death it becomes a portal, a doorway. The tunnel of light that is experienced by so many people at the point of death is the portal they are going through, the window, the chakra. Passing through the tunnel is leaving this world and going into another. So, it is the state of mind at death that gets you into one loka or another. At the moment of death, you have the opportunity to stabilize yourself in the highest chakra you have experienced in this life. The dying should always remember that the place where one will reincarnate is the place that he is thinking about prior to death. So, choose your desires wisely. The last thoughts just before death are the most powerful thoughts in creating the next life. Secret questionings and doubt of Hindu belief, and associations with other belief systems will automatically place him among like-minded people whose beliefs are alien to Hinduism. A nominal Hindu on Earth could be a selfish materialist in the astral world. The Hindu also knows that death must come naturally, in its own course, and that suicide only accelerates the intensity of one's karma, placing one in a lengthy earth-bound limbo state in the astral plane, bringing a series of immediate lesser births and requiring several lives for the soul to return to the exact evolutionary point that existed at the moment of suicide, at which time the still-existing karmic entanglements must again be faced and resolved.

Everyone is prepared to die, and whether it happens suddenly or slowly, intuitively each individual knows exactly what he is experiencing and about to experience. You don't need any counseling. It is a blessing to know when you are going to die, because then you can prepare for it, make a decision whether you are going to be reborn, do intense sadhanas, make preparations. When one knows he is going to depart the physical body, he should not hesitate to tell his relatives he is going to die, and that is a wonderful blessing for them, as they can prepare for his great departure. In turn, family and friends should release him, be happy. Don't cry; you will make him unhappy. The sadness at death comes from Western attitudes. Western thought has to be reversed. He should consciously go over his wealth, his properties, be the executor of his own will, taking care of everybody, not leaving these things to others to deal with after his passing. After everything is settled, all personal possessions disposed of, then he begins meditation and awaits the fruitful hour, trying to exit through the highest chakra of the attainment of this life.

The ideal is to leave through the top of the head, through the door of Brahman, to get into the highest heaven and not have to come back. The dying person should, at the time of transition, concentrate awareness at the top of his head and willfully draw up into it all the energies from the left and right legs and arms, one after another, then the energy within the entire torso, and all the energies within the spine, from the muladhara chakra, up into the third eye and crown chakras. With all the energies gathered at the top of his head, he will leave through the highest chakra he experienced this lifetime. This would put him in a great place in the inner world.

Prolonging the life of the individual body must be done by the individual himself. Medical assistance is needed to cauterize wounds and provide the numerous helpful things that are available, but to prolong life in the debilitated physical body past the point that the natural will of the person has sustained is to incarcerate, to jail, to place that person in prison. Ayurvedic medicine seeks to keep a person healthy and strong, but not to interfere with the process of death.

Our soul never dies; only the physical body dies. We are not the physical body, mind or emotions. We are the immortal soul, atman. We neither fear death nor look forward to it, but revere it as a most exalted experience. Life, death and the afterlife are all part of our path to perfect oneness with God. People wonder whether death is a painful process, such as in the case of cancer victims. Cancer, which produces a lot of pain, is a process of life which results in death, but death itself is not painful. Death itself is blissful. Death is like a meditation, a samadhi. That's why it is called maha (great) samadhi. A Hindu is prepared from childhood for that mahasamadhi. Remember, pain is not part of the process of death. That is the process of life, which results in death. Death takes place in a short period, but is a foreboding affair to those who have never meditated. But dying is not such a dramatic experience really. Every night you "die" and leave your physical body. It is very similar.

The fear of death is a natural instinctive reflex. We encounter it sometimes daily, once a month, or at least once a year when we come face to face with the possibility of obliteration of our personality and of leaving the conscious mind. The fear of change or fear of the unknown is an ominous element in the destiny of a human being. The study and comprehension of the laws of reincarnation can alleviate this fear and bring an enlightened vision of the cosmic rhythms of life and death. It is a simple process, no more fantastic than other growth problems we experience daily. Death, like birth, has been repeated so many times that it is no mystery to the soul. The only problem comes with conflicting beliefs, which produce fear and anxiety about death. This temporary ignorance soon subsides when the failing forces of the physical body reach a certain level. At this point, the superconscious intelligence, the soul itself, is there.

