With commotions in the weather, and strange politics, and little rumblings in the economy (as well as more mysterious rumblings in communities: actual sounds, as we have long reported), it is time, as occasionally it is, to scan the landscape of private "revelations."

By this we mean those promptings to regular people.

Do ordinary folks really get insight into the future? Is there a movement in the spirit -- one that is a harbinger? Are we jumping the gun or on the cusp of major events -- better put, perhaps, as "upheaval"?

What we can say for sure is that many are "receiving" the same inclinations.

For instance, we have dreams.

"I just wanted to share this with you because it's so unusual," said a viewer. "It was my 11-year-old son, who had a dream similar to some I've read about.

"We were reading Acts 2 together, where Peter was quoting Isaiah: 'your sons and  daughters will prophesy,' when he said, 'Oh, that reminds me. I had the strangest dream last night.'

"He said, 'Mom, I dreamt that we were living on an island, and that all of a sudden we looked up and in the clouds there was a clock counting down the time, and then we were at [a grandmother's] old house, and everyone was still looking up at the sky and watching the television, but I was running around getting a blanket, getting our baby brother.' Here he looked at me funny because he doesn't have a baby brother! '... and getting our dog and I remember thinking it might be cold.'

"I asked him if he could tell what time it was, and he said, no, it was like a digital timer counting down, but he did remember the number '11.' I asked him if anyone else was getting things ready, and he said, no, everyone was just staring at the sky or the television. Needless to say, I finally got the kids together for a family Rosary!"

So numerous are such prompts that whatever the specific accuracy, we can only conclude that there is a general prophetic pulse bearing obscured meaning. Something is coming. Many things are coming. But the question is whether matters will occur in a quick flurry or gradually as the Lord allows us to wallow in the evil we have created ourselves -- as He simply steps back and lets chaos build around us, as itself a means of purification.

It isn't just dreams. Those claims of statue phenomena keep exploding.

A statue of Guadalupe is exuding in Mexico. There is a report out of Bavaria. And in the U.S.:

"I'm a teacher at Canisius High School in Buffalo and help run an RCIA program at Christ the King Parish in Amherst," explained one viewer. "For years now I've been graced to see what I believe is Christ's blood on the Host during Eucharistic Adoration. It literally forms as little droplets on the face of the Host, then rolls down its front. But it's not red -- more like chocolate-colored tears. Heard of such a thing, or am I nuts? This started six years ago and is especially pronounced during Lent. I've seen other things . . ."

So many have that it becomes hard to believe everyone is imagining everything. But is it pertinent to cataclysmic times or to Lent or to events in our communities and personal lives?

The run of strangeness -- abortion in Portugal (which has held close to the faith until now), fertility clinics for homosexual couples, a call for world government by a British leader -- makes us all take a second look at what the "pulse" says.

How far can we go with it?

In California, a couple upon whom we have previously reported has been directed by their spiritual director to remain anonymous but can relate their experiences with alleged "messages" and an array of weeping statues. This is in the northern half of the state.

"Last night was incredible here," the wife recently wrote. "Prayer, a message from Our Lady, and an earthquake!

"It was our cenacle night. We were praying the Rosary and on the third decade I saw three flashes of light around the Fatima statue. Our Lady began to weep and my husband was taken into ecstasy. 

"He saw the flashes of light also and said our voices (all those praying), just faded away as Our Lady began to give a message."

We offer it for discernment: "My children, prepare and rejoice with your Mother. Attend to your garments and stay close to me as we make the final plans. A new Heaven and earth are about to be made a reality. 

"When you feel fatigue or doubt or fear, call on my angels and myself. We are with you all of the time. Believe that we are here with you ready to protect and help you to prepare. Whatever happens in the meantime will be the result of the Father's love and mercy for all. 

"Do not worry about yourselves. Just remember, the King of Glory is returning to secure a victory for each of you. Rejoice with me my beloved ones. The King comes to save you once again. I am your Mother who loves you."

Continues the wife: 

"Later on we were around the table studying the Divine Mercy Diary of St. Faustina. Suddenly, everything began to shake and sway. We knew it was an earthquake which later was recorded at 4.4. Thanks be to God it was not larger nor any damage done. One of our group members said, 'I'm so glad we were doing something so pleasing to God.....praying and learning more about His great Mercy."

On February 15 they claimed there was a message (and more statue phenomena) as St. Catherine of Siena spoke, presumably saying: "Dear Little Servants of Our Lord Jesus Christ, you have become instruments of our words so that all may be further converted and prepared for the great day of the Lord. It is a cause for much excitement for all of us in Heaven, as we watch you strive to be ready to receive Him and live now in His will.  In my time on earth, I was so ignorant and unprepared for the gifts of God. 

"The Lord in His great tenderness and patience spoke to my heart also, telling me truths that were given as gifts for all His children. It was necessary for me to have aid and assistance, so ignorant was I. Please do not be alarmed at what our great God and Father is working in your lives. He acts out of the greatest love for you and wishes only to bring you back to His knee. There He will further caress and bless and heal you in order to bring you into His Kingdom at the appointed time. It is so necessary for all of God's Creation to be cleansed of the power and influence of the evil one. So great is his deception, that you are not aware of how contrary to the will of the Father is the life each one of you is now living. 

"Little ones of the earth, please listen to Jesus Christ and our great Virgin Mother, to what they are saying in these times. Please dear ones, answer from your hearts with all your energy and sincerity, the requests of the Holy Mother to all of you. It is necessary that a serious amount of intervention on the part of our Father be experienced by all the people of the earth.  No one is exempt from the need for a large amount of cleansing and purifying. 

"My little ones, when I walked among the children of God and served the Lord, our God, as best I could, it was a dreadful time of sin and turning away from God. In this present day, there is nothing in the past that can compare with the depth of evil and depravity now existing. Please dear children of God, listen to the words of our Mother and her Son, your Savior. Turn back now and receive the graces and great love of your Creator. It is His Will that you be saved and come to Him now through the hearts of Jesus and Mary. 

"If you do this, you will know eternal bliss and happiness, peace and serenity, secure in the eternal kingdom. We wait for you and pray in union with all our loved ones here. I am Catherine who bids you, be of good cheer and joy and hope for a future bright with the Light and love of the Triune God. All of Heaven is praying. Be strong and persevere."

Events will occur -- heightened events -- throughout this century. But once more: how much to believe? There are those who really go out there -- prophets in various denominations who predict everything from  financial meltdown starting in November and quakes in Japan (as well as Seattle) to a health crisis for the Pope (for whom we should always pray).

And then there are signs in the sky, just as Jesus said. Do they pertain to current events or to an apocalyptic one?

Some years back she saw an angel with a trumpet formed in a cloud.

"I stuttered and was unable to tell my husband who was driving, 'Look.' By the time I could speak the wind had blown the cloud apart and no longer was the angel with a trumpet. This was like a computer-generated graphic, but it was a real cloud.

[resources: Prophecy retreat in San Francisco, Sent To Earth and The Final Hour]