In all ancient mystical traditions, time is considered in four or five ages or periods, beginning with the purest and gradually declining into the final, darkest age, after which there is death of all impurity so that the cycle can begin anew. The golden age is the earliest, a time of beauty, innocence, simplicity, and pristine happiness. In the Bible, this is represented by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden before the fall into sin.
"The four Ages of the Greek mystics — the Golden Age, the Silver Age, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age — are metaphoric expressions referring to the four major periods in the life of all things. In the divisions of the day they signify dawn, midday, sunset, and midnight; in the duration of gods, men, and universes, they denote the periods of birth, growth, maturity, and decay. The Greek Ages also bear a close correspondence to the four Yugas of the Hindus: Krita-Yuga, Treta-Yuga, Dvapara-Yuga, and Kali-Yuga." —Manly P. Hall, The Secret Teachings of All Ages
"A golden age is an age of innocence, beauty, and goodness, of love, fraternity, brotherhood among people without ego." —Samael Aun Weor