Prophecy
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The prophet is not diverted by illusions of past, present and future. The fixity of language determines such linear distinctions. Prophets hold a key to the lock in language. The mechanical image remains only an image to them. This is not a mechanical universe. The linear progression of events is imposed by the observer. Cause and effect? That’s not it at all. The prophet utters fateful words. You glimpse a thing “destined to occur”. But the prophetic instant releases something of infinite portent and power. The universe undergoes a ghostly shift. The wise prophet conceals actuality behind shimmering labels. The uninitiated then believe the prophetic language is ambiguous. The listener distrusts the prophetic messenger. Instinct tells you how the utterance blunts the power of such words. The best prophets lead you up to the curtain and let you peer through it yourself.
- The Stolen Journals [1]
Frank Herbert “God Emperor of Dune”
Gollancz, Orion Publishing, London. Page 297
ISBN 0 575 07506 6
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Prophecy acts like a magic spell in human consciousness. It allows one to put off work on self so the Fairy Godmother Saviour will expunge all misdeeds with a wave of her wand and it threatens people that if they do not follow obediently they will burn in hell. Prophecy is a cosh to ensure obedience. Prophecy has more power over human psyche than scientific prediction. For some reason a two thousand year old prophecy of Armageddon holds more sway than the forecast of anthropogenic climate disaster. Were climate change a vision of a notable shaman; greedy people might take it more seriously.
In the previous sutra the Shakyamuni Buddha predicts the Akshobhya Buddha who offers more extensive dharma than even Lord Maitreya. Many have heard of the pure land of Amitabha few of Abhirati the Eastern pure land. Prophecy is subject to the whims of fashion, trend and political convenience. Some prophecies are more popular than others.
The intelligent sociopath might use prophecy to manipulate the masses. In Dune the Bene Gesserit lay a trail to make way, to pave the path, for Paul Atreides. Prophecies work in the psyche and collective unconscious over centuries. Lore becomes fact and thence inevitability in the minds. Prophecy cannot be questioned; one must not dare. Of course this lays the ground for self-fulfilment of prophecy.
Fulfilment of prophecy is seen as unequivocal proof. If something predicted hundreds of years ago can be seen true {after a little confirmation bias stretching to fit} then that is seen as “I told you so” proof, a quotable reference. The source of prophecy becomes a font of wisdom. A Delphic oracle of incontrovertible omniscience.
It is no longer common practice to draw and read the entrails of a goat; the role of the Sacerdotes has waned. Yet many remain “superstitious”. We still cross our fingers and touch wood. If Baba Vanga or Nostradamus hints at it, the lupine hackles on the back of the neck may still rise a tad.
A lot is invested in prophecy. It plays a significant role in religions. The Higgs prophecy has recently come true. Which raises the question.
“If we were not looking for the Higgs boson, would we have found it?”
People were willing to spend millions of dollars searching. A six sigma blip in data proves this boson can exist under some esoteric and severe conditions.
One can never truly know what “prophecies” others have and live according to.
One might accidentally be fulfilling someone else’s prophecy. If for example you have a mantram that all men are cheating bastards who only want one thing, your prophetic mantram will colour your interactions with all men. It is very likely that you will force the situation to fit your mantram, proving yourself right and your prophecy upheld.
There is always an element of prejudice with prophecy. If you are expecting something to occur that is a form of pre-judgement by definition.
It says so in the book!!
A reason why people like prophecy is that is gives them a sense (false?) of control over the future. It is written thus…therefore we do not have to worry about the unknown. It will be.
Be careful what you wish for is a prophetic warning which may be applied to any prophecy.
