2012

Written by Rohaan Solare on Thursday, July 30, 2009 9:58 - 12 Comments

Origins of Mayan Calendar Confusion and 2012 Mania–Separating Fact from Fantasy

mayan factor jose arguelles

The Argüellen Factor

In 1987 Dr. Jose Argüelles  burst onto the world scene with the simultaneous release of his groundbreaking book The Mayan Factor: Path Beyond Technology and his call for world wide gatherings to recognize what he called the Harmonic Convergence.

According to Argüelles the Harmonic Convergence signified the culmination of a Meso-American “prophecy cycle” known as the Thirteen Heavens and Nine Hells. (Mayan Factor pg 218) 22 periods of 52 years for a total span of 1144 years.

Argüelles does not say where the prophecy is to be found nor by whom it was written. I did find that the “prophecy” in question is attributed to the Zapotec nation of ancient Meso-America. Though, I could only find a single source on the internet with no further reference. The source reads as follows.

“After Thirteen Heavens of Decreasing Choice, and Nine Hells of Increasing Doom, the Tree of Life shall blossom with a fruit never before known in the creation, and that fruit shall be the New Spirit of Men.” [1]

The idea of prophecy is a controversial, mystical and largely unfounded concept.  I do not accept the commonly held notion of prophecy as the prediction of events. The original meaning of prophecy has been corrupted and there is great deal of confusion and misunderstanding surrounding it.

Those wanting a deconstruction on the notion of prophecy are invited to review my report entitled “Prophecy Demystified: The Non-Existent Mayan Prophecies and the Real meaning of Prophecy.” [1A]

The year the Spanish imperialist Hernan Cortez landed in Mexico is widely accepted as the beginning of the nine 52 year hell cycles, which when taken from the traditionperspective of the Native American is understandable.[2]

Tens of millions of Native Americans spanning two continents would fall victim to the European invasion or the New World equivalent of the Jewish holocaust multiplied several times.[3]

What is in question is the precise dating as to which day during the year 1519 is exact start of the first hell period.

It is not the purpose of this report to argue for one date or another.  52 times 9  equals 468 years.  Add 468 years to 1519 and you get the year 1987.

Argüelles selects the 16th and 17th of August, 1987 as the days on which to signify the end of the 13 Heavens and 9 Hells prophecy cycle and to initiate the last 25 years of the Mayan Calendar Long Count cycle which ends according to most calendrical accounts on Dec. 21, 2012.

The Argüellen understanding of Maya-Meso-American Calendrics (MAC)[8] and the convergence of several streams of prophectic lore at such a unique time in human history is interpreted by Argüelles to mean the ending of human history as defined by the one sided and suffocating worldview of Western civilization (Mayan Factor pgs 218 -224) or more precisely the Judeo-Christian-culture complex.

Argüelles foresees a new book on human history which will be defined from a multi-cultural perspective (pg 218 -224 Mayan Factor).  A perspective derived from what I call a Planetary Culture.

A Planetary Culture is one which has broken free from the mental cage of entho-centrism to embrace the ecological perspective of humanity as a singular and intrinsically cooperative self-organizing super organism.[9]

A condition which has yet to be fully actualized, but believed by many to be emerging vigorously right before our very eyes.[4]

The transition from a fragmented humanity at the mercy of a few powerful war mongering men to a cooperative and peaceful planetary society is the hope and expectation of what has come to be known as the New Age community.


The Harmonic Convergence

13 baktun wave harmonic of history

Argüellen map of 5125 year 13 baktun cycle. Argüelles uses the year 3113 BC as the start date for the Long Count cycle. His start date differs by one year from the more widely accepted date of 3114 BC.

It is Argüelles who puts the year 2012 on the map and onto the global mind field via his book the Mayan Factor and the worldwide event known as the Harmonic Convergence.

At the behest of Argüelles, members of the New Age community gathered around the world (8/ 16-17, 1987) at places of great spiritual regard to usher in the last 25 years of the 5125.26 year Mayan Calendar Long Count cycle and dawning of a literal and hoped-for, metaphorically significant “new age”.

