Bowie and Numerology Connection
David Bowie, the legendary musician and performer, often displayed a deep interest in various subjects, including mysticism, the occult, and, by extension, numerology. Here are a few connections between Bowie and numbers:
"Station to Station": In this song, Bowie sings about the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, mentioning the sephiroth (spheres) by name, "From Kether to Malkuth." The Tree of Life has 10 sephiroths, each associated with specific numerical values and meanings in Kabbalistic numerology.
"Quicksand": In this song from his 1971 album "Hunky Dory," Bowie makes a reference to the occultist Aleister Crowley, who was deeply involved in mysticism and numerology. While this is not a direct reference to numbers, it does hint at his interest in esoteric subjects.
Album and Song Release Dates: Some fans and researchers have speculated that Bowie occasionally chose release dates with numerological significance. However, without direct confirmation from Bowie or those close to him, this is mainly speculative.
"Blackstar" and his passing: Bowie's final album, "Blackstar," was released on his 69th birthday, two days before his death. Given the thematic content of the album that deals with mortality and transformation, and Bowie's knowledge of his impending passing, some fans have speculated about numerological significance. However, it's essential to approach such speculations cautiously.
"Lazarus": The song "Lazarus" from the "Blackstar" album references the biblical figure who rose from the dead. While the story itself isn't about numerology, numbers play a significant role in many religious and mystical traditions, so the symbolic use of such stories can hint at deeper meanings.
Age and Transformations: Bowie went through many artistic transformations at different ages. Some fans try to find numerological connections between these phases and his age or the years they occurred. However, this is more of a fan interpretation than a confirmed Bowie intention.
While Bowie's work undoubtedly contains mystical, esoteric, and occult references, it's essential to differentiate between what Bowie directly referenced and what fans and researchers interpret. Bowie was a master of ambiguity, symbolism, and layers of meaning, allowing for various interpretations. As with many great artists, part of the magic lies in the ability for fans to find their own meanings in the work.