….. or to be more precise, how will our contemporary modern world be judged in one thousand years time?
I was inspired to write this blog after partially watching an interesting TV documentary Life After People.[1] This documentary explores the fictional notion that somehow all of humanity suddenly disappears, leaving the world intact as it is today but minus human beings. Without humans, everything begins to decay. Termites begin chewing through the wooden structures, iron rusts and vegetation takes over. Even concrete ‘dissolves’ as modern concrete is not as sturdy as the ancient concrete employed by the ancient Romans (and modern concrete produces far more pollution than Roman concrete). In about 1,000 year’s time, there is virtually nothing left – except for ancient monoliths such as the Egyptian pyramids.
This documentary contrasted ancient monuments and modern construction techniques. Modern construction materials are not orientated for longevity. Without constant rebuilding or intense maintenance, most of our constructed modern world will quickly deteriorate. In stark contrast, the pyramids have lasted over 4,000 years, and many of ancient Rome’s impressive building remain available for tourists to visit. These remnant Egyptian monuments are likely to last for many more thousands of years.
The contrast between ancient Egypt and the modern world has an underlying astrological connection. Ancient Rome was the empire of the Taurus age.[2] The modern world currently is the product of the Scorpio sub-age and overflow[3] (of the Aquarian age). Taurus and Scorpio are opposite signs! Therefore what is strong in a Taurean period is weak in a Scorpio period (and vice versa). When we think of ancient Egypt we think of grand pyramids, the Sphinx and massive rock facades on valley walls – plus the aroma of incense, essential oils and freshly baked bread ….. and other sensual delights. Ancient Egypt was Taurus made manifest. There will be no other time in the world where Taurus will be as strong, as when ancient Egypt thrived, for round about another 19,000 years. So despite the modern technological revolution, it is unlikely any society over the next 19,000 will produce a society that leaves so many archaeological epitaphs for many thousands of years compared to ancient Egypt. Egypt has set the benchmark for a long time!
We automatically conclude that our modern world is superior to what came before. However the astrology of the ages indicates otherwise. For example, why hasn’t the contemporary modern world with vastly greater population produced a better poet than Shakespeare? Why aren’t modern classical composers superior in quality and quantity compared to the classical musicians from a couple of centuries ago? The answer is very simple. At various times over the course of the Great Year (some 26,000 years long), there are twelve astrological ages, and these ages indicate a peak of archetypal energy associated with the zodiacal sign of the astrological age. For example the Aries age and overflow (2916 BC – 1433 AD) indicates a peak time for war and violence. Despite the fact nothing in the past is of the magnitude of the two world wars of the 20th century,[4] the person who conquered more of the Eurasian land mass than anyone prior or later is Genghis Khan (c.1162–1227 AD). This occurred under the influence of Aries and is unlikely to be repeated until around another 23,000 years when the world enters the next Aries age. The sub-ages of ages also demonstrate this same trait.
The modern world is a passing experience – and it does not mean that the modern world is superior to all of what came before. From the perspective of the Scorpio age and overflow (1791 – 2148 AD) within the Aquarian age, that has produced much of what we recognize as the contemporary modern world, certain developments that are archetypally associated with Scorpio will set benchmarks that should withstand the next 2,000 years.[5] What are these Scorpio benchmarks? These include the internet, genetic engineering and all its spin-offs including GM foods, the sexual revolution, abortion, nuclear power and weapons, national and personal debt, loans, credit cards, tyrants (Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot etc), pollution, recycling, revolutions, underground criminal networks (e.g. the Mafia, Triad etc) and unseen forces such as insecurity and spiritual regeneration – to name a few. The appearance of these Scorpio archetypes will withstand the winds of change for quiet some time.
It is possible to predict the next peak of human activity based on the slow movement of the ages. Of the twelve sub-ages (approx 179 years each) that exist within each astrological age, sub-ages can be broken down into three sub-age decans (of approximately 60 years each). The Gemini sub-age decan and overflow (1970 – 2074 with its peak period 2029 – 2074) will witness the greatest manifestation of Gemini since 1073 AD (around 1,000 years ago). What can we expect from Gemini – especially in the period around 2029 to 2074? Firstly the continuation of the communications revolution due to cell phones (mobile phones), emails and the internet. Other areas strongly associated with Gemini include: the massive growth of education around the world[6] – especially pre-university education; the automobile revolution utilizing clean energy; a new futuristic road network; environmentally sustainable transportation; a revitalization of cities; and the minimalization of language due to texting; plus the greatest novelist(s) of the last 1,000 years. Amazon’s Kindle and Apples iPad are ongoing example of new direction in (Gemini) literature. On the negative side the world may be prone to major wind storms, deteriorating air quality and massive increase in lung diseases due to pollution. Gemini currently remains in its formative period (1970 – 2029), and all the Gemini archetypes referred to will be at their most powerful in the period 2029 – 2074.
