According to the Mayans, in the year 2012 the earth will enter the fifth Sun stage. Astronomers were expecting the Sun's solar activity to increase last year but to their surprise, they have seen a low in solar wind pressure for the last 50 years. Radio emissions from the sun are at a 55 year low and sunspot activity is currently at a 100 year low.

 There are big scientific debates underway which are arguing whether we will be coming out of this inactive sun period or if the mystery will continue.

 The Maunder, which took place in the 17th century, was a quiet spell for the sun which resulted in a mini ice age that lasted 70 years.

Research shows that the suns activity has been diminishing since 1985, but despite the low sun activity, the temperatures are still rising. Some scientists suggest the lack of the suns activity will last for the next couple of decades.

According to NASA, the next solar maximum is due to occur sometime in 2011. Perhaps this is the calm before the storm which may transpire in 2012 as foretold by the Mayans. Translation of the Mayan texts is difficult and inaccurate but it has been determined that the year 2012 is supposed to bring great change to earth and the sun is supposed to play a major role in the predicted upcoming events.

If the Mayan 2012 prophecies are correct, there is a good chance that the sun is making preparations for this great change. 2012 may bring apocalyptic events or may pass just like any other day. But at this point I don't think anybody, no matter what credentials they possess, can rule out any possibilities of what may actually transpire in the next four years.

Some 2012 theories suggest a distant celestial body will enter our solar system causing great disruption which will ultimately affect Earth's magnetism. The Earth may undergo a polar reversal which could cause great calamity to living creatures of all types. Another 2012 theory goes on to explain that extraterrestrials will visit Earth and offers salvation in attempts to ravish our planet. Many spiritual believers are under the impression that 2012 will be a time of Ascension which their spiritual bodies will be able to rejoin once again with the creator. And some choose a simpler explanation which states that 2012 will open the door to the fourth dimension.

Although many of these situations seem implausible, not many people would've predicted a major recession and a breakdown of the economy like were seeing today. This combined with the global warming problems which circulate the news daily, it is difficult to ignore the signs that we will soon reach an epitome of colossal damage. Hopefully we can learn to put our differences aside and accept the possibility that great cataclysmic events may be knocking at our door. If we accomplish this we just may be able to come together and salvage any good that is still within us while this possible new era of existence arrives.