Numerology explained: Vedic, Lo Shu, Pythagorean and name numbers

Numerology looks for patterns in two things you already have: your name and your date of birth. PRSHN offers four styles, each with its own way of turning these into meaning.

The four styles

• Vedic numerology — the Indian approach, linking your birth date numbers to the themes and cycles of your life.
• Lo Shu — a Chinese method that places your birth date digits on a three-by-three grid and looks at what is strong and what is missing.
• Pythagorean — the Western system, built from the letters of your name and the full date of birth.
• Name numerology — focuses on the number of your name itself, useful when you are thinking about a name change, a business name or a spelling.

What you need

Your full name and your date of birth. Use the name you actually go by, spelled the way you normally write it. If you've saved them on your Profile, PRSHN fills them in for you.

Which one should I pick?

For general life questions — career, money, relationships — Vedic numerology is a good place to start. Choose Lo Shu if you'd like to see your strengths and gaps, and Name numerology for anything to do with a name. Whatever you choose, the answer comes in plain English, tied to the question you asked.