Tuesday, November 24, 2009

2012: Myth, Lunatic Musings or the "Dawning of the Age of Aquarius?

James Rado and Jerome Ragni's "Hair", the cult/tribe musical that took the world by storm and produced such anthems as "Aquarius" seems to have come in time for what could prove to be a very interesting and, possibly profound time for the population of this planet. In fact, it's on Broadway.... yet again!!! Is this good synchronicity, or what?

All manner of theories abound, surrounding the 2012 phenomenon and, for those who don't know anyhting of it, allow me to profer a synopsis:

The mayan calendar, an intricate and convoluted labyrinth of symbols and mysterious codexes, ends on 21 December 2012. (There is a lot more to be found on the web)

Only parts of the calendar survived the Spanish conquests of Central and South America and a version of the so-called 'Long Calendar' found its way to Europe in that time. Some of it has survived till the present, notwithstanding the bombing of Dresden during WW 2, where it had ended its walk-about roughly a century before.

The calendar was divided into five periods (epochs), each lasting 5,125 years. At the end of each epoch, the world suffered tremedous and cataclysmic catastrophe, the last of which, being the 'Great Deluge" or Noah's Flood, in more familiar terms. However, this fifth and last epoch (the one we are currenlty living) apparently has no sequel and, you guessed it; it ends on 21 December 2012.

The movie "2012" premieres in South Africa on 4 December, 2009 and, if we are to understand the psyche of Hollywood, we could expect to be served with a large, copious and even abundant dose of artistic licence, but having said that, let's keep an open mind, shall we?

I have my own ideas about 2012 and, quite frankly.... bring it on!!!

Now, to some of the theories surrounding this impending 'world changer' event. I will deal with only two perspectives here, for simplicity sake:

Doomsday - utter destruction - fire and brimstone

There are those who speculate that the planet will be hit by asteroids, sudden volcanic activity will abound and cause the destruction of everything we have come to know and there are those who believe the return of Planet X (Nibiru), will be the culprit. Hey, who am I to argue? The universe has done some really radical things in the past, right... right?

It has been true that the human species only heeds the wake-up call - any wake-up call, in the face of calamity and dire circumstances. However, this time there may not be any need for that.

Like I said; there is much conjecture to be found on the web, so if your interest is now piqued... Google 2012!!!

The Dawning of the Age of Aquarius (Enlightenment)

Let's call me the eternal optimist and allow me to fall into this second school of thought, which says that the change - any change, whether it be accompanied by natural disasters of any kind, would be gradual and a lot more gentle its approach. The change, or 'Shift', as it is increasingly being referred to, will be more on the spiritual side, affecting a new awareness of the inadequacies of the material past, being money, possessions (at all costs) and replace it with a greater 'world vision', which encompasses and encourages the communion of souls on this planet.

When you've read, or if you've already read... you make up your own mind which way you're going to fall.

Whichever way the 'Shift' happens, the post 2012 consensus is the Age of Enlightenment, the Thousand Years of Peace - the "Dawning of the Age of Aquarius"!

... and I still say: "Bring it on!"

Can a 'Top Deck' withstand the test of time?

My first novel, "Emma", published through Lulu.com, explores the possibility of interracial relationships and, in this case, it is set against the backdrop of Apartheid South Africa, from about 1973 to 1994, a particularly turbulent period in this country's history.

It must be remebered that in the years from 1950 to 1986, it was illegal and punishable, by court of law, for men and women of different races to commune or co-habit in a state of romantic connection and marriage. In fact, it was against the law for two people of different races and opposite sex, to be alone together, even if it were driving in a motor vehicle!!!

After the abolition of the mixed marriuages act, I remember my father's comment and it went something like this. "You cannot legislate how one person should or can feel about another." This stuck with me, as I had never expected to hear something like this from him. I am no particular advocate of either sticking with your own kind or crossing the colour line and to put it as succinctly as a journalist I recently met, remarked: "I don't see colour: we're all just people."

Since political emancipation in SA, the evidence of interracial romances and marriages has been one of almost undulating character, surfacing and then receding and resurfacing again, to the extent that it hasn't taken over the social scene in any big way, but I have noticed ever-increasing instances of it in the last year, or so. One almost conjures up the image of a Top Deck chocolate, the brown underlayer, topped with the milky bar.....

I have to agree and say it's not about the colour, but any disparities and potential incompatibilities that surface will come from the mixture of cultures. But then again that would apply to people of the same skin colour, but divergent cultural backgrounds.... or am I losing the plot here?

Given this background, I think the question begs: "Can a 'Top Deck' withstand the test of time??"