Harmonic Convergence
Encyclopedia
The Harmonic Convergence is the name given to the world's first globally synchronized meditation, announced by José Argüelles
, and which occurred on August 16–17, 1987, which also closely correlated to an exceptional alignment of planets in our solar system, see below (Astrological alignment).
The timing of the Harmonic Convergence allegedly correlated with the Maya calendar
, with some consideration also given to European and Asian astrological traditions. The chosen dates have the distinction of allegedly marking a planetary alignment with the Sun, Moon and six out of eight planets being "part of the grand trine."
The event had been predicted by author Tony Shearer
in his book Lord of the Dawn (1971).
One of the principal organizers of the Harmonic Convergence event was José Argüelles
.
According to Argüelles' interpretation of Mayan cosmology
, the selected date marked the end of twenty-two cycles of 52 years each, or 1,144 years in all. The twenty-two cycles were divided into thirteen "heaven
" cycles, which began in AD 843 and ended in 1519, when the nine "hell
" cycles began, ending 468 years later in 1987. The very beginning of the nine "hell
" cycles was precisely the day that Cortez landed in Mexico, April 22, 1519 (Correlating to the date "1 Reed" on the Aztec/Mayan Calendar - which was the day sacred to mesoamerican culture hero Quetzalcoatl). The 9 hell cycles of 52 years each ended precisely on August 16-17, 1987.
The Sun, Moon and six out of eight planets formed part of the grand trine, that is, they were aligned at the apexes of an equilateral triangle when viewed from the Earth.
The Sun, Moon, Mars and Venus were in exact alignment, astrologically called a conjunction at the first degree of Virgo
. Mercury was in the fourth degree of Virgo which most astrologers count as part of the same conjunction being within the "orb" of influence. Jupiter was in Aries, and Saturn and Uranus in Sagittarius completing the grand trine. However some believe that this is an Earth Grand Trine with Sun/Moon/Mars/Venus/Mercury in the initial degrees of Virgo, Neptune at 5 degrees of Capricorn, and Jupiter in the last degree of Aries (anaretic degree
), on the cusp of Taurus. Uranus, and especially Saturn are on the edge of this trine.
Believers of this esoteric prophecy maintain that the Harmonic Convergence ushered in a five-year period of Earth's "cleansing", where many of the planet's "false structures of separation" would collapse.
According to Argüelles, the event came at the end of these "hell" cycles and the beginning of a new age of universal peace. Adherents believed that signs indicated a "major energy shift" was about to occur, a turning point in Earth
's collective karma
and dharma
, and that this energy was powerful enough to change the global perspective of man from one of conflict to one of co-operation. Actress and author Shirley MacLaine
called it a "window of light," allowing access to higher realms of awareness.
According to Argüelles, the Harmonic Convergence also began the final 26-year countdown to the end of the Mayan Long Count in 2012, which would be the so-called end of history
and the beginning of a new 5,125-year cycle. Evils of the modern world, e.g. war, materialism, violence, abuses, injustice, oppression, etc. would end with the birth of the 6th Sun and the 5th Earth on December 21, 2012.
, California, and Mount Fuji
, where the spiritual energy was held to be particularly strong. The belief was that if 144,000 people assembled at these power centers and meditated for peace, that the arrival of the new era would be facilitated.
Jose Arguelles
Joseph Anthony Arguelles , better known as José Argüelles, was a world-renowned author, artist, visionary and educator. He was the founder of Planet Art Network and the Foundation for the Law of Time. He held a Ph.D...
, and which occurred on August 16–17, 1987, which also closely correlated to an exceptional alignment of planets in our solar system, see below (Astrological alignment).
The timing of the Harmonic Convergence allegedly correlated with the Maya calendar
Maya calendar
The Maya calendar is a system of calendars and almanacs used in the Maya civilization of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, and in many modern Maya communities in highland Guatemala. and in Chiapas....
, with some consideration also given to European and Asian astrological traditions. The chosen dates have the distinction of allegedly marking a planetary alignment with the Sun, Moon and six out of eight planets being "part of the grand trine."
The event had been predicted by author Tony Shearer
Tony Shearer
Tony Shearer along with other Mayanism proponents and New Age authors like Jose Arguelles, has written books contributing to the modern popularization of syncretic beliefs in which elements of Maya calendrics are highlighted in the supposed significance of dates in December 2012 A.D., as well as...
in his book Lord of the Dawn (1971).
One of the principal organizers of the Harmonic Convergence event was José Argüelles
Jose Arguelles
Joseph Anthony Arguelles , better known as José Argüelles, was a world-renowned author, artist, visionary and educator. He was the founder of Planet Art Network and the Foundation for the Law of Time. He held a Ph.D...
.
According to Argüelles' interpretation of Mayan cosmology
Mayanism
Mayanism is a non-codified eclectic collection of New Age beliefs, influenced in part by Pre-Columbian Maya mythology and some folk beliefs of the modern Maya peoples...
