The Angel Aquarius

In 1969 The 5th Dimension’s song “Angel Aquarius” became a #1 hit for six weeks.

Yes, I know. All of my contemporaries and any of the younger generation who might enjoy classic music are yelling at the screen, “That’s not a song!”

I know that now, but in 1969 my neighbors and I spent a lot of time singing “Angel Aquarius.

We lived on a country road with very little traffic, so the gravel (sometimes paved) surface became a playground for us. We rode our bicycles between our houses, held talent shows and had many adventures on that road. When the new #1 hit came out, we enjoyed it’s catchy tune, and sang with the radio, “It is the dawning of the Angel Aquarius.”

One day we were playing and singing at the end of my neighbors’ driveway when their older brother and his girlfriend drove by and heard us. They laughed and told us the song was “Age of Aquarius.”

We were confused. Angel Aquarius at least made a little sense to us, though we didn’t know who she was. But AGE OF Aquarius made no sense at all. We continued to sing the song (with the correct lyrics now), but we had no idea what the song was about. (If you recall, the hit was a medley which included “Let the Sun Shine In,” which we also sang with much greater clarity about the lyrics.)

Decades later I still didn’t understand what the song was about until I did some research. I knew it had something to do with the stars. I’ve been hearing some talk on YouTube about how we are “coming in to the Age of Aquarius.” It refers to the astrological signs of the zodiac and the constellations that are in view from the earth. I’m not going to go into that because the Bible warns us not to be ensnared by astrology, but I do want to mention a few things about the origins of the song.

I discovered for the first time today that the song was originally written for the musical “Hair,” about teenagers dealing with the angst of the world and war (AND with long hair, hence the title). Some of you may remember those tumultuous times. I was eight, so I know about it only from studying history.

I also didn’t realize that the song was made famous by the 5th Dimension. Hey, don’t judge – I thought the song was “Angel Aquarius,” remember? I have to confess I’ve known about the 5th Dimension for years, but if you had asked me to name some of their songs I’d have been at a loss. The other big one that I recognize now was “Up, Up and Away in My Beautiful Balloon.” Never knew that was the 5th Dimension.

So what was the point of “Age of Aquarius”, and why in the world am I writing a blog about it the week before Christmas? The song reflects the belief (again from astrology) that the age of Aquarius will bring us into a time when “peace will guide the planets, and love will steer the stars.” The bridge of the song brings us into harmony, understanding, sympathy and trust.

Here we are nearly 55 years after the song made its debut, and we are well into the age of Aquarius. Do you see the peace and love? Or harmony and understanding?

Neither do I.

That’s because the position of stars and constellations in relation to earth’s orbit can never bring peace or love. That doesn’t mean those ideals are not possible in the hearts of each individual person. When the angels proclaimed the good tidings of great joy to the shepherds on the hills outside of Bethlehem they sang a song of praise.

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Luke 2:14 (NIV)

On Christmas we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace. Though the world be at war or falling apart all around us, we still can have the peace that passes understanding in our hearts.

Don’t look to that “Angel Aquarius” for hope, peace and joy. Jesus alone is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6).

And in case you’re not familiar with the true Christmas story, enjoy Peanuts’ Linus reading of it below.

Merry Christmas!

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