The Mysterious Life of Nostradamus: How the French Astrologer Became the Most Famous Foreteller

Birthplace and Family Origins

Nostradamus was born in 1503 in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, a region in southern France. He came from a Jewish family that had converted to Christianity under the religious pressures of the time. His original name was Michel de Nostredame, later Latinized to the renowned name Nostradamus.

Establishing a Pharmacy

In his youth, Nostradamus trained in the field of pharmacy and established a small pharmacy of his own. Alongside offering herbal remedies and conventional treatments, he introduced unique items like sweets, creating a distinctive experience for his customers. One particularly intriguing idea he implemented was allowing customers to bet on the gender of unborn babies. These innovations and diverse services increased his popularity, turning his pharmacy into a thriving hub. This venture marked the first steps of his journey into the world of prophecy.

The Beginning of Prophecies

The death of his wife and children from the plague was a turning point in his life. This personal tragedy led him to travel across Europe and delve into mystical sciences. During this period, he encountered new ideas about mysticism and astronomy, which reshaped his professional path.

The Book of Prophecies and Global Fame

In 1555, Nostradamus published The Prophecies, a collection of 942 predictions written as rhymed quatrains. The invention of the printing press enabled the book to spread across Europe, bringing him unprecedented fame.

The Process of Making Predictions

Nostradamus had a unique method for receiving visions of the future. He would sit in a dark room and stare into a bowl of dark water. This practice helped him enter a trance-like state, during which he claimed to see images or ideas from the future.

After observing these visions, he decoded them using his intuition and mystical traditions, such as Kabbalah and astrological principles.

Nostradamus’ Unique Style

One reason for Nostradamus’ enduring fame was his distinct and captivating writing style. He composed his prophecies as though they were direct visions from his mind, with no mediation or complex interpretation.

Most of his predictions were written in quatrain form—four rhymed lines. This poetic structure, both in form and content, fascinated his audience. Additionally, he incorporated multiple languages, including Greek, Latin, and Old French, reflecting his mastery of various cultures and adding a global dimension to his work.

Entry into the French Court and Predicting the King’s Death

Catherine de Medici, the Queen of France, was an admirer of Nostradamus’ works and invited him to the royal court. One of his most precise predictions concerned the death of the Queen’s husband, King Henry II, which astonishingly came true.

Fear of Witchcraft Accusations

In an era when accusations of witchcraft were met with severe punishment, Nostradamus wrote his prophecies in a cryptic and complex language to avoid suspicion. This mysterious style, along with the absence of exact dates, made his predictions flexible and enduring.

Healing as a “Healer”

Beyond his famous prophecies, Nostradamus also worked as a healer and considered himself a practitioner of medicine. During the plague, he employed controversial methods for the time, such as cupping and bloodletting, which are now regarded as pseudoscientific. He also offered beauty treatments, though some of the ingredients he used, like lye, raised concerns and fears.

Remarriage

After the painful loss of his wife and children to the plague, Nostradamus decided to rebuild his life. He married a widow named Anne Ponsarde. Together, they had six children and settled in a quiet village called Salon-de-Provence, where they continued their lives.

The Medical Cookbook

In 1555, Nostradamus published an intriguing book titled Traité des fardemens. This book, which can be considered a medical cookbook, included various recipes, ranging from cosmetics and candies to jams and even love elixirs.

The Prophet’s Death: Predicting His Final Day

In his later years, Nostradamus suffered from gout. On the night before his death, he told his secretary that he would not see the sunrise again. The following morning, he was found lifeless in his bed. He passed away at the age of 62, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most enigmatic prophets in history.