The Mystical Unknown Language revealed to Hildegard of Bingen - Lingua Ignota

Hildegard of Bingen (d. 1179) was a abbess, composer, scientist, healer and mystic - one of the most remarkable women in history. In addition to her mystical visions, she also divined a mystical language she referred to as the "lingua ignota" or unknown language along with a mystical alphabet. The lingua ignota contains about 1000 words and even survives in one of her musical compositions.
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Recommended Reading:
Sarah Higley - Hildegard of Bingen’s Unknown Language: An Edition, Translation, and Discussion - ISBN-13: 978-1403976734
Hildegard's Music on KZbin - kzbin.info?searc...
Hildegard - Hildegard of Bingen: Scivias - ISBN-13: 978-0809131303
Selected Writings: Hildegard of Bingen - ISBN-13: 978-0140436044
Fiona Maddocks - Hildegard of Bingen - ISBN-13: 978-0571302437
Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen - Matthew Fox - ISBN-13: 978-1879181977

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Consider Supporting Esoterica! Patreon - www.patreon.com/esotericachannel Paypal Donation - www.paypal.me/esotericachannel Merch - kzbin.info/door/oydhtfFSk1fZXNRnkGnneQstore

[@user-ku6ex3ke8p]

I’m very interested in the life of King David, to include historicity but also any other Jewish knowledge that might not come through in a Christian curriculum. Do you have any advice or interest in doing an episode? Absolutely love your work. The best series on KZbin of all time. Your friends over at LTR and Angela’s Symposium are great too. Thank you.

[@ewinternetvideos]

Im over the moon about more Hildegard episodes. She was an absolute visionary. Catherine of Siena is another brilliant medieval mystic. Have you thought about doing an episode on Francis of Assisi? There is so much to stay about him. I am particularlly fascinated by his stigmata and the series of saints that came after him that also displayed the stigmata and... bizarre bodily changes post-death.

[@theeccentrictripper3863]

Esoterica video on stigmata could be interesting, I dunno if there's a whole lot there that is esoteric since it's the gold standard of piety in Catholicism but it's certainly a rich topic.

[@moonchart]

St Francis of Assisi! Yes please!

[@ewinternetvideos]

​@@theeccentrictripper3863I see what you're saying, but from the medieval perspective, Francis's stigmata was revolutionary. Things also got very bizarre in the following years, as the trend only got more extreme. After her death, Clare of Montefalco's heart was found to have a crucifix imprinted on it. Really fabulous stuff.

[@Beepbeep_its_treasure]

@@ewinternetvideos that's insane! Will have to read more about this, thank you

[@peyoteerotic8826]

Any direct insight into Catherine? Another cloistered mystic or something less austere?

[@theothersteffi7113]

I‘m friends with the nuns of St. Hildegards Abbey (yes, it still exists) and they are always happy when someone acknowledges her body of work beyond herbs and medical stuff. So looking very much forward to more Hildegard content. Will send the video to the sisters.

[@JahinIinI]

Share the video with them!

[@0mn1vore]

Not to be confused with Hildegard von Blingin, who does medieval covers of modern pop songs. Also worth a listen.

[@thhseeking]

Damn you! You beat me! 🤣

[@neoqwerty]

Blingen also covered one of the abess' works, which is really cool!

[@inregionecaecorum]

Not 'arf bardcore.

[@thhseeking]

@@NUMleaderNUMleader You're weird...just one video. And you do know the idiot Austrian corporal wasn't a fascist, right? :P

[@Fr.O.G.]

i think i like miracle aligner better

[@shelbysmith3712]

I love Hildegard's music. I became obsessed when I first discovered her work while getting my vocal degree. I really appreciate that your channel covers her history and religious writings.

[@inregionecaecorum]

What I like about Hildegard is that she was identified as a migraineur by Oliver Sacks. I have been a person of vision for longer than I was eventually diagnosed with persistent migraine aura and I feel connected in a neurodivergent way, I have been seeing psychedelic stuff since probably as long as I can remember and not having a clue what it was all about. It goes beyond that as well into various kinds of perceptual distortions that have been called "Alice in Wonderland" syndrome and the reason I think that "speaking in tongues" as I have heard it in pentacostal communities is a load of bull is because I can slip in and out of a glossolalic prolixity just like that and it is purely a neurological thing nothing to do with magic or psycholinguistics at all, more connected I suspect with Tourettes which I also have a problem with. Oh to be such a terrible rationalist, which is why I enjoy this channel so much, I have read a great deal of esoterica and weighed it all in the balance. Yeah but regardless of all Hildegard is my sister for sure.

