What age of astrology are we in?
A question I answered on Quora What age of astrology are we in?
I’d argue we are still in the Age of Pisces – but let me qualify that statement.
Precession of the Equinoxes
The first thing to say is that the “Ages” are real astronomical events.*
When astrology was becoming established in the form as we, in the West, know it today, some 2000 years ago, it drew on the twelve main constellations lying within the ecliptic belt.
The beginning of the constellation of Aries (First Point of Aries) was established as the starting point for the cycle. This is the point where the celestial equator meets the ecliptic – or in other words the Spring or Vernal Equinox.
All well and good back then… Well to be fair not quite as there were differences of opinion as to what star constituted the First Point of Aries. The star Alpha Arietis, at the eastern extreme of Aries, was eventually chosen as marking the spot.
Some time later, quite a long time actually, it was discovered that the spring equinox was no longer coinciding with the star Alpha Arietis but was indeed occurring a little earlier each year and had slipped backwards into the star constellation of Pisces.
This backward motion of the equinox against the background stars, is called the Precession of the Equinoxes, and is well known in astronomy and astrology.
It is caused by the Earth doing a bit of a wobble at the poles as it turns like a spinning top. It takes approx., 25k years to complete a full cycle.
Precession was arguably known to the Egyptians but, in a literal sense, we learnt about it through the Greek astronomer, Hipparchus (circa 130 BC) who is credited with discovering it. This knowledge was carried through to us by Claudius Ptolemy’s astronomical book, The Almagest (circa 100 AD).
The Age of Aquarius – a bit of a problem
When the spring equinox point, getting a little earlier each year against the background stars, moves from Pisces into the constellation of Aquarius we will have the beginning of the much spoken of “Age of Aquarius.”
Now in most astrology that we use today – the tropical zodiac – the signs begin from the spring equinox – wherever it occurs against the background stars. Apart from the Sun, there are no stars involved. The year is broken into 12 x 30 degree segments. With the star constellations such neat demarcations are not an option.
The constellations vary in size. For example, Virgo is the largest, followed by Aquarius then Leo. It depends upon what stars are included in a constellation and how far that constellation is from the next – the gap along the ecliptic between the two – in other words.
What is commonly agreed amongst astrologers is that the shift between the First Point of Aries and the star Alpha Arietis is as near as damn it 24 degrees – in the constellation of Pisces. And with it the guesstimate of the beginning of the Age of Aquarius varies from now (last week) to nearly 600 years from now – when the vernal equinox will properly occur in Aquarius, arguably in the year 2597 – see Aquarius (constellation) – Wikipedia for more on this.
But it has to be Meaningful
That said, the whole point about the Ages to astrologers is the “meaning” behind them. The Age of Pisces is often spoken of as manifesting through the sign of the fishes, links with the Christ and Christianity, and the growth of all main stream religions; an age of spiritual endeavour, devotion and self-sacrifice – particularly, it seems to me, the self-sacrifice and suppression of womenfolk. Any wonder we are out of balance.
The coming Age of Aquarius is anticipated to bring emancipation, independence, equality of the sexes, innovation and technology – such as robotics/AI/extending life and living healthier lifestyles on a healthy planet – to the front of our lives. At the same time there is a greater likelihood of space travel and colonising other parts of our solar system – plus meeting our neighbours from other parts of our galaxy. All good Aquarian stuff.
On that basis, how near do you think this Age of Aquarius is?
To me, right now, it is not 600 years away, more like a 100. I believe we are in a transition period and with it, all the hope and uncertainty that such an unsettling transition brings. We are in the gap between the two Ages. The old religions and dictators are increasingly under threat, and will I believe give way to a much more rounded, holistic and spiritual take on life.
In theory astrology will also find its feet within this new world order – people will begin to explore what it is actually about than relying on shallow media impressions.
And that’s another reason why I want the Age of Aquarius to start asap – I’m probably good for another ten years if I’m lucky. Hang on I don’t believe in luck. :0)
Food for thought…
*We can argue whether constellations are real or not later.
Links you might also like:
The Twelve Star Signs
What is a birth-chart and how can it help me understand myself better?
How does astrology work with reincarnation?
