A French astrologer whose predictions - made nearly 500 years ago - have been weirdly accurate, could indicate what’s in store for 2023 as the new year approaches.
Michel de Nostradame, who was best known as Nostradamus, wrote the infamous book, Les Prophéties, back in 1555 which featured 942 forecasts for the future - seemingly predicting some horror events.
Although most people take the 16th-century physician's claims with a pinch of salt, there have been notable occasions over the years when they have been eerily close to reality.
READ MORE: Blind mystic Baba Vanga's five predictions for 2023
His predictions have had huge similarities to real-life events including the Great Fire of London, Hitler's reign of terror, and even the 9/11 terrorist attack.
Nostradamus is even thought to have predicted the death of US President John F. Kennedy and the French Revolution.
While Covid-19 seems like a thing of the past and the future looks bright, Nostradamus, unfortunately, foresaw 2023 as not going to be much better.
Some of the worrying predictions include a "great war", which could of course reference the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, a "celestial fire" which could cause the end of the world, global warming and economic disaster.
Nostradamus could also have referenced a landing on Mars in one cryptic prediction, so here's a list of some of the events that could be in store In 2023.
'A great war'
One of the first predictions that stand out for 2023 is 'a great war'. In his 1555 book of predictions, one line particularly stands out: "Seven months great war, people dead through evil.
"Rouen, Evreux shall not fall to the King."
This prediction could be a reference to the current conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which could escalate to World War III next year.
The seven-month timeline on the conflict may initially seem like a cause for celebration, but with the terrifying nuclear arsenals of countries including America and Russia - perhaps it's best to take the prediction with a pinch of caution.
In the event of WW3 taking place, the prediction adds that the French city of Rouen will be safe, insinuating that Paris could be in danger.
Celestial fire
In another of Nostradamus' predictions, the astrologer alludes to a "Celestial fire on the Royal edifice."
However, this predication is a lot more sinister than a royal residence setting alight. Throughout the bible, doomsday or the "end of times" has always referenced fire as the key factor in the end of the world.
It is suggested that from the ashes of civilisation a new world order will emerge, causing the end of times as we know it.
Mars landing
Cryptically, Nostradamus also referenced the "light on mars falling" in his book of predictions. This could be explained as the planet going into retrograde motion and appearing to move backwards in the sky.
On the other hand, it could also reference the efforts of humanity to colonise the planet. SpaceX founder and new Twitter owner Elon Musk has long suggested that humans will land on Mars by 2029.
The world's richest man has also shared that he wishes to colonise the red planet before the end of the decade.
Economic disaster
Following the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and the current war in Ukraine, an economic crisis is taking place across the globe, with many countries currently in troubled waters.
The French seer wrote in his book: ‘So high will the bushel of wheat rise, that man will be eating his fellow man’.
This prediction alludes that an economic crisis could cause desperation and strife due to living costs.
Currently in the UK, houeholds are facing a cost of living crisis where they are experiencing rocketing energy bills, sky-high inflation and soaring food prices which could rear its head in 2023, according to Nostradamus.
Global warming
Although the topic of global warming is nothing new, there could be further temperature increases and rising sea levels in 2023, according to Nostradamus' predictions.
He wrote: “Like the sun the head shall sear the shining sea: The Black Sea’s living fish shall all but boil.
"When Rhodes and Genoa half-starved shall be, the local folk to cut them up shall toil.”
As global temperatures continue to climb, sea levels rise and food chain complications becoming apparent, is 2023 going to be the year in which temperatures reach breaking point?
Growing levels of civil unrest
With the current cost of living crisis and global warming on the rise, there could be growing levels of civil unrest in 2023. The Frenchman predicted: "Sooner and later you will see great changes made, dreadful horrors and vengeances’.
This prediction suggests that there could be a revolt against the wealthy as people fight back against the plummeting economy.
Another quatrain adds that violence and discord could be on the cards for the wealthy.
It reads: "The trumpet shakes with great discord.
"An agreement broken: lifting the face to heaven:
"the bloody mouth will swim with blood;
"the face anointed with milk and honey lies on the ground."
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