The Haunting Prophecies of Nostradamus by Dayna Winters

The most beautiful thing that we can experience is the mysterious.  It is the source of all true art and science. ~Albert Einstein~ (qtd. by Keyes3)

Michel de Nostredame, whose Latinized name is Nostradamus, was born in St. Remy de Province, France, in the year 1503 (Baines2).  World renowned as an incredible seer, physician, and astrologer, Nostradamus made many hauntingly accurate psychic predictions via the medium of poetic quatrains (Keyes5).   Even in contemporary times the nine hundred and forty two quatrains that Nostradamus produced remain a subject of intense philosophical interest.  These illustrious quatrains were published in 1555 in his book entitled The Centuries (Keyes5).

Poetry often conceals hidden truths within its composition, and Nostradamus wrote his predictions in poetic quatrains to avoid being tried as a witch and to veil the accuracy of his predictions behind poetic verse. Hence, all of his predictions are written in four lined, rhyming quatrains.

The word centuries does not represent actual one hundred year cycles. Each chapter within the text is entitled a Century because it contains one hundred quatrains with the sole exception of Century VI which contains only forty-two (Baines1).

  Nostradamus's quatrains were produced using an assortment of magical arts and equipment to trigger euphoric trances (Morgana4) as is stated in Century 1, Quatrain 1:

Sitting alone at night in the secret study;
It is placed on a brass tripod.
A slight flame comes out of the emptiness and
Makes successful that which should not be believed in vain (qtd by Morgana1).

Nostradamus would often make his predictions "alone at night in the secret study;" for fear of being persecuted as a magician or witch (Flanagan1).  This is precisely the same reason why the quatrains are not in chronological order and why they are also written in a mixture of French, Greek, and Latin. (Flanagan1). 

Line 2 of Quatrain 1, "It is placed on a brass tripod" suggests that Nostradamus followed the practices of Branchus, a Delphic priestess of Ancient Greece (Morgana4).  When practicing divination or water and flame scrying, Nostradamus sat on a brass tripod with the legs set at the same coordinates as the Egyptian pyramids (Morgana4).  Some philosophers debate this, stating that the brass tripod held a small, suspended cauldron in which Nostradamus performed the act of water scrying (water gazing).  Furthermore, some contend that Nostradamus varied his magical practices by either sitting or standing in front of the brass tripod (Morgana4).

The act of using the brass tripod is further supported in a letter from Nostradamus addressed to King Henry II:

It is true, Sire, that not thinking to prophesy (merely) by the natural instinct which has been bequeathed to me by my ancestors, and (so) adjusting and harmonizing this natural instinct in conjunction with my lengthy calculations, and emptying my soul, spirit and heart of all care, worry and upset through mental calm and tranquility. All of it harmonized and foretold partly 'trepode aeneo' [Latin ref. to Iamblichus - 'on the brass tripod'] (qtd. by Nostradamus-Repository2).


"A slight flame comes out of the emptiness and / Makes successful that which should not be believed in vain" (qtd. by Morgana1), suggests that Nostradamus also partook in the act of fire scrying (fire gazing) and announces to his readers that what he has seen should not be taken lightly.

"Century I, Quatrain 2", further emphasizes the magical practices of Nostradamus:

The wand in the hand is placed in the middle of the tripod's legs.
With water he sprinkles both the hem of his garment and his foot.
A voice, fear: he trembles in his robes.
Divine splendor; the God sits nearby (qtd. by Morgana1).

"The wand in the hand is placed in the middle of the tripod's legs," Is a clear indication that Nostradamus practiced the ancient magical arts and used a wand to aid him in focusing his concentration.  It is worthy of mention that this line could further refute the argument that Nostradamus sat on the tripod.  This line actually stresses the fact that he stood before it.  

"With water he sprinkles both the hem of his garment and his foot," suggests that Nostradamus anointed himself during such rites. 

"A voice, fear, he trembles in his robes" suggests that Nostradamus experienced clairaudience (the act of hearing prophetic messages) and at first he feared the voice that he heard.  Upon the realization that the voices he heard were a "gift" as stated by "Divine splendor", he no longer trembled with fear.
 
Nostradamus accepted his gift, viewing it as a sign to enlist in a Divine mission.  He believed that God wanted him to aid mankind with his gift as is stated in, "the God sits nearby."    Further evidence that Nostradamus believed his gift was solely provided by God can be found in his letter to King Henry II:

God forbid! I confess truly that the whole of it comes from God, and render him thanks, honor and immortal praise, without having adulterated it with any of that divination that comes 'a fato' [from any direct prophetic gift]], but 'a Deo, a natura' [from God, from the natural order of things], and most of it backed up by the movements of the celestial round, rather like seeing in a burning-mirror, as though with clouded sight…(qtd. by Nostradamus-Repository2).

One of the most widely recognized fulfilled prophecies of Nostradamus was the quatrain pertaining to the death of King Henry II.   In Century 1, Quatrain 35,

The young lion will overcome the older one,
On the field of combat in a single battle;
He will pierce his eyes through a golden cage,
Two wounds made one, and then he dies a cruel death (qtd. by Morgana3).

