People have asked me what New Age really means. It is a valid question and there is no succinct and definitive answer, such is the holistic nature of New Age! Here’s my own explanation of this vast movement as your New Age Editor.

First it is probably best to clarify what New Age is not!

The New Age is not a religion you can join. Although spirituality is at the heart of New Age philosophy there is no organised religion involved. ‘New Agers’ can come from all walks of life, from religious and non religious backgrounds.

The New Age is not a cult or a secret society! This one tickles me…there are people that genuinely think New Age has a membership system and that New Agers are infiltrating society with some ‘master plan’. I've even been contacted by someone begging to be allowed in to 'my cult'! Sorry to disappoint, there is no thrilling Dan Brown novel material to be had in the New Age movement, no secret agenda.

There is no New Age leader. The closest thing to leaders we have are people like myself voicing the philosophies and beliefs of the New Age. We have some great writers and teachers who are decidedly New Age in their outlook but they are not part of a hierarchy and you can choose who you listen to.

Having dealt with some of the common misconceptions here is my understanding of the New Age:

Our experience on Earth of the last 2000 years has been within the Age of Pisces. The Piscean Age was all about the power of organised religions and patriarchal societies. Most people’s religious experiences have been determined by a male figure of power; a priest, a bishop, a rabbi, a male religious leader of some sort.

The energy of the World is now changing. We are moving into the Age of Aquarius and have been making this major transition over the last few decades. Hence the New Age is referring to the Age of Aquarius.

The New Age promises a more directly accessible spirituality. Many of us have felt this change and found that our awareness of our own spirituality has been opened up in the process.

So there is a New Age movement. You can’t sign up, there is no need & nowhere to sign, nor is there a membership fee, but it is most definitely there and if you want to be part of it you can be.

Look at how you feel about some of the key principles I list below. If they are mostly in alignment with how you perceive the world then congratulations you are part of the New Age movement and you may have been a ‘New Ager’ for years without knowing it!

Some Key Principles of the New Age

In the Age of Aquarius people are becoming less religious but more spiritual. In New Age philosophy you can talk to the Gods or Goddesses of your heart. You don’t have to go via an intermediary unless you want one, you can have a ‘direct line’ and communication is two way. Learning skills such as meditation and prayer opens this faculty up, but it’s up to you to listen and look for the answers which can be a direct message but often take the form of synchronicity and intuition.

The New Age is about Love. That sounds fluffy doesn’t it? I don’t mean romantic love, sweet though that feels, but unconditional love and respect for all of Creation. It‘s quite a challenge because it is about honouring the whole picture, not just the bits you like. That’s not quite so sugary is it? Opening our hearts is a hallmark of the New Age and it feels scary, because that kind of openness makes us feel vulnerable, but it is the key to experiencing life with full engagement.

The Age of Aquarius is about balance. In the Age of Aquarius women have as much right to express their spirituality as men. We’ve seen this happening in the ordination of female priests. The New Age is dominated by women at the moment. Women are at the forefront of the movement, but this doesn’t mean a Matriachal world view is taking over, it is a redressing of the balance. We need to come back into balance and cherish the interplay of the sexes rather than move to a new power struggle for supremacy.

If you are in tune with the New Age you'll feel that your life on Earth is one of the ways your soul can grow and learn. In the Age of Aquarius we are moving onto ‘self-development’ pathways that are defined by our own needs rather following a set route with a fixed set of goal posts. There are many ways to go and much to discover. You determine your path and take responsibility for your spiritual development. Spiritual teachers and healers are there to help guide you on your path, but are not there to control you. This theme of self responsiblity runs through all aspects of life.

The New Age is something felt with the heart, not dictated by the mind. Ultimately the energy of the Age of Aquarius should usher in a way of co-existing peacefully and respectfully on this beautiful planet. I think that's something that we should all do our bit towards don't you?

One of the best exponents of these holistic principles is the UK's own William Bloom. As a starting place in your exploration I recommend his book, Soulution.



Join me in the forum to discuss your understanding of the New Age.