[@MsJocelynC]

Today is my Birthday and I feel like you have given me the best gift of another woman to look up to, study and hyper fixate on… I just purchased a few books on Hildegard and am so looking forward to diving into the deep end with them. I also very much appreciated the “Can’t we just believe her?” bit. Thank you, Dr. Sledge 🙏🏻

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Happy birthday and many thanks !

[@Bildgesmythe]

Happy birthday 🎉

[@jennyryse4797]

I just listened to Canticles of Ecstasy (prompted by this video) the whole album. I meant to only listen to one song just to check it out… I love this. Thank you.

[@michaelmorris1255]

I found a book at my local bookshop about medieval mystic women a few weeks ago and an illustration of Hildegard is the cover- every drawing of her is so cool

[@kitraemehling]

I am Catholic and I was confirmed as Hildegard von Bingen. She's my patroness❤ I am beyond excited to see you post more content about her extraordinary life! Also looking forward to a St Bernard episode! Will you dive into the manna mysteries? 👀

[@bradivany7008]

As an Athiest, that is dope af And St. Bernard was boss edit: I'm not truly 100% athiest, but the statement is funner that way

[@langustajableczna]

@@bradivany7008 then you aren't at all. just like you can't be 100% a vegan

[@JordanParker-Sarah]

@@bradivany7008 I respect you!💗

[@jeremias-serus]

⁠@@langustajablecznaAtheists can either be gnostic or agnostic about it 👀 no need to be sharp

[@langustajableczna]

@@jeremias-serus then you aren't atheistic, very simple. It's fine to be agnostic

[@orsino88]

I’m thrilled to see you tackle Hildegard, an enthusiasm of mine since college. I knew and know so little about her lingua ignota, so it’s wonderful to hear more. I think it’s important to see her as part of the remarkable flowering of the so-called High Middle Ages-so many developments in governance, society, culture, and religion, and so many gifted people-Henry II of England, Abelard, Bernard, Francis, Aquinas, Hildegard herself-on and on.

[@8Celfyndel8]

It's interesting you mention Hildegard's language having a droning/buzzing sound. I have been thinking lately how English is kinda hissy...lots of "sss" and "shh" sounds. I'm likely noticing it more due to my recent endavors to become a stenographer. Everything is phonetic for us. Snakes and bees. This was an interesting watch. Listening to her acheivements was simultaneously inspiring and exhausting.

[@alwilliams5177]

I studied medieval and Renaissance women's literature with Dr.Katharina Wilson. Y'all can't imagine how obscure many of these important women were in 1988. We are so lucky to have Justin's excellent presentations.

[@petegdula4749]

It's the Episcopal Deacon, Pete, again. I came across Hildegard von Bingen during my formation years. I found a cd of her music when searching for meditation chants. Her music takes you to different worlds. Also, if you meditate on the drawings of her visions you may also get a jolt here or there. Thank you for producing this gem! As it's shown in a good many other comments, further episodes will be greatly welcome!

[@annamariacaftanista]

I am a massive fan of Hildegard. I teach her in my World Literature courses. I was thrilled when she finally made her way into the Norton Anthology. I have all the books on her, and I'd love to see you cover her again and again.

[@lucianocellini9220]

Could you kindly tell me which of those books you would recommend to read first?

[@laoisemeehan]

Her music is enchanting and otherworldly ❤

[@margothrapper3177]

Pretty fascinating stuf! If Hildegaaard was indeed a Physician [including exorcisms], it seems like it would benefit her and her team to have extra-lingo terms for so many issues: disease, sins, bodily concepts.. so that they could discuss unmolested amongst themselves even during tense processes. To brainstorm without a perceived evil & potentially wicked smart force reckoning it. Wonder if around such code words Latin cushioned it all for ease?

