Remember that 1970s hit — ‘The Age of Aquarius’? Well if you follow astrology you’ll know that next week Friday we’ll be at its eve. Celebrations to mark the dawning of the Age of Aquarius have been organised by many of the Island’s alternative health practitioners.Although many people believe the world will end on December 21, those taking part in the local celebratory event say they believe the date will bring a shift in the earth’s vibration causing the people of the world to be more peaceful and more in harmony with each other.Much of the interest around the date comes because December 21 is the last date in the Maya calendar — the calendar that was used by the Mayan civilisation in South America and which is still in use today by some communities in Guatemala and Mexico.For event organiser Cynde Semos the day marks the end of the Piscean Age, which she said has been “difficult time on earth for humans”.“The Piscean Age has lasted 26,000 years and it has been difficult on the human race energetically. There have been a lot of dictators and wars and people looking after their selfish interests, serving themselves and not others,” she said.“I see December 21 not as the end of the world, but as the beginning of a new consciousness, new energies. We will all be more gentle and loving,” she added.These attributes of gentleness, love, peace, harmony and oneness are associated with the Age of Aquarius, which according to Ms Semos will last another 26,000 years.“I am an Aquarius myself so I am very excited about the change,” she said. And she believes it’s an age that will see humans become more pure and loving not just in their spirit but also in their actions.“Humans will behave more Christ-like, more like the saintly masters of the world’s philosophies and theologies,” she said.So thrilled at the incumbent change she said she felt strongly that a celebration was in order and that the event seemed to naturally fall into place.“I was talking to a friend of mine and saying how the 21st is a very important time for us. I suggested we do something and was encouraged to organise it,” said Ms Semos.She said she shared her thoughts on the Facebook page Spiritual Bermuda and received an enthusiastic response.“I put the call out for assistance because I didn’t want to do this by myself. It wasn’t about me,” she said. “I got lots of responses and then about eight of us got together about a month ago and talked about what we could do and how we could make it happen,” she added.The result has been a day packed with ceremonies and activities that will help ready people for the changes many believe will be taking place in the earth’s energies. Local practitioners will share a variety of services including spiritual healings, reiki and rottun sessions, sacred sound healing, chanting, meditation, sacred fire ritual and a drumming circle with Shamanic fire (bonfire).The full day of events is free to the public.“It’s a cleansing/release, moving to cleansing/renewal event,” said Ms Semos. “ The day has been designed so that it builds to bring in the new Age of Aquarius through meditation,” she added.“No one knows the exact time that it flips and we don’t expect everyone to suddenly be different on December 22, but it’s also the winter solstice and in astrological terms the stars will align in what is called the galactic centre,” she said.Ruth Anne Outerbridge will host the event at Spirit House in Devonshire. Like Ms Semos she doesn’t believe the date is Armageddon.“I think it’s the end of the world as we know it from the point of view of energies,’ she said. ‘There’s been a lot of hype about this date — to me it seems a good time to celebrate being alive and loving each other and life.”For more information on the December 21 event call Ms Semos on 799-5369. It will run from noon until 12.22am.