Turning 52

I know I don't look it, but today I turn 52. Okay, you can keep your cheeky comments! Most of the time, I don't feel over 50, although that's more true mentally than physically!

But there is quite a bit of significance to the number 52.

First off, there are 52 weeks in a year, and regardless of whether it's a leap year or not, there are always 52 Sundays.

There are 52 cards in a standard deck, and 52 white keys on a piano.

In maths, it is even and composite. It's also (so I'm told) and untouchable number because it is never the sum of the proper divisors of any other number. I have no idea what that means - and I'm cool with that!

Number 52 is frequently associated with upcoming positive transformations and new opportunities which is interesting for reasons I won't say any more on yet. 52 also encourages you to trust your instincts as you navigate these changes. It can indicate that you have spiritual support and that you are in the right place at the right time. Essentially, seeing the number 52 spiritually can be a positive sign, encouraging you to embrace change, trust your heart, and be open to the support around you.

In the Bible, other than chapter or verse numbers, 52 is referenced 10 times. King Azariah (or Uzziah) is considered one of the better rulers of Judah. He is the one referenced in Isaiah 6 in the year of his death when Isaiah "saw the lord seated on the throne". Well, Azariah/Uzziah ruled for 52 years - the second longest.

Now it gets more interesting. The Hebrew word daniyel, is recorded 52 times in 43 Old Testament verses - exclusively in the book of Daniel. The word, which means "judgment of God" or "God is my judge," is translated as the name "Daniel" - my Sunday name (or when I'm in trouble!!)

Nehemiah was given the task of repairing and rebuilding the walls of Jericho - a task that was achieved in 52 days.

The prophetic book of Jeremiah has 52 chapters - the third most chapters of any Biblical book. (I'm going to read a chapter every week for the next year)

The word 'signs' appears in 52 verses in the Bible, mostly in the book of Acts (8 times) followed by Exodus (7). The word frequently appears in the same sentence as "wonders", usually to describe the miraculous powers God uses to carry out his will.

Add the numbers together (5+2), and you get 7, which is regarded as Spiritual perfection, represents the holy Spirit, and is also the seal of God, He stamped His approval of the creation by resting on the seventh day. Seven occurs throughout the Bible more often than any other number.

52 years is the spiritual age for an elder’s right-of-passage for most Indigenous tribes or clans around the world. Experts in numerology (not me!!) also believe that age 52 is a “critical year” because it offers us the opportunity to create on a soul level what the rest of our life will be like. No pressure then!

So why am I telling you this. Or more to the point, why did I bother looking all this up on the interweb?! Honestly, I don't know! Maybe it's an age thing?!

But something, or Someone, made me do it and I'm so glad I did. So aged 52, loving those closest to me, I'm off to embrace change, trust my heart, and be open to the support around me. (And eat cake!!) Sounds like a good plan to me.