Experience "the fiery life of Divine Wisdom" through the rich and varied writings of one of the most accomplished women in Christian history. Hildegard of Bingen-visionary, abbess, composer, dramatist, poet and healer-was the brilliant and passionate precursor of many of the great women mystics of the Middle Ages. Her body of work is unusually expansive in terms of genre and subject matter for any theologian of her time, and includes powerful descriptions of her visions, advice to influential nobles and royalty, theological correspondence with fellow manastics, liturgical songs, and medical and scientific works. Hildegard''s strong personality and vivid spiritual experiences still speak to readers within the church as well as those who are not formally religious but who have an interest in mysticism, the spiritual life, and feminist and eco-spiritualities, or who are drawn to Hildegard through the arts, particularly her music. This unique introduction to Hildegard''s world and writings presents a wide range of her texts grouped by theme, providing a deeper understanding of this influential spiritual figure than can single-themed collections. Insightful and instructive annotations provide historical background and place selections within the wider context of Hildegard''s understanding of the spiritual life and the natural world.