Sonia Ducie, author of Do It Yourself Numerology, answers iVillagers' questions

Sonia Ducie (Dip.Ain) - www.numerology.org.uk

I am really having a horrible year so far. It's been one thing after another. Does the answer lie in numerology? My date of birth is 14/7/1972.

Sonia Ducie: What does having a horrible year actually mean? Does it mean you are more emotional, finding it difficult to make decisions? These are all qualities associated with your year number in numerology which is a 2 (from 14th July until 14th July 07 you are influenced by this number).

Each year is a great year for something - moving home, work promotion, marriage, children - but every year is good for spiritual growth. This is a great year for you to be inspired by life, and to follow your aspirations. It's a good year for finding a soul mate or for getting closer to a special person in your life. You may find life works out easier if you are prepared to compromise in situations.

I was wondering if my house number and telephone numbers have any significance in numerology?

My door number is 58. Would this affect my life differently from when I lived at number 193? I realised, when thinking about my telephone number, that if you add the first two digits and then the last two digits they both add up to seven this would mean that 7 features three times in my phone number. Is there some sort of message there or not?

Sonia Ducie: Yes, all numbers are significant in life, including property and telephone numbers.

The door 58 (5+8=13; 1+3 =) 4, will have a different influence to the number 193 (1+9+3= 13; 1+3) 4. While they both add up to a number 4, they are made up of different numbers, as you have noted.

The number 4 has the strongest influence over the types of experiences you will have while residing in this property. But the other digits are sub-influences which refine the qualities of the number 4.

So in the 58 there may a lot more movement, activity, restlessness, changes in general, with a great deal of revaluation going on. One of its major qualities is adaptability. It may be a good address for business or for dealing with practical matters.

In the 193 there may be an ability to focus more easily, be more ambitious and driven to produce tangible results in your life. There may also be issues with self confidence or the ability to express yourself.

Both numbers highlight spiritual transformation and growth so I can see why they are speaking to you and why you are interested in Numerology.

When you reduce the names of two people who are in a relationship, is there a resulting number that indicates the highest level of compatibility?
Is there a number in this type of reading that would be best avoided?
Can numerology be used to make predictions in any way?

Sonia Ducie: In a full compatibility reading we compare all aspects of two individuals' charts: Personality, Life Path, Soul and Expression Numbers.

However, all the information in the full birth chart offers more clues as to a person's life. So feel free to add up both the first names together if you choose. In some cultures Numerology is used as a predictive tool. I prefer to say that it gives a very accurate weather forecast at the time.

Most of my life has been beset with tragedy, pain and upset. Is this how the rest of my life is supposed to be? Do I experience ALL this due to the time I was born? In particular the previous year and now this year seems to be heading the same horrid way. It would be really helpful if you could assist me. My DOB is 1/8/68 at 9:30am in Nottingham.

Sonia Ducie: Yes, life is hard! But it is our responsibility to learn to see the sunny side in life, and it's always useful to maintain a sense of humour at all costs.

If we don't like the circumstances life has given us, we are throwing away valuable experiences to grow stronger through the opportunities we've been given.

Your personality number is a 1. Are you working on your independence? Do you go for life full-on or are you withdrawn and detached from people? Do you allow yourself to get fully involved with projects and people?

Your life path number is a 33/6. This indicates that helping others would give you pleasure, and help you to be able to 'forget' yourself. Surround yourself with people you love and learn to love yourself.

Your year number is an 8. Be assertive, re-evaluate and let go of the past, and find inner strength from your achievements.

Could do a reading for me? I was born on 11th November 1973. I do not know what time I was born, all I know is that it was in the early hours of the morning. I have not been very lucky in love and would really like to know what the future has in store, and what my numbers say about me.

Sonia Ducie: Your personality number is an 11/2. Your life path number is a 42/ 6 (11+11+1+9+7+3 = 42; 4+2 = 6). I am sure you are a very passionate and sensitive person. Perhaps you are too fickle, or are setting your expectations far too high so that no-one can live up to your standards.

You're also a perfectionist, so when little things go wrong it may feel too hard to bear because of your emotional sensitivity.

First of all, be realistic. No one and nothing is ever going to be perfect, but everything is divinely perfect. This means life works out for the best for all concerned from a soul perspective.

Perhaps you can focus on friendships, and allow an intimate relationship to grow from one of these. Also, learn to love yourself, and all your little imperfections, and that will help you to get closer to others.

Good luck!