Lucky number magic squares are scarce even though magic squares themselves are not. Most of these squares are complicated bits of figuring which do not find much favor with the spectators. In this case, however, Mr. Heath has a novel presentation that uses the spectator’s birth date and is not too long to become boresome. We shall explain it as we go along, and the reader can follow with paper and pencil.

Illustrated here is a magic square made from the numbers 1 to 9. This must first be learned perfectly so you know the position of each number as a sort of key to later operations.

Make a skeleton outline and above it write in figures the month, day, and year of birth. Use the last two figures of the year for more ease in working. We shall assume the date to be January 6th, 1883, which, incidentally, is Mr. Heath’s date of birth. It is written above the outline as 1-6-83. First, the 83 (the year) is put in the (1) square. The spectator is asked which of the two remaining figures shall be used first. He indicates either and is then asked whether it is to be added or subtracted. Both of these selections are absolutely free.

Let us assume he picked the 6 and it is to be subtracted. Subtracting 6 from 83 leaves 77, and this is placed in the (4) square. Subtracting 6 from this 77 figure leaves 71, and this is placed in the (7) square. You are now finished with the 6, and it may be well to say here that the 6 could have been added in the same manner that it was subtracted. Also, the figure 1 could have been selected first and also added or subtracted. Not one of these variations will make a difference in the final result.

Now the figure 1 (in this case) is taken and either added or subtracted in the following manner. We shall assume it is to be added. The three numbers now in the square are considered as key numbers because they are in the 1-4-7 positions. We now add 1 to 83, making 84, and place it in the (2) square. Adding 1 to 84 makes 85, and we place this in the (3) square. We continue by adding 1 to the 77 in the (4) square, making 78, and place it in the (5) square.

Adding 1 to 78 makes 79, and we put this in the (6) square. Now add 1 to the 71 in the (7) square, which makes 72, and it is placed in the (8) square. 1 and 72 is 73, and this is put in the (9) square, which completes the square.

Please notice that when starting on the last figure (in this case, the 1), the three numbers already in the square act as keys to follow. Add or subtract as given above from the number in the (1) square for squares (2) and (3). Now start with the number in the (4) square and continue with squares (5) and (6). Then start with (7) square and finish with squares (8) and (9).

The completed square is a magic square and can be added horizontally, vertically, and diagonally, the result, in each case, being the same. This proves the square, in this case, 234. The digits in the sum are added together until a single figure remains, and that becomes the lucky number of the person whose birthdate has been used. In this instance, the lucky number is 9.

You can have a lot of impromptu fun with this, and the alert magus will do it on the back of his business card, give the spectator a short reading by numerology of his lucky number, and leave the card with them. Try it a few times, and it becomes very simple in operation.