Nostradamus is, no doubt about it, the most celebrated and prolific prophet of this millenium. With the exception of the Bible, the 942 quatrains of the Centuries have caused more ink to flow than the prophecies of all other prophets reunited. He was, first and foremost, a devoted and compassionate doctor whose home-made potions, medicinal herbs-based products, saved the lives of hundreds of patients suffering from the plague during the many epidemics that spread throughout Europe in the 16th century, epidemics that had decimated several french areas including Provence where Nostradamus had taken up residence. It has not been clearly established where and how Nostradamus discovered he had the gift of prophecy. Most biographers introduce us to the doctor-astrologer and his many travels, but we have yet to discover the Nostradamus-prophet he had become.

Michel de Nostredame was born in St.Remi de Provence, December 14, 1503. Of Jewish extraction, the parents of Nostradamus had settled in Provence, in the reign of RenŽ Le Bon whose tolerance was legendary. Personal physician of John, son of the duke of Lorraine, the grand-father, Pierre de Nostredame, had a florishing practice in the town of Arles, and this, until the day the townÕs pharmacists discovered he concocted his own potions, much more effective that the medications they gave their own patients. Driven away from his hometown, the physician followed his master throughout Europe, and his travels expanded the scope of his medical and astrological interests, which may seem odd considering todayÕs stand on astrology, but, in the 16th century, both sciences were taught as part of the medical course in European universities:

Close bonds have always existed between medecine and astrology. Indeed, until the 18th century, the two sciences were inextricably mixed, a study of astrology being, as a matter of course, part of a doctorÕs training, and a vital element in his treatment of disease.
[The Compleat Astrologer. Derek and Julia Parker]

Michel was the son of Jacques, a wealthy notary. Following an edit of king Louis XII, all jews had been ordered to convert to catholicism. Michel's parents were therefore baptized in the catholic faith. and so was their son Michel.

Quite early in life, the future prophet showed the signs of an inquisitive and open-minded spirit. His maternal grandfather, Jean de St. Remi, also a physician and PierreÕs travelling companion when the latter wandered throughout Europe, took Michel in his home in order to complete his education and teach him the rudiments of medicine, science and astrology. Following the death of the grandfather, Michel went back home and his education was taken in hand, and by the parents, and the remaining grandfather, Pierre de Nostredame.

Following the death of that grandfather, the young man was sent to Avignon where his passion for astrology won him the title of 'Little astrologer'. Besides, even though the biographers did not venture in that area, it is possible that Nostradamus manifested that gift of prophecy quite early in life, gift that the parents must have kept hidden for fear of the church and the Inquisition, quite adamant when it came to occult matters which they called sorcery and magic.

His medical and astrological studies completed at the University of Montpellier, Nostradamus obtained his license to practice medecine. Helping the sick was, for the young physician, a true vocation, and he showed the extent of his talents and dedication when the plague hit the south of France. His devotion to the sick, his unorthodox methods of preparing the medications as well as a marked and Ôavant-gardeÕ concern for hygiene, allowed him to cure, successfully and at the risk of his own life, many of those who were suffering from the plague.

One day, Nostradamus received a letter from Jules-Cesar Scaliger, the famous philosopher. Scaliger was inviting him to spend some time at his home in Agen, invitation he eagerly accepted. Things went so well between the two men that Scaliger extended the invitation to remain as long as he wished, and offered him to share all he had acquired in terms of medical, scientific and metaphysical knowledge.

Married for the first time during his stay, he became a widow when his wife and children were stricken with the plague. Unable to heal them, he saw all of them gradually fade away and die. After their death, Nostradamus came in conflict with his wife's family, partly because they were resentful he could not help those of his own family when he had helped so many others, and also because of a unsettled dowry matter. All this, added to the fact he had a quarrel with Scaliger and was awaiting a coming investigation from the Church, forced the prophet into exile.

After many wanderings, he finally settled in Salon, Provence, where he tied the knot with a lady Anne Ponsard Gemelle of which he had many children, one of which, Caesar, has been immortalized in ÔThe Letter to CesarÕ which he published along with the Centuries.

Nostradamus was about 50 years old, and his fame had now spread throughout France and Europe. Queen Catherine, wife of Henry II whose tragic destiny would be predicted by the seer, requested his presence at the court, which gave him even greater fame and credibility. He became her confident in many matters and predicted each of her children would become king, failing to tell her, for obvious reasons, that all of them would die a tragic death.

In a tournament held during the festivities in honor of her daughter Elisabeth's marriage, Gabriel de Lorges, count of Montgomery, pierced the eye and the skull of Henry with his rapier. Ten days later, the king gave up the ghost, and thus was fulfilled the prophecy of quatrain I-35.

The Centuries of Nostradamus were a success and the kingÕs death increased a fame already at its peak. However, the fear of the Inquisition and the fact that jews were especially watched by the Church, hastened his retiring from the world, and he began to live the life of a recluse. Frequent fits of gout confined him to bed where he finally died July 2, 1566.