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Life and times -

Nostradamus, born Michel de Nostredame in 1503, was a French physician and astrologer. He lived during the Renaissance, an era of rapid intellectual and cultural change, which influenced his fascination with science, mysticism, and prophecy.

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A healer during the plague -

Nostradamus initially gained recognition as a physician who treated plague victims. His innovative methods, including promoting hygiene and creating herbal remedies, set him apart from contemporaries and established his reputation as a healer.

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From medicine to mysticism -

After losing his wife and children to the plague, Nostradamus turned to astrology and prophecy. His interest in esoteric knowledge and visions of the future shaped his transition from a respected doctor to a renowned soothsayer.

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‘The Prophecies’ -

In 1555, Nostradamus published his most famous work, ‘Les Prophéties,’ a collection of quatrains predicting events far into the future. Written in cryptic, poetic language, the book cemented his legacy as a legendary seer.

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Themes of war and calamity -

Nostradamus consistently relied on motifs of war, disease, and environmental disasters. These perennial themes mean that his predictions can fit almost any historical or current event.

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Predictive ambiguity -

Nostradamus’ predictions have been alluring for almost 500 years due to their timelessness. Nobody can truly pinpoint when his prophecies are supposed to come to pass, and his vague language enables endless reinterpretations. So what do people believe he predicted for 2025?

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The Ukraine-Russia war -

The first prophecy for 2025 speaks about war, particularly in Europe. A quatrain from ‘The Prophecies’ mentions exhausted armies and resource shortages. Some have interpreted this as foreshadowing developments in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, reflecting fears of escalation or shifts in alliances within Europe.

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Alliances -

The quatrain also mentioned "Gallic brass" and "crescent moon." Gallic is an archaic term that means “French,” while the crescent moon is featured on the Turkish flag. This has fueled speculation about France and Turkey’s roles in either mediating or exacerbating conflicts like the Ukraine-Russia war.

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World War III -

As with past years, some interpretations of Nostradamus hint at a looming global conflict. His recurring war imagery invites fears of a World War III, though evidence remains as tenuous as ever.

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Plagues returning to Europe -

A second prophecy from Nostradamus describes "ancient plagues" worse than enemies that are set to impact Europe. This ominous tone, combined with references to cruel wars, brings to mind historical epidemics and fears of modern-day pandemics.

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Unverified sources -

Interestingly, the quatrain that featured this prediction cannot be found anywhere in the 1555 publication of ‘The Prophecies.’ Indeed, it actually comes from a rediscovered "lost manuscript" that was released in 1998.

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The lost manuscript -

The 1998 publication was based on text that was discovered in 1994 by members of the Italian National Library in Rome. This prediction can be taken with a grain of salt, as it blurs the lines between Nostradamus’ authentic writings and later additions or reinterpretations.

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Natural disasters in South America -

Another of Nostradamus’ prophecies speaks of poisoned waters and hollow mountains in the “garden of the world.” Some believe that this foretells environmental disasters in the Amazon basin, since it is home to the largest forest on the planet.

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Ash and sulfur -

Some believers have also argued that the prophecy alludes to volcanic eruptions in the Andes, since the waters are poisoned with sulfur. The Andean Volcanic Belt is indeed a major zone where volcanic activity is prominent.

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Soccer prophecy -

Across all of Nostradamus’ published prophecies, he mentions roosters a total of 16 times. He speaks of them in the context of strength, as well as espionage, and even war. But perhaps the most interesting is how some have related it to the beloved sport of soccer.

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Emblems and animals -

An enigmatic reference in ‘The Prophecies’ to roosters and eagles has been linked to the emblems of English Premier League soccer teams like Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace, which are represented by the animals. The prophecy also speaks of a lion, which is the emblem of the entire league itself.

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Hardships in soccer -

The lines of Nostradamus’ prophecy appear to predict that Crystal Palace, represented by the eagle, will experience financial or personnel troubles. In the prediction, the eagle is seen with a “poorly finished” wing, and some have speculated that it might spell disaster for the soccer team.

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Animal symbolism -

Nostradamus’ frequent use of animal imagery has fueled a multitude of diverse interpretations. Whether referring to nations, people, or even soccer teams, these cryptic symbols invite imaginative speculation.

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Italian influence -

Another quatrain of Nostradamus’ prediction speaks of two regions in Italy: Campania and Apulia. Campania is known for being home to the city of Naples and the ruins of Pompeii, but the prophecy states that the region would experience very long rain that some believe will result in floods.

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Drought -

The region of Apulia, on the other hand, will be burdened by a great drought. Located on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, Apulia is among Italy’s hottest and driest areas, where temperatures sometimes exceed 104°F (40°C). Perhaps 2025 will see this region become even hotter.

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The Aquatic Empire mystery -

The last potential prophecy that might transpire in 2025 pertains to an "Aquatic Empire" connected to floods. This prediction has sparked fears of environmental calamities and rising sea levels, which is a topic that has already been broached by scientists.

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Conspiracy theories resurface -

The prophecy also speaks of how a "new world order" (a secret totalitarian world government) will arise. Speculations like this have often fueled long-standing conspiracy theories, since they merge historical paranoia with modern anxieties.

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Civil War -

Nostradamus is often believed to have made prophecies about the future of the United States, despite the fact that the nation did not yet exist during his lifetime. He frequently referred to political and social unrest, which modern analysts argue may also reflect today’s deep divisions within American society. Phrases such as “fire and chaos” and “brother against brother” are often viewed as uncannily relevant to the nation’s current political and cultural polarization.

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Economic collapse -

Nostradamus also referenced periods of financial instability. Some interpreters believe his verses mentioning “great wealth turning to dust” and “gold losing its value” align with major economic events like the Great Depression and the 2008 financial crash, as well as predictions of future financial upheaval. These interpretations suggest that his writings may have anticipated the vulnerabilities of even the world’s most powerful economies

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Baba Vanga -

Interestingly, Nostradamus wasn’t the only soothsayer to foresee a year of war and catastrophe for 2025. Another prophet named Baba Vanga had similar predictions. Born in 1911 in Strumica (modern-day North Macedonia), Baba Vanga lost her sight during her youth, which shaped her mystical persona and life’s trajectory.

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Discovering her gift -

Following her blindness, Baba Vanga claimed she developed the ability to foresee the future and communicate with unseen forces. She began predicting personal and global events, attracting visitors seeking her guidance.

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Predictions of global events -

Some of Baba Vanga’s most famous alleged predictions include the rise of ISIS, 9/11, and Brexit. She is said to have foreseen disasters, wars, and technological advancements, though interpretations of her words are often debated.

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Similar predictions -

Before passing away in 1996, Baba Vanga made similar predictions to Nostradamus about 2025. She foretold of an escalating conflict in mainland Europe, which would result in destruction on a global level.

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A controversial figure -

Much like Baba Vanga, Nostradamus was both celebrated and criticized in his lifetime. While some admired his foresight and insight, others dismissed his prophecies as vague or attributed his success to luck and creative interpretation.

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His royal connections -

Nostradamus gained the favor of Catherine de’ Medici, the Queen of France, who sought his guidance on political matters and potential threats to the royal family. This patronage enhanced his reputation, although some believe that his predictions are nothing more than fantasy that was designed to entertain the Queen.

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Enduring legacy -

Despite centuries of scrutiny, Nostradamus remains an iconic figure in popular culture. His enigmatic prophecies continue to inspire the world, and it remains to be seen whether 2025 will fulfill any of his predictions.

Sources: (Grunge) (Sky History) (Times of India) (Business Today) (The Economic Times)

See also: These predictions from books actually came true

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