Maya Calendar Dates and Facts

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Lak'ech Ala K'in  "I am you, and you are me." Maya Greeting

Discover the enigmatic Maya Culture that created a complex system of rituals and civil calendars as well as the vigesimal system that included the concept of zero. 

I hope that with the new discovery of Maya glyphs in Xultun, Guatemala, the big business of "fear and end of the world" will disappear. Here is the link with beautiful pictures of the magnificent work that National Geographic is doing: Maya Painting

Maya Civilization 

For 1200 years the Maya Civilization dominated Mesoamérica, while Europe was still in the dark ages. Approximately 12 centuries ago, the civilization collapsed.

  • The Long Calendar system is one of the most noteworthy intellectual achievements. 
  • They applied highly elaborated mathematical calculations recording the major historical events, events in the future and past. Sometimes their calculations dated back to remote eras, thousands of years in the past. 
  • Movements of the Moon, Mars, Venus and other stars were calculated with exactitude. 
  • Formulated equations that could predict when solar and lunar eclipses would take place. 
  • They also had divinatory almanacs with favorable and unfavorable days, regarding work, farming, warfare, etc.  
This Calendar is formed with 3 interlocking cycles of 365 years; one of the interlocking circles has names, and the other has numbers lining up. Every 52 years the 3 cycles will meet again and then the cycle starts again.  
Dresden Codex

CYCLES:
Remember when the new millennium was going to start and there was fear that the calendar in our computers was going to end and we were going to have our world, as we know, paralyzed? 
It is the same concept: their calendar ends with the Fifth Era or Fifth Sun, and, the new Era or New Sun starts.
  • The Maya believed that when a cycle ends, a new one begins. 2012 is the end of this cycle; the 'God that can fly' will visit again, the same God that taught them about Astronomy, Math, Medicine and Architecture. 
  • The Maya Prophecy points to December 21, 2012 as the "end of the cycle of fear, and a new and better beginning," others, are trying to promote the idea of an Armageddon which means "mountain of sorrows." However the Maya never said that the world would end.
The Maya, Aztec, the Native Oraibi or "Peaceful People," (renamed by the Catholics as "Hopi Indians"), Terence K McKenna, The Hindu, Edgar Cayce, Michel de Nostradamus, Sergio González de la Garza, and, many more, refer to a "change of life in 2012."

We are no longer in the World of the Fourth Sun, but we are not yet in the Fifth Era or Fifth Sun. We are in between, in the transition, in the chaos of change and transformation. We are living in the time of vibration and movement. This is the time of earthquakes, changes and adjustments; a time of transformation.
"We are now on the era of "adjustments, movement and vibration." Maya Elder
 
5,200 years ago, the world of the Maya ended, and so did their calendar. For the Maya, time was a series of cycles that would repeat. Their calendar always ended in a terrible event. A new calendar began which will end in December, 2012. The Maya never said that life on Earth would end, however in one of their Codex that was not destroyed by the Spaniards, in one of their books or Codex, in the Códice de Dresden, now in Dresden, Germany, contains an illustration of Xibalbá, the sacred underworld of the Maya. It has a representation of the flood. There are also warnings of disasters, end of a cycle and planets aligned, but what is amazing, is that it has a Lunar and Venus Table that are accurate. The Lunar includes eclipses. The Codex can be downloaded: Codex Dresdensis - Mscr.Dresd.R.310
  "Evidence shows that around 5,200 years ago, solar output first dropped precipitously and then surged over a short period. It is this huge solar energy oscillation that Thompson believes may have triggered the climate change he sees in all those records. But more importantly, they believe it has happened at least once before, and the results were nearly catastrophic to emerging cultures at the time. He outlined his interpretations and fears at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco. A professor of geological sciences at Ohio State and a researcher with the Byrd Polar Research Center, Thompson points to markers in numerous records suggesting that the climate was altered suddenly some 5,200 years ago with severe impacts." Lonnie Thompson 
 
Extensive studies about the subject point to a new, better and peaceful beginning. Yet many people talk about the end.
The Aztec calendar ends in 2027, then it starts again.

Beliefs, Mythology and Predictions and FACTS
According to the Maya prophecy, on December 22, 2012, the Sun will receive a ray synchronized from the center of the galaxy and a new cycle will begin on Earth.

"It will be the end of the world of materialism, fear and destruction in which we live, and the beginning of a new era of respect and harmony."


