This date has stirred so much emotion, confusion and anticipation around the world. So many felt threatened by the forecast of doom and gloom. It is not surprising that resourceful and enterprising groups found an opportunity for profit, capitalizing on the fear and naivete of so many. Hollywood did its share of fear-mongering. To prepare for this dreaded day, there are rumors that some countries have actually built �bunkers� for the safety of some. It is foolish to think that a country can save all its citizens. But some chosen groups need protection. For the general public, the internet is flooded with information on how to survive and live through December 21st. There are some brave seers that dare pinpoint the dangerous zones that will be most affected, even to the extent of some areas that will completely disappear from the face of this Earth.

Earth's magnetic field

Aurora borealis over Florida sky

Did the Mayans really predict the end of the world? Actually, the Mayans were not the only ones who had prophecies about the dawn of a great shift. Prophecies from the Hopi Indians It is believed that the Hopi prophecies of the coming earth changes are among the most ancient and accurate.The Elders came forward since they believe that man has reached a point of no return. It is their hope that man will return to a simpler and more spiritual way of life. The Great Shift has actually begun. Simon Hunt writes: � Reflect on the weather pattern these past few months. You won't read about these in newspapers. There are reports of tornadoes spinning the wrong way, there are places in Mexico where the ground temperature is heating up above 200 degrees. Over a seven-day period in early June 2012, 772 earthquakes were recorded on the California-Nevada border near Mammoth Lake. Skeptics will say there is an earthquake everyday but it is too low to feel it.� He continues: �In an unprecedented and totally unexpected way, Hopi Elders for the first time in history have openly shared their sacred, and heretofore secret prophecies with the world. Robert Ghost Wolf, noted Native American Prophet and author arranged for two Hopi Elders to appear for three hours on the nationally aired Art Bell show (out of Pahrump, NV) and freely discuss their sacred, and heretofore secret prophecies.� Carrington Event of 1859 Going back to some historical data, in September 1,1859, a powerful solar storm was observed by British astronomer Richard Carrington. Its effects were felt from the Rocky Mountains to Cuba where the northern lights were visible. There was a collapse of the telegraph communication around the world. There were reports of sparks showering from telegraph machines and setting papers ablaze. The event happened without warning in the midst of an average solar activity cycle. Some thought it was the end of the world. But Carrington spotted the true cause for these bizarre happenings-a massive solar flare with the energy of 10 billion atomic bombs which spewed electrified gas and sub-atomic particles towards earth. This resulted in a geomagnetic storm, thus the name Carrington Event. Ice core samples have determined that the Carrington Event was twice as big as any other solar storm in the last 500 years.

Solar Storm

What would be the impact of a similar storm today? According to a 2008 report from the National Academy of Sciences, it could cause �extensive social and economic disruptions� due to its impact on power grids, satellite communications and GPS systems. According to NASA report, more severe eruptions/solar storms than the Carrington event may be in store for us.Yet,with this possibility and with the advanced technology of the 21st century, the government and the general public seem to show an apparent lack of awareness of this threat .

Solar Flare

Are solar flares a random phenomenon? With the use of supercomputers, patterns of solar flare cycles were discovered. Is it just coincidence that these cycles correspond with the periods in the Mayan calendar? The long count calendar is based on astronomical calculations of the solar year, and in terms of our calendar, it extends from 3114 BC to December 21, 2012 . Can solar storms wreak havoc on earth? In 1989, a solar storm knocked out power in Quebec province of Canada. This disabled the communication system- computer systems, traffic signals and air traffic. There was a massive disruption of everyday life. The province was plunged into darkness due to massive power outage. A similar event occured in Sweden in 2003. A solar storm knocked out the country's electrical grid. This proves how life can grind to a halt in the face of a massive power outage. Astrophysics and solar storms Massive amounts of gases are emitted from the solar corona during a solar storm. This corona is the outer layer of the solar atmosphere, visible at sundown as a pearly faint halo that extends to a great distance. Experts refer to these as � mass coronal projections�. These electrically charged masses spew hot plasma into space at speeds of millions of miles per hour. If these particles enter the Earth's atmosphere, they can provoke magnetic storms and polar lights, which affect the geomagnetic field and thus all life on Earth. It is scary to think that its effects can go deep into the cellular level of all living things, especially mankind.

