The Age of Aquarius

Although astrologers debate endlessly about when exactly we will enter the period known as The Age of Aquarius, it is obvious that we are seeing the effects of this constellation on the collective unconscious by the images and symbols found in popular culture at large. Aquarius is the sign of humanitarianism, freedom, expansive thought, innovative technology, and the role and responsibility of the individual in the world community, and the effects of this sign's prominence are vast and far reaching.

In her book,The New Astrology for Women, Australian astrologer Jessica Adams points out the resemblance between the symbol for Aquarius and the abbreviation for the words “world wide web,” or www. One of the most visible signs that we are entering the Aquarian Age is the internet and the access to an infinite variety of information it offers to millions of people around the world. The internet has also been responsible for drawing people of various nationalities, ethnic backgrounds, religions, and cultures together in a worldwide forum for the cross pollination and exchange of ideas.

The world wide web also allows for the self empowerment of the individual by decreasing the information deficit between the lay person and the experts. This has a wide range of implications for businesses and industries. The consumer interested in purchasing a used car can go to the web to research the list price for a given vehicle and shop around for the best deal. Savvy web developers have given consumers the power to choose from a variety of competing businesses when buying everything from airline tickets to insurance so that they can receive the fairest and most economical purchase price. Patients can advocate for themselves when dealing with health care practitioners due to the increased access the internet offers to a wide range of information on homeopathic, traditional Chinese medicine, and holistic health alternatives. Preventative medicine is an ever growing field of interest as individuals are afforded the opportunity to educate themselves on the options available and the implications of environmental influences.

Many astrologers point out that the outmoded ideas of the Piscean age will not die out quietly. This can be seen in the proliferation of fundamentalists who will go to any lengths to try to enforce their way of life on others. Those most invested in upholding the dogma, elitism, and hegemony of the old paradigms watch in disbelief as these confining ideas are rapidly facing extinction. More and more people find themselves questioning the deeper ideas of life and turning to alternative forms of religion for answers. Neo-paganism is one of the fastest growing religions worldwide.

As we travel deeper into the Age of Aquarius, we will experience a second enlightenment of consciousness with a growing access to knowledge formerly available only to a privileged few which will eventually offer everyone on the planet the opportunity to realize her/his full potential as a human being. This is the dawning indeed.