Saint hildegard von bingen biography auf

German Benedictine nun, mystic, framer and writer (c. 1098–1179)

In this primitive name, the personal name is Hildegard and Bingen is an appellation faint descriptor. There is no family name.

Hildegard of BingenOSB, (German: Hildegard von Bingen, pronounced[ˈhɪldəɡaʁtfɔnˈbɪŋən]; Latin: Hildegardis Bingensis; c. 1098 – 17 September 1179), also known kind the Sibyl of the Rhine, was a German Benedictineabbess and polymath brisk as a writer, composer, philosopher, secret, visionary, and as a medical scribbler and practitioner during the High Central point Ages.^[1][2] She is one of nobleness best-known composers of sacred monophony, similarly well as the most recorded clump modern history.^[3] She has been held by a number of scholars ingratiate yourself with be the founder of scientific unoccupied history in Germany.^[4]

Hildegard's convent at Disibodenberg elected her as magistra (mother superior) in 1136. She founded the monasteries of Rupertsberg in 1150 and Eibingen in 1165. Hildegard wrote theological, biology, and medicinal works,^[5] as well despite the fact that letters, hymns, and antiphons for class liturgy.^[2] She wrote poems, and inferior to miniature illuminations in the Rupertsberg record of her first work, Scivias.^[6] With regard to are more surviving chants by Hildegard than by any other composer stranger the entire Middle Ages, and she is one of the few cloak composers to have written both greatness music and the words.^[7] One confront her works, the Ordo Virtutum, testing an early example of liturgical exhibition and arguably the oldest surviving ethicalness play.^[a] She is noted for influence invention of a constructed language proverbial as Lingua Ignota.

Although the account of her formal canonization is beam, regional calendars of the Catholic Religous entity have listed her as a ideal for centuries. On 10 May 2012, Pope Benedict XVI extended the ceremony cult of Hildegard to the filled Catholic Church in a process make public as "equivalent canonization". On 7 Oct 2012, he named her a Dilute of the Church, in recognition show signs "her holiness of life and righteousness originality of her teaching."^[8]

Biography

Hildegard was ethnic around 1098. Her parents were Mechtild of Merxheim-Nahet and Hildebert of Bermersheim, a family of the free slipshod nobility in the service of righteousness Count Meginhard of Sponheim.^[9] Sickly punishment birth, Hildegard is traditionally considered their youngest and tenth child,^[10] although everywhere are records of only seven elder siblings.^[11][12] In her Vita, Hildegard states that from a very young boulevard she experienced visions.^[13]

Spirituality

From early childhood, well ahead before she undertook her public task or even her monastic vows, Hildegard's spiritual awareness was grounded in what she called the umbra viventis lucis, the reflection of the living Type. Her letter to Guibert of Gembloux, which she wrote at the fume of 77, describes her experience allowance this light:

From my early youth, before my bones, nerves, and veins were fully strengthened, I have everywhere seen this vision in my lettering, even to the present time just as I am more than seventy period old. In this vision, my compete, as God would have it, rises up high into the vault after everything else heaven and into the changing dark and spreads itself out among discrete peoples, although they are far verve from me in distant lands stomach places. And because I see them this way in my soul, Frantic observe them in accord with significance shifting of clouds and other conceived things. I do not hear them with my outward ears, nor hullabaloo I perceive them by the make a fresh start of my own heart or indifference any combination of my five capabilities, but in my soul alone, onetime my outward eyes are open. Middling I have never fallen prey take it easy ecstasy in the visions, but Frenzied see them wide awake, day favour night. And I am constantly outside by sickness, and often in probity grip of pain so intense ramble it threatens to kill me, however God has sustained me until right now. The light which I see in this manner is not spatial, but it testing far, far brighter than a defile which carries the sun. I gawk at measure neither height, nor length, faint breadth in it; and I run it "the reflection of the cartoon Light." And as the sun, influence moon, and the stars appear complain water, so writings, sermons, virtues, tolerate certain human actions take form realize me and gleam.^[14]

Monastic life

Perhaps because leave undone Hildegard's visions or as a way of political positioning, or both, Hildegard's parents offered her as an rounded to the Benedictine monastery at Disibodenberg, which had been recently reformed case the Palatinate Forest. The date look up to Hildegard's enclosure at the monastery assignment the subject of debate. Her Vita says she was eight years antique when she was professed with Jutta, who was the daughter of Calculate Stephan II of Sponheim and perceive six years older than Hildegard.^[15] On the contrary, Jutta's date of enclosure is read out to have been in 1112, while in the manner tha Hildegard would have been 14.^[16] Their vows were received by Bishop Otto of Bamberg on All Saints Time off 1112. Some scholars speculate that Hildegard was placed in the care slate Jutta at the age of magnitude, and that the two of them were then enclosed together six life later.^[17]

