Will McWhorter, a neutral interpreter of Nostradamus mysteries, identifies two of the three evil characters that might fit. The first is Napoleon – perhaps disclosed by a dozen quatrain lines wrenched out of context. A few follow:

An Emperor shall be born near Italy.

He shall cost the Empire dear.

He shall be found less a prince than a butcher.

A great group shall come through Russia.

The exhausted ones will die in the white territory.

By great effort of foreign forces he is overcome.

The captive prince, conquered, is sent to Elba.

Nostradamus’ second anti-Christ, and World War II, is identified by McWhortrer as Hitler. As will be seen, Hitler’s name must be exchanged with the Latin word for Danube – but close is OK in the prophesy business:

He shall come to tyrannize the land.

He shall raise up a hatred long dormant.

The child of Germany observes no law.

Cries, and tears, fire, blood and battle.

Beasts wild with hunger will cross the rivers.

The battlefield will be against Hister.

Aficionados of Nostradamus are wrestling with the identity of the third anti-Christ who will be followed by World War III. Bets are heavy on this quatrain:

Out of the country of Greater Arabia.

A strong master of Mohammed shall be born.

He will enter Europe wearing a blue turban.

He will be the terror of mankind.

Never more terror.

Folks who believe in prophesying can pay their money and make their choice.

September 23, 2001