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In 1913, Carl Jung experienced powerful premonitions of a great catastrophe, which he later identified as World War I. These visions included a monstrous flood engulfing Europe, which turned from muddy water to blood, and mountains growing to protect Switzerland. Jung initially feared he was experiencing a mental breakdown, as an inner voice told him the visions were “wholly real and it will be so”. After the war began, he concluded that his visions were precognitive. 

• October 1913: Jung had his first overwhelming vision of a monstrous flood covering northern and low-lying lands of Europe.
  • He saw the sea turn to blood, with floating debris of civilization and drowned bodies.
  • Switzerland was protected by mountains that grew higher.
• Two weeks later: The vision recurred, even more vividly, with the blood more emphasized.
• Inner voice: An inner voice insisted that the vision was real and that it would happen, prompting Jung to ask, “Can the psyche prognosticate?”.
• 1913 Winter: When asked about the political future, Jung stated he had no thoughts on the matter, only that he saw “rivers of blood”.
• Initial reaction: He initially believed the visions were a sign of an impending psychosis, as he couldn’t reconcile them with any political reality he could imagine.
• Conclusion after WWI: After the war started in 1914, Jung realized his visions had been precognitions of the catastrophe. 

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