There is a mysterious stone monument standing behind a church in Hendaye, France. It consists of a cross, mounted on a pedestal, upon which mystical alchemical symbols are carved. The full details can be found in Jay Weidner’s book, The Mysteries of the Great Cross of Hendaye.

Weidner’s analysis, drawn heavily upon writings of an obscure alchemical mystic named Fulcanelli, concludes that the cross represents a repository of ancient wisdom regarding the pending end of the current epoch of time.

The symbols depict the 4 ages of time corresponding to the Hindu Yuga system: The Golden, Silver, Bronze, and Iron ages. Fulcanelli ascribes them to the 4 quadrants of the 25,920 year precessional cycle that takes us around through the complete 12 signs of the Zodiac. We are currently at the end of the Age of Iron, and entering the Aquarius sign.

According to Fulcanelli, tremendous upheavals mark the beginning of each age. Weidner’s analysis goes on to interpret the angry sun symbol as representing some type of solar or cosmic catastrophe that is coming due. Interestingly, astrophysicists predict that the 11-year Solar cycle will peak in 2012 at higher levels than anything seen in recent history.

The Cross of Hendaye and associated esoteric Alchemical wisdom constitute a complex topic, of which this is just a simple reference point. I have undertaken the task of understanding the meaning and portent of the 2012 Mayan calendar end-date, of which this is just one small piece of the puzzle.

It is not clear whether the Mayans were privy to the same Alchemical knowledge that other mystical traditions draw upon. They seem to have been aware of the 25,920 year precessional cycle, and their calendar appears to mark astronomical cycles of hundreds of years wherein solar activity waxes and wanes. They found this had effect on human fertility and food supplies.

December 21, 2012 does coincide with a galactic alignment, wherein the rising sun will align with the galactic center. This is an aspect of the presessional cycle that alchemists and astrologers could have known about for millennia. This tends to explain why so many ancient prophecies of catastrophe are tied to the period surrounding this date.

I intend to explore the various theories concerning what may happen in 2012. Much speculation centers around the galactic center and whether periodic bursts of radiation might affect life on earth. Others speak of a “photon belt” in our region of the galaxy that Earth may be entering.

I prefer to examine everything in scientific context before considering more esoteric possibilities. It’s good to keep in mind that any galactic alignment takes place gradually over many years, and the boundary between Pieces and Aquarius is equally indistinct. My current thinking is that these represent markers in time; the actual events they portend is what we seek to understand.