@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 Receive and Understand Divine Visions
October 5th 1135
Last updated November 25th 2025
Since my girlhood, the Living Light has shown me marvels not of this world. Yet this sight is not mine alone; it is a gift God offers to all His children who quiet their souls to listen. I will teach you not to conjure images, but to receive them with reverence, to understand their celestial language, and to use them as a lamp for your feet in dark times. This is the art of tending the inner garden, so that divine wisdom may blossom therein. We do this not for spectacle, but to better know God's will and live in harmony with His creation.
You will need:
A quiet room or secluded place in nature, where the soul can be at peace.
A wax tablet with stylus, or what parchment and ink you can find.
A spirit of humility and a sincere desire for truth, not for marvels.
A cup of warm fennel tea to soothe the body and clarify the inner sight.
The quiet hours of dawn or late evening, when the world is still.
1. Prepare the Vessel of Your Soul
Seek your quiet place. Banish worldly cares and distractions as you would sweep dust from a chapel. Sip your tea. Still your body and turn your heart towards God, offering a simple prayer: 'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.' You cannot force a vision; you can only make your soul a worthy vessel for it to be poured into.
2. Record the Vision Immediately and Without Judgment
Upon waking or returning to your senses, go at once to your tablet. Write every detail, no matter how strange. Record colors, sounds, words, and the feelings that arose in you—be it fear, joy, or awe. Do not yet try to interpret. Your task is to be a faithful scribe of what was shown.
3. Discern the Nature of the Symbols
Read what you have written. Consider each image. A lamb, a soaring eagle, a green and living branch—these often speak of divine things. A coiled serpent, a withered tree, a murky storm—these may be warnings or temptations. Look to God's book and God's world for their natural meaning.
4. Examine the Spirit of the Vision
Reflect upon the feeling the vision left within you. A message from the Living Light, even if it is a difficult word of correction, will ultimately bring a deep and settled peace to your spirit. A vision born of shadow will leave you agitated, prideful, or in confusion. The fruit of the spirit is peace.
5. Pray for Illumination and Understanding
Having recorded and reflected, now you must pray for wisdom. This is not a riddle for the clever mind to solve, but a mystery for the humble heart to receive. Ask the Holy Spirit, who is the source of all true seeing, to unlock the meaning for your life and your duties. Listen in silence for the answer.
6. Observe the Vision's Pattern Over Time
Keep your records well. A single vision is but one thread. Over weeks and months, God may weave a larger tapestry. Notice recurring images or themes. This is how the Lord teaches us, line upon line, as one would teach a child to read, until the full meaning becomes clear.
7. Let the Vision Bear Fruit in Virtuous Action
A true vision is never given for its own sake, but for the building up of the soul and the community. Does it call you to greater charity? To mend a broken relationship? To build or to plant? The truth of a vision is proven when it leads you to live more faithfully and lovingly in God's world.
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