The New Age
What is the “New Age”?
Belief that humanity had come to a major
spiritual turning point (1970’s)
Practices vary:
astrology, neo-shamanism, crystal healing,
channeling, past-life therapy, meditation,
worship of nature spirits, etc.
millions of practitioners, but 85% of US
Americans identify as Christians
Common themes
Self-development
– Realizing full potential as spiritual being
by casting off false self
Rejection of rigid morals
– Free to seek spiritual truth wherever it
lies
Skepticism of organized religions
– Dogmatic & congregation-centric
Inspiration from non-western sources
Flexible beliefs
Origins of New Age in US
Spiritualist movement (mid-1800’s)
– Communicating with souls of the dead
during seances (attracted early
feminists)
New Thought movement (late
1800’s-early 1900’s)
– We can “think” our way to health &
happiness
– Mary Baker Eddy’s (1879) Christian
Science: illness is an illusion to be
countered by faith in God
– Schucman’s A Course in Miracles (1975)
New Age & Postmodernism
MODERNITY POSTMODERNITY
Faith in “progress” What is progress?
Scientific rationalism Magical realism
boundaries No boundaries
Truth Multiple truths
Postmodern characteristics
Eclecticism = customize a religious perspective
that makes sense to you, non-traditional
Multiple selves = seek understanding of different
aspects of oneself
Technology & morals = from pre-technology to
invented technologies
Resist formal institutions & master narratives =
rational science, government, organized religion
New Age Religious Communities
Channeling
Harmonic Convergence
Scientology
Neo-paganism
Channeling (early 1960’s)
Seek spiritual guidance from beings
originating in other times, planets,
dimensions
JZ Knight (Tacoma housewife) channeled
“Ramtha,” ancient warrior from Atlantis
Goal: help us communicate w/spiritual
allies/ our higher selves, tap into a deep
wisdom in the collective unconscious
Must acquire own tools of religious vision
As more of us achieve spiritual
understanding, the world will “evolve”
into higher consciousness
JZ Knight
Ramtha
Harmonic Convergence (1980’s)
Jose Arguelles
– (born 1939), planetary whole systems
anthropologist
– received Ph.D. in Art History &
Aesthetics from University of Chicago in
1969
– taught at Princeton University,
University of California, Evergreen State
College, San Francisco State University,
San Francisco Institute of Art, the
Naropa Institute, the University of
Colorado, and The Union Graduate
School
Jose Arguelles
Jose & Lloydine Arguelles
Harmonic Convergence
Predicted a conjunction of cosmic forces
(based on Mayan calendar) on Aug. 16-17,
1987
– Return of archetypal memories &
impressions
Spiritual renaissance in 2012
“harmonic convergences” = opportunities
to share in collective outpouring of spiritual
energy at “power spots” or “vortexes”
Integration of astronomy, cosmic energies,
sacred sites & human consciousness
Scientology
Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health
(1950) by L. Ron Hubbard (1911-1986)
Human limitations & neuroses = products of
negative memories or images (engrams) that must
be dislodged to achieve full potential
“auditing” = spiritual counseling to eliminate
engrams
Salvation through personal spiritual enlightenment
Jenna & Bodhi Elfman
Katie Holmes & Tom Cruise
Beth Riesgraf & Jason Lee
Kelly Preston & Jon Travolta
L. Ron Hubbard
Leah Remini & Angelo Pagan
Neo-paganism
Umbrella term for variety of religions that draw
inspiration from elements of pre-Christian
polytheistic worship
Wicca = largest component of contemporary
Paganism
Many different sects/traditions:
– Ethnic (British Craft, Celtic Wicca, etc.)
– Feminist (Dianic Witchcraft)
– Regional (Wisconsin’s Circle, SF New Reformed
Orthodox Order of Golden Dawn, NROOGD)
– Non-Wiccan pagans: Egyptian, Druidic, Afro-
Caribbean, Native American practices
Gerald B. Gardner = Witchcraft Today (1954),
contemporary explosion of revival Witchcraft,
“Gardnerian” Wicca
oppositional nature of movements
Contrast dominant American culture, esp.
puritanical Christianities, embrace romantic
notions of:
the natural
the feminine
the primitive
the corporeal
the wild
Neo-pagan themes
Polytheistic = multiple spirits & forms of
consciousness
Union with nature (v. domination over)
Balance of female & male principles
Sensual, embodied quality of life
• prominent voice in modern Wiccan spirituality
• cofounder of Reclaiming (www.reclaiming.org), activist
branch of modern Pagan religion
• author or coauthor of 10 books, including The Spiral
Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Great
Goddess (1979)
• Webs of Power: Notes from the Global Uprising
•The Earth Path: Grounding Your Spirit in the Rhythms of
Nature
• CD’s: Wicca for Beginners (2002), Earth Magic (2006)
Starhawk
• brings techniques &creative power of spirituality to
political activism