Ever since humans have had the capacity to understand the world, we've tried to come

up with systems that would explain it.

Such was the origin of numerology, yet another of many pre-scientific notions developed

by our curious and well-meaning ancestors.

And yet, today, millennia later, we see a resurgence of belief in these obsolete and

disproven systems.

Why is numerology making a comeback?

But we're going to find out today on Skeptoid.

You're listening to Skeptoid.

I'm Brian Dunning from Skeptoid.com.

Numerology.

It was hardly news when a headline in April 2018 trumpeted another end of the world prediction

since we get those all the time.

That stood out about this one was the person who made the prediction.

Biblical prophecy claims the rapture is coming April 23rd.

Numerologist says,

It was the first time numerology had made national headlines in a long while, so far as

I could recall, but the fact that it did should be of some concern to those of a rational

bent.

Rational as we are, we will give it a fair shake and take a look at numerology today and

see if this prediction truly did warrant that much consideration.

Numerology is a type of divination, a way to see what would otherwise be unseeable,

...