Certain karmas can be resolved only in the physical world. This is due to the fact that on the refined inner planes only three or four of the higher chakras are activated; the others are dormant. For nirvikalpa samadhi, all seven chakras, as well as the three major energy currents, have to be functioning to sustain enough kundalini force to burst through to the Self. At the right time, the soul is reborn into a flesh body that will best fulfill its karmic pattern. In this process, the current astral body--which is a duplicate of the last physical form--is sloughed off as a lifeless shell that in due course disintegrates, and a new astral body develops as the new physical body grows. This entering into another body is called reincarnation, "re-occupying the flesh." Generally, the soul, at the time of conception, chooses the body he will inhabit but does not actually enter the womb until the infant body takes life and begins to move and kick.

During our numerous Earth lives, a remarkable variety of life patterns is experienced. We exist as male and female, often switching back and forth from life to life as the nature becomes more harmonized into a person exhibiting both feminine nurturing and masculine intrepidness. Therefore, the Hindu knows that the belief in a single life on Earth, followed by eternal joy or pain is utterly wrong and causes great anxiety, confusion and fear. Hindus know that all souls reincarnate, take one body and then another, evolving through experience over long periods of time. Like the caterpillar's metamorphosis into the butterfly, death doesn't end our existence but frees us to pursue an even greater development. Reincarnation ceases when dharma has been well performed, earthly karma is resolved, God is fully realized and moksha, liberation, is attained.

How December 25th Became Christmas

On December 25th of every year the entire Christian world comes together, putting aside petty quarrels and minor differences, to commemorate the birth of Jesus. (Well, most of us come together anyway).

The Orthodox Churches have it on different days because of some sort of disagreement over Gregorian calendars. And there are a few Christian groups around who don't celebrate it at all (too material, I guess).

In any case; on December 25th most of the Christians that I know celebrate Christmas, the birth of Christ -- very likely the holiest event ever to take place anywhere on the Earth, and an entirely worthy occasion to celebrate. But don't you ever wonder if we've got anything about it right? Is it even on the right date?

~ Complex Answers to Simple Questions ~

Don't bet the farm.

First off, they didn't exactly keep birth records of the common folk in 0 or 1 or 2 AD (not to say that Jesus was common, but… well, you know the story.) Secondly, even if they did, there's the problem of leap year. Every four years the powers that be add an extra day to compensate for a less than perfect rotation of the earth. The Romans even didn't know about that, convoluting time and calendars even more.

Plus some people back then used a lunar calendar and some used the solar version that we use today. Finally, the authors of the Gospels (Mathew and Luke particularly) either didn't know or didn't think it was important enough to mention the date of Jesus' birth. Who even knows if they recognized birthdays in ancient Judea?

The bottom line is that nobody knows the exact date of Jesus' birth, but the smart money is betting that it was sometime in early spring. There's some historical data, but the best hint is that famous story about shepherds tending their flocks by night. Shepherds tend to only stay up with the sheep during lambing season, and lambing season is in spring. But since no one knows, you might as well go along with the spirit of the season and enjoy all the cheer and good will towards men.

~ Hat Tricks ~

There is, however, some interesting history to the day we choose to remember the birth of the Christ child. It's not just some random date that somebody pulled out of a hat you know.

There have been festivals of every sort around the winter solstice going back to the Babylonians. But it was the Roman Emperor Aurelian who fixed the actual date. He called December 25th "The Birthday of the Unconquered Sun", and put it right in the middle of the feast of Saturnalia. (The Romans really knew how to have a feast: Saturnalia lasted a week.)

