Does number eight spell disaster?
Is there a link between 8 and natural disasters? Yojana Sharma probes.
Is there a common thread between Indonesian tsunami (July 17, 2006), Kashmir earthquake (October 8, 2005), Mumbai floods (July 26, 2005), Gujarat earthquake (January 26, 2001) and the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami (December 26, 2004)? Indeed, it is number eight - the number of Saturn.
Eight in numerology
Numerology has a special mention of number eight. It is ruled by Saturn, which is generally understood to be a sadistic planet. Astrology expert Prem Kumar Sharma says that eight is a very strong number. "Eight represents Saturn or Shani. Hence, it is linked with misery and gloominess. Eight has always been misunderstood and is generally associated with bad luck," he explains.
Numerologist Anupam Kapil agrees with Sharma and adds that eight has an important significance in numerology. Kapil has an interesting point to make. He says that people with four and eight numbers attract each other, which is not a healthy practise as per numerology. "The numerological advise for both number four and eight series is to avoid numbers four and eight and instead use the stronger number one, 10, 19, 28 for important endeavours," he advises.
Delhi-based astrologer Reeta Shanker Seth also holds the same belief. She says that Saturn, the planet for number eight, isn’t considered to be a benevolent planet. She says, "Saturn brings bad luck, hardships and unnecessary troubles to the people who are born under it. In fact people who have eight as their fate number should avoid any combination with four. They should avoid staying in a house that has a four number or they should not pick up a car with number four or eight in it". Seth also makes an important point here. She says that any Sunday that falls after a number eight day (say 8, 17, 26 of any month) is particularly unlucky. Interestingly, the Indian Ocean tsunami occurred on a Sunday.
Future predictions
Just to add to the details here, year 2006 is again ruled by number eight. Kapil's yearly prediction had forecasted a terrorist attack in February-March. He had also predicted some big accidents, especially in May and October. Probably that was a hint at the Mumbai blasts.
Remedies
However, things are not as bad as they seem. Sharma says that chanting Shani mantra can help people who have eight as their fate number. He also suggests name corrections by Pythagorean system as a possible remedy. Pythagorean system assigns numbers to each alphabet, like A is 1, B is 2 etc. "The basic idea is to get rid of this number and make sure that you do not gel with number four either. One should change his name or should perform yagnas or chant mahamritunjaya mantra," he says.
This sounds like a relief for those who are scared of number eight.