1. Why do you believe the New Age movement has been declared dead when millions of people still hold to the idealistic beliefs once made popular by the movement?

 

Historically speaking, an age is an identifiable block of time, even if its precise boundaries may be somewhat fuzzy. We have had things like ice ages, an age of dinosaurs, golden ages, an Age of Reason, one of Enlightenment, etc. The basic New Age concept was rooted in the identification of astrological ages based on the precession of the equinoxes. These ages last a little over 2000 years (actually about 2160). Recorded history covers only three ages (with the precession working in retrograde order): Taurus, Aries, and Pisces. Interestingly, the symbols of these ages coincide with periods of bull worship, the emergence of monotheism in a shepherd culture, and Christianity originally being symbolized by the sign of the fish. The next age in this sequence is Aquarius, symbolized by Man (humanity). That age isn’t here yet. So to say that the New Age is dead, is absurd.

The New Age movement is another thing. Here we must take into account the idea that history and time work in other kinds of cycles. Cycles work in spirals, but when viewed from the side, or 2-D, they look like waves. They have their ups and downs. So since the heady days of the counterculture, we have been in a downturn and not seen much by way of a movement though—as you have noted—a stream of excellent New Age literature continues to be published and there are fine New Age publishing firms like Hay House and Hampton Roads, as well as the audio producer, Sounds True. There is obviously a thirst for New Age thinking out there; it is just not consolidated. Not that the original New Age movement was ever really organized in the first place!

2. Do you believe “New Age” is still a fitting emblem for alternative/holistic spirituality?  If not, then why not, and what do you call it instead?

 

The idea of getting back to our New Age "roots" has been emerging.  And since the New Age -- or Age of Aquarius -- is on the horizon, there is no good reason why we shold not be using the term freely and openly, reclaiming it from the dustbin to which some had relegated it.

3.  Do you believe alternative spirituality still carries the potential to transform society?  Do you think a New Age "revival" could help along this transformation?

Yes, we should take heart, positive change is in the works for the laung haul.  The very emergence of newagepride is a most positive sign at this crucial turning point.  More power to you!

Go back to Author Roundtable.