Talk with Hildegard von Bingen

Hildegard von Bingen was a German Benedictine abbess, writer, composer, philosopher, Christian mystic, visionary, and polymath. She was born in 1098 and died in 1179. During her life, she wrote several books on diverse topics including religion, medicine, and nature. She also composed music and was known for her theological, botanical, and medicinal texts, as well as her works of poetry and songs. Although she was widely respected during her lifetime, her work and influence fell into obscurity for many centuries. However, in the late 20th century, she reemerged as a feminist icon and she was eventually canonized a saint and recognized as a Doctor of the Church by the Vatican.

Hildegard von Bingen's visions were a central influence in her multifaceted work. She believed that these visions were sent by God, providing her insights not just on religious matters, but on various subjects related to natural science, medicine, and cosmos as well.

1. Religious Works: Her visions formed the basis for her major theological works, such as "Scivias" (Know the Ways), "Liber Vitae Meritorum" (Book of Life's Merits), and "Liber Divinorum Operum" (Book of Divine Works). These works delve into intricate religious philosophies and are filled with symbolic illustrations that were directly based on what she saw in her visions.

2. Medical and Scientific Works: Her understanding of the universe, as shaped by her visions, also led to the creation of works such as "Physica" and "Causae et Curae", where she offers advice on treatment of various diseases using herbs and natural remedies. Her visions allowed her to perceive humanity's relationship with the natural world in a unique way, contributing to her holistic view on health and healing.

3. Music: Hildegard composed many pieces of sacred music, drawing on the beauty and harmony she saw in her visions. According to her, the music she composed was an attempt to recreate the celestial harmony she experienced in her visions.

4. Art: Visual depictions of her visions also became an essential part of her work. Colorful and symbolic illustrations accompanied her texts, providing a visual aid that helped people understand and engage with her experiences and ideas.

Therefore, her visions were not just influential but actually foundational for her work, which combined theology, natural philosophy, medicine, music and art in a uniquely interwoven tapestry.

Hildegard von Bingen was raised in the Benedictine religious community. When she was very young, around the age of eight, she was given as an oblate to the Benedictine monastery at Disibodenberg. This was a common practice in medieval times, where children were dedicated to the monastic life by their parents. There, she was under the care of Jutta von Sponheim, an anchoress, who taught her to read and write and about the monastic way of life. After Jutta's death, Hildegard was elected as magistra and later founded her own monasteries at Rupertsberg in 1150 and later at Eibingen in 1165. Throughout her life, she remained loyal to the Benedictine Rule, a set of instructions for monastic life written by Saint Benedict.

Hildegard von Bingen was aided in recording and writing down her visions by a monk named Volmar and a nun named Richardis. Volmar, her long-time secretary, tutor and diocese provost, assisted her with the Latin writing and helped her transcribe the divine visions into what became known as her first visionary work, 'Scivias'. Richardis, a nun who was very close to Hildegard, also provided substantial support in these endeavors.

Hildegard von Bingen's philosophy reflected a deep sense of cosmology and the interconnectedness of nature and humanity. She believed that the universe was a reflection of God's grandeur and perceived creation as a manifestation of divine will.

Likewise, she regarded humans as 'microcosms' of the universe or nature. She opined that just as God breathes life into nature, He does so into every human. This belief fostered her idea that it is essential for people to live in harmony with nature, not just for spiritual goodness but also for physical well-being.

In her medical and scientific writings, Hildegard emphasized the principle of balance and moderation, denoting that illness was a result of imbalances in the body's elements. She considered preventative care and healthy living as crucial, indicating that being respectful and compatible with nature is vital for human health.

The integral and mutually beneficial relationship between humans and nature, reflected through her philosophy, indeed, underpinned the core of her ecological awareness and respect for the environment. And, her philosophy, to this day, resonates with various contemporary ecological and environmental discourses.

Hildegard von Bingen held considerable influence over her contemporaries in several areas, including theology, music, medicine, and natural philosophy. As one of the few female figures of ecclesiastical authority in the 12th century, she drew a lot of attention and respect.

