The Shade of the Living Light
A divine luminous presence that Hildegard of Bingen first perceived at age three and continued to experience throughout her life. This light is described as far brighter than a cloud carrying the sun, without measurable spatial dimensions, appearing as "the reflection of the living Light." Through this light, Hildegard saw all things in the light of God through her five senses, and within it writings, sermons, virtues, and human actions took form and gleamed like celestial bodies reflected in water.
When
- First attested
- 1100 CE
- Attested period
- 1100 – 1179
- Historical notes
- First experienced by Hildegard at age three (c. 1100 CE) and documented in her writings through 1179 CE.
Sources
Source passages
“she first saw "The Shade of the Living Light" (umbra viventis lucis) at the age of three...The light which I see thus is not spatial, but it is far, far brighter than a cloud which carries the sun...and I call it "the reflection of the living Light."”
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