We hope that with this “new discovery” of Maya glyphs the business of “fear” and end of the world will disappear. Here is the link with beautiful pictures: Maya Painting
Let's Explore! "El Duende," a Maya Legend - Illustrated children's book. 
Maya Journey Virtual Journey
M.O. Baum
Facts
During the Solar Maxima, the sun's magnetic poles will reverse.- NASA scientists who monitor the Sun say that our star's awesome magnetic field is flipping -- a sure sign that solar maximum is here. NASA
What will happen on December 21, 2012?
- Some 'experts' say that if we were to survive we would need to be far from the coastline, on a 6000 ft. elevation. Not only because of the tide waves, but, because of them, the destruction of the coastline would bring terrible pollution. The farmlands would be affected, the crops would die with the salt water, and the land would be polluted. I don't believe this. We still have our incredible Earth's magnetic field to protect us; if we take care of it.
300 miles from the Norwegian Coastline there is a vault. The Doomsday Sea Vault, a bunker immune to destruction that contains the best seeds available in the world. The SVALBARD GLOBAL SEED VAULT has 2 billion seeds. The seed vault is the modern Noah's Arc with frozen seeds ready to be brought back to life if there is life anywhere in the planet.
Earth's Inconstant Magnetic Field Protects our World From Outer Space ARTH'S 
 Sometimes, the earth's magnetic field completely flips; the north and the south poles    swap places.  
Such reversals, recorded in the magnetism of ancient rocks                
are unpredictable. They come at irregular intervals averaging about 300,000 years; the last one was 780,000 years ago. Are we overdue for another? No one knows. NASA
The Earth's magnetic field is influenced by the interplanetary magnetic field and charged particles in space that are mainly produced by the Sun. 
During active solar conditions (solar storms) more charged particles are released into space, affecting the normal conditions of the Earth's natural electromagnetic environment. This, in turn, affects normal operation of space and ground technologies, such as communication and navigation satellites, power grids and pipelines. Is there a misinterpretation of the Maya Calendar, or our calendar is not accurate?
I prefer the view of the Maya; a new cycle, a new beginning, a new hope that will come from the sky to teach us how to live in peace, love Mother Earth and respect all living creatures; or, the Hopi Indians, with their cobwebs so that we can walk and visit our ancestors without having to die. I am not sure I like the Hindu thought of age of darkness before the light. Although there is hope, I don't like the darkness part. I like the idea of the Maya, Egyptians, Incas and Aztecs that believed in something greater that will bring us knowledge, peace, compassion and humanity that we have lost. - This is not the end, it is the beginning...
Every day new discoveries are bringing to light the knowledge of this great civilization:
Wall with Maya Seignior Glyphs Discovered at Archaeological Zone in Chiapas 02/14/2010 TONINÁ, Chiapas, Mexico -  A wall with a rich glyph text that includes the complete name of the ruler that founded one of the most important Maya military seigniories was discovered in TONINÁ Archaeological Zone, in Chiapas. Epigraphists point out that the finding will bring in new information regarding Maya grammar, since it shows linguistic features yet to be deciphered. The discovery adds up to the sarcophagus recently uncovered by specialists of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). The wall dated in 708 AD was detected at El Palacio; a stucco portrait of K’inich B’aaknal Chaahk, the most powerful seignior of the ancient Maya city, was found as well. Dr. Juan Yadeun Angulo, coordinator of TONINÁ Conservation and Research Project, declared that K’inich B’aaknal Chaahk forged “one of the greatest military seigniories of Maya history before Mexica people arrived to the region”.  
Maya Books - CÓDICES (CODEX)
Mythology, Knowledge and Prophecies
  • The Maya Civilization is credited for creating the zero, represented by a conch shell.
  • They were very advanced in Medicine, Odontology and, in the study of Herbs, still used to this day. They used dental incrustations of Jade, they made trepanations, etc..
  • The Maya studied the constellations, stars, celestial patterns, and time.
  • The ruling priest could predict eclipses, announce droughts, rains and coming events. 
  • Time was very important to them.
  • The Aztec and the Maya calendars share aspects with calendars of other civilizations; Zapotec, Olmec and Mixteca.
  • Difference with their calendar and ours; 1/10th of a second.
  • The Maya created a system of Almanacs and Calendars. Each Calendar interlocks and synchronizes like the inside of a watch, with combination cycles that create more cycles. Every cycle has a meaning. Every human has a corresponding date in the Maya Calendar that the Maya Priest used when a child was born.
These are three of their calendars:Tzolk'in or Master Calendar, Haab or Solar and the Long Calendar. All these Calendars are synchronized to Tzolk'in. Tzol "order" and K'in "day". Calendars were used for agriculture, religious ceremonies and as a way to determine the place everyone had in life.
  • "Tzolk'in" or Master Calendar is the oldest one. It is an energy tracking device that describes the energies of Creation, projects cycles within cycles, in it, each day is unique, each person is unique, and each era is unique. This is the calendar that was used by the Priests when a child was born. The calendar was used to decide the n'awal that the child would have. The spirit, the "job on earth that had to be accomplished", their element and their positive and negative aspects. Depending on the date and time of the birth, it was decided the future aptitudes that the child would have to accomplish his/her place on Earth. The priest also decided the work that was meant for that particular child, 
  • his/her character and, the most important things that the child had to overcome in their lifetime.
  • "Haab'" or Solar Calendar.
  • "Long Calendar" was divided in b'ak'tuns, each b'ak'tun has 144,000 days, 13 b'ak'tuns would be one cycle, giving us 5,125 years per cycle;
Based in the "Long Count Calendar" and counting 13 b'ak'tuns (great cycle) from the Maya Creation date of 13.0.0.0.0. or August 11, 3114 BC?, the beginning of the new cycle or Job-Ajaw New Sun, would be on December 22, 2012. This is when the calendar would start again.
The New Sun or new cycle, would start in the winter solstice, a very important date for many civilizations (pagan origin of Christmas and Yule). The problem is that our calendar is not accurate.
 For the Maya, the year of 13.0.0.0.0 corresponds to one of our starting dates, but, which one?
Many have pointed August 11, 3114 BC of our time as the corresponding date of the Maya Creation.
POPOL VUH "Book of the Council"
- The Popol Vuh, the sacred book of the Maya, contains the mythological version of the creation of the world intertwined with historical facts, creation stories, Cosmology, and the adventures of Hunahpu' and X'balanque, the hero twins.
CÓDICES Del Chilam Balam de Chumayel, Kaua, Chan K'An, Tekax, Mani, y de IXil
"Codex of Chilam Balam"
These books were written and illustrated in Chumayel, a little town in the state of Yucatán, México. They contain information about astronomy, math, calendars, creation, astrology, herbal medicine and the relationship between mankind and all things; Cosmos and Mother Earth.
Has a series of K'atun Prophecies: K'atun Cycle is a unit of time, it has 7,200 days. One of the K'atun prophecies foretold the coming of bearded strangers from the East who would establish a new religion (Spanish Conquest). The prophecy also mentions the return of Kukulcán, the God Spirit of Wind, bringing us, once again, a new religion, this time "one without fear, a new beginning for the year 2012."
One of the prophecies say that; "we were ruled by fear and that fear will end with the new cycle:"
"they taught fear.... -There was no sin; no sickness; no aching bones; no high fever, no' smallpox'; no headache. -At that time the course of humanity was orderly. The foreigners (Spain) made it otherwise when they arrived... They taught fear...."

