Here we go again! The end of another year is almost upon us and we have, yet, another prediction of the end of the world. This isn’t the first time we have had such predictions and I am sure it won’t be the last (unless they finally get it right, which I doubt). Personally, I don’t believe in such nonsense but many people do. I am sure that some of those who believe in such propaganda will also count themselves as geocachers. So, what will that mean for them. It will be interesting to see exactly how many geocaches are found on the impending date of December 21, 2012.
The most famous “end-of-days” prophet – Nostradamus. (click to enlarge)
There have been many predictions over the years, too many to count or delve into. For years we have had all of the predictions from Nostradamus, perhaps the most famous “end of times” prophet. So far, none of his detrimental predictions have materialized. More recently, we had the Christian pastor, Harold Camping, claim that, from the Bible, he deduced a mathematical formula that predicted the end of the world on May 21, 2011. Camping uses a mathematical formula linked to prophecies in the Bible. He once predicted Sept. 6, 1994 as Judgment Day, but that math didn’t quite work out. Neither did his new prediction. Frankly, being a Christian myself, I was somewhat puzzled by a self-professed Christian making such a claim about Judgment Day. Christians rely on their Bible. Well, the Bible tells us that no one will know or predict when that day is upon us. How could he, then, figure it out?
The Mayan Calendar. (click to enlarge)
The latest prediction of December 21, 2012 comes from many sources. The most important source is the Mayan calendars. Plural, you say? That’s right! The Mayans, an advanced civilization that flourished from 200AD to 900AD, inhabited a region encompassing southern Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize & western Honduras. For some reason, by 1200AD, their civilization had collapsed. Nobody really knows why it happened. The latest explanation suggested that climate change in their area caused severe drought. They failed to adapt and were plunged into anarchy where they killed each other over resources. Anyway, they actually used three separate calendars to mark their dates. The first two calendars, called Haab and Tzolkin run for 365 and 260 days respectively. Then they restart. Every 52 years, the two calendars coincide. The third calendar is known as the Long Count. It denotes distinct Ages and runs for 5126 years before a new Age begins. Well, on December 21, 2012, the Long Count ends and a new Age begins. This is where we get the notion that the world will end. Truth be told, the Mayans never actually predicted the end of the world but the end of the world as we know it, meaning some major change will occur. While they may be right about the calendar math, I firmly believe that a new Age can occur without the destruction of the previous age, which is opposite to what the Mayans believed. Also, who is to say that a fundamental change has to happen abruptly. This new Age might bring about fundamental change but it may do it over a period of many years.
No matter what you believe about this subject, we have to respect each other’s beliefs on it. While I find it to be foolishness, I respect the fact that many others take this very seriously. So, I would stress that this post and my feelings on the subject is, in no way, meant to belittle anyone who does believe in these sort of things. With that said, what are your plans as this deadline approaches? Will you be caching on December 21 or will you err on the side of caution and spend it with family? For me, I have to work so I may not get any caching done. I will try to get one cache on that date, however.
Caching on 12-12-12 will earn you this souvenir. (click to enlarge)
How about December 12, 2012? Are you planning any caching then? You should be? Some people have mistakenly confused 12/12/12 as being doomsday. Not so. The significance of dates such as 12/12/12 is the fact that it will be 89 years until one occurs again. January 1, 2101 (1/1/1) will be the next occurance. Why cache on that day? The answer is simple. Geocaching.com has created a special souvenir for that date. If you log any cache or attend an event on that date, you will receive a special online souvenir. For more information on it, please visit
Latitude 47.
One of these trackables will be given away at our event. (click to enlarge)
To make it easier to get this souvenir and to celebrate this date with friends, we are hosting an event on this day called
Twelve Cubed (12|12|12) (GC41PAX). The event has been submitted for review but hasn’t been published yet. Keep your eyes peeled for it. Obviously, you already know the date. The event will be held at Don Cherry’s on Freshwater Road in St. John’s. Instead of using the special occasion room, which has separate booths, we have asked for one large table made. This allows for better fellowship. We are even giving one lucky cacher a special unactivated 12-12-12 trackable. We hope you can make it. When it is released, please RSVP as soon as you can. We have it booked for 30 people but may be able to extend that number. If you are in the Happy Valley-Goose Bay area, please check out their event,
12-12-12 (GC3XYA5).
If you have any comments about this post or any of our posts, please leave us one using the form below. As always, we welcome your valuable input. Until my next post, Happy Caching!!!
Frank (Jewel)
Caching Heaven 