How to use Numerology to Name Your Year
Every year I choose a word (or phrase) to set my intention for the year. It’s a ritual that helps me set intentions and align with the energy of the year ahead and I use numerology to guide me.
While this practice of coming up with an intentional word for the year is becoming more popular, I’ve developed a unique process that incorporates numerology. I have so many friends in my circle doing this and more and more becoming curious about it, so I thought I would detail the process here.
Here’s how you can use numerology to find your word for the year.
Step 1: Understand Your Life Path Number
Before diving into personal year numbers, it’s helpful to understand your Life Path Number—a core part of numerology that reveals your destiny and character traits.
How to Calculate Your Life Path Number:
Write down your full birthdate (e.g., 12 August 1990).
Add the digits together until you reach a single number (or one of the master numbers, 11 or 22).
Example: If your birthdate is 12/08/1990:
Add: 1 + 2 + 8 + 1 + 9 + 9 + 0 = 30.
Reduce further: 3 + 0 = 3.
Your Life Path Number is 3.
Life Path Numbers range from 1 to 9, with the master numbers 11 and 22. These numbers carry unique meanings, offering insight into your personality and life purpose.
When I discovered I was a Life Path 11, it resonated deeply with me. I’d been noticing the number 11 showing up everywhere, 11.11 on the clock, my house is number 11, it’s in my postcode, number plate and my second daughter was born at 11.11pm! I suggest you work out your life path number and read about it here.
Step 2: Calculate Your Personal Year Number
While your Life Path Number stays constant, your Personal Year Number changes annually and can offer clues about the themes and energies of the year ahead.
How to Calculate Your Personal Year Number:
Take your birth month and day, and add them to the digits of the current year.
Example: If your birthday is 12 August and the year is 2025:
Add: 1 + 2 + 8 + 2 + 0 + 2 + 5 = 20.
Reduce further: 2 + 0 = 2.
Your Personal Year Number is 2.
There are nine personal year numbers (1–9), and the cycle repeats every nine years. Each number has its own energy, which can serve as inspiration for your word of the year.
Step 3: Read About Your Personal Year Number
Once you know your Personal Year Number, dive into its meaning. I recommend reading from trusted numerology resources like Creative Numerology to explore the themes associated with your number.
For example:
Year 1: New beginnings, fresh starts, planting seeds for the future.
Year 9: Endings, letting go, and clearing space for a new cycle.
Year 5: Freedom, adventure, and exploration.
Work out your personal year for 2025, and even for 2024 to read where you have come from and then read about them in detail here.
Highlight or note any words, phrases, or themes that resonate with your current life situation. This will help you zero in on a word or phrase that feels right for your year.
Step 4: Reflect on Your Personal Experiences
Numerology provides a framework, but your own life circumstances and intuition play a big role in choosing your word. Ask yourself:
What do I want to focus on this year?
What energies or values do I want to embody?
What am I letting go of, and what am I inviting in?
For example, last year I was in a Personal Year 4, which is about stability and foundation-building. When I read about this, I came up with the phrase, ‘Visualise and Organise’ and then set some goals around this.
Step 5: Seed your word into your every day life
Once your word (or phrase) emerges, find ways to seed it in your daily life. Here are some ideas:
Write it down and display it. Frame it, add it to a vision board, or take a photo of it and use it as your phone wallpaper.
Make it your password. Incorporate the word into a password (along with other characters for security!) to remind yourself of it daily.
Tattoo? I dare you!
Example Words from My Past Years
Here’s how my words have aligned with my Personal Year Numbers:
2021- Year 1: “Succ Yeah!” - a year for big, new beginnings (I opened a shop that year).
2022- Year 2: “Dream and Be”—a year to find value in just being, and not aways doing. Processing my big emotions and facing my desires and fears.
2023 - Year 3: “Jude and Joy”—a year to find joy in having maternity leave with Jude, and creative year to create art with no purpose other than joy.
2024 - Year 4: “Visualise and Organise*”—A year to set foundations and pave the way for the next chapter. *I actually changed this word, read below.
2025 - Year 5: “Untethered Adventure”—A year for big leaps, undefined by the past. Leaning into freedom and spontaneity outside my comfort zone.
*Permission to change your word
My word for last year was Visualise and Organise. But after a month or so I was feeling so much pressure to know what I wanted to visualise and organise to make happen. I didn’t know what seeds I wanted to plant and grow. My sister sent me a song by Meg Mac, called “Let It Happen,” and this reflected my desire to trust the process and let things arrive and so I changed the name of the year to “Let it Happen”
There was an ocean growing inside of me, and all the other things I was trying to busy myself to focus on and force seemed shallow. I needed to just listen and trust the words; “When it happens, let it happen, it’s going to feel so good.” I will be writing about my Let it Happen year soon so stay tuned.
I’m in a Personal Year 5, and the theme of “freedom and adventure” stood out. After reflecting, I am sitting with the words “Untethered Adventure.”
Whether you arrive at your word through numerology, journaling, or a casual conversation with a friend, let it inspire you. For me, a full moon walk with my neighbour led to the word “Untethered,” which perfectly encapsulates the freedom and wildness I want to channel this year.
Your word of the year doesn’t have to be perfect. The act of choosing it is a way to reflect, set intentions, and create a touchstone for the year ahead.
Ready to Choose Your Word?
Take a moment to calculate your Personal Year Number, reflect on its themes, and see what word emerges for you. Once you’ve chosen it, share it in the comments—I’d love to hear what you’ve come up with!
If you need help, I am open to booking more mentoring sessions this year, they are 60 mins and a great way to pick my brain and get support if you need it. I did a few last year and just love helping guide people and helping them dream and do. Just reach out on Linked In, Instagram or email me if you’re keen to know more.