Apocalyptic beliefs about 2012
2012 is sometimes claimed to be a year of spiritual transformation or apocalypse. Many interpret the ending of the Long Count of the Mayan Calendar on December 21 to mean a major change in world order, although Mayan beliefs do not necessarily mete out 2012 as the end of the world. The Prophecy of the Popes, attributed to Saint Malachy, speculated that Pope Benedict XVI would reign during the beginning of the tribulation of which Jesus spoke, and sometime later a future pope described in the prophecy as "Peter the Roman", the last in this prophetic list, would appear, bringing as a result the destruction of the city of Rome and the Last Judgement. The ascetic Buddhist monk Ram Bahadur Bomjon reportedly told his followers that he will return around 2012.
Several eclectic authors claim that a major, world-changing event will take place in 2012. Terence McKenna's mathematical novelty theory predicts a point of singularity in which humankind will go through a great shift in consciousness. The 1997 book The Bible Code claims that, according to certain algorithms of the Bible code, a meteor, asteroid or comet will collide with the Earth. The book The Orion Prophecy claims that the Earth's magnetic field will reverse.
Some proponents of a peak oil catastrophe place major events in 2012. Richard C. Duncan's book The Peak of World Oil Production and the Road To The Olduvai Gorge claims that the Olduvai cliff will begin and permanent blackouts will occur worldwide. Several studies predict a peak in oil production in or around 2012. [8][9][10]
Some who believe that the world will end 2012 have decided to throw a huge party. The main site of the party can be found at The End of the World Party 2012.com