26. NOSTRADAMUS: ASTROLOGER, MYSTIC, SEER, GUESSER, FALSE PROPHET

Nostradamus and his supposed ability as a prophet became a legend. Yet most people know little about him. Tabloids and occult literature often make fantastic and nonsense claims about him and his prophecies.

I. NOSTRADAMUS (1503-1566)

Michael de Nostradame (Michael Nostradamus) was a Frenchman. Some writers think that he was part Jew, because they think that Jews were a race of people. But Jews are people of different races and ethnic groups who are members of the Jewish Faith (Religion). See my book, “Jewish Race: Myth and Fallacy.” at
members.tripod.com/~ANTIRELIGION/index.html
Some ancestors of Nostradamus were members of Judaism. But he was not. In fact he was a Roman Catholic.
Nostradamus became a physician. He obviously had ability. And he practiced medicine during the time of plagues. It was also a very superstitious time.
 

II. OCCULT

Nostradamus wrote predictions in an almanac each year. When producing predictions he had to write something. At times he referred to passages from the Bible. The things which Nostradamus did placed him in the category of the occult. Occult means special secret, mystic, special magic, outside the normal, and mysterious. Nostradamus has been called the greatest character in occult history. His book, published in 1555, was called “Centuries.” Yet the book was finally put on the Index of Forbidden Books, maintained by the Roman Catholic Church. It is available today.

A. ASTROLOGER

Astrology dates back to ancient Babylon. It started as the result of mythical thinking, not by logical thinking. Arab mythology influenced Roman Catholicism in the Roman Empire, and it influenced many other people. Some popes believed in astrology, and some popes did not believe in it. Stargazers, and early astrologers started believing that stars in the Zodiac influenced lives and events on earth. The zodiac is imagined to be a track in the heavens which is a huge circle with a dozen parts called signs of the zodiac. While astrologers are contradictory in their beliefs most believe that the stars have something to do with each person’s life events. Eastern astrology, e.g., Chinese astrology, differs from Western astrology.

Nostradamus relied on astrology to make various predictions, and to cast horoscopes. A horoscope is supposed to be a forcast or prediction of events in the life of a person starting with the positions of stars, and with positions of the planets, at the time of that person’s birth.

Nostradamus cast various horoscopes which favored the Roman Catholic Church, and some popes, to the detriment of Protestantism. His astrology was biased, and he was also anti-Jewish. Nostradamus detested heretics, followed Thomism, philosophy and theology of the Roman Catholic Church, and upheld the Inquisition.

My birthdate was July 29, 1934. I am supposed to be a Leo (lion sign), since Leo is July 23-August 22. A recent horoscope said, “Look inside, find out what really makes you tick. Forget compliments, flattery -- say to yourself, ‘I’m on sacred mission to find out who I really am.’ It’s a Tuesday to remember.” This is all generalized, and illogical. The expression “what really makes you tick” is ambiguous. And I already know who and what I am. I stayed home all day Tuesday. Big deal.

My wife of more than 45 years is supposed to be a Capricorn (December 22-January 29). The horoscope for her is more ambiguous than the one for me.

Occult explosions during the past decades have helped confuse many people with occult myths, false claims, illogical beliefs, and non-scientific knowledge. Astrology is another false system(s) of beliefs and imagination.

Nostradamus was born on December 14, 1503. So he was a Sagittarius (November 22-December 21). What does that mean scientifically? Nothing.

B. MYSTIC

A mystic is supposed to have special insight, and be able to see or feel things that normal people can neither see nor hear. A mystic often relies on intuition, mystery, and a special relationship with “the other.” A mystic is said to have special connections which other people do not possess. It should be obvious that mystics can be dangerous. Some are psychotic, and at times out of touch with reality. This is occult mysticism. Like other occult practices it can make money and fame for some people.

Nostradamus was an astrologer, European variety, and a Roman Catholic mystic.

C. SEER

A seer is believed to be able to “see” deeper, and into more mysterious things than other people. Paranormal ability is believed to be able to go beyond the “seeing” ability of normal people. Hence, occult.

