Aquarius
Galt MacDermot/Tom Pierson Lyrics

The song "Aquarius" by Galt MacDermot is a celebration of the astrological Age of Aquarius, a concept that emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s, as part of a broader cultural movement associated with counterculture and New Age spirituality. The Age of Aquarius is believed to herald a new era of peace, love, unity, and spiritual awakening, transcending the old paradigms of materialism, hierarchy, and division. The song's lyrics evoke this vision of a utopian future, describing a time when the moon, Jupiter, and other celestial bodies align in a way that brings harmony and understanding to the planet.

The first verse of the song establishes the astrological context of the Age of Aquarius, stating that when the moon is in the Seventh House (a reference to the seventh astrological sign, Libra), and Jupiter aligns with Mars (the traditional planet of war and aggression), peace will guide the planets and love will steer the stars. These lines suggest that the cosmic forces are aligning to bring about a momentous shift in human consciousness, in which war and conflict will be replaced by love and cooperation, and a new era of spiritual enlightenment will begin.

The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius", emphasizing the idea that we are witnessing the birth of a new era of human history. The rest of the lyrics describe the characteristics of this new age, such as "harmony and understanding", "sympathy and trust abounding", and "mystic crystal revelation". These lines suggest that the Age of Aquarius will be marked by a profound sense of unity, empathy, and spiritual awakening, in which people will be liberated from false beliefs and limitations, and able to realize their true potential.

Overall, "Aquarius" can be seen as a hymn to the ideals of peace, love, and unity that were prominent in the countercultural movements of the 1960s and 70s, and which continue to inspire many people to this day.