The "Earth Age," which lasted for over 200 years since the 19th century, came to an end, and the "Air Age" began in 2020. It's said that the current will fully change in 2025. The "Air Age" has become a familiar term even for those not interested in astrology, and it is said to have officially begun on December 22, 2020. What exactly is this "Air Age," a time of major paradigm shifts occurring every 200 years?
The "Earth Age" emphasized stability, reality, and material things, like the ground. In contrast, the "Air Age" emphasizes things that flow, are not bound by material things, and are unconventional. During the "Earth Age," each individual sought "visible wealth" through money, material possessions, status, and marriage. Meanwhile, the "Air Age" is said to be an era in which each individual will judge things based on their own values, rather than values based on material possessions. Social trends will also change accordingly. We are moving away from an era in which society revered the wealthy, landed, educated, and company-owning. The Age of Air is an era in which society as a whole recognizes the value of things intangible, unconstrained by materialistic constraints and conventions. We are on the cusp of a society in which lifestyles and values as flexible and light as the wind become the norm.
This concept is rooted in Western astrology, which divides the 12 zodiac signs into four elements—fire, earth, wind, and water—and holds that society as a whole is based on different values depending on the element. In Western astrology, the cycles of time move in 200-year cycles: water → fire → earth → wind.
The Earth Age began approximately 220 years ago. The Industrial Revolution occurred at the end of the 18th century, marking the transition from the Fire Age to the Earth Age. This marked the end of an era dominated by military force, ushering in an era of capitalism, where economic power itself drives the world. It's an undeniable fact that social values have undergone major changes.
In astrology, in addition to the "Earth Age," there are also the "Fire Age," "Water Age," and "Air Age." Let's take a look at each one.
The "Fire Age" refers to an era of conflict. In the Middle Ages in Europe, a select few, such as aristocrats, kings, and emperors, wielded great power. The "Fire Age" was a time when a powerful few controlled the majority. It can also be said to have been an era in which the arts flourished. Classical music, as we know it today, was born during the "Fire Age." The Baroque style is famous in architecture, but this was an era in which not only architecture but also various artistic activities, including sculpture and painting, were incorporated into every aspect of life. This suggests that beauty was a social norm. The Baroque style is said to have symbolized power and wealth. In contrast, the Rococo style is known for emphasizing personal taste and preference. Both the Baroque and Rococo styles are known to have had a major impact on European art history. In this way, during the "Age of Fire," passion, intuition, and imagination flourish, and these energies have a strong influence on society. It is believed that stable, peaceful times, when energy is not wasted in war and conflict, allow people to channel their abundant passion and energy into art and creativity.
In Japan, the Heian and Edo periods are "Age of Fire." The Heian period lasted approximately 1,200 years ago. It was a time when court culture flourished and the foundations of various aspects of Japanese culture, such as painting and waka poetry, were laid. It was a time of great peace and stability, with no major wars. 200 years later, the "Age of Fire" came to an end, ushering in the "Age of Water."
400 years ago in Japan was the Edo period. It marked the end of the Warring States period and a time of peace and cultural flourishing. Rather than rebelling against their rulers, people poured their energy into art and culture. It was an era that gave birth to many cultural forms, including ukiyo-e, joruri, and kabuki. At the same time, there are records of volcanic eruptions during the "Age of Fire." The next Age of Fire will occur approximately 400 years from now, around 2500 AD.
The "Age of Water" is characterized by "destruction and creation." This 200-year "Age of Water" coincided with the Age of Discovery in Europe and the United States. Europeans traveled the seas in search of new lands, found new lands, established colonies, and integrated with local peoples, customs, and cultures. This was also the period when the Bible became a huge hit. Between 1815 and 1998, 388 billion copies were printed, spreading the Bible throughout the world. As Christianity spread, religion and philosophy became more prevalent among the people.
In Japan, the Muromachi period gradually came to an end, ushering in the Sengoku period. It was a chaotic world of ascendancy, where vassals routinely overthrew their lords and kin were constantly fighting among themselves. The next "Water Age" is said to be in 2159 AD.