Psychics are believed by many people to go beyond the normal, and they are supposed to possess “supernatural” powers. It should be emphasized that of more than 60 police departments in the United States, to hire psychics to attempt to solve unsolved murder cases, not one psychic succeeded, or solved a crime! Experimental psychologists worked with the police departments. Results were published. Not one psychic even guessed right!

D. CLAIRVOYANT

Clairvoyance is an occult claim to be able to perceive things which are impreceptable to other people. Some occultists claim that a clairvoyant is an especially gifted person. Nostradamus was supposed to be a seer, and a clairvoyant.

E. GUESSER

Nostradamus had an active imagination, and spent time in studying magic (mystic magic). He was a creaative writer, and made many guesses about future events. When a mystical prophet, psychics, soothsayers (foreteller of future events), and others who are plugged into a socket of “special truth,” make so many predictions, then they will seemingly have predicted some events. Even then ambiguity is usually involved. But guesses, reputation, and showmanship do not make a prophet. The guesser, if he or she interprets his or her prophecies actually practice “applied prophecies.” Prophecies and interpretations are manipulated to make them to appear to be authentic.

F. FALSE PROPHET

A real prophet does not do hit or miss predictions. If all predictions happen, then the man or woman claiming power or powers would have a stronger case. It would then be easier to sell the public. But when some fail or when most or all fail, then the case becomes much weaker, and it is harder to sell the public. When a mystical prophet or psychic accidently predicts something which later happens, or appears to happen, then that event is highly advertised, and it can convince some people that the predictor is real and genuine. Hit and miss prophets and prophetesses are false prophets and false prophetesses. There are multitudes today. Nostradamus himself was a false prophet.
 

III. HOW TO TEST A PROPHET

Nostradamus, some other astrologers, and people who claim to have extrasensory perception (ESP) mimick Bible prophecy. They did these deceptions and tricks far back in Old Testament times.

God set forth a test whereby we can know if a prophet is a true Bible prophet, or a false prophet. If a prophet, or self-proclaimed prophet, speaks by guessing or falsely, or in the name, or names of other gods, then that person will die and be lost, unless he/she repents. If a prophet, or so-called prophets, make a prediction, and it comes to pass, along with other prophecies the person has predicted, then that person is considered to be a real prophet, and not a false prophet. See Deuteronomy 18:18-22. Cf. Deuteronomy 13:1-3. Also Jeremiah 28:9.

If a person makes some correct predictions, and some incorrect prediction, then that person is a false prophet. Bible prophecies are not hit or miss guesses. When astrologers, psychics, or other occultists make several predictions, then one prophecy or a few more might happen because of many guesses. But all prophecies of a so-called prophet must come to pass, or that person is a false prophet.

A. PSYCHICS’ FAILURES

More than 60 police departments across the United States, working with experimental psychologists, hired various psychics to work on unsolved cases, over a period of time. Not one psychic solved a crime! The test indicates that the psychics are false. If one psychic guessed correctly, then some people would be claiming great feats by that person, and other psychics. It behooves viewers to read the smaller print in television commercials for phone-in psychics. It says “For entertainment purposes only.” This is a disclaimer which actually warns there is nothing serious or true about the psychics.

B. JONAH AND HIS ANGER

Jonah is a Book in the Old Testament, one of the twelve books called minor prophets. God called Jonah to be a prophet, and instructed him to go to the great city of Nineveh, in Mesopotamia, in the Tigris-Euphrates Rivers area. Jonah was to preach and prophesy against the evil in that city, and proclaim, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.” - Jonah 3:4. Jonah was a great preacher, and all the people of the city repented, and God forgave them, and spared the city. Jonah probably thought that all of this might happen. So he became very angry, and sat down to pout. God then had to teach him a lesson about forgiveness. Jonah predicted that Nineveh would be destroyed unless the people repented. They repented, and Nineveh was not destroyed at that time. Jonah was afraid that the people would remember the test of a prophet, and that they would think that he was a false prophet, because the city was not destroyed. However, Jonah gave the people God’s ultimatum; repent or be destroyed. So Jonah did not need to fear what the people would think. See Jonah 1:2; 3:2-7; 4:11. Christ warned Christians to be alert because there were, and are, many false prophets. See Matthew 24:11, 24; Mark 8:28. Simon Peter warned Christians about false teachers. See 2 Peter 2:1.
 

