The Astrological Age of Aquarius

“Lots of people like rainbows. Children make wishes on them, artists paint them, dreamers chase them, but the Aquarian is ahead of everybody. He lives on one. What's more, he's taken it apart and examined it, piece by piece, color by color, and he still believes in it. It isn't easy to believe in something after you know what it's really like, but the Aquarian is essentially a realist, even though his address is tomorrow, with a wild-blue-yonder zip code.” ― Linda Goodman, Linda Goodman's Sun Signs

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An astrological age is time period during which major changes occur in the development of Earth's inhabitants, and within the culture, society and politics. There are twelve astrological ages corresponding to the twelve zodiacal signs in western astrology. At the completion of one cycle of twelve astrological ages, the cycle repeats itself. Astrological ages occur because of a phenomenon known as the precession of the equinoxes.

Ancient cultures such as the Egyptians and Babylonians recognized that approximately every 2,150 years the sunrise on the morning of the spring equinox would occur in a different sign of the zodiac. This has to do with a slow angular wobble that the earth maintains as it rotates on its axis, similar to the motion of a spinning top. This is called a 'precession' because the observed constellations appear to go backwards rather than forward through the normal yearly cycle. The amount of time it takes for the precession (one complete wobble) to go through all twelve signs is roughly 25,765 years; this is also called a 'great year', and ancient societies were very aware of this. They referred to each 2,150 year period as an 'age'.

Astrological Ages and Cycles of Time

Each astrological age is defined by the period of time during which the Vernal Equinox Point can be found in a particular constellation of the zodiac(astrological sign). As the earth revolves around the sun there are two moments of the year when the sun is exactly above the equator of the earth and neither pole tilts toward the sun. These moments are called "equinoxes". In the northern hemisphere, the beginning of spring marks the point of the "vernal equinox", while in the southern hemisphere the vernal equinox begins in September. The equinox is a precise moment in time which is common to all observers on Earth. 

The Sun crosses the equator at the vernal equinox appearing to move backwards from year to year. So unlike sun-sign astrology where the first sign is Aries, followed by Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces, whereupon the cycle returns to Aries and through the zodiacal signs again, the astrological ages proceed in the opposite direction or order – normally termed retrograde. Therefore, the Age of Aquarius follows the Age of Pisces. 

Since an Astrological Age refers to the constellation in which the Sun appears during the vernal equinox, and since each sign of the zodiac covers 30 degrees, this means that each astrological age last around 2,100 years. There are twelve astrological ages corresponding to the twelve zodiac signs in western astrology. At the completion of one cycle of all twelve astrological ages, the cycle repeats itself. One complete precession through the equinoxes is also called a Great Year or Platonic Year which lasts approximately 25,920 years. 
It will be the Age of Aquarius when the Vernal Equinox Point moves out of the constellation of Pisces and into the constellation of Aquarius. Many astrologers believe that the Age of Aquarius has arrived recently or will arrive in the near future. On the other hand, some believe that the Age of Aquarius arrived up to five centuries ago, or will not start until six centuries from now. Astrological ages vary in their durations because of the amount of time taken for the the Vernal Equinox Point to move through a particular constellation can vary depending on the sign. 

The significance of the Astrological Age of Aquarius was emphasized by the psychologist Carl Gustav Jung who in the 1950s helped us understand the new paradigms available when we bring the unconscious to consciousness. Some astrologers believe that major changes upon the Earth are caused and marked by the influences of the astrological sign which is associated with the Age, while other astrologers do not follow the causative model and believe it is a matter of synchronicity. The qualities of the Aquarian Age parallels the qualities, characters and attributes associated with the astrological sign of Aquarius. 

Out With The Old and In With The New Age

Astrological Ages have an effect on mankind, even correlating to the rise and fall of mighty civilizations and cultural tendencies. Aquarius itself is traditionally associated with electricity, computers, flight, democracy, freedom, humanitarianism, idealism, modernisation, rebellion, non-conformatity, and even astrology itself is ruled by Aquarius. 

Although there are debates about the time period that marks the actual beginning of the aquarian age, many agree that we are on the cusp of the age of aquarius. In astrology, a 'cusp' is considered the transition from one sign into the next where the energy or effects of the current astrological sign or age is still being experienced, yet is being influenced by the energies of the next sign or age. A new wave of spiritual interests and pursuits, break-throughs in science, and the major technological and socio-political changes occuring on the earth now may be a strong an indication of this. The 'new age' and its ideals is a harbinger of this future changeover of values associated with the arrival or imminent arrival of the Aquarian age. Many people feel that we have completely transitioned into the New Age of Aquarius and see the attitudes and events taking place in the 1960's and 1970's as the cusp that marked the beginning of of these new energies. 

There are many people that still scoff at the idea of an 'aquarian age', feeling it is nothing more than a feel good utopian slogan that was dreamed up by some mid-20th century hippies and radicals. Some of us can not even imagine that any kind of positive change will happen any time soon when considering that things seem to be getting worse. But it is hard to ignore the fact that major changes are indeed happening all over the world. These profound changes are directing our attention to the idea that a 'paradigm shift' of some kind is taking place even if not everyone is consciously aware of what is happening. 

