1 and 9

Here we arrive at the synergy of the two most unbalanced single digit numbers; however the union of these two unbalanced numbers: the 1 and 9 together, leads to the completion found in the 10, and so these numbers highlight the special ingredients in our lives needed to make something in our lives complete. Next, the 1 and 9 when in sequence or in reverse, signifies the journey of progression of 1-9 and retrogression of 9-1, including themes such as the passage to time and progression versus the reversal of time, retrospection and the resetting of time.  Then, the focus becomes the 1’s arduous journey to reach the goal and bear the fruit of the 9, culminating into a sort of uplifting evolution of the survival-based self to a higher existence, whether that be spiritual, material or involving any type of significant achievement.  Lastly, the number combo can illustrate the need for creation, and the expression and projections of the creation into the outside world; or alternatively, it could also signal the need for us to cleanse and release old baggage from our lives to progress forward. 

Now, though all odd numbers can inherently be thought of as having a sense of instability and almost a chip on their shoulders to impassion them to chase an outcome or rectify a situation, these two numbers I would say depict these qualities the most. The 1 by design can be thought of as fundamentally unbalanced because I see it as the first waking/emergence of the conscious self from the utterly still, stable and balanced unconsciousness of the 0. So, anything that begins is by nature unbalanced, simply due to the fact that a beginning implies a future-based set intention and desire to complete some type of experience, action, journey, mission or goal that has not yet been fulfilled, and so there’s still a ways to go towards that completion. On the other hand, the 9 is much closer to that goal but still not there yet, and so it’s just itching to cross the finish line into the 10; therefore, it’s incomplete with the same yearning of the 1 as well. Without getting too much into chemistry here: the point is that both of these digits function like highly unbalanced free radicals (atoms with highly reactive single outer electrons just itching to pair up with another electron to become stable), like the halogens functioning as “9s” (since with 7 outer electrons they’re so close to the “goal” of having the full 8-electron shell) and the alkali metals (along with hydrogen) functioning as “1s” (since they have only 1 outer electron and are far from the goal of the full 8 electrons). In this way, these two numbers are extreme in their own way and desperate to “reach” their goals to achieve a sense of completion and stability. Now, they each perfectly complement one another: the 1 helps the drowning 9 by yanking it out of the whirlpool towards final completion in the 10, and the 9 adds nine cans of nitro-boost to the 1’s hatchback, greatly accelerating its otherwise long and arduous path towards the finish line, again into the 10. In this way we have a blessed “marriage of maniacs” that perfectly complement one another’s extremes like puzzle pieces; they’re better off together than highly off-kilter when alone as they each cover each other’s specific deficiencies. Practically, this could mean introducing that missing key or puzzle piece in our lives that would make things complete for us, whether that puzzle piece is: learning a new vital skill set, buying and installing an auto-part for your car, or the forging of new relationships with others that could complement our own qualities and cover our deficiencies. 

What’s interesting is that the order of the digits each depict a journey. At least if we look at traditional numerology, the 9 in itself is considered a complete end since they only wanna deal with reductionism to single digits. Well, in that vein then, if we take number 19, it reveals a complete story or journey from a starting point to the end. Basically, its what we talked about in the “Perfect 10” but just breaks down and analyzes that grand journey or immense cycle of time represented by the 10 into a chapter-by-chapter story of 1-9. The reverse, so 91, signifies the reversal of this story where we see the process of review and retrospection. We can extrapolate this onto the largest of scales to say that if 19 is your basic evolution of the universe, then the 91 may represent the antiverse, that “evil twin” universe running in complete reverse and opposition to ours. This would then include evolution proceeding backwards in time, at least from the perspective of our universe, like the A and B sides of old vinyl records and cassette tapes where when you run forward on one side it simultaneously “rewinds” the other side. This is a cool thought, and according to this the 19’s symbolism would be: the 1 is like the Big Bang and the 9 is like an early curling spiral galaxy that takes birth after that bang that drifts further away from the 1 as the universe expands. And now you know what I’m gonna say: on the flip-side, number 91 is like the Big Bang reversed, and so the galaxy is devolving and growing younger as it drifts in a vacuum back to merge into the 1 as that original Big Bang. In fact, we could even then state that themes of evolution, growth and forward progress versus retrospection, degeneration and destruction may be personified by the 19 and 91 respectively. If we apply this to everyday life, then seeing these numbers together in either sequence may show us that some or multiple aspects of our lives have undergone a long, full cycle of either positive growth and progress, or instead: loss, wasted time and ruin. But remember, this is all subjective as always and I’m not trying to say, ya know, that 91 is some kind of a bad omen. Not at all. In fact, the 91 can be symbolic of the need to return to a previous exalted or healthier state of being; for example, middle-aged adults returning to their prime level of physical level of fitness, rekindling childhood innocence and joy as disillusioned adults or even reigniting an abandoned past relationship. Another way to look at the 9->1 progression is that, as has oft been said: history repeats itself. So, even by looking at the linear, forward 1->9, that 9 must inevitably reset back to the 1; hence, even in this linear sequence there is a resetting and recycling back to the beginning once again. So, this recycling could be telling us that something in life has come full circle and must return to a fresh start again; alternately, it may be a heads-up of the reactivation of a past situation, regardless if that’s good, like going back to a happier time in our lives, or something worse, like an old enemy coming back to town. To delve a bit deeper about this whole concept of the 1-9 progression versus the 9-1 retrogression, if we see something like “119”, then to me this tells a story of an unsuccessful initial start (the first “1”) that didn’t lead to any progress (the 9) followed by a subsequent start (the second “1”)  which resulted in a successful period of growth culminating in the 9 at the end; so, this could highlight the idea of never surrendering despite the initial setbacks. On the other hand, we could flip the 119 to get  “911”; now, apart from this number’s association with emergencies and tragic events, I feel it can have other meanings as well. For instance, it could portray stagnation, where after a goal or conclusion is reached, the progression of a new cycle halts with the two “1s” back-to-back, meaning that maybe we’re holding ourselves back from new growth or evolution in some way. 

