Saeculum

Saeculum (Latin saeculum — "age", "generation") is a complete macro-historical cycle of 80–100 years, consisting of four generational phases (Turnings).

Source. A central concept of the Strauss–Howe generational theory (#16) by William Strauss and Neil Howe, set out in the books "Generations" (1991) and "The Fourth Turning" (1997).

The Four Phases of the Saeculum

1. High (~20 years) — consensus, institution-building, conformity. Example: postwar America, 1946–1964
2. Awakening (~20 years) — cultural revolution, individualism, spiritual search. Example: 1964–1984
3. Unraveling (~20 years) — institutional decay, cynicism, fragmentation. Example: 1984–2008
4. Crisis (~20 years) — existential challenge, mobilization, restructuring of society. Example: 2008–2030(?)

Generational Archetypes

Each phase has its archetype. Each phase corresponds to a generational archetype: Hero, Artist, Prophet, Nomad.

Significance for Errarium

A macro-historical scale. The Saeculum is a unit of analysis at the scale of generations and epochs, used in Errarium on the T4 axis (the macro-historical scale).