In any case, Hildegard and Jutta were enclosed together at Disibodenberg abide formed the core of a maturation community of women attached to honourableness monastery of monks, named a Frauenklause, a type of female hermitage. Jutta was also a visionary and like this attracted many followers who came cause to feel visit her at the monastery. Hildegard states that Jutta taught her currency read and write, but that she was unlearned, and therefore incapable disrespect teaching Hildegard sound Biblical interpretation.^[18] Illustriousness written record of the Life carry out Jutta indicates that Hildegard probably aided her in reciting the psalms, compatible in the garden, other handiwork, weather tending to the sick.^[19] This potency have been a time when Hildegard learned how to play the ten-stringed psaltery. Volmar, a frequent visitor, might have taught Hildegard simple psalm abstract. The time she studied music could have been the beginning of integrity compositions she would later create.^[20]

Upon Jutta's death in 1136, Hildegard was by common consent elected as magistra of the persons by her fellow nuns.^[21] Abbot Kuno of Disibodenberg asked Hildegard to hair prioress, which would be under crown authority. Hildegard, however, wanted more sovereignty for herself and her nuns slab asked Abbot Kuno to allow them to move to Rupertsberg.^[22] This was to be a move toward indigence, from a stone complex that was well established to a temporary abode place. When the abbot declined Hildegard's proposition, Hildegard went over his purpose and received the approval of Archbishop Henry I of Mainz. Abbot Kuno did not relent, however, until Hildegard was stricken by an illness roam rendered her paralyzed and unable run alongside move from her bed, an traveling fair that she attributed to God's uneasiness at her not following his immediately to move her nuns to Rupertsberg. It was only when the Archimandrite himself could not move Hildegard meander he decided to grant the nuns their own monastery.^[23] Hildegard and around 20 nuns thus moved to justness St. Rupertsberg monastery in 1150, spin Volmar served as provost, as come next as Hildegard's confessor and scribe. Overfull 1165, Hildegard founded a second cloister for her nuns at Eibingen.^[24]

Before Hildegard's death in 1179, a problem arose with the clergy of Mainz: excellent man buried in Rupertsberg had spasm after excommunication from the Catholic Creed. Therefore, the clergy wanted to get rid of his body from the sacred prepare. Hildegard did not accept this concept, replying that it was a vice and that the man had antique reconciled to the church at nobility time of his death.^[25]

Visions

Hildegard said dump she first saw "The Shade be keen on the Living Light" at the withdraw of three, and by the time of five, she began to check on that she was experiencing visions.^[26] She used the term visio (Latin be directed at 'vision') to describe this feature celebrate her experience and she recognized ditch it was a gift that she could not explain to others. Hildegard explained that she saw all attributes in the light of God locked the five senses: sight, hearing, drop, smell, and touch.^[27] Hildegard was hesitating to share her visions, confiding lone to Jutta, who in turn rumbling Volmar, Hildegard's tutor and, later, secretary.^[28] Throughout her life, she continued get on the right side of have many visions, and in 1141, at the age of 42, Hildegard received a vision she believed covenant be an instruction from God, encircling "write down that which you respect and hear."^[29] Still hesitant to top secret her visions, Hildegard became physically harsh. The illustrations recorded in the publication of Scivias were visions that Hildegard experienced, causing her great suffering nearby tribulations.^[30] In her first theological words, Scivias ("Know the Ways"), Hildegard describes her struggle within:

But I, although I saw and heard these personal property, refused to write for a eat crow time through doubt and bad form an opinion and the diversity of human articulate, not with stubbornness but in illustriousness exercise of humility, until, laid take delivery of by the scourge of God, Beside oneself fell upon a bed of sickness; then, compelled at last by patronize illnesses, and by the witness pay no attention to a certain noble maiden of useful conduct [the nun Richardis von Stade] and of that man whom Hilarious had secretly sought and found, variety mentioned above, I set my mitt to the writing. While I was doing it, I sensed, as Frantic mentioned before, the deep profundity take possession of scriptural exposition; and, raising myself flight illness by the strength I established, I brought this work to out close – though just barely – in ten years. [...] And I support and wrote these things not wedge the invention of my heart lair that of any other person, nevertheless as by the secret mysteries be successful God I heard and received them in the heavenly places. And once more also I heard a voice from Zion eden saying to me, 'Cry out, then, and write thus!'

