By Micah Jordan

When we write the history of 2012, what will we say? Did it bring a New Age, or the end of life on earth as we knew it? Harmonic convergence, or horrific chaos?

That something unusual is going to happen on or near that date is increasingly obvious, but no one – however well informed they are – really knows for sure what that is. When it comes to 2012, proof is open to interpretation. There are many groups out there clamoring for our attention, eager to assure us that THEY have the “2012 truth,” and are anxious to convince as many people as possible of that “fact”. But amidst all the hype and hysteria, of what can we really be sure?

As far as science is concerned, there is little dispute that there will be some unique natural events that will occur around this time. Meteorological and astronomical events have been identified and predicted, and most scientists readily agree upon the facts. But the world is having to deal with issues beyond unusually dangerous weather, natural disasters that are increasing in both frequency and destructive power, and the uncertain physical consequences of an impending planetary alignment. In terms of the sociological and psychological effects that accompany any drastic change in the status quo, the results are much less predictable.

There has been so much speculation on the significance (or lack thereof) of this date, that a groundswell of psychic energy has grown to near-tsunami proportions, practically guaranteeing that “something” will happen on that date, through sheer force of the combined wills of so many people. Maybe it will go down in history (if any more history is to be made after that date) as “The Great Fizzle.” But even out of disappointment and expectations denied, new paradigms have been created. When Baptist preacher William Miller predicted with persuasive confidence that the world would end in 1843, or 1844, or on any of several proposed dates that subsequently came and went without incident, that didn’t discourage his followers. They simply acknowledged the error, and went on to found what eventually became the Seventh Day Adventists, a large and active Christian denomination that thrives to this day. Will the history of 2012 be known as yet another Great Disappointment? Perhaps. So many of the predictions for the fate of mankind on this date are so dire that we can only hope that they’re just gigantic bullets that we’ll be lucky enough to dodge.

The specifics of this fate varies depending on who is interpreting the evidence. Skeptics believe that it will be a day, just like any other day. Scientists acknowledge that some rare astronomical events will be occurring on the date, but place no significance on that fact. However, some scientists express a fear that the previously observed weakening of earth’s magnetic field and increased global warming may be exponentially worsened, with possible catastrophic consequences, by the stress that will be placed on the Earth with the magnified gravitational pull of the planetary and galactic alignment. While no scientists are predicting that a comet or an asteroid will hit the earth on that specific date, many believe that such a strike is bound to happen at some point, and some laypeople have taken the scientific evidence for this and forced it to fit their personal vision of what will happen in 2012.

In addition to the science, a number of religious interpretations come to bear on the chorus of opinions. The Mayan Calendar is the most prominent of these, as it is the most specific regarding the actual date. There’s no question that the Maya were the most brilliant astronomers of the ancient world – their ability to predict eclipses and other astronomical events rivals and occasionally even exceeds ours in accuracy – and much significance is placed on the fact that their extremely complex calendar, created to span thousands of years, comes to an abrupt halt on December 21, 2012. It’s by no means clear that the Maya intended this to be interpreted as the end of all life on earth, only another of the countless transitions from one age to the next. But they do emphasize that this upcoming transition is unusual in its violent upheaval and stress.

Many people supplement this grim view of our immediate future with other prophecies that they claim strengthen the overall “end of days” scenario. Such prophetic heavy-hitters as Nostradamus, Edgar Cayce, Mother Shipton, the I Ching, the Hebrew Cabala, and the Christian Book of Revelation, among others, are frequently referred to as authorities on the subject of 2012. Native American traditions such as those of the Hopi suggest similar unusual events are in the offing. Even science plays a role, with the Web Bot project, the statistical claims made for the Bible Code, and some evidence for the existence of a Planet X whose imminent return will spell disaster for life on earth all feeding into a pre-conceived conclusion that humanity is doomed. And even further to the fringes of the doomsday crowd are those who claim to be in contact with extraterrestrials, who are supposedly handing down the news that they will finally make their visits to Earth official on that date.

While at first glance there would seem to be great weight added to the religious arguments in favor of dire happenings in 2012, it helps to keep in mind the fact that only the Maya actually put a date on their predictions. None of the other big-name prophets or seers has been prepared to stick their neck out so far as to be that specific. It has become popular to roll every doom-laden remark made by anyone with pretensions to prophetic fame or skill into the 2012 fold, but closer examination of the original statements and documents show that nowhere is that date mentioned. The Book of Revelation, in fact, makes it clear that, whatever the future holds for mankind, absolutely nobody is ever going to know the actual day on which any specific event is due to occur. Bear in mind too, that the date put forward by the Maya only indicates an unusual galactic alignment of the planets, something which modern science has agreed is correct while placing very little significance on the fact.

