The Esoteric Echoes and Slick Symbolism in Taylor Swift's Song, "Prophecy"

As hardcore fans tune into Swift’s "Prophecy," they will find themselves navigating the twists and turns of love and fate—because let's face it, the road map that we get is nothing like the actual terrain we encounter.

A prophecy is a prediction or a declaration about the future, often seen as divinely inspired or possessing a deep spiritual significance. In traditional contexts, prophecies often involve elements of mysticism and revelations that guide the fate of individuals or communities.

Taylor Swift's "Prophecy," from her album The Tortured Poets Department, serves as a modern twist on this ancient concept. Her song dives into fate, destiny, and our itch to rewrite the stars. Swift's creative approach brings a relatable perspective to the idea of prophecy, engaging listeners who have ever found themselves questioning the intentions of the universe amidst life's chaos and heartache. "Prophecy" resonates as a powerful anthem for anyone who has looked up at the sky and exclaimed, "Really, universe? This is what I signed up for?"

Cleverly hidden in the lyrics, here are some esoteric Easter eggs from the Bible, Tarot, fairy tales, and mythology that you might have missed in "Prophecy":

1. Grasping fate and free will

Hand on the throttle

Thought I caught lightning in a bottle

Oh, but it’s gone again

The symbolism Taylor Swift employs at the beginning of "Prophecy"—"Hand on the throttle / Thought I caught lightning in a bottle / Oh, but it’s gone again"—ignites an interesting debate. Is her story about the transient nature of love or is Swift philosophically jesting with the age-old conundrum of fate versus free will? Here she is, throttle in hand, ostensibly in control, yet the lightning—symbolic of enlightenment and fleeting brilliance—slips away.

Perhaps, for Swift, the real point isn't just about catching lightning but questioning whether one should chase storms in search of an idealized love or let the uncontrollable nature of fate unfold.

Side note: The phrase "lightning in a bottle" itself is a common idiom used to describe an attempt to capture something incredibly elusive or to accomplish an extremely difficult task—almost impossible, much like actual bottling of lightning. Originally, the phrase dates back to the 19th century, referencing Benjamin Franklin’s kite experiment where electricity from lightning was captured and stored in a Leyden jar. It later evolved in the 20th century, particularly in baseball and other contexts, to signify a rare, great success. This metaphor nails the fleeting 'aha' moments in love, similar to a past TikTok trend where listeners of BØRNS' song "Electric Love" feel a sudden, overwhelming urge to kiss a friend or crush, capturing the spontaneous, electric jolt of emotion.

2. The weight of original sin

I got cursed like Eve got bitten

Oh, was it punishment?

Swift ties her tale to the biblical allegory of Eve, the original bad girl who couldn’t resist slick fruit salesmen with scales. Just like Eve, Swift wrestles with love’s temptations, often wondering if the universe is having a laugh at her expense—because nothing says 'cosmic joke' quite like romantic entanglements that turn serpentine. This line, "I got cursed like Eve got bitten," wraps a heavy cloak of original sin around the shoulders of her song.

However, Swift flips the traditional narrative on its head by portraying herself not as the transgressor but as the victim, emphasizing Eve's role as the one who was bitten rather than the one who did the biting. In doing so, she questions the fairness of such consequences— "Oh, was it punishment?"—imposed not just for disobedience but for being tempted to transgress. This subtle reinterpretation challenges the very fabric of punitive legacies and invites reflection on the complexities of guilt, redemption, and the human condition. How’s that for spinning the narrative?

3. Consulting the cards or a counsellor...

Please

I’ve been on my knees

Change the prophecy…

Spending my last coin so someone will tell me it’ll be okay

Here, Swift isn't merely asking for a minor favor. "Please / I’ve been on my knees / Change the prophecy," she pleads. This raises the question: Is Taylor turning to psychics or Tarot readers in an attempt to alter a foreboding future? The line "Spending my last coin so someone will tell me it’ll be okay" captures her desperate quest for reassurance and an alternative narrative, whether from a spiritual advisor or a therapist who might offer a sliver of hope.

Swift's plea to the universe to transform her destiny can be viewed as both a cosmic negotiation and a spiritual audit. And who hasn’t sought a second opinion when the initial prognosis is painfully bleak? This act of consulting various guides reveals a profound vulnerability and the universal yearning to find comfort and certainty, especially when it seems that destiny itself is plotting against us.

4. The fabled Fool and other tales

Cards on the table

Mine play out like fools in a fable

Oh, it was sinking in

Slow is the quicksand

Poison blood from the wound of the pricked hand

Oh, still I dream of him

When Swift declares, "Cards on the table / Mine play out like fools in a fable," she isn't just setting a scene; she's invoking the archetypal journey of the Fool in the Tarot deck. This card represents beginnings and free-spirited bravery but also foolishness and naïveté. Swift's phrase "fools in a fable" conjures images of classic fairy tales, where protagonists face mystical challenges and moral lessons.

The "poison blood from the wound of the pricked hand" deepens the fairy tale connection, echoing the fate-sealing moment from Sleeping Beauty. In that tale, a single prick from a spindle turns the Princess into a sleeping legend, making her the poster child for missing all the fun and suffering from some serious FOMO. However, Swift's narrative shifts from enchantment and dormant states to painful awakenings and the toxic repercussions of love’s injuries. The song lyrics play a game of symbolic tag between guidance from the Tarot and the cautionary tales of old-school fairy tales, thickening the plot and proving Taylor isn't just shuffling cards for fun—she's on a mission to maybe rewrite her destiny.

