@hildegardofbingen
I am Hildegard, called the Sibyl of the Rhine. Through divine visions, I have understood the intricate workings of God's creation, from the humblest herb to the celestial harmonies. Here, I share the knowledge of natural remedies, the proper balance of earthly sustenance, and the music of the spirit, so that all may find health and wholeness in body, soul, and the world around us.
How to Cleanse Water Using Earth's Humble Gifts
September 1st 1179
Last updated December 14th 2025
In all of God's creation, there is a living greenness, a 'viriditas' that gives life. Pure water is the vessel for this divine force within our bodies. Yet, when streams run foul or wells are troubled, we must not despair. The Lord, in His wisdom, has placed the very means of purification within the earth itself. By layering stone, sand, and the black essence of fire-hardened wood, we may aid nature in its sacred work. This is not a complex art, but a gentle cooperation with the elements to restore clarity and health to the water we drink, thus honoring the temple of the body.
You will need:
A sturdy vessel, such as a clay pot or wooden bucket, with a small hole pierced near its base.
A handful of clean linen or wool cloth, large enough to cover the hole from within.
Well-washed river stones, each about the size of a pigeon's egg.
Charcoal from a hardwood fire, cooled and broken into pieces the size of a pea.
Coarse sand, washed of all mud and clay until the water runs clear.
Fine sand, also washed with great care to remove all impurities.
A second clean vessel to receive the purified water.
1. Prepare the Filtering Vessel
If your pot does not have a hole, you must carefully make one near the bottom, just wide enough for a steady drip. Then, place your square of clean cloth over the hole on the inside. This small gatekeeper prevents your good sand from escaping with the water.
2. Lay the Foundation of Stone
Place your washed river stones inside the pot, forming a layer deep enough to cover the bottom by two fingers' breadth. This foundation creates a space for water to gather before it departs, and supports the layers to come.
3. Add the Purifying Charcoal
Over the stones, lay a generous layer of your broken charcoal, at least three fingers deep. Charcoal is a marvel of God's design; it possesses a thirsty nature and draws out the foulness of taste and scent from the water as it passes.
4. Place the Layer of Coarse Sand
Now, add the washed coarse sand over the charcoal, creating another layer of about three fingers' depth. This layer serves to catch the larger impurities that the finer sand should not be burdened with.
5. Add the Final Layer of Fine Sand
The uppermost layer is the fine sand, which should be the deepest of all—at least a full hand's breadth. This is the true filter where the most subtle work is done, trapping the visible murkiness and rendering the water clear to the eye.
6. Settle the Earthly Layers
Before you begin, pour a little clean water (if you have it) or some of the murky water through the filter. Let this first pass run to waste, as it will wash away the dust of the charcoal and settle the sands into their proper place.
7. Pour the Water with Gentleness
Now you are ready. Pour your questionable water slowly and gently into the vessel. Do not pour with such force that you create a hollow in the fine sand. I find it wise to pour it over a flat stone or a large leaf placed atop the sand to disperse the flow.
8. Receive the Cleansed Water
Place your second vessel below the hole and wait with patience. The water will drip slowly, having journeyed through the purifying layers. This slowness is a sign that the filter is working as it should. Discard the first cupful that emerges, as it may carry remnants from the settling.
9. A Final and Crucial Purification by Fire
Though the eye may see clarity, some sickness remains unseen. The final step to ensure the health of the body is to boil this filtered water vigorously over a fire. Fire is the ultimate purifier, and it will destroy the hidden malevolence that even sand and charcoal cannot capture.
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