Hi Y’all! Lou here! Keeping on the topic of famous psychics, I wanted to start from the first Historic Psychic on my previous blog post, Nostradamus.
When it comes to famous prophets and seer’s, Nostradamus stands out. You might have heard his name in movies or TV shows, but who was he really, and why are his predictions still so famous? Let’s take a beginner-friendly dive into the world of this 16th-century French seer, whose cryptic writings have fascinated people for centuries.
Who Was Nostradamus?
Born Michel de Nostredame in 1503, Nostradamus was a French apothecary (kind of like a pharmacist) and astrologer. In 1555, he published Les Prophéties, a book filled with four-line poems called quatrains. These poems claimed to predict future events, and over time, many people have connected his writings to real-world happenings.
But here’s the catch: Nostradamus’ predictions are written in a very cryptic way. His poetic style, filled with metaphors and old French phrases, makes them open to interpretation. Some see his writings as proof of prophecy, while others think they’re just coincidences or clever guesses.
A Few Predictions That Seem to Have Come True
For beginners, the best way to understand Nostradamus is to look at some of the events people believe he predicted.
1. The Great Fire of London (1666)
One of Nostradamus’ quatrains says:
“The blood of the just will be demanded of London,
Burnt by fire in the year ’66.”
In 1666, a massive fire swept through London, destroying much of the city. Even though this happened over 100 years after Nostradamus wrote his poem, the mention of fire and the year ’66 seem spot-on.
2. The Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte
Another quatrain reads:
“An Emperor shall be born near Italy,
Who shall cost the Empire a high price.”
This is often linked to Napoleon Bonaparte, who was born on the island of Corsica (near Italy) and became one of Europe’s most famous leaders. Napoleon’s military campaigns changed history but also caused great destruction, making the “high price” line feel accurate.
3. The French Revolution (1789–1799)
Nostradamus wrote:
“From the enslaved populace, songs, chants, and demands,
While princes and lords are held captive in prisons.
These will in the future by headless idiots
Be received as divine prayers.”
This quatrain sounds like it’s describing the French Revolution, a time when the French monarchy was overthrown, and the guillotine became a symbol of the era. The “headless idiots” could refer to the many people executed during this period, including King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette.
4. World War II and Hitler
“From the depths of the West of Europe,
A young child will be born of poor people,
Who by his tongue will seduce a great troop.”
Many people link this to Adolf Hitler, the infamous Nazi leader born in Austria to a modest family. His speeches and charisma led to his rise to power, making the phrase “seduce a great troop” seem fitting.
5. The 9/11 Attacks
Another quatrain says:
“Earthshaking fire from the center of the Earth
will cause tremors around the New City.
Two great rocks will war for a long time.”
Some interpret this as Nostradamus predicting the 9/11 attacks on New York City, with the “two great rocks” symbolizing the Twin Towers. The connection isn’t perfect, but many find the parallels striking.
Why Are His Predictions So Famous?
For beginners, the key to understanding Nostradamus is this: his quatrains are vague. They don’t directly name people or places, which means people interpret them in different ways. Sometimes, his words seem to fit events perfectly—other times, not so much.
What keeps Nostradamus popular is the mystery. Did he really predict the future, or is it all about how we interpret his writings? That’s for you to decide!
How to Dive Deeper
If this has piqued your interest, try reading some of Nostradamus’ original quatrains (there are translations available online). You can also explore how different people interpret his work—it’s fascinating to see how his words spark debates even today.
See THIS LINKED paper from The University of Michigan
“The true prophecies or prognostications of Michael Nostradamus, physician to Henry II, Francis II, and Charles IX, kings of France and one of the best astronomers that ever were a work full of curiosity and learning”
What do you think? Could Nostradamus really see the future, or was he just really good at writing poetic puzzles? Let’s discuss in the comments!
Do you want to connect with the semi-famous psychic Yeye?
(SEE Post from 1/6/24 Famous Psychics Who Captivated History for the story behind “semi-famous”)
Yeye is based in Kansas City, Missouri, and if you would like to attend one of her workshops, learn about her Psychic AF Mentorship, or have a reading, we have lots of ways you can contact her!
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With warmth and curiosity,
Lou

