Age of Pisces – Age of Aquarius

Native language is French… sorry for mistakes or awkwardness !

In October 2022, I gave a web conference at ISAR on the subject of astrological ages (or ‘eras‘), in general, and the transition “Age of Pisces –> Age of Aquarius” in particular.

The broad outlines of the themes covered during the conference are summarized in this article.

Originally, several years ago, challenged by the fact that many people were talking about the benefits of our entry into the Age of Aquarius, I quickly studied the astronomical reality of this theory. Realizing that mathematically, this era had not actually begun at all, I sought to study the question further. Fake news or not?

Age or Ages ?

By definition, an astrological era corresponds to the position of the vernal equinox point, in sign, in the constellations of the zodiac which surround our solar system, in a plane close to the ecliptic.

Defining the vernal point is easy. It is the geometric consequence of the intersection of two planes: the ecliptic plane (where Earth and Sun rotate together) on the one hand… the equatorial plane of the Earth (where we separate the Northern hemisphere and the Southern hemisphere) on the other hand.

The Earth being inclined with the ecliptic, the famous angle of 23° which allows us to have seasons, the intersection of these two planes form… a straight line, an axis. The Vernal Point, which is used in tropical astrology to define the 0° of Aries (‘Bélier’ in schematics below), points in one of two directions.

One of the two… because the other direction points to 0° of Libra (‘Balance’ in schematics below) in tropical astrology.

This is the way to do, to talk about astrological eras –> let’s check where the vernal point is located in the infinite decor of the constellations of the zodiac. The pointed sign is then the sign of the astrological era.

By doing this, we lose the notion of axis. Because the intersection of two planes is not a half-line, it is a straight line. A straight line has two meanings, not just one. Currently, and for several decades to come, the vernal point falls in the constellation Pisces. But on the other side we point to the constellation Virgo. Why favor Pisces over Virgo? Why favor one direction over another?

If we live in the Northern hemisphere of the Earth, the vernal point has the privilege of marking the precise moment when the Sun crosses this direction (0° Aries in tropical astrology), where the days lengthen, where temperatures rise. If we live in the southern hemisphere, this is reversed.

Taking our planet as a whole, without favoring one hemisphere, therefore encourages us to speak of an axis of eras. For about 2000 years, we have not been living in the Pisces era, but in the Pisces-Virgo era. And we will soon enter the Age of Aquarius-Leo, not only the Age of Aquarius.

Is it so important to play on this definition? Or just an originality of language?

Astronomically speaking, the definition of these eras encourages us to speak of an axis. If we are interested in the lunar nodes in astrology (North Node and South Node, or Ascendant Node and Descending Node, or Rahu and Ketu): the principle is the same, the axis of the nodes is calculated by the intersection of two planes . However, the study of the Lunar Nodes in a Chart is carried out with the couple. We don’t just look at the North Node, Rahu.

The Vernal Point goes around the zodiac (360°) in 26,000 years, this is what we call the ‘Platonic year’. The physical reason is the precession of the equinoxes, a distant consequence of the enormous collision of the proto-Earth in formation with another proto-planet, Theia. This collision gave birth to our current planet and the Moon.

During this cycle, the 12 signs of the zodiac are crossed. Speaking of axis, rather than a single direction, we find the pairs of signs defining an era, every 13,000 years.

Equal or unequal ages?

This is a major subject when we want to study the eras. The 12 constellations of the zodiacs are not evenly distributed along the ecliptic.

The 4 cardinal constellations (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) are small and not very bright, almost impossible to spot for the uninitiated.

The 4 fixed constellations (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) are wider, brighter and easily identifiable (with the exception of Aquarius).

The 4 mutable constellations (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) are in between. Virgo and Pisces are very wide. Bright stars help spot Gemini and Virgo. Sagittarius is also bright, easy to recognize, and marked by the passage of the Milky Way, our galaxy. Pisces doesn’t shine much. They are more easily spotted at night thanks to the constellation Pegasus, just above.

Certain constellations surround the ecliptic line well. Others, no. Leo walks above, Sagittarius and Scorpio are below. In a few thousand years, Scorpio will no longer be a constellation of the zodiac, replaced by that of Serpentarius.

With all this, we realize that it is impossible to divide the zodiac into 12 zones of 30° each of which would accommodate a real constellation.

If we want to study eras: as the Vernal Point moves in these constellations, in its 26,000 year cycle, if we stick to the definition of an era as the sign pointed to by this vernal point, we then construct a historical frieze which is not regular.

