Book excerpt: Numerology is the belief that numbers have power over events. It is a descendent of number mysticism, the belief the contemplation of numbers can give mystical and non-rational insights into life, the universe, and everything. Twenty-five hundred years ago, Pythagoras originated number mysticism, crediting certain numbers with characteristics, though numerology is a more recent invention that allots numbers, hence, characteristics to individuals. Underwood Dudley outlines here the history of number mysticism and numerology and gives many examples, including biorhythyms, Bible-numberists, pyram.