Argüelles kick starts the popular imagination surrounding 2012 with proclamations of a fast approaching “golden age”.

The “prophecy” of the 13 Heavens and 9 Hells does not elaborate on the specifics regarding the closure of the prophecy cycle nor the year 2012.

Argüelles does embellish the singular phrase attributed to the prophecy by saying that “if 144,000 people could respond to the call of meditating on the dawn of August 16th and 17th 1987, the world would be renewed and humanity would enter a new age”. (pg 218 Mayan Factor). His embellishment is nothing more than a classic Argüellen prophecy fabrication.

There is one problem: the prophecies don't exist.

Contrary to popular understanding, the ancient Meso-Americans, be they Aztec or Maya or any other group, left no oral or written “prophecy” record about what would or could happen on or about the year 2012 other than a great age of 5125 years would end and another commence.

The Maya did depict in mytho-symbolic terms a rendering of the night sky as it would appear during the closure of the Long Count cycle. [1a]

For a more in-depth look at just what was recorded by the ancient Meso-Americans, please see “Prophecy Demystified[...]“.[1a]

Many authors hoping to catch a ride on the Argüellen-2012 Express seized and built upon upon the words “Mayan Calendar” and “Prophecies” to sell their own version of a poorly presented calendrical system[5] and a non-existent entity. [1a]


The Grain of Truth

Hidden under the present day clamor of apocalypse, prophecies and many other unsubstantiated proclamations of what could accompany the arrival of 2012, is the real gem that Argüelles simultaneously unveils and obscures in the Mayan Factor.

Underlying the entire Maya-Meso-American Calendrical system (MAC) is the enigmatic Tzolkin.

260 day tzolkin

260 day tzolkin

The Tzolkin is a 260 day cycle and it is the heart and mind of the Maya calendrical system.  The Maya calendrical system cannot be fully understood with understanding the Tzolkin.

The article you are reading initiates a series of reports which begin to reveal the profound nature of the Tzolkin and its implications for humanity.

It is the Tzolkin facet of the MAC system that compels me to subtitle my next report on the subject, “The Universal Relevance of the Maya-Meso-American Calendrical System.”

The Tzolkin is not a conceptual invention particular to some unique culture, but is rather the discovery of a process inherent in the very fabric of space-time itself.

The Tzolkin is no more Mayan than the science of genetics is American.  As of yet it is unclear which ancient Meso-American nation discovered it.

In The Mayan Factor Argüelles unveils the centerpiece of the MAC system, the Tzolkin, and expounds upon it in way that leaves one dumbstruck.

For example, “The Tzolkin is synchronized with the galactic code”. “The galactic code governs the information concerning the operation of the light cycle.”

“The light cycle defines resonant frequency ranges of radiant energy, inclusive of electricity, heat, light and radio waves that in form the self-generative functions of all phenomena, organic or inorganic” (pg 84 Mayan Factor ).

“These constants (Tzolkin components) a coherent system of symbols and numbers, have but a single, all encompassing purpose: to assist us both in the retrieval of galactic information and in the attainment of a condition of galactic alignment” (pg 86 ibid).

“The 260 symbolic pulses woven by the Loom of Maya (Tzolkin) create the entire resonant field which we experience as reality” (pg 88 ibid).


Found and Lost in Translation

Earlier I mentioned that Argüelles simultaneously unveils and obscures the Tzolkin in his book the Mayan Factor. Argüelles is simply not content to reveal what the Tzolkin is and what it implies.

And as a result he buries the Tzolkin under an ungainly mixture of supra-mystical new age notions, hyper-speculations, extra-terrestrialism, psuedo-science, numerology, myth, history and wholly unsubstantiated theories of geo and astro – physics.

Thus, his first presentation of what could be one of the greatest rediscoveries of all times is relegated to the already overflowing bin of New Age mysticism.


dreamspell

The Dreamspell Kit


Then in 1990, Argüelles and his wife Lloydine released the ultra mystical Dreamspell rendition of the Tzolkin–a combination board game and new-fangled Mayan astrology system.

