Addendum

1. New Age Books

New Age has its authors. The document of the Holy See (2003) mentions 13 books: William Bloom, The New Age. An Anthology of Essential Writings, London, Rider, 1991; two books by Fritjof Capra, who advocates a New Age science: The Tao of Physics: An Exploration of the Parallels between Modern Physics and Eastern Mysticism, Berkeley, Shambhala, 1975; and The Turning Point: Science, Society and the Rising Culture, Toronto (Bantam) 1983. The following authors developed the religious dimension of New Age: Benjamin Cremee, The Reappearance of Christ and the Masters of Wisdom, London, Tara Press, 1979; the very influential book by Marilyn Ferguson, The Aquarian Conspiracy. Personal and Social Transformation in Our Time, Los Angeles (Tarcher) 1980; Chris Griscom, Ecstasy is a New Frequency: Teachings of the Light Institute, New York, Simon & Schuster, 1987; Thomas Kuhn, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 1970; five books by David Spangler: The New Age Vision, Forres, Findhorn Publications, 1980; Revelation: The Birth of a New Age, San Francisco, Rainbow Bridge, 1976; Towards a Planetary Vision, Forres, Findhorn Publications, 1977; The New Age, Issaquah, The Morningtown Press, 1988; The Rebirth of the Sacred, London, Gateway Books, 1988.

To the above list I would like to add the following: Baba Ram Dass (born Richard Alpert, a Harvard University Professor of Psychology) who has written various popular books, which in the 1970s effectively launched the New Age, as we know it now, the United States: Be Here Now, Hanuman Foundation Santa Fe, NM (1971); The Only Dance There Is, Bantam Books, Doubleday Dell, New York, NY (1973); Grist for the Mill, Unity Press, Santa Cruz, CA (1977); Journey of the Awakening, Bantam Books, New York, NY (1978); Miracle of Love, Hanuman Foundation, Santa Fe, NM (1979). Helen Schucman wrote the New Age textbook: A Course in Miracles, Foundation for Inner Peace, CA (1976). Shirley MacLaine, with her books Out of a Limb (1984, also a movie) and Dancing in the Light (1986), is one of the most visible propagators of New Age beliefs. Other New Age writers are George Leonard, Jean Houston, Barbara Marx Hubbard, Norman Shealy, Sam Keen and Timothy Leary.

Famous writers of the first half of the 20th century had anticipated themes and sensibilities dear to New Age literature: Hermann Hesse's renowned Siddhartha (1919), Narcissus and Goldmund (1930), and Journey to the East (1932). Richard Bach, who is a student of Silva Mind Control,(89) with his hugely successful Jonathan Livingstone Seagull (1970), has interpreted the myth of mental evolution. I would consider hugely successful Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho a New Age author of some sort, who has been instrumental in giving a literary and moral dignity to some main New Age ideas.(90) Among his books are: The Pilgrimage (1987), The Alchemist (1988), The Valkyries (1992), By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept (1994), Veronika Decides to Die (1998), Eleven Minutes (2003).

The Salem New Age Center (salemctr.com) gives a list of the top selling New Age books. A simple reading of the titles of the books gives a good idea of New Age's focus and interests. Interestingly, most of the authors are women. The titles are: Conversations With God; Cure For All Diseases; Love Is In The Earth; Cure For All Cancers; Seven Spiritual Laws of Success; The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need; Animal Energies; Awakening To Zero Point; Heal Your Body; Way Of The Wizard; Infinite Mind; Hands of Light; Sacred Space; Witches Almanac; Kryon Alchemy of The Human Spirit; You Can Heal Your Life; You Are Becoming A Galactic Human; Feng Shui: A Layman's Guide; Reiki: The Healing Touch; Complete Book of Oils and Aromatherapy; Psychic Healing With Spirit Guides and Angels; Celestine Prophecy: An Experiential Guide; Into A Timeless Realm; Relax: God Is In Charge; Wicca: A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner; All Women Are Healers; Way of the Peaceful Warrior; Many Lives, Many Masters; Open Your Mind to Prosperity; Embraced By The Light; Creative Visualization; The Complete Ascension Manual.

