Today, the name Nostradamus is often circulated through the news, special television productions, and even in everyday conversation. Who was this person Nostradamus, and why are people so enthralled with his work today?
Nostradamus the Person and Prophet
Nostradamus was born to a Jewish family in southern France in the year 1503. In accordance with the French ordinance towards baptism, Michel de Nostradame was Christened. He studied medicine, astronomy, Latin, Greek, chemistry, ancient history, and the Jewish teachings of Natural Science, showing a strong inclination towards a future in medicine.
He later went on to further Education in Avignon, however his college education was cut short by the plague epidemic sweeping through the city of Avignon. The college was closed, and Nostradamus traveled for 8 years before beginning his medical studies in Montpellier.
The loss of his wife and two children to pestilence was a particularly difficult period of time for Michel, especially since he had saved many others from the disease. As a doctor, he lost credibility when he could not save his own wife and children. Some believe it is this which led Nostradamus to work towards battling the plague. He taught prevention of the disease through disinfection as well as hygiene and the use of fresh air, rose hips (which contain vitamin C), and a low fat diet.
Nostradamus went on to re-marry before writing and publishing his books of predictions, which he called Centuries.
Nostradamus Books of Centuries
Nostradamus is most famous for his written predictions of the future. During meditations, which included the use of herbs in water, Nostradamus would go into trances, in which he would see visions of the future.
These visions were written in a series of four line poems, which he called Quatrains, the first of which Michel published to the public of his time through almanacs, which were highly popular. Later, Nostradamus gathered these predictions together in groups of one hundred Quatrains each, which he named Centuries.
In all, Nostradamus wrote 942 Quatrains, with predictions seeming to prophecy the death and rise of kings and dictators, destruction, war, and much more. Some people throughout the years were amazed at the accuracy of the Nostradamus prophecies especially towards events that would happen nearly five hundred years after his own death in the year of 1566.
The quatrains which appear to predict the rise of both Napoleon and Hitler, the tragedy in the explosion of the space shuttle The Challenger, the death of Princess Dianna, and many more events which seem to have occurred as predicted, go on to convince many of their precision.
The Accuracy of Nostradamus' Predictions
While many people are persuaded as they view how closely the predictions of Nostradamus matched up to actual events, other people, have felt that many prophecies did not happen exactly as foretold, and remain unconvinced. While those seeking answers may find interest in reading Nostradamus' work, only the future will reveal if these prophecies are accurate.
Sources:
Leoni, Edgar. Nostradamus and His Prophecies. Dover Publications, 2008.
Nostradamus and Halley, Ned. The Complete Prophecies of Nostradamus. Castle Books, 2001.
Jennifer Henderson - Jennifer Henderson has a degree in Early Childhood Education. She has worked in the field of family childcare for the past 12 years, and ...
