I believe the significance of the date is that it happens to be an end point in all the Mayan cycles of time. It's like they made a grand calendar and 2012 is the "Dec. 31st" of that calendar. When people make calendars they usually do it for one year and stop on 12/31.

In the stuff I've read about the Mayans they never predicted that 12/21/2012 would be the end of time or of the earth. I think those predictions have been injected by men. History Channel would like you to think it will be the end of time. They are in the fear-mongering business and have strings attached to their appendages just like all media outlets. Same thing with Discovery channel.

But the event that marks the date, our solar system crossing the center axis of the galaxy, is something of significance and could affect life on earth in ways we're not aware. For example, we are entering a part of the galaxy with a lot of "cosmic dust" and our magnetic field has developed holes in it which leaves us vulnerable to this energy (down to the cellular level). Also this energy could effect geological and meteorological systems on our planet.

I think man's activities will eclipse any galactic effects. They are a much more destructive force right now.

Well said, Rick G.