While the December 21, 2012 evidence seems to point to the idea that this day is destined to be one that will live in infamy (assuming anyone lives past it at all, of course), it is left to us as individuals to develop our own interpretation of the “signs” we have been given. It is certainly interesting to note that so many people are concluding that this date is going to be deeply important to all of humanity, far more than any previous doomsday date that has come and gone, leaving only a relative handful of embarrassed or disappointed adherents to wonder where their calculations went wrong. In contrast, 2012 has caught the attention of millions of people the world over, sparking debate and debunking in equal measure. This suggests that the need for change – even drastic, painful change – is something for which we are all increasingly desperate. It’s possible that this expenditure of psychic energy, as I mentioned earlier, will take on a life of its own, creating the change we need out of the combined will and prayers of everyone who participates. If this is possible, then we need to turn a deaf ear to the doomsayers who look forward to a stern and inescapable justice that will fall upon the innocent as well as the guilty, and try to imagine a world that is better than the one we have, and take a step out of our old ways of thinking and into the light of a new day.

Once it becomes history, 2012 can be the kind of turning point that future generations look back upon with awe and reverence, if those of us who are living now make a concerted effort to take action on the issues that face us with an attitude of hope, respect, and faith that our better nature can overcome the many temptations to despair and become apathetic.

While it’s difficult to prepare for something we can’t quite imagine, it’s smart to at least make some effort to keep ourselves and our families safe in the event of an emergency or catastrophe. Whatever 2012 brings, the fact remains that right now, there are increasing incidents of natural disasters and – even more tragically – the real possibility of terrorist attacks that must be dealt with. Even if it turns out that 2012 is another over-hyped non-event like Y2K, at least we can feel that we took reasonable precautions against the worst, and if the worst never happened, our efforts won’t have been in vain, should we become victims of the all-too-real challenges of life in the 21st century. Here at 2012 Global Solutions, we present a sampling of the most popular scenarios for this upcoming date, along with the best books, DVDs and products to help you understand and prepare for what might be coming.

By Micah Jordan

In 2012, specifically December 21, history will slam to a halt. Allegedly. Just in time for Christmas, the end of the world will come, so be sure to put off your shopping ’til the last minute, ok?  See, it’s that time of the century – our first in this brand new one we’re living in – when we are due for a refreshing wave of global wipeout. Who says? Well, a number of sources apparently, but the most respected voice of doom comes from the Mayans. They are an ancient society that occupied enormous tracts of Central America, from around 1800 BC ’til the environment, overpopulation and the predicted (but sadly underestimated) appearance of the Spanish Conquistadors some two thousand years on culled their ranks and collapsed their rich, complex, but ultimately fragile civilization.

The Mayan were ridiculously skilled in architectural, mathematical, and astronomical matters. During their cultural expansion, they developed an obsession with time, and found a cool method to track it by use of a complex calendar system. It’s part of that system that’s now being flogged at conventions, in books, and all across the intertubes, promoting the most recent “the end is near” predictions. Now, at the risk of sounding disrespectful, my knee jerk reaction to hearing that in that specific year, precisely on December 21, history rolls up its scroll and takes us all with it sounds a little bit like another of the countless doomsday prophecies that have come and gone, leaving existential egg on the face of the people who proclaimed it the loudest. But there’s no question that we seem to welcome bad news with open arms, which helps to explain why it spreads like a wildfire.

Without taking even a moment to research the source or verify the claims, the more spectacularly bad the news, the bigger the slice of it we crave. Shoot, we’ll swallow the pie whole. As far as the 2012 predictions go, we may be well into our second helpings. Notwithstanding the undeniable fact that a great deal of incredible – and I mean that in its original sense – information is being disseminated, we’re still swallowing the idea that all life on the planet is literally just a few months away from being utterly kaput like it’s a sweet, decadent dessert.

It’s worth remembering that the Mayans probably never intended to prophecy the end of our existence. The legendary Mayan calendar was made as a strategy for tracking time. It was not created as a method of predicting specific future events. There’s little question that the long count calendar was employed to forecast ideal times for sowing and harvesting crops and other similar cultural and/or natural events. But the Mayans were not necessarily supernatural prognosticators. They did believe in a pantheon of gods and shared the common superstitions of early cultures; but there’s a questionable relationship between their religious beliefs and the 2012 world-ending predictions. There’s no question that the calendar does come to a seemingly abrupt end; but then, so does our Gregorian calendar. Theirs may have spanned 5,125.36 years, whereas ours tend to go in annual cycles, but what’s to stop us from concluding that it doesn’t all just start over again on “New Year’s” day?

