January 9th 2025.
According to officials in California, containing the current fires is proving to be an extremely difficult task. It's a situation that brings to mind a series of books published in the 1990s, which eerily predicted the devastating wildfires that are now ravaging Los Angeles. These books are the Parable duology, written by Octavia Butler. As the fires continue to rage through southern California, lines from her novels have resurfaced, causing many to draw connections between her writing and the current reality.
Sadly, Ms. Butler passed away in 2006, but not before creating a series that would become all too real for those living in the 2020s. The first book, Parable of the Sower, introduces us to a young woman living in 2024, in a California that has been devastated by climate change and the resulting fires. Ms. Butler herself stated before her death that her intention was not to make prophecies, but rather to offer a cautionary tale. However, some have interpreted her writing as a prophecy, to which she responded, "I certainly hope not."
As of now, over 100,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes, a significant increase from the previous day's count of 30,000. The fires have destroyed 16,000 acres of land and at least 1,000 buildings. It's a tragic turn of events, made even more poignant by the fact that Ms. Butler grew up near Altadena, one of the regions of Los Angeles that has been hit the hardest by the fires, and also a setting in her book.
One striking image from Altadena shows farmers leading their horses away from the flames on a main road, a scene that closely resembles one from Parable of the Sower. One user on social media couldn't help but point out this eerie coincidence, writing, "Literally Parable of the Sower, written by Altadena legend Octavia Butler in 1993 about Altadena in 2025. Unreal."
Digging deeper into Ms. Butler's books, there are several lines that seem to have predicted the events currently unfolding in California. In Parable of the Sower, the first book in the series, we are introduced to Laura, a teenager living in Los Angeles in a gated community. She and her father are struggling to survive in a world where looting is rampant and resources like food and water are scarce due to the devastating effects of climate change.
In one passage, Ms. Butler makes reference to native plants of California, which are now being cited as a potential reason for the rapid spread of the fires. One person on social media wrote, "I've watched video after video of invasive plants exploding like fireworks in what was once a resilient, fire-adapted landscape." In the book, Laura's father briefly mentions a book about how "Indians used" California plants, adding, "You wouldn't have that acorn bread you like so much without that book." When Laura asks what people ate before, her father responds, "Bread made of wheat and other grains – corn, rye, oats... things like that." It's a conversation that takes on a whole new meaning in light of the current situation.
Another noteworthy prediction from Ms. Butler's books is the rise of "Make America Great Again" politicians. In the sequel, Parable of the Talents, set in 2032, a new president named Andrew Steele Jarret promises to do just that. The phrase "Make America Great Again" is now synonymous with Donald Trump, who adopted it for his own presidential campaigns. In the book, Ms. Butler writes, "As for the beatings, the tarring and feathering, and the destruction of 'heathen houses of devil-worship,' he has a simple answer: 'Join us! Our doors are open to every nationality, every race! Leave your sinful past behind, and become one of us. Help us to make America great again.'" She also warns of the possibility of a war, stating, "Nothing like a war to rally people around flag, country, and great leader."
It's both chilling and tragic to see these events unfolding in real life, just as Ms. Butler had written about in her books. As we continue to grapple with the devastating effects of climate change, it's important to remember the lessons that her cautionary tale has to offer. Let's hope that we can learn from her writing and prevent her prophecies from becoming a reality.
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