This was a always a time a great merry making there were big dinners, halls bedecked with laurels and green trees, people carrying lighted candles through the streets, and the giving of gifts was a common practice. In fact, you might say that the Christmas spirit is really the spirit of Saturnalia passed on over time.

~ Enter the Christians ~

The Christians, in the meantime, were having the "Mass of Christ" at various times and places. This wasn't a commemoration of the birth of Jesus so much as it was a time to reflect on His life and acts. So, when Constantine made Christianity the religion of Rome, the Catholics needed a way to convert the pagans running around the streets of Rome with their candles and presents to Christian practices.

One imagines it went a little something like this: "You have an unconquered sun, we have an unconquered Son. You give gifts -- we have wise men bringing gifts. You have bonfires and lamps and candles -- we have a new star. It's not really all that hard put the two together." Or something like that.

So the date of Christmas became the 25th, the pagans became Christians, and everybody got a day to celebrate selflessness, joy, and light.

Lets face it. Life is not a bed of roses. There are hurdles to get over and mountains to climb. In numerology, the roadblocks faced in life is called the challenges. The Challenge is a weak point in our Life Path. It is the weak link in the chain of life which must be overcome for us to grow and develop properly. We learn by meeting the challenge, and dealing with it effectively. The nature of the challenge is shown in the Life Path.

Actually, there are three challenges included in your life path. Two that will be called sub-challenges and then a main challenge. Each challenge is represented by a number, and the number reflects the tone of the confrontation. We will again use the month, the day and the year of birth in this calculation. The first step will be to reduce each of these components to a single digit base number. Thus, December 14, 1968, would become month 3 (1+2), day 5 (1+4), and year 6 (1+9+6+8=24; 2+4=6).

The first sub challenge is derived by finding the difference between the month and day of birth. In our example, this would be 5-3=2 first sub challenge.

The second sub challenge is identified by finding the difference between the day of birth and the year of birth. The example would be 6-5=1; the number 1 for a second sub challenge.

The final challenge is identified by finding the difference between the first and second sub challenge. Our example would have a 2-1=1 challenge.

The numbers behind the final challenge will each be a potential problem during half of the life. The first sub challenge during the first part of the life, and the second sub challenge during the second half of the life. The Final Challenge is a potential weakness and problem throughout the entire life.

If you correctly reduced the month, day and year to a single digit (no master number), the difference between the two numbers must be a number from 0 to 8. Here are readings of each of the challenges:

Challenge 0

The obstacles life during this period may not be many, or they may be coming from all directions. The challenge of the number 0 is called the challenge of choice. You are likely to have difficulty acting on your preferences. You are perfectly capable of analyzing a situation and realistically comparing possible solutions. The challenge of 0 may make bring this decision to requisite action very difficult for you. To overcome the challenge, it should be understood that you must have the faith in your own abilities to the extent that you can analyze, make a choice, then act with ease and comfort. This challenge is one that is normally found on in a highly evolved individual and an individual who can be expected to make your own decisions about life and know where the pitfalls lie. To meet the challenge of 0 you must have control of all of the numbers; the independence of 1, the diplomacy of 2, the optimism of 3, the application of 4, the understanding of 5, the adjustment of 6, the wisdom of the 7, the constructive power of 8, the universal service of 9. In other words, to meet the challenge of 0 in your life, you must be a very gifted person.

Challenge 1

The challenge of the number 1 suggests you are likely to feel dominated by others with strong influence, probably parents or others with whom you compete. The challenge of the number 1 is avoidance of being dominated, but doing so in a fashion that does not impose upon or dominate others. With the challenge of the number 1 it's extremely important to control the ego, and avoid the negative aspect of individuality. False pride, pomposity, egotism are issues to be guarded against now. You are now in a period of learning about self-reliance and how to solve your own problems independently. Learn to rely on your wit and your intelligence, avoiding argumentation and resentfulness.

