Investigating correlations between altered states of consciousness, time dilation, and the cyclical nature of cataclysms as described in ancient texts involves multiple disciplines and datasets. Ancient texts from various cultures, such as the Mayan Dresden Codex, the Hindu Puranas, and the Egyptian Book of the Dead, often describe catastrophic events linked with celestial phenomena. For instance, the Mayan Long Count calendar ends on December 21, 2012, which some interpret as a prediction of a cataclysmic event associated with a galactic alignment.
Regarding altered states of consciousness and time dilation, research in psychology and neuroscience suggests that under certain conditions, such as meditation or psychedelic use, individuals can experience subjective time dilation. A study by Wittmann et al. (2007) found that psilocybin can lead to a perceived slowing of time, with participants reporting time expansion by factors up to 2.5 times the actual duration. This aligns with anecdotal reports from ancient texts where altered states during rituals are described, potentially correlating with perceived changes in time.
Celestial alignments mentioned in ancient texts that might coincide with these phenomena include:
- The precession of the equinoxes, which some ancient cultures believed to influence human consciousness and time perception.
- Eclipses, often interpreted as omens or triggers for cataclysmic events.
- The heliacal rising of Sirius, noted in Egyptian texts as a significant event correlating with floods and possibly altered states during religious ceremonies.
The Nemesis star theory posits the existence of a hypothetical companion star to the Sun, potentially influencing the Oort Cloud and causing periodic comet showers that could lead to cataclysms on Earth. While no direct evidence has been found to support the Nemesis star's existence, some researchers argue that periodic mass extinctions on Earth, occurring approximately every 26 to 30 million years, might be linked to such a celestial body. For instance, Raup and Sepkoski (1984) identified a periodicity in extinction events that could be explained by a companion star.
However, skepticism exists regarding the Nemesis star due to the lack of direct observational data. Searches with the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) have not detected any such object within the expected parameters, with a confidence level of 90% that no Nemesis-like body exists within 10,000 astronomical units of the Sun (Luhman, 2014).
In conclusion, while ancient texts suggest correlations between celestial events, cataclysms, and altered states of consciousness, modern scientific research provides a nuanced view. The subjective experience of time dilation under altered states has been documented, but linking these to specific celestial alignments or the Nemesis star remains speculative without further empirical evidence. Continued research into astronomical data, psychological effects of altered states, and historical records could provide deeper insights into these complex relationships.