Coronal mass projections

The explosions, called coronal mass ejections, are as powerful as billions of nuclear explosions and can affect radio communications, electrical power systems and satellites orbiting Earth. from MSU Solar Physics Group Currently, there is an increase in solar activity. It is believed that at certain times, the Earth's orientation may make it vulnerable to particle bombardment. It is observed that the electromagnetic fields of Earth are weakening and so is the heliosphere, the protective sheath of energy put out by the sun. This makes our planet increasingly susceptible to transformative effects of cosmic radiation and solar winds. �Cosmic rays are the fastest matter known to man. Some cosmic rays are moving at more than .999999 times the speed of light.� To the Mayans, the Sun is significant. Their observation that our galaxy contains a central sun is scientifically accurate. Astrophysicists confirm that this � central sun� that Mayans refer to is the black hole phenomenon which is thought to be at the center of our galaxy and around which the entire solar system orbits. Such orbit takes 225 million years.

Black hole
A black hole is a region, where the gravitational pull is so strong that even light cannot escape from it. This celestial object is formed at the end of a star's life cycle. There are many interesting facts regarding black holes in space. �http://www.buzzle.com/articles/black-holes-in-space.html Scientists observed that in recent years radiation has been detected at increasingly short intervals directed towards Earth. These are referred to as GRBs- gamma ray bursts. They believe these originate from the farthest reaches of our galactic center- from the black hole.

GRB Gamma Ray Bursts
Until recently, GRBs were arguably the biggest mystery in high-energy astronomy. They were discovered serendipitously in the late 1960s by U.S. military satellites which were on the look out for Soviet nuclear testing in violation of the atmospheric nuclear test ban treaty. As recently as the early 1990s, astronomers didn't even know if GRBs originated at the edge of our solar system, in our Milky Way Galaxy or incredibly far away near the edge of the observable Universe.�NASA The White Light- a new era of spiritual dimension The Mayans and followers of other indigenous cultures like the Hopi Indians of Arizona add another dimension to this prediction. The prophecy is about a new era as the Solstice portal opens on December 21,2012. Such an interpretation has also been offered by contemporary Mayans and followers of other indigenous cultures with prophecies about this time. Does this has anything to do with the white light Carrington referred to? Some believe that a cosmic electromagnetic force and gamma radiation will have far-reaching impact on the human body. There is supposed to be a beam of radiation from the Milky Way and synchronizes with the solar cycle. This could transform, re-encode the double helix of our DNA. Are human beings as they are today be re-structured? There are proponents of a spiritual awakening, raised consciousness and non-believers will perish. Perhaps a calamity of never before seen magnitude will teach mankind a lesson. It will not be because of a cosmic electromagnetic force that will all of a sudden elevate mankind to a new level of consciousness and awareness. After all, humanity is all about opposites- perfection-imperfection, truth-false, good-bad, truth-hypocrisy,love-hate, brotherhood and sisterhood, ambition or lack of it. Looking back into history, mankind has made great strides into progress and of course retrogress. What is man without love and emotions- these are our driving force. The world today is more aware of spirituality. It is believed that a portal opens for many to enter into a new dimension of spiritual awakening. There is hope that with this awareness, man will learn to be in tune with the forces of nature, respect the earth and all life on this planet. This is beneficial to the continued healthy survival of Mother Earth. This � awakening� may hold the key to peace and goodwill among mankind and among nations, regardless of spiritual beliefs and cultural differences.

Geomagnetic Storm
2012: The End of Time Patricia J. Heavrene Options for 2012: Impending doomsday disaster? Global financial market collapse? Earth changes? Or perhaps a consciously held combination of all three? What about an impending quantum shift, the presence of higher human or divine values in the commerce and exchange of relationship? What about the possibility of a world-changing tsunami of consciousness? And if the latter is my choice, what are the steps necessary to have that call to consciousness heard and made manifest? Ref: and credits MSU Solar Physics Group NASA Astrophysics.com �http://www.buzzle.com/articles/black-holes-in-space.html Solar Storm- spacespin.org Solar Flare- ufo-blogger.com aurora borealis- earthweek Coronal mass- templeofunit.wordpress photo,images-Bing.com geomagnetic storm- Dess.Dahostry