Does December 21st 2012 mark the end of the world as we know it? Will some catastrophic event happen? Why does the Mayan calendar end December 2012? There have been so many predictions over the years that the world was ending on a certain day. Those days came and went and the earth is still here.
I decided to read a little about the Mayan Indians and their calander, because my husband fully believes that the world will end on December 21st 2012. I on the other hand do not! In this post I am not going to shove religion down your throat, but I am going to post my findings and what I have read and voice my opinions and what I believe. I believe we have a Creator and his son Jesus said.[pullquote] “30 Truly I say to YOU that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 32 “Concerning that day or the hour nobody knows, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but the Father. 33 Keep looking, keep awake, for YOU do not know when the appointed time is.” (Mark 13:32-33)[/pullquote]
The Mayan Calander
The Maya calendar is a system of calendars used in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, and in many modern communities in highland Guatemala and in Veracruz, Oaxaca and Chiapas, Mexico. Although the Mesoamerican calendar did not originate with the Maya, their subsequent extensions and refinements of it were the most sophisticated. Along with those of the Aztecs, the Maya calendars are the best- documented and most completely understood.
December 21st 2012, comprises a range of eschatological beliefs according to which cataclysmic or transformative events will occur on December 21, 2012. This date is regarded as the end-date of a 5,125-year-long cycle in the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar.
Some people translate the ending of the calander to mean that the earth and humans will undergo a spiritual transformation. Then others think that December 21, 2012 marks the end of the world by some catastrophic event. From what I have read on various sites on the internet, scholars and scientist do not believe any of these things. They say that astronomical events do not point to any of these things happening.
From what I have read and the way I understand it the Maya calender consist of many different calenders and cycles. When one cycle ended a new one would start. One calender was the Tzolkin, which consist of a 260 day count. The Haab which consist of 365 days, and the Calender Round which is a date that gives both the Tzolk’in and Haab’. This date will repeat after 52 Haab’ years or 18,980 days, a Calendar Round.
A different calender was used to track longer periods of time called the Long Count, which identifies a day by counting the number of days passed since a mythical creation date that corresponds to August 11, 3114 BCE in the Gregorian calender. The Long Count calendar was widely used on monuments.
The Long Count Calender is the reason for the miconception that December 21, 2012 marks the end of the world. All December 21st, 2011 means is that the Long Count Calender ends and the calender will go to the next baktun (Long Count calender of the ancient Maya’s)
So with all that being said, I personally do not believe that the world is going to end and it’s inhabitants are going to be destroyed on that day. If you believe in God (Jehovah) and what the bible says about the end of the world as we know, or Armageddon, you will not be worried at all about this date.
My Thoughts
As stated in the quote above it plainly states in the bible that no one knows when that day is coming, not the son (Jesus) nor the angels in Heaven. It also tells us in the bible to stay awake, and to not be mislead. “It is like a man traveling abroad that left his house and gave the authority to his slaves, to each one his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to keep on the watch. 35 Therefore keep on the watch, for YOU do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether late in the day or at midnight or at cockcrowing or early in the morning; 36 in order that when he arrives suddenly, he does not find YOU sleeping. 37 But what I say to YOU I say to all, Keep on the watch.” (Mark 13:34-37)
I know that there are a lot of people that believe that December 21, 2012 is going to bring destruction and catastrophic events. I also know that there is no evidence that points to this. What I do believe about December 2012 is that book publishers are making money off of books about 2012 being the end of the world. There are many people that have jumped on the ‘band wagon’ and have tried to make money off of this, by feeding off the fears of people.
As I said in the beginning this post is just my thoughts and understanding of the Mayan calender. I am in no way an expert of the Mayans, their calenders or anything of the kind. I hope you have found something useful in this post. I myself understand more than I did before writing it.
What do you think about December 2012 being the end of the world and its inhabitants?
Til Next Time…Happy Reading!
I love these Mayan posts. They are interesting to read.
I agree! I didn’t know much about them until I started reading… I still have a lot more reading to do. Thanks for visiting!
