Sunday 9 October 2022

Sunday with Hildegard of Bingen (1098 - 1179)


my ornamental Japanese cherry tree in full autumnal splendour

 

This morning I woke up a little subdued - I don't want to make my mood sound darker than that; subdued is a good enough word for now. I have been very aware of the days getting shorter, the nights drawing in and leaves turning colour prior to tumbling off the trees. Loneliness is so much worse in winter. Time to beware of the black dog.

So, what to do to make today, Sunday, a little special? It is all too easy for me to let one day run into another without any marker, and time at this time of life speeds up and before you know it, another month has passed. 

Let's start with breakfast, maybe a couple of slices of fruit bread and marmalade? Some ham and a sliver of mature Welsh cheddar? During the week I eat muesli and stewed fruit and nothing else; it's quick and easy and fairly healthy because of the dried fruits, nuts and seeds that I add myself.  And how about a large mug of fennel tea to wash it down. The main thing is to eat consciously, taste every bite and savour the hot drink going into my stomach. 

And while I am eating breakfast I have chosen to be accompanied by Hildegard of Bingen's heavenly sounds. Instead of almost deliberately depressing myself - I know what happens when I read the daily news reports - why not refresh my knowledge of this early medieval polymath, visionary, composer, writer, poet, botanist, philosopher, medical writer and practitioner and abbess of two convents, which she founded. Hildegard was born into the Rhenish aristocracy in 1098, she spent the remainder of her eighty years as a nun.

Hildegard von Bingen. Line engraving by W. Marshall

Hildegard became very powerful in a male dominated Church. She prevailed against various abbots and bishops and even attracted the attention of the pope in Rome who gave her permission to record her visions. She completed her great musico-poetic work around the year 1150. Seventy-seven songs and a music drama are extant today, more than of any other single medieval composer. When the mood takes me I will happily spend an hour in her company.

Hildegard was not universally popular in her time, powerful women were not then and are not now. Nothing much changes. It is said that her nuns, all noble ladies, wore jewellery and extravagant headdresses, and pursued an active life of the mind - without spending too much time in hair shirts, or on bread and water in freezing cells. (I made that last bit up.)

In spite of a lifetime of poor health Hildegard had a vast output of work. She has become important in our time for many reasons. The Feminist movement has embraced her and her ideas on holistic natural healing have been incorporated into the New Age canon.

On Oct. 7, 873 years after her death, the Vatican finally gave her the highest recognition for her considerable achievements. She was elevated to Doctor of the Church, a rare and solemn title reserved for theologians who have significantly impacted Church doctrine. There are 34 Doctors of the Church, and only four are women (Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Ávila, Thérèse of Lisieux and now, finally, Hildegard von Bingen).

I admire her but most of all I like to listen to her music. Nothing can soothe the anxious spirit like her music can. for today the black dog is banished.




19 comments:

  1. I very much appreciate this informative introduction to somebody I was merely aware of before. Thank you very much. As for your opening paragraphs, if I had standing to endorse them I would do so as tried and tested by myself as well and I can attest to their Efficacy. As it is, I look to you, cheering you on, and trusting you to extract joy from your mind and your life. Thank you so much for sharing this heroic battle of yours. It is only honest and self-aware to admit that we are all doing the same. Aloha and sunshine and best wishes to you dear!

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  2. Thank you. The black dog is a foul and vicious beast and I am very, very glad you have distracted it today. And I hope for many days.

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  3. I have her associated with Lent; she is hauled out during that season.

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  4. Thank you for reminding me of Hildegard, listening to her works and reading her writing will definitely keep the black dog out of the house and far away.

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  5. I was accompanied by the black dog for many years, until I retired and escaped each season of darkness in a sunnier, warmer place. I am a fortunate woman.

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  6. I too have had the black dog nipping at my heels. Finding a way to chain it up is the challenge. Keep strong.

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  7. I did not know of Hildegard's music and will look it up. Your Japanese maple tree is a thing of glorious beauty! I am glad that you have kept the black dog at bay and pray that will continue.

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  8. Until reading your post, I had Hildegard von Bingen down as an influential and intelligent woman alright, but mainly in view of what she knew about the healing properties of plants. I had no idea she wrote a music drama! Maybe it is time to broaden my horizon and listen to some of her music.
    I am glad you managed to banish the Black Dog yesterday.

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  9. I had not heard of Hildegard until reading your post and then, going to YouTube to listen to some of her songs and hymns. Thank you for the history lesson. I always enjoy learning new things, especially when it involved the accomplishments of women.

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  10. Good heavens, she is so rarely mentioned, lovely to see her mentioned and her music!

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  11. I had never heard of her either unless she was part of the art installation and book The Dinner Party by Judy Chicago which was about women and their accomplishments throughout the patriarchy which denies women everything, especially fame and attribution for their achievements and contributions to society beyond making babies.

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  12. Thank you Friko. I too am a fan and find her music sublime on so many different levels. It raises me up.
    An amazing woman for her time. And would be amazing today.
    XO
    WWW

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  13. I find Hildegarde von Bingen and her music so beautifl and so fascinating. Her life was remarkable, especially for that time. A lovely thing to do on a Sunday. Your Sunday sounds lovely. I have trouble when the days get shorter. And more gloomy, with more rain or cloudy skies. It's part of fall but I like the part I showed on my blog today better! Bright and colorful! I get in a bit of a funk these days, too. But it will pass for all of us. Move on, Black Dog!

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  14. Thank you for this information. I feel exactly as you do about impending winter, short daylight hours. Hope you have a great weekend.

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  15. Some of us welcome the black dog and others tuck it away in the closet for a while. Perspective, which comes with age, can bring piercing truth that may be hard to handle.

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  16. Thank you. Blogger somehow removed you from my reading list and finding you again today was a gift. Just yesterday I was searching You Tube for some different music, having grown tired of my collection. I ended up playing Gregorian Chants but they deflated me, I know not why. But Canticles of Ecstasy has me smiling and content. I think I am Hildegarde von Bingen's latest fan.

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  17. It looks like my comment disappeared. Last week I commented I get out her music at Lent.

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  18. I've enjoyed Hildegarde's music for some years now, and agree that it provides that special 'something' that transforms silence, rather than just filling it. I've not listened for some time, but now I know just what I'll have playing tonight; thanks for the reminder.

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  19. Hi Friko - I must remember to put some of her music on, when the mood is needed - I'm now listening to the beginning of Voices of Angels - it's glorious and just what's needed in these uncertain times. Thank you - excellent colours in your Japanese Maple tree ... cheers Hilary

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