Secrets of God: Writings of Hildegard of Bingen

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. nA 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) nVisionary, 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. n nHildegard 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: n n- Scivias (literally, know the ways), the record of Hildegard's visions and her commentary on them n- The Book of Life's Merits, visionary work n- The Book of Divine Works, a work of cosmology and anthropology n- Natural History, a record of plants, animals, and minerals, translated here into English for the first time n- Causes and Cures, a compendium of her writing on natural medicine n- Symphonia, her songs and poetry n- Biographical works n- Selected lettersn