A Fortune in Food--Can Asparagus Really Predict the Future?
I like eating vegetables, and asparagus is one of my favorites. But I never suspected that perhaps instead of just eating it, I should be using this tall, green, veggie to help me decide how to plot my future, or find out what life entails for me. Until now, that is, after reading an article in the Telegraph online about Jemima Packington, who may be the world’s only “asparamancer.” Some years ago she randomly dropped a handful of asparagus and read a prediction out of the way they landed--the prediction came true and the rest is history. Or, predestination, depending on how long you let it all steam. So, be careful before eating asparagus next. Maybe there really is a reason it’s in the oldest surviving book of recipes, De re Coquinaria, Book III, and maybe that reason isn’t just because it tastes good and has interesting effects on bodily fluids. This does, though, lead me to wondering--could other vegetables also be useful as fortune-telling devices? Should I be reading my salads and sides before eating them? Have any Al Dente readers ever discovered something pertinent about their life in a floret of broccoli? A slightly wilted leaf of kale? Let us know, so we, also, may take advantage of the prognosticatory powers of vegetables.
--A.J. Rathbun
Julie Ann Shapiro - author of Jen-Zen and the One Shoe Diaries on March 14, 2008 at 09:24 AM
The universe sends messages all the time. I liken it to a radio dial. Some people tune into the frequency. It's not where the frequency is coming from that matters so, but whether they are open enough to hear it. It can be there in the chirping of birds or in dreams. Like I said in my novel, "Intuition is a fool's wobble until you set it straight."
Sue on March 14, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Don't know about y'all, but I don't believe in this "fortune telling" nonsense. The only Person who will fortell your future is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Afterall, we all will stand in front of God on our judgment day (the day of our death) and have to give an account of our life. If you haven't accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you will end up in a place where you don't want to be.
gkahskjah on March 14, 2008 at 11:48 AM
msnm,anm, nnj nknkknasnn
BlogDog on March 14, 2008 at 12:26 PM
If you eat the asparagus, I can predict the future. The next time you use the facilities, you will smell the place up.
Buford Gooch on March 14, 2008 at 12:55 PM
I once dropped a burrito into some chipotle sauce. I then spilled cheese on top. The message I got was, "If you eat this, you will feel fire at each end of your alimentary canal.
Nate on March 14, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Sue, that was great! Hope you intended that as comedy, because there's no taking anyone too serious with a comment like that.
Sarge on March 14, 2008 at 01:24 PM
If Jesus can actually foretell my future, he already knows if I will ever accept him or not.
If he already knows the eventual result, then I actually have no say in the matter either way... so your proselytizing is rather a waste of time, isn't it?
Sue on March 14, 2008 at 03:41 PM
Yup, Sarge...you're going to hell. :>)
It's not so much a matter of Him "foretelling" what you are going to do, as it is Him knowing what you are going to do.
What are you going to do? In the Bible, it says that Moses changed God's mind. I will pray that God gives you the faith in Jesus, so that you will receive His free gift of salvation.
Don't be a proselyte, be a Christian!
tikky on March 14, 2008 at 04:00 PM
If you don't believe in the asparagus thing and others do, who is to say your God is right, thats your belief. I despise it whe people use their religion against others beliefs. Pffft
ossian on March 14, 2008 at 07:05 PM
The Chinese classically set a great store by divination (and for you Christian proselytizers responding here: let me remind you of the divination elements of Umim and Thumin on the high priest's breastplate). The work is called in English the Book of Changes, in Chinese, Yi Jing. One of the methods of divination involves casting and bundling yarrow sticks. I guess asparagus stalks would do as well. And by the way, I'm Catholic with a master's in theology, so don't rant in my direction, if you'd be so kind, though I know some of the more hide-bound of you don't accept us as "Christian."
on March 15, 2008 at 08:18 AM
Well, I see the witch doctors from all sides are out in force. Don't blame you, it's a kooky post.
We don't read the future in food. It's not divination. We try to influence the future, influence other people with it. It's spellcasting. Our recipes are our spells, written right there in the yellowed pages of our favorite cookgrimoire.
"To induce nostalgia, have this tuna noodle casserole."
"To impress the parents of other children, make these cookies."
"To become more British, drink this tea every afternoon at four with these cucumber and watercress sandwiches."
"To promote world peace and harmony, have this tofu burger."
"To make someone feel special on their birthday, make this cake."
And most of all:
"To lose weight, follow these instructions most carefully: Purify your mind by an unshakeable resolve. Use the foods and drinks listed, only in the amounts and combinations directed, and only at the times prescribed. Repeat these magic words ('I am on a diet') and you will be able to influence the actions of others to assist you. If the spell does not work as expected, you have made an error and must repeat the spell until effectual."
Sue on March 24, 2008 at 07:16 PM
Tikky and Ossian...I'm not saying that I am right; the Bible, God's Word, is what is right. It's not me judging, it's God. Religion are man made rules and regulations that the Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, etc. create within their doctrine. These are not honored by God. You can be the smartest person on earth with ten masters degrees and still be going to hell. It's our sin that gets us in trouble with God. That's why God sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. In return, He wants us to accept Him as our personal Lord and Savior and live for Him. That's salvation; not man's opinions from books.