Challenge 2

The challenge of the number 2 suggests you are likely to be extremely sensitive and more or less brimming with feelings. You find it hard to work with people because your are afraid of being criticized or, worse yet, ignored. You have a good deal of self-doubt and a definite lack of self confidence. There is a tendency to constantly worry about the opinion that others have of you. There is likewise a tendency to use this sensitivity in a negative way. Used more positively, your keen sensitivities can be a significant strength, allowing you to be acutely aware of so much of with others rarely perceive. But during this period it will be hard for you to assert yourself and make decisions. You will shy away from positions of authority and responsibility. This can be a time for accumulation of wisdom, as you show patience and pay close attention to detail. Try not to take things too personally. Friendships are a source of deep satisfaction to you during this time. Respect your ability to compromise and grow in a quiet way. Do not let details overwhelm you and keep you from seeing the big picture. Plan for slow growth rather than immediate gain.

Challenge 3

The challenge of the number 3 suggests a tendency to scatter talents and try to do too many things at once during this period of your life. You may have a fine imagination and a gift for words, but you find it hard to express yourself effectively. Though you know you should cultivate friends and be sociable, you tend to be somewhat reclusive and defensive. You may have a talent for writing, acting, or speaking, but you are reluctant to involve yourself with these sorts of activities because you do not like to face the prospects of criticism. You are expressing yourself with a negative emphasis, hiding your creative talents behind a wall of shyness. You must strive to develop yourself in a social and in a creative sense. It's hard to just relax and have a good time.

Challenge 4

The challenge of the number 4 suggests a difficulty with work. Either you simply don't like to work, don't like the work your are forced to do, or you have difficulty completing tasks and working efficiently. You may be careless and lack a sense of practicality. Often this challenge makes it hard to see the forest for the trees when it comes to work and obligations. It is important for you to learn patience, understanding and the practical, common sense way of dealing with mundane responsibilities. You may also need to learn the importance of working within the parameters of a time schedule.

Challenge 5

The challenge of the number 5 suggests that your challenge is to overcome the desire and the demand for freedom at any price. This challenge number is very difficult to handle because, with it, you are apt to be extremely impulsive; you want to try everything at least once, and you are rather unstable in many ways. Change may be necessary for you, but it must be handled in an intelligent and controlled manner. Make certain that the desire for change is not associated with a desire to escape responsibility. In any event, this challenge requires that you learn as early as possible in life to control your impulses.

Challenge 6

The challenge of the number 6 suggests that you may have difficulties because of your insistence on extremely high standards. You are apt to appear authoritarian, intolerant, and a little self-righteous. It is hard for others to live up to your standards of expectation. Many of your considerable talents for balancing situations are used with a negative emphasis. Avoid creating friction in relationships and strive for harmony. You must learn that your diplomatic approach will only be appreciated if others feel that their needs are met, their desires understood, their point of view respected. You must learn to allow others to set their own pace, make their own rules. This challenge requires learning unconditional love and acceptance.

Challenge 7

The challenge of the number 7 suggests difficulties brought on by your discomfort with your own inner feelings; feelings of a reserved attitude and unexpressed emotions. You may feel unable to better your situation, or to change and improve circumstances. There is a tendency with this challenge to be a chronic critic and complainer, while offering little or nothing as a suggest to correct the faults that are found. The sense of discrimination is strong, but it is expressed in a very negative way. A sense of false pride tends to keep your real feelings buried beneath the surface. Avoid a tendency to approach people in a very reserved and aloof way, and develop faith in your own abilities rather than dwelling on your limitations. Marriage is apt to be delayed until this challenge is overcome, or if married, this can be a difficult time.

Challenge 8

The challenge of the number 8 suggests an early life assumption that satisfaction can only be gained and safeguarded by adequate material accumulation. There's likely to be considerable effort exerted to attain money, status, and power, sometimes to the exclusion of almost all else. The number 8 challenge indicates that you are/were using your concern with material matters with negative emphasis. You must learn to use your ability to gain money, status and power with a sense of proportion and an awareness of the relation of material affairs to other matters, and deal with the material world in a comfortable manner.

