As we enter the new year, you may have seen countless headlines regarding Nostradamus’s 2024 predictions pop up in your news feed and social media. I have heard his name on various occasions, and it has always confounded me how an individual could make predictions regarding the future and have many of them come to fruition. Therefore, who is Nostradamus, and what gave him the innate ability to foresee what was to come decades later?
Early BeginningsÂ
Nostradamus is known worldwide as a 16th-century seer. However, he was also a gifted physician and astrologer. He was born on December 14, 1503, in Saint-Rémy, France, and rose to prominence during the Renaissance period. At 14, Nostradamus pursued a career in medicine by enrolling in the University of Avignon, but his time there was cut short due to the outbreak of the bubonic plague. Despite not having an official degree, he began medical practice in the 1530s. During this time, Nostradamus worked as an apothecary and created herbal remedies. However, it was not until 1544, when he moved to Salon, that he garnered attention for his medical abilities to treat the bubonic plague. His methods of treating this disease were innovative and unconventional compared to other physicians at that time. Nostradamus encouraged his patients to maintain good hygiene, and he invented the “rose pill,” which was rich in vitamin C, to give to individuals with mild cases of the disease. As you can see, Nostradamus initially established himself as a physician with creative healing techniques, but that reputation was soon to change.
Nostradamus and Occultism
Occultism is defined as the set of theories and practices involving the supernatural and has been prevalent in society throughout history. Thus, some regard alchemy and mysticism as occult practices as they allegedly allow individuals to indulge in practices that go against natural law. After some time of traveling, Nostradamus settled in Salon, which promoted his focus to shift from medicine to the occult. Some devout believers of Nostradamus claim that it was throughout this time that he experienced his “spiritual awakening.” Regardless of what is fact and fiction, Nostradamus continued his astrological pursuits and published his predictions in 1550 in an almanac.
His PropheciesÂ
Nostradamus had a unique writing style for his prophecies. He wrote his predictions in grouped quatrains, and his work often contained cryptic messages and general statements. His prophecies soon garnered popularity, and he was sought after by Catherine de’ Medici and other royal courts for his astrological abilities to create horoscopes. From a modern perspective, you may have heard about his predictions regarding natural disasters and wars. Nostrdamus’s predictions create a paradoxical situation where some believe he possessed a supernatural ability to see glimpses into the future through his visions. On the other hand, others state that his generalized events can be applied to any current-day situation that has similarities. Here are some events that have been thought to be prophesied by Nostradamus:
- Death of Henry II
- French Revolution
- Rise of Napoleon
LegacyÂ
Nostradamus has been immortalized through his written prophecies regarding world conflicts, natural diseases, and plagues. Moreover, his writing has withstood the test of time due to its vague details, lack of specified timelines, mysterious wording, and generalized events that can be applied to various world events. Therefore, his writing may serve to ease those with restless minds about the future or provide drama and thrill to those who seek it. Regardless of which, he leaves a long-lasting legacy of prophecies and interesting stories that will continue to interest inquisitive minds for generations to come.
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