So….twelve months from now, to the day, we’ll hit the date the Maya named 13 Baktun, 4 Ahau, 3 Kankin – the date on which their calendar heralds the end of a ‘World Age’ and the beginning of the next.
The last world age turned over in August 3114 BC and nobody, not even the Maya, have any particular record of what happened then, so we have no real idea of what they thought would happen, or why they set the start of their calendar so far before the beginning of their civilisation (which flourished from 600 – 900AD although remnants survived until the 16th century when the Jesuits destroyed it utterly). But we know that they did, and that one year from now, the current ‘World Age’ ends. In the Popol Vuh myth, it is said that the gods have had several previous failed attempts at creating humanity and each one has ended at the end of a world age – from fire, earthquake and, most recently, from floods. This one will allegedly be ended by humanity, but nobody is quite sure how.
I’d suggest some obvious alternatives are:
1: The Americans elect a Republican President. Doesn’t matter who, really, they’re all completely crackers and most of them will actively endeavour to promote the biblical Apocalypse, no matter how many people die in the process.
2: We’ll continue to ignore things like the recently found 1km-wide methane fountains in the Arctic and tip ourselves over the edge into irreversible global warming.
3: we’ll hit the Technological Singularity – which is the point when we develop a computer which is capable of designing and building its own successor. We’re really not too far from that and, almost overnight, we’ll become redundant in the process of technological development. Given that Asimov’s Laws of Robotics probably won’t apply, it won’t be long before the newly developed super-human entity takes one look at the planet and realises that the one species which is doing most damage is…. us. After which, all bets are off.
But it may also be that 2012 provides an opportunity for social and spiritual evolution – that the Occupy movement comes of age and we begin to look at our place in the world differently. Each of us can be ready for that, can have looked at where we are and where – if tomorrow is absolutely not going to be a repeat of yesterday – we’d like to be.
And then we can make it happen.
Have an inspiring Solstice. And be ready for a fascinating 12 months ahead.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
And then there are the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers……who show us that people of diverse cultures, backgrounds, races, can work together harmoniously. They emphasize a point of view that does not separate into us and them, but seeing everyone (even Republicans!) as part of WE. We work to change the view that creates separation. There have been many hopeful “signs” of a small shift away from hierarchical power …….to see Aung San Suu Kyi speaking with Hilary Clinton, was one, and to see the audacious vibrant women who won the Nobel Peace Prize was another. Little steps, but worth a mention.
….But where will we all be on the Winter Solstice of 2012? (a variation of “Where I was when…”)
I know where I’ll be – as usual, sitting inside a neolithic ‘tomb’ – where at every Winter Solstice the ‘dying’ sun’s rays shine down the entrance passageway and at sunset ‘lights up’ the altar stone. Magical! (only just a glimmer this year unfortunately, but keeping my fingers crossed for 211212!) If anything’s gonna happen then I reckon that’s the place to be!
I think Mandas’ last comment is probably the most likely and definitely the most positive. We have all got to work together to steer the people of the world to some kind of realization of what really matters. It will be an uphill struggle as mammon i.e. the want society, is what seems to be uppermost in the affluent parts of this world. Not to be confused with the need society who struggle every day just to live but strangely (or not) seem so much happier than the materially rich. Maybe 21/12/12 will open up a path that we were unaware of, who knows but in my mind the most important thing to be is optomistic and open minded.