Much ado has been made about the 16th-century Frenchman, Nostradamus, but how much is fact and how much is fantasy? Sparking a controversy that has lasted for almost 450 years, the acclaimed prophet has been accredited with predicting major events in world history from Hitler to the assassination of JFK.Born in 1503 in France, Michel de Nostradame first became renowned for his ability to treat victims of the bubonic plaque. A master of herbal and folk medicine, he treated his patients with a strict regimen of cleanliness and vitamin C. The death of his wife and two children from the epidemic inspired Nostradamus to begin performing rituals to predict (and possibly prevent) future catastrophes.

So how exactly did Nostradamus formulate his famous predictions? The answer is surprisingly simple: narcotics. Mild hallucinogens, including nutmeg, coupled with heavy meditation served as his method of choice. He also utilized flame and water-gazing to inspire prophetic visions.

These tactics allowed him to formulate over 1,000 revelations compiled into a 10-volume set entitled The Centuries (which has been on the 25 bestsellers list since the recent terrorist attacks on America). One of his most famous works includes a foreboding of Hitler’s rise in Germany, referring to a “proud, villainous and unjust man” by the name of “Histler.”

“The greater part of the battlefield will be against Histler / Into a cage of iron will the great one be drawn /
When the child of Germany observes nothing.”

This passage was written by Nostradamus 335 years before Hitler was born.

Despite the bizarre similarities between historical facts and ancient script, many critics have claimed Nostradamus was simply describing events of his own time. They believe the writings are obscure to protect the author from the Holy Inquisition since Nostradamus was later found to be a heretic.

Regardless of the author’s intent, five centuries after his death, the name Nostradamus continues to incite questions regarding the validity of self-proclaimed supernatural diviners. A recent mass e-mail claimed Nostradamus predicted the bombing of the World Trade Center by falsely quoting,

“In the year of the new century and nine months
From the sky will come a great King of Terror

In the city of York, there will be a great collapse

Two twin brothers torn apart by chaos”

This particular passage turned out to be a hoax.

However certain authentic passages have come to light, which could relate to recent events. The genuine prophecies currently in question are as follows (extracted from The Centuries):

“At five and forty degrees, the sky will burn,
Fire approaches the great new city … the towers around the New City to shake …The free city of Liberty made servile, Made an asylum for corrupt ones and dreamers.”

Fact or fiction, prophet or fraud, Nostradamus will continue to inspire debates wherever his name is mentioned.

For more information visit http://www.britannica.com and http://www.nytimes/com.