"The Maya Books of Chilam Balam de Kaua"
The Chilam Balam of Kaua was transcribed in the 18th and 19th centuries by the Spanish Priests. We can't be sure if they translated exactly the Codex, but, with the new discovery in El Mirador, Guatemala, we can compare the translation. (See below El Mirador).
Itzamná God and creator of the Maya Civilization - The God that Could Fly
Itzamná is considered the father of the Maya Culture, "the Flying God resides in the sky." He created the Maya Culture and came to their aid to teach them. Itzamná taught the Maya about the crops, maize, cacao, and medicine; all about herbs, trees and the most important teaching; the respect and love to the Cosmos, Mother Earth and every living being. His teachings included the Sacred Calendars and their Writing. Sacred to them, their God creator from the sky, had 13 children on earth (Tribes?).The Aztec deity corresponding is Tonacatecuhtli. The Maya were not only great in Medicine, but they made Jade incrustations on teeth, they performed advanced surgery (trepanations) and knew about medicinal plants, still used today.
- The sacred Maya knowledge of plants is being investigated for further studies for pharmaceutical use. Maya Archaeology
Difference with their calendar and ours is only of 1/10th of a second
The Turtle Constellation and Orion
Free activity at Edzná Archaeological Zone will be the observation of the sky through telescopes provided by amateurs; tour guides and storytellers will transmit the ancient knowledge to 1,000 expected visitors. Archaeologist Antonio Benavides, man in charge of the Night of Stars at Edzná, explained that one important constellation is the Turtle, known as Orion in Occident. “For ancient Maya the turtle was an original animal, it is said that when the maize deity fought the underworld men and was defeated at the Ballgame, he reborn from the turtle’s shell”. “The Turtle constellation is important because it represents the original burner, the original domestic oven. Contemporary Maya farmers always place 3 stones to form a burner, the element from where everything came from,” concluded the INAH archaeologist. Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia INAH

