R108: Hildegard von Rupertsberg an Abt S. von Rothenkirchen
The Mind as Cloud
Hildegard describes the mind as a cloud that can be bright and illuminated or dark and storm-tossed, and teaches that a snow-white cloud holds temperate air.
Hildegard's reply. Your mind is like a snow-white cloud. It rises above the airy cloud lit up by the lightning-flash of the sun. And at other times it is like a dark cloud that carries a storm. For a snow-white cloud is the weariness of a wandering mind. But an airy cloud aims at pure knowledge through the patience that has faith. A dark cloud carries the turbulence of deep sadness in restless minds. Learn this: a snow-white cloud holds the air that is neither cold nor warm!
Pure Air and Turbid Cloud
Hildegard contrasts pure air that brings dew, greenery, and flowers with the turbid cloud of the north wind that withers all greenness, urging her reader to stand in pure air.
And useful spices don't grow from it. Now pure air brings dew, and a steady temperate condition, and rain.1 Greenery and flowers thrive in it. But a turbid cloud has the air of the north wind. It makes all greenness dry up! And flowers fall from it. Flee these things. And stand in pure air, and remain there.
Remembering the Creator in the Unknown Life
Hildegard urges remembrance of God in present unrecognized experience, reflects on the soul's fragrance and its role in examining works, and calls the reader to build good works so the soul may find rest.
And remember your Creator in the life you do not know! And don't flee from him when, by seeing him, you don't recognize him. Concerning that life as well — your spirit was fragrant, the spirit that is called the soul. When the soul has gone out from it — For the soul sets down its works and tests whether they are good or evil. And by those same works, the spirit is a mill with the greatest force. But you — build up the structure of good works! So that when the circle of your soul has been at rest, that building may find it idle.
Vigilance Before Death
Hildegard warns that without good works the soul goes to ruin, calls for vigilance before the shadow of death, and promises the help of the fiery Holy Spirit.
Because if it doesn't find this, it goes to its ruin. Therefore be vigilant with all your strength. before the shadow of your death draws near. The fiery Holy Spirit will help you in this.
Read the original Latin
Responsum hildegardis. Mens tua niueę nubi similis est. quę aeriam nubem in qua sol fulminat transcendit. et etiam interdum similis est turbidę nubi quę tempestatem portat. Niuea enim nubes tedium uagantis mentis est. aeria autem puram scientiam per pacientiam quę fidem habet intendit. sed turbida turbulentiam multę tristicię in inquietis mentibus portat. Tu disce quod niuea nubes aerem illum habet qui nec frigidus nec calidus est!
et de quo utilia aromata non crescunt. Purus autem aer rorem et planam temperiem et pluuiam dat. de quo uiridaria et flores proficiunt. Sed turbida nubes aerem aquilonis habet. qui omnem uiriditatem arescere facit! et de quo flores cadunt. Ista tu fuge. et in puro aere sta et permane.
et in uita quam nescis creatoris tui memento! nec illum fugias cum eum uidendo non cognoscis. De uita etiam illa spiritus tuus redolebat qui anima nominatus est. quando anima de ipsa processit. Anima namque opera ponit et probat siue bona siue mala sint. et eisdem operibus spiritus fortissima ui molendinum est. Tu autem edificium bonorum operum edifica. ut cum circulus animę tuę fuerit ociosus edificium istud inueniat.
quod si non inuenerit. in ruinam uadit. Vnde quoque strenue uigila. antequam umbra obitus tui appropinquet. Igneus spiritus sanctus in hoc te adiuuabit.
Notes
- 1 ↩autem rendered as a mild continuative ('now') rather than adversative; it marks a shift in the description rather than a contrast.
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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