The Dreamspell was rejected by the traditionalists, other Maya scholars and was wholly ignored by the mainstream intelligentsia.

I will later argue for some of his modifications and additions to the traditional Tzolkin model, but for now I am explaining why knowledge of the Tzolkin some 22 years after it was first introduced to the world still languishes in the murky waters of obscurity and befuddlement.

Argüelles is thus far the only scholar to attempt such a profound and comprehensive evaluation of Tzolkin Dynamics.

He not only expounds upon the traditional Tzolkin, but he also builds upon it to expose its previously hidden dimensions. It is the face lift he gives the Tzolkin that ruffles the feathers of the traditionalists.

His work is largely rejected by other Maya scholars in part for it strangeness and also due to the fact that Argüelles is notorious for not showing his work or offering proof.

I must add, that while I may be an apologist for some facets of his work, his scholarly presentation can be described as dictatorial, theocratic and monarchastic.

Argüelles is cognizant that he has rediscovered something of great social and scientific value, but he loses all credibility as a scientific investigator as he simultaneously dons the robe of a new testament prophet.

Argüelles is also prone to make predictions about how and when Western Civilization would crumble and how and when the “New World” would begin to appear (Mayan Factor pgs.192-195).  Needless to say all of his predictions have failed.


Puente Arco Iris is spanish for rainbow pridge

Puente arco Iris is Spanish for rainbow bridge


His most outlandish prediction was that of a telepathically constructed rainbow bridge which would encircle the globe from pole to pole and was due to appear on July 26th, 2000.[5]

He has now rescheduled the appearance of the rainbow bridge for sometime in the year 2012.[6]

He further compromises his ability to be taken seriously when most of his proofs are to demonstrate not the validity of his theories on the Tzolkin, but that he is the third incarnation of Pacal Votan, a Mayan King who died in 683 AD. He alternatively goes by the name Valum Votan.[7]

To sum up the Argüellen contribution to the study of Maya-Meso-American Calendrics, I must say he is both revealer and re-mystifier of what I consider to be one of the greatest discoveries of all time!

Argüelles plumbs the many facets and numerical intricacies of the Tzolkin to show the astounding implications of a new science and cosmology that is just now coming to light.

Unfortunately, his presentation, style and nomenclature has sealed off his discoveries from the vast majority of those who might otherwise take note.

Those desiring a clear, concise, plausible and uncluttered explication of the Tzolkin may wish to review my material on the subject and Maya calendrics in general. You will find all my work on the subject listed under the Synchronicity section of my website in an ongoing series of articles published under the heading title of The Science of Synchronicity (SOS).

[Update: I have published the 3 studies showing a strong and consistent relationship between key Tzolkin Cycle days and increases in seismic, volcanic and solar activity.]

References:

1. Native American Prophecies.

1a. Prophecy Demystified: The Non-Existent Mayan Prophecies and the Real Meaning of Prophecy.

2. The Hell Cycles begin.

3. The American Holocaust.

4. Transitioning to a Planetary Culture: Trend Convergence and the Case for Socio-Cultural Transformation

5. Failure to Appear: The Rainbow Bridge

6. Rescheduled Rainbow Bridge

7. Argüelles says he is the reincarnation of the Mayan king Pacal Votan.

8. Mayan Calendar and Dec. 21, 2012: The Facts, the Fiction and the Marvels pt.1 An introduction

9. Science of Synchronicity: Self-Organizing Systems from Atoms to Humanity pt. 2

In the Video below evolutionary biologist Bruce Lipton describes each human being as a cell in the body of humanity.

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12 Comments

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Mojustice
Jul 31, 2009 7:38

A New Age Community where war mongering men no longer dictate to the masses. Kind of like a New World Order. I certainly do not know enough about the topic to come to an intelligent conclusion about the points made in the article. However, I remain open minded and would like to learn more about the topic and prophecies linked to this New Age that will change the world from a ethnic centric society to one where people relate as members of a global community. I am open to the concept of a new world because the world we live in now is discouraging in its fruitless search for meaning.

