Alphanumeric Qabbala Cipher: Unveiling the Mystical Base-36 System

May 15, 2025 | By Dr. Jonathan Mercer

Introduction

In the vast landscape of esoteric knowledge and mystical traditions, numerical systems have long served as bridges between the mundane and the divine. From ancient Hebrew gematria to Greek isopsephy, the practice of assigning numerical values to letters has been a cornerstone of mystical interpretation across cultures. Among these systems, one particularly fascinating modern development stands out: the Alphanumeric Qabbala cipher, often abbreviated simply as "AQ."

Alphanumeric Qabbala represents a unique intersection of modern computational concepts and ancient mystical traditions. At its core, it is an elegant system that assigns numerical values to the entire English alphanumeric sequence (0-9, A-Z), creating a continuous Base-36 notation that opens new pathways for numerical interpretation of language. Unlike traditional gematria systems that often feature discontinuous numerical assignments, AQ presents a seamless progression from 0 to Z=35, making it both mathematically coherent and symbolically rich.

What makes this cipher system particularly intriguing is not just its mathematical elegance, but also the remarkable synchronicities and patterns that emerge when it is applied to various texts, especially those within Thelemic and occult contexts. The name "AQ" itself encodes the number 36 (A=10, Q=26), reflecting the very foundation of the system it represents. Such self-referential properties are just the beginning of the numerical wonders this system reveals.

Historical Context and Origins of Alphanumeric Qabbala

The Alphanumeric Qabbala (AQ) cipher represents a fascinating evolution in the long history of numerical mysticism. To fully appreciate its significance, we must understand both its technical origins in modern computational systems and its spiritual lineage within the broader tradition of qabbalistic practices.

From Computational Roots to Mystical Applications

The technical foundation of Alphanumeric Qabbala lies in Base-36 notation, a numerical system that emerged primarily in the context of computer programming. As digital systems evolved beyond the familiar decimal (Base-10) system, there arose a need for more compact representations of numbers. Hexadecimal notation (Base-16), which uses digits 0-9 and letters A-F, became widely adopted in computing. Base-36 notation extends this concept further by utilizing the entire set of Arabic numerals (0-9) and the complete English alphabet (A-Z).

While it's difficult to pinpoint the exact historical moment when Base-36 notation first appeared, its development paralleled the expansion of computer systems and programming languages throughout the latter half of the 20th century. What began as a practical solution for computational efficiency would eventually find its way into esoteric circles, where practitioners recognized its potential for qabbalistic interpretation.

August Barrow and Anglossic Qabbala

A significant figure in the development of Alphanumeric Qabbala is August Barrow, whose 'Anglossic Qabbala' laid important groundwork for the system. As described by philosopher Nick Land in his "Qabbala 101" essays, Barrow's approach differed fundamentally from traditional gematria systems. While traditional Hebrew, Greek, or Arabic gematria typically feature discontinuous numerical values (such as 1-10, then 20, 30, etc.), Barrow's system introduced a continuous, nonredundant approach that supplemented numerals 0-9 with numerized letters from A (=10) to Z (=35).

This innovation represented a significant departure from ancient practices. Traditional gematria systems often substitute letters for numerical values, overcoding numerals where they exist. In contrast, Barrow's approach treated the entire 0-Z alphanumeric sequence as a numeral succession corresponding to the numerals of a modulus 36 notation. This continuous system opened new possibilities for qabbalistic interpretation that were particularly well-suited to the English language and modern contexts.

Connection to Traditional Qabbalistic Systems

Despite its modern computational origins, Alphanumeric Qabbala maintains deep connections to ancient mystical traditions. The practice of gematria—assigning numerical values to letters to uncover hidden meanings—has roots in various cultures:

What distinguishes Alphanumeric Qabbala is its adaptation of these ancient principles to the English language and modern numerical concepts. While traditional systems were developed for specific sacred languages (Hebrew, Greek, Arabic), AQ represents an attempt to create an "English Qabalah" that can be applied to contemporary texts and concepts.

Mathematical Foundation of Alphanumeric Qabbala

At the heart of Alphanumeric Qabbala lies a precise mathematical structure that merges ancient mystical traditions with modern numerical concepts. This section explores the mathematical foundations of AQ, examining its relationship to Base-36 notation and the remarkable numerical properties that emerge from this system.

Understanding Base-36 Notation

Base-36 notation represents a numerical system that uses 36 distinct symbols to represent numbers. While our everyday decimal system (Base-10) uses ten symbols (0-9), Base-36 expands this to include the entire English alphabet, creating a sequence of 36 characters: 0-9 followed by A-Z.