IV. LEGEND

Nostradamus with an expanded reputation became a legend. A legend is a story or an event which might be believed, but which cannot be verified. Legends are usually false.

It is difficult to know for sure about the many different claims about the now legendary Nostradamus.
 

V. SUPERSTITIOUS AGE IN HISTORY

Superstitions ran rampant in the 1500s during the time of Nostradamus. There were religious superstitions galore. Millions of people feared the many superstitions. The Black Plague was devastating Europe, in which fifty percent of the population died, and forty-five percent of the clergypersons died. Superstitions are social contagions. Seeing things which are not there can and often does become contagious. But superstitions are not knowledge, and social contagions can be terribly damaging to many people.

Tabloid newspapers, and other news media contribute heavily to the myths and legends about Nostradamus.
 

VI. NIGHT VISITATIONS

Nostradamus claimed that he retreated into his dark study with only a candle for light, evidently to meditate. Thus he was prepared for night visitations from spirits he thought were divine. These night visitors, he claimed, revealed future prophecies to him. He thought these supposed divine visitations inspired him so he could receive and pass on prophetic revelations.

Mohammed (around 570-632 A.D.), the founder of the religion of Islam, claimed to have visitations. Mohammed’s visitations were so violent that he would fall down, roll around, flaying his arms and legs wildly, making many groans, and foamings at the mouth. These visitations would often last for hours at a time. Mohammed did not have epilepsy. However, his visitation experiences sound somewhat like those of the Gadarene demoniac, named Legion, in the Gospel of Mark 5:1-15. Mohammed claimed that he never knew whether his visitations came from Allah or from the Devil. But he finally accepted them as coming from Allah. Mohammed was a pedophile before and after his visitations, and he committed murder and robbery after he accepted his visitations. He also preached “kill the Jews.” Mohammed’s visitations produced one of the world’s most violent religions. Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the Mormon Church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, LDS) also received visitations so he claimed. Like Mohammed Joseph Smith, Jr. was a pedophile. See my writing, “Mormons: Can They Become Gods and Have Sex Forever?” at
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VII. VISITATIONS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS

It is obvious that so-called visitations by spirits, invisible beings, demons or whatever they are called can be extremely dangerous. Such visitations literal or imagined have caused much cruelty, sufferings, and deaths down through world history. The visitations of Nostradamus are included. There will be more such things in the future, for one reason; because they are not going to stop.
 

VIII. DIVINING ROD OF NOSTRADAMUS

A divining rod, forked stick, now at times a metal rod, used in finding water, is called “water witching.” Nostradamus used such a rod in order to get more divine messages from a bowl. This was a mystic and mystery use of the rod. You must know how scientific that was!
 

IX. AMBIGUOUS PREDICTIONS AND APPLIED PROPHECIES

Like astrology’s horoscopes Nostradamus’ predictions are written in an ambiguous way, and they are generalized. Fallacies. Such predictions must be applied to various events to claim that they, the predictions, are true.
 

X. 1934: A PROPHECY

It is guessed that Nostradamus predicted Hitler’s obtaining of power over Germany in 1934. The one he predicted was worse than anyone. One problem is that Nostradamus predicted his event for 1609. Remember that each prophecy needs to be applied to something, to whatever. I was born in 1934, and hope the seer did not mean me. If so it was the year 1609.

Notice also that Nostradamus mimicked Bible prophecy. Many other “predictors” do the same thing.
 

XI. OTHER PREDICTIONS

Nostradamus wrote many predictions.

A. WARS

He made various ambiguous predictions about wars. Predicting wars in Europe was a sure bet that the predictions would be applied to some war or wars in the future.

B. PERSECUTION OF JEWS

Jews were being persecuted during the time of Nostradamus. There were many persecutions since the time of Nostradamus. Predicting persecutions of Jews is almost a certain thing.

C. BREAK-UP OF SOVIET UNION

When the Communist controlled USSR brokeup disciples of Nostradamus went to work until they found something in his writings which were to be applied to the breakup. His interpreters “make it fit.”

