An astrological age is a period of time that, according to astrology, corresponds to significant changes in human society, culture, history, and politics. Every 12 astrological ages corresponds to 12 constellations in Western astrology. The complete cycle of these 12 constellations is called the "Great Year", which lasts approximately 25,772 solar years. Each cycle ends and a new cycle begins. For many astrologers, different eras may directly or indirectly influence certain events, while others believe that there is no influence between astrological eras and events. There is no consensus on the beginning and end dates of astrological eras. The dates can differ by hundreds of years.
There are three broad views on astrological times: First, archaeoastronomers do not necessarily believe astrology is a science, but they study the cultural traditions of societies that made extensive reference to astrology. Second, since the late 19th century, astrologers have been trying to relate world history to astrological epochs, but most astrologers still focus on individual birth charts. Third, the pop culture concept of the Age of Aquarius was first introduced by the 1967 musical Hair, which focused on the major social changes of the 1960s.
Since ancient times, there has been controversy over the influence of astrological dating claims, which have often relied on a variety of dates for events and the collection of selective evidence.
The exact details of astrological eras are often unclear, and the patterns are controversial. The 20th-century British astrologer Charles Carter once said: "The doctrine of the advance of the equinox is one of the branches of astrology in which there is no more nonsense." This suggests that among most astrologers, there is no consensus on the exact beginning and end of the different Great Eras. The debate over time remains fraught. Many astrologers believe that the Age of Aquarius has already arrived, while many believe that the world is still at the end of the Age of Pisces.
While many issues remain controversial or unclear, there are two aspects of astrological epochs that are nearly universally agreed upon: first, their connection to the theory of the Earth's axial motion, that is, the forward motion of the equinox; and second, the Characteristics, the progression of the constellation is reverse. This principle makes the transitions between different astrological eras appear to be somewhat systematic.
Astrologers have many ways of dividing the Great Year into the 12 astrological eras. Two of the main methods include: dividing the Great Year equally, with each era lasting approximately 2,156 years, or basing the correlation of the equinoxes' movement through the actual constellations. to vary the length of each astrological era. However, the divisions based on these constellations also expose many points of debate, because in classical times astronomers were faced with unclear constellation boundaries, a problem that has only been improved in the past two hundred years.
Many astrologers believe that entering a new astrological era is a gradual transition process called "limbo." This means that there is no exact day or year that marks the beginning of an astrological era; rather, the influence of the transitional period interweaves with the previous era, forming a period of symbiotic influence that makes the definition of each era vague.
The beginning of each astrological era cannot be individually defined, but rather is accompanied by the influence of the previous era until the new era can stand on its own.
Hipparchus, who lived between 190 and 120 BC, is credited with discovering the theory of the early equinox. His research showed that changes in the Earth's axis of rotation would affect the vernal equinox, which would gradually move relative to the stars. This major astronomical discovery directly influenced the subsequent development of astrology, especially the understanding of astrological eras. Over time, this view was absorbed and interpreted in different cultures, forming a rich astrological tradition.
Some astrologers believe that an astrological age is also influenced by its opposite sign. For example, the Age of Pisces may be influenced by Virgo, and the Age of Aquarius may be influenced by Leo. This perspective adds to the complexity and richness of astrology.
From Hipparchus' discovery of the early equinox to the popularization of modern astrology, the scientific and philosophical thinking involved in this process cannot be underestimated.
The changes in astrology over the years undoubtedly reflect mankind's exploration and pursuit of its own history and future. What kind of destiny do the challenges and changes we experience in these changes indicate and are waiting for us to reveal?