Next, if we remember the 1-6 as a pattern of a sharp cranking up of activity followed by a slow and smooth restful phase, then the 9 is the vertical mirror opposite of the 6, and hence, of the same process. So, here the 1 starts the abrupt shift-up of activity, followed by the 9, which in this case also rises upward like a plume of smoke, instead of floating downward like a feather as in the 6. This can mean that both of these digits together result in a rise and amplification of activity, much like the combustible 1-5 combo, instead of the balance of activity followed by rest in the 1-6. This idea agrees with both numbers being extremes and so any kind of balancing out (other than complementing each other’s deficiencies) is not necessarily likely.  However, since the 9’s shape is seen as ascending towards a more subtle/spiritual reality (the curving upwards); consequently, this can add refinement, evolution, grace and benefit to the otherwise simple, determined, survival-based “cave person” of the 1 (please note that I mean no offence to any number whatsoever or anyone born on the 1st of a month; I’m simply using “cave person” here to humorously illustrate the 1’s simplicity in good jest, which can be a good or bad thing depending on the situation, and that this does not reflect my generalized view of the 1). Actually, the 1 paired with the 9 again reflects the 1->9 journey, which can illustrate a legendary, heroic and noble quest of the 1 rife with trials, growth, discovery and eventual triumph. First the 1 begins totally alone, having to survive a harsh environment, threats to survival and enemies through innovation, creativity, determination and initiative. Yet, here the 9 is like the fruition of the 1’s desire and an alleviation of the 1’s strife and upliftment towards a higher, more peaceful state of existence. Similarly, this may reflect our own personal stories of sorts, or even the provision of hope to a beginner on a path to self-improvement, with the 9 acting as a reassuring guiding star that, no matter how distant the goal may seem, it will eventually be reached. Through this lens then, the 9 acts as a symbol of devotion to our particular goal and a reminder to keep the faith as no storm, tsunami or hurricane can faze a bright star in the night sky, though temporarily you might lose sight of it. Another interesting thing is that if we analyze the way we hand-write the number 9 on paper, it’s usually a straight vertical line like the 1 with a circle attached to the left side of the head of that vertical line; well, to me that little circle represents the emergence of a new leaf or fruit on a tree or plant. It follows then, that the 1-9 progression is symbolic of the 1’s initial desire and push towards a goal resulting in success, with the 1’s vertical line finally bearing the “fruit” of that circle now attached to it in the shape of the 9 as in the literal fruit or new leaf of success and completion. So, to me this means the initial push of the 1 towards a goal or path results in a successful fruition.

Again with the fireball example: if the 1-6 was something coming towards you quickly, like an opportunity, then the 1-9 is like a fireball leaving the video game character at great speed. Though this could translate into something leaving one’s life quickly, it could also represent a type of projection or creation of sorts which the person (the 1) is creating and then releasing outward from themselves (the “fireball” of the 9). So basically, the process and quality of creation and creativity, respectively, are illustrated by this number combo. Whatever shape such creativity takes, basically this number pair may be an indication that we need to be more creative in our personal lives, whether that means making actual art or literature or creatively solving real-life problems. Alternatively, it can also show a venting/steaming off or catharsis (the plume of smoke of the 9) of emotions that we need to release from within us. The 1-9’s can be saying there’s still a bunch of old baggage of hurt emotions such as, for example, anger and regret from the past, that needs to be releassed before it wreaks havoc on your mental and physical health.