It’s a fascinating subject, and well worth investing some time in studying, if only to acquaint yourself with the actual facts. Is ALL the hype about 2012 fake? There are a growing number of books and articles that go into detail regarding whether or not, after that fateful December 21, history will continue to unfold more or less as we are used to. If you encounter an opinion that seems to make sense, take it on board. If it sounds like the ravings of someone modeling a tin foil hat, give it a pass. Like anything else, it requires a sensible approach. If you feel, like I do, that it’s best to be prepared for the worst while hoping for the best, then follow that plan. But don’t believe everything you hear, especially if it’s guaranteed to terrify you. The Mayans didn’t go to all the massive labor of creating their extraordinary time-keeping system just to punk a generation of people living a millennium or two after they were long gone. Consider the possibility that everything might turn out alright after all! A Mayan “end of the world” calendar could simply mean they didn’t get around to starting the next one before they met their own apocalypse.

But like they say, better safe than sorry. At 2012 Global Solutions, you’ll not only find a variety of opinions on the subject of our future, but stuff to help you feel like you did the best you could to prepare yourself and your family against any contingencies. Even if 2012 is a complete bust, you know it only makes sense to protect yourself against the usual challenges of life in the 21st century – solar flares, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and volcanos don’t keep to a schedule and are no respecters of person! If you should get caught in an emergency, predicted or not, be ready for it.

By Micah Jordan

Many people, over time, have predicted the end of the world. But the mack daddy of prognostication (in the non-pimp sense, of course) is definitely Michel de Nostradamus. No one has achieved the degree of popularity and reputation for accuracy than this 16th century physician, astrologer and alchemist. In the nearly 500 years since he penned his famous quatrains, historians and students of prophecy believe that roughly 50% have unfolded as predicted. Of course, that means that 50% missed the target altogether, but for prophetic accuracy, that’s considered an extraordinarily high score. Among the “accurate” prophecies for which he is given credit are both world wars, the rise and fall of Hitler and Napoleon, and the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

So, everyone wants to know: will the world end in 2012? Nostradamus is consulted by believers and skeptics alike, in an effort to find out what the revered seer may have to say on current events, a subject dear to the hearts of those of us alive here and now in the 21st century.

Much has been made of the fact that one of his prophecies seemed to indicate that there would be great disturbance and unrest for the period of (approximately) 2009 to 2012. In view of the equally popular Mayan 2012 predictions, among many others, Nostradamus’ contributions on the subject take on a particular significance. As those who study his writings claim he also seems to have predicted that Barack Obama would gain power at this time, as well as other events that some say are coming true with uncanny accuracy, there is a general tendency to place credence in the idea that the world will end in 2012. Nostradamus, however, never specifically said either that the world would end, nor did he ever affix a date to his predictions. It would be a mistake to read too much into the rather vague “predictions” that over-eager scholars are quick to attribute to our own time period. A closer look at Nostradamus’ writings themselves do not substantiate a lot of what is being promoted.

For one thing, his prophecies of the future continue to cover a period of time stretching out almost another 2,000 years ahead of our own – he guaranteed the validity of his visions up to the year 3797. This would seem to me that while he’s forecasting disastrous events around our current time, he doesn’t believe that they signal the world’s end. 2012, Nostradamus seems to say, will be a tough year, but one that we will at least survive. Even if they do bring some form of biblical Armageddon, humanity won’t be completely annihilated. While he might have seen some pretty horrific things that are to come, it will apparently be followed by the arrival of a brave new world on the other side. Guess we can all do a collective brow-wiping at this point, huh?

The accuracy with which he envisioned diverse events through history is a subject of spirited debate. While it appears that he predicts a period of great difficulty around this time, the idea that the world will end in 2012 Nostradamus definitely doesn’t imply in his cryptic quatrains. But it’s up to each of us to come to our own conclusions about what the famous seer might really be saying – and if this is one of his “hits” or “misses” – by making an unbiased study of the subject ourselves, and not relying on the hysteria and hype. What we can expect in a 2012 world predictions and prophecies may help us determine, but ultimately it’s our own common sense that will see us through whatever really comes about.

By Gerard Le Flamand

Earth has known several polar shifts in the past, and future polar shifts are inevitable. The question that boggles everybody is “when will it happen again?”. Now scientists have concluded that magnetic poles are about to shift or even reverse itself yet again. Such an event has left the planet in chaos before so there are good reasons to be concerned and to prepare for yet another world catastrophe.