I don’t honestly think so
Although I do find the Mayan history and mythology interesting to read about — I’m a history major so that sort of stuff always appeals to me 
Marie recently posted..Cat Thursday — January 12th
It is all interesting and history is fascinating! Thank you for stopping by Marie.
Angela, I would first like to commend you for your research of the topic before posting this article. I have, in the past, looked into the Mayan calendars time and again out of simple curiosity. Personally, I am not religious. I am neither monotheistic nor polytheistic. I believe in us, in the people and in the energy that we all share. But that has never altered my interest in theology and the believe systems of other cultures. I find the believes of other cultures and religions quite interesting. I find myself left in awe at the awe their faith brings them.
As far as whether or not I think the world will end in 2012, I can’t say I have an answer. The idea that it may end on that day makes me want to sell everything I own, buy plane tickets to take me to the most amazing places I’ve ever wanted to see (bucket list) and to take my family with me. It makes me want to find everyone who ever meant anything special to me and let them know the impact they had on my life. But also feeling more-so that it won’t end this year, I wonder if maybe I should still try to accomplish some of those things anyways.
As long as those people who I hold dear to my heart know that I love them and as long as I continue to try to find my inner sanctuary, my inner artist, my truest self, then I will die happy should the world come to an end, whether that be at the end of this year or another.
Really, that’s all we can do.
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I think it is always a good idea to let the ones that mean something to you know it. You never know what’s going to happen and when. (I need to take my own advice
) Other cultures have always been of great interest to me also. Just because it is different, does not make it wrong, right? I am going to continue reading more about the Mayans, because I find it a little fascinating!
It is a little scary thinking the world as we know it could end anytime, and it does make one want to grab their loved ones and hold on tight! That I understand, but like Stacey above I don’t dwell on it.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post Brandina and for sharing it!
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Thank You So Much For Sharing My Post!!
My belief is that the world could end any day or maybe just my world will end – but I am not planning to dwell on that idea and instead live my life to the fullest.
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I totally agree with that. I don’t dwell on it either, but I was interested in what all the hype was with ’2012 and the End of the World’. It is really interesting to read. Thank you for visiting!
Great post, angela and very informative!! I don’t believe anyone can know when the world will end. Although, December 21, 2012 will be my husband’s 35th birthday, so he may think it’s the end of the world, hahaha
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Thank you! Your husband is still young, I would give anything to be ’35′ again! Almost anything!
I think your findings are very interesting. I have heard that the mayan calendar began with all the planets aligned and therefore ends the same way and this does not mean the end of anything though it could signal a change. who am I to know? lol. its interesting speculation but I will continue to live day by day
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Your right, it is all interesting! I too will continue to live by taking it one day at a time. Thanks for stopping by, I’m off to take a look at your blog… I love books!
My hubby is also kinda sucked into the whole “the world is going to end” thing. Dec 12, 2012 is his 30th birthday!! We actually have some friends that REALLY believe the world is going to end then and they have a stock pile in their basement of food and supplies!!!
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No one really knows when the world will end, but you know it never hurts to be prepared for anything! Having a stock pile of supplies and food just may come in handy one day. You never know, things are forever changing.
I’m stopping by again from Stumble Tumble so I can stumble this
Hi again
My post is here:
http://bonkersinbarnhart.com/?p=2127
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Thank you and thanks for stopping by… again!
I’m hoping that the world is without end… but if it does end, I don’t want to know when… I try to live each day like it’s the last one anyway so I’m not going to worry about it … but planning happily for 2013
Also wanted to let you know that the new Thirsty for Comments post is up now: http://www.actingbalanced.com/2012/01/thirsty-for-comments-thursday-get-great_18.html
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I am taking each day as they come and of course trying to plan for the future. I for one don’t believe the world will actually be destroyed or everyone’s life will end. I do believe that the world and life as we know it today will change one day, but no no human knows when that will be! Thanks for stopping by Heather and featuring me on your blog!