Is The Future Upon Us

Until a few years ago, there were not many people who might have ever heard the December 21, 2012, prophecy based on the end of the Mayan Long calendar.

Who were the Mayans? Mayans are Meso-American civilization dating back to 2000 BC and they were known not only for the fully developed written language but also for their accurate astronomical and mathematical calculations.

The Mayan Long Count calendar lasts for 5125 years and ends on December 21, 2012. Although this may mean many things (including they just had to end the calendar at some date, so they ended on December 21, 2012), the most popular is the belief that the world will come to an end on December 21, 2012.

Although there is no explanation given how the end will come but since the long count calendar was made corresponding to some astronomical calculation it has lead to the belief that the end will be caused by some extraterrestrial phenomenon.

Some scholars and proponents of the December 21, 2012, theory believe the end will come via a large solar flare. This flare will come because the orbits of the planets in our solar system will be infiltrated by an outside orbiting planet that the Sumerians and the Babylonians referred to as Nibiru.

Another school of thought, however, believe that on December 21, 2012, a very rare planetary alignment will occur during the winter solstice. At this time our planetary system (including the sun) will align at a point that is known as the galactic equator. This alignment is so rare that it only happens every 25,000 years and this rare planetary alignment could signal a shift in the magnetic poles and thus cause total annihilation.

There are talks about some scientific experiments being tried where atom will split in a long tunnel and this may lead to a creation of black hole and everything might get over within a few seconds and this experiment, they say, may be completed on December 21, 2012.

Another prediction is of some giant meteor striking the earth on December 21, 2012, although there is no evidence of any meteor or asteroid that might come the Earth’s way within the next 2 years.

What does religious scriptures say

Prophecies of Armageddon: Matthew 24:29 says, "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken." These biblical verses might also refer to some extraterrestrial event, but then bible does not mention December 21, 2012, as the Armageddon Day.

In Hinduism, the world begins in Satya Yuga and ends at Kali Yuga and the cycle repeats (there are a total of 4 yugas). The accepted belief in Hinduism is that at the end of Kali Yuga, we will see total annihilation and creation will once again begin after destruction and a new Satya Yuga will start. Lord Krishna had said Kali Yuga will last for 5000 years and some “gurus” are predicting December 21, 2012, is the end of Kali Yuga.

For some of the people who ascribe to the December 21, 2012, theory, the volcano in Iceland emitting ash and the debt crisis involving sovereign countries and the riots arising out of them are early signs of things to come.

Although December 21, 2012, prophecy is a scary one, do we need to worry? Absolutely no. There were many other prophecies which went wrong and perhaps this one will pass too without an event. And, if indeed, this is true and the Earth does come to an end why should we worry about dying in any case we are mortals. Just lift up the glass and say cheers and ENJOY.