We are shifting away from an old, fear based systems of habitual attitudes and actions and envisioning a while new reality for ourselves. This new reality is based on hope rather than despair, of abundance rather than lack, peace rather than war, feelings of well-being and content instead yearning. There is more and more a sense of unity and connectedness with nature, humanity and the universe iself rather than separation. We have the ability to co-create this hopeful future we desire for ourselves and the planet. So this all means that we have left behind or are currently shifting out of the previous Age of Pisces. 

Piscean Religion Aquarian Spirituality

The Piscean age was marked with a focus on organized religion and more material focus on the physical nature of reality, while the Aquarian age marks the emergence of a more inner-based sense of spirituality and meta-physical understanding of the world. The Age of Pisces has often been characterized by the rise of many monotheistic religions such as Christianity, Islam and Buddhism which also represents "spiritual" nature of Pisces. 

The Fall of the Roman Empire began at the beginning of the Age of Pisces, and as with all great cycles of change, they tend to begin with Chaos and upheavel as great shifts in power occur, old paradigms collapse and new ways of percieving the world and reality emerge. When considering what the Age of Pisces represents one can see why religious wars were increased greatly during this time period and still being felt today as we leave Pisces behind. But 

We are currently seeing many organized religiouns being dismantled and dogmatic theologies being diminished as we leave the age of Pisces and move more fully into the Age of Aquarius. The Piscean age was marked more with an 'outer knowing' of spirituality which was seen alongside the devolopment of organized religious structures that focused more on the "God Within" and the feeling of separation from an external creator, while the Age of Aquarius brings with it the more 'inner knowing' and exploration of spirituality; the "God Within" and the feeling of Oneness with all of Creation. Instead of seeking an external 'heaven' the Aquarian Age is about bringing heaven to earth. 

The Age of Pisces also represented charity, mercy, sacrifice, compassion and forgiveness, which are the virtues taught and lived by Jesus. Water and the qualities they represent played a prominent role in the teachings of Jesus. These qualities are often depicted by the symbol of the Fish and is the symbol that represents Christianity and the astrological sign of Pisces. Jesus was sacrificed because he was the "Lamb" of God. Some feel that this metaphor represents the sacrificing of the Ram of Aries(the astrological sign of Aries is represented by a Ram), which ended the previous Age of Aries before Pisces. The ending of the Age of Pisces and the coming Age of Aquarius encourages us to look beyond our five physical senses and experience true and authentic spiritual living by relying on inner guidance, and also realizing that the love we show towards others is the love we feel towards ourselves. We will finally understand that we are not merely victims of circumstances, but the creators of our experiences. 

Uranian Revolution and Quantum Reality

Aquarius represents revolutionary breakthroughs in everything from thinking and spiritual beliefs to science and tehcnology. Modern scientists use the scientific method which relies on the five physical senses only. If it doesn't pass the tests it isn't real. But this is beginning to change with the new Quantum Physics of the Aquarian age, as this science doesn't follow the rules. At the core of everything that is physical in our reality is energy and energy changes depending on what is observing it; Our consciousness is playing a bigger role in what we 'see' outside than previously thought possible. We all may collectively co-creating our current reality, and our 'future' may be determined by what we choose to focus on as an individual, a society and as humanity as a whole. Will will continue to be divided in our ultimate ideals or will we unite? What we resist pursists, what we embrace is erased. 

The sign of Aquarius is ruled by the planet Uranus and is sometimes considered the higher octave of Mercury which involves a more expanding thinking on a higher level rather than pure intellect. This higher realization is the spark of intuition which is beyond the mental abilities. Uranus is the bringer of new insight and world view. It is also related to original thinking and ideas, new inventions, electricity, nuclear energy, aviation, astronautics and space travel. Aquarius and Uranus are both about breaking out of limited thinking and bursting through all boundaries from the material to the spiritual. 

Aquarius a sign of the future, a visionary, and can be thought of as the 'mad scientist. Aquarians often walk, and at times cross, a very fine line between genius and insanity, and the word 'eccentric' describes Aquarius very well. Aquarians are also known as humanitarians but often lack close intimate relationships due to an intense need to for Independence. This stubborn fixed way of thinking could be the downfall of humanity during the Aquarian age. We all live in a world that has harnessed immense energy from single atoms. The possibilities are endless, but our population is growing out of control. We are in the process of depleting all resources that sustain life on Earth. If we continue to focus on only the material side of nature, and If we fall on the wrong side of that fine line between genius and insanity then we even have the capability to destroy this planet entirely with nuclear weapons. 

Ray Grasse provides a guide to the Aquarian Age analogous to a travel guide for someone entering a foreign land. Grasse suggests that if you want help navigating through the Aquarian Age, you should leave room for silence in your life; create a center in your life (preferably involving a connection to the Absolute); and resist the deadening of your world, so instead of filling up your life with manufactured goods or artificiality, bring living organic things into your life. Furthermore, you need to maintain a compassionate heart; be involved in a network or group; become more self-reliant; avoid being hypnotized by the "group trance"; and take control of your everyday attitudes (i.e., do not depend upon external events for your inner fulfillment). This last point is relevant, as Grasse states, "How do we know if the Age of Aquarius will be 'a utopia or an Orwellian nightmare?'" Wikipedia 

Remember that the darkest moment is just before the dawn emreges. As a humanity we are in the darkest moment right now and many our experiencing this in their own personal lives. But soon after that dark period ends the sun will shine again and we will be like new born children in a changed world. It may be up to us to choose to continue in the familiar grip of darkness or to embrace and emerge the dawning of the new light of the Aquarian age.