The end of the world, or just plain nuts?

To most of us December 21, 2012 is nothing more than a far off date on the calendar.

But there are those who insist that come the time we will witness an occurrence of apocalyptic proportions – the end of the world in fact.

The scientific community says the suggestion is not credible but some believers are actively preparing for the day.

Jason Kerrison, lead singer of Opshop, is not sure exactly what awaits us but he’s making major moves to be ready.

The ancient Mayan civilisation created a calendar so precise it could predict lunar eclipses literally thousands of years in the future. And the calendar mysteriously ends on the winter solstice 2012.

Kerrison plans to be in his new ark on that day but even he admits it “sounds crazy to hear that come out of my own mouth”.

However Kerrison, one of our most influential musicians, is indeed making plans for his ark – a rigid dome that he says will keep him and his family safe from whatever December 2012 has in store.
“We only have a couple of years to get it done depending on what your perspective is, but I would certainly rather be in that house given the kinds of circumstances that could occur.”

Kerrison says his preparations, and the hundreds of thousands of dollars needed to build the structure, are designed so he can be as self sufficient as possible.

He told Close Up he doesn’t have a set view of how the Mayan prophecies will translate, if at all.

“I don’t have a crystal ball, I’m not saying I know exactly what is going to happen.

“I’m not here to frighten anyone about the possibility of what could occur on this date…I would just rather be prepared for anything at any time.”

Modern astronomers agree with the Mayans that around December 21, 2012, the Earth will be in exact alignment with the sun and the centre of the milky way galaxy – a galactic event that takes place only once every 25,800 years.

No one knows what effect this alignment would have on the earth but the Mayans believed it would be dire. However NASA is confident there is no threat to Earth.

But many insist they can “feel” a major change about to occur and point to the growing list of natural catastrophes around the world.

John Francis has made numerous visits to New Zealand, taking workshops on 2012. He says that at the very least there will be a major shift in consciousness as we move from one age and civilisation to the next.

“It has happened many times before that within the species there are shifts because the species adapts, that’s our nature to adapt and we will adapt to this,” he says.

The debate will only intensify as the years, months and days count down.

Source: http://tvnz.co.nz