To talk numbers, if we look at the dates of crossing of the signs, this is what we obtain (the axis of the two signs is recalled, as said above):

• Pisces-Virgo era: from -250 to 2800
• Aries-Libra era: from -1700 to -250
• Taurus-Scorpio era: from -4500 to -1700
• Gemini-Sagittarius era: from -6000 to -4500
• Cancer-Capricorn era: from -8000 to -6000
• Leo-Aquarius era: from -10600 to -8000

For the next Aquarius-Leo era: it extends between the year 2800 and the year 4500.

With such a hypothesis, talking about the age of Aquarius in our lifetime is meaningless. But this is just a hypothesis…

This image, below, shows the position of the Vernal Point in the year 2022 (obtained with a module present in the Olympia Astrology software). It is located near the head of the 2nd fish of Pisces constellation (looks like a V). The constellation Aquarius, on the right and in green color, is still far away. The vernal point will be midway between the extreme stars of Pisces and Aquarius in the year 2800. It will reach the level of the first star of Aquarius in 2970.

Why is this age of Aquarius taking so long to come? Because the constellation Pisces is very large.

Another question then arises: should we not calculate the eras differently and talk about eras of equal length? That is to say eras of 2160 years (26000 years divided by 12). This would not favor any sign over the other, in terms of size.

Finding point 0 – The link with sidereal astrology

If we want 12 equal eras, we must find the best way to position 12 bands of 30° along the ecliptic. There is no perfect solution, just a compromise that must be made so that the 12 real constellations take their place. If we center one, another will be off-center…

Several techniques are available to us. We can favor certain stars, the brightest for example, to center them judiciously.

Sidereal astrology does the same work, in its search for ayanamsa.

The ayanamsa is the difference (in °) between the 0° of Aries of tropical astrology and the 0° of Aries of Sidereal astrology.

This difference increases by 1° every 72 years, because of the precession of the equinoxes.

Choosing an ayanamsa in sidereal astrology has a consequence: we can go back to time 0 (T0) where this ayanamsa was zero.

In this time 0, tropical astrology is equal to sidereal astrology.

In this time 0, if we divide the ecliptic into 12 zones of 30°, each tropical sign must encompass as best as possible the real constellation of the same sign.

In this time 0, the era of Pisces-Virgo begins. 2160 years later (2156 to be precise), the famous era of Aquarius-Leo will begin.

What is this time 0? It depends on the technique you use.

If we use the two ayanamsa techniques most used in Indian astrology (Lahiri and Fagan/Bradley), this time 0 falls in the year 285 (Lahiri) or in the year 221 (Fagan/Bradley). The Aquarius-Leo era would then begin in 2439 or 2376.

These techniques favor the positions of the brightest stars of the zodiac constellations: Spica (Virgo) for Lahiri; Antares (Scorpio) and Aldebaran (Taurus) for Fagan-Bradley.

• Astronomically, these techniques are consistent, at least for these stars. So consistent that they are used by the majority of practitioners of sidereal astrology.

• Historically, they make begin the era of Pisces-Virgo, more than 200 years after the incarnate experience of Christ, the main symbol of this era. This is quite disturbing!

Looking in detail, we also realize that the spatial distribution of the 12 constellations of the zodiac is not optimized. We are not in the most harmonious distribution.

There are other possible techniques: let us cite for example the one which freezes the center of our galaxy, the black hole around which our solar system revolves, on the border of the signs of Scorpio and Sagittarius. This technique gives a time 0 in the year 69. Therefore an Aquarius-Leo era in 2225. Historically, the Pisces-Virgo era would begin at the time of writing of the Gospels. A bit more logic.

In addition to astronomical markers, calendar markers can be used. Our Gregorian calendar is used by almost everyone on the planet, with only 7 recalcitrant countries still resisting. Knowing the capacity of humans to not know how to harmonize together, even scientifically (just look at the number of existing systems, for measurements of length, weight, volume, not to mention time change policies), it is admirable to see that for the measurement of time, a broad consensus has been established. Wouldn’t this calendar be a beautiful symbol to mark time 0?

With this reasoning, the Pisces-Virgo era would therefore begin in year 0 (in reality in year 1, because year 0 officially does not exist) and the Aquarius-Leo era would come closer to us, in relation to to other techniques, since it would begin in the year 2156. If we do not live in this Age of Aquarius, our close descendants will have the honor of experiencing its beginnings.

An alternative, very close to the latter, which would give minimal deviations: take the birth of the historical-religious-mystical character of Jesus Christ, as the starting point of the Pisces-Virgo era. Date of birth unknown, of course. Many theories exist. One of them uses the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction (forming a bright point, at nightfall at the end of year -6) and the Venus-Neptune conjunction, as striking symbols.