, the selected date marked the end of twenty-two cycles of 52 years each, or 1,144 years in all. The twenty-two cycles were divided into thirteen "heaven
Heaven
Heaven, the Heavens or Seven Heavens, is a common religious cosmological or metaphysical term for the physical or transcendent place from which heavenly beings originate, are enthroned or inhabit...
" cycles, which began in AD 843 and ended in 1519, when the nine "hell
Hell
In many religious traditions, a hell is a place of suffering and punishment in the afterlife. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as endless. Religions with a cyclic history often depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations...
" cycles began, ending 468 years later in 1987. The very beginning of the nine "hell
Hell
In many religious traditions, a hell is a place of suffering and punishment in the afterlife. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as endless. Religions with a cyclic history often depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations...
" cycles was precisely the day that Cortez landed in Mexico, April 22, 1519 (Correlating to the date "1 Reed" on the Aztec/Mayan Calendar - which was the day sacred to mesoamerican culture hero Quetzalcoatl). The 9 hell cycles of 52 years each ended precisely on August 16-17, 1987.
Astrological alignment
According to Neil Michelsen's "The American Ephemeris," on 24 August 1987 there was an exceptional alignment of planets in the solar system. Eight planets were aligned in an unusual configuration called a grand trine.The Sun, Moon and six out of eight planets formed part of the grand trine, that is, they were aligned at the apexes of an equilateral triangle when viewed from the Earth.
The Sun, Moon, Mars and Venus were in exact alignment, astrologically called a conjunction at the first degree of Virgo
Virgo (astrology)
Virgo is the sixth astrological sign in the Zodiac, which spans the zodiac between the 150th and 179th degree of celestial longitude. Generally, the Sun transits this area of the zodiac between August 23 to September 22 each year...
. Mercury was in the fourth degree of Virgo which most astrologers count as part of the same conjunction being within the "orb" of influence. Jupiter was in Aries, and Saturn and Uranus in Sagittarius completing the grand trine. However some believe that this is an Earth Grand Trine with Sun/Moon/Mars/Venus/Mercury in the initial degrees of Virgo, Neptune at 5 degrees of Capricorn, and Jupiter in the last degree of Aries (anaretic degree
Anaretic degree
In astrology, the anaretic degree is the final degree of any sign, which is 29 degrees 0 minutes to 29 degrees 59 minutes. Some modern theorists include the last two degrees...
), on the cusp of Taurus. Uranus, and especially Saturn are on the edge of this trine.
Astrological interpretations
The convergence is purported to have "corresponded with a great shift in the earth’s energy from warlike to peaceful."Believers of this esoteric prophecy maintain that the Harmonic Convergence ushered in a five-year period of Earth's "cleansing", where many of the planet's "false structures of separation" would collapse.
According to Argüelles, the event came at the end of these "hell" cycles and the beginning of a new age of universal peace. Adherents believed that signs indicated a "major energy shift" was about to occur, a turning point in Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
's collective karma
Karma
Karma in Indian religions is the concept of "action" or "deed", understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect originating in ancient India and treated in Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Sikh philosophies....
and dharma
Dharma
Dharma means Law or Natural Law and is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion. In the context of Hinduism, it refers to one's personal obligations, calling and duties, and a Hindu's dharma is affected by the person's age, caste, class, occupation, and gender...
, and that this energy was powerful enough to change the global perspective of man from one of conflict to one of co-operation. Actress and author Shirley MacLaine
Shirley MacLaine
Shirley MacLaine is an American film and theater actress, singer, dancer, activist and author, well-known for her beliefs in new age spirituality and reincarnation. She has written a large number of autobiographical works, many dealing with her spiritual beliefs as well as her Hollywood career...
called it a "window of light," allowing access to higher realms of awareness.
According to Argüelles, the Harmonic Convergence also began the final 26-year countdown to the end of the Mayan Long Count in 2012, which would be the so-called end of history
End of history
End of history may refer to:* The advent of a particular political and economic system as a signal of the end point of humanity's sociocultural evolution and the final form of human government, as posited by Thomas More in Utopia, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Karl Marx and Francis Fukuyama*The...
and the beginning of a new 5,125-year cycle. Evils of the modern world, e.g. war, materialism, violence, abuses, injustice, oppression, etc. would end with the birth of the 6th Sun and the 5th Earth on December 21, 2012.
Power centers
An important part of the Harmonic Convergence observances was that many people congregated at "power centers." Power centers were places, such as Mount ShastaMount Shasta
Mount Shasta is located at the southern end of the Cascade Range in Siskiyou County, California and at is the second highest peak in the Cascades and the fifth highest in California...
, California, and Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji
is the highest mountain in Japan at . An active stratovolcano that last erupted in 1707–08, Mount Fuji lies about south-west of Tokyo, and can be seen from there on a clear day. Mount Fuji's exceptionally symmetrical cone is a well-known symbol of Japan and it is frequently depicted in art and...
, where the spiritual energy was held to be particularly strong. The belief was that if 144,000 people assembled at these power centers and meditated for peace, that the arrival of the new era would be facilitated.
External links
- Solar System Live simulations of planetary positions on August 16, 1987 and December 21, 2012