It seems most people are either fearful or intrigued by the name Nostradamus. The fear keeps people from investigating something they perceive as evil, for fear of being cast out by their peer group. The intrigue keeps people wanting to hear more sensationalized stories of lore and myth, like listening to ghost stories on a scout camping outing. The reality is very few people have taken the time to see the real Nostradamus.



He lived during the Rennaissance period, which literally means (in French) Rebirth period. European artisans looked at the ancient Romans for a rebirth of inspiration - in art and architecture. Several people took on Latinized names, as Nostradamus was. It is the Latin form of Michel de Nostredame. Nostredame is French for Our Lady, such that his name was Michel of Our Lady. Nostradamus is Latin for man of Our Lady.



Nostradamus was not royalty, but his parents were affluent enough to send him to the university at Montpellier to study. He was fluent in several languages and studied in the histories of the great civilizations of mankind. He interned as a "pre-med" student during times when plague ravaged France. During times when medical knowledge was weak (at best), Nostradamus walked into towns others feared walking into, because the plague was running rampant. He treated the sick and well, while tending to the dying. He did not die and was said to have healed many. This reputation as a healer has been questioned, mainly because Nostradamus' wife and two children died of plague, which he could not cure. The real issue is this: Nostradamus faced fear without fear and came out alive and well, while others who came into contact with him found admiration.



Nostradamus was expelled from the university, before he could gain a doctorate in medicine. Perhaps he argued against some of the procedures that were accepted at the time? He was degreed as an apothecary and wrote treatists on herbal and medicinal plants. His remedies were well received and his books of ointments and potions were purchased by many, becoming very popular.



Nostradamus was raised by parents who had been converted to Catholicism during the French Inquisition, when their parents were converted from their Jewish roots and religious beliefs. Nostradamus was a devout Catholic, but as a child his grandfather taught him the values of the Kabballah, which included the mysteries of astrology. Nostradamus began to practice astrology as a replacement for medicine, as a way of helping others. He became the favorite astrologer of Queen Catherine de Medici, the wife of King Henri II of France. She gave Nostradamus raving reviews and Nostradamus became popular for his abilities to see the future through this art. From this art, Nostradamus published yearly Almanachs, which included 10 - 15 4-line poetic verses (quatrains), which accurately predicted things such as crop yields and weather patterns, as well as some royal gossip. These books were very popular and Nostradamus developed the reputation of prophet, due to the accuracy.



Nostradamus was able to practice astrology openly due to his life being when several popes were favorable to astrology. Many (if not most) leading philosophers and scientists were also astrologers, which led to the science of astronomy. The Church also wanted to learn how astrology could benefit from it; and Nostradamus was commissioned to train key personnel in the art of horoscopes.



Nostradamus wrote The Prophecies, which was well received, based on his past reputation of being somewhat elusive in his wording of quatrains, which became brain-teasers that were easily solvable to the masses. The King of France and the Pope in Rome had stipened Nostradamus to publish his works. No one was able to understand The Prophecies. This inability to easily understand the quatrains led to many seeing Nostradamus as having gone insane (a sign then of evil spirits having taken control of his body). While Nostradamus continued to write his Almanachs and the Queen Regent named Nostradamus Physician in Ordinary (after the death of Henri), Nostradamus' reputation was no longer what it was before. Nostradamus' explanation to Henri was so confusing that it made absolutely no sense.



As you can see, this history of the man named Nostradamus does not show anything to cause fear or even intrigue. Nostradamus was a good man. He helped those in need of help. He gave to the masses. He stood up for his beliefs. He had special talents he put to good use for others. Compare his life to yours. Are you equally living a good life?



When you understand this background, you can begin to see how Nostradamus was a pious man - a devout Catholic - with a name stating he was a man of Our Lady, the Virgin Mother of Jesus, of special importance to the Roman Catholic Church. Nostradamus was worthy of having an encounter with the spirit of Jesus Christ. He was willing to act as commanded by that spirit and he was willing to give up all of his worldly reputation to write a Prophecy, which would not be realized for 450 years and would not benefit Nostradamus one iota.



Ask yourself: Do you believe it possible that the spirit of Jesus Christ encountered John of Patmos? Do you know the story of The Revelation? Do you see clarity in The Revelation? Do you know of the End Times theme in both The Revelation and The Prophecies? Do you think Jesus Christ is the true Savior of our souls? Do you think a true Savior - a Good Shepherd - will watch over a flock without warning the flock of endangering wolves? What do you think the purpose of Prophecy is? Why do you think Nostradamus is anything other than a good man? Why do you think Nostradamus is lesser of a man than you? Do you believe you have lived a good enough life to have the spirit of Jesus Christ appear before you?



I would be greatly interested in reading your thoughts on these questions.



Sincerely,



Robert Tippett