Changes

[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:2012.jpg|right|frame‎]]

[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:2012.jpg|right|frame‎]]

The '''2012''' [[phenomenon]] is a present-day cultural [[meme]] proposing that cataclysmic or [[transformative]] [[event]]s will occur in the year 2012.[1][2] The forecast is based primarily on what is claimed to be the end-date of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesoamerican_Long_Count_calendar Mesoamerican Long Count calendar], which is presented as lasting 5,125 years and as terminating on December 21 or 23, 2012. Arguments supporting this dating are drawn from a mixture of amateur [[archaeoastronomy]], alternative interpretations of [[mythology]], numerological constructions, and alleged prophecies from [[extraterrestrial]] beings.

The '''2012''' [[phenomenon]] is a present-day cultural [[meme]] proposing that cataclysmic or [[transformative]] [[event]]s will occur in the year 2012.[1][2] The forecast is based primarily on what is claimed to be the end-date of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesoamerican_Long_Count_calendar Mesoamerican Long Count calendar], which is presented as lasting 5,125 years and as terminating on December 21 or 23, 2012. Arguments supporting this dating are drawn from a mixture of amateur [[archaeoastronomy]], alternative interpretations of [[mythology]], numerological constructions, and alleged prophecies from [[extraterrestrial]] beings.

<center>For lessons on the [[topic]] of '''''2012''''', follow [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Mayan_2012 this link].</center>

<center>For lessons on the [[topic]] of '''''2012''''', follow [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Mayan_2012 this link].</center>

A [[New Age]] interpretation of this transition posits that, during this time, the planet and its inhabitants may undergo a positive [[physical]] or [[spiritual]] transformation, and that 2012 may mark the beginning of a new era.[3] Conversely, some believe that the 2012 date marks the beginning of an [[apocalypse]]. Both memes have been disseminated in numerous books and TV documentaries, and have spread around the world through websites and discussion [[groups]]. The [[idea]] of a global event occurring in 2012 based on any interpretation of the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar is regarded as pseudoscience by the scientific community, and as misrepresentative of [[Maya]] history.[2][4]

A [[New Age]] interpretation of this transition posits that, during this time, the planet and its inhabitants may undergo a positive [[physical]] or [[spiritual]] transformation, and that 2012 may mark the beginning of a new era.[3] Conversely, some believe that the 2012 date marks the beginning of an [[apocalypse]]. Both memes have been disseminated in numerous books and TV documentaries, and have spread around the world through websites and discussion [[groups]]. The [[idea]] of a global event occurring in 2012 based on any interpretation of the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar is regarded as pseudoscience by the scientific community, and as misrepresentative of [[Maya]] history.[2][4]

==Mesoamerican Long Count calendar==

==Mesoamerican Long Count calendar==

December 2012 marks the ending of the current [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baktun baktun] cycle of the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar. The Long Count set its "time zero" at a point in the past marking the end of the previous world and the beginning of the current one, which corresponds to either 11 or 13 August 3114 BC in the Gregorian calendar, depending on the formula used.[5]

December 2012 marks the ending of the current [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baktun baktun] cycle of the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar. The Long Count set its "time zero" at a point in the past marking the end of the previous world and the beginning of the current one, which corresponds to either 11 or 13 August 3114 BC in the Gregorian calendar, depending on the formula used.[5]

The Long Count kept time roughly in units of 20, so 20 days made a uinal, 18 uinals, or 360 days, made a tun, 20 tuns made a katun, and 20 katuns, or 144,000 days, made up a baktun. So, for example, the Mayan date of 8.3.2.10.15 represents 8 baktuns, 3 katuns, 2 tuns, 10 uinals and 15 days since creation. Many Mayan inscriptions have the count shifting to a higher order after 13 baktuns.[6][7] Today, the most widely accepted correlations of the end of the thirteenth baktun, or Mayan date 13.0.0.0.0, with the Western calendar are either December 21 or December 23, 2012.[8] Even before the dating issue was settled, the early Mayanist and astronomer Maud Worcester Makemson had written in 1957 that "[t]he completion of a Great Period of 13 baktuns would have been of the utmost significance to the Maya".[9] After the correct date was determined, the anthropologist Munro S. Edmonson added that "there appears to be a strong likelihood that the eral calendar, like the year calendar, was motivated by a long-range [[astronomical]] prediction, one that made a correct solsticial forecast 2,367 years into the future in 355 B.C. ".[10]

