A Quick Note: In order to even begin to understand the theorems of Arithmancy or to fathom the concept of complicated numerological evaluations, the number line must be memorized backwards and forwards. We will begin with the number one, now the more astute student will realize that this is Chapter 2; so Chapter 3 will be dedicated to the number two, Chapter 4 to the number three, etc. It may immediately cause discomfort or perhaps a light stress and dissatisfaction to see the chapters and numbers of study offset this way (and we will get to why this is true in later Volumes), but for now suffice to say that this interaction between the chapter numbers and the numbers of study will actually increase retention of and interest in the material. So this serves as a small precursor to the kinds of effects that can be categorized and evaluated under the broad spectrum of Arithmancy. 

The number one (or "1" as it is written using common arabic runes) is one of the Seven Magical Numbers. This is the group of numbers categorized as magically potent, whcih means they have a Numeric Magical Potency (NMP) below 100 numewatts. The NMP measurement in numewatts [nw] is the standard method of categorizing the magical potency of numbers, and therefore their significance to magical applications. The seven magical numbers are 7, 13, 0, 3, 1, 2, and 42; but, we will get into each of these seven numbers in more detail later to explain their distinguishing characteristics. The number 1 is not the most magical number (the NMP of one is equal to approximately 123nw in inertial separation... more on that later) but we are choosing it to begin in this textbook because the number carries with it excellent properties wth which to initiate a collection. In fact, the essence of the number 1 is just that: an initiation. It is the beginning, primary, and first. The number one will be at its greatest potency when placed at the beginning of a list or collection. 

Other aspects of the number 1 that require note are is correlation with victory, independence, and unification. The number 1 has strong ties to championships and winners. The number 1, when a member of the greatest member of a set, or the consummate member of any category,  is at an elevated magical potency (we will explain how Numeric Magical Potency is used and changed in a later chapter). 

It is one of the greatest paradoxes in Arithmancy that 1 can possess both an evaluation of indepence, separation, lonliness, and isolation as well as strong aspects of unification. homogeneity. and co-dependence. One currently proposed explanation for this paradox (made by yours truly) is that the number one can also be written as the infinite sum of 1/(2^n) as n goes to infinity; 2, being a number important for pairing and combination unifications, is placed in consecutively increasing multiples under and contrasting the 1 which gives an escalating essence of unification and connection. This is because an infinite number of 2's are brought together to form 1. But this reasoning is beyond the scope of this course, so I digress.

Furthermore, all other integers are divisible by the number one, so the number 1 is the defining number of existence. This is a complicated concept; but essentially, in order for something to exist, there need be only one of it. Whenever there is more than one of something, it is really only a combination of lots of "ones" of that thing. So, everything exists in units of one; if there is not an existing unit of one of the thing, then the thing does not exist entirely. Even fractions of numbers are still identified by a unit of 1 (so we see that units of one pertaining to existence still applies) since every fraction can be written as "1/some-other-number" or a combination of these. We will leave irrational numbers out of the discussion for the time being.    

Given all this, not only is 1 a powerful number, but is is also flexible in its application; it crosses boundaries between the actions of separation and amalgamation. Thus there are many aspects to the number 1; many witches and wizards have spent their careers delving into the many secrets and magical properties of 1. Since this is merely beginner level Arithmancy, an attempt at an exhaustive classification of the number 1 (whether or not that is actually possible) will not be given, nor will it be given for any of the numbers examined in this course. For now it will suffice to have a simple precursory introduction to the behaviors and symbology behind certain key numbers. 

Chapter Recap:

• The seven magic numbers are 13, 7, 1, 0, 2, 3, and 42


• Numbers have an active and evaluatable magical potency (NMP) in their physical manifestations measured in numewatts. 


• The number 1symbology: initiation, unification, separation, isolation, independence, homogeneity, victory, primacy, and existence itself.


• There is a paradox implicit with the symbology and essence of the number one.