The same website also gives lists of top selling inspirational, health and healing, UFO, Wicca and New Paganism books.

2. New Age Music

New Age music was born some twenty years ago. It has quickly become immensely popular. It is one of the major tools of New Age propagation in contemporary society. There is no major music shop without a section devoted to New Age music.

New Age music derives elements from electronic music, "new acoustic" instrumental music, therapeutic music, selected sacred styles, Celtic music, and various other hybrids. New Age music is generally tranquil, dreamy, soft, evocative and somewhat spiritual and mysterious, intended for ambience and mood control. It is mainly bought by 'yuppies', young, successful single people.

There are a number of recognized artists who have also produced New Age-like music, among them: Brian Eno, Enigma, Paul Winter, Peter Gabriel and Secret Garden. Celtic New Age music has been particularly successful. It was born as a distinct genre with the 1988 solo debut of Irish singer Enya. Celtic New Age music is recognizable by its ethereal and haunting sounds from traditional Irish instruments. Clannad and Loreena McKennitt are also well-known artists of this genre.

In his performances David Arkenstone provides music of galactic voyages, while Yanni projects a sort of mystical sex appeal. Flutist R. Carlos Nakai creates relaxing music rooted in Native American culture, while George Winston works on compositions that are deeply poetic. Other New Age musicians are Philip Aaberg and Adiemus.

3. New Age movies and TV series

New Age concepts and practices are popular with famous pop and movie stars. Top stars often mention how good and negative energies affect their lives and careers. To neutralize the negativity and relieve the stress of being a mega-fame star, they secure guru guidance, practise meditation, delve in astrology, carry crystals and other energy and good fortune objects.

New Age has expanded especially in California, where many of its centres, leaders, sympathizers and supporters are located. As a consequence it has influenced not only the electronic-media industry, but also the world of entertainment. The movie industry, especially in Hollywood, has been producing an enormous quantity of movies based on themes connected with New Age beliefs although this is not always explicitly acknowledged. Movies that touch on the theme of reality and time in New Age fashion are, among others, Matrix, Waking Life, Sliding Doors, Back To The Future, Somewhere In Time, Frequency, and Groundhog Day. Favourite movies that feature experiences of visions are: The Never-ending Story, Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Splash, Mr. Peabody, The Muse, and The Mermaid. The subject of life after death such as in Sixth Sense, Ghost, Field of Dream, Meet Joe Black, and After Life is always popular. Also numerous are movies about extraterrestrial encounters and experiences: Independence Day, E.T., Close Encounters of The Third Kind, Contact, and Cocoon. The following movies play up enhanced abilities and sensibilities: Phenomenon, Stir of Echoes, Resurrection, Powder, The Shadow, Altered States and Brainstorm. Angels are the protagonists of City of Angels, Wings of Desire and Michael. Devil-related movies are produced in an increasing number.

Shirley MacLaine, probably the most famous current figure in the New Age movement, plays herself in Out of a Limb, the TV mini-series (1986) that describes her journey into New Age.

In 1994 Michael Tolkin directed a movie entitled The New Age, which describes the American New Age world somewhat critically and ironically.

New Age ideas and beliefs are ever more prominent in many TV programs, where the boundary between reality, fantasy, the fantastic, the magic and the paranormal is blurred. Among the most popular of these programs are Twin Peaks, Ally McBeal and The X Files.

In most television entertainment programmes in 'catholic' Italy, there is an astrologer who, with the seriousness of a scientist, reads horoscopes and tells fortunes. This is nothing new, certainly, but in the past astrology and magic were considered a somewhat decadent and reprehensible phenomenon, limited to a backward minority. Now it has been elevated to an all-time high dignity and popularity, involving the rich, the famous and the glamorous.

89. Silva Mind Control was founded in 1944 by a Mexican Catholic, who claimed to have received new revelations from Jesus. The method aimed at increasing consciousness to obtain psychological orientation in accordance with New Age thought. See Fuss, The New Age, pp. 11-12.

90. Ferdinando Castelli, L'Alchimista di Paulo Coelho cammina sui sentieri del New Age. La Civilta Cattolica, No. 1, 1997, pp. 227-238.