Prophetic Voices or Sensationalistic Screams?

Balam is Mayan for Jaguar

The word prophecy and prophet[2] have been grossly corrupted by the mainstream press and by the works of popularizing shenanigans ie., book, movie and video sellers who have no respect for academic accuracy or integrity.

I have been immersed in Maya studies over the last 22 years and I have yet to come across a single “Mayan prophecy” written, painted, inscribed or engraved anywhere. The Maya left no record of “prophetic worldly events” concerning Dec. 21, 2012.

John Major Jenkins: Likely the most recognized Maya Scholar on the archeological record of Dec. 21, 2012

John Major Jenkins, likely the most informed and highly acclaimed of all the 2012 Neo-Maya Scholars on the archeological record of Dec, 21, 2012, will confirm that the Maya had nothing more to say about what would transpire on or about Dec. 21, 2012 other than their own mytho-symbolic description of an astronomical conjunction between our sun and the center of our galaxy.[1]

Jenkins does use the term “world renewal” when interpreting some of the imagery, but the phrase needs to be understood within the context of Maya mythical lore and symbolism.

Jenkins’ interpretation of the archeological records maintains that the astronomical events of 2012 were represented by the ancient Maya as the “birth of a new world age”.

This mural according to archeologists is a mytho-symbolic rendering of what the night sky would look like during the 2012 event. For more info. click on image.

The “birth of a new world age”  means the beginning of a new cycle of time (world age).  What else is to be implied by those 6 words?  The ancient Maya made no other record of specific or general earthly events (prophecies) which we could expect to coincide with the Dec, 21, 2012 solstice alignment. [1]

The archeological record regarding 2012 points only to an astronomical event—end of story. At least end of story for the ancient Maya who had no clue the commotion so many people would make over their recording of Dec. 21, 2012.

My purpose is not to discuss the validity or accuracy of those considered “prophets” and  their “prophecies” unless they pertain to the Dec. 21, 2012 phenomenon.

I am happy and relieved to announce that the Maya responsible for the notation of Dec. 21, 2012, left not a single stitch of information which could be construed as “prophetic” unless one wants to say that the Maya notation of the 2012 date and their corresponding rendition of the astronomical event is a prophecy.

If one wishes extend such a definition then we are all prophets.

Anyone can predict the sunrise and the sunset. Anyone can predict the changing of the seasons. But who can predict any one of countless occurrences which take place on any given day. Welcome to prophecy 101.

When you come across a site or someone talking about “Mayan prophecies” ask them for physical proof of such prophecies. Ask… where are they written down? You will stop the conversation in its tracks.

There are numerous books and articles titled “the Mayan Prophecies”, yet there is not a shred of evidence to substantiate  a single “Mayan prophecy”. How do like them apples?

The Vulgar and Misleading Craft of Commercialized Sensationalism: Your Limbic System under Relentless Attack

The public’s fascination with prophecies is due to the literal interpretation of mytho-symbolic language and the sensationalistic pronouncements of television, newspaper, book, movie and video sellers on the subject of prophetic lore.

The 1970's book which thrust prophecies of Armageddon and into the popular mind field

The appeal of their marketing strategies are directed at key weak points within cultural mass mind–pre-existing misinformation, a hyper-vigilant limbic system and the inability to respond in kind when one does not have the upper hand in the situation.

The upper hand being greater knowledge than those who would exploit our ignorance.

Most people are neither students nor professors of comparative religion, world history, anthropology or mytho-symbolism. Nor do most people continue educating themselves once they have left college or high school.[16]

The vast majority of the public is also scientifically illiterate[5]and therefore ill prepared to expose the pseudo-academic fallacies of those promoting super phenomenal kinds of events as a result of the 2012 alignment event ie., geo-magnetic shifts, killer solar flares, planet X and super volcanic eruptions to name some of the more popular misconceptions and fallacies.

Pre-existing misinformation s the persistence of inaccurate or false information floating about society. Much akin to an urban legend. Hal Lindsey was the first big time popularizer of Christian based prophetic lore.[17]

Lindsey’s interpretation of the Biblical Book of Revelations as a foretelling for our time failed miserably on the prophecy scale, but he did manage to sell millions of books filled with misleading ideas and utter fabrications. A perfect example of cultural pollution.

