Chapter Thirty: The Arrows of Pythagoras The Arrows of Pythagoras
The Arrows of Pythagoras is a form of grid Arithmancy. The Pythagorean Number System, whereby value and meaning is assigned to different letters of the alphabet in a name or a word and their reduced sums. Each number from one through nine has a symbolic meaning associated with different life stages. The Arrows of Pythagoras are also known as Full Number Planes or Full Number Lines. They are similar to a form of Chinese Arithmancy known as the Lo Shu square and are, in fact, a refinement of this method.
The Arrows of Pythagoras give us a quick insight into an individual’s personality and are indicative of specific traits. They are, when interpreted in conjunction with other Arithmancy calculations, a useful way of identifying strong positive traits and character flaws.
Finding Your Arrows of Pythagoras:
Write on the top of your grid paper, your name, your year and house, and your birth date. For the Arrows of Pythagoras we use a 3x3 grid which fits the numbers 1-9 within it. Starting in the bottom left corner and working bottom to top and left to right we end up with a grid like so.
The top row relates to the mental plane, the middle row relates to the emotional plane and the bottom row relates to the physical plane.
Now, with that grid you have the starting point and the reference for finding your personal arrows. Your birthdate is the numbers that you will use to fill out your grid. Professor Crispe's birthdate is December 19th 2025.
12/19/2025
As you see here he has two number ones, three number twos, a five and a nine in my birthdate. Zeroes are disregarded when finding your arrows.
Just like tic tac toe, you put a line through three numbers in a row. If you don not have three numbers in a row, then no worries. There are 8 possible arrows a grid can have from having three numbers appear in a row; these are the Positive arrows. Find your positive arrows now if you have them on your grid.
What Your Arrows Reveal About You:
Positive Arrows
There are eight Positive arrows listed here. Positive does not necessarily mean 'good' it merely refers to the fact that the arrow is found from three numbers in a row in your grid. There are also Negative arrows.
Arrow of Planning Positive 1,2,3
These people have good planning and organisational skills. They are able to make plans, recognise their goals and work out the best way to achieve them. However, they need to leave room for spontaneity and fun as they tend to over-plan. They will often have copious notes with everything written down, and a well planned diary. They often skip the details in order to see the bigger picture.
Arrow of Willpower Positive 4,5,6
This is a powerful, dynamic arrow. These people have much willpower. They are determined and unbelievably persistent. However, they can be a little stubborn. They can sometimes be unaware of the feelings of others and may accidentally hurt others in their relentless drive to reach their goals. They tend not to listen to other people’s viewpoints and often ignore their own inner voice also. They are ambitious and likely to achieve their goals and dreams.
Arrow of Activity Positive 7,8,9
Fidgety, full of energy, always on the go; these people are quite hyperactive. Their physical and nervous energy is high and needs to be released through physical exercise. They need to keep physically or mentally busy at all times. They feel better spending time outdoors and eating natural foods. They take action where others tend to dream.
Arrow of Determination Positive 1,5,9
Enterprising, Ambitious and determined to do things well, these people bounce back easily from setbacks and can overcome any obstacles thrown in their way. They are the strivers in business, heading for the top. They need to watch for stubbornness and may cling to ideas and projects when the time is well past to let it go.
Arrow of Practicality Positive 1,4,7
These are practical, down to earth people, they can think through any situation or problem. They tend to work long and hard for anything they believe in. Their motivation is often for material rewards. They usually work with their hands in either a practical or artistic way. They are easy to get along with.
Arrow of Emotions Positive 2,5,8
These people usually make good performers, and can often be quite intense and serious. Some are emotional drama queens. They often like to give advice to others even when their own life is secretly a mess. By becoming aware of their emotions, they gain control over them rather than have their emotions control their life. Once they do this they show great depth of understanding and are emotionally balanced.
Arrow of Intellect Positive 3,6,9
These people have a good memory and are highly intelligent. Occassionally, due to laziness or lack of interest, they do not make full use of their mental abilities. Usually they are more intellectual than emotional or practical and their quick analytical brains are capable of abstract thinking, so they solve problems quickly and easily. They can be impatient with others who are less bright. It is important for these people to keep their brain stimulated and to challenge themselves mentally throughout their lives.
Arrow of Compassion Positive 3,5,7
People with this arrow have an inner calm and acceptance of highs and lows of their life. They bring peace, unconditional love and gentleness, wanting to promote peace and love to everyone. They are often philosophers or musicians. They could also be interested in mysticism, spirituality, the occult or the psychic arts. As they mature, they develop an inner serenity and a strong faith that sustains and comforts them.
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Negative Arrows
A negative arrow is made up of a line of three empty squares in a grid, vertically, horizontally or diagonally. There are
seven Negative arrows.
Arrow of Frustration Negative 4,5,6
Family life can present problems to people with this arrow as they expect too much from others and hesitate to acknowledge their own needs. They can suffer more than their fair share of disappointments and frustrations because of that expectation until they learn to accept other people and themselves just as they are, and appreciate the differences.
Arrow of Inactivity 
These people lack motivation and get up and go. They need to be encouraged to get out and experience everything life has to offer, using physical games and exercises to keep themselves moving. They prefer contemplating and perfecting their ideas before acting. They hesitate and procrastinate. However, if they learn self-discipline and set realistic and achievable goals for themselves, they will become high achievers. They need to take action rather than just think about it.
Arrow of Impracticality Negative 1,4,7
These people are very idealistic rather than realistic. They find it difficult to function in everyday life unless they learn to become more practical. They tend to be unorganised, and without basic practical skills they have to work hard at creating system and order in their lives. They need to be kept grounded with regular contact with the earth.
Arrow of Sensitivity Negative 2,5,8
These souls are very sensitive and easily hurt. They tend to be over-sensitive to the opinion of others. Usually they are shy as children and often retreat from situations that may put them into a position where they might be vulnerable. When young there can be a lack of self-confidence, even an inferiority complex. They try to hide their feelings but usually overcome this as they mature.
Arrow of Poor Memory Negative 3,6,9
These people can be forgetful and absent-minded. This doesn’t mean that they are not clever, they just need to use it or lose it. Some are very smart and witty. They have to work hard at keeping their brains active or there is a tendency to forget things and be mentally dull. They won’t always apply logical thought to situations. Their memory gets worse over time.
Arrow of Resignation Negative 1,5,9
Motivation and Determination may be lacking. They need to learn perseverance and a good work ethic, or they will resign themselves to whatever happens. They need to be encouraged to get the job started and to see it through to completion.
Arrow of Skepticism Negative 3,5,7
These people don’t trust indiscriminately and it is hard to pull the wool over their eyes. They want proof, needing to investigate and prove for themselves before they will believe what others claim as fact. Usually suspicious of anything metaphysical, they should beware of shutting themselves off completely from being open to new possibilities.
If you happen to have
no arrows, this too has a meaning. People with no arrows tend to be quite adaptable. There are no specific negative traits they need to work on and no particular strengths which may cause an imbalance in their personality and life. I would like those of you who have no arrows, to work on a different birthdate, perhaps that of a friend, a sibling or a parent, just to give you practice identifying arrows.
NOTE: Most information in this Chapter must be credited to
Psychic Power, aka Peter Filis, and
Numerology, aka Suzanne Boult, as well as to
Professor Amadeus Crispe for the organization of the material.