It's clear that Barack Obama was destined for greatness even before he became the 44th President of the United States, but we wanted to hear that from an expert. Renowned numerologist Tania Gabrielle, author of "The Unrevealed Secrets of Political Success," sat down to chart out President Obama's numbers based on the scientific connection between the number of letters in his name and his date of birth (which happens to be today). Tania explains how exactly these numbers have influenced his past and present and what they mean for his future. She spoke with ESSENCE.com about President Obama's connection to the most respected historic leaders, whether or not the Obamas will bring a newborn into the White House and how he'll make out in his first year in office.

ESSENCE.COM: What can we expect for President Obama during his first year in office?
TANIA GABRIELLE: His personal cycles right now are all about expect the unexpected. It's really as we go into next year, you will begin to see him concentrate on home and family issues for both himself and the nation. We don't know what's coming during his first two years in office and he'll have his hands full because of that. The good thing is that these next two years will allow him to be highly creative and put his leadership gifts into play. He will be able to unite the country during this time as well. He has been handed some incredible challenges and there will be more on the way.

ESSENCE.COM: What's the meaning of Barack Obama becoming the 44th President?
GABRIELLE: When you have a double number like 44, that's a master number which translates to 4 4=8. Eight is the most powerful number and it means leadership. The last President to have a similar number was John F. Kennedy, who was the 35th President, which also reduces to 3 5=8.

ESSENCE.COM: So would you say his presidency mirrors that of Kennedy's?
GABRIELLE: Absolutely. There is a soul connection between President Obama, Presidents Kennedy, Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr. For example, the Civil War started in 1861 and Barack Obama was born in 1961. Lincoln was the 16th President and that reduces to 1 6=7. His name reduces to that same number. Barack Obama is the 44th President and that reduces to 8 and his name also reduces to 8. Then I found that all four of them share a master number which is 29/11, which is all about amazing creativity and being the person that others want to emulate. Barack Obama was born on August 4, 1961, and you add all of those together as single digits and that equals 29. His life purpose is to embody that number. John F. Kennedy was born on the 29th and Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in 1929. So this is just one little way to show their connection.