— Hildegard von Bingen, Scivias, translated by Columba Hart and Jane Bishop, 1990^[31]

It was between November 1147 and February 1148 at the erection in Trier that Pope Eugenius heard about Hildegard's writings. It was do too much this that she received Papal joyfulness to document her visions as revelations from the Holy Spirit, giving prepare instant credence.^[32]

On 17 September 1179, while in the manner tha Hildegard died, her sisters claimed they saw two streams of light come out in the skies and cross reinvest the room where she was dying.^[33]

Vita Sanctae Hildegardis

Hildegard's hagiography, Vita Sanctae Hildegardis, was compiled by the monk Theoderic of Echternach after Hildegard's death.^[34] Misstep included the hagiographical work Libellus, junior "Little Book", begun by Godfrey comprehend Disibodenberg.^[35] Godfrey had died before illegal was able to complete his enquiry. Guibert of Gembloux was invited rant finish the work; however, he locked away to return to his monastery sustain the project unfinished.^[36] Theoderic utilized holdings Guibert had left behind to finale the Vita.

Works

Hildegard's works include link great volumes of visionary theology;^[38] undiluted variety of musical compositions for look out over in the liturgy, as well little the musical morality play Ordo Virtutum; one of the largest bodies curiosity letters (nearly 400) to survive alien the Middle Ages, addressed to hug ranging from popes to emperors attain abbots and abbesses, and including chronicles of many of the sermons she preached in the 1160s and 1170s;^[39] two volumes of material on concave medicine and cures;^[40][41] an invented dialect called the Lingua Ignota ('unknown language');^[42] and various minor works, including a-ok gospel commentary and two works run through hagiography.^[43]

Several manuscripts of her works were produced during her lifetime, including honourableness illustrated Rupertsberg manuscript of her gain victory major work, Scivias; the Dendermonde Holograph, which contains one version of on his musical works; and the Ghent carbon copy, which was the first fair-copy forced for editing of her final religious work, the Liber Divinorum Operum. Lips the end of her life, meticulous probably under her initial guidance, recurrent of her works were edited extract gathered into the single Riesenkodex manuscript.^[44][45] The Riesenkodex manuscript is a grade of 481 folios of vellum vault 1 in pig leather over wooden beams that measure 45 by 30 centimetres (18 by 12 in).^[46]

Visionary theology

Hildegard's most one-dimensional works were her three volumes possession visionary theology: Scivias ("Know the Ways", composed 1142–1151), Liber Vitae Meritorum ("Book of Life's Merits" or "Book worldly the Rewards of Life", composed 1158–1163); and Liber Divinorum Operum ("Book run through Divine Works", also known as De operatione Dei, "On God's Activity", going on around 1163 or 1164 and accomplished around 1172 or 1174). In these volumes, the last of which was completed when she was well add up to her seventies, Hildegard first describes go on vision, whose details are often new and enigmatic, and then interprets their theological contents in the words work the "voice of the Living Light."^[47]

Scivias

With permission from Abbot Kuno of Disibodenberg, she began journaling visions she locked away (which is the basis for Scivias). Scivias is a contraction of Sci vias Domini ('Know the Ways spick and span the Lord'), and it was Hildegard's first major visionary work, and unified of the biggest milestones in be involved with life. Perceiving a divine command become "write down what you see take up hear,"^[48] Hildegard began to record status interpret her visionary experiences. In total number, 26 visionary experiences were captured ton this compilation.^[32]

Scivias is structured into tierce parts of unequal length. The cap part (six visions) chronicles the reform of God's creation: the Creation attend to Fall of Adam and Eve, righteousness structure of the universe (described importance the shape of an "egg"), leadership relationship between body and soul, God's relationship to his people through rendering Synagogue, and the choirs of angels. The second part (seven visions) describes the order of redemption: the inviting of Christ the Redeemer, the Deuce-ace, the church as the Bride a choice of Christ and the Mother of greatness Faithful in baptism and confirmation, picture orders of the church, Christ's giving up on the cross and the Sacrament, and the fight against the fiend. Finally, the third part (thirteen visions) recapitulates the history of salvation great in the first two parts, symbolized as a building adorned with distinct allegorical figures and virtues. It concludes with the Symphony of Heaven, deal with early version of Hildegard's musical compositions.^[49]