Violent Vortices
In recent news, at least considering that our planet now is 4.56 billion years old, an article was published in the Sunday Times of London on January 12th, 2003 stating that Nils Olson, researcher at the Center for Planetary Science in Denmark, warns for tremendous changes occurring deep in the Earth’s core. The magnetic field is considered to be controlled from the inner core and therefore his research is relevant to support related research about the impact on the polarities of the planet. Turbulent and swirling vortices of molten matter are impacting the levels of magnetic fields that hang above the surface of our planet. When those vortices get overly turbulent, something that appears to have started happening, a total reversal of the magnetic field can occur, in other words a polar shift or reversal takes place. Scientists also have found that those events happen on average every 750,000 years…which makes that the planet is long overdue for the next polar shift.

Direct consequences
Seen the fact that the last polar shift took place close to a million years ago, and that no humans inhabited Earth that long time ago, no eye witnesses were present to document what to expect at a next polar shift. This leaves us with to project, extrapolate and basically guess what the impact will be next time this happens. However, there are certain consequences that can easily be deducted and there is no doubt that they will happen. For example, electrical equipments will all fail; unseen displays of thunder and lightning will take place; seismic and volcanic activity will reach dramatic heights in itself being responsible for catastrophic results.

Lethal radiation
Since the magnetic shield also protects the planet from dangerous solar radiation, the reversal of the poles will be preceded by a time where the shield will disappear and during which all life will be impacted unless protected in some sort other than what we take for granted…the air. In addition is it unclear how long such an interruption would last, but some sources indicate it could easily take 100 years for the magnetic shield to be restored. Massive extinction will be the result of this. Unprotected from the sun’s radiation, crops fail, animals die, and humans fall prone to deadly cancers.

How can we prepare for such a disaster?
One thing is certain, as humans we stand zero chance to avoid a polar shift. Powers of the universe rule and the only thing we can do is see it happen. The best thing there is to do is to prepare ourselves a good as humanly possible…and the worst outcome must be taken as what will happen. On an individual level, what you can do is to learn where you can be best to avoid being in the wrong place when it happens. Knowing that volcanoes and earthquakes, unseen levels of storms and other tragic events will rule for a period of time, seeking a location where the least vault lines and volcanoes are, is a prudent first step. You can then start preparing for the shortage on uncontaminated foods and water by stocking up significant piles of imperishable foods. A stock for 10 years or more is not exaggerated. Protected gear from heat, radiation but also extreme colds is also high on the list. On a national level nations must develop a strategy for dealing with mass disruption likely to result from the malfunction of all types of electrical equipment and the failure of crops. Massive casualties cannot be avoided, yet the continuation of human kind needs to stay high on each nation’s agenda. It is believed that several organizations have been secretly working around the clock to reassure that valuable resources will remain available after order is restored…

Significant recent events
In December 2004 South East Asia was shook up with a category 9 earthquake, causing and immense catastrophe for the region near the island of Sumatra. Several scientists agree that Earth was very close to the next polar reversal. And what may be even more frightening is that it simply could have been a warm-up exercise announcing the actual event coming up in the near future. This places the theories of it happening in 2012 in the hotspot again. Whether this is correct or not, it isn’t the best news when you consider that the world became hopelessly unbalanced and that it wouldn’t require much force to turn it over. From ancient records we’ve learned that this has happened many times before.

Ignoring it would be naive
As no crystal ball can predict the exact timing of such dramatic event as the polar shift, many sources direct towards the end of the year 2012. Ignoring the real threats impacting the world and all of its inhabitants would be simply naive. We must be aware, be as much informed to what possible timing and results will be, and to prepare as much as humanly possible for the Polar Reversal when it finally does occur.

Learn much more about the significance and severity of the events in 2012 and how you can be prepared to save yourself and your loved ones. In addition, we’ll give you a free report on the “Labyrinth of Egypt” when you visit 2012pro today!

Article Source: EzineArticles.com Polar Shift in 2012-Fact Or Fiction?

By Linda Sue Anderson

A lot of the media are saying that the Mayan Calendar predicts December 21, 2012 as the “end of the world.” For those of you who are already in the know about the history of this ancient timetable, this is utter nonsense. But as we delve deeper into some of the facts and theories surrounding this date, we begin to understand the thinking behind such doomsday predictions.

The Mesoamerican Long Count calendar started 3114 BC with an end-date of December 21 or 23, 2012, spanning a time of 5125.36 years. On this date, the Long Count calendar will reach 13.0.0.0.0, with 13 units being a 144,000-day cycle. Does this date signify the end of civilization and a resetting of the calendar, or can it even continue beyond this time?

Some Mayan civilization experts argue that there’s evidence the calendar continues beyond this date, extending even to 13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.0.0.0.0, with this particular calendar setting shown on one ancient Mayan inscription. According to their mythology, this specific time period signified the previous world’s age upon ending.

