15.3 New Age and Alternative Spiritualities

New Age and alternative spiritualities emerged in the 1970s, blending Eastern and Western beliefs. These movements focus on personal growth, holistic health, and spiritual exploration. They draw from diverse traditions, offering a mix of ancient wisdom and modern practices.

New Age beliefs often include reincarnation, astrology, and channeling. Holistic health practices like meditation, yoga, and alternative therapies are popular. Followers use tools like crystals, tarot cards, and essential oils to connect with spiritual energies and promote well-being.

New Age Beliefs and Practices

Reincarnation and the Afterlife

Top images from around the web for Reincarnation and the Afterlife

• 

  Samsara – AnthroWiki View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  New Age - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Reincarnation - Wikiquote View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Samsara – AnthroWiki View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  New Age - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Reincarnation and the Afterlife

• 

  Samsara – AnthroWiki View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  New Age - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Reincarnation - Wikiquote View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Samsara – AnthroWiki View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  New Age - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• New Age movement emerged in the 1970s as a Western spiritual movement that draws from various religious and esoteric traditions
• Reincarnation is a central belief in the New Age movement, which holds that the soul or consciousness survives death and is reborn into a new physical body
• Belief in reincarnation often includes the idea of spiritual evolution, where the soul learns and grows through multiple lifetimes
• Some New Age adherents believe in the concept of karma, the idea that one's actions in this life will determine their fate in future lives

Astrology and Channeling

• Astrology, the study of the movements and relative positions of celestial bodies to gain insight into human affairs and natural phenomena, is widely practiced in the New Age movement
• New Age astrology often incorporates elements from various astrological traditions, such as Western and Chinese astrology
• Channeling involves the belief that individuals can communicate with spirits, angels, or other non-physical entities to receive guidance, wisdom, or healing
• Channelers may enter a trance-like state to allow the entity to speak through them or may receive messages through automatic writing or other means

Holistic Health and Wellness

Mind-Body Practices

• Holistic healing is an approach to health and wellness that considers the whole person, including their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being
• Meditation is a practice that involves focusing the mind to achieve a state of relaxation, clarity, and inner peace (mindfulness meditation, transcendental meditation)
• Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline originating in ancient India that combines physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation to promote health and well-being (Hatha yoga, Kundalini yoga)
• Mindfulness is a mental state and practice that involves being fully present and aware of one's thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without judgment

Alternative Therapies

• New Age adherents often seek out alternative therapies and healing modalities that are not typically part of conventional Western medicine
• Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine practice that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body, is often used to promote healing and balance
• Herbal medicine, the use of plants and plant extracts for medicinal purposes, is another common alternative therapy in the New Age movement (echinacea, ginkgo biloba)
• Energy healing practices, such as Reiki and therapeutic touch, involve the belief that a practitioner can channel healing energy into the patient's body to promote balance and well-being

New Age Tools and Techniques

Crystals and Tarot

• Crystals are believed to possess unique energetic properties that can be harnessed for healing, protection, and spiritual growth (quartz, amethyst)
• Crystal healing involves placing crystals on or near the body to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being
• Tarot cards are a deck of 78 cards, each with symbolic imagery, used for divination and self-reflection
• Tarot readings involve interpreting the cards' symbolism to gain insight into past, present, and future events or to explore spiritual and psychological themes

Aromatherapy and Energy Work

• Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils from plants for therapeutic purposes, such as reducing stress, improving mood, and promoting relaxation (lavender, peppermint)
• Essential oils can be inhaled, applied topically, or used in diffusers to disperse their scent and alleged benefits
• Energy work encompasses various practices that aim to manipulate or balance the body's subtle energy fields, such as aura cleansing and chakra balancing
• Smudging, the practice of burning sacred herbs like sage or palo santo to purify a space or person, is often used in energy work and New Age rituals