Spring 2007

Age of Aquarius

The Age of Aquarius is a phrase that you may have heard before, but do you know what it means? Certain historical eras have a focus on one particular sign of the zodiac, which correlates with the astrological sign that is rising at dawn on the first day of spring, the Vernal Equinox. Historically, the first day of spring was considered the beginning of the year. Each year the exact location on the circle of the zodiac rising on that day changes very slightly, this is called the precession of the equinox. The change is so slow that it takes more than 2000 years before a new sign is rising. A new sign rising at dawn on the first day of the year, indicates new astrological age, a change in emphasis of energy on the planet. We are currently in an era of transition from the Age of Pisces to the Age of Aquarius. There is disagreement among Astrologers about the exact year of the beginning of the Age of Aquarius. I personally feel that there is an overlap between ages with the spirit of the new age being felt even before it has come into it's full focus.

The last transition of Ages was from the Age of Aries to the Age of Pisces. Astrologers generally agree that the Piscean Age began with the birth of Jesus. The sign of Pisces represents spirituality, compassion, and self-transcendence; it is a water sign. The sign of Aquarius represents freedom, individuality, justice and unity; it is an air or mental sign. The energy of the world is changing from one whose major focus was spirituality (Pisces), to one whose major focus is now mental energy (Aquarius).

The sign of Aquarius is ruled by the planet Uranus. Uranus was first discovered in 1780. The discovery of the planet correlated with an upsurge in Aquarian energy. The American Revolution and the French Revolution occurred at this time. The motto of the French revolution was Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. This motto I feel strongly represents Aquarian energy. The consciousness of the world was changing so that people felt that they should be allowed to unite together as free and equal individuals to govern themselves. This challenged the common belief in the Divine Right of Kings, meaning God has designated Kings to govern the people.

There are numerous examples of moving forward to the Aquarian Age:

The Public Library system, a uniting of individuals to open the world of information to all members of the society.

The end of slavery worldwide, a global change in consciousness that recognized all individuals have the right to freedom.

The Worker's Movement or Union Movement, which is free and equal workers uniting together to insist on fair treatment from employers.

One challenge of this Aquarian energy is finding the balance between its different aspects, balancing between individuality, freedom, equality and unity or the common good. As free and equal individuals our citizens disagree on this balance in many areas. One example is the debate on gun control. Many people feel that as free and equal individuals we should be allowed to own any firearm that we wish, others argue that as a "fraternity" of citizens this is not a safe choice for the common good. This debate continues.

Leo is the zodiac sign that is opposite Aquarius. The energy of Leo also is focused on the individual, but in a different manner. It is more of one individual above all others, one individual as the center of attention, the ruler, the celebrity. The energy is one of celebration and entertainment as opposed to the civic responsibility energy of Aquarius.

Now and for the next few years, two of the powerful outer planets will be energizing these two opposing signs. Saturn is in Leo and Neptune is in Aquarius. This combination will be a time when we will face where we have been too excessive in areas of celebrity and entertainment and too unrealistic about justice, freedom and the common good.

What we have recently seen in New Orleans is already a reflection of this awakening. The city was very focused on Leo energy with its Super Dome, sports teams, and entertainment. They did not have levees built up to protect against Category 4 or 5 Hurricanes - they did not unite together to create safe levees for the common good, which would have been an Aquarian activity. New Orleans is not the only city which has made decisions like this. How many cities in the country have public libraries that are closing, school systems that are suffering, and it is not because the community does not have the resources? How many citizens spend large amounts of money going to see sporting events, music events or gambling, yet paying taxes for schools, roads, libraries, and other important areas of community work is avoided at all cost? How many citizens when making decisions, base them only on what they would enjoy without thought to the common good? "I would love to drive a big SUV"; no thought is given to how this gas guzzler effects the environment, the common good. It is not that Leo energy is all negative, but when it becomes such a focus that contributing to the common good is lost, it is unbalanced and unhealthy.
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