Elizabeth Whitney, Blue Solar Eagle
Aug 2, 2009 22:38

I saw the Rainbow Bridge on July 25, 2000 with two friends from Mt. Vision in Point Reyes, California. There were others who had visions of the the rainbow that morning. We were the vanguard. Revealed knowledge does not always come in a language that is familiar in its time but is seeded knowledge that grows in meaning. I don’t see the need to put Jose Arguelles down because you don’t fully understand him. What he did to bring the message of the Harmonic Convergence to humanity was thoroughly validated by the receptivity to the message that was experienced by millions of people who resonated with the information, not with the messenger. I’m sure your explorations into this material will add insights that are worthy and don’t require disrespecting Jose Arguelles. His huge body of work speaks for itself. Thank you

Rohaan
Aug 3, 2009 8:34

@ Mojustice: The question of prophecies is murky and unreliable at best. To understand the notion of prophecies I recommend “Prophecy Demystified: The Non-Existent Mayan Prophecies & Real Meaning of Prophecy” [ http://snurl.com/maqem ]

The question of socio-cultural transformation is one of trend analysis at this point. The trends pointing towards transformation are in motion, growing and evident all around. The big question is when will we arrive at the tipping point when we begin to disarm and demilitarize our governments. Please see my report “Transitioning to a Planetary Culture: The Case for Social-Cultural Transformation [ http://snurl.com/m812k ]

Rohaan
Aug 3, 2009 10:30

@ Elizabeth Whitney: I am sorry that you consider peer review to be a “put down” and “disrespectful.” If I have said anything that is not true or inaccurate then please by all means point it out and I will be happy to review and redress if necessary.

“Revealed and seeded knowledge” is mystical speak for lack of clarity, coherence and validation. The ‘prophecy of the 13 heavens and 9 Hells does not state that a gathering is to be be held as per Arguelles in the Mayan Factor. Arguelles made that part up.

Harmonic Convergence was his own inspiration and there is nothing wrong with that. But attributing the impetus of the Harmonic Convergence to an unstated and unrevealed source is misleading and that is more properly a called a disrespect to those trusting him.

The rainbow bridge you speak of must be visible to all and in all parts of the globe to be valid as per Mr. Arguelles’s own specifications. He did not say that it would only be visible from Point Reyes, California and to a select 3 individuals.
And I thank you for your comment.

I am very familiar with all aspects of Mr. Arguelles’s work. None of his work speaks for itself. The only portion of his work worth investigating from my vantage point is what he has had to say about the Tzolkin. It is the only portion of his work that is not an untested invention. He did modify and build upon the Tzolkin and I have verified those aspects.

Yaxkin
Aug 13, 2009 9:18

For each category of readers there are a specific language and set of symbols to be used;
Different kinds of searchers respond to different kinds of readers.

Goodman, Thompson, Schelle, Jenkins… have all done great jobs; You are doing a great job.
Thanks to all these people, the ancient Mesoamericans have earned some respect;

Specially thanks to Mr and Mrs Argüelles….

Bolon Etznab
Mar 29, 2010 6:03

I must agree with the above comments that there is a strangely aggressive tone towards the work of Jose Arguelles in the post above and I would like to clarify some factual errors and assumptions, as you asked of Elizabeth. (Disclosure – I do have long standing relations with Dr. Arguelles and am in no way authorized to speak for him, I’m just offering some friendly perspective. I hope it’s taken for just that.)

• The statement that Jose “selected August 16-17, 1987″ is an uninformed assumption. I believe the date for the ending of the Heaven Hell Prophecy Cycle is April 21, 1987 (12.18.17.13.4 -1 Kan 12 Pop) and the dates August 16-17, 1987 are 13 Ahau/1 Imix , where the Tzolkin next loops. I’m fairly certain that date is quite intentional, and not just because it was his cat’s birthday when he was a kid or something.

