Ancient prophesies worldwide point to this time as the transition, or emergence into what is known as the Fifth World. This predisposes that there were four* previous worlds before, which were all believed to have evolved to a point of high technical civilization, followed by a total and profound cataclysm, and global collapse. The last purported fall happened during the age of Atlantis and Lemuria, known in our myth as the Great Flood. We are now at the end of the Fourth World and have entered the next phase of evolution.

According to the oral histories of the indigenous peoples of North and South America, we are now in the "great purification," a time when the world clears away the old clutter to allow for new growth. Before the emergence into the New World can happen, a purging of all that is out of balance will take place to restore the natural cycles of the planet, and of Life itself.

Whether the cleansing will be gentle or extreme is not known, but early indications are not comforting. Global weather systems have already produced increased earthquake activity, extremes in hurricanes and tidal waves, and the birth of previously dormant volcanoes.

Climatic changes are resulting in magnetic polar shifts, and the emergence and disappearance of landmasses. Immense ice shelves have split from the polar shelf, and are melting into the seas. El Nina, and El Nino, have taken their toll on the warming of the atmosphere and oceans, and continue to do so. Global economies are at the verge of collapse, and there is pestilence, famine, and human genocide upon the land.

Our world is in a state of utter flux. Never before in our history have we had greater ability for mass destruction and the annihilation of our species, then now.

This is not a pretty picture we have painted for ourselves.

We see these catastrophic events on the news, and sometimes we experience them first-hand. We become overwhelmed and fearful, and often feel a sense of hopelessness.

What are we, the good people of planet Earth, to do?

Perhaps we can learn from the caretakers of our Planet, the Native Elders of the Americas, who silently and diligently have cared for our planet throughout these intervening years, and who have themselves, through their ancient prophecy and teachings, prepared for this time.

The Elders see this not as a time of despair, but one of birthing and bringing about a new, and better world. They see this as a time to release the old ways, and to embrace a global spirit of cooperation. A time to set aside our difference, and to join together for our highest good. They tell us; together we can make a difference…it takes the first drop to create an ocean.

The solutions are before us, if we have the eyes, and wisdom, to see.

We begin in our own homes and communities by ending our unabated consumption of the planet's limited resources. We read and learn, and inform ourselves. We begin to replenish and give back to the land, that which we've taken. We adopt new lifestyles and, restraint. We become involved.

It is a time to transmute the negative influences of our society and usher in the cooperative forces of higher consciousness, global vision, and galactic harmony. We must become caretakers of our planet, and value the sacred in all things if we are to live this philosophy courageously, and make our stand.

The prophecies tell of a place in the stars where the origins of man began, and speak of ancient traditions honoring those origins. They speak of the "star people" whom they call Thunder Beings, who have been with us always, and who are known to us through our collective myth, religion, and histories.

The Elders believe these Thunder Beings are both a force for creation, and also destruction. They are a part of our paradigm, an aspect of our unconscious selves that we as a collective are just beginning to explore.

The Elders speak too of the "heyoka," a person who in vision, or dreams, is visited by these Thunder Beings, and who, assists humanity in its exploration into the new worlds. Just as the Thunder Beings are contrary to our appointed paradigm, the heyoka too becomes one who is contrary to the accustomed, and accepted, rules of his/her society, who is in some way in opposition to that which is status quo. The heyoka does so precisely to push the fold of accepted reality, to sound the wake up call.

The heyoka is a wayshower.

According to Oglala Sioux Elder Looks-For-Buffalo, "The Heyoka is the counterpart to the Tunder Beings who repeatedly dissolve the existing order, and fashions a new arrangement from the pieces."

Not all heyokas are indigenous peoples; many are living here among modern society. Perhaps you are one?

Modern day heyokas are charged to live as witnesses against the corruption of the Fourth World, and to assist the shift into the Fifth, as planetary midwives. If you see yourself in this role, recognize who you are and why you have come here at this time. Take your power, and walk your talk now, because time is of the essence.

The hallmark of the Fifth World is the positive life giving Feminine energy expressed in love and nurturance, cooperation and assistance, harmony and balance, giving and receiving. It is the absolute balance of both the female and male. It honors the gifts of spirit, and psychic vision; it is one of confidence in a new way without fear, aggression or dominance.

It is the planetary midwives who, in raising their own consciousness, will raise the consciousness of the whole. In so doing, a planetary healing takes place, a birthing begins, a restoration of the soul in enacted, a New World harmoniously unfolds.

(*There is some controvery over whether we are entering the fifth, or sixth world, at this time. Prophecies from different traditions have divergent theories on this point. The Mayans believe that we are exiting the fifth world to enter the sixth. Native American's believe we are now entering the fifth world. Regardless of the controversy, all parties are in agreement that we are indeed emerging into a "New World.")