The Mayan calendar tracks time using 2 systems: #1-Short Count System.#2-Long Count System. Also known as the "Great Cycle."

Here's a break-down of how the Long Count System (Great Cycle) tracks time.
---# OF DAYS----////---Terminology-----------
1 //// KIN (day)
20 //// UINAL
360 //// TUN (approx. 1 year)
7,200 //// KATUN (approx.1 generation/20 years)

144,000 //// BAKTUN approx 20 generations/400 years
1 BAKTUN x 13 = 1 Great Cycle. This is approx. 260 generations or in the ballpark of 5,200 years.

One full long count goes through 13 Baktuns, that would be 144,000 days x 13. This is called the Great Cycle. Our current Great Cycle began at approximately Aug.11, 3114 B.C. and will end at December 21, 2012. December 21 being the Equinox or the shortest day of the year.

When the Great Cycle ends, the earth's axis will be lined up with the milky way and other planets as well (allegedly). The earth's axis wobbles one way and the other through out time. (which could be part of the explanation for the strange weather these days) Could it be just a coincidence that as we approach the end of the Great Cycle that the state of affairs in the world are increasingly accelerating in all areas of life. Information is booming, technology is advancing in huge leaps and bounds, the entire world can communicate instantly, etc, etc. But on the other side of the spectrum things are also accelerating, such as these innovations being used for negative purposes. So it would seem that the universal celestial convergences as depicted by the Mayan calendar are synonymous with the accelerating pace of Human civilization.

How did the Mayans understand such things when we are just beginning to grasp these concepts? I believe this knowledge far pre-dates the Mayans, and will outlast all civilizations to come.

December 12, 2012. Why is this date so important? This date and the time around it represent the end of an age of humanity, and also the beginning of a new age. So we are at the end of a 5200 year age of humanity and will live to see it in our life times. This is such an exciting time to be alive!!! For thousands of years, predictions, prophecies, and even religious beliefs of the world talk about the major changes in the world to come. Most believe that this is that time in human history.

In Judeo-Christian era, it is said that man lived in a paradise earth, in the bible this was referred to as the Garden of Eden. Then the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge was consumed. This brought banishment from the garden, and death. This could be a metaphor or a cryptic allegory trying to say that Mankind pursued a dark knowledge that lead to its downfall. This is known in biblical literature as "The Fall of Man."

So the question is this… When we reach the end of this Great Cycle, will mankind fall again? Some might say so with the state of affairs the world is in. Freedom and liberty is at stake and the New World Order is on a rampage. Some might even think the New World Order is the new age to come. WRONG!!! The bible states that the new age will be very short and will fall to be replaced with the kingdom of heaven.

The very term New World Order is actually quite deceiving because it actually stems from ancient orders and mystery cults. My theory is that the current great cycle we are in has always been fear based. War, slavery, bloodshed, deceit, and every imaginable evil have been controlling factors of all nations and civilizations. The very knowledge of life is held by few and hidden from many. The New World Order should be called the Old World Order. And when they fully take control of the nations, know that they will fall shortly after. All these intense times in the world are the final desperate attempts of the oppressors to keep hidden what was our birthright from the beginning of time. "The knowledge of life."

I do not know, for I am no prophet, but I think that the great cycle that is about to end is the cycle of fear, war, and slavery. I believe that mankind will be able to rise back up to where it fell from, back to God, or simply a spiritual and intellectual revolution. Rather than a system based on fear which creates slavery, war, and tyranny, a system based on love and compassion will rise. This will usher in an age of freedom, peace, truth, justice, and cooperation.