• The assumption that Jose is positing an academic dissertation is ridiculous. He writes mythologies, not encyclopedias. Taking him to task for not being an academic of whatever stripe is laughable. Arguelles is quite clear, and always has been, that he is a visionary artist, a mystic, and, yes – a prophet.

• Ah, that brings us to prophecy – There are, in all truth, an enormous number of predictive mythological stories, or “prophecies”, which decorate the entirety of pre-Columbian American mythology up to the present day, whether you or I like it or not. It just is a fact. Incidentally, Hernan Cortes did show up on the exact day and place predicted by the H&H prophecy, even dressed as described in the prophecy, and the population of the continent was decimated as prophesied.

• Valum Votan is not a “name that Arguelles goes by.” It is a spiritual title (Closer of the Cycle) bestowed upon him by the Jaguar Priesthood of Palenque several years ago for his work in bringing the knowledge of the Maya and 2012 to greater public consciousness, and he is fully entitled to use it. He earned it.

• None of our 7 billion asses would have ever heard of 2012 without the man unless we were epigraphers, freaky base 20 mathematicians, or archaeo-astronomers. How about granting some levity and space for a man who has rocked the consciousness of the entire planet and awakened millions? Cut the dude some slack, because he totally rocks, is insanely inspirational, and is way cooler than either me or you. Bet.

• BTW, Dude can and will make some seriously wild rainbow action happen, crazy enough to floor plant your jawbone and that is the straight truth. Been there, filmed that.

There are many who would agree that Arguelles does not “back up or show his work” (Calleman either for that matter- what does that guy smoke anyway, tires?) My many years of experience with Jose’s work has taught me that it is not so wise to make the assumption that he is just “making all this stuff up.” He is a truly extraordinary individual. I have been fortunate enough to experience many highly cosmic circumstances both in his presence, and as an effect of absorbing and heeding some of the great wisdom he offers, and I will be forever grateful to him (and all those who assist and surround him) for my awakening into a higher awareness.

I do not always agree with the style and scholarship of many of the so-called Mayanists, including Arguelles, but I believe each of them is unraveling a thread of wisdom, none of which can be taken too literally or seriously. Come on. It’s mythology after all – stories. The important thing is that the wisdom of Indigenous Culture survives the Modern Era and helps us to stay connected with our Earth and Universe.

“It’s about connection, not correction”

Big Love,
Bolon Etznab

PS – Are you really so sure that Jose is not actually Pacal Votan?
Maybe we will get to see him and Ian duke it out on top of a pyramid for the title on 12/21/12!!
Haha…

Rohaan Solare
Mar 29, 2010 21:13

Greetings Bolon Etznab,
Thank you for your comment.

Re: The Harmonic Convergence date. Arguelles does not reveal how he arrived at the Harmonic Convergence dating. Those two dates are Kin 55 and 56 according to his Tzolkin account which by the way I am in process of empirically verifying for the sake of those not prone to believing in faith based systems nor in the predictions of failed prophets or self proclaimed messiahs. However he may have arrived at his dating I did not take his word for it and so I’ve spent the decade verifying the count for myself.

Arguelles deserves much credit for his rediscovery of the correct Tzolkin sequence and for his work expounding the deeper dimensions of the Tzolkin and like any academic he also merits critique where due. His merits and demerits are noted in my article. I too am an apologist for some aspects of his work.

Re: His academic Status. I am intimately familiar with everything he has written. He is an academic first and foremost regardless of what you say. And he regards himself a scientist as much though he does not do justice to that hat. And for you to call him a prophet does not help his tattered image. I have noted every “prophecy” written by Arguelles and they have all failed miserably.