Some authors and researchers of the Mayan civilization have fueled the belief in the current cycle ending in cataclysm. Accordingly, the Ancient Mayans believed that humanity experiences five cycles (we are nearing the end of the fifth cycle), and that the last four ended in major upheavals. An interpreted excerpt from one of their ancient texts, the Dresden Codex, points to a great flood occurring at the end of current cycle.

Among New-Age followers, December 2012 also indicates a time when our sun will align with the center of the galaxy, and because of this, will herald a period of higher consciousness and evolutionary change. This galactic event happens every 26,000 years.

At this moment of alignment, the galactic mass will be at its greatest, causing gravitational effects, which in turn will cause gravitational disturbances within our sun and consequently greatly influence solar activity.

What will purportedly add to the powerful effect of this alignment is the fact that when Jupiter and Saturn – the solar system’s most massive planets – are on opposite sides of the sun, the solar maximums are at their strongest. And – guess what – at the time of the winter solstice in 2012 these planets will be in such position to influence powerful solar activity.

So this “perfect storm” of a galactic alignment and heightened solar maximum occurring at the same time leads many to believe something big has to happen. Like cataclysm.

This is how it’s explained: the alignment and massive solar flares will spark major global disasters, first started by the impact of powerful solar radiation on the Earth, affecting its polarity. When this shift in polarity happens, the ocean currents could reverse, creating flooding of land masses and sparking volcanic activity. This chain reaction will bring about more climate change.

Or, at the least, this barrage of solar radiation charging the Earth’s ionosphere could cause major interruptions of our electric and communication systems. This shutting down of our systems will affect our ability to generate and distribute fresh water and produce fresh food, among other dire scenarios.

But this galactic alignment is actually a gradual process and shift that takes place over a 36-year period, and that this convergence which corresponds to the diameter of the sun has already taken place in 1998. It’s not as if for one day out of this 36-year cycle we will abruptly feel any devastating effects of this occurrence.

According to more metaphysical theories, it’s believed this cosmic shift is already happening as a spiritual inclination toward incidence of more mystical phenomena and increased awareness of how we ultimately control the direction of humanity and the manifestation of our own reality through intent.

The Mayan Calendar “end date” in 2012 is believed by some to be a turning point of our evolution. I absolutely believe in the effects of the sun on our consciousness and accept that there isn’t just one date that will affect us, but that we’re seeing a new cycle of cosmic influences that produces shifts in perception, awareness, and growth. This concern for 12/21/12 is simply a means to help us see beyond our mundane existence and perhaps make us pay attention to the whisper of the possibility of something greater shaping our destiny. If nothing else, the overly dire and calamitous predictions will plant a seed from which possibly a new type of consciousness can grow.

And this new consciousness can portend that something significant and transforming could occur; and when group-mind beliefs are changed, we could very well shift our own course without the need for catastrophes, so we shall see. It’s now 1,100+ days and counting…

Linda Sue Anderson, founder of Holistic Future, is a Certified Alchemical Hypnotherapist, a researcher of holistic, spiritual, and metaphysical subjects, and has a bachelors degree in Natural Health. She also has a background in greenhouse management, growing medicinal herbs and other organic produce.

Linda is also a kundalini, meditation, and chakra expert and teacher, helping others along their path based on her personal kundalini experiences over the years.

Linda sees herself as a futurist-a conscious explorer of the evolutionary leap humanity and our planet is currently experiencing, and an observer of where we are headed.

More Holistic Future articles and resources can be found here: HolisticFuture.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Sue_Anderson

By Sharon Lowenheim

Did you know that September is National Preparedness Month? The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Citizen Corps have sponsored this event for the last sixyears to encourage Americans to prepare for all kinds of emergencies.

What do you need to do in order to be prepared?

1. Create an emergency kit.

2. Develop a communications plan.

If an emergency occurs, you may have to evacuate, or you may have to shelter in place (i.e., ride out the emergency in your home.)

Evacuate

Have a GO Bag prepared in case you are advised by officials to evacuate. Twice a year, when you change your clock for daylight savings time, check expiration dates of the items in your kit. Your GO Bag should contain the following items:

• 1. Radio – either battery-powered with extra batteries, or a hand-crank radio
• 2. Flashlight and extra batteries (or hand crank flashlight)
• 3. Whistle to signal for help
• 4. NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, and extra batteries
• 5. First aid kit
• 6. Cash in small denominations
• 7. Copies of your important documents (insurance cards, photo IDs, proof of address, etc.) in a waterproof and portable container
• 8. Extra set of house and car keys
• 9. Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air
• 10. Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• 11. A list of the medications each member of your household takes, why they take them, and their dosages. If you store extra medication in your Go Bag, be sure to refill it before it expires.
• 12. Local map