[@siobhanchristian5693]

I gave birth to my daughter listening to Hildegard's music on repeat, nearly 20 years ago, and I've loved walking the Labyrinth listening to her music. Rev Dr Lauren Artress talks about her in the Veriditas Labyrinth Facilitator training. Loved this episode. Thank you.

[@templarblacksmith7590]

Just discovered you through the “Let’s talk religion” channel, and as a Catholic I’m happy as all heck this was one of the first vids I found myself with here! Looking forward to watching the content, and thanks for what you do!

[@jahleajahlou8588]

Dr. Sledge you are a treasure ! Respect

[@cristinahutchins1902]

Thank you for featuring Hildegard! I first discovered her through her music, then later the other amazing accomplishments she achieved. An amazing woman of wonder, and the person at the top of my heroes list. I look forward to your future episodes on HIldegard. 🙏🙏🙏

[@leviathania]

As a woman from the current age, I really enjoyed your beautiful sigh, thank you for expressing that feeling 17:52

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

It's so stupidly frustrating to have to deal with misogyny like that...and I'm not even a woman.

[@leviathania]

🙌 preach ❤

[@erresousa]

please do a few more episodes on Hildegard 🌿

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Yep

[@cynthiadawn5806]

I baked her recipie for Spelt Bread once, it was delicious. It felt cool to taste something of her creation.

[@Alacrates]

Fascinating video, looking forward to more presentations on Hildegard and Bernard of Clairvaux. Not sure if you'd come across it, David Lynch produced an album of Hildegard's music with the singer Jocelyn Montgomery, Lux Vivens. It's one of my favorite albums, kind of a cross between Lynch's musical style & cinematic sound design with her medieval music, and I think the vocalist is fantastic.

[@artkoenig9434]

Thank you for this wonderful description of Hildegard's multifaceted work. I did not know of her lingua ignota, so you have given me something to ponder. I listened to her Ordo Virtutum, where the only character who got a speaking part was Satan, because music is, of course, a gift of God.

[@aresaurelian]

I sometimes see symbols and characters like those that Hildegard saw, when I am just waking up. It is like a remnant of the dream within my retinas. They do look like flowing characters like that which she described and illustrated. Very cool stuff, no idea what they mean though. I am sure that her scientific work did not get impaired by her creating her own language or seeing symbols in her visions. I think she was reaching for something good.

[@brookechang4942]

"1006 glossed or translated words-it's about 1012 if you count the repeats and unglossed words" Out of over a thousand words, she had fewer than SIX repeats? That's even more impressive than the Lingua Ignota is in the first place.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

These are basically from the symphonia

[@jacquiecotillard9699]

Every single time a HvB episode shows up, it was sorely needed in my procession of ideas. Thanks again Dr. Sledge

[@Stones_and_Stories]

Looks covering her written works would be worth of an episode unto itself

[@stevepbrady]

I recently started listen to some chant of the liturgy of the hours in the mornings. Not because I am particularly Catholic, but because I find it a beautiful and relaxing way to start the day. Now I have a whole new catalogue to explore. Thank you!

[@charles.e.g.]

Thank you so much for this exploration of the extraordinary creations of Hildegard of Bingen. She was one of my earliest musical influences. I wrote a short work for six-part women’s choir using her lingua ignota as part of my dissertation concert. I could not imagine concluding my formal education in composition without acknowledging the extraordinary woman who had inspired that education in the first place. ❤

[@elodvezer1790]

Thank you Justin! Happy new year!

[@xollii9593]

I appreciate how you revise your old videos. I just watched your previous version of this video last night. Keep up the good work

[@illegalwiretransfer1457]

Thank you so much! Best channel on KZbin!

[@mistresslluvia2632]

So excited about this series 😍🫶🏼Thank you❤

[@clockworkgnome]

Very interesting video! I look forward to more on Hildegard

[@matthewbecker7389]

Regarding ontological shocks... Kicking off the episode with Snoop Dogg hanging with Maynard? You know how to appeal to us young un's, Doc Sledge! Or in the parlance of today... That is totally rad, dude. Oh, and happy belated new year to you!

[@maezzologymedia14]

Thank you Justin, Along with the wish of a wonderful year for you.

[@k1RpKgwD]

love your channel! thank you so much, you are wonderful.

