It seems remarkable that both Jenkins's galactic alignment theory and LaVi-olette's galactic superwave theory both relate to the precession of the equinoxes. Can this really be a coincidence? Or is the galactic alignment of 2012 actually pointing to an incoming superwave? A large superwave event may well fulfill some of the more apocalyptic prophecies relating to 2012.

LaViolette has an explanation for why superwaves and precession seem to go hand in hand. The sixteenth-century astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus was the first to theorize that the gravitational influences of the sun and the moon on Earth combine to cause Earth to wobble slightly on its axis. This wobble then appears to transcribe a very long circular path in the sky that we call the precession of the equinoxes. LaViolette's alternate view is that galactic superwaves themselves may play the most important role in determining the period of Earth's precession.

He suggests that a superwave might produce a very strong gravity potential wave that could entrain Earth. The result for the planet would be a tidal pull that would pull it toward or away from the galactic center, setting up the 25,771-year cycle. These forces would be greatest when Earth's poles are pointed closest to the direction of galactic center. This idea would also explain why the periods that LaViolette associates with possible superwave impacts accord so well with those of precession. It would also explain why the conjunction with the galactic center is of such importance.

Critique of LaViolette's Theory

This would neatly tie up the relationship between the end of the Mayan calendar, the galactic alignment, and its association with catastrophe. However, the traditional theory has not been disproved and there are some other new ideas about what might be causing precession that also need to be examined before jumping to a conclusion. These will be examined in the next chapter. It is also possible that a galactic superwave event may not be as damaging as LaViolette thinks. Small events of a similar type seem to happen about every 500 years and don't tend to trigger major cycles of climatic change. However, the possibility of a more major gravitational wave impact is significant enough that it would be wise not to discount it.

Facing the Odds

At the moment, our galactic core is relatively quiet, but the gamma-ray burst and tsunami of 2004 may be cosmic warning signs that a really big event is on its way. LaViolette is not predicting that a superwave will definitely arrive in 2012, but he considers it possible that the end of the Mayan calendar does foretell this. He certainly thinks that one will arrive sooner or later, probably sooner.

His current estimate is that there is a 90 percent chance of a superwave event in the next four centuries. He thinks we should prepare for this and that in the great scheme of galactic evolution, intelligent species evolving on other planets have almost certainly had to face such a challenge. The year 2012 may be, from this perspective, a cue for us to evolve the ability to reach beyond our solar system as quickly as possible in order to find other civilizations that have successfully surfed one of the really big galactic superwaves.

In support of galactic superwave theory, LaViolette points to an impressive fifteen predictions made by the theory that have subsequently been verified. However, widespread acceptance by the scientific community has not been forthcoming. This lack of enthusiasm may be a result of his wide-ranging multidisciplinary approach, especially regarding his interpretation of the Atlantis myths. For mainstream science, any mention of the mythical continent is still very much taboo. Despite this, Earth Under Fire remains essential reading for anyone seriously interested in 2012 and the geocosmic cycles that we are all subject to as residents of this planet.