Re: Prophecies. There are no “facts” regarding the misunderstood realm of so called prophecies. After writing an entire book (Mayan Factor) around prophecies Arguelles can not even muster the two line prophecy attributed to the 9 hells and 13 heavens prophecy. There are no prophecies as you refer to them. There are stories about cycles and the themes attributed to cycles though not the specifics events. And who would believe what was written by the imperialist Spaniards 500 years ago about a culture they were trying to destroy every which way. Invaders tell history to suit their interests. Please see Prophecy Demystified: The Non-Existent “Mayan Prophecies”and the Real Meaning of Prophecy”
Arguelles was able to patch together from the smoldering ruins enough to posit the correct Tzolkin sequence and that was feat enough. But his purported decipherments of Maya glyphs to support his self proclaimed messiah-hood is nothing less than delusions of grandeur.

Re: His self proclaimed names. I am aware of what he has written and his various titles are self given/ self derived. I’ve seen his math. The traditionalists for the most part despise him. Though I am aware of a ceremony in Teotihuacan where he was honored for his work by a certain group about 5 to 6 years ago. But he was not given a new name that I am aware of.

Whatever the case I care not about his lexicon of self-given titles but about that which leads to greater clarity and coherence in our understanding of our world and Jose has spoken in favor of obfuscation. My work seeks to make the Tzolkin intelligible to the greatest number of people possible and to place the Tzolkin on a firm scientific footing. A place were we don’t need a priest class nor so called prophets to interpret the “oracle of the day”

RE: Rainbow action. Jose promised a “rainbow bridge” in 2000 and he said oops maybe 2012 is a better year when nothing materialized. Jose put us on track with the Tzolkin and that was a heroic enough. Everything else he has said or done pales in comparison. None of his work has been validated until now, but he did plant the seed about 2012 and he inspired thousands not millions to learn his work. And there is still much work to be done and Arguelles is the most misunderstood figure in the 2012 pantheon. His message at best reaches the fringes of the fringe.

Re: It’s all stories and myths. A myth is a true story told in symbolic terms. Arguelles does neither myth nor science justice and that is why we have a “Mayan Calendar” that is the butt of daily jokes. He set the tone with the outlandish “Mayan Factor” tale. Arguelles has been give credit where credit is due and were his arrogance not as big as the Temple of the Inscriptions then perhaps there would be no “mountain to level” to use the parable.

RS

Haroun Kola
Aug 2, 2010 7:23

Hey, I came across this post from someone directing me to it via twitter, and though I don’t have the necessary years if research behind me, I can’t comment on the validity if your argument but I also am not too impressed by your dissing the man though am happy you’re open to engaging people.

I’m all for learning more, my knowledge on this subject is a little but I truly believe that anything that makes people kinder and gentler is most valuable in our out of control world.

And regardless of prophesy or prophetic predictions our world is going through a major transformation and anything that anyone does to bring this to the attention of everyone is something that I want to support :)

Rohaan Solare
Aug 2, 2010 7:50

Yes our world is going through a period of potentially profound transitions. And I agree that the transmission of harmonizing information is what is most important and I will add that the clarification of misleading or obtuse information is equally important.

Highphi
Aug 11, 2010 20:06

@ Bolon Etznab: I do believe the popular author Frank Waters was the first one to tackle the 2012 end date. Check out his 1975 book “Mexico Mystique.” So while it is true that Jose may have elevated interest in the 2012 enigma with his 1987 book “The Mayan Factor” he is not the originator of the idea. Also the majority of his writings are based on the work of Tony Shearer. Tony is the great grandfather of the calendar movement and was the first to promote the following of the tzolkin as a spiritual path. Check out his early books “Quetzalcoatl: Lord of the Dawn” and “Beneath the Sun and Under the Moon.” 1971 and 1975 respectively.

@ Rohaan: Fantastic website my friend, keep up the good work!

Rohaan Solare
Aug 11, 2010 20:19

@Highphi Thank you for your comment and your compliment!!! Much Appreciated

I Maya, il 2012 e il codice di Dresda « Fuffologia
Aug 14, 2010 8:35

[...] Harmonic Deconvergence: Origins of Mayan Calendar Confusion and 2012 Mania–Separating Fact from Fa… [...]

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