When Kate Cassidy shared an image of the note Liam Payne left her before his tragic passing, she revealed their secret fascination with angel numbers and manifestation.
It’s an ideology that arguably roots back to the sixth century in Ancient Greece with the Pythagoreans, who believed that numbers had mystic, spiritual properties, with unique vibrational patterns that can provide insight into the nature of the universe.
Fast forward to today, and a modern interpretation of the concept, angel numbers, has surged in popularity, with individuals keen to secure an improved existence through the guidance of numbers and manifestation.
Kate added ‘444’ to her emotional tribute to her ‘angel’ boyfriend and shared a snap of a note where Liam had written the numbers. It showed the former One Direction member’s fascination with ‘angel numbers’ and ‘manifesting’.
The sequence ‘444’ can signify protection, encouragement and support from the spiritual realm, as well as clarity, stability and security. Believers in the trend report seeing angel number sequences everywhere, from bills and receipts to the time on the clock.
Jay-Z, Beyonce, Bella Hadid and Jennifer Aniston have all spoken on angel numbers, which can act as a ‘manifestation tool’ according to Manifestation Coach, Esther McCann.
Liam Payne left his girlfriend Kate Cassidy a note featuring the sequence ‘444’, revealing his interest in angel numbers and manifestation
Liam’s note, which he asked her not to open, pledged his hope that they would marry within the year and be ‘together forever
Talking to Femail, Esther explained that angel numbers ‘all have different meanings, or frequencies and are believed to carry a message for the individual’.
She added: ‘They are numbers that you will keep noticing in life regularly, sometimes in the strangest of places.
‘When they are seen often like this, they become known as a synchronicity, sceptics will put it down to coincidence but for the spiritually open, many feel it’s a sign.
Jay Z tributes angel numbers with his thirteenth studio album, called 4:44. It was no doubt a decision supported by wife Beyonce, with the pair both having Roman numerals IV – the number four – inked on their ring fingers to represent their marriage date – April 4, 2008 – and their birth dates both landing on the fourth.
Highsnobiety reported how the rapper came to coin the name of the record. Jay Z said: ‘4:44 is a song that I wrote, and it’s the crux of the album, just right in the middle of the album. And I woke up, literally, at 4:44 in the morning, 4:44 AM, to write this song.
‘So it became the title of the album and everything. It’s the title track because it’s such a powerful song, and I just believe one of the best songs I’ve ever written.’
Years later in 2022, Kylie Jenner revealed her son was born on February 2 – ‘2/2/22’, as she wrote on Instagram, which is why she’s been spotted sporting a necklace with the sequence.
Jennifer Aniston is another fan – she has the number 11:11 inked on her wrist. Katy Perry’s new album ‘143’ is also an angel sequence. Bella Hadid has angel numbers 222 in all her perfumes.
According to Esther, angel numbers can appear as single digits, repeating digits, such as ‘222’, repetitive sequences on the clock like 12:12, mirror numbers, such as 14:41, or a ‘ladder number’ like 12:34, which represents progression.
‘For example, repeating fives are known to be a symbol of upcoming changes, or they’re a signal that you’re already going through a transformational life chapter,’ she said.
Esther added: ‘9:11 is a message of one cycle closing out and a new one beginning. And the most popular is 11:11 which is seen as a bit of a manifestation holy grail, because it symbolises alignment with your desires, new beginnings, and being on the right path.’
While sequences may vary, all angel numbers are linked to manifestation, which is the practice of thinking aspirational thoughts with the hopes of making them real, and is often attempted via journalling and repeating desires.
According to Esther, seeing angel numbers may be a sign that one’s manifestations are working, saying: ‘It is like a confirmation signal from the universe saying, ”you’re right on track”, ”you’re being supported”, or ”something is coming”.’
Kate added an explanation of the ‘444 angel number sequence on her Instagram, saying it ‘reminds you that your angels are always there to support you’
Calling Liam her ‘best friend, the love of my life’, she said she is struggling to ‘figure out how to live’ without him
‘We can’t track our manifestations as we would a parcel, so it’s a comforting nudge to keep us trusting in our goals.’
Talking to Femail, Psychic Medium TJ Higgs said the booming popularity of angel numbers and manifestation may be linked to celebrity culture.
She said: ‘Recently, the popularity of angel numbers has surged, especially with the rise of social media and influencers sharing their spiritual experiences.
‘This trend may be linked to celebrity culture, as many public figures promote spiritual practices and mindfulness, prompting their followers to explore similar paths.’
Kate Cassidy revealed that she and Liam had been ‘manifesting their lives together’ – a longing heavily associated with the number she signed off her tribute post with, ‘444’.
The 25-year-old told her followers that she had been at a ‘complete loss’ following the tragedy and that ‘nothing about the past few days had felt real’.
Friends star Jennifer Aniston (seen at the Golden Globes, 2020) has the angel numbers 11:11 inked on her wrist
Singer Katy Perry (seen with Tony Fly) also paid homage to the trend with her latest album release – called 143
In Kylie Jenner’s ’73 Questions with Vogue’ YouTube video, the makeup mogul sported a necklace with the sequence ‘222’
Released in 2017, Jay Z’s thirteenth studio album – 4:44 – revealed his fascination with angel numbers
Yesterday, Kate shared an emotional tribute post to Liam Payne on Instagram, and signed it off with the sequence ‘444’
She then posted the sequence ‘444’ in the bottom right-hand corner of the tribute next to a red heart emoji.
