Hildegard of Bingen: Mystic of the Divine Feminine
Hildegard von Bingen was called the Sibyl of the Rhine and claimed to have seen angels as a child. Read her poems or listen to her sacred monophonies and you'll be convinced!
HILDEGARD OF BINGEN
Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179), also known as the Sibyl of the Rhine and Hildegardis Bingensis, was a German mystic who had visions of the Love of God beginning at age three. She was a German Benedictine abbess and polymath: a poet, writer, songwriter, composer, philosopher, visionary and medical writer/practitioner during the High Middle Ages. She remains one of the best-known composers of sacred monophony, as well as the most recorded in modern history. Hildegard has been considered by scholars to be the founder of scientific natural history in Germany and perhaps the first notable environmentalist as well. She wrote poems and song lyrics in Latin.
These translations are dedicated to the most loving of mothers, my praiseworthy wife Beth.
Epiphanies on Woman as Divine Love Incarnate
by Hildegard of Bingen
“Every good mother is the embodiment of Love.”—Michael R. Burch
“Cry out, therefore, and compose!”—Hildegard von Bingen, Scivias, translation by Michael R. Burch
I behold you,
noble, glorious and complete Woman,
locus of innocence and purity,
the Sacred Matrix
in whom God delights.
—Hildegard von Bingen, “Ave, generosa” translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
You appeared as a luminous white Lily,
as God imagined You before Creation,
requiring Creation.
—Hildegard von Bingen, “Ave, generosa” translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
Now in You
lovingkindness, the deepest tenderness,
abounds for all,
from the Least
to the most Eminent
of those abiding beyond the stars!
—Hildegard von Bingen, “Caritas abundat” translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
Exquisitely loving All,
she bequeaths the kiss of peace
upon both Pauper and King.
—Hildegard von Bingen, “Caritas abundat” translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
Fashioned by God’s fingertips,
made in the image of God,
Height of Creation, held
within a womb of mingled blood,—
though heiress to Adam's exiled wanderings,
still the elements rejoiced to behold You,
O praiseworthy Woman,
as the heavens illumed
and thundered with praise at Your birth!
—Hildegard von Bingen, “Cum processit factura” translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
A once-closed portal has been reopened
in the wise Woman
now revealed to us,
for the Flower of Creation
blossoms sun-bright in the dawn.
—Hildegard von Bingen, “Hodie aperuit” translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
O blessed child,
the Chosen One,
whom God so inspired.
that in time your sacred womb
produced the manifestations of God,
wafting like the gentlest scents
of frankincense, lavender and rose.
—Hildegard von Bingen, “O beata infantia” translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
O glittering starlight,
O most brilliant, exceptional figure
of the royal marriage,
O bright-faceted gem,
arrayed like a Queen
without flaw …
You have become an angel's consort
and a priestess of sacredness.
Flee the ancient destroyer's dungeon!
Take your rightful place in the palace of the King.
—Hildegard von Bingen, “O choruscans lux stellarum” translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
Related Translation Pages
Germane Germans: English Translations by Michael R. Burch
English Translations of German Poets by Michael R. Burch
English Translations of Roman, Latin and Italian Poets by Michael R. Burch
I'm inclined to believe that angels do exist - angels and other beings in worlds beyond ours. I have seen people talking to them - very sane and intelligent people who seem to have developed a level of awareness that goes way beyond factual reality. Of course some poets live constantly in this other realm and frequently bring back little unusual fragments from it. I absolutely love the little gem below and the idea that we already existed in another form in the mind of our creator, before we were actually created.
'You appeared as a luminous white Lily,
as God imagined You before Creation,
requiring Creation.’
—Hildegard von Bingen, “Ave, generosa” translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
I love Hilde and her girls, all dressed up in beautiful gowns and veils, stunning beauties, a natural force to reckon with, renegade Benedictine Nuns, singing, embroidering and having various holy visions and hearing holy voices, causing holy trouble and holy treasures!
I love the OSB, my favorite monks excuse me for saying “bad ass monks” are the Glenstal Abbey in County Limerick, Ireland. Equipped with a webcam in church, 24/7, holding prayer seven times daily, live on cam and recorded for my convenience. An organ, Gregorian chant, the whole nine yards with holy garb too, castle and boys academy. They pray for me and you and the whole world and everything that makes up reality.
Spectacular ceremony, (I’m a ceremony freak) Latin and English Mass, I grew up on the “stuff” there was this cruel nun that had it out for me. I survived and now I incorporate “everything” in my earth muffin aka pagan, and aboriginal, nature worshipping, spiritual journey, yea I own it and do “it” my way, I’m stubborn. Hildegard von Bingen, let’s go ladies!