Shelter in Place

Identify a room with few doors or windows, ideally with at least ten square feet per person. Keep enough supplies in your home to shelter in place for at least three days. If possible, keep these in a separate container and make sure your family knows that these supplies are for emergencies only. In addition to the items in your GO Bag, here are the supplies that you should have on hand:

• 1. One gallon of drinking water per person per day
• 2. Non-perishable, ready-to-eat canned or packaged foods, and a manual can opener. Energy and granola bars, dried fruit, and peanut butter are good choices.
• 3. Phone that does not rely on electricity
• 4. Personal hygiene items: soap, feminine hygiene products, toothbrush and toothpaste, etc.
• 5. Child care supplies or other special care items
• 6. Don’t forget about extra water and food for your pet!

Communications Plan

Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance how you will contact one another and how you will get back together. Here are the elements of your plan:

• 1. Decide where your household will reunite after a disaster. Identify two places to meet: one right outside your home and another outside your neighborhood, such as a library, community center, or place of worship.
• 2. Designate an out-of-state friend or relative that household members can call if separated during a disaster. If local phone circuits are busy, long-distance calls may be easier to make. This out-of-state contact can help you communicate with others.
• 3. Ensure that household members have a copy of your household disaster plan and emergency contact information to keep in their wallets and backpacks.

Very useful information – along with a downloadable form – is available on the web site of professional organizer Judith Kolberg. Here is one tip of hers that I really like:

“To avoid busy signals between two individuals, agree that one person will call on the 5′s after the hour (i.e., 9:05, 9:15, 9:25, 9:35, etc) and the other person will call on the 10′s after the hour (i.e., 9:10, 9:20, 9:30, etc).”

For More Information

Two useful web sites to consult are the Department of Homeland Security’s www.ready.gov and New York City’s http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem.

Sharon Lowenheim, MBA, MSE, is a Professional Organizer and owner of Organizing Goddess, Inc., in New York City. Since 2006, she has taught organizing skills to individuals and groups in their homes and their offices. She can be contacted by e-mail at sharon@organizinggoddess.net or by phone at (212) 249-3537. Visit Sharon on the web at http://www.organizinggoddess.net.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com Sharon_Lowenheim

By Micah Jordan

We don’t know what the increase in solar activity in 2012 is going to do to our energy infrastructure. But even if we survive it, there are still good reasons to consider alternative means of keeping our homes supplied with power. We all know an alternative to fossil fuels must be found soon. Scientists are working hard on finding and adapting new technologies, and it pays to know what’s coming down the pike. Here’s a basic primer on the alternatives that are available.

First, you can use solar energy to heat your home and provide hot water for household use. It can also be used to generate electricity via photovoltaic cells. The technology is constantly improving and it’s possible that recent breakthroughs in electricity generation will both increase the efficiency of photovoltaics and bring down the cost of the electricity they produce.

Wind power is becoming an increasingly important source of electricity in Iowa, Texas, and California, which lead the nation in wind energy generation, but nearly all states are investigating the possibility of adding wind generated power to their arsenal. There are also house-sized units available, and as the demand for them grows, they’ll continue to come down in price per unit and in installation cost. In addition, you can look into do-it-yourself solutions to home energy production, as they are extremely cost effective and do a great job of lowering your consumption of energy.

Other forms of energy are less accessible to the average homeowner, but you can use mass-produced forms, such as ethanol, E85, or soy-based diesel fuel in your vehicle to cut down on fossil fuels and to lessen the amount of pollution you contribute to the environment.

Hydrogen fuel cells are still in the experimental stages, but many experts continue to insist that they’ll eventually represent the wave of the future in powering our vehicles. Time will tell, but the point is that you can take advantage of alternative fuels right now without waiting to see what happens on the hydrogen front.

Another important plus for turning toward alternative fuel sources is that there are sometimes significant tax breaks to be obtained for converting all or part of your home to something other than traditional fossil fuel-based energy sources.

Regardless of which alternative energy source appeals to you, before you begin shopping, take some time to look into possible tax incentives that may help offset a portion of their initial cost.

2012 will be a very interesting year. The United States will have a Presidential election. Across the world, elections will also be held in France, Mexico, and Ireland. The Freedom Tower will be completed in New York. The Summer Olympic games will be held in London, England. NASA’s new Orion spacecraft is scheduled for completion and will begin to support missions to the International Space Station.

However, for many people, the most anticipated and promoted event in 2012 will be the end of the world as we know it. Indeed, the end of the world crowd from Y2K is coming back. Since everyone survived the start of this millennium without incident, they have now recalibrated their end of time apocalypse clocks to a new date of 12/21/2012. This new apocalypse date coincides with the end of the ancient Mayan long count calendar. The Mayan calendar, which spans more than 5,000 years, comes to an end on December 21, 2012.