[@Bildgesmythe]

Thank you so much for revisiting this. I'd never heard of her before watching your channel. Your channel is a wealth of information I've never had access to.

[@feralfoods]

anything about hildegarde is awesome. also, saving up to buy merch, you have the most badass stuff of any youtuber!

[@pikmin4743]

great one, looking forward to more about Hildegard von Bingen

[@not_the_first_noelle]

Maynard!! 😍 Great way to start out this video! (I haven't watched the rest of it yet, but had to say something because I got super excited you included him!) Ok, now on to watching the rest! 🙃🤘🏻

[@febobartoli]

These are definitely some of my favorite episodes I really enjoy this stuff!

[@BeforeTheCause-Gaming]

I appreciate the absolute deadpan. You are a performer after my own heart. Much love. 💓🙏🏻

[@LukeTunkel]

I first learned of her this summer, from the Christian Mysticism podcast. Her description of the fire of her experiences felt like what I experience sometimes, and then I began listening to her music which is absolutely wonderful. This is the third time now that she's popped into my sphere, unexpected and welcome. I really enjoy your podcast, thank you for all the hard work you put into it.

[@lilykatmoon4508]

Absolutely riveting video, and I’m very much looking forward to more videos about this remarkable woman. Thanks for all you do.

[@aidanlogan4384]

Her music is beautiful

[@gmccaughry]

A beautiful, fruitful, and harmonious New Calendar Year to you, my friend! Cheers!

[@entheo302]

Wish I had studied her in college when I had the chance. Great video!

[@jojoagogo]

Happy New Year Good Doctor! 🎉🥳

[@RJ420NL]

The music is powerfully moving.

[@d.asklepiades9640]

Didn't know that about the etymology of "mysticism". Excellent video, I'm going listen to some of her music now!

[@danielhibbins1863]

I've never heard of such an astounding mystical figure, I'm surprised! Her musical compositions and melodious inspirations are very beautiful, it gives me joy that her works can be performed and listened to across the world now. It feels like her vision wanted this divine inspiration to last through ages, it is a fascinating contribution to the spirit of humankind.

[@DaraDione]

I adore Hildegard; excited to see this episode and very much look forward to more of them. Even though I did a deep dive into her life and works a few years ago, I can never get enough hearing others speak of her - thank you.

[@StoneHerne]

😮 Wonderful! 😮🤩 Please make more videos about Hildegard, Dr. Sledge! 🤩

[@lessismore4470]

Thanks a lot. I'm just reading a study of Hildegard by one of the Polish scholars. This is an interesting book but I'm happy to say that your brief intro is much better. Looking forward to next episodes.

[@dorriepruvenok8598]

Thanks for being a trekkie. My mom and aunt would be proud!❤

[@carolynemerson6576]

I’d love an episode on golems.

[@FrankieGRAI]

Another Catholic nun that was a scholar and mystic as well was Saint Teresa of Avilay, also known as 'St Teresa de Jesus' from Spain. She had numerous mystical visions which she documented in her writings. Her autobiography called: "The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus"- includes descriptions of her ecstatic visions of the divine.

[@heartonfire583]

As someone agnostic and skeptical I oddly can’t help but be drawn towards these types of scholarly videos. I don’t believe these people got in touch with some mystical being or beings but I don’t believe they are crazy either. They are spiritual artist with conviction of the mystical and sacred.

[@ponyote]

I absolutely love the cultural references you make in your videos, dawg. (Meant with due respect)

[@burdenblossom9484]

there are a few notes at the end of your intro song that always lead me into a very specific part of Electric Head part 1 by white zombie, so I get it stuck in my head after watching you. It's a good thing though :)

[@jaecat]

So excited about this series. The point about many mystical languages containing that "z" sound makes me wonder if there's something deeply rooted in how our brains "do" language. When I was at primary school, I started to invent my own language (#UndiagnosedAutistic 🤣), most of which is lost to memory, except for one phrase, meaning "I am becoming angry": "Jiz jiznig binz!" Whatever was going on in my 6yo mind, it's interesting to note that same "z" sound cropping up. Maybe it's just that this actually *is* the language of an esoteric parallel realm, and the likes of Hildegard of Bingen and (to modestly append myself to the list!) Six-Year-Old Jae of Leeds are somehow managing to tap into it........?

