Jottings on science, religion, technology, pop culture and faith from the Antipodes.

Viriditas


GreenFlame comes from Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179), an inspirational woman, who coined the term viriditas – the greening power of God. She described this power as the agent of the God, a divine attribute, that was the animating life-force within all creation, giving it life, moisture and vitality. Viriditas was green fire and energy, and Hildegard has been associated through history with the colour green.

Hildegard declares, “There is a power that has been since all eternity and that force and potentiality is green!”

Oh fire of the Holy Spirit,
life of the life of every creature,
holy are you in giving life to forms…

Oh boldest path,
penetrating into all places,
in the heights, on earth,
and in every abyss,
you bring and bind all together
From you clouds flow, air flies,
Rocks have their humours,
Rivers spring forth from the waters
And earth wears her green vigour

O ignis Spiritus Paracliti

Quote from The Ecologist: The Cosmic Vision of Hildegard of Bingen.

A nice collection of Hildegard’s illuminations can be found here.

The image by Hildegard on this page shows all beings, heavenly and earthly, celebrating creation. (Click on the image for more detailed picture)