The significance of the end of the Mayan calendar has been the subject of an increasing number of books in the last several months. It has even been featured on several programs on the History Channel as well. In general, there is a difference of opinion on what happens on 12/21/2012. Some think it is a day for the destruction of the planet Earth and human life. Others believe that we are in for an unprecedented spiritual awakening. Some predict a global financial meltdown. To others, an asteroid is the harbinger of doom. New sites appear almost daily on the Internet to promote all these unfortunate outcomes to the world.

In addition, new books on the subject arrive every month at local bookstores. Journalist Lawrence Joseph forecasts widespread catastrophe in “Apocalypse 2012: A Scientific Investigation Into Civilization’s End”. Spiritual healer Andrew Smith predicts a restoration of a “true balance between Divine Feminine and Masculine” in “The Revolution of 2012: Vol. 1, The Preparation”. In 2012, Daniel Pinchbeck anticipates a “change in the nature of consciousness,” assisted by indigenous insights and psychedelic drug use. His book,”2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl” has a print run designed to sell more than 40,000 copies.

The end of the Mayan calendar is said to coincide with a galactic alignment in which the Sun will align with the center of the Milky Way galaxy. It is said that this rare event occurs once every 26,000 years and some predict it could have potentially catastrophic consequences. The theory goes that on the day of the winter solstice in 2012, the Sun will be aligned with the center of the Milky Way . This alignment could mean that energy which typically streams to Earth from the center of the Milky Way will be disrupted on 12/21/12 at 11:11 p.m. Universal Time.

Some people argue that this disruption has the potential to create a shift in the Earth’s poles, which would cause disastrous environmental events. There is also the possibility that the effects will alter the magnetic polarity of the Sun. In combination with gravitational forces from the simultaneous alignment of other planets, this result might cause massive solar flares, and could even move the axis of the Earth.

It all sounds really bad, doesn’t it? It’s meant to. Of course it is all hype and nonsense. The ancient Mayan calendar ends but resets and starts over. The truth is that Mayans gave up their original calendar hundreds of years ago and use modern calendars now. The Mayans discovered that modern calendars were better able to keep track of their annual holidays.

In fact the Mayan calendar is not used by anyone today and is irrelevant. There is no factual relationship to the end of the Mayan calendar and the end of time. The Sun does not approach the center of the Milky Way to closer than about 5 degrees, and that happens not on 21 December but around 18 December, and not just in 2012 but in every year.

All the stories, science, and prophesies are fiction to hype the date. The hype of the date provides publicity to peddle books, merchandise, survival gear, and television programs. The History Channel appears so desperate for viewers and ratings that it has started its end of the Mayan calendar hype nearly five years in advance. We have seen this already in the years leading up to the start of this millennium. Now we can expect it again in the next few years leading up to 12/21/2012.

The formula of the end of the world doomsday prophecy is always the same. It originates from ancient times. Its basis surrounds a certain date or time period in the future. There is always some special insight beyond advanced modern science about how things really work. There are historically vague embellished coincidences that lead people to believe there is a solid basis for these future doomsday prognostications. It is all designed to play on our fear. The facts are created using smoke and mirrors. Like any scam, the real intention is to separate us from the dollars in our wallets.

Of course, the reality is that the there should be one basic goal for all of us in the next few years. That goal is to survive the huckster’s hype of a world apocalypse due to the end of the Mayan calendar on December 21, 2012. Indeed, the apocalypse crowd from the turn of this century is coming back with a brand new date to hype. We can send them away by keeping our money out of their sight.

James William Smith has worked in Senior management positions for some of the largest Financial Services firms in the United States for the last twenty five years. He has also provided business consulting support for insurance organizations and start up businesses. He has always been interested in writing and listening to different viewpoints on interesting topics.

Visit his website at http://www.eworldvu.com

Article Source: EzineArticles.com James W Smith

By Susan Zummo

Is 2012 another Y2K in the making? Are the predictions based in fact or doomsday fantasy? What’s really going to happen in 2012 and what will the world look like in 2013? It seems as though everyone has a book, movie or seminar filled with predictions geared to answer those questions. While there is no absolute agreement regarding what will happen, everyone seems to agree on when these events will happen. Before we can enjoy the promise of 2013, we will first need to navigate 2012.

December 21, 2012 is the singular point in time where all the predictions for change converge. So let’s look at what some of the experts say will happen at that time.