[@arkusworldwalker9818]

That theory of lingua Ignota as a shared language picturing life at the abbey reminds me of Wittgenstein (and, ironically, Deleuze & Guattari) idea of Language as the expression and structure of a form of life. The idea thata synthetic as well as poetic mind like Hildegard of Bingen would find within her (with all the problems interiority adds into language theory... see the linguists' meltdown on the problem of a "private" language) the resources for that lingua ignota strikes me as the most plausible theory, and also the most beautiful one. Pure poetic creation as a means of collective cohesion. Is that isn't mysticism or religion at its best, I don't know what would be that.

[@vblake530530]

“The John Coltrane of playing Chant”. Doc. Every time I think I got you, you get deeper on me Bro.

[@daviddavidson2834]

I would like to thank you for sharing this kind of knowledge with us, for free, on the internet. As it should be :)

[@philipgrier9376]

Thanks!

[@GotstandardsDiamondNedFlanders]

: 42 ; I'm stoned coming off that Theraputae episode, and you're just coming out the gate talking 'Dawgology' with a random pic of Snoop and a rando white guy, has me in an intense hysterical ruminating contemplation of Bliss, lmfao, You are Treasure sir. 🎖️

[@depraved420]

Let's @#$&'ing Goooooo! Another amazing video from the professor! ❤

[@silasfrisenette9226]

I would guess z would be a ts-sound, based on German. It would curiously be the same feminine ending of certain greek forms in -sia, which used to be pronounced -tsia (from *-tia).

[@rahels770]

Her music is beautyful

[@AlyssaRueckert]

if you're a metal fan, def check out the musician Lingua Ignota, aka Reverend Kristin Michael Hayter. very cool music, often influenced by heavy metal, classical, experimental, and avant garde styles. she really does evoke hildegard, and not just in name :)

[@dorriepruvenok8598]

Your usage of imagery language is most interesting.

[@jamesharoldbardwell2182]

Again Dr Justin Sledge... Wonderful work. But that said i am hugely biased. Firstly I'm a fan of yours.. (if i had the spare cash I'd be making a donation on patreon) secondly I've been a huge fan of Hildergard Von Bingen and this created, discovered language of hers is largely unexplored. He compositions are remarkable and transformative. I cannot recommend highly enough anything recorded by Sequentia.

[@seankerr9158]

Dr. Sledge, love these language mysticism topics; thank you. Off-topic question, sorry: I’m trying to understand the Gnostic understanding of the relationship between the Greek letters and the Gnostic Aeons. In the letter mysticism of people like Marcus, were the Greek letters and the Aeons being essentially equated? Any chance of a deep dive into Gnostic letter mysticism? I don’t quite get it.. Is it like alpha is Anthropos, and omega is Ekklesia, and the remaining letters are the lower Aeons? Is it spelled out anywhere?

[@frankjimenez4601]

Fascinating. There are so many esoteric languages out there. Are these languages and visions useful for everyone or just the recipient. This is a personal search to verify.

[@brokentoy8616]

I love hearing more about hildegard, such a fantastic and interesting figure

[@cedaremberr]

Visions accompanied by headaches? Sounds like migraines! As a migraineure myself, i hadn't considered how migraines would have been understood and experienced before the advent of modern medicine/neuroscience

[@stargazerbird]

Yes, she has been retrospectively diagnosed. A few of her illustrations show aura typical elements.

[@littlelightowl1821]

Thanks

[@Dowlphin]

I imagine there might be a secret order perpetuating her works and memory, the Hildeguard. And all her fans watching content about her are the Hildegard von Bingeing Club.

[@CalloohCalley]

Snoop and Maynard! That just made my day ;)

[@jwrush]

Your introductory point about Saussure being a preeminent anti-mystic by virtue of the arbitrariness of the relation between the sign and signifier is fantastic and eye opening. This might sound overdramatic, but it makes my imagination race. I suddenly have inspired inklings of possibly fascinating new ways of reading various post linguistic turn philosophers. I can see how someone might very fruitfully approach Tractatus Wittgenstein, Derrida, Lacan, and even, like, Donald Davidson from an esoteric-ish perspective, and I can see how certain strains in their work might be really about trying to take various approaches to heal the rift of the symbol.