The seven days or pinnacle phases of the festival are: Goru, Manuh, Raati, Chot, Kutum, Mela and Chera. Goru Bihu is celebrated on the last day of Chaitramonth. On this day, the cattle of the village are brought to a water source and are bathed and cleaned using turmeric and gram paste.

We are all inherently subject to major changes in our lives just as surely as we are subject to death and taxes. Numerology attempts to project major life changes and calls these monumental turns in the road pinnacles. If it weren't for these big transformations in life, the highly successful would become apathetic, and those struggling would soon feel totally hopeless. Pinnacle in our live give us the necessary change of pace and direction that is stimulating and hopeful. Pinnacles show the direction that progress will lead us.

A pinnacle is an experience occurring over a specific time in our life. These pinnacle periods have been likened to the four seasons. The first pinnacle is in the spring of life. The second covering years of family raising and responsibility represents summer. The third covering middle-age and growing maturity of judgment represents the autumn of life, and the forth, consolidating the experiences of life, is represented by winter.

Each pinnacle is represent by a number and the number reflects the tone of the period. The pinnacle number is written in the birth date. We will use the month, the day and the year of birth in this calculation. The first step will be to reduce each of these components to a single digit base number or master number. Thus, December 14, 1968, would become month 3 (1+2), day 5 (1+4), and year 6 (1+9+6+8=24; 2+4=6).

The first period is derived from the adding the month and day of birth. In our example, this would be 3+5=8 first pinnacle.

The second pinnacle is identified by adding the day of birth with the year of birth. The example would be 5+6=11; the master number 11 for a second pinnacle.

The third pinnacle is identified by adding the first and second pinnacle. Our example would have an 8+11=19 or 1 third pinnacle.

The fourth pinnacle is identified by adding the month and the year. Our example would produce a 3+6=9 fourth pinnacle.

The timing of pinnacles varies for each of the first nine Life Path numbers. The timing for the master number 11 is the same a Life Path 2, and the master number 22 is same as the Life Path 4. Here is a chart for determining the timing of pinnacles keyed to your Life Path number:

Here are readings of each of the pinnacles:

The 1 Pinnacle

The influence of the number 1 pinnacle is a drive for independence; the desire to express one's individuality using original ideals; leading and directing others, attaining achievements and being recognized for them.

First Pinnacle...1

With a number 1 first pinnacle, most of your youth was probably spent learning how to use original ideas, how to lead, how to rely on yourself without being egotistical, stubborn, self-centered or dominating. This is a period to learn leadership and it may not product the opportunities you would like. It is primarily a learning time.

Second/Third Pinnacle...1

With the second pinnacle and the third pinnacle providing number 1 energies a degree of aggressiveness becomes apparent in your demeanor. Your ability to get ahead and develop your talents is limited only by your own initiative. Your achievements are likely to very apparent to the public and a sense of independence allows you to assume a leadership role

Fourth Pinnacle...1

With the number 1 energies imposing itself on the latter stages of your life, any desire to retire or slow down will be unfulfilled. Challenges and changes will mark this part of your life. Responsibilities and accomplishments will be based on the ability to lead, direct, and express your own individuality and original ideas.

The 2 Pinnacle

The general emphasis of the number 2 pinnacle is that of friendliness, cooperation and harmony. You are apt to be a very sensitive person during this pinnacle, even if sensitivity is not indicated in your basic makeup. The 2 shows patience and attention to detail. You are tactful and cooperative, and willing to work with relatively little recognition.

First Pinnacle...2

Since this pinnacle is experienced early in your life, it may tend to make you an over-sensitive child, and you may be easily hurt or offended. You may experience early difficulties with expression, both verbal and emotional. Your mother is apt to be the stronger influence in your life throughout this period.

Second/Third Pinnacle...2

Your accomplishments during this productive period of your life will greatly depend on your abilities to work with other people, promote harmony, and show patience and a willingness to wait for credit due based on your contributions. The work you do may be very detailed and demanding during this period.