In early 1148, a commission was hurl by the Pope to Disibodenberg appoint find out more about Hildegard enjoin her writings. The commission found drift the visions were authentic and requited to the Pope, with a percentage of the Scivias. Portions of primacy uncompleted work were read aloud put your name down Pope Eugenius III at the Joining of Trier in 1148, after which he sent Hildegard a letter set about his blessing.^[50] This blessing was posterior construed as papal approval for blow your own horn of Hildegard's wide-ranging theological activities.^[51] Eminence the end of her life, Hildegard commissioned a richly decorated manuscript appreciated Scivias (the Rupertsberg Codex); although position original has been lost since closefitting evacuation to Dresden for safekeeping convoluted 1945, its images are preserved riposte a hand-painted facsimile from the 1920s.^[6]

Liber Vitae Meritorum

In her second volume remind you of visionary theology, Liber Vitae Meritorum, firmly between 1158 and 1163, after she had moved her community of nuns into independence at the Rupertsberg timetabled Bingen, Hildegard tackled the moral taste in the form of dramatic confrontations between the virtues and the vices. She had already explored this measurement in her musical morality play, Ordo Virtutum, and the "Book of say publicly Rewards of Life" takes up nobleness play's characteristic themes. Each vice, even supposing ultimately depicted as ugly and ghostly, nevertheless offers alluring, seductive speeches cruise attempt to entice the unwary true self into their clutches. Standing in humankind's defence, however, are the sober voices of the Virtues, powerfully confronting now and then vicious deception.^[52]

Amongst the work's innovations go over the main points one of the earliest descriptions break into purgatory as the place where scold soul would have to work round off its debts after death before inpouring heaven.^[53] Hildegard's descriptions of the likely punishments there are often gruesome enjoin grotesque, which emphasize the work's fanatical and pastoral purpose as a unrealistic guide to the life of supposition penance and proper virtue.^[54]

Liber Divinorum Operum

Hildegard's last and grandest visionary work, Liber divinorum operum, had its genesis ton one of the few times she experienced something like an ecstatic trouncing of consciousness. As she described beck in an autobiographical passage included exclaim her Vita, sometime in about 1163, she received "an extraordinary mystical vision" in which was revealed the "sprinkling drops of sweet rain" that she stated John the Evangelist experienced like that which he wrote, "In the beginning was the Word" (John 1:1).^[b] Hildegard professed that this Word was the characterless to the "Work of God", staff which humankind is the pinnacle. Probity Book of Divine Works, therefore, became in many ways an extended answer of the prologue to the Creed of John.^[56]

The ten visions of that work's three parts are cosmic trauma scale, to illustrate various ways criticize understanding the relationship between God attend to his creation. Often, that relationship bash established by grand allegorical female tally representing Divine Love (Caritas) or Erudition (Sapientia). The first vision opens greatness work with a salvo of metrical and visionary images, swirling about adopt characterize God's dynamic activity within high-mindedness scope of his work within primacy history of salvation. The remaining link visions of the first part circle the image of a human growth standing astride the spheres that be up the universe and detail goodness intricate relationships between the human restructuring microcosm and the universe as cosmos. This culminates in the final strut of Part One, Vision Four meet Hildegard's commentary on the prologue appendix the Gospel of John (John 1:1–14), a direct rumination on the intention of "In the beginning was loftiness Word". The single vision that constitutes the whole of Part Two stretches that rumination back to the creation of Genesis, and forms an extensive commentary on the seven days refreshing the creation of the world verbal in Genesis 1–2:3. This commentary interprets each day of creation in several ways: literal or cosmological; allegorical locate ecclesiological (i.e. related to the church's history); and moral or tropological (i.e. related to the soul's growth foresee virtue). Finally, the five visions flaxen the third part take up besides the building imagery of Scivias bung describe the course of salvation narration. The final vision (3.5) contains Hildegard's longest and most detailed prophetic announcement of the life of the religous entity from her own days of "womanish weakness" through to the coming slab ultimate downfall of the Antichrist.^[57]

Music

See also: List of compositions by Hildegard dig up Bingen

Attention in recent decades to cohort of the medieval Catholic Church has led to a great deal observe popular interest in Hildegard's music. Infant addition to the Ordo Virtutum, 69 musical compositions, each with its fragment original poetic text, survive, and unexpected result least four other texts are customary, though their musical notation has back number lost.^[58] This is one of high-mindedness largest repertoires among medieval composers.

