Synchronicity reveals the meaningful connection between the subjective and objective world.
– Carl Jung
You keep seeing the same repeated numbers, colors, words, or images all the time. What’s happening?
Are you going crazy?
Thankfully, the answer is no. You’re not crazy! You’re actually experiencing a phenomenon called synchronicity.
Table of contents
- What is Synchronicity?
- What is the Purpose of Synchronicity?
- Common Forms of Synchronicity
- What’s the Difference Between Serendipity and Synchronicity?
- 6 Theories About Synchronicity (From Skeptics to Believers)
- What Creates Synchronicity?
- How to Welcome More Synchronicity into Your Life
- How to Interpret Synchronicity (7 Ways)
What is Synchronicity?
Synchronicity is a term originally coined by psychologist Carl Jung that refers to deeply meaningful coincidences which mysteriously occur in your life.
When you experience synchronicity, you’ll have experiences that seem far too significant to be mere day-to-day serendipitous encounters. Some people describe these as ‘freak encounters,’ ‘miracles,’ ‘signs from the heavens,’ guidance from one’s personal spirit guides, or even mystical instances of Soul connection.
Synchronicity can manifest in an endless number of forms. For example, those who experience synchronious events usually report seeing or hearing meaningful names, numbers, words, or symbols.
What is the Purpose of Synchronicity?
As a person who has experienced a great deal of synchronicity in life, I agree with those who believe that synchronicity is a powerful ‘wink’ from the Universe telling us that yes, we’re on the right track.
Synchronicity is also believed to be a form of guidance from the Higher Self or Soul; a way of showing you where to go and what to do next in your life as you proceed through your spiritual awakening.
In particular, synchronicity seems to be experienced most commonly by those who choose to walk the inner path of self-transformation and enlightenment. Coming across a form of synchronicity can be a form of powerful confirmation, a ray of guidance, or a sign of hope for those on the spiritual journey.
Read more: How to Start Your Spiritual Journey (7 Illuminating Steps) »
Common Forms of Synchronicity
Synchronicity is different for everyone – it’s dependent on our unique needs and desires at any given moment in life.
But there are a few common forms of synchronicity out there, such as:
- Seeing repeated numbers (such as 11 11, 2:22, 7:07, 5:55, etc.)
- Thinking about something, then mysteriously having it happen
- Being in the right place at the right time
- Dreaming about people/animals/places, then seeing them repeatedly in real life
- Seeing repeated symbols (such as the infinity sign, the triangle, the tree of life, etc.)
Can you think of any other common forms of synchronicity? Please share them below in the comments if you think I’ve missed any!
What’s the Difference Between Serendipity and Synchronicity?
Serendipity is when something good accidentally happens. For instance, we may need cash to pay for unexpected vet bills and find some in our jacket pocket that we’ve just put on.
Synchronicity, on the other hand, is not just a single experience of good fortune. Synchronicity is a string of events that seem to be highly symbolic and meaningful in nature.
If serendipity is like the bread crumb, synchronicity is the trail that leads us toward a new destination. Many people see synchronicity as a lesson, affirmation, or message from Life.
One example of synchronicity is hearing the same name over and over again (in books, on TV, on number plates, in dreams) and later discovering that the name is a suburb where you finally find your dream home.
Synchronicity Examples
Here are some examples of synchronicity:
- Overhearing a couple of strangers talk about something that is of great significance to your own life
- Watching episodes of your favorite TV shows that all somehow have the same underlying storyline/focus
- Getting the exact message you need the most at the exact right time (e.g., if you’re going through a divorce, depression, betrayal, major life change, etc.)
- Meeting the exact right person at the exact right time (e.g., a partner, friend, teacher, etc.)
- Seeing the same symbols or images repeated everywhere (e.g., in magazines, on commercials, on buildings, on tattoos)
- Glancing at the clock the exact same time of the day for many days on end (and seeing 11:11, 14:14, 23:23, 2:22, etc.)
- Reoccuring signs that seem to lead you somewhere special (e.g., your ideal job, home, relationship)
- Hearing the same song repeated many times in unusual circumstances
- Strange alignments of birth dates between friends, partners, colleagues, etc.
How many of these experiences can you relate to?