Fourth Pinnacle...2

This latter part of your life should be harmonious whether you are retired or continue to work. The key to fulfillment will be patience, tact, and cooperation, and you will find it necessary to control a tendency toward sensitivity.

The 3 Pinnacle

The general effect of the number 3 pinnacle is one of light, enjoyable activities. Travel, social activities, friends, and entertainment are much a part of your life during this pinnacle. You nature is more affectionate and outgoing. Personal expression is developed, particularly verbal expression. Any latent artistic or creative talents are apt to exposed now. Life seems to flow toward you during a 3 pinnacle, thoughts are of the present, not so much the future nor the past. Being with people and having fun is essential. Attitudes are youthful; easy come, easy go. Variety in work and play is likely. Money is not a concern so long as you can get by. Thinking, using your imagination, dreaming, these are all a large part of this period.

First Pinnacle...3

This is a difficult number to handle on the first pinnacle, for while there may be many opportunities to develop artistic or creative potential, you may not recognize them or be willing to work as hard as may be required for the development of these opportunities. There is a tendency to scatter energies and work on the wrong ideas. You may be too busy having fun to worry about the future.

2nd and 3rd Pinnacle...3

With the number 3 directing activities of the second or third pinnacle, responsibilities and accomplishments will be greatly dependent on social demeanor and general influence. This pinnacle may bring about opportunity for writing, speaking, interior designing, or some form of participation in the entertainment arts. Imagination and feelings are stimulated.

4th Pinnacle...3

There is a good possibility of much travel, social activity and entertainment. This transit usually promises freedom from financial worry in the later years. While there is a tendency to drift in relative comfort, this is a time when you can be at your creative best.

The 4 Pinnacle

The general influence of the number 4 pinnacle is that of a practical, realistic approach to life. This pinnacle demands a higher degree of order, system and organization. You tend to adopt a very conscientious and dependable response. Hard work and determined effort mark your attitude now. It seems as though you have an emotional need for work and truly thrive on it.

First Pinnacle...4

With the 4 influence in your first pinnacle, this can be a demanding period in with you are required to work due to economic circumstances, or in which you are a highly motivated person in your pursuit of education. In either event, you may not be so active in normal youthful activities because of your work schedule.

2nd or 3rd Pinnacle...4

With the number 4 second or third pinnacle, your ability to get ahead and achieve will no doubt be directly associated with your ability to out work the competition. Sometimes, this pinnacle brings a sense of economic limitation. This is likely to be a period of building and steady growth.

4th Pinnacle...4

With the number 4 fourth pinnacle, any desire to retire or slow down is not likely to be fulfilled. You are not the type to relax and enjoy leisure activities. It is important to work and feel the sense of accomplishment. In some unfortunate cases, economic conditions retard the ability to retire and enjoy life.

The 5 Pinnacle

The general influence of the number 5 pinnacle is that of freedom and a lessening of responsibility. The tendency toward change, sudden and unexpected, may enter you life during these years. You may tend to develop more variety in your friends, you work duties, and in your outside interests. You will probably be adventurous and inclined to travel. Your financial circumstances, like everything else in this cycle, can change rapidly, both up and down.

First Pinnacle...5

This can be a difficult first pinnacle because it is hard to find the stability to establish yourself and build a suitable foundation for latter life. You are likely to experience moves that require you change schools and friends. As a first pinnacle, the 5 has you living by your own set of rules, even if you are raised in a tradition family. You are more resourceful that others your age, but you may also tend to get into more trouble. Impulsiveness and a craving for independence are both strong in your nature during this period.

2nd or 3rd Pinnacle...5

With the number 5 pinnacle coming in mid-life, your ability to progress and achieve in may be linked to your ability to function comfortably in a fluctuating environment. Your ability to adapt is very critical. The sense of freedom that you have now is very significant. The caution here is not to burn too many bridges because of your urge for freedom, travel, and adventure. You may need that job (or family) later on.