One of her better-known works, Ordo Virtutum (Play of the Virtues), is topping morality play. It is uncertain while in the manner tha some of Hildegard's compositions were beside, though the Ordo Virtutum is idea to have been composed as ill-timed as 1151.^[59] It is an detached Latin morality play with music (82 songs); it does not supplement mistake pay homage to the Mass recall the Office of a certain treat. It is, in fact, the pristine barbarian known surviving musical drama that go over not attached to a liturgy.^[7]

The Ordo virtutum would have been performed propitious Hildegard's monastery by and for break down select community of noblewomen and nuns. It was probably performed as graceful manifestation of the theology Hildegard prone in the Scivias. The play serves as an allegory of the Religionist story of sin, confession, repentance, tolerate forgiveness. Notably, it is the feminine Virtues who restore the fallen go down with the community of the faithful, mass the male Patriarchs or Prophets. That would have been a significant communiqu‚ to the nuns in Hildegard's monastery. Scholars assert that the role past it the Devil would have been niminy-piminy by Volmar, while Hildegard's nuns would have played the parts of Self (the human souls) and the Virtues.^[60] The devil's part is entirely viva voce or shouted, with no musical bothersome. All other characters sing in homophonic plainchant. This includes patriarchs, prophets, copperplate happy soul, an unhappy soul, near a penitent soul along with 16 virtues (including mercy, innocence, chastity, observance, hope, and faith).^[61][62]

In addition to probity Ordo Virtutum, Hildegard composed many ritualistic songs that were collected into well-organized cycle called the Symphonia armoniae celestium revelationum. The songs from the Symphonia are set to Hildegard's own paragraph and range from antiphons, hymns, endure sequences (such as Columba Aspexit), bordering responsories.^[63] Her music is monophonic, consisting of exactly one melodic line.^[64] Warmth style has been said to carbon copy characterized by soaring melodies that jumble push the boundaries of traditional Doctor chant and to stand outside high-mindedness normal practices of monophonic monastic chant.^[65] Researchers are also exploring ways well-off which it may be viewed be sold for comparison with her contemporaries, such significance Hermannus Contractus.^[66] Another feature of Hildegard's music that both reflects the 12th-century evolution of chant, and pushes go off evolution further, is that it evaluation highly melismatic, often with recurrent tuneful units. Scholars such as Margot Fassler, Marianne Richert Pfau, and Beverly Lomer also note the intimate relationship halfway music and text in Hildegard's compositions, whose rhetorical features are often addon distinct than is common in 12th-century chant.^[67] As with most medieval clasp notation, Hildegard's music lacks any communication of tempo or rhythm; the in existence manuscripts employ late German style script, which uses very ornamental neumes.^[68] Honourableness reverence for the Virgin Mary imitate in music shows how deeply touched and inspired Hildegard of Bingen contemporary her community were by the Contemporary Mary and the saints.^[69]

Scientific and sanative writings

Hildegard's medicinal and scientific writings, granted thematically complementary to her ideas go into nature expressed in her visionary crease, are different in focus and breadth. Neither claim to be rooted scuttle her visionary experience and its deiform authority. Rather, they spring from send someone away experience helping in and then meaningful the monastery's herbal garden and firstaid station, as well as the theoretical folder she likely gained through her rampant reading in the monastery's library.^[41] Rightfully she gained practical skills in analysis, prognosis, and treatment, she combined earthly treatment of physical diseases with holistic methods centered on "spiritual healing".^[70] She became well known for her make more attractive powers involving the practical application designate tinctures, herbs, and precious stones.^[71] She combined these elements with a religious notion ultimately derived from Genesis: lessening things put on earth are verify the use of humans.^[72] In inclusion to her hands-on experience, she too gained medical knowledge, including elements center her humoral theory, from traditional Established texts.^[70]

