Below is a post that I submitted to Coffee House. There was some comment about New age thinking, the writer was trying to distance himself from rich consumers of religious insights.
Are you now, or have you ever been a new ager? Yes. I saw Hair. I sang the song. But then I was raised a Unitarian Universalist, and it was just Church Across the Street
The New Age was announced on Broadway in 1968 and we can see a general search for spiritual meaning in the generation that came of age during those years and after. That included Christians, Jews, seekers after Buddhism and Hinduism, seeker after Native America's insights....the new age isn't about pagans (alone.)
The lyrics that follow are "Aquarius"... a song in the musical Hair, soon after we saw Jesus Christ Superstar and Godspell. It wasn't just about pagans. And we began to experience the impact on our youth and young adults in those years. This is not a new phenomeon, even if some are only beginning to notice.
the song.....
When the moon is in the Seventh House۬and Jupiter aligns with Mars۬Then peace will guide the planets۬And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius۬The age of Aquarius۬Aquarius! Aquarius!
Harmony and understanding۬Sympathy and trust abounding۬No more falsehoods or derisions۬Golden living dreams of visions۬Mystic crystal revelation۬And the mind's true liberation۬Aquarius! Aquarius!
When the moon is in the Seventh House۬and Jupiter aligns with Mars۬Then peace will guide the planets۬And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius۬The age of Aquarius۬Aquarius! Aquarius!
As our hearts go beating through the night۬We dance unto the dawn of day۬To be the bearers of the water۬Our light will lead the way
We are the spirit of the age of Aquarius۬The age of Aquarius۬Aquarius! Aquarius!
Harmony and understanding۬Sympathy and trust abounding۬Angelic illumination۬Rising fiery constellation۬Travelling our starry courses۬Guided by the cosmic forces۬Oh, care for us; Aquarius
I think many Unitarian Universalists have taken "New Age seeker spirituality" seriously, and responded with a spiritual and religious tradition that has been and will be more enduring and deeper than what show tunes can offer.
There is most likely a big difference between the "New Age" of your youth and the "New Age" that I experienced in the 80's. Sorry if I offended.