A brief excerpt from a fascinating article at Fordham.edu:
Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179)
was a remarkable woman, a “first” in many fields. At a time when few women wrote, Hildegard, known as “Sybil of the Rhine”, produced major works of theology and visionary writings. When few women were accorded respect, she was consulted by and advised bishops, popes, and kings. She used the curative powers of natural objects for healing, and wrote treatises about natural history and medicinal uses of plants, animals, trees and stones. She is the first composer whose biography is known. She founded a vibrant convent, where her musical plays were performed.
The above article also notes that her visions and music have been appropriated by the “New Age” movement. The following site, “Healing Chants” seems to be an example, but also seems to have many informative links, including audio recordings of her music, and Latin texts of her writings with English translations.
[…] 28, 2008 by Mark She must have been quite a woman. The brief post about Hildegard of Bingen has been getting 20 or 30 visits every day. I’m just curious, who are all these people who […]
I have not visited here repeatedly 🙂 but I have used some of her prayers at Compline occasionally and I remember Bingen on the Rhine from my visit there in 1993 – part of our 25th anniversary grand tour of Europe. It’s our 40th this year, we really should have another holiday!
Bob,
I hope you make it back to Bingen! Maybe I will have a chance to visit there later this spring.
I love you hildegrand von bingen…(l)
Thanks for the visit. You have quite the site here. I will definately return to glean additional information on all things Hildegard.
~Permanenza
Very interesting article about this fantastic woman, Hildegard! I hope it can exist some more women of this kink in the world, where we need more love, strenght, art and sensibility…