In the religious realm, Hildegard wrote extensive theological, botanical, and medicinal texts. Her visions, recorded as "Scivias" and other visionary writings, were not only accepted by the Church authorities but also endorsed by Pope Eugenius III. She significantly contributed to the medieval Christian mystical tradition. In an era where women's voices were usually silenced, her theological writings offered a unique female perspective which influenced and inspired many.

In the field of music, Hildegard composed an entire corpus of hymns and sequences that showcased her creativity and individual style, gaining great admiration from contemporary ecclesiastical and secular society. Her compositions, with their unique and unprecedented harmonies, have left an enduring mark on the musical tradition of the church.

Additionally, Hildegard was also known for her interest in natural history and medicine, penning works such as "Physica" and "Causae et Curae". Many of her contemporaries referenced her knowledge in these fields.

Throughout her life, Hildegard corresponded with popes, bishops, abbots, abbesses, and secular rulers who sought her advice on ecclesiastical politics, problems of conscience, and even medical queries. Essentially, her influence reached into the highest levels of Church and secular society.

The "Ordo Virtutum" is a medieval morality play written by Hildegard von Bingen around 1151. This work is unique in many ways, particularly for being one of the earliest known morality plays and for being the earliest known musical drama to have a surviving libretto, or text.

The title, "Ordo Virtutum", translates from Latin as "Order of the Virtues". The play allegorically explores the human soul's struggle between virtues and the devil. The Virtues are personified and are sung by chorus members, along with the roles of the Soul and the Patriarchs and Prophets, while the character of the Devil is unique as being the only one that does not sing but only speaks, suggesting the idea that the devil is cut off from divine harmony.

This play clearly demonstrates Hildegard's impressive understanding and innovation in musical composition, as well as her deep spiritual and philosophical views about the nature of the soul and its relationship with virtue and vice.

Hildegard von Bingen was a German Benedictine abbess, writer, composer, philosopher, Christian mystic, visionary, and polymath during the Middle Ages. She was born in 1098, the tenth child of a noble family, and from a young age, displayed an interest in religious life.

Hildegard's most significant contributions were in the areas of theology, botany, and medicine, and she is best known for her music and her visionary theological texts. Her works include writings on her visions, religious texts, botanical and medicinal texts, three books of material relating to her visions of cosmic struggle and salvation, and many letters to correspondents ranging from Popes to Emperors to abbots and abbesses.

Hildegard was also known for her musical compositions. She composed liturgical songs known as antiphons, responses, sequences, and hymns, which were collected together in a volume entitled "Symphonia armonie celestium revelationum."

She has been canonized and elevated to Doctor of the Church, one of only four women to be so honored by the Catholic Church. In today's world, she is often recognized as an early feminist for her significant contributions in the fields traditionally dominated by men.

Hildegard von Bingen heavily valued music and regarded it as a way of accessing divine power and exploring revelation. She believed music to be the highest form of human activity, as it was able to communicate the ineffable. For her, music was the expression of the harmony of the heavens made audible. In her theological work, she often referred to creation itself as "a song of praise to God."

Hildegard composed a large amount of music herself, including 69 musical compositions and a musical morality play titled "Ordo Virtutum," which is considered one of the first forms of a musical drama. Her songs are filled with vivid metaphors and they often create a symbolic representation of the divine, embodying the harmony she saw in the universe.

Her music was also used as part of the spiritual practice in her monastic communities, allowing their members to encounter the divine through sound and to foster a sense of unity and shared spiritual experience. Thus, for Hildegard, music was not just an art form, but a tool for interpretation and communication of spiritual truths.

Yes, indeed. Hildegard von Bingen actually did create a language, known as Lingua Ignota, which translates to "unknown language" in Latin. This language was developed and used primarily by von Bingen herself and consists of around a thousand words. It is considered the earliest constructed language on record. What's truly remarkable is that von Bingen also created an alternate alphabet to present this language. Despite her efforts, the true purpose or intended use of Lingua Ignota remains a mystery to experts.

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