John Coke says: I plotted planetary data based on the jet propulsion laboratory’s ephemeris BE430 onto the Yale bright star catalog census year 2000. I split the 360 degrees into 12 parts starting at the vernal equinox. Since both data sets were using right ascension and declination it was fairly simple mathematically. I connected the constellations as just alpha, beta, gamma, delta, etc. except where that looked very different from the expected shape, but always using stars of that constellation. What I found was that modern astrological charts are just nonsense. They are still using the Vernal Equinox back in Pisces close to Aries which is what I call Council of Nicaea time frame.
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I don’t really follow your argument, particularly in relation to your supposed findings. As I implied in the article, Western astrology (and “modern astrological charts”) is based upon the geocentric tropical zodiac model. It is a symbolical zodiac – with a cycle divided by 12 (thereby each sign is 30 degrees in length). It is directly meshed with the seasons (the equinoxes and solstices) and it rightly begins at the spring or vernal equinox – which according to my understanding is approx 24 degrees back through Pisces and so not that close to Aries constellation.
Even so, the tropical zodiac does not rely on star constellations – the only required star being the Sun. As Michael Caine might say – “Not a lot of people know that.” Or not a lot of people want to know that as it suits their prejudice or agenda.
Bruce Marmy says: John Coke’s point is central. This is Aquarius. All Quadrupicities have rotated from Cardinal to Fixed, Fixed to Murable, from Mutable to Cardinal. When Astrologers grog this their forecasts will feel much truer
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The quadruplicities cannot rotate in the way you describe. It’s nonsense. That would suggest Aries becomes Taurus and Taurus becomes Gemini etc etc. Astrology doesn’t work like that and you would know that if you were an astrologer.
Cactus says: what a load of crap! the age will last another 200 or 300 years…and the only suppression there was, was of the Pisces themselves.. jesus killed, john killed, so many more that we will never know of…. alot of them hurting inside because of this disgusting world youve all created for us
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Of course you have nothing to do with the “disgusting world” you live in. You’re an unfortunate victim, an innocent bystander. And clearly you are just as naive with your supposed knowledge on the astrological Ages. Resorting to “what a load of crap” in a sweeping response to a number of factual points only underlines your ignorance and pretence on the matter.
Skyla says: Very insightful and thank you for sharing this article. I wonder if the age of Aquarius would be slightmore detached from spirit and source. Like if the age of pisces was all about religion then the age of Aquarius would be less about spirituality and more about science… Which kinda makes me worried with the direction our world leaders are going with urbanization and cell towers, and legal mandated that take away personal – spiritual- autonomy. What do you think?
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Thank you for comments. Well consider what I’ve said elsewhere on this:
“The indications are that we are now moving into a post-Christian era. The rise of science and the industrial revolution have brought us to question both Christian belief and some of its values. Old hierarchical systems have been under question and are breaking, or have broken, down. There is change and revolution in the air; that if we stop for a moment we will notice. The signs are all around us. It is not a smooth nor cut and dried change. It is gradual and messy but is also speeding up.
“The negatives have been the advances made in warfare, world wars, cyber-attacks, extreme crimes and attacks against humanity and, of course, the development of the nuclear bomb. I’d also add into that, population growth, selfishness, greed and the increasing use and abuse of our planet and natural resources to a list of negatives.
“On the positive side, we are seeing a growing emphasis on education, on individual emancipation and freedom – and notably freedom for women, which has been a long time coming; and so necessary to recover balance.”
I think if we can make it across the divide we will be much more knowledgeable on holistic matters. We will develop a spirituality based upon reliable evidence – we will know we survive death and why. I believe we will clean up our act and come to realise we are the custodians of our planet and all life forms on it. From that awakening then we can truly begin to venture out.
I could say more… :0) There’s more in my books let’s say.
Trey Tueday says: The Egyptians – up to 4,000 years ago – knew more about the constellations than we do. Without “telescopes”, “the Internet”, the “Hubble”, etc. etc. They also left us SEVERAL monuments to CONFIRM their knowledge, AKA The Pyramids and the Sphinx. Also ESPECIALLY how THEIR monuments related to the River Nile and how the constellations related to the Milky Way. Man cannot overcome time …. it appears that time cannot overcome the Pyramids. Name ANY concrete monument erected in North America by humans since 1776 that is STILL STANDING to this day ….. We are simple ants when it comes the Egyptians……
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I think we may find that some of the monuments (supposedly built by the Egyptians) are many thousands of years older than 4k years. That said never underestimate ants.