We must begin with the Maya whose long count calendar will end on that date. The Maya, most often sited when making 2012 predictions, measured cycles of purpose through time in creating their calendars. For the Maya living day to day there would be multiple calendars keeping track of personal and community cycles. The cycle we are in now, referred to as a long count cycle, comes to conclusion at the end of life as we know it so that we can begin a new cycle and new life. The Maya do not necessarily say that life will end; only that it will end in the way we know it to be. That means life will change.

The Mayan cycles of time become shorter with each repetition and speed up as human consciousness awakened. In her book The Mayan Code: Time Acceleration and Awakening the World Mind, Barbara Hand Cloud references the Maya cycles and notes an evolutionary leap at the close of each cycle.

Marie D. Jones, in her book 2013, references Robert Anton Wilson’s Acceleration of Knowledge Theory in which he logarithmically describes the intervals of time between the invention of information processing systems and their actual development. Wilson’s theory basically says that the interval of time from the conception of an information system and its actual release to the public get shorter and shorter with each cycle until a singularity is achieved. Wilson theorized (back in 1988) that the cycles double in time throughout history and that each doubling is coming faster and faster. This snowball effect corresponds with the Maya perception of time speeding up.

Think of a bouncing ball as it approaches its resting point. As the ball bounces up and down, the distance between the apexes of the ball’s arc to the floor becomes shorter and shorter. The ball bounces faster and faster as the number of bounces increases and approaches an infinite number of bounces (or cycles) before it comes to rest. For those living on the bouncing ball, time would appear to be speeding up until life as they know it stopped all together.

Thomas McKenna’s Novelty Theory describes this phenomenon by plotting novelty and complexity along a curve (called a Time Wave) that approaches a singularity (or omega point) in which everything and anything a human mind can conceive will occur simultaneously. To find out more and try out Time Wave software Google Fractal Time 7.1

Michael Drosnin’s Bible Code says that we will have meteor strikes during 2012.

The Orion Prophesy by Patrick Geryl notes the shifting of our magnetic poles in 2012.

Alexander Setchin in 1976 predicted the 12th planet of our solar system referred to today as Planet X or Nibiru. In a frequently referenced article at MSNBC.com dated October 7, 1999 “A Mystery Revolves Around the Sun”, an unseen planet or failed star with a solar orbit of 2 trillion miles is proposed by two teams of researchers. Many proponents of Planet X believe that the fly-by of this planet will cause increased gravitational effects, tidal waves, flooding, earthquakes and increased volcanic activity.

We must also add to this mix those who believe that extra-terrestrial beings are also involved, whether for good or ill, to facilitate the changes ahead and that our government is aware/involved/blocking/plotting their own course for the turmoil ahead. Keep and open mind when looking into the “E.T. factor”. Many respected scientists and astronauts have spoken out about their experiences and YouTube has become a resource for these video blog testimonials.

Whether or not you accept any of the predictions or theories regarding 2012 as fact, one thing remains constant. The Maya, the astrologers, the scientists, the conspiracy theorists, the spiritualists and the film makers all agree on one thing.

2012 and specifically December 21, 2012 is that singularity point where all the predictions converge.

At this time we are being urged to move from a consciousness where individuals are motivated to act based on the greater good of their group (age, gender, community, locale, religious/political belief) to soul consciousness in which the Law of One governs our actions to join with one another and connect our purpose with our Source’s purpose.

We are on the brink of reaching critical mass for change. We must use our free will in this time when thoughts come into physical manifestation quicker than at any time before to bring about positive change. We have a responsibility to create a positive inclusive world view and move away from the divisive fearful world view we have labored under.

So to begin our journey towards 2013 (because I believe that we will live past 2012) and all that brings with it, we must set our intent or goal. Intention is the supercharger of the future. I believe in the Law of One (we are all connected through spirit) and that this is way to bring about a peaceful change and a better life for everyone – not just me in my little corner of the world.

Set your intent for the future and connect with others of like mind and purpose to positively influence the greater world. Meditate with others of like mind; join your intent with theirs to make a difference. Regardless of what may happen in 2012 if we are working and living together cooperatively, we all arrive at the future we dream of in 2013.

Susan became a Perceptive Awareness Technique, Inc. facilitator over 8 years ago and has helped many students gain access to their intuition via soul contact. Her teachings have helped her workshop attendees to reinforce their belief in self and their connection to a higher source. Her workshop participants regard her as one of the most committed and positive spiritual teachers they have had the fortune to meet. Susan’s professionalism and compassion are her trademarks. Most of her students come to her through the glowing recommendations of former students. For more information on classes and private sessions contact Susan by email: susanzummo@verizon.net; on line at: http://www.susanzummo.com

Article Source: EzineArticles.com Susan Zummo