Saint Hildegard von Bingen

Month: December 2022

  • How has Hildegard of Bingen’s work been embraced by feminists?

    How has Hildegard of Bingen’s work been embraced by feminists?

    Revolutionary Voices: Hildegard of Bingen’s Feminist Legacy

    Embraced by feminists? Saint Hildegard of Bingen was a pioneering figure in the history of feminism. As one of the first female intellectuals in the Western tradition, she made significant contributions to a wide range of fields, including theology, music, medicine, and natural history. Despite living in a time when women were often excluded from education and decision-making roles, Hildegard was able to attain a high level of knowledge and influence through her intellectual pursuits and her role as an abbess.

    Embraced by feminists
    Hildegard’s work has been embraced by feminists as a source of inspiration and as a reminder of the important role that women have played in the history of Christianity and Western civilization.

    Some examples of how Hildegard of Bingen’s work has been embraced by feminists as a source of inspiration and a reminder of the important role that women have played in the history of Christianity and Western civilization include:

    1. Hildegard’s writings have been widely studied and analyzed by feminists who are interested in understanding the history of women’s contributions to Christianity and Western civilization. Dr. Beverly Mayne Kienzle‘s work as a published academic has made a significant impact.
    2. Hildegard’s compositions and plays have been performed and celebrated by feminist musicians and artists like Maria Jonas and Grace McLean as a way of honoring and promoting the work of a pioneering female artist.
    3. Hildegard’s contributions to the fields of medicine and natural history have been recognized and celebrated by feminists like Brigette Mars who are interested in the history of women’s contributions to science.
    4. Hildegard’s advocacy for the education and empowerment of women has been cited by feminists like American Rev. Dr. Shanon Sterringer who has set her own example of the fight for women’s rights and equality as an ordained woman priest.
    5. Hildegard’s role as an abbess and a leader in the medieval Church has been highlighted by feminists like German theologian Dr. Annette Esser as an example of the important roles that women have played in the history of Christianity.
    6. Judy Chicago‘s controversial installation artwork The Dinner Party. This monumental multimedia project, a symbolic history of women in Western Civilization, has been seen by more than one million viewers during its sixteen exhibitions held at venues spanning six countries. Hildegarde Place Setting is at this table.

    Throughout her writings, Hildegard consistently advocated for the rights and dignity of women. She argued that women were equal to men in the eyes of God and that they had the same potential for spiritual growth and enlightenment. She also challenged traditional gender roles and advocated for the education of women, arguing that they were just as capable as men of understanding and interpreting the natural world and the mysteries of faith.

    In modern times, Hildegard’s work has been embraced by feminists as a source of inspiration and as a reminder of the important role that women have played in the history of Christianity and Western civilization. Hildegard’s writing and music continue to captivate audiences centuries after her death, serving as a testament to her enduring legacy.

    Intellectual and creative force: Embraced by feminists

    Not only was Hildegard an intellectual and creative force embraced by feminists, but she also played a pivotal role in shaping the position of women in the medieval world. As the abbess of her own monastery, she provided a platform for women to advance their education and pursue their passions. Her visionary leadership and determination challenged the male-dominated norms of her time, paving the way for future generations of women to find their voice and make significant contributions.

    Hildegard’s impact is not limited to her own era. Her ideas and teachings continue to resonate with people from all walks of life, inspiring them to embrace their own inner strength and explore the realms of knowledge and spirituality. Today, Hildegard of Bingen is celebrated as a symbol of empowerment, creativity, and resilience, reminding us of the boundless potential that lies within each and every one of us.

    So, whether you are captivated by her enchanting music, fascinated by her visionary writings, or inspired by her unwavering strength, Hildegard of Bingen is a figure whose legacy shines through the ages, leaving an indelible mark on the history of art, spirituality, and women’s empowerment.

    Meet some of the Women Who Have Helped to Bring Saint Hildegard to the Present Through Their Work, Including Participation in the Virtual Pilgrimage

    Discover more and others like these amazing women here.

