Hildegard and Headache

St. Hildegard of Bingen (1098 – 1179) was a timid girl from Germany who influenced the 12th century with her knowledge and spirituality. She entered a Benedictine convent as a young child and later founded her own monastery (Rupertsberg). There she cultivated herbs for medicinal use. She was at first a recluse, but later became the Abbess of the monastery. She corresponded with the foremost leaders of her time and influenced important people throughout Europe, both secular and ecclesiastical. She became involved in the science of her day. She composed sacred music. Hildegard was profoundly knowledgeable about music, especially sacred music, and she composed works which have seen a renaissance today. From childhood she had spiritual visions which were later written down. These visions were both terrifying and enlightening. Her confessor ensured that these unique experiences were copied from her descriptions and known to posterity.