Navigating the Economic Revolution: Strategies for Thriving in the New Millennium

The Astrological Perspective

In May 2000, I came across an article by Dorene A. Carrel, a Seattle-based astrologer who provides consultations for natal, relationship, and relocation charts. In her piece, Carrel discussed the potential impact of the May planetary alignment on our banking and monetary systems. She suggested that bartering could become a significant economic trend in the future.

This prediction resonated with the research I had conducted years earlier, which suggested a shift towards bartering and other alternative economic practices. Today, we see this trend playing out on the internet, where businesses frequently barter for services, reciprocal links, and other resources.

The Economic Cycles

Historically, the world's economies have experienced regular depressions, typically following a 60-year debt cycle. Given that the last significant depression occurred in the 1930s, it's clear that we are currently in the midst of another cycle.

However, there's another, more impactful cycle at play: a 500-year cycle, which we are due to undergo around the year 2000. While there's no scientific explanation for this cycle, its existence is undeniable. The convergence of these two economic cycles is set to trigger a massive revolution in the global economic structure.

Lessons from History

Looking back at previous 500-year intervals, we can gain insights into the potential impact of the current cycle. For instance, the Christian religion began and the Roman Republic transitioned into an Empire around 50 BC to 50 AD. Around 500 AD, the Roman Empire collapsed, and around 1000 AD, the Dark Ages gave way to the Middle Ages.

In 1500 AD, the invention of the printing press ushered in the Modern Age, enabling mass education and communication for the first time. Today, we are witnessing a similar revolution driven by the spread of information through personal computers. This shift is redistributing power from governments and large institutions to individuals, leading to significant changes in economic and social structures.

The Current Economic Crisis

Many of the world's economies are in crisis, with countries like the US, UK, Germany, Canada, and Japan grappling with significant debt. In the US, for example, 57% of tax revenue was needed just to pay the interest on its loans by 1995. When countries can't pay their debts, they often resort to printing money, leading to inflation, rising interest rates, and the devaluation of currency.

The Impact on Individuals

The economic crisis is leading to the collapse of infrastructures such as the welfare state. For instance, the UK's National Health system is in serious decline, with economic considerations increasingly influencing health decisions. Governments are also struggling to fulfill pension obligations due to people's greater life expectancy. As a result, basic aid is likely to be reserved for the most needy.

Surviving the Economic Revolution

In the wake of the technological revolution, the key to surviving the economic revolution may lie in returning to old ways with a modern twist. Cottage industries, self-sufficiency, and bartering are likely to become increasingly important. Those with adaptable skills and the ability to work remotely will have an advantage.

Interestingly, many of these 'new' ways of living are also more sustainable, suggesting a potential link between these economic cycles and environmental sustainability. As we navigate these changes, our ability to adapt and diversify our skills will be crucial to our survival in the new millennium.