Walter Gorn Old, also known as Sepharial (born March 20, 1864, died December 23, 1929), was an occultist, astrologer, numerologist, and theosophist who also studied medicine, psychology, and oriental languages. He was a friend of Helena Blavatsky and one of the founding members of the Theosophical Society. Around 1894, he parted ways with Blavatsky.
He was born Walter Richard Old on March 20 and later changed his name to Walter Gorn Old (also Gornold or Gorn-Old). This change is believed to have occurred in 1895, the same year he published Kabalistic Astrology, or Your Fortune in Your Name, a book on Kabbalistic astrology (type of Chaldean numerology). Initially, he worked as a Kabbalistic astrologer, utilizing the “external values method of alpha-numeric coding.”
In this form of astrology—though it is more accurately described as a peculiar type of astro-numerology—numbers are closely connected with the tarot. The numbers from I to XXII (the Major Arcana) hold special power. In addition, there are the so-called Royal Stars, which represent the four kings of the suits of wands, cups, swords, and pentacles: the Royal Star of Leo (XXIII), the Royal Star of Taurus (XXXVII), the Royal Star of Aquarius (LI), and the Royal Star of Scorpio (LXV). Likewise, the ace of wands (also known as the ace of sceptres; XXVII), ace of swords (LV), and ace of pentacles (LXIX), along with numbers XLIII and VXXI, are said to hold special potency. Sepharial added meanings for numbers XXIV, XXV, XXVI, and XXVIII to these already established values, greatly influencing Kozminsky and Cheiro. This leads us to the interpretations of numbers in Sepharial’s numerological tarot.
Around 1911, influenced by Isidore Kozminsky and Habeeb Ahmad, Sepharial developed his own alpha-numeric coding system in Chaldean numerology. He also explored phonetic numerology. His most well-known work on numerology is The Kabala of Numbers from 1911.
His original name, Walter Richard Old, results in a Total Name Number (TNN) of 35 and 17, with a base number of 8. This is the number of Saturn and does not align with his birth date of the 20th, which has a base number of 2. For a person with this combination of numbers like Sepharial, there is a possibility that the relationship between the numbers 8 and 2 can be somewhat alleviated, redirecting the energies into creative communication or even manifestation. The challenge with this card lies in the presence of too many unfavorable numbers, which diminish the quality of life and thus limit the possibility of fully resolving the relationship between 2 and 8.
The key number in Walter Richard Old’s numerology chart is the base number 2. The number 2 represents psychology and can also indicate an interest in the occult sciences. Additionally, the number 2 is often associated with nurses and hospitals, and Sepharial did study medicine. His talent for languages is suggested by his inclination toward creative communication, especially in the numbers 2 and 4. This potential is partially reinforced by the numbers 1 and 7.
His new name, Walter Gorn Old, has a TNN of 16 or 34 with base number 7. The dominant influence of these TNNs, along with his interest in psychology and the occult, brings certain complications and blows of fate. At the same time, the connection between the birth date of the 20th and the TNN creates a link between the numbers 2 and 7. These are interchangeable numbers, strengthening each other and giving the person a unique power. Numbers with base numbers 7 and 5 are arranged in a special intellectual structure, which indicates a gift for intellectual work and research. Children are represented by the numbers 23 and 24 in the date numbers, and generally by base numbers 5, 6, and 8. Sepharial had many of these numbers and also had many children. However, it is not guaranteed that someone with child-related numbers in their chart will actually have children. If they do, such numbers help explain family relationships.
With his new name, Sepharial retained some potential for manifestation, but his numerology chart carried predominantly negative energies. Throughout his life, Sepharial faced occasional financial difficulties, often having to move with his family and take on additional jobs beyond astrological counseling.
His pen name was Sepharial. This name carries the primary vibration of the number 29. In older European Kabbalistic traditions, this number reduces to 11, which represents the Arcana XI, or “Force.” It is considered an ambivalent number of fighters. However, in very old traditions and by most modern Chaldean numerologists, this number is regarded as unlucky, as it brings conflicts and emotional suffering.
Sepharial’s life challenges, the change of his name, and the use of an unfortunate pen name can serve as an example of what can happen when a name change is not suitable. Changing a name should enhance one’s quality of life, but this was not the case for Sepharial.
Some sources:
- Sepharial (1895): Kabalistic Astrology, or Your Fortune in Your Name
- Sepharial (1911): Kabala of Numbers
- Sepharial (1911): Silver Key
- Theosophy Wiki: Walter Gornold
The Mystery of Numbers, Luck, Worlds and Planets 