D. KENNEDY POLITICIANS

It is guessed that Nostradamus predicted the three Kennedys in the United States. Supposedly this includes the assassinations of President John, and his brother, Robert. Another application! Was Senator Edward (Teddy) Kennedy number three?

Nostradamus did not predict that people would found (start) the Kennedy Religion! It is estimataed that 50,000 to 150,000 people, world wide, believe in the Kennedy Religion. They believe among other things that President John F. Kennedy is divine, and that he performs miracles. Some believe that he is yet alive. In the distant future my guess is that a pope will lead the efforts, and John F. Kennedy will be Sainted. He could become Saint John F. Kennedy, patron Saint of American presidents. Somebody check this out years from now!

Neither did “Saint” Nostradamus predict that several thousand people would believe that Elvis Presley lives on, and there is an “Elvis Religion” (Literally). Princess Diana married Prince Charles of Wales. She was known world wide. After she was killed in a car wreck many people started seeing her alive. (So they said). Many people have claimed to see apparitions of John F. Kennedy, Elvis Presley, or Princess Diana. Some people claimed that they were healed by these now divine people. Why did Nostradamus miss all of these things? It remains for some of his followers to apply some ambiguous prophecies to these people and events.
 

E. DIFFERENT EVENTS FROM SAME FEW LINES

In some places it is guessed that the same few lines predict different events. (Equivocation).
 

F. MANY OTHER EVENTS

It is guessed that Nostradamus predicted many other events. See his prophecies.
 

G. THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE

Nostradamus believed in the mythical philosopher’s stone. Alchemy taught that the philosopher’s stone must exist, a mystic substance, which could turn metals into gold. But alchemists never found it. Another belief was that the philosopher’s stone, if it could be found, could cause a person to become immortal. Nostradamus was a non-critical believer, and very superstious. Billions of people today are in the same category.

Illogical and non-scientific thinking once motivated people to search for a fountain of youth which never existed.
 

H. BELIEVERS IN THE RIDICULOUS

Nostradamus and billions of the world’s population, right now, believe in the ridiculous (absurd, non-reasonable, non-scientific, mythical; can imply mad or insane). Billions of people in many countries believe in religions, church denominations, cults, sects, politics, racial, and ethnic myths, and lies, and in some situations, in ridiculous systems of economics.

As we end the twentieth century the world is ripe and ready for almost anything so long as it is absurd.
 

XII. BIBLE, NOSTRADAMUS, OCCULT

It was mentioned earlier that Nostradamus used various Scriptures, but none upheld his prophecies. “Occult” was defined earlier. The Bible has many Scriptures against false prophets, and all of the so-called occult sciences. The Bible does not uphold any occult practices. While many people make money in the occult practices, they are worthless except for that.
 

A. ASTROLOGERS

Daniel, one of the great Old Testament prophets, was in conflict with astrologers. Daniel succeeded in interpreting the dream of the king of Babylon, but the hired astrologers failed. See Daniel 1:10; 2:2, 27; 4:7. The Book of Daniel also shows the failures of occult magicians. See Daniel 4:7. Scriptures do not teach against professional magicians, only against occult magicians. Some professional magicians, some Christians, have written books revealing how various occult tricks often deceive customers. I had a magician to present a “Gospel Program in Magic,” at one church where I was pastor. He showed some tricks to me. Very informative. Houdini, Harry Houdini (1874-1926), a Hungarian-American, and the greatest world class magician, and escape artist, opposed the occult, and revealed the tricks they used to fool people, and with which to make money. (Occult economics).
 

B. STARGAZERS

Stargazers are also rejected by the Bible because they tried to use the stars to predict events, like the astrologers. See Isaiah 47:13. Astronomy is upheld by the Bible, and a study of the Bible, and astronomy, is a worthwhile course.
 

C. MAGI WERE PHILOSOPHERS

Three Magi (Wise Men) who followed the star, and found the Baby Jesus, were Persian philosophers who studied astronomy, the scrolls (Scriptures), philosophy, and knew astrology, but were not astrologers. The Magi was a group of philosophers in Mesopotamia, in part of what is now Iran. They were in the history of philosophy. They came to worship Jesus. See Matthew 2:1-12. As might be expected the sectarian Christmas story oversimplifies, and misrepresents the Wise Men.
 

