Melancholy according to Hildegard: the path of body and soul to joy

Wishlist Share

About Course

Melancholy according to Hildegard is an online course about the path of Hildegard of Bingen, the 12th-century abbess, from sadness to joy. The course combines Hildegard’s historical texts (Causae et curae, Physica, Liber vitae meritorum), the interpretations of W. Strehlow and insights from modern psychology (CBT, ACT).

What you will learn

  • You will understand how Hildegard explained melancholy and its opposite – heavenly joy.
  • You will get to know her recommendations: psalms and chants, spelt and uplifting foods, drinks, herbs and stones.
  • You will learn to use the Ordo Virtutum, images, the dialogue of Melancholy and Joy and the Lingua Ignota as pastoral tools.
  • You will create your own “Hildegard day” rhythm.

Course structure

An introduction and 7 modules, 23 short lessons. Each contains a main text, additional material, a reflection task, a safety note and (soon) a short podcast in English.

Important. This is historical heritage and pastoral material that complements medical treatment but does not replace it. If a low mood lasts longer than two weeks, consult a doctor or a psychologist.

Prepared by: Vytautas Ratkevičius, Vilnius District Wellbeing Cluster (VšĮ Vilniaus rajono gerovės klasteris), with AI assistance. Sources: Hildegard’s Causae et curae, Physica, Liber vitae meritorum; W. Strehlow; translations by A. Kuzmaitė.

Show More

Course Content

Introduction
About the course and Hildegard’s understanding of melancholy.

  • About the course and how to learn
  • What melancholy meant for Hildegard

1. Psalms and chants
Why Hildegard regarded singing as healing and how to use psalms every day.

2. Food and diet
Spelt, uplifting foods, “joy” cookies and why strict fasting is not suitable for melancholy.

3. Drinks
Quenched wine, wine as a carrier of herbs and drinks for the heart – with safety warnings.

4. Herbs and spices
Fennel, spices for the heart and mind, and when sadness reaches the body.

5. Stones
Onyx, chalcedony, sapphire, sardonyx and the topaz prayer – as historical heritage.

6. Art, images and the word
Ordo Virtutum, the image of the dry branch and the blooming rose, the dialogue of Melancholy and Joy, Lingua Ignota.

7. Rhythm and everyday life
Moderation (discretio), movement and the programme of one Hildegard day.

Scroll to Top