In this system, each position in a number represents a power of 36:

For example, the number written as "360" in decimal notation would be expressed as "A0" in Base-36, meaning:

The Alphanumeric Sequence: Value Assignments

In Alphanumeric Qabbala, each character in the 0-Z sequence is assigned a specific numerical value:

0 = 0    A = 10    K = 20    U = 30
1 = 1    B = 11    L = 21    V = 31
2 = 2    C = 12    M = 22    W = 32
3 = 3    D = 13    N = 23    X = 33
4 = 4    E = 14    O = 24    Y = 34
5 = 5    F = 15    P = 25    Z = 35
6 = 6    G = 16    Q = 26
7 = 7    H = 17    R = 27
8 = 8    I = 18    S = 28
9 = 9    J = 19    T = 29

This straightforward progression creates a continuous sequence from 0 to 35, encompassing all 36 characters. The beauty of this system lies in its simplicity and completeness—it incorporates both numbers and letters into a unified numerical framework.

The Significance of the Number 36

The number 36 holds special significance in Alphanumeric Qabbala, not merely because it represents the total count of characters in the system. Across various mystical traditions, 36 has been recognized as a number of profound importance:

Practical Applications and Examples of Alphanumeric Qabbala

The true power of Alphanumeric Qabbala emerges when we move from theory to practice. This section explores how AQ is applied in various contexts, from traditional gematria calculations to more creative and esoteric applications.

Gematria Calculations Using AQ

The primary application of Alphanumeric Qabbala is as a gematria system—a method for converting words and phrases into numbers and finding connections between terms with equal numerical values. Here's how the process works:

  1. Each letter in a word is assigned its corresponding AQ value (0-9 for numerals, 10-35 for A-Z).
  2. These values are summed to produce a total for the entire word or phrase.
  3. Words or phrases with equal sums are considered to have meaningful connections.

Thelemic Phrases and Their AQ Values

One of the most striking examples comes from Thelemic literature. When calculated using Alphanumeric Qabbala, the phrase "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law" equals 777. This is particularly remarkable because 777 is also the title of Aleister Crowley's book of qabbalistic essays (777 & Other Qabalistic Writings), creating a perfect numerical correspondence between the central tenet of Thelema and Crowley's qabbalistic work.

Similarly, the term "AL" (the name of The Book of the Law) equals 31 in AQ (A=10, L=21), which matches its value in Hebrew gematria (Aleph=1, Lamed=30). This correspondence between two different gematria systems on such a significant term has been interpreted as evidence of the validity of AQ for Thelemic studies.

Other Significant AQ Values

Many other words and phrases reveal interesting numerical patterns when calculated with AQ:

AQ in Thelemic and Occult Contexts

Alphanumeric Qabbala has found particular resonance within Thelemic and broader occult communities, where its mathematical precision and connection to the English language make it especially valuable for interpreting modern esoteric texts.

Relationship to Aleister Crowley's Work

Although Aleister Crowley himself did not explicitly work with Alphanumeric Qabbala as we understand it today, the system has proven remarkably effective for analyzing and interpreting his writings. This connection is particularly evident in several key areas:

The Book of the Law (Liber AL vel Legis)

Crowley's central text, "The Book of the Law," contains numerous passages that take on new significance when examined through the lens of AQ. As previously noted, the name "AL" equals 31 in both Hebrew gematria and AQ, creating a perfect correspondence between the two systems on this crucial term.

Crowley himself wrote: "'AL' is the true name of the Book, for these letters, and their number 31, form the Master Key to its Mysteries." The fact that this key operates identically in both traditional Hebrew gematria and AQ suggests a profound underlying connection between the systems.

Creative Applications of Alphanumeric Qabbala

Beyond its traditional applications in gematria and occult practices, Alphanumeric Qabbala offers a versatile framework for creative expression and personal exploration.

Sigilization Techniques Using the Alphanumeric Sequence

Sigils—symbolic representations of magical intentions—have long been a staple of occult practice. Alphanumeric Qabbala offers several unique approaches to sigilization that leverage its mathematical structure:

Grid-Based Sigil Creation

One approach involves plotting AQ values on a grid to create geometric patterns:

  1. Convert a statement of intent into its AQ numerical values.
  2. Plot these values on a grid, with each number determining a specific point.
  3. Connect the points in sequence to create a linear pattern.
  4. Simplify and stylize the resulting shape into a visually appealing sigil.

Conclusion: The Enduring Significance of Alphanumeric Qabbala

As we conclude our exploration of Alphanumeric Qabbala, it's worth reflecting on the broader significance of this remarkable cipher system and its place in the landscape of numerical mysticism. From its mathematical foundations to its diverse applications, AQ represents a fascinating bridge between ancient traditions and modern approaches to understanding the relationship between language, number, and meaning.

The continuous, nonredundant structure of AQ—where each character from 0 to Z is assigned a sequential value—represents a departure from traditional discontinuous gematria systems. Yet this innovation doesn't diminish its mystical potential; rather, it opens new possibilities for numerical interpretation that are particularly well-suited to the English language and modern texts.

For those new to Alphanumeric Qabbala, this article serves as an invitation to exploration. The system is accessible to anyone with an interest in the relationship between language and number, requiring no special background or training to begin working with it. All that's needed is curiosity and a willingness to engage with the mathematical dimensions of words and phrases.

References and Further Reading