2012, 1484 and other Apocalypse: the dynamics of society

Author: Jo Hedesan

Since the Apocalypse did not happen in 2000, there is a new world order has been prophesied: December 21, 2012. Apparently the Mayan calendar reset itself to that date, the end of a "great cycle" (1). Since that date corresponds to an event Astronomical important, the sun Ecuador through the Milky Way, the expectations of Apocalypse "new" on the rise (2). In this context, what I surprising is like a prophecy has become more than a thousand years in a black culture is one of the newspapers today. It made me reminded of the enduring power of the millenary tradition of Western culture. East Chances are, if nothing of note occurs December 21, will focus in 2060, Isaac Newton, the expected date of the Apocalypse (3). Apocalyptic thinking millennium is nothing new in the West: it was generalized for two thousand years or more, and without a past "prediction failed 'prevented people from going to another apocalyptic date. To observe the millenarian thought in the process and its results, I shall briefly discuss a case study of the Renaissance.

Before continuing, it might be useful to distinguish between "Apocalypse" and "millennialism. Apocalypse refers to events the tragic end of time: the focus is on the disaster, the suffering, the dramatic events, omens and death. Millennialism, however, is belief in making the world a better place. I see these as two sides of same coin: the Apocalypse is the aspect of destruction, millenarianism positive and constructive. They do not occur together, but often do: a change more or less dramatic must happen for the world be transformed.

Let us, then the wind Back to the Renaissance. 1300 had been obsessed with the Apocalypse and millennialism (4). However, in 1400 This fervor has been launched for a new high because of astrological prophecy called "theory the conjunction great "prepared by the Arab philosopher named Al-Kindi (5). Al-Kindi based his speculation on astrology "conjunctions Great" between Jupiter and Saturn which normally occur 20 to 20 years (the Great last conjunction occurred, incidentally, May 31, 2000). However, al-Kindi connected This millennarist astrological beliefs, arguing that once every few centuries most important historical change would occur (6). This theory has become a set of "popular culture" phenomenon at the time, with astrologers famous, like Roger Bacon and Johannes Kepler to contribute to discussions. Thus, in 1484, the combination was associated with high expectations millenarian and apocalyptic (7.8). Christopher Columbus' discovery of America in 1492, was apparently related to these ancient beliefs (9). Renaissance itself as a movement was born in Florence, not be separated from thought apocalyptic Marsilio Ficino, the theoretician budding Renaissance, always talking about the golden age to come "(10).

1484 passed without an Apocalypse, but astrologers later found was a very significant event for Christianity: the birth of Martin Luther (11). In any case, the prophecies of 1484 did not end in apocalyptic fashion time, however, the astrologers were transported to an association of gold, Due in 1604 (As a side note, there was a supernova in 1572 which caused widespread apocalyptic predictions as well). Pending event important, many intellectuals of the time were devoted to the discovery of a "universal language" (which became accepted as math) and a science "universal" (12). While 1604 did not bring the Apocalypse, however, had an impact on the intellectual life of Europe, causing a fervent reformer. Science itself can be attributed at least part of the growth expectations of the millennium age (13, 14). Is in the context of "science millennarist" Newton spent much time trying to guess the end of the world.

As Landes noted, especially Scholarship millenarianism assumes that all prophets have bad apocalyptic (15). That may be true of a point view black and white. However, we can only think for a moment the impact that the millenarian and apocalyptic beliefs in society. The side somber believers as the mass suicide of Heaven's Gate committed pending the Apocalypse, but also a positive side, which encourages activism conscience and positive social change. In the preceding story, we see that the astrological predictions of the Apocalypse or millennium encouraged example, the revival of cultural activities, scientific research in modern Europe and enlightened monarchs. Ultimately, it may be safe to say that thought has an impact millennium final companies to accelerate their momentum – for the consequences, good and bad.

This was only the beginning of a discussion that could deepen Thousands of millenarian movements, the big books have been written on this topic and several others will be. This is certainly a fascinating subject that is related to our individual and societal aspirations. If we like it or not, this question touches us deeply. They can not believe that the 2012 or 2060 or perhaps a science experiment goes wrong like the Large Hadron Collider be the end of us but possible signs of a disaster can not fail to move to a deeper level. What do we do with this feeling of us – I hope we can orient in a positive direction.

References:

(1) Anonymous 21. December 2012 – The Mayan calendar deadline. Online. Available at: target = "_blank" href = "http://www.crawford2000.co.uk/maya.htm"> http://www.crawford2000.co.uk/maya.htm. Accessed 1 December 2008.

(12) (14), Barnes, R. (1988). Prophecy and Gnosis: Apocalypticism in the wake of the Reformation. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.

(5) (6),, (7), (11) Culianu, IP (2003). Eros and Magic in the Renaissance. Bucharest: Polirom.

(4) Garin, E. (1990). Astrology in the Renaissance: The Zodiac of Life, trans. By Carolyn Jackson and Allen in June London: Arkana.

(10) Hedesan, DG (2008). Mercury and expectations of Renewal in the world of the Renaissance. Unpublished, presented at the biannual conference ESA, Charleston, USA.

(9), (15) Landes, R. (2001). The fruitful error: Reconsidering the enthusiasm of the Millennium – Review of the Apocalypse: Prophecies, Cults beliefs and goals through Age of Eugen Weber. Journal of Interdisciplinary History, 32 (1), pp. 89-98.

(13) Noble, D. (1997). Religion Technology: the divinity of man and the spirit of invention. New York: Penguin.

(2) Today the United States. (2007). Does Maya calendar predict 2012 Apocalypse? Online. Available at: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2007-03-27-maya-2012_n.htm . Accessed 1 December 2008.

(8) Weinstein, D. (1958). Savonarola, Florence and the ancient tradition. History of the Church 27 (4) pp. 291-305.

(3) Wikipedia. (2008). Occult studies of Isaac Newton. Online. Available at: href = "27s_occult_studies http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Newton%"> = "target _blank" href = "27s_occult_studies http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Newton%">% 27s_occult_studies http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Newton. Accessed December 2, 2008.

About the author:

Hedesan Jo is studying an MA in Western Esotericism at the University of Exeter. She is a member of the European Society for the Study the esoteric (ESSWE) and the American Association for the Study of Esotericism (ASE). He has published several articles and has presented papers at academic conferences on the theme of the esoteric and history. She writes a blog esoteric subjects and research href = "http://www.esotericoffeehouse.com"> http://www.esotericoffeehouse.com

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