Weekend Meditation: Hildegard von Bingen, Spiritus Sanctus

Hildegard von Bingen (1098- 1179) was a true renaissance woman.  She was a visionary, mystic, healer, and writer.  She wrote and produced etheric music and musical plays. Her genius and creativity would be hard to match even today, let alone during the period of time she lived on earth

Hildegard was 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. Although not yet canonized, Hildegard has been beatified, and is frequently referred to as St. Hildegard.

This video is a beautiful rendition of Spiritus Sanctus, as Hildegard “heard” it.  Enjoy.

 

Comments

[msfinething]

Thanks for this post PFL. Hildegard was indeed a remarkable woman - a mover and a shaker! She has been a real inspiration for me. She was passionate about life and lived it to the fullest. What isn't widely known about her is that she loved to laugh! She believed that the two greatest gifts to give or receive are love and laughter.