Comments on: Never tell anyone where the tulips go

By: Kristen Pelfrey

Kristen Pelfrey — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 04:32:20 +0000

This post makes me so happy.
One of the things that I have whirling around in my head is this: What was lost when the library in Alexandria burned down?
Here’s another: What works will we never see because of Savanarola?
So the thought of “Nostradamus’s gardening book”–a most excellent phrase–has my attention.
Must look into it.
There is a book that I got at the Getty when it first opened. It is a beautiful book, and I love it. The book is
NATURE ILLUMINATED–Flora and Fauna from the Court of the Emperor Rudolf II. There isn’t anything creepy, but it’s like “Ode to Joy” for your eyes. Nostradamus would have loved it if he had a green thumb.
One of my favorite books this year was ROTTERS by Daniel Kraus. I have two words for you: Rat King.
Two more: Coffin liquor. I read this book with horrified, toe-curling glee.
I also recommend THE TERROR by Dan Simmons. There is one scene I read and I could feel my hair stand up.
Life is more interesting with living mysteries. The world is a better(creepier) place with kelpies and Bigfoot and djinn.

By: Nick Pelling

Nick Pelling — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:37:59 +0000

It would be nice if, as widely reported, the Finnish guy really is able to channel the Voynich manuscript’s text… but perhaps his story broke via Fox for a good reason. 😉

By: Donn

Donn — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:08:18 +0000

Sorry to be the cynic, but no that Finnish businessman surely did not crack it. It's a fascinating manuscript (available to view online here) Here're my warning flags: 1. It's a story from the Daily Mail. Not the most trustworthy source. 2. "IMPOSSIBLE CYPHER SOLVED" is low-hanging fruit for headline grabbing faff and is always to be taken with a grain of salt (See here for another example (also the Daily Mail, huh now howboutthat) and its eventual debunking here) 3. The Finn claims he solved it "with help from a higher power". 3b. But he refuses to disclose his methodology. 3c. Because the text is a "channel language of prophecy". Hrmmmm. My money's on: Sorry guys but the mystery continues. In other news: Yay guys the mystery continues!

By: Lorelei

Lorelei — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 03:09:37 +0000

I assume that in the same vein that the very rich back in the day (having no access to Gulfstream aircraft) amused themselves assembling cabinets of curiosities and hiring hermits to freeze in their back gardens, that this was created as a mystery to live down the ages. Either that, or someone made it to sell as a reliquary of hidden or sacred knowledge and fobbed it off upon the rich and gullible, like the shroud of Turin. See Umberto Eco’s latest for some idea of the trade in phony manuscripts.

By: Kristin Laughtin

Kristin Laughtin — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 23:54:24 +0000

Oh goodness, I love doing this, too. I’ve read about Dyatlov Pass so many times it’s not funny, and agree that knowing the truth of the mystery might ruin it a bit. I read a bit about paranormal phenomena, too, like exorcisms or shadow people or black-eyed children. Even things I don’t really believe can be spooky after a while. I also really love cryptozoology, which can be a bit freaky depending on the creature.

If you like religious-y creepy/mysterious things, the Three Secrets of Fatima are pretty interesting, especially since there’s a lot of skepticism over whether the Catholic Church released the real third secret or if they’re covering up something possibly of apocalyptic proportions.

I have no idea what’s so important about plants. I hope it’s nothing like The Happening, though. I would think UFO/alien conspiracists would be all over the strange alphabet and chimera plant drawings, though.