Interview with a Maya Elder

  • "To open the doors we need a key and this is what our rituals represent; the key to open the communication with our brothers from the sky. We need a ritual or invocation to open the dimensional portal and start our journey. Not everyone is capable to journey. Only a Chamán, Ah-men or someone that is well-prepared." Maya Elder
  • "So, if you are going to travel you need to open the door by making a ritual, I understand. But, if the visitor comes through a portal, does he/she need a key? Or the visitor is always welcome and can come as he/she pleases?" M.O.B.
  • "No Seňo, only in Wayeb when the portals are open they can come." Maya Elder
  • “How do I know when is Wayeb?” M.O.B.
  • You have to understand our Calendar.” He answered
  • “I am interested to know about December 2012, many people talk about it. Many people are making money with it in other countries. I do not see that in here. Is there going to be a big change?” M.O.B.
  • “The portals will open. We are having problems with our government. The sacred sites of our antepasados (forefathers) are not open for the Maya people. They are open for the foreigners tourists and we need to go in, like before and do our rituals. We are not allowed. We need to go at different hours. We used to do our cleansing rituals, our energy rituals, (nuestras curanderas) our healers; that is all gone. They closed the doors as if we didn’t belong. We need to be there, inside. Not at the time they want us to be there, but when we need to be there. You understand?” Maya Elder
  • “Yes, there is going to be a big change and we all have to work so that is swift and for the better. We all have to make our vibration up (increase our vibration.) We all have to unite. I do tell you Seňo, not even in your dreams you will imagine what is coming. Some people are still sleeping.” Maya Elder
With great disappointment we found out that in Ek'Balam, the healers and the healing hut is gone. The Mexican Government has built fences around the place. The locals can't go in unless it is at a specific time, when they are allowed.
Please read how the Wixáritari Indians fight the Mexican Government and a Canadian Mining Company that is destroying their Sacred Desert Site in Toltec - "The Wise Men."

Seven Maya Prophecies

  “Written in stone Seven Maya Prophecies were found. Based on the observations of the wise abuelos, the Maya predicted that from the year 3113 BC, when their civilization started, and, until December 21,2012, Father Sun will receive a strong beam synchronized from the galactic center that will changed its polarity, producing a radiant giant flare. This energy that is received from the center of the galaxy will increase and accelerate the vibration in the universe to lead to greater perfection in man, a strong shift to the harmonious integration with the whole universe, understanding and becoming aware that everything that surround us, everything that is alive and taking conscience that we are part of the whole universe and that we exist in a new era of light. This process has accelerated since the solar eclipse which occurred on August 11, 1999, when changes began to take shape that were necessary to renew the human social and ideological processes, where more people will find peace, learn to control their emotions and there will be more respect, be more tolerant and humanity will find unity. The third and fourth prophecy speaks of the climate changes that our planet has been suffering due to the strong charge of energy Mother Earth receives through intense live activity of Father Sun, making men more aware of their behavior with nature and the world it inhabits. The fifth Maya prophecy says that all systems based on fear, on which our civilization is based, will be transformed simultaneously with the planet and man, to make way for a new reality based in harmony. So in summary we can say that's not the end of the world, but an opportunity to change and break our limitations by thinking and raising our vital energy and vibration; is a time for all mankind to make a conscious decision to change, eliminate fear and lack of respect for all our relationships.” 
Espacio Misión


2012 Maya Round Table Session
INAH - Mexico's Archaeology Institute, which downplays theories that the ancient Mayas predicted some sort of apocalypse would occur in 2012, has admitted that there is a second reference to the date. One is in El Tortuguero, Macuspana, and the second one in Comalcalco, both in the State of Tabasco. 60 specialists in Maya culture will meet from November 27 to December 2 at the Seventh Palenque Round Table in the Mexican state of Chiapas, where a special session "to elucidate on the 2012 Maya prophecy. "

Seven Maya Prophecies

 
México 
Interview with a Maya Elder
"To open the doors we need a key and this is what our rituals represent; the key to open the communication with our brothers from the sky. We need a ritual or invocation to open the dimensional portal and start our journey. Not everyone is capable to journey. Only a Chamán, Ah-men or someone that is well-prepared." Maya Elder. 
"So, if you are going to travel you need to open the door by making a ritual, I understand. But, if the visitor comes through a portal, does he/she need a key?" I asked, "Or the visitor is always welcome and can come as he/she pleases?"
"No Seňo, only in Wayeb when the portals are open they can come." Maya Elder   
“How do I know when is Wayeb?” I asked.  
“You have to understand our Calendar.” He answered.   
“I am interested to know about December 2012, many people talk about it. Many people are making money with it in other countries. I do not see that in here. Is there going to be a big change?” MB   
“The portals will open. We are having problems with our government. The sites are not open for the Maya people. They are open for the foreigners and we need to go in, like before and do our rituals. We are not allowed. We need to go at different hours. We used to do our cleansing rituals, our energy rituals, (nuestras curanderas) our curing; that is all gone. They closed the doors as if we didn’t belong. We need to be there, inside. Not at the time they want us to be there, but when we need to be there. You understand?” Maya Elder  
“Yes, there is going to be a big change and we all have to work so that is swift and for the better. We all have to make our vibration up. We all have to unite. I do tell you Seňo, not even in your dreams you will imagine what is coming. Some people are still sleeping.” Maya Elder

