The Age of Aquarius, PART 5, NOVEMBER 2008

[This is the fifth in a 6-part series by noted astrologer Boots Hart on the transition into the Age of Aquarius and what it will mean for each generation undergoing these vast changes.—Ed.]

The Piscean Age, known as the Age of Knowledge, forced each of us to confront our choices throughout the whole of life. Back in the beginning of this age (some 2,100 years ago), the prevailing sense was ‘all or nothing.’ Now, as the Piscean Age is fading away, many of us are asking ‘can I choose to have it all?’

In the Age of Aquarius, the ability to ‘do’ many things will be enhanced. Technology of many kinds is enabling us to do more with every passing day and year. So what are we choosing to do—and what are the challenges involved in making our choices work and having them be worth our time and effort? The facets involved in answering these questions are many, but everything points back to the Aquarian Age being based on knowing who we are, accepting who we are, developing our abilities, and basing our choices on our individuality. In the Age of Pisces, tradition reigned. Social, familial and dictates of heritage reigned. But that’s not the rule going forward.

Yet this doesn’t mean you can’t adhere to traditions of any sort (familial, cultural, religious, historical, societal, etc.). Far from it! The only caveat here is that in order to live a fulfilling life, you need to choose to follow a path because it fits you as an individual, since the Aquarian Age is nothing if not all about intrinsic individuality. So you have to know you: no ‘fit’ can fit if you don’t know who you are and what you’re capable of.

Note also: this isn’t about what you want to do, although that’s likely to get into your mental mix. No, this is about what you’re capable of doing, as the Age of Aquarius is all about people growing up to be very ‘adult,’ a quality which is interestingly different from the Age of Pisces, which so treasured the innate creative innocence of childhood. In this passing Age of Pisces, that innocent emotionalism functioned to band and bond an as-yet unsophisticated race together in a human framework. But with the advent of the Aquarian Age, we’re no longer children. Our race has come into the young adult phase of moral maturation. So today and tomorrow, all will now be founded on thinking and becoming ever more conscious. Here instinct gives way to immortal realizations and the real responsibility which goes with knowledge.

Not that such changes are easy; we have over two thousand years of passing values from generation to generation. How many of us have chosen a line of work because it’s what our parents did? How many of us have struggled with feeling ‘boxed in’ by social, financial, appearance or lifestyle choices made for us by others?

Indeed, how many of us have had children because it was the expected imperative instead of a choice? That may have made sense when the world was so sparsely populated that a couple of good plagues could have wiped the human race out. But now? And for those who are religious, do you really think your Almighty would want you to overpopulate and overburden your planet?

Granted, biology is a huge factor in human reproduction, and that’s not going to change. But as human beings, we are given choice. Whether seen metaphysically, religiously or scientifically, our exalted brain power is key, and that’s exactly what the Age of Aquarius is about. In the Age of Pisces we gained asked what things were, how they worked and how things came to be created. In doing so, we separated ourselves mentally from the other species on our planet, growing and evolving to a place where we could have perspective on our ‘animalistic’ (i.e., biological) nature. And now that we have that, though tempted by our biology to simply abandon reason often enough, we know enough to be posing a new question, namely now that we understand so much about our world and about life, what are we going to do with that knowledge and the fact that we now know we have the ability to examine and comprehend? This is an esoteric question, one which is theoretical, intellectual and ‘airy,’ as we say in elemental astrology. For many, leaving the emotional world of the Pisces lifestyle will be a wrench. It’ll be particularly hard within families (or organizations) composed of elder members who think one way and who feel slighted by children or newcomers who see all in the clarified, sometimes cutting Aquarian light.

Considering present global circumstances, it seems the Age of Aquarius is beginning much as the Piscean Age did, with an ‘all or nothing’ struggle. But where the Piscean Age asked that people rise above the level of sheer survival to consideration of spiritualism and existence, now our world has to cope with all the walls built by nations, religions, companies, ethnicities and families. Created in the name of everything from entitlement to protection, not a soul on this planet doesn’t feel we’d all be better without them, but we’re all frightened of taking down the walls. Those who ‘have’ don’t want to lose what they ‘have.’ But do they really want others to ‘have not’? What is being different all about? Are we less because someone else has another way? Does that invalidate us? Who gets to define what freedom is?

