Future Shocks

To celebrate the Bicentennial, Michael O'Leary, president of Philadelphia Resident Astrologers Inc., decided to have various seers, psychics and stargazers of his acquaintance predict the nation's next 100 years. The prophecies were sealed in a 3 1/2-ft. steel cylinder and buried 25 ft. beneath Chestnut Street.

Theosophist Kenneth Buzby predicted that war will become a thing of the past, that cancer will be cured and pollution overcome. But most prophets were decidedly gloomier. Several foresaw an end of the American presidency, perhaps by the year 2025. Tarot Card Reader Johanna Okovic predicted an earthquake in New York City in 1978 and a war between 2011 and 2016. Astrologer Leah O'Leary, Michael's wife, forecast a "naval conflict" in 1979, floods on both the East and West coasts and a "nuclear mishap in 1983."

By and large, the seers were so pessimistic it is a wonder they thought anyone would be around in 2076 to retrieve their forecasts from the crypt.

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