Fourth Pinnacle...5

With the fourth pinnacle showing 5, any desire to retire or slow down is not likely to be fulfilled. Change and variety will continue to keep your occupied and busy. If you are adaptable, this can be a very interesting time in your life. In most cases, a final pinnacle of 5 means freedom from financial or domestic worries.

The 6 Pinnacle

The general influence of the number 6 pinnacle is that of responsibilities, which may cause feeling of restrictions. There is a close accord with home, family, children, and those in your environment for whom you feel responsible. You are apt to be involved in service work. The 6 vibrations have a very balancing effect on circumstances during this period. You are apt to receive many opportunities to serve and help others; teaching, counseling, and promoting harmony and diplomacy.

The first Pinnacle...6

As a young person you are likely to find much duty and responsibility related to home and family. There may be strong feelings of limitations because of these pressures. Ill-advised marriages at an early age sometimes occur. It is a period for you to attend to the demands made on you for family and close friends rather than self. Often, the six pinnacle suggests a person who is under the close dictates of a parent or of some authority figure.

2nd/3rd Pinnacle...6

In this period of your life you can progress and achieve through the acceptance of increasing responsibility and through diplomatic acts. Home and family with generally take precedence over business, however. It is a period for you to attend to the demands made on you for family and close friends rather than self. Often, the six pinnacle suggests a person who is under the close dictates of some authority figure.

Forth Pinnacle...6

As a last pinnacle, the 6 brings home the rewards and pleasures of family, security, and a close circle of friends. You are likely to find yourself giving back some of the nurturing and attention that you received in the early part of your life.

The 7 Pinnacle

The general influence of the number 7 pinnacle is that of learning, investigating, and gaining skills. The number 7 is a somewhat introverted number and you will tend to be more of a loner while the pinnacle is in effect than you will be in other times of your life. You will be more comfortable working alone, and while marriage is not out of the question during this time, it will take a good bit of effort. You are apt to need periods of isolation to develop inner resources. This time will be especially marked by a your lack of interest in material matters and little concern with practical affairs. This lack of concern can result in some financial shortages, limited material benefits, or possibly physical handicaps.

The First Pinnacle...7

With the number 7 first pinnacle, your circle of friends will not be large and you may have difficulty finding those you get along with. You are a serious student, motivated to learn by inner yearnings. Your youth may be a difficult and confusing time.

2nd/3rd Pinnacle...7

Unless you are involved in some sort of research or possibly religious or philosophical endeavors, your progress during this pinnacle will be painfully slow. Your accomplishments are simply not the type that bring financial benefits as desired or expected. The benefits of this pinnacle are much deeper and internal.

Fourth Pinnacle...7

With a number 7 fourth pinnacle, your later years will be a quiet time when you will be chiefly involved with the development and refinement of your inner being. This is a time for study, development, and thinking about life in philosophical ways. During this period it may not be easy for you to find individuals with whom you truly feel comfortable unless your spouse has similar attitudes. Be patient for people will come to you for what you know.

The 8 Pinnacle

The general influence of the number 8 pinnacle is that of business and commercial activity. There is a good deal of status orientation, success, and recognition associated with this number, and your financial circumstances and personal status are apt to changing during this period, with improvements likely to occur. The tone of the period is more on the pragmatic side, stressing organizational and management abilities. Emotions tend not to be a motivating factor.

First Pinnacle...8

With the first pinnacle featuring the influence of the number 8, you may become involved in business or commercial activity at an early age and face some restriction on this account. You are a very practical thinker at a young age.

2nd/3rd Pinnacle...8

During this period of your life you are apt to become very deeply involved with being a executive (or perhaps being married to one). You will begin to rely more on rational feelings and less on emotional impulses. You are more ambitious and success oriented.

Fourth Pinnacle...8

With the number 8 fourth pinnacle, business and position will make retirement at the normal age unlikely. Circumstances in the later years may be an atmosphere of status and power.