The Long Count kept time roughly in units of 20, so 20 days made a uinal, 18 uinals, or 360 days, made a tun, 20 tuns made a katun, and 20 katuns, or 144,000 days, made up a baktun. So, for example, the Mayan date of 8.3.2.10.15 represents 8 baktuns, 3 katuns, 2 tuns, 10 uinals and 15 days since creation. Many Mayan inscriptions have the count shifting to a higher order after 13 baktuns.[6][7] Today, the most widely accepted correlations of the end of the thirteenth baktun, or Mayan date 13.0.0.0.0, with the Western calendar are either December 21 or December 23, 2012.[8] Even before the dating issue was settled, the early Mayanist and astronomer Maud Worcester Makemson had written in 1957 that "[t]he completion of a Great Period of 13 baktuns would have been of the utmost significance to the Maya".[9] After the correct date was determined, the anthropologist Munro S. Edmonson added that "there appears to be a strong likelihood that the eral calendar, like the year calendar, was motivated by a long-range [[astronomical]] prediction, one that made a correct solsticial forecast 2,367 years into the future in 355 B.C. ".[10]

These scholars argue that the Long Count does not end on 13.0.0.0.0.[13] In their seminal work of 1990, the Maya scholars Linda Schele and David Freidel, who reference Edmonson, argue that the Maya "did not conceive this to be the end of [[creation]], as many have suggested,"[14] citing Mayan predictions of events to occur after the end of the 13th baktun. The Maya, due to the cyclical nature of their calendar, also wrote the date of creation, their zero date, as 13.0.0.0.0.[15] Schele and Freidel note that creation date was inscribed at Coba as 13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.0.0.0.0, with twenty units above the katun. According to Schele and Friedel, these 13s should be treated as 0s, so the Coba number would be read as if it were 0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0, with the units of each column beyond the second (counting from right to left) equal to 20 times those of the previous one. This number represented "the starting point of a huge odometer of time". Schele and Freidel calculate that the date at which this odometer would run out lies some 4.134105 × 1028 years in the future, or 3 quintillion times the scientifically accepted age of the universe.

These scholars argue that the Long Count does not end on 13.0.0.0.0.[13] In their seminal work of 1990, the Maya scholars Linda Schele and David Freidel, who reference Edmonson, argue that the Maya "did not conceive this to be the end of [[creation]], as many have suggested,"[14] citing Mayan predictions of events to occur after the end of the 13th baktun. The Maya, due to the cyclical nature of their calendar, also wrote the date of creation, their zero date, as 13.0.0.0.0.[15] Schele and Freidel note that creation date was inscribed at Coba as 13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.0.0.0.0, with twenty units above the katun. According to Schele and Friedel, these 13s should be treated as 0s, so the Coba number would be read as if it were 0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0, with the units of each column beyond the second (counting from right to left) equal to 20 times those of the previous one. This number represented "the starting point of a huge odometer of time". Schele and Freidel calculate that the date at which this odometer would run out lies some 4.134105 × 1028 years in the future, or 3 quintillion times the scientifically accepted age of the universe.

The issue is complicated further by the fact that many different Maya city-states employed the Long Count in different ways. At [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palenque Palenque], evidence suggests that the priest timekeepers believed the cycle would end after 20 baktuns, rather than 13. A monument commemorating the [[ascension]] of the king Pakal the Great connects his coronation with events as far as 4000 years in the future, indicating that those scribes did not believe the world would end on 13.0.0.0.0.[15]

The issue is complicated further by the fact that many different Maya city-states employed the Long Count in different ways. At [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palenque Palenque], evidence suggests that the priest timekeepers believed the cycle would end after 20 baktuns, rather than 13. A monument commemorating the [[ascension]] of the king Pakal the Great connects his coronation with events as far as 4000 years in the future, indicating that those scribes did not believe the world would end on 13.0.0.0.0.[15]

===Maya references to 2012===

===Maya references to 2012===

Most Maya inscriptions are strictly historical and do not make any prophetic declarations.[16] Two items in the Maya corpus, however, mention the end of the 13th baktun: Tortuguero Monument 6 and the Chilam Balam.

Most Maya inscriptions are strictly historical and do not make any prophetic declarations.[16] Two items in the Maya corpus, however, mention the end of the 13th baktun: Tortuguero Monument 6 and the Chilam Balam.

Other Chilam Balam books contain references to the 13th baktun, but it is unclear if these are in the past or future; for example, oxhun bakam u katunil (thirteen bakam of katuns) in the Chilam Balam of Chumayel.[21]

Other Chilam Balam books contain references to the 13th baktun, but it is unclear if these are in the past or future; for example, oxhun bakam u katunil (thirteen bakam of katuns) in the Chilam Balam of Chumayel.[21]

==New Age theories==

==New Age theories==

Many believe that the ending of this cycle will correspond to a global "[[consciousness]] shift". This theory is grounded in an apocalyptic vocabulary dating back to the 1950s and draws on many of the same sources and personalities of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonic_Convergence 1987 Harmonic Convergence]. Established themes found in 2012 [[literature]] include "suspicion towards [[mainstream]] Western [[culture]]", the [[idea]] of [[spiritual]] [[evolution]], and the possibility of leading the world into the [[New Age]], by individual example or by a group's joined consciousness. The general intent of this literature is not to warn of impending doom but "to foster counter-cultural sympathies and eventually socio-political and 'spiritual' activism".[22]

