Surrounded by layers of air and water, it was encased in an egg-shaped universe with an external “shell.” The earth, Hildegard maintained, was a sphere composed of the four elements- wind, fire, air, and water. Liber Scivias was destined to become widely read, as she presented her unique cosmology by explaining the workings of the physical universe using a spiritual allegory based on Greek tradition. People went to listen to her words of wisdom, or to seek cures or guidance. Such was her fame that she became known as Sybil of the Rhein. She took her preaching very seriously, calling on the Holy Roman Emperor and church leaders to reform their faith and halt abuses. In this regard, the Pope needed Hildegard’s help. It was extremely unusual for medieval nuns to leave their enclosed orders or to make public statements, but Pope Eugenius III was consumed with his battle against the Cathar heresies ( Roman Catholics refer to Cathar belief as “the Great Heresy” though it appears that the official Catholic position is that Catharism is not Christian at all). The Pope then authorised Hildegard to preach in public. In 1148, a committee of theologians, at the request of Pope Eugenius III, studied and approved part of Scivias. Most of her works involve visions and in 1141 she received a vision telling her to write down “that which you see and hear” which she dutifully followed, beginning what would be her first book, Liber Scivias, (“Know the way”), which she would conclude in 1151. Illumination from the Liber Scivias showing Hildegard receiving a vision and dictating to her scribe and secretary. This apparent connection with the divine helped her circumnavigate the mediaeval church traditions at that time and enabled her to preach and get involved with philosophy and the sciences. She claimed to have suffered visions from early childhood which continued throughout her life. She rose through the ranks of the church and in 1136 she was elected a magistra (Latin for teacher) by her fellow nuns. As was customary with the tenth child, she was dedicated at birth to the church, a common practice in those days. She was born in Germany, a 10th child to a noble family. Hildegard von Bingen was a remarkable woman. If she would have lived some hundreds of years later, she would probably have been burned at the stake as a witch. Encyclopaedia Britannica Calls For More Proper Goddesses.Cause and Effect in Evolution in relation to Sex Equality.
Brigitte Röder The Scientific Specialist.
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