It is important to note that this quatrain was published in 1555, four years prior to the death of King Henry II on June 30 1559  (Faria).  Disregarding the warnings of Nostradamus, King Henry II entered into a jousting match with the Comte de Montgomery, Captain of the Scottish Guard (Faria). 

Of no coincidence is it that both men had shields that were marked with lions, "The young lion will overcome the older one," (Morgana3).  Furthermore, King Henry was six years older than his challenger (Morgana3). A tournament is considered a field of combat and this can be recognized in the second line of the quatrain, "On the field of combat in a single battle;" (Morgana3). 

During the tournament his contender's wooden lance splintered off and pierced through the king's gilded visor penetrating his right eye and right temple.  This prediction is foretold with horrifying accuracy in line three of Quatrain 35, "He will pierce his eyes through a golden cage,".  The final line of the quatrain speaks of the wound to the right eye and the right temple, both, which penetrated the brain, "Two wounds made one, then he dies a cruel death."  (qtd. by Morgana3) King Henry II did, indeed, die a cruel death, having suffered with fever and infection for a full ten days before his demise  (Faria).

Nostradamus's predictions were not at all unfamiliar with tragedy.  In fact many of his predictions dealt with death and tragic occurrences.  Another hauntingly accurate prediction pertaining to the death of a country's leader can be found in Century 6, Quatrain 37:

The ancient work will be accomplished,
And from the roof evil ruin will fall on the great man:
They will accuse an innocent, being dead, of the deed:
The guilty one is hidden in the misty copse (qtd. by Crystal).

Line 2, "From the roof evil will fall on the great man:" rings chillingly familiar to the historical accounts of Lee Harvey Oswald and the Book Depository in Texas.  The whispers of conspiracy against the then president are suggested in line three, "They will accuse an innocent, being dead, of the deed:".  Even today some people believe that the FBI and the CIA played crucial roles in planning and executing the death of John F. Kennedy  (Fetzer). 

Lee Harvey Oswald denied committing the crime but was never tried for on November 24, 1963 during a prison transfer he was shot to death by Jack Ruby (Anon1).  To this day the investigation into John F. Kennedy's death remains top secret.  Many believe that the true killer was "in the grassy knoll" which could be the "misty copse" that Nostradamus spoke of.  The use of the word "copse" suggests "coppice" which means "a thicket, grove, or growth of small trees" (Merriam-Webster).

Century 1, Quatrain 37, also foretold the death of John F. Kennedy, in addition to his brother Robert; going as far as dating and timing the events:

The great man will be struck down in the day by a thunderbolt,
The evil deed predicted by the bearer of a petition:
According to the prediction another falls at night,
Conflict in Reims, London, and pestilence in Tuscany (qtd. by Crystal).

Line 1 of this quatrain, "The great man will be struck down in the day by a thunderbolt," predicted that Kennedy would be shot during the day.  A discharged and traveling bullet can be likened to a thunderbolt and Kennedy was indeed shot "in the day" at exactly twelve noon  (Crystal). 

Jean Dixon, a famous astrologer also predicted the death of the 35th president as was foretold by line 2 of Quatrain 37, "The evil deed predicted by the bearer of a petition:" (Oakes).

Line 3 of Quatrain 37 predicts the death of Robert Kennedy, "According to the prediction another falls at night," (Crystal).   Robert Kennedy was, indeed, assassinated at 1 a.m. (Crystal). 

The final line of the quatrain serves as a timeline for when the prediction was to take place, "Conflicts in Reims, London, and pestilence in Tuscany." (qtd. by Crystal).  Reims is located in Northeastern France (Merriam-Webster's2).  In 1968, student riots occurred in Paris Francis, the same year that Robert Kennedy was assassinated (Crystal).  Similarly, "Tuscany" speaks of Florence Italy (Merriam-Webster's5) in which a flood occurred in 1963, the same year the John F. Kennedy was assassinated (Crystal).

It is also said by some that Nostradamus successfully predicted the death of Pope John Paul I.  (Morgana6)  In fact, there are several quatrains that have been interpreted as such:  Century 3, Quatrain 65, Century 10, Quatrain 12, and Century 4, Quatrain 11 (Morgana6).

Century 3, Quatrain 65, provides a timeline for the prediction:

When the sepulchre of the great Roman is found,
The day after a pope shall be elected:
The Senate (Conclave) will not approve of him.
His blood is poisoned in the sacred chalice (qtd. by Morgana6).

The use of the word "sepulchre" in the first line of this Quatrain denotes "a tomb"  (Merriam-Webster3).  There have been claims that the tomb of St. Peter was formally proclaimed in 1979 (New-Age Directory).  Pope John Paul I, was found dead in his bed on the morning of September 28th 1978: a mere 33 days after his election (Anon2).  Since the remains of St. Peter were announced in 1979, many interpreters suspect that the actually discovery of the tomb occurred in 1978, taking into account the validation process. 