This popularizer goes right for the jugular.

Our brains limbic system is dedicated to survival, emotional and reproductive behaviors. I describe it as hyper-vigilant because it operates at a subconscious level and is always on the lookout whether we are consciously aware or not.

It is the part of us that responds automatically and alarmingly to violent or sexually charged scenes.[6]

Anything that can potentially threaten harm will automatically(without conscious effort)trigger our limbic system.

The involuntary reactions and strong sensations accompanying the activation of the limbic system is the secret formula behind the craft of commercialized sensationalism or the exploitation of our limbic system for profit and power.

Reality is Gloomy Enough!

Do we need calamities greater than those already in our midst? We have every sort of ecological, social and economic catastrophe going on!

Our scientists use terms like irreversible damage and ecological collapse to describe looming environmental disasters.[7]Mainstream 30-something Harvard educated economists use terms like robbery to describe the financial crisis and our governments handling of it.[8]

The ultra-conservative branch of our government would like nothing more than to wage a “Long War” against those who resist Western Imperialism.[8] The economic gap between the super rich and the rest of us is only growing wider and can only grow wider as long as the current economic system remains in place.[9]

We have no need for prophecies foretelling disaster–we are and have been living it.

Most of us in Western world do not experience the gross negative effects of Western political and economic polices directly because we are carried on the backs of third world populations while waging war in their countries, exhausting their resources and degrading their environment.[14]

So what are prophecies if they are not foretelling future events?

Literalism: Plague of the Modern Mind

The original meanings of the word prophet and prophecy have been corrupted. The original meaning had to do with people speaking on behalf of either “God” or another person. A preacher or a proclaimer.[2][11]

Religious “prophecies” are part of the total mythic story and were not meant to be understood as predictions of specific future events.Any story whether ancient, or modern has its beginnings, mid-part and ending chapters. Religious or mythic stories are no different.

Religious stories can be full of inspiration, meaning and wisdom, but many parts are misunderstood as either literal historic events or predicted future events. The word prophecy has come to mean, foretelling, even though there is no basis whatsoever for anybody to believe in the predicative viability of “prophetic text” as it is presented by shameless popularizers.

The “prophetically interpreted” portion of a religious text refers to the resolution or ending of the story. We have come to mistakenly interpret the resolution of certain mythic stories as something yet to happen.

When in reality the resolution or ending happens every day and year with the birth, death and resurrection of the sun.

Metaphor is the language of mythic-religious lore and there is not a single religion or spiritual philosophy exempt from this fact.[15]

The Story of Life as Told by Mother Spring and Old Man Winter.

If you would like to see an animation of the seasonal process click on the image.

For ancient peoples the seasonal process from spring to winter encapsulated the life story and it was also seen as the process governing life itselfThe seasonal transitions (equinoxes & solstices) marked the days most revered and observed by ancient peoples. [12]

In the northern hemisphere the sun reaches it lowest point in the sky on the solstice day in late December when it once again begins its ascent to the highest point in the sky–the summer solstice.

In nature based spiritualities the winter solstice event is referred to as the “rebirth of the sun“.[12] Warmth and vitality are coming back to the northern hemisphere, which means better days ahead and therefore something worthy of observance and a celebration (holiday).

This is precisely the reason why pagan or nature based religions observe the winter solstice. It is no accident the Christian faith chose a day in late December as the “birthday of the Son”.[12]

It is no accident the Gregorian calendar starts 12 days after the “rebirth of the sun” (solstice). Now, why the Christian leadership chose a day several days after the solstice to symbolize its new year is open to debate, but that question is not a matter for the purpose of this report.

My point is to show how “prophetic” text is the symbolic resolution, transition or ending of a cyclical story. We are talking about cycles here. Cycles have stages and we have names for them and the ancients had their names for them. I am trying to reconcile both.  Back to the year cycle.

The Water Cycle: One of life's many cycles

The spring equinox brings us the “full glory” of springtime vitality and it also brings us the “full glory” of Christ’s figurative “resurrection from the dead”.

The Christians chose springtime to appropriately symbolize the “Sons resurrection’. [12]

It is no accident the Christians use palm tree leaves as part of Easter’s symbolism. It is after all the time when leaves either “magically” reappear on deciduous trees or when evergreen trees burst forth with a flush of new growth after the winter dormancy (symbolic death).