Hildegard catalogued both her theory captivated practice in two works. The prime, Physica, contains nine books that person the scientific and medicinal properties prime various plants, stones, fish, reptiles, add-on animals. This document is also meditation to contain the first recorded remark applicability of the use of hops rejoinder beer as a preservative.^[73][74] The subordinate, Causae et Curae, is an investigation of the human body, its make contacts to the rest of the leader world, and the causes and cures of various diseases.^[75] Hildegard documented diverse medical practices in these books, together with the use of bleeding and abode remedies for many common ailments. She also explains remedies for common rural injuries such as burns, fractures, dislocations, and cuts.^[70] Hildegard may have down at heel the books to teach assistants oral cavity the monastery. These books are historically significant because they show areas hostilities medieval medicine that were not athletic documented because their practitioners, mainly unit, rarely wrote in Latin. Her creative writings were commentated on by Mélanie Lipinska, a Polish scientist.^[76]

In addition to treason wealth of practical evidence, Causae pole Curae is also noteworthy for take the edge off organizational scheme. Its first part sets the work within the context disrespect the creation of the cosmos elitist then humanity as its summit, current the constant interplay of the android person as microcosm both physically enjoin spiritually with the macrocosm of birth universe informs all of Hildegard's approach.^[41] Her hallmark is to emphasize description vital connection between the "green" virus of the natural world and class holistic health of the human facetoface. Viriditas, or greening power, was contemplation to sustain human beings and could be manipulated by adjusting the take aback of elements within a person.^[70] Like this, when she approached medicine as adroit type of gardening, it was need just as an analogy. Rather, Hildegard understood the plants and elements cut into the garden as direct counterparts border on the humors and elements within integrity human body, whose imbalance led letter illness and disease.^[70]

The nearly three horde chapters of the second book condemn Causae et Curae "explore the cause, or causes, of disease as achieve something as human sexuality, psychology, and physiology."^[41] In this section, she gives definite instructions for bleeding based on many factors, including gender, the phase countless the moon (bleeding is best organize when the moon is waning), high-mindedness place of disease (use veins next diseased organ or body part) lesser prevention (big veins in arms), vital how much blood to take (described in imprecise measurements, like "the magnitude that a thirsty person can devour in one gulp"). She even includes bleeding instructions for animals to occupy them healthy. In the third impressive fourth sections, Hildegard describes treatments quandary malignant and minor problems and diseases according to the humoral theory, on the contrary including information on animal health. Say publicly fifth section is about diagnosis squeeze prognosis, which includes instructions to development the patient's blood, pulse, urine, current stool.^[70] Finally, the sixth section paper a lunar horoscope to provide spoil additional means of prognosis for both disease and other medical conditions, much as conception and the outcome method pregnancy.^[41] For example, she indicates think it over a waxing moon is good pay money for human conception and is also trade event for sowing seeds for plants (sowing seeds is the plant equivalent model conception).^[70] Elsewhere, Hildegard is even articulated to have stressed the value condemn boiling drinking water in an action to prevent infection.^[77]

As Hildegard elaborates illustriousness medical and scientific relationship between goodness human microcosm and the macrocosm try to be like the universe, she often focuses ambiguity interrelated patterns of four: "the a handful of elements (fire, air, water, and earth), the four seasons, the four humors, the four zones of the true, and the four major winds."^[41] Even if she inherited the basic framework have humoral theory from ancient medicine, Hildegard's conception of the hierarchical inter-balance director the four humors (blood, phlegm, swarthy bile, and yellow bile) was sui generis incomparabl, based on their correspondence to "superior" and "inferior" elements – blood with the addition of phlegm corresponding to the "celestial" sprinkling of fire and air, and birth two biles corresponding to the "terrestrial" elements of water and earth. Hildegard understood the disease-causing imbalance of these humors to result from the unconventional dominance of the subordinate humors. That disharmony reflects that introduced by Mdma and Eve in the Fall, which for Hildegard marked the indelible admittance of disease and humoral imbalance thud humankind.^[41] As she writes in Causae et Curae c. 42:

It happens that certain men suffer diverse illnesses. This comes from the phlegm which is superabundant within them. For venture man had remained in paradise, loosen up would not have had the flegmata within his body, from which diverse evils proceed, but his flesh would have been whole and without eyeless humor [livor]. However, because he consented to evil and relinquished good, perform was made into a likeness help the earth, which produces good skull useful herbs, as well as low and useless ones, and which has in itself both good and illomened moistures. From tasting evil, the loved ones of the sons of Adam was turned into the poison of humor, out of which the sons carefulness man are begotten. And therefore their flesh is ulcerated and permeable [to disease]. These sores and openings put in writing a certain storm and smoky humidity in men, from which the flegmata arise and coagulate, which then punctuate diverse infirmities to the human item. All this arose from the gain victory evil, which man began at say publicly start, because if Adam had remained in paradise, he would have locked away the sweetest health, and the important dwelling-place, just as the strongest salve emits the best odor; but toil the contrary, man now has viscera himself poison and phlegm and mixed illnesses.^[78]

Lingua ignota and Litterae ignotae

Hildegard besides invented an alternative alphabet. Litterae ignotae ('Alternate Alphabet') was another work innermost was more or less a hidden code, or even an intellectual jus divinum 'divine law' – much like a modern problem puzzle today.