Many believe that the ending of this cycle will correspond to a global "[[consciousness]] shift". This theory is grounded in an apocalyptic vocabulary dating back to the 1950s and draws on many of the same sources and personalities of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonic_Convergence 1987 Harmonic Convergence]. Established themes found in 2012 [[literature]] include "suspicion towards [[mainstream]] Western [[culture]]", the [[idea]] of [[spiritual]] [[evolution]], and the possibility of leading the world into the [[New Age]], by individual example or by a group's joined consciousness. The general intent of this literature is not to warn of impending doom but "to foster counter-cultural sympathies and eventually socio-political and 'spiritual' activism".[22]

The date became the subject of speculation by Frank Waters, who devotes two chapters to its interpretation, including discussion of an astrological chart for this date and its association with Hopi prophecies in Mexico Mystique: The Coming Sixth Age of Consciousness (1975).[23] The significance of the year 2012 (but not a specific day) was mentioned briefly by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/José_Argüelles José Argüelles] in The Transformative Vision, (1975)[24] and later in The Mayan Factor (1987).[25] Author Terence McKenna independently arrived at a New Age prediction for 2012, which he later merged with the Mayan calendar end date after a discussion with Argüelles.

The date became the subject of speculation by Frank Waters, who devotes two chapters to its interpretation, including discussion of an astrological chart for this date and its association with Hopi prophecies in Mexico Mystique: The Coming Sixth Age of Consciousness (1975).[23] The significance of the year 2012 (but not a specific day) was mentioned briefly by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/José_Argüelles José Argüelles] in The Transformative Vision, (1975)[24] and later in The Mayan Factor (1987).[25] Author Terence McKenna independently arrived at a New Age prediction for 2012, which he later merged with the Mayan calendar end date after a discussion with Argüelles.

Author [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Pinchbeck Daniel Pinchbeck] popularized New Age [[concepts]] about this date, linking it to beliefs about [[crop circles]], [[alien abduction]], and [[personal]] [[revelation]]s based on the use of [[entheogens]] and [[channeling|mediumship]] in his 2006 book 2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl.[26] Pinchbeck argues for a shift in consciousness rather than an apocalypse, suggesting that materialistic attitudes, rather than the material world, are in jeopardy.[27] Semir Osmanagić, the author and metalworker responsible for promoting the Bosnian pyramids, referred to 2012 in the conclusion of his book The World of the Maya.[28] He suggests that "Advancement of [[DNA]] may raise us to a higher level" and concludes, "When the 'heavens open' and [[cosmic]] [[energy]] is allowed to [[flow]] throughout our tiny Planet, will we be raised to a higher level by the vibrations".[28]

Author [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Pinchbeck Daniel Pinchbeck] popularized New Age [[concepts]] about this date, linking it to beliefs about [[crop circles]], [[alien abduction]], and [[personal]] [[revelation]]s based on the use of [[entheogens]] and [[channeling|mediumship]] in his 2006 book 2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl.[26] Pinchbeck argues for a shift in consciousness rather than an apocalypse, suggesting that materialistic attitudes, rather than the material world, are in jeopardy.[27] Semir Osmanagić, the author and metalworker responsible for promoting the Bosnian pyramids, referred to 2012 in the conclusion of his book The World of the Maya.[28] He suggests that "Advancement of [[DNA]] may raise us to a higher level" and concludes, "When the 'heavens open' and [[cosmic]] [[energy]] is allowed to [[flow]] throughout our tiny Planet, will we be raised to a higher level by the vibrations".[28]

==Galactic alignment==

==Galactic alignment==

Frank Waters' book inspired further speculation by John Major Jenkins in the mid-1980s, noting the correspondence of the December 21 date with the winter solstice in 2012. This date was in line with an idea he terms the Galactic Alignment.

Frank Waters' book inspired further speculation by John Major Jenkins in the mid-1980s, noting the correspondence of the December 21 date with the winter solstice in 2012. This date was in line with an idea he terms the Galactic Alignment.

In the [[solar system]], the [[planet]]s and the Sun share roughly the same plane of orbit, known as the plane of the ecliptic. From our [[perspective]] on [[Earth]], the Zodiacal constellations move along or near the ecliptic, and over time, appear to recede counterclockwise by one degree every 72 years. This movement is attributed to a slight wobble in the Earth's axis as it spins. As a result, approximately every 2160 years, the constellation visible on the early morning of the spring equinox changes. In Western astrological [[tradition]]s, this signals the end of one astrological age (currently the Age of Pisces) and the beginning of another ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Aquarius Age of Aquarius]). Over the course of 26,000 years, the precession of the equinoxes makes one full [[circuit]] around the ecliptic.