The sun continues climbing to reach its highest point in the sky on the summer solstice and once again begins its journey towards a figurative “death” and immediate rebirth on the winter solstice.  The festival of death, Halloween, happens during “the fall”(ing) time of the year. How appropriate is that?

Welcome to the Eschaton

“Prophecies” are not about predicting the future any more than telling someone the leaves will re-appear in the spring time is a prophecy.

Prophecies are telling us about the part of the story describing the end, resolution or transformative stage of the ongoing cyclical story of life.

From a mytho-symbolic perspective, prophecy means to understand or know about the cycles of life or whatever phenomena so as to predict or talk about their recurrence.

Therefore, if you can predict the sunrise or solstice you are a prophet. Congratulations anybody reading this–is now the the stuff of legends.The academic study of “end time” themes within a cultures myths or religious stories is known as Eschatology.[13] All of the world’s cultures have material in their myths which seem to portend or warn of “end times”.

Temple of the Inscriptions: Palenque, Mexico

“End of the world” proponents will refer to the commonality of “end time” references in the worlds major religions as “proof” that the “end of the world” must be a real event and therefore related to the Dec. 21, 2012 date even though no other world tradition offers any date regarding any such “end of the world” event.

Such is the travesty of commerce minded popularizers.

Summary

Prophecy as we have come to know the term is not about specific future events, but instead is the misunderstood and misinterpreted closing chapters of mytho-symbolic stories as they refer to the recurring themes of life’s stages of development and unfoldment.

The Maya left no writing or inscriptions which could be interpreted as “prophetic”text. They did leave a mytho-symbolic rendering of the Dec. 21, 2012 date.

But according to the academics who study ancient Maya imagery the story told is about an astronomical event and not about any sort of earthly event(s) which could coincide with the 2012 event.

Everything we have learned or heard about any “prophecies” be they Maya, Biblical or whatever are either pure speculation, erroneous attribution or a complete fabrication.

Another Y2K event you might say? An event drummed up by those who stand to gain through the sale of books, videos, movie passes and survival supplies? Commercialized sensationalism is certainly taking place.

But there is also a remarkable new science and story to bring to light from under the circus tent of exploitation and misunderstanding. Please see the Synchronicity and 2012 sections for more articles.

References

1. What the Maya had to say about Dec. 21, 2012

2. Definitions of Prophecy

3. Media Hazards

4. Know you Brain

5. 216 million Americans are scientifically Illiterate

6. The limbic system our bodies built in alarm

7. US must act to avert eco-disaster

8. Making Sense of the Geithner Plan

9. The Long War

10. The Achilles Heel of Society and the Kings of Exploitation

11. On the Meaning of Biblical Prophecy

12. The Seasons of Life

13. Eschatology

14. Western Countries Exploit Third World Countries

15. The Power of Myth

16. One-third of high school graduates never read another book for the rest of their lives. …
58% of the US adult population never reads another book after high school.
42% of college graduates never read another book.
80% of US families did not buy or read a book last year.
70% of US adults have not been in a bookstore in the last five years.
57% of new books are not read to completion.

17. Apocalypticism Explained: Americas Doom Industry

Related Posts:

• Maya Elders and Emergent-Culture.com Agree on Key Tenets of the 2012 – Mayan Calendar Mythos
• The Universal Meaning of 2012 and the Mayan Calendar. The Mythos, Astronomy and Sociology of 2012-MC
• The Mayan Calendar Did NOT end on Oct. 28, 2011: An Exposé of Carl Calleman, A Modern Day Charlatan
• Would the Real Mayan Calendar Please Stand Up
• SPIKES IN EARTHQUAKE FREQUENCY and Intensity Linked to Tzolkin Cycle Hyper-Days
• TZOLKIN CYCLE HYPER-DAYS: The Haiti Earthquake and Critical Juntures Update #3
• EXPLORING TIPPING POINTS and Hyper-Days In Human And Natural Systems: Critical Junctures Update #2
• On the Trail of the Super Organism: The Question of 2012 and the Marvels of the Mayan Calendar
• The World as Object or the World as a Process: ARTSOS 4
• Introducing the Tzolkin as Cosmocycle: God As A Universal Cyclical Process: ARTSOS 6

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