Prophecy 3

Key

This code is the standard QWERTY keyboard layout, shifted one key down and to the left. F = C, D = X, etc.

Translation

scholar is rosetta nightwing and flamebird sumerians saw truth kenneth knows frequency leafy little hamlet maltese blood oranges accept your destiny find the papers

Hidden Message

None.

Interpretation

scholar is rosetta

Dr. Swann, the scholar who gave Clark much-needed information about his Kryptonian heritage, was introduced in "Rosetta." He resurfaces in "Legacy." Unfortunately, Christopher Reeve, who plays Dr. Swann, died in 2004, so neither he nor Dr. Swann will be back in future episodes. Rest in peace, Superman.

nightwing and flamebird

Depending on which version of Superman mythology you accept, Nightwing and Flamebird refer to Kryptonian birds, Kryptonian heroes, the alter-egos Superman and Jimmy Olsen took on in the bottled city of Kandor... Lots of different options.

sumerians saw truth

The Sumerians were an ancient people ruled by a priest-king; this priest-king was thought of as either a god or one appointed by a god. The Sumerians developed the first Zodiac and based their astronomy on the lunar cycle. Their astronomical studies were attempts to find out more about the gods. The polytheistic religion of the Sumerians included a sun god, much like Ra and Rao, and the Sumerian gods' greatest regret was the creation of the human race. These gods supposedly sent a flood to destroy the human race, but a man named Gilgamesh built a boat that protected a portion of humanity, allowing our race to survive this global deluge. Gilgamesh was, according to the legend, two-thirds god and one-third man, king, and hero who traveled the world in search of immortality. Instead, he discovered this truth: that even heroes must die (background info courtesy of KSite's ERIC524892).

kenneth knows frequency

Dan Rather was assaulted in 1986 by a man who kept asking, "What's the frequency, Kenneth?" R.E.M. wrote a song called "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?," and it, along with many other songs by R.E.M, was played during "Slumber."

leafy little hamlet

Phrase describing Smallville, Kansas. Said by Chloe in "Pilot."

maltese blood oranges

Oranges with red or red-streaked white flesh.

accept your destiny

Another command from Jor-El to Clark, but also a command from Lionel to Lex.

find the papers

The Hamilton papers are important in the Chloe Chronicles, in which kryptonite experiments are discussed.

I never made a difference here
But maybe my children can
Good luck with your futures

This is an excerpt from the graduation speech Lana's mother gave. Lana listened to the recording of this speech in "X-Ray."

Two brothers will wage war so fiercely
That both will occupy the strong places
Their great quarrel will fill realm and life

Lex and Clark are the two "brothers." Lex will occupy the White House as President, and Clark will occupy the Fortress of Solitude as Superman; these two will war fiercely with each other. This is also another Nostradamus prophecy.

Heed the signposts
Be not afraid
Nothing can be changed

Refers to Clark's destiny... And Lex's. Also could refer to impending Armageddon; the Hopi Indians' signs, for example, include a star appearing in the sky (as mentioned in the Ritidian Star Chart), iron falling from the sky (a meteor shower).

Make a wish
On a day of tragedy
A miracle arrives

In "Pilot," Faiwy Pwintheth Lana offered to grant Martha one wish. Martha wished for a child, and Clark arrived with the meteors on that day of tragedy.

On 122112
When Sol enters the dark rift
The sacred tree will consume all

Mayan prophecy claims 21 December 2012 will be the date on which the world ends. On this date, the ecliptic will cross the Milky Way-- a configuration known among the Mayans as "the Sacred Tree."

Save them from fear and darkness
Your destiny beckons
Fear it or embrace it

Cassandra ("Hourglass") said to Clark, "I think that's your destiny, Clark-- to help people. To save them from fear and darkness... You can fear the future, or...you can embrace it. "

He will live when he should have died
His blood presents baffling mysteries
Yet he is just a man

Many assume this refers to Clark, but I think this passage is about Lex. Lex lived through the car accident, though he should have died; he even said, "I lived when I should have died" in "Hourglass" in reference to Clark saving him after the car accident and "I should’ve died that day" in "Craving" in reference when he was caught in a blast during the meteor shower. His blood presents baffling mysteries; the meteor shower affected his white blood cell count ("first revealed in Craving"). But, truly, Lex is just a man-- the same can't be said about Clark. After being poisoned by Lionel at the end of Season 3, Lex manages to survive and, eventually, no longer even needs dialysis.

Pride, envy
Lust, anger
Greed, sloth

Six of the seven deadly sins. The missing sin? Gluttony, a reference to "Craving." Also, in "Accelerate," when Lex was testing different wedding cakes, Lionel said to him, "Ah, I knew you had your vices, son, but I didn’t realize gluttony was one of them." Lex replied, "Well, I suppose if there’s anyone who’s an authority on the seven deadly sins, it’s you, Dad."

The ruby-eyed snake
Coils and stretches
Symbol of strength and courage

The breastplate of Alexander the Great ("Rogue") was decorated with a ruby-eyed snake, giving it an appearance similar to the famous S-shield.

Where I see myself
In five years
I will be nothing like my father

These is how Clark's school report began in "Lineage."

Like Zeus' mighty son
He will be a titan among mortals
Never to escape, never to belong

Zeus' son Hercules, according to Greek mythology, was turned mortal by an enemy (Hades, I believe), yet retained his godlike strength. A parallel can be drawn between Hercules and Clark as both giants among men who'll never quite fit in with humanity. Alternatively, this could describe Lex Luthor, an intellectual and financial giant whose baldness has always prevented him from truly belonging.

We're all the same here
Don't resist, come and enjoy
The tea party from hell

"Accelerate" closed with a disturbing tea party: Lionel, Emily (the kryptonite-powered clone who came THISCLOSE to drowning Lana... Just a little more effort next time, please!), and stuffed animals. Any tea party with Lionel Luthor on the guest list is definitely a tea party from hell. Also, near the end of Season 3, Lana was kidnapped by Emily and forced to have a tea party with her.