6 Theories About Synchronicity (From Skeptics to Believers)
What exactly is synchronicity? Let’s examine some popular world views:
- Hindus believe synchronicity is a manifestation of Brahman or the fundamental connection of all living things within the universe
- Behavioral Economists would classify synchronicity as a form of confirmation bias. For example, if you’re told to look for yellow cars, you’ll start seeing a lot more of them than you initially thought existed
- Quantum physicists attribute synchronicity to the “non-local” mind (or universal consciousness)
- Skeptics call synchronicity Apophenia or the practice of seeing connections and patterns in random and/or meaningless data
- Everyday spiritual folks believe synchronicity is a sign from their Higher Self or Soul
- Psychologists (particularly those who follow Jungian theories) believe synchronicity comes from the unconscious mind and collective unconscious
Whatever causes it, synchronicity is far too common and too intriguing an experience to overlook or quickly dismiss and forget about. As the author of You Are Not So Smart, David McRaney concludes:
Just remember that meaning comes only from within.
The only person who can understand why a synchronous experience occurs and what it means is you.
What Creates Synchronicity?
So, what actually creates synchronicity? Common explanations for the origins of synchronicity include the following:
- The unconscious mind. We get warning messages in our dreams, so why can’t we get them in waking life as well? Our unconscious mind influences a lot of our behavior, and at the same time, can also communicate with us. Spiritual signs and omens (or instances of synchronicity) are the unconscious mind’s way of guiding us.
- Harmony of energy. As everything consists of tiny vibrating atoms (aka. energy), synchronicity could also be a manifestation of global/environmental harmony, where the frequencies and vibrations of the moment sync together in perfect equilibrium (or Oneness) producing uncanny experiences.
- Law of attraction. This theory states that good and bad events in life are caused by your thoughts and feelings. Thus “like attracts like,” which possibly explains why synchronicity occurs.
- Psychic abilities. Synchronicity is also thought to be a manifestation of psychic abilities where, for example, we intuit that a certain person will call us or a significant event will befall us, and it does.
Personal Experience
Here is an illustration from my own life of synchronicity:
For some reason, the number 9 has been extremely significant in my life. When I need confirmation of anything, paying attention to number 9 is one of the most obvious places to look for me. I was born on the 19th, my partner was born on the 9th, my mother was born on the 29th, my uncle was born on the 29th, my brother is born in the 9th month of the year, and both myself and my partner share number 9 as our favorite number. What are the chances?!
How to Welcome More Synchronicity into Your Life
When you remain connected to the Divine, She will speak to you — in patterns and connections, signs and synchronicities, and all sorts of gifts. When magic rises to the surface of your awareness, and your life, you know you’re blessed. It makes life a wild adventure. It’s also a source of incredible strength, coming to you when you most need it …
– Phyllis Curott
Have you ever thought that perhaps the synchronicity in your life right now is a message in disguise?
Whether you’re a skeptic or not, I encourage you to take action and see where you’re led.
Welcoming synchronicity into your life is simple. Here are some basic practices and mindset shifts to adopt:
- Be mindful and aware. Practice alertness and pay attention to the present moment.
- Be open and receptive. Maintain an open-minded outlook towards synchronicity. This will enhance your receptibility towards such an experience.
- Be humble. Sometimes what you desire or think is best for yourself is not. Learn to have a very loose hold on your desires. In this way, you won’t be imposing yourself on Life, but you will allow Life to impose itself on you (in the form of synchronicity).
- Be trusting. Trust that synchronicity will appear in your life and when it does, trust your intuition and follow the paths presented ahead of you. When you learn to trust yourself, you also learn to trust Life.
- Follow your instincts. Listen to what your gut instinct is telling you – your unconscious mind is vast, limitless, and extremely wise. Doors are being opened for us all the time, and when we listen to our instincts, we can actively see them.
Other spiritual tools/practices you might like to use to increase the synchronicity in your life include:
- 6. Prayer – mentally or verbally express your desire to receive synchronicity (you don’t have to be religious to pray – you can pray to whatever you believe in).
- 7. Sigils – sigils are intention-infused symbols that are used to communicate to your unconscious mind – they can be used to increase the synchronicity in your life.
How to Interpret Synchronicity (7 Ways)
Perhaps you’ve had an increase in synchronicity lately. You might be wondering “what does it mean and how can I correctly interpret it?”
