The year 2012 is often mentioned in relation to the fact that the ancient Mayan calendar is due to end on 21st December 2012. According to the Mayan elders, it marks the end of an old era and the beginning of a new one. Astrologically, it also coincides with the transition to the Age of Aquarius from the Age of Pisces. 2012 will also see a very rare (once every 26,625 years) alignment between the Sun, Earth and the centre of the Milky Way.
Many channelings have also pointed to this time being the marker for the great shift or transition to take place. However, the shift is generally described to take place over a time period that began in the last century and the year 2012 is when the effects will be more fully felt. The transition is about a transformation of the old energy to the new, also known as the ascension of humanity from the 3rd to 4th dimension (sometimes known as density).
This period of time is also known as the entry of Earth into the photon belt, a band of very high vibrational energy that is supposed to help raise the vibrations of Earth and all lifeform on it, hence enabling us to make the transition to a higher dimension.
Another common viewpoint is that our DNA consists of certain "codes" that will be activated to transform the human being in a quantum leap into one who is again aware of his own divinity - that he is connected to the All That Is.
In the book Preparing Ourselves for the Great Shift, Russell Boulding wrote:
Various lines of evidence suggest that the Great Shift coincides with the ending of a 26,000 year cycle. This 26,000 year cycle, related to the precession of the solstices/equinoxes arising from the tilt in the Earth's axis of rotation, is recognized in the Mayan calendar and the Hindu Vedic tradition. It can also be derived from the I Ching and roughly coincides with a 24,000 year astrologic cycle marking the shift to the Age of Aquarius. An interesting aspect of the ending of the current cycle in the evolutionary drama on planet Earth is that it coincides with an alignment between the Earth, the Sun and the center of the Milky Way Galaxy.
It is generally agreed that the year 2012 is a marker rather than a fixed and specific timeframe. The time of the shift is determined by the state of the mass consciousness and it could happen earlier or later. Most, however, would agree that we are already in the process of the shift. The recent earth changes have very much to do with the cleansing by Mother Earth of the old energies and preparing for the new.
While the year 2012 is very often linked to the great shift, some parties do not associate themselves too much with 2012 but agrees that we are in the midst of a great shift in human consciousness.
Also see the topic: Ascension
Further Reading
Tobias: Twelve Signs of Your Awakening Divinity
http://www.crimsoncircle.com/AboutTobias/AwakeningSigns/tabid/89/Default.aspx
