<br />An introduction to the life and work of Hildegard. <p /><p><br />. Reveals the life and teachings of one of the greatest female artists and intellectuals of the Western Mystical Tradition. </p><p><br />. Contains 24 full-color illustrations by Hildegard of Bingen. </p><p><br />. Includes commentary by Matthew Fox, author of <i>Original Blessing</i> (250,000 sold). </p><p><br />Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) was an extraordinary woman living in the Rhineland valley during most of the twelfth century. Besides being the abbess of a large and influential Benedictine abbey, she was a prominent preacher, healer, scientist, and artist. She also was a composer and theologian, writing nine books on theology, medicine, science, and physiology, as well as 70 poems and an opera. At the age of 42, she began to have visions; these were captured as 36 illuminations--24 of which are recorded in this book along with her commentaries on them. She also wrote a text describing these visions entitled <i>Scivias</i> (Know the Ways), now published as <i>Hildegard of Bingen's Mystical Visions</i>. </p><p>Author Matthew Fox has stated, "If Hildegard had been a man, she would be well known as one of the greatest artists and intellectuals the world has ever seen." It is a credit to the power of the women's movement and our times that this towering genius of Western thought is being rediscovered in her full grandeur and autonomy. </p><p>Virtually unknown for more than 800 years in Western history, Hildegard was featured as one of the women in Judy Chicago's <i>Dinner Party</i> in the early 1980s and published for the first time in English by Bear & Company in 1982. In addition to her mystical teachings, Hildegard's music has been performed and recorded for a new and growing audience. </p>