Divinity is in its omniscience and omnipotence like a wheel, a circle, a whole, that can neither be understood, nor divided, nor begun nor ended.
Hildegard of Bingen
Like a Circle
Topic: The Natural World
A wheel was shown to me, wonderful to behold. Divinity is in its omniscience and omnipotence like a wheel, a circle, a whole, that can neither be understood, nor divided, nor begun nor ended… just as a circle embraces all that is within it, so does the Godhead embrace all.
Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) was a Benedictine abbess and mystic of medieval Germany. She was born into a noble family in Bermersheim vor der Höhe, Germany, and entered religious life at the age of eight. She received a rudimentary education, but at the age of forty-two, she began to experience a series of visions that would shape her life and work.
Hildegard described these visions as "the living light," and they were often accompanied by physical sensations such as heat, cold, and pain. She believed that these visions were a gift from God, and she felt called to share them with the world. She began to write down her visions, and she also composed music and poetry to express her spiritual insights.
Hildegard was a prolific writer, and her works cover a wide range of topics, including theology, natural science, medicine, and music. She is best known for her three volumes of visionary theology: Scivias, Liber Vitae Meritorum, and Liber Divinorum Operum. These works are rich in symbolism and imagery, and they offer a unique perspective on the nature of God, the human soul, and the world.
In addition to her writings, Hildegard was also a gifted musician and composer. She wrote over 70 songs, including the Ordo Virtutum, an early example of liturgical drama. Her music is characterized by its simple melodies and its use of plainchant.
Hildegard was a complex and multifaceted figure, and her work continues to inspire and challenge people today. She was a visionary, a mystic, a writer, a composer, a scientist, and a healer. She was also a woman of great courage and determination, and she used her gifts to make a difference in the world.
Hildegard of Bingen was a remarkable woman who left a lasting legacy. She was a pioneer in the fields of theology, natural science, and music, and her work continues to be studied and appreciated today. She was also a powerful voice for women's rights, and she challenged the patriarchal structures of her time. Hildegard of Bingen was a true visionary, and she continues to inspire us with her courage, her intellect, and her creativity.
Bingen, Hildegard of [Fox, Matthew. Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen. Simon and Schuster.]
Hildegard of Bingen
Theme: Natural World
About This Hildegard of Bingen Quotation [Commentary]
Hildegard of Bingen’s depiction of divinity as a wheel—a circle without beginning or end—effectively captures the infinite and inclusive nature of God, mirroring the eternal cycles and unity seen in the natural world. In her vision, the divine is interwoven with existence, suggesting that all aspects of nature are expressions of sacred energy. This imagery not only portrays the divine as intimately connected to the world but also elevates every element of the environment to a manifestation of this divine presence.
In her portrayal, the circle also embodies completeness and inclusivity, resonating with Hildegard’s view of the divine as nurturing and maternal. Just as a mother’s embrace is protective and encompassing, so too is the Godhead depicted as embracing all creation. This perspective shows the divine as an integral, tender presence in daily life, mirrored in the interconnectedness of nature where each part sustains and is sustained by others, reflecting a holistic divine embrace.
Furthermore, Hildegard’s belief that the divine circle is beyond full human understanding parallels our limited grasp of nature’s complexity. This analogy fosters a respectful, awe-inspired engagement with the natural world, emphasizing humility in the face of its mysteries. Through Hildegard’s conceptualization, we see the natural world as a continuous expression of the sacred, where every component, from the smallest leaf to the vast landscapes, is integral to the divine whole.
Hildegard of Bingen [Commentary by Matthew Fox]
Hildegard understands this mandala to represent the Divine Trinity. “One light, three persons, one God,” she declares. It is important to Hildegard that God be imaged essentially as curved and circular. This is an ancient tradition wherever women’s religions are allowed their say: the Divinity as circle, or circle in motion, that is, spiral. Hildegard writes elsewhere: “A wheel was shown to me, wonderful to behold. Divinity is in its omniscience and omnipotence like a wheel, a circle, a whole, that can neither be understood, nor divided, nor begun nor ended.” And again, “just as a circle embraces all that is within it, so does the Godhead embrace all.”
The imagery of God as circle, God that embraces all, that encompasses all, is deeply maternal. “Godhead,” which is feminine in both Latin and German, is an all-embracing name for divinity. We celebrate here the curved and all-encompassing power of God. Yet we also celebrate God’s nearness, for Hildegard also says: “God hugs you. You are encircled by the arms of the mystery of God.” Thus God’s power is not an abstract power or a vengeful power but a maternal, loving, and deeply personal power. It is a compassionate power. This power cannot in the long run be excluded from our lives or from our universe. For “no one has the power to divide this circle, to surpass it, or to limit it.”
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