Maya Cosmogenesis 2012: The True Meaning of the Maya Calendar End-Date (Paperback)

by John Major Jenkins (Author), Terence McKenna (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
These two works press beyond the boundaries of conventional scholarship to explore the alternative world view offered by Maya culture. Brennan, an artist and longtime student of prehistoric rock inspirations throughout North America and Mexico, examines the hand signs shown in Maya glyphs and art work in search of an interpretation of the Maya system of writing, which has long interested interested and puzzled scholars He contends that the Maya used a sophisticated gesture language similar to that of the Plains Indian groups of North America. Many useful illustrations and compelling examples support Brennan's theory. While the conclusions drawn are equal parts scholarship and hypothesis, this thorough and detailed study of the relationships among writing, art, symbolism, and meaning fascinates. The Maya Long Count calendar, a complex system for measuring time, was developed around 2000 years ago, possibly at the pre-Maya site of Izapa in southern Mexico. Jenkins, an independent researcher, presents a wealth of information about Maya astronomy, mythology, and caledrics in support of his analysis of the Long Count calendar end-date, scheduled to occur on December 21, 2012. Providing evidence that the end-date corresponds with a rare alignment of our solar system, Jenkins contends that the Maya were aware of this celestial event and believed that it portended a dramatic rebirth for humanity. Good illustrations, maps, and an extensive bibliography complement this detailed work. Ultimately, however, Jenkins' well-researched and interesting interpretation remains speculative. [For more on Maya culture, see Linda Schele and Jorge Perez de Lara's Hidden Faces of the Maya, reviewed on p. 87.?Ed.]?Elizabeth Salt, Otterbein Coll. Lib., Westeville, P.L.
-?Elizabeth Salt, Otterbein Coll. Lib., Westeville, P.L.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
Is Earth approaching cosmogenesis, and does ancient Maya science and religion hold messages to aid us in this era of transformation? Author John Major Jenkins believes that indeed the precession of the equinoxes, as it was understood by the Maya, will be the formative influence of evolving life on Earth: "Being the culmination of an ages-long quest for understanding the nature of time, Maya cosmological insights are reminding us that the Zero Time is upon us."

Jenkins beings his thorough and comprehensible account of Maya cosmology by delving back 13,000 years into human history to the origins of Mesoamerican civilization. Logically he progresses through this Mesoamerican timeline to reach Maya civilization at its height of power and wisdom.

Interpreting the 2012 end-date of the Maya calendar proved to be an irresistible challenge for John Major Jenkins. It is apparent that his journey toward enlightenment was undertaken with pleasure and an enthusiasm which communicates itself to the reader.

This is an authoritative and at the same time exciting voyage of discovery into the past, a return to an ancient understanding of the cosmos that gives meaning to our place in the chain of creation. -- Library Booknotes, July 1998

Maya Cosmogenesis 2012 belongs to the growing corpus of end-of-millennium books. Jenkins explores why the Maya calendar ends on 13.0.0.0.0 (December 21, 2012), and notes that this enddate marks a rare alignment of our solar system with the Galactic Center. This date marks the end of the "long count" of the Maya calendar, which will then revert back to zero, as Mayan time is cyclical rather than linear. The author then switches to an Aztec myth, writing that this enddate will open the way for celestial demons to pour out of the sky to devour mankind. While he feels this myth can be interpreted either metaphorically or literally, in either case a new world age will begin. One manifestation of this new world age will be that "our basic assumptions and foundational values will be exposed, and we will have the opportunity to embrace values long since driven under the surface of our collective consciousness." Interesting as an end-of-millennium narrative, the text follows a formulaic pattern: the author, a North American male leaves the US to travel on a personal quest to "remote" and "dangerous" spots; listens "carefully to the wind whisper messages of a far off time"; understands the ways of exotic Others because he is "unfettered by the limitations of scholardom." Difficult to follow, backed by dubious scholarship, it is easy to dismiss Maya Cosmogenesis 2012. The author takes information from Hawaiian, Hopi, and contemporary Siberian ethnography to explain Mayan culture 2,000 years past. Too much jargon and a confusing outline make this work a frustrating read. However, the appendices are more coherent and accessible. -- From Independent Publisher

Maya Cosmogenesis 2012 is an involving well-research and in-depth perspective on the evolution of the Mesoamerican calendar. According to the Mayan peoples, we are now living in "end time." Decoding the mythological explanation of their long-known "astronomical facts," Jenkins explains how the Galactic center at the central bulge of the Milky Way was understood by the ancients as the pregnant point in the heavens that gave birth to the world. This point coincides with what is just now being discovered by today's scientists to be a black hole. An impending alignment of the sun at that very point, according to Mayan calculations, culminates at the winter solstice, December 21, 2012. The Mayan interpretation of this as an "end point' of our time is said to signify "a World Age shift" indicating a cataclysmic transformation seen as a "prelude for global renewal." The ever-spiritual perspectives of the Toltecs and Mayans on this upcoming cosmic alignment reflect a belief in "the cyclic renewal of the earth and the spiritual unfoldment of humanity." A fascinating and engaging read, Maya Cosmogenesis 2012 offers us a solidly researched invitation to "recognize our place in the great chain of creation." -- Spirit of Change,November-December 1998

Why did the Maya choose the date of 21 December 2012 to mark the end-time of their long-count calendar? And why mark the (northern) winter solstice?

