Curiouser and Curiouser

When Alice followed White Rabbit into Wonderland, she experienced a rabbit hole of emotions. Fear. Wonder. Confusion. Despair. Delight. Love. She took a leap of faith.

By no means am I a scholar on the story, but I do know a lotta something about rabbit holes. And about trying—okay maybe forcing—to make emotional sense and meaning out of ideas and experiences as they unfold. 

When I booked my long-term stay at an Air BnB near the beach in Southern California, I knew that by exceeding 30 nights I would avoid paying the tourist tax. Basically, I’d enjoy a free week!

But I didn’t immediately notice that my choice of dates—33 nights in all—was symbolic. Nor did I realize that I’d observe Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the two highest holidays for Jews, in this eerily familiar place.

The last time I was here in Encinitas, I wrote about looking for a sign about a puppy. Things suddenly became clear. And now, I’m back at the beach with the dog. She’s six months old and a curious little creature. She stops and sniffs so often I might go mad. Until I realize the irony. 

I need to stop and sniff too! 

After a week with my dog at the beach, I see things I can’t see in Denver. I notice I’ve lost my sense of wonder. I’ve lost my faith. My heart is a little less open.

Okay. A lot less open. I’m curious now about what there is to learn.

There are many rabbit holes on the internet dedicated to the number 33. Of course there’s the biblical meaning. God’s name, Elohim, appears 33 times in the story of creation in the opening chapters of Genesis. Jesus' traditional age was 33 when he was crucified and resurrected. Thirty-three is the numeric equivalent of the word Amen.

And then there’s all the stuff about numerology and angels. Thirty-three is associated with creativity, growth, and romance. Oh and this: The high vibration of the number 33 encourages you to get out of your comfort zone, practice compassion and prayers, and ascend in your spiritual life.

So here we are again.

It’s erev Rosh Hashanah. At sundown tonight, our fate for the coming year will be inscribed in the Book of Life. And ten days from now that fate will be sealed.  

So at least until then, I hope to stay curious.

What about that God?

And what about those angels?

For now, I’m suspending my need to know.