"Slow is the quicksand" subtly suggests the gradual realization of one's predicament, an emotional entrapment as real and dangerous as the physical kind. Yet through it all, "Oh, still I dream of him" captures the heart's relentless pursuit of what it yearns for, despite the wisdom of warnings around her. This lyrical interplay suggests a dance with destiny where Swift, like many before her, must navigate between foresight and yearning—a balance as delicate as it is profound.

5. Convening with the faithful coven

And I look unstable

Gathered with a coven ’round a sorceress’ table

A greater woman has faith

But even statues crumble if they’re made to wait

In one of the most vivid scenes of the song, Swift describes herself "gathered with a coven ’round a sorceress’ table." This isn't your average Tuesday night book club. It's a meeting of minds and spirits, perhaps seeking to cast a new light—or spell—on old prophecies. Swift channels her inner sorceress, conjuring images of empowerment and esoteric camaraderie. Is this a metaphor for seeking guidance from those who flout the norm or is Swift actually tipping her hat to the witchy women of yore?

Swift’s mention about the "greater woman" serves as a spiritual examination of the self. This motif challenges us to ponder: Who is this paragon of patience and virtue? And more importantly, do we even want to be her? By questioning these archetypes, Swift isn’t just soul-searching; she’s soul-asking. She provokes us to consider whether our ideals of greatness are perhaps just gilded cages of our own making.

Further deepening the mystical imagery, Swift’s lyric about statues crumbling under the weight of time serves as a powerful metaphor. It suggests that even those endowed with immense patience, particularly in matters of the heart, cannot wait indefinitely. This theme resonates deeply, reflecting the inevitable decay of things left stagnant too long such as a relationship.

To celebrate the release of 'The Tortured Poets Department' in April 2024, Spotify constructed an open-air library promotional pop-up in Los Angeles. This library installation featured a poignant display: an open book encased in a glass cabinet, with the lyrics “Even statues crumble” on one page and “If they’re made to wait” on the other. Surrounding the book were dried flowers and strips of wedding lace fabric, likely symbolizing Swift's breakup with Joe Alwyn.

Furthermore, the open-air library shelves were filled with the quintessential Easter eggs Swift is known for—cryptic puzzles and clues woven into her videos, social media, and public appearances, hinting at upcoming songs, albums, and events. On one shelf, a bust of the Roman Goddess Diana stood prominently alone, serving as a bookend. Contrary to initial fan speculations, this was not Diana of Ephesus but rather the Diana of Versailles, a Roman copy of the original Greek statue. Importantly, the story about the original statue breaking while awaiting shipment to London in the 6th century was a fictitious narrative created around the event. As the goddess of the moon, night, and the hunt, often depicted with a bow and arrow, Diana embodies themes of femininity, intentionality, and strength—themes that echo throughout Taylor Swift's artistic work. The choice of Diana on the bookshelf is also symbolically rich for Swift, aligning with her song 'Archer' from her previous Lover album back in 2019.

In conclusion with Taylor Swift's symbolism in "Prophecy"...

Don’t want money

Just someone who wants my company

Let it once be me

Who do I have to speak to

About if they can redo the prophecy?

In 'Prophecy,' Taylor Swift explores the intricate dance between fate and personal desire. The song weaves through realms both divine and earthly, grappling with the forces of predestined love and the struggle to escape its grasp. As Swift questions the powers that dictate fate, she challenges listeners to reconsider the roles they play in their own romantic destinies. With each lyric, she probes the crumbling foundations of what seems destined, urging us to question whether the universe might offer a recourse for a heart's yearnings. This is more than music; it's a call to challenge the statues of fate that may seem as immovable as ancient monuments yet are as fragile as love itself.

Lyrics to "Prophecy" by Taylor Swift

From the album, The Tortured Poets Department (2024)

Hand on the throttle

Thought I caught lightning in a bottle

Oh, but it’s gone again

And it was written

I got cursed like Eve got bitten

Oh, was it punishment?

Pad around when I get home

I guess a lesser woman would’ve lost hope

A greater woman wouldn’t beg

But I looked to the sky and said

Please

I’ve been on my knees

Change the prophecy

Don’t want money

Just someone who wants my company

Let it once be me

Who do I have to speak to

About if they can redo the prophecy?

Cards on the table

Mine play out like fools in a fable

Oh, it was sinking in

Slow is the quicksand

Poison blood from the wound of the pricked hand

Oh, still I dream of him

Please

I’ve been on my knees

Change the prophecy

Don’t want money

Just someone who wants my company

Let it once be me

Who do I have to speak to

About if they can redo the prophecy?

And I sound like an infant

Feeling like the very last drops of an ink pen

A greater woman stays cool

But I howl like a wolf at the moon

And I look unstable

Gathered with a coven ’round a sorceress’ table

A greater woman has faith

But even statues crumble if they’re made to wait

I’m so afraid I sealed my fate

No sign of soulmates

I’m just a paperweight, in shades of greige

Spending my last coin so someone will tell me it’ll be okay

OohOohOohOoh

Please

I’ve been on my knees

Change the prophecy

Don’t want money

Just someone who wants my company

Let it once be me

Who do I have to speak to

About if they can redo the prophecy?

Who do I have to speak to

To change the prophecy?

Hand on the throttle

Thought I caught lightning in a bottle

Oh, but it’s gone again

Pad around when I get home

I guess a lesser woman would’ve lost hope

A greater woman wouldn’t beg

But I looked to the sky and said (Please)