By learning how to correctly interpret the signs and omens that appear in your life, you’ll be able to know when you’re on the right path, when you’re making the wisest choices, and when you’re living aligned with your deepest needs and values.
Again, synchronicity is a powerful guide during the spiritual awakening process.
Sometimes synchronicity heralds new doors (or opportunities) that may open in your life. Other times, synchronicity is simply trying to teach you a lesson, for instance, to stop pursuing the relationship/job that you’ve set your heart on because it won’t work out.
Here are some of the most accurate ways to interpret synchronicity:
1. Meditate and go inwards
Ask yourself, “what does this synchronicity mean?” Wait for images, feeling, or words to enter your mind. If you still feel doubtful, repeat the same practice three times and see what answer you get.
2. Tune into your body
Your body is a repository of wisdom and it will tell you the truth no matter what your mind tries to make you believe. When you think you know what the synchronicity means, tune into your body. Do you get any goosebumps, shivers, or feelings of expansion as though an inner lightbulb has gone off? If this is the case, you’ve likely found the right explanation. If, on the other hand, your body doesn’t experience any notable changes, you probably haven’t found the right answer. Keep persisting.
3. Use a pendulum
Pendulum dowsing is a powerful way of getting a direct answer from your unconscious mind. Simply get a pendulum (or a make-shift one) and ask it a question that demands a “yes/no” answer. For example, you may like to ask, “does this synchronicity mean that this relationship is right for me?” Read more about pendulum dowsing.
4. Find patterns
One easy way to interpret the synchronicity in your life is to find patterns in your behavior. What issues or questions have been emerging a lot in your life at the moment? What has been the biggest source of anxiety/frustration you’ve been dealing with? Synchronicity often arises when we need answers and solutions. Find the patterns and relate them back to your synchronicity.
5. Explore the hidden symbolism
Often, synchronicity is symbolic in nature (e.g., the black dog you keep seeing in your dreams and waking life that symbolizes negativity/bad choices, the repetitive number “1” which symbolizes “being number one”). Is there any symbolic aspect present in your synchronicity? If so, what does it mean to you? Yes, you can consult a symbol dictionary or look up the meanings online. But remember, the most important meaning is the one you create and believe in.
6. Use oracle and tarot cards
Renown psychologist Carl Jung once commented on the Chinese divination method of I Ching: “For more than thirty years I have interested myself in this oracle technique, or method of exploring the unconscious, for it has seemed to me of uncommon significance.”
Thanks to the I Ching, Jung developed his theory which he coined ‘synchronicity.’ I’m sure if Jung was alive today he would believe the same about oracle and tarot cards – which, in my opinion – are much more accessible. (Though the I Ching is a supremely wise counselor.)
One of the easiest ways of interpreting synchronicity is to consult an oracle or tarot deck. You can read intuitively (which is largely what I do) and pay attention to what feelings emerge within you. You can pick up affordable decks online such as the Vintage Wisdom Oracle.
Before pulling cards, it’s always best to ground and center yourself, preferably through some form of meditation. Then, shuffle the cards and stop when you intuitively feel the need to pause. Pull the card from the top of the deck and turn it over. Pay attention to the feelings you get from the image – are they positive and welcoming or unfriendly and negative? Depending on what type of card you receive you’ll have your answer.
You can also use tarot and oracle cards for far more than simple “yes/no” answers – they can help to reveal the very core meaning of the synchronicity you’re experiencing.
7. Listen to your dreams
Your dreams reveal a lot about the synchronicity occurring in your life – they are, after all, the language of the unconscious mind.
You can either try to passively analyze your dreams or actively trying to “incubate” (or create) dreams that help to answer your question.
To practice dream incubation, think about the synchronicity that has been happening in your life lately about half an hour before bed. Write down your question or draw a picture that symbolizes your synchronicity and put it under your pillow. This practice will help to prime your unconscious mind and prepare it to give you answers during your dreams. When first waking in the morning, record your dreams in a journal. Do this for one week and see what patterns emerge.
Note: I recommend re-reading the list above and choosing one technique that you’re immediately drawn to. Don’t overwhelm yourself! If you don’t have success, try something new after a month. Keep your synchronicity exploration simple!
