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 MODERNITYPOSTMODERNITY 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 ScientologyNeo-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 , 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 ( ) 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

Katie Holmes & Tom Cruise Kelly Preston & Jon Travolta Jenna & Bodhi Elfman Leah Remini & Angelo Pagan Beth Riesgraf & Jason Lee L. Ron Hubbard

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 ( 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) brings techniques &creative power of spirituality to political activism Starhawk