Though we can expect amazing novelists to spring out of the peak of the current Gemini influence around 2029, the influence of the larger and current Scorpio sub-age is much greater. How will people in the future judge our modern world? On the negative side they will see the modern period as the greatest example of rapine of the Earth where much of the oil and gas laid down over many millions of years and many other limited natural resources are extracted from the ground and used injudiciously with scant regard for future generations. We are behaving like pigs at the trough. We will be earmarked as that strange period when atomic energy and bombs were developed and utilized for good and bad – provided we have not blown the world to smithereens or totally polluted it with nuclear waste so that it is inhospitable to humanity.
On the plus side, we will be seen as that time in history when the world revolted, and dismissed its hereditary kings, monarchs and aristocracy. The internet will be seen as a gift. The Sexual Revolution will also be noticeable in one thousand years time when humanity commenced to be liberated from archaic sexual roles and gender inequality. We will be remembered for our spiritual and religious reinvigoration as displayed by the arrival of born again Christians, the growth of fundamentalism in Christianity and Islam plus the increased spiritualism associated with new sects and groups that have proliferated since the 1970s and the natural spirituality of the New Age movement.
Though it has not occurred yet, we will probably be well remembered for the grassroots revolution against rampant and ecologically unsustainable consumerism (this grass roots revolution is unlikely to see its culmination prior to the middle of the next century). We will be seen as that strange time before the coming ecological golden age (2148 – 2863).[7] Our modern world is actually the gear-change time where the 10,000 years momentum of unplanned and ad hoc development of the world collides with its ecological consequences. This is part two of a mighty revolution that is underway. Part one was the revolution that dethroned the kings – part two is the environmental revolution that we are only seeing the beginning.
Unfortunately we will most likely be remembered badly – because compared to what is to follow, we don’t look good. The mini-golden age due around the middle of next century and lasting for around seven centuries indicates a world of balance, equality, ecological awareness and most likely a much smaller world population compared to today’s world. Scorpio is the sign of pruning – how much of the world’s population will be pruned over the next 150 years or so? From the current figure of 7 billion people, at least half may be pruned. This is already occurring. Most first world nations now have a negative population growth, with many second tier nations also falling in line. Research indicates that the more educated and economically prosperous a region – the lower the birth rate.
The astrology of the ages supports the realization by many that the world is on a collision course with environmental degradation due to pollution. How far will we go before something decisive and effective is done about the deplorable ecological situation? The influence of the Scorpio sub-age strongly insinuates that the world will go past the point of no-return before anything effective is done – with some severe long-term consequences for this lack of timely and direct counter measures. Despite the appearance of a possible golden age next century associated with the Libra decan of the Aquarian age, Libra produces indecisiveness – as no zodiacal sign has only positive qualities associated with it. So while the steady increase in Libra that has been occurring in the world has produced greater environmental awareness by a significant amount of the population, the amount of indecisiveness and the degree of luxury people want to experience (and damn the consequences) is also on the increase. The perceived failure of the Copenhagen Accord in late 2009 on climate change to really tackle the issue head-on is an example of this indecisiveness.
We must put the present parlous circumstance of the world in context. What period since the arrival of civilization has been viewed as a golden age? The earliest and only recorded possible contender for a golden age is in the Gemini age many thousands of years ago in Mesopotamia (present day Iraq) when farmers first settled down into villages but no form of government existed. It appears that political and social decisions were made through consultation and the family elders. This golden age occurred at the cusp of hunter-gathers and the new farmers before all the developed attributes of civilization had evolved (i.e. laws, regulations, leaders, armies, police, religions etc). Civilization brings great benefits and great problems. Are the benefits greater than the problems? On average perhaps not, but the next 150 years may be the exception to the rule where problems of civilization are far greater than the benefits.
I fear that in one thousand years time we will be judged badly but with two qualifications. Firstly I am assuming that civilized society exists in 1,000 years time – which cannot be assumed. Secondly I am assuming that people in 1,000 years time will be judgmental – like they are today, and seem to have been for many thousands of years. Perhaps people in a thousand years will be more evolved and will follow the maxim “judge not and you will not be judged”?
[1] see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_After_People and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBtHICMmDJk
[2] Specifically the Taurus age overflow (2916 – 732 BC)
[3] the Scorpio sub-age and overflow (1791 – 2148) – the third sub-age of the Age of Aquarius (see Is the Aquarian Age Like a Block of Granite?). Basically each astrological age has 12 sub-ages. The most influential sign currently in the Aquarian age is Scorpio.
[4] To be statistically correct, the many millions of deaths associated with the two world wars of the 20th century need to be put in context of the world population at the time.
[5] In around 2,000 years time in the next age, the Capricorn age, there will also be a Scorpio sub-age. The current Scorpio sub-age is the most powerful example of Scorpio until that time and therefore provides us with a 2,000 years Scorpio benchmark.
[6] India has just announced (in 2010) a massive plan to educate its vast millions of uneducated children over the coming decades.
[7] The ecological golden age is associated with the Libran age-decan of the Aquarian age. Each age has three age-decans.
Demystifying the Aquarian Age 