When I last commented on the spiritual energies of 2010 on March 1, it seemed as though the fast moving, explosive way in which the year was unfolding couldn’t get much more intense.

But here we are nearly two months down the line, and even the most energy-aware among us would concede that they hadn’t anticipated the rate at which the Earth shifts would continue or the ways in which significant numbers of people would be affected. 

Over the last few weeks, it’s suddenly become a reality that we can’t take overseas travel for granted, that we can’t assume our air will be clean and our water will remain unpolluted, and we certainly can’t rely on the Government to provide cost-free, quick fix solutions to environmental problems.

For lots of people, the instability of recent events has brought insecurity, and a deep sense of fear and panic. The comfort blanket of living in Western society has, in a small way, been revealed as illusion and the UK has been exposed as being equally as vulnerable to the consequences of Earth shifts as any other nation on this planet.

While TV news reports preferred to focus on irate, distressed travellers stranded in airports, running out of cash and losing all hope of returning home in a timely fashion while the cloud of volcanic ash lingered over the UK, the affect of Iceland’s latest eruption was not all doom and gloom. It’s worth pointing out that many positive individual stories emerged from the recent flight embargo, and the lessons learned are indicative of the perfect opportunities the Universe has provided to facilitate the awakening of those who are prepared to listen.

One of the most poignant lessons on offer for many was that of self-responsibility. Faced with the choice of sitting tight in foreign climes with no promise of a flight back to the UK, many travellers chose to make the decision to use their own resources and resourcefulness to find their way home via alternative routes. For some, this meant using public transport, hiring vehicles, booking ferries or venturing onto overland rail networks – an enforced adventure began that required them to think spontaneously and out of the box and develop solutions step by step, making use of the opportunities and possibilities that were presented to them at the time.

Although some experienced long journeys with extended waiting periods, a large number of travellers made it home through sheer determination and in the realisation that they would have to take responsibility for their own destiny. It’s worth thanking the Universe for this – there is no better time for this set of life lessons to surface than just before a general election!

Another unforeseen benefit of the lack of flights in or out of the UK was that hundreds, maybe thousands, of families and friends were granted an extended period of time together, forced to enjoy a little extra play and relaxation time – a luxury that will have made a huge difference to personal relationships and family bonding. Equally, many were involuntarily separated from their loved ones, forced to spend time alone, cope independently and to reflect on just how valuable those special people in their lives really are. Thanks again, Universe, for reminding us not to take the people that mean the most to us for granted.

For me, however, unaffected by the practicalities of the flight ban and simply observing events from my spiritual perspective, the most obvious message that emerged through all the chaos and mayhem lay right above my head, as I gazed day and night at the clearer, more natural skies, free from the noise of aircraft and the sight of the unhealthy chemtrails to which we’ve become so accustomed. Reminded that circumstances had provided me with a unique opportunity to survey an open sky similar to the one my ancient ancestors had enjoyed, I thanked the Universe for showing me that it’s totally possible for our dysfunctional system to crumble without taking everyone down with it, and that if we open our eyes and stay awake, there is always a new horizon ahead.

Rhian Gibbings