We are currently in the "Air Age." To be precise, it began on December 22, 2020, when Jupiter and Saturn made close contact. It can also be said that this is a transition from the "Earth Age," which had lasted for the past 200 years, to the "Air Age." We have just entered the "Air Age." Living at a major turning point in history, we are among the few people who are able to witness these profound changes. Furthermore, our sensibilities, which still harbor the sensibilities of the "Earth Age," will likely be gradually forced to change.
As society enters the "Air Age," the rules and customs we have taken for granted will begin to crumble. From 2024 onward, the changes of the "Air Age" will truly begin. This marks the beginning of a new era. It is said that in the "Air Age," more people will place importance on the intangible. During the "Earth Age," a vertical society was emphasized, but from now on, society will shift to a horizontal one. We are moving from an era that emphasizes material things to one that emphasizes spirituality. The theme of the "Age of Wind" is "living freely" for each individual. To live freely, we must respect the freedom of others. This will require greater cooperation than ever before. We will also need the ability to express ourselves and communicate effectively. Relationships of dominating and being dominated will gradually fade, and we will be required to think and act independently. Imitating others or following their lead will no longer work. This is an era in which a flexible lifestyle like the wind will become the norm.
The transition to the "Age of Wind" has already brought about social change. The lifetime employment system has collapsed, and flexible working styles such as freelancing and side jobs have become mainstream. Cash has given way to electronic money, and examples of success without large capital, such as the rise of YouTubers and influencers, are becoming more apparent. From an era in which people were passionate about owning things, services that allow people to rent things only when they need them are becoming more widespread.
The last "Age of Wind" occurred 800 years ago, during the 12th century Kamakura period. It was a time when the aristocratic-centered hierarchical society collapsed and horizontal connections increased. Land and property were dispersed among samurai throughout the country, and aristocratic culture, religion, and learning spread to the common people. In 1206, Genghis Khan founded the Mongol Empire. The Mongol Empire was a nation of nomadic people who lived by horseback across the plateau, raising sheep and goats. They organized highly mobile cavalry corps and launched numerous expeditions, dominating a wide area from Asia to Europe. It is said that the Mongol Empire's prosperity was supported by the smooth movement of people, goods, and information through the establishment of stations along trade routes. Founded in 1299, the Ottoman Empire, a Turkish Islamic dynasty, was a gigantic nation that lasted for over 600 years. One of the reasons for the Ottoman Empire's prosperity is believed to be the creation of a diverse society where people of various ethnicities, religions, and languages lived side by side. Thus, in the "Age of Air," stimulating communication and absorbing a wide range of information will likely be key to success. The "Age of Air" is characterized by two major features: the display of individual charm and individuality, and the diversity of correctness.
The era of American dominance is coming to an end, and the Global South, a former colony, is strengthening its economic power. While each of the more than 100 countries in the world faces its own unique challenges and policies, their respective strategies are not uniform, and it is true that their share of global GDP is steadily increasing. During the Ukraine War, Western countries imposed economic sanctions on Russia, but India, the world's most populous country, countered Western policy by increasing imports from Russia. The economic policies initiated by the West have become hollow. The world is no longer in an era where many countries conform to the direction set by the United States. The "Age of Wind" can also be seen as an era in which diverse ideas coexist. The BRICS countries of the Global South, which once experienced colonial rule, tend to dislike the idea of "dominating others through force." Indian Prime Minister Modi seems to value each country's autonomy and seek to unite them through mutual recognition and respect. China's economic decline is also becoming more apparent, highlighting the constant shifts in the world order. Entering 2025, the dollar's share of the global economy declined, and Indonesia officially joined the BRICS. The world is constantly changing, and past conventions will no longer apply.
The "Age of Wind," especially over the next 200 years, will not be an era in which "something is right and something is wrong." The choice of gravesite will vary from person to person. Maintaining a traditional grave is a good option. Scattering ashes at sea or in the mountains is also an option. Joint scattering is also an option, as is keeping the remains close at hand. It's fine to close the grave or the Buddhist altar. We are living in an age where each person has to make their own choices at their own responsibility.
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