The 9 Pinnacle

The general influence of the number 9 is that of humanitarianism. Irrespective of which pinnacle of the life is colored by this influence, the trend will be to feel and express greater concern for those who are weaker, poorer, and less fortunate than yourself. The 9 denotes a degree of selflessness not show in any other number. The attitude is more humanistic, philanthropic and emotional.

First Pinnacle...9

Selflessness is often difficult for a young person, so the tone of this influence may be but barely detectable. You may be the type of person who is a friend to those who have few friends, a protector to those who might be the favorites of bullies, and generally a helping person in whatever way you talent permits. As you mature in our modern society, you are apt to embrace humanitarian political views and ideals.

2nd or 3rd Pinnacle...9

With the number 9 energy apparent on the second or third pinnacle, you may at times express very emotional and dramatic humanitarian views and ideals and become a champion of the need for tolerance and compassion in the world. You may possess a universal view of the world, working in ways that will benefit mankind.

Fourth Pinnacle...9

With the fourth pinnacle showing the number 9, your work in the latter part of life will tend to be more philanthropic, allowing you to give much more of yourself, and if your financial circumstances permit, your assets, to causes that benefit mankind. Certainly, you have a more caring attitude now than in earlier times of your life.

The 11 Pinnacle

The number 11 is the first of the master numbers. The influence of this number is somewhat philosophic and illuminating. The 11 vibration has associations with spiritual and metaphysical studies and understanding. It has associations with the reformer, the philosopher, the welfare worker. With the number 11 energies influencing behavior in any stage of the life, there is a significant lessening of material goals and desires. In fact, thoughts may tend to stray a bit from the practical and the mundane, irrespective of the life path you may be following. A certain disassociation with mundane reality can cause problems with associates in the environment. Frequently, there is a heightened sense of nervous tension associated with this energy.

First Pinnacle...11

With the number 11 first pinnacle, you may identify with some of the foregoing, however, it is difficult for a young person to use the general influence productively. Thus, the background tone of this period is perhaps better communicated through use of the number 2 energies. The general emphasis of the number 2 pinnacle is that of friendliness, cooperation and harmony. You are apt to be a very sensitive person during this pinnacle, even if sensitivity is not indicated in your basic makeup. The 2 shows patience and attention to detail. You are tactful and cooperative, and willing to work with relatively little recognition. Since this pinnacle is experienced early in your life, it may tend to make you an over-sensitive child, and you may be easily hurt or offended. You may experience early difficulties with expression, both verbal and emotional. Your mother is apt to be the stronger influence in your life throughout this period.

2nd/3rd Pinnacle...11

With the 11 pinnacle occurring in the second or third stage of your life may take on much the same implications as the 2 pinnacles, however, responsibilities and accomplishments of significance will contain the tone of the inspirational nature of this number.

Fourth Pinnacle...11

The 22 Pinnacle

The general influence of the 22 pinnacle is one that many people cannot readily attain. This is the larger of the master numbers and the connotation of 22 is that of master builder. It inclines toward large-scale endeavors in business or government. It denotes vast influence and power. Both of the master numbers are highly idealistic, but the 22's expression of idealism is in obtaining practical goals and useful projects. At any stage of the life, the number 22 tends to create a significant degree of nervous tension in the individual.

First Pinnacle...22

Young persons, except in very rare instances, are unable to use the general influence of the 22 productively. Therefore, the background tone of this pinnacle is more in tune with the number 4.

2nd/3rd Pinnacle...22

With the mid-life 22 pinnacle, many great things are possible. Much depends on the life's development and preparation up to now, and whether you possess the capacity to bring about such endeavors. If you have not received the opportunity for education and developed sufficiently to anticipate the responsibilities of the master number, it's likely that the reduced number 4 will better describe the tone of this period.

Fourth Pinnacle...22

If you have the capacity to achieve the statue of master builder forecast by this pinnacle, business endeavors with idealistic ends will likely preclude retirement.