Age of Aquarius
The Age of Aquarius is an astrological epoch, a period of approximately 2,160 years, marked by the Earth's slow precession through the zodiacal constellation of Aquarius. It is seen as a time of profound societal transformation, often associated with humanitarianism, innovation, and collective consciousness.
Where the word comes from
The term "Aquarius" derives from Latin, meaning "water-bearer." It refers to a constellation and a zodiacal sign. The concept of astrological ages, or yugas in Hindu traditions, is ancient, but the specific designation of an "Age of Aquarius" gained prominence in the 20th century, particularly within Hermetic and New Age movements.
In depth
The Age of Aquarius, in astrology, is either the current or forthcoming astrological age, depending on the method of calculation. Astrologers maintain that an astrological age is a product of the Earth's slow precessional rotation and lasts for 2,160 years, on average (one 25,920 year period of precession, or great year, divided by 12 zodiac signs equals a 2,160‑year astrological age). There are various methods of calculating the boundaries of an astrological age. In Sun-sign astrology, the first...
How different paths see it
What it means today
The notion of an astrological age, a grand cycle measured by the slow wobble of the Earth's axis, offers a compelling counterpoint to our modern obsession with linear progress. Mircea Eliade, in his studies of myth and reality, illuminated how such cyclical cosmologies provide a framework for understanding recurring patterns in human experience and societal evolution. The Age of Aquarius, as conceived in the Hermetic tradition, is more than a celestial alignment; it is a projected consciousness, a collective aspiration for a future shaped by values antithetical to the preceding Piscean age—a shift from hierarchical structures and exclusive faiths to a more egalitarian, scientific, and globally aware paradigm. It speaks to a deep human yearning for renewal, a sense that history itself is not a relentless march but a series of unfolding phases, each carrying its own distinct spiritual and material energies. This concept invites us to consider how the archetypal forces associated with Aquarius—innovation, humanitarianism, and the free flow of information—might be manifesting in our present moment, urging us to participate consciously in the shaping of this unfolding era. The water-bearer pours forth, not just water, but the potential for a transformed understanding of ourselves and our world.
RELATED_TERMS: Yuga, Great Year, Zodiacal precession, Archetypes, Collective unconscious, Epoch, Astrological ages, Kali Yuga
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