The Egyptians – up to 4,000 years ago – knew more about the constellations than we do. Without “telescopes”, “the Internet”, the “Hubble”, etc. etc. They also left us SEVERAL monuments to CONFIRM their knowledge, AKA The Pyramids and the Sphinx. Also ESPECIALLY how THEIR monuments related to the River Nile and how the constellations related to the Milky Way. Man cannot overcome time …. it appears that time cannot overcome the Pyramids. Name ANY concrete monument erected in North America by humans since 1776 that is STILL STANDING to this day ….. We are simple ants when it comes the Egyptians……
I think we may find that some of the monuments (supposedly built by the Egyptians) are many thousands of years older than 4k years. That said never underestimate ants.
Very insightful and thank you for sharing this article. I wonder if the age of Aquarius would be slightmore detached from spirit and source. Like if the age of pisces was all about religion then the age of Aquarius would be less about spirituality and more about science… Which kinda makes me worried with the direction our world leaders are going with urbanization and cell towers, and legal mandated that take away personal – spiritual- autonomy. What do you think?
Thank you for comments. Well consider what I’ve said elsewhere on this:
“The indications are that we are now moving into a post-Christian era. The rise of science and the industrial revolution have brought us to question both Christian belief and some of its values. Old hierarchical systems have been under question and are breaking, or have broken, down. There is change and revolution in the air; that if we stop for a moment we will notice. The signs are all around us. It is not a smooth nor cut and dried change. It is gradual and messy but is also speeding up.
“The negatives have been the advances made in warfare, world wars, cyber-attacks, extreme crimes and attacks against humanity and, of course, the development of the nuclear bomb. I’d also add into that, population growth, selfishness, greed and the increasing use and abuse of our planet and natural resources to a list of negatives.
“On the positive side, we are seeing a growing emphasis on education, on individual emancipation and freedom – and notably freedom for women, which has been a long time coming; and so necessary to recover balance.”
I think if we can make it across the divide we will be much more knowledgeable on holistic matters. We will develop a spirituality based upon reliable evidence – we will know we survive death and why. I believe we will clean up our act and come to realise we are the custodians of our planet and all life forms on it. From that awakening then we can truly begin to venture out.
I could say more… :0) There’s more in my books let’s say.
what a load of crap! the age will last another 200 or 300 years…and the only suppression there was, was of the Pisces themselves.. jesus killed, john killed, so many more that we will never know of…. alot of them hurting inside because of this disgusting world youve all created for us
Of course you have nothing to do with the “disgusting world” you live in. You’re an unfortunate victim, an innocent bystander. And clearly you are just as naive with your supposed knowledge on the astrological Ages. Resorting to “what a load of crap” in a sweeping response to a number of factual points only underlines your ignorance and pretence on the matter.
John Coke’s point is central. This is Aquarius. All Quadrupicities have rotated from Cardinal to Fixed, Fixed to Murable, from Mutable to Cardinal. When Astrologers grog this their forecasts will feel much truer
The quadruplicities cannot rotate in the way you describe. It’s nonsense. That would suggest Aries becomes Taurus and Taurus becomes Gemini etc etc. Astrology doesn’t work like that and you would know that if you were an astrologer.
I plotted planetary data based on the jet propulsion laboratory’s ephemeris BE430 onto the Yale bright star catalog census year 2000. I split the 360 degrees into 12 parts starting at the vernal equinox. Since both data sets were using right ascension and declination it was fairly simple mathematically. I connected the constellations as just alpha, beta, gamma, delta, etc. except where that looked very different from the expected shape, but always using stars of that constellation. What I found was that modern astrological charts are just nonsense. They are still using the Vernal Equinox back in Pisces close to Aries which is what I call Council of Nicaea time frame.
I don’t really follow your argument, particularly in relation to your supposed findings. As I implied in the article, Western astrology (and “modern astrological charts”) is based upon the geocentric tropical zodiac model. It is a symbolical zodiac – with a cycle divided by 12 (thereby each sign is 30 degrees in length). It is directly meshed with the seasons (the equinoxes and solstices) and it rightly begins at the spring or vernal equinox – which according to my understanding is approx 24 degrees back through Pisces and so not that close to Aries constellation.
Even so, the tropical zodiac does not rely on star constellations – the only required star being the Sun. As Michael Caine might say – “Not a lot of people know that.” Or not a lot of people want to know that as it suits their prejudice or agenda.