VISIO SECUNDA, cap. III
The Egg and the Wheel: Two Images of Cosmic Order
Hildegard explains that the egg-shaped instrument in earlier visions signifies the distinction of the elements, while the wheel reveals their measured circuit, since only a perfect sphere truly mirrors the form of the whole world.
But the fact that the instrument mentioned earlier was marked out in the shape of an egg in your previous visions shows this: that the distinction of the elements is signified only in that same likeness, since, when the world is distinguished by its elements, the distinguishing form of the egg is to some degree likened to the very distinction by which it is distinguished from the elements; here, however, in the wheel, only the circuit and straight measure of those same elements is shown, since neither of them holds the shape of the world's figure through everything, because that sphere, existing whole, round, and revolving on all sides — something whole and revolving — imitates its form in every part instead.
The Two Fires: A Question Awaits Its Answer
Hildegard introduces the image of two circles of bright and dark fire, posing the question of their arrangement, cooperation, and meaning.
About the two circles of bright fire and dark fire: why one is placed beneath the other, how they work together with each other, and what they signify.
Read the original Latin
Sed quod supradictum instrumentum in prioribus visionibus tuis in figura ovi denotatum est hoc ostendit, quod distinctio elementorum in eadem similitudine solummodo significatur, quoniam mundo elementis distincto discretiva forma ovi similitudini distinctionis ipsius, qua elementis distinctus est, aliquantum assimilatur; hic autem in rota circuitio et recta mensura eorumdem elementorum tantum ostenditur, cum neutrum ipsorum similitudinem figurae mundi per omnia teneat, quoniam illa undique integra, rotunda, et volubili existente globus aliquis qui integer et volubilis existit, formam ipsius in omni parte potius imitatur.
De duobus circulis lucidi et nigri ignis, quare alter alteri subpositus sit, et quomodo sibi invicem cooperentur, et quid significent.
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