***
Synchronicities are the mysterious and beautiful occurrences that spontaneously happen in life. They can help to guide you and open your eyes to new potentials you didn’t know existed.
What are some powerful forms of synchronicity that you’ve had? I’d love to hear your stories below in the comments. (It makes for an exciting read!)
Thank you so much for this article. I am no stranger to synchronities. They would happen in my experiences a lot when I was a teenager and as a young adult. I did experience a tremendous one a few years ago that was absolutely Devine. But this most recent one was very much needed and tickled me spiritually. So my children have been pleading for me to get them a pet for months now. We just recently opened up much more to the idea. My partner refused any thought about getting a cat (which is what I really wanted). However, he broke up with me Sunday (randomly after nearly 7 years), so his refusal of getting a cat became null and void. He called Saturday, a day short of a week afterward wanting to “work things out” after his week of silence and a week of tears, reflection and truth for myself. After I stood my ground in not giving in to him, a cat appeared in my backyard. She came up to me and she allowed me to pet her. I picked her up and brought her inside, fed her, played, and pet her several times throughout the night. Needless to say, I fell in love with her. She slept in the bed and I decided that night that I wanted to keep her. Sunday, my toddler, myself and the new kitty were playing outside when my toddler chased her and the kitty ran away. We didn’t see her that night. The little one was sad and I told her that it’s ok, she might come back. If it’s meant to be, it will be. My now ex-partner called again on Sunday and again I stood my ground and didn’t give into his so called working things out. The next day, Monday, as my children and I pull up to our house after a long day in the rat race, I noticed several packages on my front porch. Eager to see, I go check the packages and realize there is one for my neighbor that had mistakenly been left at my door. So after we get inside the house, my toddler and I go outside to deliver the package to our neighbors. At this point, I noticed my other neighbor coming down the road. So after delivering my neighbors package, my toddler and I decide to check the mail. I looked over at my other neighbors as she was getting her children and items out of her vehicle. I noticed a cat around her that looked very similar to the cat that slept over on Saturday. So I asked, “hey, is that your cat?” She says “yes, but it doesn’t like people.” She continues, “but we do have a kitten that looks just like this one that is so sweet and loving that we’re trying to get rid of. Do you want a cat?” I probably overly enthusiastically replied, “yes, absolutely!” She said, “okay, I’ll bring it over in a few minutes.” When she came to the door a few minutes later, she handed me the same cat that had stayed with us on Saturday. I thanked her many many times and she was relieved to had found a home for her. When I let the kitty go in the house, my toddler screamed with utter joy and excitement, “Mommy, look! It’s the same cat!!!” We hugged and are completely over joyed. Part of that joy for me was the complete alignment of little moments that allowed this synchronicity to take place. It’s a beautiful and absolutely Devine feeling when this happens. How am I interpreting this? Well, my energy has shifted since the recent breakup. I have learned to let go and have faith. The universe provides you with what you want and need even though you may not know what it is at the time. So for me. I know that it is overdue in ending this relationship and living again. This was the big sign I asked for. Thank you thank you thank you. I am so grateful! If you read this far, thank you for reading. And thank you lonerwolf for sharing your take on synchronicity.
Three years ago, at age 34 I was diagnosed with leukemia and ended up having a Stem cell transplant from an unknown donor. My life fell apart and I went from pre cancer not knowing myself and hating myself to gaining a connection to my inner truth. Since about a year ago I started noticing synchronicities that seemed to have no significance to me. Mostly, it would involve experiences like I would be watching a cooking competition and an uncommon food like an artichoke or cornichons would be mentioned the minute I would be taking a bite of that food. Even with entire meals. I also listen to podcasts and scroll on the internet and I will read an fairly uncommon word or sentence at the exact same time I am hearing it, and it would not be due to similar content. I used to be hugely skeptic but this stuff happened several times a day for chunks of time and then nothing for a while and honestly frightens me as I worry I am having some kind of psychosis. But I see it mostly as a wink from the universe as you put it. Anyway, I’m curious about whether it is common that people gain certain abilities like this after traumatic events.