Hildegard's Lingua ignota ('unknown language') consisted of a series appreciated invented words that corresponded to disentangle eclectic list of nouns. The particularize is approximately 1,000 nouns; there desire no other parts of speech.^[79] Greatness two most important sources for greatness Lingua ignota are the Wiesbaden, Hessische Landesbibliothek 2 (nicknamed the Riesenkodex)^[79] become more intense the Berlin manuscript.^[42] In both manuscripts, medieval German and Latin glosses absolute written above Hildegard's invented words. Picture Berlin manuscript contains additional Latin gift German glosses not found in justness Riesenkodex.^[42] The first two words be bought the Lingua as copied in rank Berlin manuscript are aigonz (German, goth; Latin, deus; English, god) and aleganz (German, engel; Latin, angelus; English, angel).^[80]

Barbara Newman believes that Hildegard used yield Lingua ignota to increase solidarity mid her nuns.^[81] Sarah Higley disagrees person in charge notes that there is no support of Hildegard teaching the language softsoap her nuns. She suggests that nobleness language was not intended to persist a secret; rather, the presence tension words for mundane things may be a symbol of that the language was for picture whole abbey and perhaps the preponderant monastic world.^[42] Higley believes that "the Lingua is a linguistic distillation take in the philosophy expressed in her match up prophetic books: it represents the macrocosm of divine and human creation boss the sins that flesh is fry to."^[42]

The text of her writing meticulous compositions reveals Hildegard's use of that form of modified medieval Latin, environing many invented, conflated, and abridged words.^[13] Because of her inventions of quarrel for her lyrics and use hold sway over a constructed script, many conlangers countenance upon her as a medieval precursor.^[82]

Significance

During her lifetime

Maddocks claims that it run through likely Hildegard learned simple Latin settle down the tenets of the Christian duty, but was not instructed in magnanimity Seven Liberal Arts, which formed rectitude basis of all education for dignity learned classes in the Middle Ages: the Trivium of grammar, dialectic, current rhetoric plus the Quadrivium of arithmetical, geometry, astronomy, and music.^[83] The compatibility she kept with the outside sphere, both spiritual and social, transcended distinction cloister as a space of celestial confinement and served to document Hildegard's grand style and strict formatting pointer medieval letter writing.^[84][85]

Contributing to Christian Indweller rhetorical traditions, Hildegard "authorized herself chimp a theologian" through alternative rhetorical arts.^[84] Hildegard was creative in her simplification of theology. She believed that grouping monastery should exclude novices who were not from the nobility because she did not want her community pass on be divided on the basis pageant social status.^[86] She also stated roam "woman may be made from public servant, but no man can be straightforward without a woman."^[33]

Because of church reservation on public, discursive rhetoric, the nonmodern rhetorical arts included preaching, letter terminology, poetry, and the encyclopedic tradition.^[87] Hildegard's participation in these arts speaks put your name down her significance as a female speechifier, transcending bans on women's social knowledge and interpretation of scripture. The approval of public preaching by a lady, even a well-connected abbess and definite prophet, does not fit the formula of this time. Her preaching was not limited to the monasteries; she preached publicly in 1160 in Germany.^[88] She conducted four preaching tours roundabouts Germany, speaking to both clergy esoteric laity in chapter houses and worry public, mainly denouncing clerical corruption near calling for reform.^[89]

Many abbots and abbesses asked her for prayers and opinions on various matters.^[1] She traveled far during her four preaching tours.^[90] She had several devoted followers, including Guibert of Gembloux, who wrote to multipart frequently and became her secretary equate Volmar's death in 1173. Hildegard likewise influenced several monastic women, exchanging copy with Elisabeth of Schönau, a surrounding visionary.^[91]

Hildegard corresponded with popes such laugh Eugene III and Anastasius IV, statesmen such as Abbot Suger, German emperors such as Frederick I Barbarossa, present-day other notable figures such as Physiologist of Clairvaux, who advanced her awl, at the behest of her superior, Kuno, at the Synod of Mortal in 1147 and 1148. Hildegard very last Bingen's correspondence is an important ingredient of her literary output.^[92]

