Thursday, April 15, 2010

Mayan Ruins in 2012


The Mayan civilization was located in present day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras Their descendants still live throughout the land today. There are many Mayan ruins that have been discovered and even to this day, new sites are being discovered. Two of the most famous ruins are Chichen Itza and Tulum.


I have been to Chichen Itza and images from my visit are displayed below. Click on the picture to see an enlarged version.

The Mayan calendar in 2012

The Mayan calendar is not actually a single calendar that westerners are used to referencing today. It is actually a complex system of multiple calendars used in conjunction. Two calendars used in conjunction are the Tzolk’in and the Haab. The Tzolk’in calendar consists of 260 days. The Haab consists of 365 days. The combined use of these calendars creates a cycle of 52 Haabs (52 years) and is referred to as the Calendar Round. Small cycles of 13 days (Trecena) and 20 days (veintena) exist as well.

Another calendar used to track longer periods of time is referred to as the Long Count. This calendar is used to track dates relative to each other on a linear scale and utilizes a numeric decimal system to record dates. For example, the Mayan date for December 21, 2012 is 13.0.0.0.0. The long count cycle referred to as the “Great Cycle” lasts for 5,125.36 years. Correlating that to the Gregorian calendar used by most people in the world today, the starting date of the current long count cycle is August 11, 3,114 B.C.

Another interesting cycle is the precession of the equinoxes lasting approximately 26,000 years. The long count of 5,125 years is 1/5 of that cycle. December 21, 2012 marks the end of the Long Count and Precession Cycle. A fascinating astronomical occurrence will take place that day. The sun will be seen in a conjunction with the crossing point of the galactic equator and the ecliptic which is referred by the Mayans as the Sacred Tree. Since this is due to take place on the winter solstice, this should provide clear evidence that the proper end day of the Mayan calendar is December 21, 2012. Some say December 22,nd, 23rd or even other dates. However, the solstice was an important day to the Mayans and it is logical to think that they would conclude their calendar cycle on this day, coupled with the fact of the rare astronomical occurrence set to take place that day.

Overall, the Mayan calendar system is amazing and complex. It is the most accurate calendar system ever invented by anyone. The complexities go far beyond my capabilities to explain so I have listed links below to serve as excellent resources of information.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayan_calendar
http://www.pauahtun.org/Calendar/
http://www.world-mysteries.com/sar_3.htm
http://webexhibits.org/calendars/calendar-mayan.html
Search Amazon.com for Mayan Calendar books

2012 Why ?

Many people are discussing 2012 as the end of the world due to interpretations of predictions contained in the Mayan calendar. The Mayan civilization was extremely advanced in mathematics, engineering and astronomy. They also had an incredible understanding of time and space. Various calendars were in use to track time in linear progressions within cycles. The “Great Cycle” of the “Long Count” calendar equates to 5,125.36 years. The current Great Cycle is due to be completed on the winter solstice of 2012, December 21. So, it has been interpreted that on this day, the Great Cycle ends, time ends, so the Earth must end as well. However, there are different opinions on what this end date really means.

As mentioned, some believe cataclysmic events will take place in December 2012 with the ultimate destruction occurring on December 21, 2012. Others believe that the world will not end, but instead humanity will enter a new age, marked by significant changes physically and mentally.

Hopefully destruction will not occur and it will be just another day. Maybe there will be some cosmic transformation. Anything is possible and it makes for an interesting discussion none-the-less.
Search Amazon.com for 2012 Prophecy books

2012 FOR PREDICTIONS

Interestingly enough, for all the talk about 2012, it is quite difficult to find a simple listing of all the prophecies. Most of what you find on the Internet is vague–generalizations of mass destruction or a transformation into a new age. I was able to find a couple decent sources, so I have listed them below.
http://www.onereed.com/articles/katun.html
http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/maya/cbc/index.htm (this is a link containing the Chilam Balam, a book of prophecies)
It appears open to interpretation as to whether December 2012 will bring total destruction or a transformation of our world. So, below are prophecies (not necessarily Mayan) for 2012:

1. There have been three or four previous races and ages of humanity (depending upon the source you read). All of these have been destroyed in major cataclysms. December 21.2012 marks the end of this age and it will end in major catastrophes such as Earthquakes. (see commentary on this statement below)

2. For half of the katun (20 year Mayan cycle) there will be food, for half some misfortunes. This katun brings the end of the "word of God." It is a time of uniting for a cause.

3. As we pass through transition there is a colossal, global convergence of environmental destruction, social chaos, war and ongoing Earth changes.

4. The Earth will undergo a magnetic field shift, reversing the polarity of the planet.

5. An asteroid or comet will collide with the Earth.

For now, this is all that I am listing as I come across so many vague statements I do not feel comfortable listing them for others to read. As I continue with my research, I will add to this list when appropriate, If anyone would like to offer me sound information, please email comments@2012endofdays.org. Please include the source of your information so I can validate.
Commentary from the author:
Prophecy #1. Some people contend that this prophecy is erroneous as the last Mayan cycle of 5,125 years did not bring about world-wide destruction. Humans existed in 3,000 BC and previous to that. However, the 5,125 year cycle is part of a greater cycle consisting of approximately 26,000 years. This longer cycle ends on December 21, 2012 as well so perhaps it is this cycle that brings about destruction? Another possibility is that each cycle marks an era of great change or human innovation, not destruction.