Let us explore this question through a horary chart, genuine question asked by myself on June 27, 2009, at 10:20 pm CED, (location 01e37, 50n43): after doing some reading on the subject, I wanted to find the answer (or an answer) by horary.
Stunning chart! As the whole 2012 issue is a based on a calendar prediction, no wonder that the Ascendant ruler is Saturn, the master of Time. Notice the tight conjunction with the Moon (at the end of a Moon-Saturn cycle) in the 8th house (of transformation). A very clearly astrological picture of the humanity (the Moon) reaching at the end of some human calendar.
So, this is what we knew already, it's part of the question. Let us explore the chart indications.
First of all, looking around for more indication, I notice that Ceres is located right between the Moon and Saturn. Ceres is an asteroid known to be associated with Mother Earth (also food and ecology). Ceres is also applying to conjunct Saturn, in what represents the end of a Ceres-Saturn cycle (fyi, this is a 6 year long cycle). So, symbolically there is also a end to a time cycle on Mother Earth.
To those fearing a physical end of the Earth, I point out the MC-IC axis in this chart at the 15th degree in a fixed sign, with both 4th and 10th house rulers in a fixed sign: the physical and social environement will not suffer sudden changes.
Also, notice the position of the main significator, Saturn and the co-significator, the Moon, in succeedent houses: also an argument of continuity.
So the keyword cannot be sudden change, nor end, but rather transition.
In what way?
As the 2nd house is also ruled by Saturn, I think this indicates a strong connection with material values and the economy. The whole chart seems to have connections at this level.
Saturn (peregrine, therefore weakened) is applying to an opposition to the Part of Fortune from the 2nd house, which indicates a challenge to materiality and attachement to material values (orb 3.5 degrees just as there are 3.5 years to go from June 2009 to December 2012), so the economic crisis should likely continue until then.
But Saturn is helped by sextile by the Sun � ruler of the 8th house, suggesting that the banking system (= 8th house) will intervene to offer help. What kind of help will this be, knowing that the Sun is also peregrine, it is located in the detriment sign of Saturn, Cancer, therefore ��Saturn dislikes the Sun�� and the Sun separates from an opposition with Pluto, modern 10th house ruler from the 12th house (= hidden rulers of the world). In other words, this astrological picture seems to confirm the conspiracy theories of the economic crisis manipulated by certain hidden powerful leaders.
I'm sure this economical situation is just a tiny part of the overall picture, and would welcome any other intervention from other astrologers that might help clarifying the chart indications.
Looking at the bright side, I notice the very special and spiritual conjunction of Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron on the 2nd house cusp, so the tendency of financial anarchy or dissolution of of the attachement to material values is most welcome from a spiritual standpoint.
Jupiter rules the 12th house of humble service and spiritual illumination, Neptune spells spirituality, while Chiron teaches us to learn to transcend the difficulties into spiritual strengths.
North Node's position in the 1st house at the very first degree of Aquarius is also relieving � evolution is the word of the day!
As the triple conjunction is moving back into the 1st house, I expect this spiritualizing influence to be stronger and stronger. We should tune into this opportunity to overcome any materialism and petty preoccupations for our material future. Do your best today and do not worry about tomorrow Jesus said, there are enough troubles today. God gives you already every day what is proper for your soul anyway. Seek true spirituality and shift your focus to the divine aspects of existence, before anything else: "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
I think this is one of the messages of this horary chart.