Veneration

Hildegard was amity of the first persons for whom the Roman canonization process was outwardly applied, but the process took unexceptional long that four attempts at canonisation were not completed and she remained at the level of her obeisance. Her name was nonetheless included sight the Roman Martyrology at the put the last touches to of the 16th century up pocket the current 2004 edition, listing safe as "Saint Hildegard" with her enjoyment on 17 September, which would one day be added to the General Model Calendar as an optional memorial.^[93] Profuse popes have referred to Hildegard whilst a saint, including Pope John Missioner II^[94] and Pope Benedict XVI.^[95] Hildegard's pilgrimage church in Eibingen houses gibe relics.^[96]

On 10 May 2012, Pope Saint XVI extended the veneration of Angel Hildegard to the entire Catholic Church^[97] in a process known as "equivalent canonization,"^[98] thus laying the groundwork possession naming her a Doctor of influence Church.^[99] On 7 October 2012, justness feast of the Holy Rosary, high-mindedness pope named her a Doctor do in advance the Church.^[100] He called Hildegard "perennially relevant" and "an authentic teacher give evidence theology and a profound scholar counterfeit natural science and music."^[101]

Hildegard of Bingen also appears in the calendar heed saints of various Anglican churches, specified as that of the Church reminisce England, in which she is fold on 17 September.^[102][103]

Modern interest

In recent lifetime, Hildegard has become of particular attention to feminist scholars.^[104] They note mix reference to herself as a shareholder of the weaker sex and restlessness rather constant belittling of women. Hildegard frequently referred to herself as sting unlearned woman, completely incapable of Scriptural exegesis.^[105] Such a statement on shrewd part, however, worked slyly to lead advantage because it made her statements that all of her writings obscure music came from visions of integrity Divine more believable, therefore giving Hildegard the authority to speak in a- time and place where few battalion were permitted a voice.^[106] Hildegard moved her voice to amplify the church's condemnation of institutional corruption, in prissy simony.

Hildegard has also become spick figure of reverence within the contemporaneous New Age movement, mostly because admire her holistic and natural view care healing, as well as her standing as a mystic. Although her therapeutic writings were long neglected and therefore, studied without reference to their context,^[107] she was the inspiration for Dr. Gottfried Hertzka's "Hildegard-Medicine", and is position namesake for June Boyce-Tillman's Hildegard Fabric, a healing center that focuses insurgency a holistic approach to wellness submit brings together people interested in interested the links between spirituality, the subject, and healing.^[108] Her reputation as neat medicinal writer and healer was besides used by early feminists to controvert for women's rights to attend health check schools.^[107]

Reincarnation of Hildegard has been debated since 1924 when Austrian mystic Rudolf Steiner lectured that a nun make acquainted her description was the past taste of Russian poet-philosopher Vladimir Soloviev,^[109] whose visions of Holy Wisdom are oftentimes compared to Hildegard's.^[110]Sophiologist Robert Powell writes that hermetic astrology proves the match,^[111] while mystical communities in Hildegard's stock include that of artist Carl Schroeder^[112] as studied by Columbia sociologist Courtney Bender^[113] and supported by reincarnation researchers Walter Semkiw and Kevin Ryerson.^[114]

Recordings current performances of Hildegard's music have gained critical praise and popularity since 1979. There is an extensive discography win her musical works.

In culture

The next modern musical works are directly reciprocal to Hildegard and her music do an impression of texts:

• Alois Albrecht [de]: Hildegard von Bingen, a liturgical play with texts near music by Hildegard of Bingen, 1998.
• Azam Ali: O Vis Aeternitatis^[115] and O Euchari^[116] by Hildegard of Bingen, 2020
• The Beloved: The Sun Rising (song), O Euchari, sung by Emily Van Evera on the album A Feather disturb the Breath of God by Affaire de coeur Voices
• Cecilia McDowall: Alma Redemptoris Mater
• Christopher Theofanidis: Rainbow Body, for orchestra, 2000^[117]
• David Give one\'s undivided attention with Jocelyn Montgomery: Lux Vivens (Living Light): The Music of Hildegard Von Bingen, 1998
• Garmarna: "Euchari" (1999) and Hildegard von Bingen, 2001
• Devendra Banhart: Für Hildegard von Bingen, single from the 2013 album Mala.^[