Magus #8: Hildegard of Bingen

For this month's episode of Magus we're going Medieval and talking about the one and only Sibyl of the Rhine, Hildegard of Bingen!

Born at the tail end of the 11th century, during the religious fervor following the First Crusade, Hildegard was given to an order of Benedictine monks through a pretty strange quirk in the Holy Roman Empire's tax code.

Even in infancy however she reported visions of the "Living Light" - a supernatural spiritual phenomenon that revealed to her occult truths about the real ways the Universe functioned.

Maintaining the secret of her revelations until the age of 42, she then spent the next four decades writing trance-inducing musical compositions, books of trailblazing philosophy, and the earliest surviving mystery play, as well as overseeing the construction of two convents, arguing with Frederick Barbarossa, becoming the first named female artist in history, and so much more.

A pioneering herbologist, crystal healer, and 'White Witch' who sought to heal the cosmos through 'balancing' the individual, did she really commune with the Living Light to enable her discoveries, or was she simply a migraine suffering bookworm who pulled the wool over people's eyes?

If so, where did all of her knowledge actually come from, and how much of it has proven to still be scientifically valuable over 800 years after her death?

Also, after her music and created language, Lingua Ignota, were rediscovered during the 19th century occult revival, could it be that society is only now catching up with the implications of her work?

Loosen your hair, pin on a white silk veil, and lets sing divine arias until we lose consciousness.

Either that or just kick back and listen into to the Music of the Spheres, as this is one of those episodes that may just offer you a route to commune with the divine...

We really hope you enjoy it, and Eleanor will speak with you again on Saturday for this week's Local Legends episode all about Montgomeryshire with author, anthropologist and pursuer of the paranormal Dr Jack Hunter!

Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.

Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...

Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.

With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?

Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcast

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