Seven Maya Prophecies - “Written in stone Seven Maya Prophecies were found. Based on the observations of the wise abuelos, the Maya predicted that from the year 3113 BC, when their civilization started, and, until December 21,2012, Father Sun will receive a strong beam synchronizer from the galactic center that will changed its polarity, producing a radiant giant flare. This energy that is received from the center of the galaxy will increase and accelerate the vibration in the universe to lead to greater perfection in man, a strong shift to the harmonious integration with the whole universe, understanding and becoming aware that everything that surround us, everything that is alive and taking conscience that we are part of the whole universe and that we exist in a new era of light. This process has accelerated since the solar eclipse which occurred on August 11, 1999, when changes began to take shape that were necessary to renew the human social and ideological processes, where more people will find peace, learn to control their emotions and there will be more respect, be more tolerant and humanity will find unity. The third and fourth prophecy speaks of the climate changes that our planet has been suffering due to the strong charge of energy Mother Earth receives through intense live activity of Father Sun, making men more aware of their behavior with nature and the world it inhabits. The fifth Mayan prophecy says that all systems based on fear, on which our civilization is based, will be transformed simultaneously with the planet and man, to make way for a new reality based in harmony.
So in summary, we can say that's not the end of the world, but an opportunity to change and break our limitations by thinking and raising our vital energy and vibration. It is a time for all mankind to make a conscious decision to change, eliminate fear and lack of respect for all our relationships.” Espacio Misión


Codex, Flying Gods and Turtle Shells – Maya Calendar Part 1

In Spanish: 2012 Predicciones Mayas
Complete and updated blog is at: Maya Calendar

Mérida Museum, Yucatán, México
The Long Calendar system is one of the most noteworthy intellectual achievements of this advanced civilization. The Long Calendar is formed with 3 interlocking cycles of 365 years; one of the interlocking circles has names, and the other has numbers lining up. Every 52 years the 3 cycles will meet again and then the cycle starts again. Dresden Codex   *the Magic Number “52”
The Long Count Calendar points the winter solstice day of December 21, 2012 as the last day of their Calendar. That doesn't mean it is the last day for the life of the Earth. Every year, on the Winter Solstice, the Earth aligns with the center of the Milky Way. At this time, the sun is in between the Milky Way and the Earth. There will never be a perfect alignment because of the way the planets are in space, but, this alignment happens every year. However, the Maya knew and documented the alignment accurately.
The Maya believed that when a cycle ends, a new one begins. 2012 is the end of this cycle;
• “The 'God that can fly’ will visit again. The same God that taught us about Astronomy, Math, Medicine and Architecture.” Maya Elder
• The Long Count Calendar starts counting from the Maya Universe Creation Date: 13.0.0.0.0. or 4 A’hau, 8 Kumk’u that corresponds to August 13, 3114 BC, in the Gregorian calendar.
• December 21, 2012 is the end of the 13th. Baktún.
• December 22, 2012 is the first day of the New Sun/New Era or 14th Baktún.
Representation of the Maya Calendar – Museum, Yucatán, México
• The Maya Creation Date or Zero reads: "13 Baktún, 0 Katún, 0 Tun, 0 Uinal, 0 Kin, 4-A’hau 8-Cumku” or 13.0.0.0.0.
144,000-day “Baktun” (Millennia)
7,000-day "Katún " (Century)
360 day "Tun" (Year)
20 Day "Uinal" (Month)
Single Day "Kin" (Day)
13. o. o. o. o.
GLYPHS - Time periods were represented by glyphs.
Kin - One day
WINALS or Uinal - Periods of 20 Kins or 20-days.
Museo, Mérida, Yucatán
TUN - 18 Winals made one Tun: a year of 360 days.
K’ATUN - 20 Tuns are called K’atuns. Katún was a time period of 20 years of 360 days each. The end of a Katún was a very special time for the Maya.
BAKTUNS – 20 Katún made a Baktún - 400-year periods were called B'ak'tuns. The Maya called this the Long Count Calendar.
Maya Creation Date: "13 Baktún, 0 Katún, 0 Tun, 0 Uinal, 0 Kin: 4-A’hau 8-Cumku” or 13.0.0.0.0.
This represents 13 B'ak'tuns, 0 Katún, 0 Tuns, 0 Winals and 0 Kin.
• On December 21, 2012, the Maya Calendar resets to a new era. This day coincides with the winter solstice, the pagan origin of Christmas, and with the galactic alignment, when the sun will be in the center of the Milky Way. Maya astronomers new exactly that once, every 26,000 years, the Sun is in the center of the Milky Way. This will be the first alignment since the beginning of human civilization. Solar storms, polar reversal and problems with telecommunications are expected.
• According to some, 2012 is the end of time, but the Maya didn't say what would happen. Other ancient cultures arrived to the same conclusion; a time of change and adjustments. For the Maya, a positive one.
• The Maya developed several sophisticated calendars and divinatory almanacs with favorable and unfavorable days, regarding work, farming, warfare, etc.:
- Tzolk'in - Sacred Ritual Calendar - 260 days, the time of human pregnancy dedicated to IX’Chel, the goddess of pregnancy and women. 260 days, from planting to harvesting. Olmec observation of the path of the Sun passing in the zenith every 260 days.
- Haab’ Solar Calendar - The Maya also had a solar year with 365 days per year that contained eighteen months of twenty days, plus five nameless days at the end of the year. These 5 days were known as Wayeb’.
• Wayeb - To the eighteen regular months, the Maya added a special five-day called Wayeb’ composed of 5 unnamed and unlucky dangerous days. During Wayeb’ portals were open, disasters were probable, and cleaning was done.
• Tzolkin and Haab’ were combined; 260 plus 365 days. Such combination would last 52 years. The magic number of renewal, when the pyramids were reconstructed and the cleaning of the Mother Earth were done. This period was known as Calendar Round. The end of this calendar was a period of bad luck and unrest.

