The panic about the prophecies for the end of the world in 1999 already is gone, and here now starts a new wave of tension regarding the year of 2012.

According to the calendar of the ancient Mayans, on December 23, 2012, ends a big cycle. Some people dramatize the things and interpret this date as an end of the world. But actually, this is just the end of one cycle and the beginning of a new one.

In the Mayan calendar there are one type of cycles, while in the Chinese calendar there are other cycles used (for example the 60-year cycle). There are many methods for calculation of the cycles. Every month, every day, every minute and second also represent different types of cycles. The universe is complex and infinite. We always mark the beginning and passing of many cycles. We even don’t know about the existence of some of them.

When there is a lack of scientific attitude, one very easily can indulge into mystics. In the past, when the people observed the passing of comets on the sky, they were horrified and predicted end of the world. Always when there arrives a new cosmic cycle or new phenomena and new changes happen, many people frighten and worry about the future.

The solar activity increases and decreases for a period of 11 years. The principles of the solar cycle are similar to that of the lunar cycle: the beginning of a certain solar cycle resembles the time of new moon. At that time, the solar activity is low. The activation of the solar storms marks the maximum of the solar cycle and its meaning resembles the time of full moon. Both full moon and the years of increased solar activity have a great influence on the living creatures on Earth. The scientists have found out that during the maximum of the solar activity, there is an increase of psychological problems, inner tension and pathogenic outbreaks. This is due to the increased energy release from Sun, which stimulates and activates the flow of energy in the body. As a result, there occur various conditions of health, but everything depends on the openness and free passability of the energy channels in the body and the quality of matter. If one regularly practice qigong meditation or other similar methods for increasing the energy in the body, then one’s energy system gradually will become more and more opened and passable and of a better quality. When the body is opened and passable, one can more easily and smoothly accept the numerous cosmic influences and one will be able more quickly to adapt to the changes. Here is an example: when one’s blood pressure rises, if his energy channels are opened, then the blood pressure goes down very fast and recovers its normal indexes. In the same way, when there come solar storms and other energy effects from the cosmos, they will have a more moderate effect on the energy-passable organisms.

The last solar storms were in 2003, and the next activation of the solar eruption and magnetic storms are expected approximately in 2012. Some people predict that these will be so powerful that they will lead to the pole?shifts?and end of the world. The truth is that the change of poles is a very relative term: some scientists claim that this is a slow process of hundreds and even thousands of years, while according to other scientists this is unpredictable phenomenon. Let’s put this theme to the scientists, and we better look more calmly and naturally at things.

In fact, 2012 is not a problem. The problem is in our mind and our understanding of the natural cycles. We need to develop scientific and objective attitude toward everything. The cyclical changes are natural phenomenon and we have to look at them naturally.

When there arrives a new phenomenon, first of all it is important to find out what are his characteristic features and then to see how best to adapt to the changes. The adaptation includes many methods, but the main principle is to achieve a harmony with the new changes. What is lacking have to be supplied, and what is in excess ?to be cleared out. For example, in every person the inner condition of the body is different: some people lack vitamin B, others need more calcium; still others need to clear the pathogenic phlegm from the body. Astrologically, this could be explained in this way: some people have excessive metal element, others ?need more fire, still others have too much wood, etc. All this shows different characteristics, a tendency to develop certain diseases, cycles of advancement and fall in life, etc.

An essential benefit for achieving better adaptation to the different changes render the practice of qigong meditation, the inner harmony and preservation of calmness of the mind, the positive attitude, the natural and objective thinking, healthy nutrition, the holistic approach and following the principles of Nature.

As a whole, every cycle has its own characteristic. The bigger and longer cycles render a continued influence on the living organisms and thus they have essential meaning for the character of one whole generation, the tendencies in the development of humankind. According to western astrology, during these several years there are some important changes of cycles, related with the slowly moving planets Neptune, Uranus and Pluto. In the end of 2008 (on November 26th) Pluto enters Capricorn, where it will stay for 16 years (till 2024). This is regarded as an important time of change, as Pluto in Capricorn will stimulate the energy transformations in society and in people’s mind. In the year of 2011, Uranus enters Aries and this will stimulate a change of consciousness. And in December 2012, there will come another important cyclical change: Neptune will enter the zodiacal sign of Pisces, which is regarded as a new incitement for spiritual development. All this is a slow and gradual process, but not a sudden change.

In some publications regarding the year of 2012 it is written that the changes of 2012 will happen only to some separate people, which “will enter into the new future world? while for the others everything will remain like before and they will perceive nothing; for them “the world will become much worse and they will fall in a lower, inferior world? According to these articles, there is expected a separation between the conscious and matured ones and those of a lower level of consciousness. Such thoughts very easily lean toward disunion and egoism, and they create a type of spiritual aristocracy and a sense of supremacy over the others. Many people talk about spiritual development, but when they analyze things, some people start to separate the humans into “higher?and “lower? more spiritually developed and less developed ones. This division sometimes leads to improper acts: defending the interests only of a separate group of people, only of the “higher? “developed?ones, while the remaining part of people is neglected. They think that only they are the spiritual ones, the good ones and the others are on a lower stage of development and there is no way to help them. Such judgements lack a holistic thinking and holistic approach, they lack the willingness to help the others to develop as well. It is interesting to point out that one of the characteristics of Neptune in Pisces (the cycle, which starts in 2012) is namely the desire for a union and spiritual development for all.

It is important to know that the changes are equal for everyone, but not only for separate, “God’s elect?people or only for those who cultivate themselves and the more conscious ones. The main principle is that everyone has chances, everyone has the possibilities to go on and develop, no matter whether this will happen earlier or later.

In Dao De Jing, Lao Zi says that “the Dao of Heaven is impartial? The Dao of Heaven, (and the cycles of Nature) doesn’t have special feelings only to certain people, but it is objective and equal to all, it helps and influences all, it does not serve just the interests of some people. When there is a rain, it does not intentionally rain only to some people and avoid others. It simply rains. The Sun also shines on everywhere and influences everyone. That is why it is said that the natural phenomena and cycles bring influence to all. Sun Yatsen has one famous saying: “All under Heaven are equal? Developing his thought, we can say: ?B>The Heavenly Dao is equal for the use of all? The cycles of Nature are equal to all, but at the same time, of course, they will reflect to the different people in different ways. In astrology, the individual horoscopes very precisely show how the cycles of astrological signs and transits of the planets reflect in a different way. For example, 2012 is the year of water dragon (ren chen). Depending on the proportion of elements in the individual horoscope, this year will have various types of influences. To those, who need the water element, they will get it in 2012, because the stem of the year contains water element. To others this water element may come too much, or the ?I>chen?branch sign in 2012 may cause certain problems to them. No matter how conscious and spiritual is one, if he is in a cycle, which is not very beneficial to him, this inevitably will bring him certain types of disharmony, problems and discomforts ?either reflecting his work, his health condition, or in other aspects of his life. That is why, the transits of planets and the different position of stars and signs in 2012, like in every other year, will reflect very individually in the horoscopes.

However, the most important and essential is that the changes are generally equal to all. No matter what are the cycles, we always have to exert active efforts for achieving a greater harmony and adaptation.

The study of the new phenomena is very helpful, so that the people will understand and relate them more objectively. We have to approach the new cycles, the phenomena and their manifestations in a scientific, holistic and natural way, without mystic.

Wang Jianjun,
Hanlin Academy

July, 2008