2012 and the Mayans, Essay Example

Introduction

As the year 2012 already moves towards its close, anxiety over the celebrated Mayan calendar predictions increases. Every month, the news and entertainment media fixes on natural disasters, climate changes, and extreme cases of civil unrest globally to underscore what is thought of as the predicted end of all time, coming on December 21. What must be remarked upon in all of this are three important factors: the astronomical accuracy of the Mayans as validated by modern science, the fact that many other ancient cultures predicted momentous activity for the same time period, and that the Mayan prediction is not necessarily an “end of the world” scenario. While galactic alignments certainly validate Mayan beliefs, the prediction is apocalyptic only in the sense that something unseen will be revealed to the world.

Science, Global Corroboration, and Prediction

Perhaps the most unsettling aspect of the Mayan prophecies is that, after endless and rigorously scientific examination, the science behind these ancient writings and calendars holds up as valid. Through means not known to science today, and without any modern devices such as telescopes, the Mayans made remarkably precise calculations reflecting a committed study of astronomy. For example, the Mayans made exact records of planetary cycles surrounding the earth, and multiple tables documenting the specific movements of Venus are found in the Dresden Codex, one of the three Mayan volumes discovered (Heley 23). It has been established, in fact, that the Mayans inherited the basics of their astronomy from another culture, but it is also evident that they greatly refined the astronomical processes. As with other Meso-American cultures, the Mayans centered their work on the relations of the planets to the sun, and the “tzolkin” is the 260-day Mayan calendar that most reflects this astronomical study. Cycles of Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, and Saturn are recorded, as well as Venus’, with accurate observances of expected eclipses. Interestingly, Jupiter and Saturn, with cycles of approximately twenty years, were seen by the Mayans as generational markers. Then, the “tzolkin” was a calendar that could be extended into the “katun”, which covered 7,200 days (Rossi, Scofield 10). All of this was, again, precisely mathematical, and derived from astronomy conducted with no technology known to modern, or even Renaissance, man.

When people today discuss the Mayan calendar, they are actually referring to the Long Count calendar. The Mayan Long Count is devoted to periods of 5,125 years, a figure arrived at when 260 idealized cycles of Jupiter and Saturn come to an end. The Long Count, however, is part of a larger astronomical cycle known as the “precession”, a period of 26,000 years. The Mayans broke the precession into fifths, tracing the beginning of this current and final cycle back to 550 B.C.E. What is, of course, notable about this time period was the emergence of distinct civilizations, and a variety of leaders, such as Confucius and Buddha, making their appearances (Rossi, Scofield 11). Implications for humanity aside, this is extraordinary work from so ancient a culture, as modern science has documented massive shifts occurring in the global landscape at such intervals. What seems inescapable, then, is that the unusual alignment occurring within the solar system at these times creates enormously powerful gravitational and magnetic forces. It is scientifically known that, in late 2012, the planets will align in a way occurring only once every 26,000 years, as it is documented that recent solar activity has occurred on unprecedented levels; since 2003, in fact, more storm activity on the sun has been observed than ever before (Joseph 16). Whatever occurs, it seems inescapable that the Mayans were recording information difficult to dispute, which supports Mayan predictions of this time as apocalyptic.

Then, as noted, other cultures have asserted similar ideas. Hindu theology, as well as other Asian belief systems, has been cited as supporting an apocalyptic period for the planet in 2012 (Joseph 16). Native American tribes have also long held to the Mayan timing of the great unrest, or apocalypse; the Hopis, centered today in Arizona, believe that there are seven ages of man, and that we are currently in the fourth. Interestingly, and reflecting both Meso-American and Biblical ideologies, the Hopis believe the third age ended in flood. As profoundly spiritual as Hopi belief systems are, they have been seen as virtually echoing the Mayan construction of the precession, as Hopis track astronomical patterns, and their ceremonies depend on astronomical movement (Stray, Jenkins 28). Ideologies differ, but it appears conclusive that both Eastern and Western cultures have long employed astronomical study to establish bases of faith, and these studies point to cosmic occurrences now supported by modern science.

However, as regards the actual apocalypse believed to be on its way, it is necessary to understand the word as interpreted from Mayan language. An apocalypse is technically not a mass destruction, but a revelation; it translates to an “opening of sight”. The Mayans, along with other cultures, assert that 2012 will be a time of great upheavals. With powerful forces affecting the solar system, the planet’s climate must change, and the early tornado season so far occurring in 2012 already may give way to more massive storms. There is also no way of knowing how drastically changes in the earth’s magnetic field will affect tectonics, and earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes may well be triggered. At the same time, Mayan mythology, based on the culture’s calendar, indicates that a “new man” will be born, presumably of a more enlightened nature (Harper, Lipton, & Krill 196). All these ancient cultures, from Hindu to Mayan, seem to indicate that planetary revolution of some kind will happen, but none asserts that this will be the end of humanity or the earth. On the contrary, the sense is given that mankind will evolve to meet a new era., and civilizations beyond the scope of present understanding will be created.

Conclusion

With only months to go before December 21^st, 2012, arrives, it will be interesting to note both the actual changes occurring to the earth and its climate, as well as societal reactions to them. In a very real sense, the Mayans have presented modern man with a reality impossible to ignore, as science confirms their ancient calculations. Then, other cultures explored from equally distant pasts also point to global upheaval. What is most ignored in all of this, however, is that no end of the world is actually predicted. Galactic alignments will shift and validate Mayan beliefs, but the prediction is apocalyptic only in that something unseen will be revealed to the world, and there is no forecasting of universal doom.

Works Cited

Harper, John Jay, Lipton, Bruce H., & Krill, O. H. Tranceformers: Shamans of the 21^st Century. Foresthill: Reality Press.

Heley, Mark. 101 Things You Should Know about 2012. Avon: Adams Media, 2011. Print.

Joseph, Lawrence E. Apocalypse 2012: A Scientific Investigation into Civilization’s End. New York: Random House, 2012. Print.

Rossi, Melissa, & Scofield, Bruce. Decoding 2012: Destiny, Doom, or Just Another Day? San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2010. Print.

Stray, Geoff, & Jenkins, John Major. Beyond 2012: Catastrophe or Awakening? Rochester: Inner Traditions, Inc.