Has the Aquarius-Leo era begun?

All the hypotheses mentioned so far have one thing in common: none gives an Aquarius-Leo era beginning before the 22nd century.

Only “mental” hypotheses of people who want to make the contemporary world coincide with the age of Aquarius, for convenience, manage to make the dates stick. Astronomically, this is completely wrong.

The discovery of the planet Uranus in 1781, master of the sign Aquarius, could mark a symbolic starting point for the Age of Aquarius. But this hypothesis gives tropical positions of the signs very offset in relation to the constellations of the zodiac. No sign is right.

Let’s not forget that Uranus was not discovered in 1781. It was visible, even very faintly, to the naked eye since the begininning of humanity. We only did not know that it was a planet (and not a star). And what about the discovery of Neptune and Pluto, later, although not associated with Aquarius?

Discovering new planets, pushing the boundaries of the solar system (that we thought was limited to Saturn), matches more the symbolism of Pisces than Aquarius.

Previous eras

Studying eras, which by definition are spread over so long periods, is perilous. This has to be approached in the most symbolic way possible, since the historical references are uncertain.

I am not repeating what was said during the conference.

An interesting point, all the same: we come up against a historical and scientific barrier during the previous Virgo-Pisces to Leo-Aquarius transition. This happened around 13,000 years ago, and interestingly for us -> this is the symmetry of the transition that we will experience in the 22-23rd century.

This passage was marked by a rise in temperature on Earth, a rise in water levels (125 meters), which disrupted biology, especially human life. The geography was turned upside down. According to some myths, this period marked the end of Atlantean civilization. We then enter the domain of science fiction, perhaps far from astrological considerations? These questions are nevertheless fascinating and even raise questions about the origin of Man. Going the opposite way, 13,000 years later, during the next centuries, will, who knows, provide answers.

What is an era?

This period of time, so long, which sees the succession of civilizations, religions, beliefs, ephemeral constructions, cannot be uniform, homogeneous, simplifiable and definable in a few words.

Just as an individual’s sun sign, while it says a lot about him, doesn’t say everything, either. So many nuances to add to define this being.

For humanity, it’s the same thing.

Any incarnate being, wishing to live the values ​​of the two signs carried by the astrological era, will benefit from an immense field of action. His mind, his actions, his thoughts, his way of seeing the world… will be carried by these signs.

Without anyone, or almost, realizing it, the values ​​of humanity, its way of thinking in general, its dominant philosophies, will slowly but surely tilt towards this axis (Pisces-Virgo 2000 years ago…Aquarius-Leo soon). There is no need to fight against this flow. No need to resist and wish that the world does not change… it will change! For better and for worse.

This is the subject that bothered me about the age of Aquarius: according to the optimistic humanists, we would enter a golden age, an age where the most beautiful values ​​carried by this sign would illuminate the humanity.

Wasn’t the golden age rather the era of the Lion? Or, wouldn’t the golden age be the future era of Leo (in 13,000 years). Currently, we would be rather the opposite of this utopic gold.

Let’s have fun and imagine some humans who, more than 2000 years ago, were aware of astrology and the phenomenon of precession of the equinoxes. They undoubtedly imagined what the transition from the era of Aries to the era of Pisces could be like. Gone, the iron age, the wars, the conflicts, the conquests of territories, the authoritarian and violent regimes… Did all this calm down during the era of Pisces, which on paper could be calmer , more contemplative, more mystical than the era of Aries? Of course not.

If certain beings, thanks to them, have helped the world to move towards the bright side of the Neptuno-Venusian sign, if certain beings have lived beautiful and fascinating experiences in harmony with the most beautiful facets of Pisces and Virgo, despite the whole man has not changed. Do not confuse a general atmosphere, an inclination carried by a minority of people, with the way of living of human beings, the conflicts they carry within themselves, their fears, their violence, their biology, the very functioning of their cells . And above all: their unconsciousness and their greed. During this era which is ending, nothing seemed to indicate that we would still be driven by the desire for power and possession. The greed for wealth and influence has, however, destroyed many lives and sealed many destinies. We do not recognize Pisces and Virgo there. The fact remains that these human weaknesses, which ultimately make up the charm of our species, are independent of the signs of the zodiac and the eras. They are part of our incarnations, whatever era we find ourselves in. This has no chance of improving during the Aquarius-Leo era.

Considering the signs of an astrological era involves seeing the most beautiful and harshest aspects of these same signs. All these aspects will be experienced, without exception, without anything being able to prevent it. Certain beings have gone far, very far, very deep, into the abyss of Pisces and Virgo, and have caused dark times for themselves and their contemporaries.