D. SOOTHSAYERS

Defined earlier.

The Bible rejects soothsayers, and soothsayings. See Joshua 13:22; Isaiah 2:6; Micah 5:12; Acts 16:16.
 

E. WITCHES

1. DEDICATED TO THE DEVIL?

Real witches were supposed to be women who gave themselves over to Satan. The Bible rejects witches. See Micah 5:12; Nahum 3:4. When I was a teenager a minister I knew had a relative who really wanted to be a real witch. The minister’s wife thought it would be harmless if she too became a witch. She begged and hounded the woman who claimed that she was a real witch to tell her how she too could become a real witch.

Finally the real witch told the lady to meet her on a certain river bank at midnight. The lady complied. The witch asked her, “Are you sure that you want to go through with this thing?” The lady said, “Oh, yes!” The witch said, “Bend over and stand on the palm of your left hand, and put your right hand on the top of your head.” The lady obeyed. Then the witch said, “Repeat after me. I give everything between my two hands to the Devil.” The lady refused. If a person really intended to become dedicated to Satan, and internalized the belief that she/he was so dedicated, then that person could so behave to convince people, even if there was no Satan or witches.

2. PURITANS’ ERRORS

Puritans, in the 13 colonies in early American history, were completely misguided about witches, and the Salem witch hunts. Today’s witches, and warlocks (male witches) are mostly performers who make money. (Occult economics). The Puritans did not believe 100 percent in “Thou shalt not kill.” - Exodus 20:13.

3. WITCHCRAFTS

Witchcrafts include the uses of occult magic, sorcery (claims to have supernatural power over people), charms, amulets, crystal balls, four-leaf clover, Tarot cards, the rabbit’s foot, fortunetelling, spells, potions, incantations, curses, table walking, moving objects, levitation, transes, seances, tricky ventriloguism, ougi boards, voodoo, voodoo dolls, ghosts, spooks, palm reading, runes casting, bones castings, chicken blood, and so forth. Occult economics is involved in these things. NBC Dateline Investigation television program (06-30-99) ran a special report on “harmless fun” in psychic beliefs, and problems and crimes in psychic scams, crooked fortunetelling, con games, so-called Spiritual advisers, occult rackets, and other things. The Bible opposes all witchcrafts. See 1 Samuel 15:23; 2 Kings 9:22; 2 Chronicles 33:6; Micah 5:12; Galatians 5:20.

4. ENCHANTERS

Enchanters are supposed to be people with mysterious or mystic powers. Some people believe that enchanters can cast a spell over people, use charms, tea leaves, hold power over a person, and can bewitch people. Some people believe that enchanters can put a jinx on people, and can cause bad luck. No one is jinxed to life. God, not jinxes, is in control. The Bible rejects enchanters, and occult enchantments. See Deuteronomy 18:10; 2 Chronicles 33:6.

5. SUPERSTITIOUS

Superstition is believing in the mysterious, and is to have an illogical or non-reasonable fear of imagined things, some of which do not exist. It includes such things as believing that when a black cat crosses your path that you will have bad luck. Also, it is believed to be bad luck to step on a crack in a sidewalk, walk under a ladder, pass on one side of a pole or post while someone else passes on the other side. It is believed that to break a mirror, accidently or intentionally, is seven years bad luck. And there is the unlucky 13. Various religions, church denominations, and cults, believe in various types of superstitious claims, and practices.

Scriptures condemn superstition. “Paul stood in the midst of Mars hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.” - Acts 17:22. Some people, because of their superstition, do not accept Christ as Saviour. See Acts 25:19.

6. OTHER BIBLICAL TEACHINGS

While there are other teachings in the Bible which are opposed to all forms of the occult, these herein considered are sufficient.
 

XIII. TRUST NOSTRADAMUS’ PROPHECIES?

Only if you believe in the lucky 13.
 

NOTICE

If YOU would like to give a financial contribution to Prof. Richard G. Benefield’s tax paying work, and to help him oppose falsehoods in various areas and organizations, then write to:

Prof. Richard G. Benefield
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