Visionary, mystic, poet, musician, naturalist, healer, theologian--the Rhineland nun Hildegard of Bingen (1078-1179) was a renaissance woman long before there was a Renaissance. Coming at a time when interest in Hildegard has never been greater, this book offers the finest representations of her wri...

Visionary, mystic, poet, musician, naturalist, healer, theologian--the Rhineland nun Hildegard of Bingen (1078-1179) was a renaissance woman long before there was a Renaissance. Coming at a time when interest in Hildegard has never been greater, this book offers the finest representations of her writings in English available. Includes a brief biography. Illustrations.

** A unique glimpse into the mind of the 12-century visionary Hildegard of Bingen through her "creative and insightful" writings on medicine, spirituality, and more (Booklist)Visionary, mystic, poet, musician, naturalist, healer, theologian--the Rhineland nun Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) was a Renaissance woman long before there was a Renaissance. This is the first book in English to offer a representative selection of writings from all of her amazing range of work. Hildegard wrote many volumes on subjects from mystical vision to sexuality, from theology to natural medicine--in letters, treatises, poetry, and songs--all in an age when few women wrote more than an occasional letter. She was a woman of extraordinary influence whose work not only surpassed that of her male contemporaries in its range, but also outshone them in visionary beauty and intellectual power. This collection includes a brief biography of Hildegard, and selections from the following works:*- Scivias (literally, "know the ways"), the record of Hildegard's visions and her commentary on them- The Book of Life's Merits,visionary work*-* The Book of Divine Works,a work of cosmology and anthropology*-* Natural History,a record of plants, animals, and minerals, translated here into English for the first time*-* Causes and Cures,a compendium of her writing on natural medicine*-* Symphonia,her songs and poetry-Biographical works-* Selected letters