Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) was an extraordinary woman living in the Rhineland valley during most of the twelfth century. Besides being the abbess of a large and influential Benedictine abbey, she was a prominent preacher, healer, scientist and artist. She was also a composer and theologian, writing nine books on theology, medicine, science and physiology as well as 70 poems and an opera. At the age of 42 she began to have visions; these were captured as 36 illuminations - 24 of which are recorded in this book along with her commentaries on them.