money and who they elect as their leaders.
present are deeply uncomfortable for the greater part of
Even with all the negatives listed above, and which are
humanity.
causing so much fear, there are so many positives that
No doubt there will be much thrashing about, more
we could not possibly list them here – it would just take
conflict and mayhem and continuing idiocy in high places
up too much space.
and low. But that does not mean that what is happening
The very fact that these words can be written, and read,
is not all for the good.
literally around the world is part of that. There is an
In fact, Odyssey has been pointing out for years, decades
undeniable crying out around the planet for more equality
even, that this process was inevitable, that it was
between sexes, more equitable distribution of wealth and
imminent and, now, that it is upon us.
access to health care, more respect for nature and the
But we have also been saying that we should stay
planet's diminishing resource – and, in the end, when all
as calm as possible amid this great storm of change,
the words for the changes we are seeing are synthesised
remembering even when the howling winds of discord
into a single concept, for more awakened consciousness.
and dissent shake us to our roots, that what we are
Despite all its pain and difficulty – and there is no lack of
witnessing is the birth of a great and golden age of much
either of those aspects – this is the dawn of the time that
increased wisdom and insight.
humanity has always dreamed of; a time when people,
Why do we say that? Because the very processes which
no matter what their circumstances, may become the
have been here described, painful and worrying as they
fullness of the promise of each new baby's first howl
are, are also the very same that any woman who has
as it emerges from the womb into this still gorgeously
given birth can testify are experienced when a new babe
beautiful world.
comes into the world.
People speak of saving the planet. But the planet, despite
There is fear and anxiety, pain almost beyond endurance
our human depredations, will be just fine. If humanity,
and the whole process is literally a life and death affair.
as a collective, is foolish enough to fail to heed the very
But when that newly-arrived child, filled with all the
obvious signs that say a major change in conduct and
possibilities held dear by virtually every man and woman
thinking is required for us to survive, more or less intact,
who has ever breathed, is safely swaddled and in its
then we simply won't. And when our species crashes –
mother's arms at last, then we know that it was all worth
perhaps even permanently, or to the point where the
it.
survivors of such stupidity are thrown back into the stone
And so it is for all of us as we watch the next great new
age – then Mother Nature, or Gaia, if you prefer, will
era for humanity, and the planet itself, dawn.
quickly recover.
Therefore we say to you all, our good and gracious
It is not so much the planet that is at risk, though
readers, be as peaceful as you can manage, as positive
we might just be dumb enough to detonate nuclear
as you can be, and as hopeful as your conditions and
warheads on each other, but it is human civilisation and
your awareness of what is coming will allow – and know
its many and varied cultures which may be damaged
that all is well, despite the doom, gloom and naysayers'
beyond repair.
predictions.
Yet, despite this possibility, the signs are that there is a
The sun will rise tomorrow and life will go on. It is up to
global awakening sufficient to ensure that the worst will
each one of us to ensure that it is we who measure up
not happen; and perhaps, in spite of ongoing fear-based
to the promise that each new day brings so that every
thinking and greed-driven short-sightedness, we might
new life that comes into this world has a better future to
even be seeing enough people in enough places choosing
look forward to.
to make deep enough changes that something far better
than a worst-case scenario will unfold in our lifetimes.
Sure, the planet is warming faster than we can quit our
carbon addiction. And certainly the upheavals of the
In Peace, Love & Light
Silke & her team
ODYSSEY 7
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DIGIMAG