The other day, I found myself at the bar of BANCAL Hotel on La Gomera, enjoying a papaya – seeds and all, which I always ask for intentionally. It was one of those still, reflective moments when a member of the hotel staff approached me and invited me to join their next tea hour in the garden, where they use wild herbs grown right there on the property.
That small, spontaneous exchange reminded me how vividly alive the teachings of Hildegard von Bingen remain today. And that’s why this story belongs here – a bridge between ancient wisdom and the living moment.
Hildegard von Bingen – Visionary, Healer, Pioneer
In an era when women were expected to remain silent, Hildegard von Bingen (1098–1179) raised her voice with strength and clarity. A medieval abbess, mystic, composer, healer, and one of the first known female theologians, she stands as one of history’s most fascinating women. Her legacy still feels powerfully relevant.
A Divine Calling from Childhood
From a young age, Hildegard experienced visions, which she described as divine messages. At eight, she was placed in a monastery for religious upbringing. As an adult, she took the bold step of founding her own convent on the Rupertsberg near Bingen – a radical move for a woman of her time.
Her visions were documented in powerful theological works, most famously Scivias (“Know the Ways”), which she wrote at God’s instruction and with the Church’s blessing – a profound blend of mysticism and doctrine.
Healing Herbs and the Wisdom of Nature
Hildegard’s knowledge of healing through nature was equally remarkable. In works like Physica and Causae et Curae, she detailed the properties of medicinal plants, stones, nutrition, and the causes of illness. Her approach to healing was holistic, uniting the physical and the spiritual.
One of her central ideas, viriditas – the “greening power” or life force of nature – speaks directly to those moments among La Gomera’s wild herbs and volcanic soil. There’s something deeply Hildegardian about this island, its calm, and its ancient energy.
Music as Sacred Revelation
Hildegard was also a composer of great originality. Her collection Symphonia armoniae celestium revelationum includes songs that reflect her spiritual visions. With luminous, soaring melodies and mystical texts, her music remains a living presence in sacred music today. For Hildegard, music was not entertainment – it was revelation.
A Legacy That Lives On
In 2012, Hildegard von Bingen was canonized and named a Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XVI – a rare honor, especially for a woman. Her integrated way of seeing the world – uniting science, art, spirituality, and healing – continues to inspire across disciplines and generations.
Conclusion
Hildegard von Bingen was not simply a medieval nun; she was a visionary whose ideas have transcended time. In a quiet moment with a papaya and some La Gomera herbs, her spirit stirred again – wise, alive, and full of light.