In the [[solar system]], the [[planet]]s and the Sun share roughly the same plane of orbit, known as the plane of the ecliptic. From our [[perspective]] on [[Earth]], the Zodiacal constellations move along or near the ecliptic, and over time, appear to recede counterclockwise by one degree every 72 years. This movement is attributed to a slight wobble in the Earth's axis as it spins. As a result, approximately every 2160 years, the constellation visible on the early morning of the spring equinox changes. In Western astrological [[tradition]]s, this signals the end of one astrological age (currently the Age of Pisces) and the beginning of another ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Aquarius Age of Aquarius]). Over the course of 26,000 years, the precession of the equinoxes makes one full [[circuit]] around the ecliptic.

Just as the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere is currently in the constellation of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pisces_(constellation) Pisces], so the winter solstice is currently in the constellation of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagittarius_(constellation) Sagittarius], which happens to be the constellation intersected by the galactic equator. Every year for the last 1000 years or so, on the winter solstice, the Earth, Sun and the galactic equator come into alignment, and every year, precession pushes the Sun's position a little way further through the Milky Way's band.

Just as the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere is currently in the constellation of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pisces_(constellation) Pisces], so the winter solstice is currently in the constellation of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagittarius_(constellation) Sagittarius], which happens to be the constellation intersected by the galactic equator. Every year for the last 1000 years or so, on the winter solstice, the Earth, Sun and the galactic equator come into alignment, and every year, precession pushes the Sun's position a little way further through the Milky Way's band.

Jenkins suggests that the Maya based their calendar on observations of the Great Rift, a band of dark dust clouds in the Milky Way, which the Maya called the Xibalba be or "Black Road."[29] Jenkins claims that the Maya were aware of where the ecliptic intersected the Black Road and gave this position in the sky a special significance in their [[cosmology]].[30] According to the [[hypothesis]], the Sun precisely aligns with this intersection point at the winter solstice of 2012.[30] Jenkins claimed that the [[classical]] Mayans anticipated this conjunction and celebrated it as the harbinger of a [[profound]] [[spiritual]] [[transition]] for [[mankind]].[31] New Age proponents of the galactic alignment hypothesis argue that, just as [[astrology]] uses the positions of stars and planets to make claims of future events, the Mayans plotted their calendars with the objective of preparing for significant world [[events]].[32]

Jenkins suggests that the Maya based their calendar on observations of the Great Rift, a band of dark dust clouds in the Milky Way, which the Maya called the Xibalba be or "Black Road."[29] Jenkins claims that the Maya were aware of where the ecliptic intersected the Black Road and gave this position in the sky a special significance in their [[cosmology]].[30] According to the [[hypothesis]], the Sun precisely aligns with this intersection point at the winter solstice of 2012.[30] Jenkins claimed that the [[classical]] Mayans anticipated this conjunction and celebrated it as the harbinger of a [[profound]] [[spiritual]] [[transition]] for [[mankind]].[31] New Age proponents of the galactic alignment hypothesis argue that, just as [[astrology]] uses the positions of stars and planets to make claims of future events, the Mayans plotted their calendars with the objective of preparing for significant world [[events]].[32]

* York, Michael (1995). The Emerging Network: A Sociology of the New Age and Neo-Pagan Movements. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 0-8476-8000-2. OCLC 31604796.

* York, Michael (1995). The Emerging Network: A Sociology of the New Age and Neo-Pagan Movements. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 0-8476-8000-2. OCLC 31604796.

==External links==

==External links==

*'''''[http://vimeo.com/27240681 The Quickening]'''''

*'''''[https://vimeo.com/27240681 The Quickening]'''''

* [http://www.history.com/content/armageddon The History Channel], 2012 program listings and video clips.

* [https://www.history.com/content/armageddon The History Channel], 2012 program listings and video clips.

* [http://www.thecityedition.com/Pages/Archive/Winter08/2012Compilation.html 2012 Articles, Books and Websites] Compiled by ''TheCityEdition.com''

* [https://www.thecityedition.com/Pages/Archive/Winter08/2012Compilation.html 2012 Articles, Books and Websites] Compiled by ''TheCityEdition.com''

* [http://www.archaeoastronomy.com/ Archaeoastronomy], Information on equinoxes, precession and other concepts.

* [https://www.archaeoastronomy.com/ Archaeoastronomy], Information on equinoxes, precession and other concepts.

* [http://skeptoid.com/episodes/4093# Apocalypse 2012] Skeptic point of view.

* [https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4093# Apocalypse 2012] Skeptic point of view.

[[Category: History]]

[[Category: History]]

[[Category: Astronomy]]

[[Category: Astronomy]]

[[Category: Cosmology]]

[[Category: Cosmology]]