Studying the star charts, independent scholar/author John Major Jenkins noted that a very rare alignment in the precessional cycle will occur on the December solstice in 2012, when the sun conjuncts the centre of our Milky Way galaxy. Seasonal alignments occur once every 6,450 years, but this December solstice of 2012 occurs once every 25,800 years! Jenkins surmised that the Maya, like many other ancient cultures, were aware of precessional cycles, but it was no coincidence that they marked this date. Indeed, as he discovered, it was central to their cosmology, mythology and calendrics, as was the idea of galactic centre as the source of life. The Maya even had a glyph to present the black hole at galactic centre--the existence of which has only recently been confirmed by astronomers.

In his expansive new book, Maya Cosmogenesis 2012, Jenkins explains how the Maya revered the end-time as a zero point, entered through galactic centre and involving an energy field-effect reversal and rebirth into a new World Age. In explaining his thesis, he takes us on a heady trip through Maya shamanic rites, the origin and development of the long-count calendar at the sacred site of Izapan, the galactic geometry and symbolism of the ball court, and much more. Jenkins' finds not only extend our understanding of Maya cosmology; they have great significance for humanity at the evolutionary crossroads. -- Nexus Magazine, October-November 1998

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Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Bear & Company (August 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879181487
• ISBN-13: 978-1879181489
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #84,643 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

132 of 139 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maya Cosmogenesis 2012, February 28, 2001

By	Cassandra Barnes "Cassandra" (California) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

The Earth spins on an axis. Like everything else that spins, it wobbles. That wobble is technically called precession, and it explains why Earthlings have seen the sun rise against different constellations over the centuries. In his latest book, Maya Cosmogenesis 2012: The True Meaning of the Maya Calendar End-Date, John Major Jenkins explains how the Maya mapped the movements of the Earth, including precession, and incorporated their measurements into their calendars.

Jenkins, who has researched Mesoamerican cosmology and calendrics since 1986, has written five other books and numerous articles about the Maya. In Maya Cosmogenesis 2012, he ties together Mayan mythology and astronomy in a scholarly discussion of the source and meaning of "end date" indicated by the Long Count calendar.

He supports his theories with nearly 200 line drawings, and provides extensive appendices, end notes, and a comprehensive bibliography.

Each "wobble" (or precessional cycle) lasts 25,800 years. Researchers believe that the current precessional cycle will end in the year 2012. This date is known as the "End-Date" in Maya calendrics. At that time, the Earth will begin a new cycle in the opposite direction.

Jenkins says his focus is "on how the precession of the equinoxes was mapped and calibrated among the ancient civilizations." He adds that his book "is devoted to exploring the Maya's understanding of the 2012 end-date and the philosophy and cosmology that go with it. This is a book about cosmogenesis, the creation of the world. The Maya believed that the world will be reborn, in a sense 're-created,' in the year we call 2012."

What does all that mean? Will humans survive cosmogenesis? Jenkins thinks we will. He says the end-date marks the beginning of a new and better world. He believes that "what looms before us is a great opportunity for spiritual growth, both individual and planetary." Others, of course, disagree, and foresee a time of cataclysmic destruction.

Regardless of whether they see the predicted end-date as a non-event, as destructive, or as an opportunity for growth, readers will find Maya Cosmogenesis 2012 a fascinating book. Astronomers and students of cosmology and mythology will especially appreciate Jenkin's research and thorough documentation.

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Needs some TLC from a good editor, August 8, 2006

By	KEVIN M. OCONNOR "Podcaster, Would-be Farmer,... (Centerton, AR United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book seems to hold lots of promise when skimmed, but when I actually sat down to read it, I got bogged down in it very quickly. The first chapter seems like an extended foreword. The author makes some references to his travels in Central America, and some anecdotes from his travels might have livened things up quite and made the book more engaging, but no dice. The author seems to repeat himself a lot to no apparent end, and, most frustratingly, he does not provide a big picture before starting his slow slog through the details.

I think a readable book lurks between the covers of this title, but it needs a good editor to bring it out. Readers looking for something which engages the imagination like the works of Terence McKenna, Daniel Pinchbeck, and Jim DeKorne will probably come away disappointed.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Worth the read, April 6, 2005

By	Dan A. Yates "DakotaIV" (Utah) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is filled with data, analysis, specifics. The Mayan astronomy and mathematics are incredible and this work highlights how their astronomy and mathematics functioned. The book also dabbles in the metaphysical and religious arenas. But with the depth of research, documentation and explanation about the real Mayan astronomy and math, I could tolerate the small dose of evangelizing. Other reviewers have mistated the 2012 conclusions in this book. The authors make it clear that 2012 would bring rebirth of earth, heavens and humans. They downplay the cataclysmic 2012 scenarios and offer optimism about the Mayan rebirth prediction.