by Pamela Kay

Created on: April 22, 2008   Last Updated: March 29, 2011

An examination of Mayan calendar's predictions for the year 2012 may raise more questions than it answers. Did the ancient Mayans believe the world would end on December 21, 2012 or could it be that even though this date does correspond with our Winter Solstice, it is no more than the end of their calendar cycle, much as ours ends on December 31 of every year, and we believe it’s time we purchase a new one. But what did the Mayans believe? Will it be a big bang and the lights go out or will it be the culmination of many things that will bring about total destruction?

*A Big Event

One reason so many have interpreted the Mayan calendar as predicting the end of the world may be due to the rare astrological events, which will occur on December 21, 2012. One event is so rare, it hasn't occurred since 25,800 years ago, which was long before the Mayans or their predecessors, the Olmecs.

What are these rare events? The close conjunction of the Winter Solstice Sun with the crossing point of the Galactic Equator, (Equator of the Milky Way) and the Ecliptic (path of the Sun), forming a cross where they intersect is one. The Mayans considered this cross as sacred. To them it was the beginning of new life, when the world would discover the wisdom and knowledge of the Mayans and advance to a world of peace.

This event is caused by a phenomenon called "precession of the equinoxes", which is caused by the Earth's wobble, which is causing the location of the sunrise of Winter Solstice to move slowly to the Galactic Center (equator of the Milky Way). In the simplest of terms, things are changing in space that can and will affect us here on earth, but does it mean the end is near?

*Alignment Of Jupiter, Earth, Sun

Another event that has until lately been overlooked is the straight-line alignment of Jupiter, the earth, the sun, the earth and the Galactic Center, which is a black hole. What can this mean? We don't know, but it doesn't sound good, the unknown never does.

*Sunspots and Solar Flares

There is also the prediction of sunspots and solar flares, caused by strong gravitational pulls on the sun when Saturn or Jupiter are in certain alignments. These are actually pieces of the sun leaping into space and discharging radiation and strong electrical currents. These are flung outward into space and most often bypass earth causing no problems. However, these can and have reached earth and interfered with the power grids causing power outages.

Should there be an extremely

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