The use of the word "senate" denotes "an assembly or council possessing a high deliberative and legislative function" (Merriam-Webster4).  To some, the interpretation then becomes a direct reference to the officials of the Vatican or the Cardinals of the Curia. (New Age Directory.) 

For years and presently, due to certain suspicious circumstances surrounding the Pope's death, it has been suspected that he was poisoned  (Anon2).  Of particular interest is that fact that unlike the death of any other Pope, no autopsy was ordered and his body was immediately embalmed (Anon2).  Some speculate that this was done to cover up the fact that the Pope was poisoned (Anon2). Interestingly enough, this is mentioned by the last line of Quatrain 65, "His blood is poisoned in the sacred chalice (qtd. by Morgana6).

Century 4, Quatrain 11, reiterates the prediction of Pope John Paul I:

He who will have the government of the great cape,
Will be led to execute in certain cases.
The twelve red ones will spoil the cover.
Under murder, murder will come to be perpetuated (qtd by Morgana6).

The "great cape" in line one of this Quatrain has been interpreted by many to mean Pope John Paul I (Anon2).  "The twelve reds ones" in line 3 could be clearly suggestive of the Twelve Cardinals, and the fourth line clearly suggests "murder" (Anon2).

Century 10, Quatrain 12, again echoes the predictions of the previous quatrains:

The one elected Pope will be mocked by his electors,
This enterprising and prudent person will suddenly be reduced in silence,
They cause him to die because of his too great goodness and mildness,
Stricken by fear, they will lead him to his death in the night (qtd. by Morgana6).

This particular quatrain eerily refers directly to a Pope, many who speculate is, indeed, Pope John Paul I.  It is believed that the Cardinals of Curia ridiculed him for being mild and weak. This is echoed in the third line of the prophecies with, "…too great goodness and mildness" (qtd. by Morgana6).  Again, Pope John Paul I was found dead in his bed in the early morning hours as was foretold by line 4, "…they will lead him to his death in the night (Anon2).

Nostradamus's frightening prophecies did not always pertain to leaders, but often times referred to monumental and often catastrophic events in history.  Besides predicting the cruel rise and reign of Hitler, spelled as Hister in his prophecies (qtd. by Morgana3), his quatrains often focused on disastrous occurrences (Flanagan3).

From the human flock nine will be sent away,
Separated from control and advice
Their fate will be sealed on departure
K-Th-L, the dead banished (Flanagan3).

Although there were only seven astronauts on the space shuttle Challenger when it was launched on January 28, 1986, this quatrain hints eerily at its destruction.  The Challenger did explode shortly after its "departure" as suggested by lines 1 and 3, and it was due to a mechanical error, which would make "Their fate sealed on departure." (Flanagan3).  To make this quatrain even more frightening, the manufacturer of the failing part was the company  Morton-Thiokol  which is believed to be indicated by some interpreters in the final line of this Quatrain, "K-TH-L…(Flanagan3).

Nostradamus has been constantly quoted as having named the Three Antichrists within his predicting quatrains.  The first Antichrist was interpreted as being Napoleon, the second as Hitler and the third, yet unidentified Antichrist being mentioned in several quatrains, in particular, Century 2, Quatrain 62 (Morgana5):

Mabus will then soon die, there will come,
A horrible undoing of people and animals:
At once vengeance will see vengeance.
One hundred hands, thirst, famine, when the comet will run (qtd. by Morgana5).

Unfortunate as it is, it appears that Nostradamus's predictions are often only understood when viewed in hindsight; after the events have already occurred.  However, given the uncertain state of our world today this quatrain remains a subject of great debate. 

Many have speculated that Mabus is actually an anagram for Usam B, or Usama Bin Laden.  Others speculate that Mabus is an anagram for Saddam Hussein.  In reading Saddam backwards, Maddus, does look horrifyingly similar (qtd by Morgana5).

It is important to note that all of the predictions reviewed within the given text have relied upon the crude English translation of Nostradamus's original prophecies that were written in a combination of French, Latin, and Greek, rhyming quatrains.  The mixture of the languages was merely another attempt by the prophet to protect himself against being tried as a witch.

It is also worthy of mention that Nostradamus's poetic quatrains were written in poetic form in order to make them elusive and obscure to those who may try to persecute him.  Poetry is a form of writing that is subjected to individual perception and interpretation, thus Nostradamus's predictions can be and are heavily debated.

Whether the remaining unfulfilled prophecies that Nostradamus foretold actually occur remains to be seen. The quatrains that have been reviewed here are a mere sampling of the nine hundred and forty two predictions Nostradamus made over four hundred years ago, yet within the samplings an individual can see an alarmingly, uncanny accuracy in his predictions.

In conclusion, although the accuracy of Nostradamus's predictions are veiled in poetic verse, if the unfulfilled prophecies show a tenth of the accuracy that the supposedly fulfilled prophecies have, we can only hope that humanity will develop a sound foresight into the predictions of Nostradamus.


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