Age of Aquarius
Age of Aquarius
Pronunciation
Here's a breakdown of "Age of Aquarius":
/ˈeɪdʒ əv əˈkwɛəriəs/
Syllable Breakdown:
Age: /eɪdʒ/
/eɪ/ (as in "say")
/dʒ/ (as in "judge")
of: /əv/
/ə/ (schwa, as in "about")
/v/ (as in "van")
A-quar-i-us: /əˈkwɛəriəs/
A-: /ə/ (schwa)
-quar-: /kwɛər/ (as in "square")
-i-: /i/ (as in "ski")
-us: /əs/ (schwa, as in "circus")
Word Form Variations
"Age of Aquarius" is primarily a proper noun phrase and as such, it doesn't have typical singular/plural variations in the same way common nouns do. However, related terms and contexts can be considered variations:
Proper Noun (singular, fixed phrase): Age of Aquarius
Related Adjective: Aquarian (e.g., "Aquarian ideals," "an Aquarian person")
Related Noun (referring to a person): Aquarian (plural: Aquarians)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Age of Aquarius
(Astrology/Spirituality) A future or current astrological period, part of the precession of the equinoxes, widely believed to be characterized by significant global shifts towards peace, harmony, intellectualism, innovation, humanitarianism, and a greater emphasis on community and spiritual enlightenment.
Synonyms: New Age, Aquarian Age, era of enlightenment, era of unity.
Antonyms: Age of Pisces (its astrological predecessor, often associated with conflict and materialism), dark ages, era of discord.
(Cultural/Historical) A cultural phenomenon and idealistic outlook, particularly prominent during the 1960s and 70s, that embraced values of communal living, individual freedom, spiritual exploration, and social change, often inspired by the astrological concept of the Age of Aquarius.
Synonyms: hippie era, counterculture movement, era of free love, spiritual awakening (in a historical context).
Antonyms: conservative era, traditionalist period, authoritarian age.
Examples of Use
Music/Entertainment: The musical "Hair" prominently featured the song "Aquarius" with the iconic lyric, "This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius." This song became an anthem for the counterculture movement of the late 1960s. (Original Broadway production of "Hair," October 1967)
Newspapers/News Articles: "Many futurists and spiritual leaders continue to discuss the 'Age of Aquarius' as a time of profound transformation and a shift in global consciousness, particularly as environmental concerns and technological advancements reshape society." (The Guardian, March 2024)
Books: In her book on spiritual movements, author Jane Smith explores how the concept of the "Age of Aquarius" influenced various communes and alternative lifestyles in the latter half of the 20th century.
Online Publications/Blogs: "Is artificial intelligence truly ushering in a new 'Age of Aquarius,' where information is freely shared and human potential is maximized, or are we simply facing new challenges?" (Wired.com, January 2025)
Documentaries/Film: A documentary about the Woodstock festival might feature interviews with attendees discussing their belief that they were living in the "Age of Aquarius," a time of peace and love. (Example: "Woodstock: Three Days of Peace & Music," 1970)
General Public Discourse/Social Media: On platforms like X (formerly Twitter), discussions often arise about current events and whether they align with the optimistic predictions of the "Age of Aquarius," especially concerning global unity or technological progress. (Various posts, throughout 2024-2025)
Academic Discourse: A sociology paper might analyze the "Age of Aquarius" as a cultural phenomenon that reflected anxieties and aspirations during a period of rapid social change.