Hi Shayna, thank you for sharing your story. ♡ Yes, it’s quite common for people to experience awakenings and synchronicities after traumatic events, don’t worry. It’s actually typically a good sign! Keep honing that intuition. ;)
I see the same painting over and over again, and in all different forms. It’s the Girl with a Pearl Earring. I see it everywhere! One time there was a fingerprint smudge on my phone THAT LOOKED JUST LIKE IT! I thought I was going crazy, and then I kept seeing it all over the place. I just saw the painting on twitter but instead of it being the girl it was a cat, it’s literally everywhere
I am a retired guy who has had synchronous experiences that have boggled me for about 12-13 years. I am posting the latest that happened yesterday ( It’s now 1:30 AM DST). Yesterday afternoon about 2PM I went to a news site and came across a horrendous description of the Battle of Lepanto. It is to graphic to mention. Never heard of it before. I just mentioned it to my wife and forgot about it, I thought. Then around midnight I started up my video game, Europa Universalis IV, and added a new generic music mod (modification), blind, as the selections were not listed. So, I installed the mod. I started the game up and clicked on my music. About the tenth music selection down showed (hold onto your hats) “The Battle of Lepanto”. Every day when me or my wife look at a clock to check the time, the number 11 is there, about 80% of the time. I could write a book about my experiences but you might be bored to tears. So, when I was working at various banks I also had hair raising “tests”. Thanks for listening to my rants as I had to tell someone about this.
I am a retired guy who has had synchronous experiences that have boggled me for about 12-13 years. I am posting the latest that happened yesterday ( It’s now 1:30 AM DST).
I really need some help with this. Please. Something bizarre happened. A little background: We have not spoken in almost four months now. He just disappeared without rhyme or reason. We didn’t have any conflict or fights. He just ghosted. I have reached out to him (not relentlessly) a few times over the months but no response. Basically, he just ghosted. We had a great connection, and I honestly don’t know what happened. I am giving up all hope that he will reach out ever again.
Here comes the bizarre part: I was watching a show and out of nowhere, his name came up. It was the name of a character, playing a news reporter on channel 3 news. Not just his first name, but both first and last names. And no, his last name is not common at all. I wasn’t even looking for it or paying too much attention to the show. I have seen his first name before and dismissed it as confirmation bias or just pure coincidence. But this occurrence just seems weird. Is it just a coincidence or a sign of some hope? Am I reading too much into it? I really don’t know what my gut is saying because I am shrouded with sadness and confusion. Please help me.
Dear Meghna, if he just ghosted, that’s the only answer you need, unfortunately. :-( … 3. Be humble. Sometimes what you desire or think is best for yourself is not. Learn to have a very loose hold on your desires. In this way, you won’t be imposing yourself on Life, but you will allow Life to impose itself on you (in the form of synchronicity).
I´m 54 years old and synchronicity has played a huge part of my life ever since I moved out from home. Before that, there I didn´t experience that at all. So, this has continued for about 33 years. There are numerous examples, but let´s take one or two:
– I met my (already ex) spouse online in 2008 and started to chat intensively. We had a 600 km (about 400 miles) distance and had no common friends. Despite of the distance, our relationship progressed pretty quickly and I started to get to know his family and friends as well. There was one friend he was talking about all the time, but it took at least a year or so, before I talked to this guy. At that point we were already living together with my spouse. It turned out, that one of my best friends and this dude were originally from the same little town from the north, and they had played in the same band when they were young. He also knew many other people in my life, like my former partner.
– I have a son with the above spouse. My son´s paternal grandmother and godmother were born on the same day, although decades apart. His grandmother had died in her early fifties, leaving 3 adolescent children behind to be taken care by their father. Within 2 or 3 years, other tragedies followed the family, so everything did not go well. Decades later, my son´s godmother – my brother´s ex-wife and mother of his 3 children – got cancer and died in her fifties, leaving 3 adolescent sons to be taken care by their father. Other tragedies have already occurred, but this situation is fairly fresh, so I do not know the outcome yet. The similarities make me very worried anyway.
My friends call me the synchronicity queen. I see them so often that it’s wild. I’ve taught people about the connections ect. I do think that they are signs from the universe letting you know that you are on the right path. It doesn’t mean that that path will always be easy, it actually could be hard. But the lesson and the learning and the strength to get through the hard times are actually some of your greatest blessing in life.
Amen. :-)
P.S.
I just happened to see 2011/11/11 close to the YouTube video related to the movie titled “11:11:11” on PC right after thinking of ’11/11/11.
