In the wake of these revelations, a nation's consciousness is becoming alert to something it now deems unacceptable. This sense of public outrage is due both to the movement into greater light of what was formerly hidden, and also to a value-shift that is creating a new perspective concerning what may be tolerated.

Due to the economic upheaval that this country and much of the world is presently experiencing, and initiated by the growing force of light on the Earth, a value-shift is taking place now both in our picture of our relationship with others, and in our definition of what constitutes right relationship to money. Some of this movement may feel necessitated by external circumstance. Some may feel guided from within. In either case, the shift in consciousness is being brought about by forces of light that are affecting both individual consciousness as well as the policy and practices of governments.

Revelations of greed operating as motivating forces within the halls of power are not new. They are manifesting currently within our collective awareness at a time and in a way where the full meaning of corruption, dissembling, and self-aggrandizement is being held up against a growing standard of greater concern for others.

Today, the dual scandals concerning Bernard Madoff and AIG demonstrate, in microcosm, the effect of light separating from darkness. As it does this, it brings into awareness concealed motives so that these may be healed. The very same dynamic that is operating on a national level, exposing what is hidden, is also operating within individual awareness. This is a positive thing, though it may be accompanied by painful feelings that one thought were dead and buried.

The specifics of what will happen as a result of the separation of energies remains to be seen, for the present situation involving shock and scandal is but the tip of the iceberg. There is a whole system of power in place that feeds on self-interest and the willingness to deceive in service to one's own personal aims. These are the values of the past - of separated consciousness. They still exist in many places and in many people, even while they are being replaced by a greater longing for something different.

America as a nation is moving into a new sense of valuing. However, in order for this to happen, the economic system which is built on motives of competition and greed must be brought into the light and transformed. There is no doubt that this will happen as light strengthens on the Earth. We are seeing that it has already begun.

For those aware of what purification means who are witnessing these events, it is important to understand the unfolding scenario with both compassion and wisdom, knowing that something new is coming into the picture that may bring with it concurrent difficulty, but that is, at the same time, creating the foundation for a new ethic and a new structure that will uplift our society.

Julie Redstone is a teacher, writer, and founder of Light Omega, a center for spiritual teaching and healing in Western Massachusetts. The purpose of Light Omega is to create an understanding of the sacred transition into light that the Earth is presently going through and the changes this will bring to individual and planetary consciousness. This focus may also be found in The Essentials of Purification, a blog for understanding life in a changing world.