Plus, for all the universal quality of these quandaries, for all that we know there are huge issues which need to be tackled on a national and international basis, the reality is that everything finally comes down to us. Each of us, one by one. That poses one of the central questions of the Aquarian Age: how much is about (or for) me and how much do I owe the world in which I live? This isn’t a question you can ask anyone else. So after all is said and done, after all the fretting and evading all we can do is face the challenge to know ourselves, in spite of all the road blocks, the reluctance, the fear and those many expectations imposed on us from without. Why? Because in this incoming age, those who win through to satisfaction will be those who have learned to be themselves in their own uniquely intrinsic manner, standing for who they are in the face of all comers—even those they love, even those they’re afraid of. This is the real meaning of human ‘having,’ for to be an individual is to ‘have’ one’s self in mind and thus be able to accomplish and be appreciated for who we truly are.

Long accustomed and natively attuned to the emotions of elemental water, when faced with this challenge the Pluto in Cancer people (1914-1938) will easily recognize/respect the precepts of self knowledge but may well feel daunted by having to break old habits in learning who they are at a whole new level. They may even resent that life is going to change at this point. Whatever the reaction, the best thing they can do is voice their feelings, for that’s a fortuitously direct and valid way to engage others, creating an emotional link which will allow them to work through their own reluctance while encouraging others—a reward for members of this generation so founded in nurturance and relating.

Having to confront the value—or lack of same—of native passions and habits is likely to rub a lot of Pluto-in-Leo Baby Boomers (1938–1958) very wrong, but as life and the world head in a new direction, the only real choice is to reconsider now (minimizing disruption), or postpone until later. Where Boomers direct their emotions and the qualities through which they apply their talents is one key. The other is a need to invert one’s priorities. Those who have done all for the sake of home and family gain by immersing themselves in worldly activities; those who have aimed to help the world should figure out how those efforts will create a life which is personally fulfilling.

For Pluto in Virgo Yuppies (1958-1972), the issue lies in broadening one’s scope with an eye to improving functionality and ultimately, the nature of one’s rewards. In creating a comfortable life, this generation learns that the old rule ‘for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction’ grants them power through controlling the quality of choices made and how such choices are then undertaken. Going forward, Yuppies encounter more clutter and ineffectiveness (which tempts them to pull back and defend their ‘turf’) until they realize they’re the farmers of their world. Between planting and harvesting comes tending: its time to weed out the untidy mental habits, eliminate the soul-sapping emotional wistfulness and go morally organic.

Grappling with honest emotions is a Gen X (Pluto in Libra, 1972-1983) challenge as this generation settles into making decisions of consequence. Recognizing they have to fix things as they go along (and before they can enjoy life) is dismaying (and annoying) yet in keeping with Gen X’s inordinate gift of insight, instinctual kindness and ability to heal. This talent, so palpable to others, feels unrewarding until natives get the difference between giving of one’s self and giving one’s self away—a concept which in its depths reveals the purpose behind Gen X’s extraordinary self-awareness and leads ultimately to personal satisfaction.

Relating to others and having a life which fulfills their dreams is likely to evade many Pluto in Scorpio people (1983 – 1995) until they grapple with their inner vulnerabilities. Instinctual fears on many levels both internal and external cause natives to look to others for salvation, excuses, company or compassion until the day comes when something forces them to develop their own abundant talents. At this point these natives will recognize the strength in standing alone and understand that the way to banish their fears is to bond with others willing to participate in the constructing of things which benefit not only the participants, but others as well.

Using charm, evasion, rebellion or ‘dumb insolence’ (among other ploys) Pluto in Sagittarius (1995-2008) natives tests themselves against family, friends, schools, community and all else until forced to be responsible for their own lives. Being a generation which learns strength through turning mistakes into accomplishment, this brilliantly hard-headed, ultra-independent generation needs to learn the difference between their dream selves and real selves before they can effectively negotiate, build working compromises and thus grow a profitable future.

Naturally endowed with knowing how to make more of very little, it seems ironic that the Pluto in Capricorn tribe (2008 – 2023) will struggle with responsibility, but they will. Natives will either take everything on themselves (control-freak style) or want to delegate and be critical of the results. Both methods come from inner trepidation concerning waste (of time, resources, money, feelings, effort or anything else); Pluto in Capricorn people recognize their mortality deeply, but letting themselves be human comes hard. Once these natives give themselves ‘permission’ to appreciate the good and bad in their natures, all comes in due time.

[Ed. note: if you're interested in learning more about the Plutonic generations and their different issues, struggles and points of view, check out Boots Hart's 12-part series on Pluto in Capricorn.)

---