It is important to note that predictions are based on intuition, science or logic and have been around since the dawn of humanity. The driving force behind predictions is still fear of the unknown. In the past, people believed that there were greater powers determining what was best for all. The psychics and soothsayers that claimed to be of high spirituality, said, "Destiny was fixed and that there was nothing anyone could do to about it."

Since the Middle Ages, humanity has matured. We now know that predictions are merely possibilities and potentials that change when we change our minds. So, if you are feeling a "change" in any idea, you have already altered the prediction and created a new potential prediction, with new possibilities.

Keeping that in mind, in 2002:

-- The November elections will bring a strong message for change to all levels of government as incumbents lose in surprising numbers.

The make up and tone of government will reflect a change in attitude of the people brought on by Sept. 11 and the changes in the 2002 economy.

-- The levels of government will be affected but also national buying trends. The stock market will frequently raise and fall during the year to end at a new low causing distress to a wide group of people and affecting particularly largest companies.

-- Unemployment and health will be the major issues, as the harsh reality of both becomes more apparent. The trend of home businesses will expand. Employees will be encouraged to work from home, as a way for companies to trim expenses.

-- The wellness industry will increase. The healthcare or sickness industry will take note and drug companies in desperation will go to greater lengths to suppress it through governmental restrictions. They will have limited success in 2002 and in 2003 will find they have less influence with the new Congress.

-- The terrorist war will take a dramatic turn as classified information is brought to light implicating governmental policies and the chemical and military industries as supporting not only terrorists but world conflicts. This information will not come as a surprise to national leaders, but will enlighten the general public.

-- Religion and church attendance will reach record numbers. Coalitions of religious leaders will begin to form on local levels bringing people of many faiths together for their common community good.

-- New technologies, if allowed to surface, will provide a much-needed economic solution to energy and environment factors. The oil companies will no longer be able to continue to keep discoveries from surfacing.

-- Weather will continue to be unusual, breaking records in all areas of the country. California will experience a mild earthquake in the Los Angeles area and later in the year a strong one. Toward the end of the year a sizeable quake will be felt in Eastern Pennsylvania near the Philadelphia area. The Eastern seaboard will continue to have erosion problems caused by rising water levels and hurricane activity. Flooding along the Mississippi will cause concern especially in the New Orleans area. Crop yield in the Midwest will be high and the citrus crops in California and Florida will suffer from weather conditions.

-- Cooperation between world leaders will strengthen, however, the Middle East conflict will continue to fester. No resolution will be made until there is accord among world leaders to stop taking sides and supplying arms for the conflict. Only then, can peace talks be successful. This is unlikely to be accomplished with the present world economy based upon war.

-- A new organization of world economists will be formed to examine economics based upon war and to create a new paradigm for a peace economy under the auspices of the United Nations. Eventually nations will discover that peaceful economies translate to a bountiful economy for all.

-- As a result of changes in leadership and expanded economic growth, China will slowly begin to take part in World affairs. The relationship between China and Taiwan will change leading, in years to come, to Taiwan's voluntary return to China. Within the next five years China will become a world leader; improved diplomacy with neighboring countries will have a positive affect on them.

-- Toward the end of the year the United States, England and Russia will once again form a leadership trio, one that will strengthen peace. Hopeful resolutions for peaceful solutions in the Palestinian-Israeli, and the Indian-Pakistan conflicts are not likely this year. Matters will escalate to the point that world leaders will have to consider new approaches to settlement of those conflicts.

-- India will continue to face great tension with Pakistan; the outcome could go either way depending upon how India's internal tension plays out. This year for India will be of tremendous importance bringing significant cultural changes.

-- Pakistan is walking a short tight robe between growing internal and external strife. The Pakistani people will experience increasing social and economic hardships throughout 2002 and 2003.

-- The worsening economic climate of the United States will bring about a more creative approach to their foreign policy. Seeds are being planted in Russia, which is moving it toward a new form of capitalism.

-- People will die of hunger in three areas of Africa, due to internal strife, poverty and weather.

-- Central America's problems have been ignored and will come into the spotlight around the middle of this year.

-- Mexico's economy tied mostly to the United States in contrast will actually fare better this year.

-- Indonesian trouble spots will not go away but will intensify due to economics.

-- Brazil, a country of diverse peoples, is coming of age by moving away from class distinctions. The arts, music especially, are the catalyst for this advance in personal rights.

Contrary to popular opinion, the future is in your hands. Who or what you touch can create a new universe that can work in harmony or disharmony.

Individually and collectively, we create our present, past and future, which work together, right now, in all dimensions. But, be wary of constantly looking to the future and past. It tends to prevent you from seeing today and from being fully present in the now, which is all we really have.

We all intuitively know that the answers to the future are within each of us, at any time. Let these 2002 predictions be a "sign" to remind you of your own ability to create the future you want. In the New Year please consider giving a gift to Mother Earth, by uniting your heart and mind with others to create a brighter future the planet.

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(Soni Nelson is a Spiritual Healer with the Summit Foundation, in Emmitsburg, Md.)