It's an umbrella term used to describe a movement that encompassess a broad range of Eastern and Western interests in mysticism, spirituality, religion, health, parapsychology, ecology, philosophy, self-development and the occult. It is impossible to define exactly as opinions differ greatly and a great deal of what is considered New Age is not new, but a rediscovery of ancient or earlier ways of thinking, being, and living.
The term New Age replaced the Age of Aquarius label used in the 1960s to describe the astrologically predicted dawning of a new age characterised by spiritualism, intuition and revolutionary new ways of thinking. Although it has its roots deep in pre-history, New Age teaching became popular in the United States (and the rest of the Western world) in the 1960s and 1970s when New Age networks, periodicals and publications emerged. The 1960s saw much experimentation with mind-expanding drugs and meditation and the 70s saw the growth of humanistic psychology.
The movement grew partly as a reaction against the failure of the Chrisitan Church to provide comfort and guidance in such fast-changing times, partly because a number of Eastern texts, such as the I Ching and the teachings of Buddha, became widely available in English translation, and partly because capitalist cultures, increasingly weary of materialism and dogma, were looking for gentler and more spiritually rewarding alternatives.
New Age beliefs and activities are highly individual and eclectic but there are highly certain key themes, such as self-understanding and transforming the world through a spiritual awareness that unifies all religion and environmental consciousness, i.e. taking care of the planet.
Other key concepts that stand out in New Age thought include the idea that one creates one's own reality, that divinity exists within and that there is a need for renewed recognition of the feminine principle and utilisation of so-called feminine traits such as intuition. Those who subscribe to the New Age philosophy share an understanding that science, technology and a higher standard of living in the material world do not necessary make happier human beings or make the world a better place. They believe that there is a different way of being which is life-affirming and liberating, that everyone has far more potential than they realise, and that the only way to change the world for the better is to change oneself first.
Proponents of New Age thinking describe it as a 'revolution in consciousness'. Critics call it superficial, exploitative, vague, narcissistic, fraudulent, anti-Christian and cultish. Some of the criticisms are justified, however since the 1990s the need for a label has begun to disappear, as New Age thinking has slowly but surely penetrated mainstream culture - most notably in physics, psychology, behavoural medicine, environmental concerns and with an increasing acceptance of psi as a normal human function.