Do we have the right date?

The Maya constructed calendars extending trillions of years into the past and future. One of the sites that has an inscription mentioning the date of 13.0.0.0.0. which corresponds to December 23, 2012 as the "last day of the Maya Calendar" is in Tortuguero, in Tabasco México. However there are other sites with inscriptions mentioning other future dates that go beyond the 2012.
While B'alam Ajaw "Jaguar Lord" was in power (644 -679), a stelae was built with the following inscription:
“the end of the 13th B’ahktun will be in the year 2012 utom (will happen), and the white, sons of Father Sun will descend….” The end of the 13th Baktun is in December 2012. The "White sons, of Father Sun will descend...", refers about strangers, from the sky, arriving to the earth.
Similar predictions were made for the years:
1492 - the Spain invasion, and 1824 - when the Mexican Constitution was made and the first president of the United Mexican States was elected.

The Book of Chilam Balam of Chumayel and the “World Trees or World Quarters”- 1775-1800
Chilam or Chilan - “interpreter of the gods” – “Balam” – jaguar - Chumayel – Village in the Yucatán Peninsula
The Sacred Maya Book of Chilam Balam of Chumayel relates the history of the conquest of the Yucatán by Spain. It was illustrated and written in Chumayel, Yucatán. The book relates the ritual of the Four World Quarters, a prophecy for Katún 11 A’hau or Ajaw, where it announces the arrival of the Spaniards to America in the year 1492.
Katún 8 A’hau has a magical meaning as the Maya made their migrations and the important decisions and movements on the beginning of this date. However the Itzá made another revision in their calendar so that the cycle, that was due to end two Katuns later, in an apocalyptic date of 13 Ahau, would be celebrated on a different date. Therefore the new cycle initiated in 1824 where they predict the ending of the tribute to the Spaniards. There was a drastic shift to the new Mexican Nation or were they predicting the Caste War of the Yucatan where the Maya, that were left in the Yucatan, were almost exterminated by the Spaniards, the Church and the Mestizos? After defeating the Spanish in 1821, The Constitution of the United Mexican States La Constitución Federal de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos was enacted on October 4 of 1824, after the overthrow of the foreigners.
So, we have it wrong……. 2012 is not the end of the Maya Calendar. We still have time to change our way of life, the way we treat the planet, the way we treat our neighbors and our family: the humans! As soon as I finish the Codex, Flying Gods and Turtle Shells, I will let you know! We still have time. And yes, they predicted: "this is a time of movement, changes, raising waters and adjustments to Mother Earth," as one Elder said. But I still believe there will be something greater that will bring us knowledge, peace, compassion and humanity; that we have lost. -This is not the end, it is the beginning...
Excerpts from the Chilam Balam:
“The bearded, the robust….our minor brothers.”
Makes reference to what was before the Spaniards arrived and after:
“They adhered to their reason. There was no sin; there was then no sickness; no aching bones; no high fever, no 'smallpox'; no burning chest; no headache. At that time the course of humanity was orderly. The foreigners made it otherwise when they arrived here. They taught fear....”
“Saddened because they will come, from Orient will come when they come to this land, the bearded, the messengers of the signal of divinity, the foreigners of the land, the robust.” (Spaniards).
Also talks about the changes that would come ending in the year 2012;
“The white, sons of Father Sun…”
It tells us what happened and what will happen again (circle inside a circle). Two circles of 260 years each one: cycle inside a cycle.
The 520 year count starts December 24, 1492 – 11 Ajau (Ajaw) Katún – Ichcaanzihó (Mérida,Yucatán, México) and ends in the 13 Ajaw K’atún.
Códice de Dresden – This wonderful book has 39 leaves written on both sides with elaborated work of art that includes almanacs, eclipses, the Venus Cycle Charts and astrology. It contains an illustration with the picture of the Underworld or Xibalbá: on top, it has a representation of the flood. There is also warnings of disasters, end of a cycle and planets aligned. The Maya tracked the movements of Mars, Mercury and Jupiter. This incredible codex shows the importance and the extraordinary knowledge of the Venus Cycle, which was associated with war.
Katún 2 - "for half there will be food for others misfortune; a time to unite."
Códice de Madrid – With more than one hundred pages divided into the Troano Codex and the Cortesianus, it is thought it is the product of one scribe.
Códice Paresianus – Paris – Prophecies, zodiac, calendars and references to the T’úns and K’atún. It is in a very poor condition.
Some of the prophecies in the Codex are of hope; some are warnings. One of the prophecies says that our world, as we know it, will come to an end in the 13th. Baktún (2012).