TJ Higgs revealed the meaning behind the sequence, saying: ‘The angel number 444 signifies protection, encouragement, and support from the spiritual realm.
‘Seeing this number repeatedly suggest that you are on the right path and that your angels are surrounding you, offering their guidance.’
She added: ‘Many people find comfort in angel numbers during difficult periods, as they can symbolise hope and reassurance. For instance, seeing 444 may remind individuals that they are not alone, and that support is available.
‘By interpreting these numbers as messages of love and guidance, individuals may feel a sense of connection to something greater, aiding in their healing process.’
Pictured: Liam Payne and Kate Cassidy attending the premiere of All Of Those Voices in March 2023
‘When Liam Payne wrote his note to his girlfriend Kate, with the significance of angel numbers 444, I genuinely believe he was fully aware of the love and support surrounding him.
‘He understood that he had people in his life who made him feel, loved cherished, valued, and important.’
While Esther explained that celebrities may use angel numbers to guide their careers, she believes it shows that they are seeking ‘divine support’.
She said: ‘My personal recurring number is 43 and I sometimes see this as 143 which, I share with Katy Perry, who has used it on her latest album and Mr Rogers believed the digits symbolised ”I love you”.’
143 can mean I love you, with one meaning I, four meaning love with its four letters, and three meaning you.
TJ Higgs revealed how to find your angel numbers, saying: ‘To discover your angel numbers, pay attention to the numbers that frequently appear in your life, such as on clocks, license plates, or receipts.
‘Keeping a journal to document these occurrences can help you identify patterns and reflect on their meanings according to numerology.
Despite angel numbers having roots in ancient philosophy, a mystic who made her fortune with the modern interpretation of ‘angel numbers’ revealed that the entire concept is fake .
Former New Age teacher Doreen Virtue branded the practice ‘garbage’ and admitted she feels ashamed of making it up.
According to Virtue, the concept came to her during a meditation session in her bathroom, where she had locked herself away to get some peace and quiet from her children.
Virtue told The Cut she started receiving ‘downloads’ – when ‘angels were sending repeating numbers on receipts and telephone numbers, and these patterns meant something.’
‘It’s kind of perfect, because this stuff should be thrown down the toilet,’ Virtue explained. ‘It’s garbage. I regret it, and I’m sorry that I made them.’
The former psychotherapist began to dabble more seriously in the concept after surviving a carjacking in 1995, which she credited to guardian angels.
‘I started to talk to people who’d had these weird, unexplainable experiences that went way beyond coincidence,’ she said. ‘We all thought it was angel intervention.’
When Kylie Jenner revealed the birth of her son on February 2, family and friends referred to him as an angel because his birthday is the sequence is ‘2/2/22’
Family: ‘Mommy of two life,’ gushed Kylie’s oldest sister Kourtney Kardashian, who added a red heart and praying hand emojis. Her bff Stassie Karanikolaou wrote, ‘Angel baby’
Angel baby: Her sister Kim Kardashian commented with a baby angel emoji and a blue heart, while the singer Normani shared several white hearts
A series of book deals followed, in partnership with her longtime collaborator, Lynette Brown.
The books were so successful that they led to a jet-set career in which Virtue would speak to thousands of adoring fans in person and to the masses through appearances on Oprah, Sally Jessy Raphael and The View.
The revenue enabled Virtue to purchase a Hawaiian ranch, as well as a $1.9 million Washington home.
Virtue insisted that during this time, she believed what she was teaching and used angel numbers to guide her decisions.
She admitted that she regrets using her influence to radically alter some of her disciples’ lives with ‘stupid, delusional advice,’ including encouraging people to quit their jobs, leave partners or relocate.
‘I knew someone whose mom was dying, and the number 444 was a comfort to her,’ Virtue explained. ‘She thought that meant her mom would live, and she didn’t.’
Today, Virtue has tossed out her New Age ways in favor of Christianity. Her U-turn came about in 2015 while she was in the car listening to a preacher on the radio talk about the dangers of false prophets.
She now regularly appears on podcasts and her YouTube channel denouncing her old beliefs.
‘It may be reassuring to think angels are with you, but to say, ‘I don’t have to take action, because the angels are going to do the work,’ or ‘the angels told me this is going to be okay’ — that’s false hope,’ Virtue added.
Her decision to renounce angel numbers was met with a furious backlash and wild speculation that Virtue was being manipulated by her husband or a demonic spirit – both of which she denies.
The financial impact of her decision is also still being felt. Virtue says she owes the IRS $2 million and has been forced to sell her Hawaiian ranch.
‘I’m making in a year what I used to make in a week when I was in the New Age,’ Virtue said of the $1,000 to 2,000 a month she earns today.
But she does not regret her decision and has stern words for anyone still enraptured by angel numbers.
‘People find comfort in this because they want this magical solution to problems, but there is no magical solution,’ she said.
‘You have to do some hard work. You have to get a job, and you have to be responsible with your finances, you have to go to the doctor.
‘These are things that people often don’t want to do. They’d rather have this fantasy that the angels are taking care of all this.’