    • Rev. Mary Reaman
    • Maria Jonas
    • Grace McLean
    • Rev. Dr. Shanon Sterringer
    • Mary Sharratt
    • Dr. Beverly Mayne Kienzle
    • The Rev. Dr. Carol Vaccariello
    • Annette Esser
    • Sara Salvadori
    • Brigette Mars
    • Lauren Cole
    • Kathi Keville
    • Susan Lincoln
    • Joyce Ray
    • Sarah Riehm
    • The Rev Susan W. Springer

    * Feminism can be practiced through activism, education, and personal action, and it often involves working in collaboration with other social justice movements.

    Please share other stories of women that we should know about in the comments below.

  • Bloodletting?

    Bloodletting?

    Why bloodletting?

    According to Hildegard von Bingen, every adult should have bloodletting performed regularly and as a preventive measure for general cleaning. Because harmful waste products (“black bile and bad juices”) often lead to a wide variety of acute or chronic diseases. As part of a comprehensive therapy, bloodletting can even be carried out every two months.

    Bloodletting: Causae et Curae

    In her book “Causae et Curae” – “About the causes and treatment of the diseases” she left us a wealth of information on this important “aderlass” cleaning and therapeutic process.

    This is how she writes:

    “When the vessels of a human being are filled with blood, they must be cleaned by an incision of the harmful mucus and putrefactive substances supplied by digestion.”

    Blood-letting or “saignée” effectively lowers blood pressure. However, not only volume and harmful substances are removed from the body, but the blood formation also stimulates the metabolism with hormone regulation, inflammation inhibition and pain reduction.

    Would you take the cure?

    bloodletting

    Medieval Bloodletting

    Bloodletting was a Medieval practice that involved intentionally drawing blood from a patient’s body in order to restore what was believed to be a balance of bodily humors and treat various ailments. It was based on the ancient Greek concept of humoral theory, which proposed that the human body was governed by four main humors—blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile—and imbalances among these humors were thought to cause illnesses.

    Here are the general steps involved in the practice of medieval bloodletting:

    1. Diagnosis: Physicians or healers would examine the patient’s symptoms, often taking into account factors such as the patient’s overall health, appearance, and the nature of their complaints. Based on these observations, they would determine which humor was believed to be in excess and causing the illness.
    2. Choice of Method: Bloodletting could be performed using various methods, each targeting different parts of the body. The choice of method depended on the patient’s condition and the specific humor believed to be imbalanced.
    3. Selection of Tools: Bloodletting required specific tools. Common instruments included lancets, which were small, sharp blades, and cupping vessels made of materials like glass or horn. The choice of instrument also depended on the method chosen.
    4. Preparation of the Patient: Before the procedure, patients might be advised to prepare by fasting, avoiding certain foods, or undergoing other rituals. This was thought to help enhance the effectiveness of bloodletting.
    5. Site Selection: Depending on the illness and the humor believed to be imbalanced, a suitable site for bloodletting was selected. Common sites included veins in the arms, legs, and neck, but sometimes more specific locations were chosen based on the humoral theory.
    6. Incision or Cupping: If bloodletting involved making an incision, the physician would use a lancet to puncture the chosen vein. Alternatively, in cupping, a cupping vessel was placed on the skin, and a vacuum was created inside it, drawing blood to the surface of the skin through suction.
    7. Blood Removal: Once the vein was punctured or blood was drawn to the surface, the blood was allowed to flow into a container or onto the ground. The amount of blood taken was often carefully measured and controlled based on the patient’s condition and the healer’s judgment.
    8. Monitoring and Aftercare: After the blood was drawn, the patient’s condition was observed. The healing process was believed to begin as the body worked to restore the balance of humors. Patients were usually advised to rest, and sometimes herbal remedies were prescribed to aid in the recovery.
    9. Repeat Procedures: In some cases, bloodletting was performed multiple times over a period of days or weeks. The frequency and volume of bloodletting sessions varied depending on the illness and the beliefs of the healer.

    It’s important to note that while bloodletting was a widely practiced medical treatment during the medieval period, it is now considered a harmful and ineffective practice by modern medical standards. The development of modern medical knowledge and understanding of human physiology has led to the abandonment of bloodletting in favor of evidence-based medical practices.

    Learn more: http://naturheilpraxis-vorgebirge.de/aderlass/