Palenque, Chiapas Museum - Pakal Tomb

Some of the Great Accomplishments of the Maya Civilization

The Maya culture began around 3,000 BC. It is one of the few ancient cultures that had:
  • Established writing and art
  • Advanced knowledge of medicine, mathematics and astronomy
  • Great urban planners and architects
  • Invention of the concept of zero
  • Our decimal system is multiplied by 10. The Maya system x 20, giving them the possibility to work with extremely large numbers.
  • Prediction of Eclipses - Precise record of prediction of eclipses: accurate within 7 min. over 32 years.
  • Venus Chak Ek’, the “Great or Big Star” - They had tables tracking the cycles of Venus with an error of 2 hrs. over 400 years. The rising of Venus, as a morning star, was used to time their warfare. The Venus Tables record the day 4 A'hau 8 Cumku, as the day of the Creation of the Maya Universe.
Maya Calendar
  • Difference with the Maya Calendar and ours; 1/10th of a second.
The Aztec and the Maya calendars share aspects with calendars of the Zapotec, Olmec and Mixteca civilizations.The Maya created a system of Almanacs and Calendars. Each Calendar interlocks and synchronizes like the inside of a watch, with combination cycles that create more cycles.
Astronomy was a very important part of their life, they had several accurate calendars because they kept track of the sky, cycles of the planets, Venus, the moon, and, the changes in weather and time. 
  • Every cycle has a meaning.
  • Calendars were used for agriculture, religious ceremonies and as a way to determine the place everyone had in life.
  • Every human has a corresponding date in the Maya Calendar that the Maya Priest used when a child was born. 

These are three of their most important calendars:

  • Tzolk'in or Master Calendar - Energy tracking device
  • Ha'ab' or Solar,
  • Long Calendar.
These 3 Calendars are synchronized to Tzolk'in - Tzol "order"  and K'in "day".  
Tzolk'in or Master Calendar is the oldest one of the three.
  • It is an energy tracking device that describes the energies of Creation.
  • It projects cycles within cycles. In it, each day is unique, each person is unique, and each era is unique.
  • This is the calendar that was used by the Priests when a child was born. The calendar was used to decide the n'awal that the child would have. The spirit, the "job on earth that had to be accomplished", their element and their positive and negative aspects. Depending on the date and time of the birth, it was decided the future aptitudes that the child would have to accomplish his/her place on Earth. The priest also decided the work that was meant for that particular child, his/her character and, the most important tasks that the child had to overcome in his/her lifetime.
The Maya Long Calendar system is one of the most noteworthy intellectual achievements of this advanced civilization. The Long Calendar is formed with 3 interlocking cycles of 365 years; one of the interlocking circles has names, and the other has numbers lining up. Every 52 years the 3 cycles will meet again and then, the cycle starts again. *the Magic Number “52” - Dresden Codex
  • The Long Count Calendar starts counting from the Maya Universe Creation Date: 13.0.0.0.0. or 4 A’hau, 8 Kumk’u that corresponds to August 13, 3114 BC, in the Gregorian calendar. For the Maya, the year of 13.0.0.0.0 corresponds to one of our starting dates, but, which one? Many have pointed August 11, 3114 BC of our time as the corresponding date of the Maya Creation.
  • On December 21, 2012, the Maya Calendar resets to a new era. This day coincides with the winter solstice, the pagan origin of Christmas, and, with the galactic alignment, when the sun will be in the center of the Milky Way.
  • Maya astronomers new exactly that once, every 26,000 years, the Sun is in the center of the Milky Way. This will be the first alignment since the beginning of human civilization. Solar storms, polar reversal and problems with telecommunications are expected.
  • The Long Count Calendar points the winter solstice day of December 21, 2012 as the last day of the Calendar. That doesn't mean it is the last day for the life of the Earth. December 21, 2012 is the end of the 13th. Baktún and the day that the calendar will reset.
  • The beginning of the new cycle or Job-Ajaw - New Sun, would be on December 22, 2012. This is when the calendar would start again. December 22, 2012 is the first day of the New Sun/New Era or 14th. Baktún.
  • The New Sun or new cycle, would start in the winter solstice, a very important date for many civilizations (pagan origin of Christmas and Yule). The problem is that our calendar is not accurate.
  • Every year, on the Winter Solstice, the Earth aligns with the center of the Milky Way. At this time, the sun is in between the Milky Way and the Earth. There will never be a perfect alignment because of the way the planets are in space, but, this alignment happens every year. However, the Maya knew and documented the alignment accurately.
The Maya believed that when a cycle ends, a new one begins. 2012 is the end of this cycle;
  • “The 'God that can fly’ will visit again. The same God that taught us about Astronomy, Math, Medicine and Architecture.” Maya Elder
  • According to some, 2012 is the end of time, but the Maya didn't say what would happen. Other ancient cultures arrived to the same conclusion; a time of change and adjustments. For the Maya, a positive one.
The Maya also developed several sophisticated calendars and divinatory almanacs with favorable and unfavorable days, regarding work, farming, warfare, etc.

