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The topic of "The Age of Aquarius" usually brings forth in one's mind many images and questions of what this Age really is. Following several decades of popularization, the term "Aquarian Age" has often been used as a cliche in popular culture. Presently, almost any topic related to esotericism or mysticism is coined as "New Age" (referring to the New Age of Aquarius). In society today we have "New Age groups", "New Age book stores", "New Age music", etc. In lieu of all the stereotypes associated with this term, however, it is important to know the historical facts associated with the Age of Aquarius and to understand its inner meaning.
Even though the Age of Aquarius has been highly popularized, few actually know much about it. Some assume that it began many years ago, while others believe that it has yet to begin. Samael Aun Weor, the founder of the Gnostic movement, tells us that the Age of Aquarius began on February 4, 1962. On that day there occurred a very interesting astronomical (and astrological) event. The planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, along with the sun, the earth, and the moon, were all found in the constellation of Aquarius. In addition, a solar and lunar eclipse occurred which was visible in some parts of the Old World. The cosmic event that transpired on that day is extremely rare. Such a congregation of planets occurs only once every 2160 years, moving from one constellation to the next. Each time it happens it marks the beginning of a new era, or New Age, for humanity. February 4, 1962 marked the end of the Age of Pisces and the beginning of the Age of Aquarius. Due to the great significance of the new era, the 4th of February bears a special meaning for Gnostic students. This date is recognized as the official Gnostic New Year, and is celebrated at Gnostic centers throughout the world. February 4, 1998 will mark the beginning of the 37th year of the Age of Aquarius.
To properly understand what a certain zodiacal constellation represents, we must look at its esoteric symbolism. If we look at the sign of Pisces, we see two fish. These two fish represent duality, the struggle of the opposites. The Age of Pisces was the age of conflict between opposing ideologies: dogmatic Christianity struggling against atheistic materialism, the Church against the state, science battling religion, spirituality vs. materiality, etc. The fish that lives in the water is instinctive, brutal, and always gets carried by the currents; the same was true with the men and women of the Age of Pisces.
Aquarius, however, is an eminently revolutionary sign, and its occult significance is knowledge. The constellation of Aquarius is governed by the planet Uranus, which is a completely revolutionary planet. The sign of Aquarius shows a man with two pitchers of water who is wisely combing these waters. The doctrine of the Age of Aquarius is thus termed the "Doctrine of the Synthesis", the synthesis of all authentic religions and systems of self-realization. In the Aquarian Age dogmatic types of Christianity will cease to be taught, and all dogmatic forms will disappear. In this age science will become religious, and religion will become scientific. Disagreements between science and religion will come to an end, and people will begin to comprehend that both spirit and matter are derived from the same source, and are only modifications of the One Universal Energy. In the Age of Aquarius humanity will have marvelous breakthroughs in many scientific disciplines, including physics, chemistry, astronomy, medicine, aviation, etc.
Throughout the world many people have personal views about the Aquarian Age, and, although many of these beliefs are beautiful, they are also extremely erroneous. Many have termed the Aquarian Age as the "Golden Age" of humanity, and others have predicted that this Golden Age will commence at the beginning of the new millennium (the year 2000). They say that, at that time, mankind will go through a radical transformation, filled with great splendor and magnificence. Such Utopian concepts, however, are unfounded. Every man, woman, and nation bears enormous karmic debts that need to be paid before a Golden Age can become a reality. And as long as the psychological ego, that multitude of negative psychological elements, exists within us, then how can a true Golden Age be created? Within our psyche exist all those factors that create wars, hatred, violence, envy, disharmony, etc. In order to create an environment of love, peace, and fraternity between every human being, we must first permanently eliminate the elements within us that create the exact opposite environment. V. M. Samael Aun Weor states that "in order to create, it is necessary to destroy." For a Golden Age to occur, every person must struggle and make conscious efforts to eliminate his or her psychological defects.
To bring about true social change we must first begin by changing ourselves. By practicing the Three Factors for the Revolution of Consciousness we can dissolve the negative elements found within our psyche and also create the inner virtues that are necessary to live in harmony with nature and the rest of humanity. We must consciously work towards this goal, even if others choose not to do so. In this way, regardless of whether a Golden Age exists externally, we are consciously working towards creating a "Golden Age" within ourselves.
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