10 Famous Quotes Using Age of Aquarius
"This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius." (The 5th Dimension, "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In," 1969)
"The Age of Aquarius demands that we hold a worldview that none of us is separate from one another nor from the planet." (Andrew Lutts, How to Live a Magnificent Life: Becoming the Living Expression of Higher Consciousness)
"The Age of Aquarius is the new age of the spirit." (Serena Jade)
"The Age of Aquarius will belong to those who can look at themselves in the mirror and create something beautiful." (Rico Roho)
"Hindus call it the Krita Age, astrologers call it the Age of Aquarius, the Jews describe the coming of the Messiah, theosophists call it the New Age, cosmologists call it Harmonic Convergence and predict the actual date of December 21, 2012." (Dan Brown, The Lost Symbol, 2009)
"The Age of Aquarius will soon be upon us. It will bring great upheaval, which will make human beings understand the reality of the spiritual world and the laws it abides by." (Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov, quoted in Yoga Coaching, November 2022)
"We are in the Age of Aquarius, the golden age." (Yoga Coaching, November 2022)
"In the Age of Aquarius, the dharma of a person shall be to reach out." (Yogi Bhajan, April 2021)
"The feminine is on the rise, Intutive express and completely divine. The age of Aquarius has met our souls, We've come to dance earth bound to re create this world." (Nikki Rowe)
"The Age of Aquarius is distinguished by its universal character." (Patrizia Norelli-Bachelet, The Magical Carousel and Commentaries, 1973)
Etymology
The phrase "Age of Aquarius" comes from a mix of astronomy and astrology.
Let's break it down:
"Age": This simply refers to a long period of time or an era.
"Aquarius": This is one of the twelve constellations in the zodiac, often depicted as a "water-bearer." It's also the name of an astrological sign associated with characteristics like innovation, humanitarianism, and independence.
The core idea behind the "Age of Aquarius" comes from a very slow astronomical phenomenon called the precession of the equinoxes. Imagine the Earth's axis as a spinning top; it wobbles very, very slowly over thousands of years. This wobble causes the point where the Sun crosses the celestial equator at the spring equinox to gradually shift through the different constellations of the zodiac.
Currently, this equinox point is moving out of the constellation Pisces and into the constellation Aquarius. Because this shift is so incredibly slow (it takes about 2,160 years for the equinox to pass through one constellation, and roughly 25,920 years to complete a full cycle through all twelve), the exact start date of the "Age of Aquarius" is a subject of much debate among astrologers and astronomers. Some believe we are already in it, while others believe it's still hundreds of years away.
First Known Use and Meaning:
While the astronomical concept of the precession of the equinoxes has been known for centuries, the specific phrase "Age of Aquarius" as a popular cultural and spiritual concept gained significant traction in the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1960s.
It emerged from astrological traditions that assign specific characteristics to each "age" based on the zodiac sign. The "Age of Pisces," for instance, which we are supposedly leaving, is often associated with religions, conflict, and materialism. In contrast, the "Age of Aquarius" became popularized as a coming era of peace, enlightenment, technological advancement, universal brotherhood, and a shift towards community and spiritual awareness.
The song "Aquarius" from the 1967 musical Hair played a huge role in bringing this term into mainstream consciousness, associating it with the counterculture movement's ideals of love, freedom, and spiritual awakening. Before this, it was more of an astrological or esoteric term.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Age of Aquarius
The Dawning of the Age of Aquarius: This is the most famous and widely recognized phrase, indicating the beginning of this new era.
Living in the Age of Aquarius: Suggests an experience or a belief that one is currently inhabiting or embodying the ideals of this progressive era.
An Aquarian ideal/vision: Refers to a concept, goal, or future vision consistent with the perceived values of the Age of Aquarius (e.g., peace, community, innovation).
Waiting for the Age of Aquarius: Expresses a longing or anticipation for the arrival of this utopian period.
Beyond the Age of Aquarius: Implies a forward-looking perspective, suggesting an evolution even past the idealized Aquarian era, or a rejection of its specific tenets.
A true Aquarian spirit: Describes an individual or group embodying the characteristics associated with the Age of Aquarius.
Embracing the Age of Aquarius: Denotes an active adoption of the principles and lifestyle believed to be part of this new era.
The new dawn of an enlightened age: (Using a synonym for "Age of Aquarius") - Refers to a period of great understanding and progress.
Steering towards a golden age: (Using a synonym for "Age of Aquarius") - Implies guiding society towards a highly desirable and prosperous future.
Leaving behind the age of conflict for a new era of harmony: (Using an antonym/synonym) - Describes a transition from a difficult past to a peaceful future, echoing the shift from Pisces to Aquarius.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of Age of Aquarius from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
