Over the course of my life, I have had numerous prophetic visions under the influence of nau’gshtamine, more than I can count. Many of them were insignificant events which came to pass within a week or two of the vision. Others are of a personal nature. In this collection, I have included only the visions which I feel have a political or religious significance. Well, perhaps there are a few I included on whim.
For convenience sake, I have labeled these apparitions as either “prophecy” or “vision.” A vision is of some occurrence which happened in the past. These visions are significant because they have given me either new insight on the events in question, or new information that I was later able to confirm. A prophecy is of unrecognized circumstances that came to pass at a date later than the apparition. I have seen many other apparitions – whether they will eventually play out, or whether they are just the meanderings of my subconscious mind, is yet to be seen. I have not included them in this collection. This is not an attempt to make my prophecies seem more accurate in nature – frankly, I couldn’t give a neutrino whether or not anyone believes me. However, unfulfilled prophecies generally have negative effects. Interpretations are made, positive or negative, and then there are attempts to either force the prophecy to conform to expectations or to avoid its assumed consequences. History is full of cautionary tales about the unfortunate results of acting on a misinterpretation of prophecy. And the more obscure the prophecy, the more likely it is to be used by crackpots as a basis for bizarre conspiracy theories. I prefer to see prophecy as a nascent science, the visions to be recorded and later checked for veracity. As our understanding grows, so will our ability to use them to our advantage. For the present, I see no profit in publishing the unfulfilled visions. As prophecy continues, and the import of older prophecies becomes clear, it is likely that there will eventually be additional volumes in this series.
The prophecies fall into two groups. The first are visions I had under the influence of nau’gshtamine amide alpha, synthesized from the apples of the Arya nau’gsh – the psychoactive drug known as Gyre and now commonly called “the impure vehicle.” Most, but not all, of these visions occurred while I was on Volparnu, married to Tenzain Merkht. The second group of visions was obtained from a special form of nau’gshtamine amide beta found only in the apples of the Atlas and Goliath trees. Called “the blue amrita,” it is poisonous to anyone but me (although any human Chosen by a Cu’enashti nau’gsh may safely consume the products of their own mate’s particular apples.) Experience has proved that the visions obtained from the blue amrita are of far higher quality than those of the impure vehicle. In addition, the blue amrita has never shown evidence of causing the neurological damage typical of “gyring.” This makes perfect sense from a pharmacological viewpoint. Nau’gshtamine amide alpha induces a state of consciousness which in some ways mimics the mind of the Arya Nau’gsh – a state wholly foreign to human experience. Nau’gshtamine amide beta variants are specifically tailored to suit the neurochemistry of the one human who can safely imbibe. They are produced by an entity whose concern for the user’s well-being perhaps even exceeds that of the user him/herself.
Each prophecy is followed by at least three commentaries. I have asked Archbishop Venesti to give the official Archonist Church interpretation of each one; I have also asked High Prophetess Elma for her opinion as the galaxy’s leading expert in nau’gshtamine visions. In addition, I have asked Ash to provide the perspective of at least one of his emanations. The default is a commentary by Archbishop Seth. For a number of the visions, I have felt it necessary to provide my own explanations; for a handful, we have sought the assistance of a guest commentator with a unique perspective on the events described.
For many years, I eschewed the practice of prophecy out of fear of the effects that the impure vehicle had upon me. It took me much time and a personal shock (as described in the documentation found in the first half of this volume) to realize that the blue amrita was very different. The covenant of trust, the perfect communication I had desired with my beloved had always been close to hand. Over the years, there have been many doubts, many errors on my part. In the end, I always return to the same line of thinking: Ashtara doesn’t make mistakes. Perhaps I don’t mean quite the same thing that Archbishop Venesti means, or what an Archonist believer means, but it’s the truth of my heart: Ashtara is my love, my lord, and my God.
-TD, 2nd Archonsday of Nau’gshtide, 3617