New era

[lololink]

The previous umbral events were natural disasters. Dalamud was a men-made disaster.

The war of the Magi ( Amdapor Vs Nym ) created a disaster too, Umbral era = trouble, Astral era = peace. We are far from peace right now.

[kyuven]

I believe Umbral Eras are treated as some sort of disaster, and Astral eras are eras where you can definitively say recovery from the event has taken place.
The sound defeat of 3 primals, an ancient powerful weapon, and turning back the army that threatened Eorzea for nearly a decade, as well as the beginnings of unification for all 3 grand companies is more than enough to justify a declaration of a new era, especially after the crap that the Calamity brought forth.

[KaiKatzchen]

From the looks of the official website and the story it tells, its seems that 1.0 was an Astral Era.

The First Umbral Era brought an end to the age of the gods, and there have been six such eras of calamity since the First Astral Era ushered in the age of man.
Each of the Umbral catastrophes has, in turn, borne the characteristics of one of the six elements. With all the elements now represented, it was believed the current Astral era would last into eternity.

The other 6 were as follows:

1. The Umbral Era of Wind. This was the end of the divine's era and simultaneously the beginning of men's era.
2. The Umbral Era of Lightning.
3. The Umbral Era of Fire.
4. The Umbral Era of Earth.
5. The Umbral Era of Ice.
6. The Umbral Era of Water. Severe flooding caused the submersion and damage of many parts of Eorzea.

Then it goes onto say:

But in the seventh verse of the Divine Chronicles, Mezaya Thousand Eyes prophesized a less fortunate fate. The "senary sun," or Sixth Astral Era, would indeed end, and the "septenary moon," or Seventh Umbral Era, would cast its shadow upon the land.

So when the missing 7th verse was found, which was given to us New years Eve in 1.0:

Ne'er till land consumes sun can sea bear moons
Heavens spew crimson flame, hells seep black dooms
Stray seeds quicken in ash's grey embrace
Valiant blades forged under the Twelve's good grace

-Seventh Verse of the Devine Chronicles
Mezaya Thousand Eyes

They realized the 7th Umbral Era would be brought around by something non-elemental and they were not safe. This was the Garlean's bringing down Dalamud and basically destroying everything, which is why the landscape from 1.0 to 2.0 is different.

So according to all of the above info from the official FFXIV site, we are now is the 7th Umbral Era. Which would explain all of the issues with the what is it aether (?) that they see with the goggles the main characters wear. Also explains the further fighting and conflict going on with the Garlean's and conflicts with the primals.

We are in a time of war, but what they could mean in the story is they are bringing about the new Astral Era by what they are doing, so we could be going into an Astral Era, so we might be on the threshold.

[Nici]

OH!...good job Kai...someone did her homework! lol.

[Alberel]

1.0 was the 6th Astral Era, Dalamud's fall marked the beginning of the 7th Umbral Era and the defeat of Gaius and Ultima Weapon apparently marks the beginning of the 7th Astral Era according to Kan-e-Senna.

Bear in mind, however, that just because the GC leaders declare a new era does not necessarily make it so. Bahamut caused the 7th Umbral Era and he is still not dealt with so I'm hesitant to believe it's all over just yet.

Based on events in 2.3's story the Astral and Umbral eras may actually be tied to the Ascians in some way as well (Elidibus references 7 'joinings' or some such which clearly are what they call the eras and signifies a greater purpose behind events) in which case their continued and growing presence would actually suggest things are only going to get worse.

[Felis]

history lore:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBj0umj3K3M