[@Life_with_Lissett]

Fascinating

[@saraza4977]

I have been convinced for a long time that a lot of oracles and mystics, they suffered from migraines. I suffer from quite severe ones, and if I was born in another time, I'd either be tried as a witch or revered for some hidden knowledge. You want speaking in tounges? Aphasia from auras. Visions of x? Symbols? That art of her vision rendered? Visual hallucinations from migraine auras. The voice x being? Music? Auditory hallucinations from migraine auras. Want an out of body experience? Migraine auras. Migraines bring pain but for some they also bring insights and revelations. Creativity. Inspiration. Some fear their auras Hildegard embraced hers.

[@vrixphillips]

I love her music so much

[@MvRcscIsM]

Thank you, this resonates early Christianity and the importance of women in the church is important and needed.

[@genghisgalahad8465]

Did i just receive a bonus primer on the concise definitions for semiotics and ontology 1:25 🎉? The passage of spoken Latin is prodigious, Professor Sledge! Glossolalia! I thought that term was only used (obviously not) by Terence Mckenna in his almost stream of consciousness lectures. Will do must listen to her music! 🎉

[@SHDUStudios]

One of the earliest conlangs we know of, I also love the idea that was intended as a secret language for her convent. I could very easily see her getting into a trance and just conlanging.

[@SHDUStudios]

So, can we please have no more replies from literal NAZIs?

[@briannacery9939]

Not being Catholic, still the historical content is interesting to my studies in Hermetic Philosophy, Alchemy and Magick. Thank you for the introduction!

[@davidchess1985]

Fascinating stuff! What was going on in this woman's brain, one can't help but wonder...

[@choptop81]

Hey, do you have any insight on “MASKELLI MASKELLO” and it’s frequent occurrence in the PGM, I would assume it was another gibberish set of nomina barbara but it also appears in the Pistis Sophia as a specific entity, kinda equated with “Zarazaz”(?)

[@sourwitch2340]

what I kind of love about the first answer as to the nature of the language is... that it doesn't answer the question? like, it doesn't even try to. it's sexism, but furthermore, it is sexism used for deflection. "why did she write this?" "she didn't." "oh? then why has it been made, and by whom?" "it was her secretary." "and what does it mean?" "who cares, she didn't make it." "I still think it would be intere-" "she didn't make it, moving on" "and hang on, where did you get this idea from?" "oh, that's simple. she's a woman. of course she didn't make it." "I? What?" "Making a language is a feat so magnificent, only a man could do it." "obvious sexism aside, wouldn't you want to know even more now what this script had been written for, if you think it's a feat so grand, only half the population even has the hypothetical capacity to pursue it?" "nah" "why- why not?" "it's gibberish, mate, no point in trying to make sense of it" "what?"

[@freddypowell7292]

Those who are interested in Hildegard might want to check out Sarah Higley's talk at Kopikon, a conlanging conference, which is on youtube.

[@TheZinmo]

Yes, she was brilliant in many fields, she was brilliant in self-promotion too. So "selling" something that was "just" another product of her creativity as divinely revealed helped in promoting it. So there may never have been more words than those ~1000, she may have created them as needed.

[@Squirrelmind66]

I’m so excited about these episodes on the topic of Hildegard… I guess you could say I’ll be “Bingen” them (sorry)

[@ChadReiser]

The “zzz” sounds reminds of the Bruce Codex live conversation you had with the researcher. I recall a mention of a someone tracing these sounds geographically and through time to try and spot origins or influence. Do you know who the person studying this is? Or if they’ve made tentative discoveries?

[@MrMageofHeart]

The Patron Saint of Conlangers 🙌

[@jeffmartin52]

Speaking of symbols and meaning, I’ve been curious about the Mayan looking symbol on your page header. If it’s Mayan it must be a word or name. It’s a left hand maybe covering a mouth? Does it mean esoteric? It has me intrigued. Love your videos btw!

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

The answer is on the FAQ on my web page

[@Ed-ym4tu]

Tongues of fire sounds a lot like language of the angels which you have done an episode on. Any correlation between the two you recognized?