Tzolk'in - Sacred Ritual Calendar - 260 days
  • 260 days, the time of human pregnancy dedicated to Ix’Chel, the goddess of pregnancy and women.
  • 260 days, from planting to harvesting.
  • Olmec observation of the path of the Sun passing in the zenith every 260 days.
  • 20 days have a name and a glyph or symbol. The days were numbered from 1 to 13, after that, the day number one starts again. Since there are 20 days with names and only 13 days with numbers, after the thirteenth day, the count will start once more. 
Haab' Solar Calendar - Ha'Ab' 
The Maya also had a solar year with 365 days per year that contained eighteen months of twenty days, plus five nameless days at the end of the year. These 5 days were known as Wayeb’.
  • Each day has a number followed by the name of the month.
  • Each day number began with a glyph: “seating of”.
  • They also used numbers 0 to 19; “seating of” (Zero) Po’hp to 19 Po’hp, then they continue “seating of (Zero ) Wo, Sip, Sotz' (Bat), Sek, Xul (Dog), Yaxk'in (New Sun), Mol (Water), Ch'en (Dark), Yax, Zak, Keh, Mak, K'ankin, Mu'wan (owl), Pax, K'ayab (Turtle), Kumku'.
Wayeb - "The Unlucky Days"
To the eighteen regular months, the Maya added a special five-day called Wayeb’ composed of 5 unnamed and unlucky dangerous days. During Wayeb’ portals were open, disasters were probable, and cleaning was done. Portals, Vortex and Pyramids - The Maya Wormhole
  • One Imix
  • Zero Pohp
  • Two Ik,
  • One Pohp
When the thirteenth day was reached the next day was Thirteen Ben, Twelve Pohp; then One Ix, Thirteen Pohp, Two Men, Fourteen Pohp. After Seven Ahaw, Nineteen Pohp, the next day was Eight Imix, Zero Wo.
  • TheTzolkin and Ha'ab’ Calendars were combined; 260 plus 365 days. Such combination would last 52 years. The magic number of renewal, when the pyramids were reconstructed and the cleaning of the Mother Earth was done. This period was known as Calendar Round. The end of this calendar was a period of bad luck and unrest.
Glyphs - Time periods were represented by glyphs.

The Maya Creation Date or Zero reads:

"13 Baktún, 0 Katún, 0 Tún, 0 Uinal, 0 Kin, 4-A’hau 8-Cumku” or 13.0.0.0.0.

This represents 13 B'ak'tuns, 0 Katún, 0 Tuns, 0 Winals and 0 Kin.
  • “Baktún” (Millennia) = 144,000-days - 20 Katún made a Baktún - 400-year periods were called B'ak'tuns. The Maya called this the Long Count Calendar.
  • "Katún" (Century) = 7,000-days - 20 Tuns are called K’atúns; Katún was a time period of 20 years of 360 days each. The end of a Katún was a very special time for the Maya
  • "Tún" (Year) = 360 day - 18 Winals made one Tun: a year of 360 days
  • "Uinal" or Winal (Month) = Periods of 20 Days
  • "Kin" (Day) = One day 
 
144,000-days “Baktún” (Millennia)
7,000-days "Katún" (Century)
360 days "Tún" (Year)
20 Days "Uinal" (Month)
Single Day "Kin" (Day)
                   13.
                0.
              0.
              0.
              0.
August 13, 3114 BC, day 'zero' of the Maya calendar. 
Reads: 13. Baktun, 0. Katun, 0. Tun, 0. Uinal, 0. Kin
Names:
1. Imix - Water Lilly
   6. Kimi - Death head
  11. Chuwen - Frog
  16. K'ib - Shell
2. Ik' - Wind
  7. Manik' - Hand
  12. Eb' - Skull
  17. Kab'an - Earth
3. Ak'bal - Night
  8. Lamat - Venus, star
  13. B'en - Corn
  18. Etz'nab' - Flint
4. Ka'an - Corn
  9. Muluk - Water
  14. Ix - Jaguar
  19. Kawak - Cloud, Storm
5. Chik'chan - Snake
 10. Ok' Dog
  15. Men - Eagle
  20. Ajaw - Lord
 20,000 year old skull found in Tulúm, Quintana Roo

    Beliefs, Mythology and Predictions

    M.O. Baum
    The Ancient Maya believed that when a cycle ends, a new one begins.
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