For Aquarius-Leo, who our great-great-grandchildren will know, it is appropriate to address all possible facets of this axis. Like any axis, no sign being better than another, certain events promise to go far in the dark and the light.

Age of Pisces-Virgo

Over the past 2000 years, the human population has exploded (x50). Borders have been pushed back, both on land, at sea, in depth, and in space. Before this expansionist cycle retracts (could this be the real beginning of the Aquarius-Leo era?), we are in transition.

During the period of research for this conference, I tried to list people born in Pisces, and Virgo, who were particularly symbolic of this era. Through their life, their actions, their thoughts, their aura on the world. Surprise: for men, Pisces natives go out the most. For women, they are natives of the sign of Virgo. Few men of power, few authoritarian men, but rather inspired beings, having transformed humans’ vision of the world. Some names: Einstein, Hugo, Copernicus, Galileo, Michelangelo, Cayce, Jobs, Hildegard of Bingen.

Facets of an era

It is a subject of research, much more than a truth, but it is surprising to note these results: if we divide the era of Pisces-Virgo into 12 equal sub-periods (around 180 years) and associating with each of these sub-periods a sign of the zodiac, starting with Aries and ending with Pisces, we get some disturbing symbols. The exercise was carried out, during the conference, with the hypothesis of an era beginning in year 0 (or in year -6).

Some examples (mainly related to Europe history) :

• The Sagittarius facet (approx. 1440 to 1620) corresponds to the invention of printing, the diffusion of knowledge that goes with it, the great voyages on the ocean, the discovery of the new World, great genocides. Also the first time Jupiter (lord of Sagittarius) was seen in a telescope (Galileo), the discovery of its satellites and its volume, the official end of heliocentrism…
• The Capricorn facet (approx. 1620 to 1800) corresponds to very strong authoritarian powers, powerful and dominating monarchies, slavery, but also the discovery of the rings of Saturn, the master planet of Capricorn (Huygens), the theory of gravitation (Saturnian symbol) by Newton. In France, the crowned heads fell at the end of this facet, after the Age of ‘Lumieres’ (lights), and the great humanist questions posed, aided by this mixture of rigor and Capricornian wisdom.
• The Libra facet (approx. 1080 to 1260) was marked by the Crusades, the rise of Gothic art, the first heretical trials, the confrontation between West and East, but also rich commercial and intellectual exchanges.
• The Leo facet was marked by the emergence of the principle of feudalism.
• This same principle of feudalism fell during the Scorpio facet. Hard facet with devastating wars, the Great Plague, a mini ice age, civil wars.
• The other great religion of this era, Islam, with its lunar symbol, was born during the Cancer facet.
• The Marian cult was established during the Virgo facet of our era. Great agrarian progress, very symbolic of the Virgin, took place at this time.

Closer to us, what can we say about the Aquarius facet. If we take the theoretical birth of Christ as the start of the era, this facet began when the Republic was proclaimed in France. So, there were numerous revolutions, colossal changes in the way of life of men, democratic constitutions (for certain countries), dictatorships of frightening authoritarianism (for other countries) and cynical hypocrisy (the political parties which claim to defend humanity, and which send their opponents to camps, to gibbets or pales).

The period 1800-1980 (or 1792-1972) was a sort of trailer for what the Aquarius-Leo era will actually be, to come. Scientific and technological discoveries which have revolutionized the world (electricity, micro-conductors, thermodynamics, relativity, quantum physics, aeronautics, aerospace), the emergence of a new form of spirituality far removed from dogmas, struggles for freedom which have bore fruit… but also, fratricidal wars (first world war, family war) that are increasingly deadly, devastating armaments that now affect the scale of the planet, a political ideology that has supplanted religion, but which ends the same way (killing in the name of God or in the name of an idea, it ends the same way).

This Aquarius facet, the most eventful of the Pisces-Virgo era (especially since we know it well, it is close to us and its consequences shape today’s world), was able to give the illusion that we had already entered the Age of Aquarius. Symbolically speaking, there are still two last facets to live (Aquarius, from 1800 to 1980, then Pisces from 1980 to 2160), before changing era. We are in what we can call a 5° orb (one facet = 2.5°). We are clearly in the influence of Aquarius-Leo to come (still 140 years to wait…), but not yet in the events which will take place from the 22nd century.

This Aquarius facet is rich in symbols. It illustrates what the Aquarius-Leo era will be. Except that these are only warnings, cautions, warnings before getting to the heart of the matter.

This facet proves what was written above: an era is the journey from shadow to light of the characteristics of a sign.

