Scivias (Know the Ways)
In three books and twenty-six visions, Hildegard first describes each image she saw and then gives the interpretation spoken by a heavenly voice: creation, the fall and the structure of the cosmos in Book I; redemption, the Church and the sacraments in Book II; the history of salvation, the virtues and the end of time in Book III, which closes with songs and an early text of the play of the Virtues.
Understanding the text
Written between 1141 and 1151 with the help of the monk Volmar and the nun Richardis of Stade, the work was examined by a papal commission and read before Pope Eugenius III at the synod of Trier in 1147–1148. A richly illuminated copy made at the Rupertsberg disappeared in 1945; its pictures are known today through photographs and a hand-painted copy made by the nuns of Eibingen.
Key points
- 01
Vision and interpretation
Each vision is first set out as an image and then explained phrase by phrase, so that the picture becomes a teaching about God, the world and the soul.
- 02
The cosmic egg
In Book I the universe appears as an egg-shaped structure of fire, ether and watery air surrounding the earth, with winds and stars that express the order of God’s governance.
- 03
Ecclesia
The Church is shown as an immense woman, bride of Christ and mother of the faithful, who receives the newly baptized into her body and suffers from the failings of the clergy.
Explore the ideas in depth
The ways of vision
Follow how the Scivias turns each vision into teaching, from the call of 1141 to the images of the cosmos and of the Church.
Situating the text
Written between 1141 and 1151 with the help of the monk Volmar and the nun Richardis of Stade, the work was examined by a papal commission and read before Pope Eugenius III at the synod of Trier in 1147–1148. A richly illuminated copy made at the Rupertsberg disappeared in 1945; its pictures are known today through photographs and a hand-painted copy made by the nuns of Eibingen. In three books and twenty-six visions, Hildegard first describes each image she saw and then gives the interpretation spoken by a heavenly voice: creation, the fall and the structure of the cosmos in Book I; redemption, the Church and the sacraments in Book II; the history of salvation, the virtues and the end of time in Book III, which closes with songs and an early text of the play of the Virtues.
Following the arguments
Vision and interpretation : Each vision is first set out as an image and then explained phrase by phrase, so that the picture becomes a teaching about God, the world and the soul. The cosmic egg : In Book I the universe appears as an egg-shaped structure of fire, ether and watery air surrounding the earth, with winds and stars that express the order of God’s governance. Ecclesia : The Church is shown as an immense woman, bride of Christ and mother of the faithful, who receives the newly baptized into her body and suffers from the failings of the clergy.
Continuing the reading
Begin with the opening declaration that recounts the call of 1141, then read Book I, vision 3 on the cosmos and Book II, vision 3 on the Church, with reproductions of the illuminations at hand. Written between 1141 and 1151 with the help of the monk Volmar and the nun Richardis of Stade, the work was examined by a papal commission and read before Pope Eugenius III at the synod of Trier in 1147–1148. A richly illuminated copy made at the Rupertsberg disappeared in 1945; its pictures are known today through photographs and a hand-painted copy made by the nuns of Eibingen.
Questions to carry into your reading
- Why does Hildegard insist that she saw awake and with open eyes, and what authority does this give her writing?
- How does the interpretation given by the heavenly voice change the meaning of an image such as the cosmic egg?
In the Scivias seeing and understanding belong together: the image raises a question that the interpretation turns into doctrine.
How to read it
Begin with the opening declaration that recounts the call of 1141, then read Book I, vision 3 on the cosmos and Book II, vision 3 on the Church, with reproductions of the illuminations at hand.
Editions & sources
Summaries and key points are original editorial interpretations. They accompany reading the work and do not replace an edition of the text. Editorial method →