I used to sometimes feel déjà vu, and I once found myself feeling that I’d read (parts of ) the story of a book when actually it was the first time. I’ve quite recently experienced a few coincidences with a coach of coaching. The thoughts I’d suddenly come up with were almost exactly the same as his in his texts, which surprised me. And I often see the repeating numbers like (11:)11:11, (4)4:44 on the clock and on the PC (Some spiritual YouTube videos use such numbers as the length of time, though.).
Thank you.
I constantly see the numbers 1219 which is my birthday. And it’s been happening for a couple years now very frequently but I can’t figure out why.
For me, I’ve been noticing quite frequently while I’m reading something and listening to something in the background at the same time, I’ll be reading and hear a word at the exact same time I read that same exact word. I also feel déjà vu a lot and have strange dreams that I can’t always remember but there’s a lot of overlap.
Or if I’m just thinking of a word I sometimes hear the same word at the same time I think it
I know that my research has found your website to broaden and support my spiritual journey. So many things that I have read on your site resonate with me. No coincidences – Synchronicity! I look forward to my exciting journey! Thank you for your important work! <3 Peace and love always, Maryann
In the last month, I have been online and listening to news while at the same time either messaging family or searching on Google, etc. I would venture to say that at least 15 times I have been typing a word or phrase and at the same time the person reporting the news is saying the exact thing I am typing. This floors me. Is this a form of Synchronicity? I will add that I am an empath, but I don’t know how this correlates?
This happens to me frequently when I’m reading or just thinking things! So weird!! I have dèjá vu a lot as well!
Also an empath!
Hi this is a genuine positive site I’ve been looking for for centuries :)hi
I wrote an article about what the word “revolution” means to me and since my piece was published, I continue to see different forms of this word all over – be it in songs or in my daily horoscope or random articles I read online. I guess I’m on the path of a spiritual revolution, maybe?
My latest synchronous is right here and now. Came across your website today as googled synchronicity. I’ve lived here 20 years and heard owls frequently but never seen them. 2 nights ago at dusk one flew onto the tree outside my house which is leafless. I could see it as a silhouette against the sky. It was just the same as your website pic on this page of the girl looking at the owl in the tree. I even took a photo as it felt so magical, like it had sat and perched there just for me.
It’s really unusual to see slugs here. Last week I found one in my kitchen which I put outside. Yesterday I found another in my lounge. I asked out loud as my common number is three – where will the third slug be? I put the slug out on the window ledge and low and behold, a giant slug on a plant in the flowerbed under the window. I couldn’t believe it. Then I asked why are you giving me slugs? Must be telling me I’m being slow!
I frequently experience what I would call “insignificant” synchronicities… things like hearing a word/phrase in a song at the same moment I see the same word/phrase on a bumper sticker. I notice little “coincidences” like that, daily. IMO this could either be a sign of alignment, or it is some sort of attempt to get my attention. Thoughts?
I keep coming across people with the name blessing.and also the word blessing.what does it mean
Thanks this is great. I see 1 dude a lot, lots of double numbers and some movie about a woman who falls for a magic man. I will try doing the meditation and dream incubation!!
I see repeating numbers all the time. Recently tried my hand at contacting the norse god Odin and yesterday came across two ravens and since have seen 555 multiple times, 6666 multiple times, and just woke up to 6 sets of repeating numbers in my bank statement (111’s and 222’s)
WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN IM WATCHJNG TV AND THE SAME TIME IM THINKING OF A WORD IN MY HEAD – THEY SAY IT SIMULTANEOUSLY ON THE TELEVISION!!???? THIS HAPPENS DAILY – SOMETIMES A FEW TIMES IN A DAY !! AM I LOSING MY MIND ??!! SO BIZARRE AND SCARY!! THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT A YEAR OR MORE NOW !!
hi, i see a symbol of two flamingos every day, everywhere
Hi
Thankyou for this article. I’d like to share my story. I have always had an interest in the real estate market and always wanted to learn how to invest in property .
Nothing really happened until recently I keep seeing patterns emerging of real estate courses, real estate property to buy. Everywhere and every time I see the same thing.
I also had a dream that I went to buy a door for a house . Then I keep seeing adverts about real estate investment.
I began to wonder is the universe speaking to me, and when I go inwards I get goose bumps and a really good feeling.