Let us not forget that during this period Humanity invented a new breed of dictators, some even under the guise of humanist ideology. Pressing a few buttons (fewer than the fingers on one hand) can wipe out life on Earth. Humanity has walked on the Moon, rolled machines on Mars, placed probes on a moon of Saturn, sent probes beyond Pluto, and soon even “pieces of humans” (in this case the ashes of Mr Tombaugh, the astronomer who discovered Pluto) will emerge from the solar system in a few years. Artificial intelligence is reaching frightening levels, algorithms are deciding for us, supplanting us in our life choices. And always the hypocrisy of giving freedom in front, only to take more from behind.

These things will mark, even more strongly, the future Aquarius-Leo era. What can be worrying is to say that ultimately, what was experienced from 1800 to 1980 is only an aperitif of what will happen later.

This is the pessimistic hypothesis of course, but a priori, everything that a sign can bring to humanity, in the beautiful or the ugly, will happen anyway, inevitably. If there is a potential for nuclear catastrophe in the world, then there will come a time when that catastrophe will occur. Example among others.

“An era is a dream, which cannot be prevented from happening” (quote from my sweetheart).

What is the greatest danger of this era?

During Pisces-Virgo, there was confusion between spirituality and rites (which lost their meaning), between love and power, between sacredness and intolerance.

During Aquarius-Leo, there will be confusion between spirituality and ideas (or politics, in the broad sense), between consciousness and sciences, between humanism and dictatorship. The era of man, or of robot? The era of transhumanism?

If ideology and its exaggerations, this hypocrosy of people in power who are convinced of working for the good of humanity, even if it means destroying it, prevails, it will be difficult to live fraternity and tolerance carried by the values ​​of the sign to come. Or this will only be experienced intermittently during the era, moments of peace, in certain places on the globe.

An era of great knowledge, too, mastering incredible technologies. The time to rethink our occupation of space. It seems illusory to think that 7, 8, 9, 10 billion people will be able to continue to live this way, in over-consumption of energy, within a closed system, such as our planet. Either the world population will shrink symmetrically, compared to what happened during the Pisces-Virgo era (return to a planet with 100 million inhabitants), or resources outside the Earth will be used .

The Pisces facet which will end our era (symbolically, 1980 to 2160) seems more protected from dictatorships than the Aquarius facet. There are still some, but our present generations have a rest time. This Neptunian facet ends up breaking down borders and approaching humans virtually (always illusions), among themselves, thanks to the technologies of the Internet and social networks. The dictators seem to be more among the people themselves (a clumsy phrase on the internet, and a person can be condemned by popular right-thinking: no need for a dictator when the people themselves can be their own censor).

We’ll see if it’s a pause, or a long road to more widespread democracy. Religious extremists continue their work and this is not likely to subside for several decades. Above all, to prepare for the era of Aquarius-Leo, the main question is that of energy management (oil, electricity, nuclear). No humanity without “fuel” to move forward. Current resources are in our short term, they will not experience the Aquarius-Leo era.

Here are the main points of this conference. We will have to talk about it again in 140 years, because there will surely be other things to say!

A few words from Goswami Kriyananda

In conclusion, some quotes from the yogi, specialist in Mystical Astrology, Goswami KriyaNanda. These writings are several decades old.

We are currently in part of a cycle called Kali Yuga. Kali means dark or iron. Yuga means age or era. We live in a dark era. We are closing a descending time cycle. In the Western esoteric system, we are in the Age of Aquarius but this era only lasts 1600 years. Also you should understand that the Age of Aquarius is not necessarily a good spiritual cycle. It is not considered a positive cycle because it is as far away as possible (180°) from the most positive Solar Era, that of Leo.

Goswami Kriyananda – The Laws of Karma (1995)

An organization can do much more than an individual. If the individual is loyal and the leadership force of the organization is good, it can do a lot of good.
The problem is how to keep it spiritual and keep it non-political, which is very difficult.
We are entering the Age of Aquarius, which is the Age of Organizations.
In the next 2000 years you will find billions of them. Do you think governments are bureaucratic? They are in kindergarten compared to where they will be in a few centuries. They will have organizations monitoring organizations, which will monitor other organizations, which will monitor other organizations…
It will be incredible, it will become absolute chaos.

Goswami Kriyananda – The mysteries of Ancient Egypt and Atlantis (1977)

The Age of Aquarius is a means and movement towards anarchy, spiritually and mystically, during which series of unrelated sources will join together.
We do not know if they will combine to form a predominant spiritual force that will bring about significant growth for Humanity.

Goswami Kriyananda – The mysteries of Ancient Egypt and Atlantis (1977)