Hildegard von Bingen saintly woman, or evil in a dress?

I was unable to attend class when we discussed mystics, so I decided for this blog post I would talk about my thoughts on Hildegard von Bingen. My first thought was: how was this woman not tried as a witch?!?!?! The reason being is that she has all the requirements of being a witch. 

          1. She is a woman,

This right away should cause suspicion as we have learned from our good friends Kramer and Sprenger.       
          2. She has “Visions”

I know she did not reveal her visions to many people but those who knew, did they never question this woman? I am surprised that no one thought that maybe she was being possessed by a demon. Or that she herself is receiving prophecies as a result witchcraft?
          3. She was educated

She was ambitious and educated enough to read and write. Von Bingen knew how to read Latin and was a part of the church. We have learned in class that this is the gateway to necromancy!
          4. “She used the curative powers of natural objects for healing…”

This is something that I thought was a major selling point to convincing people that she was a witch. I do not understand how people overlooked this aspect of her life. If anything, I would think it would condemn her to the stake, she is mixing herbs to create a type of medicine. Or maybe just maybe she was mixing herbs to make…..a potion!! MAGIC!!!

The only thing that I can think of that would make her more witch-like would be if she were a mid wife as well. Luckily, she studied medicine and herbs instead. Now I do it is great that this woman was able to gain the respect and fame that she did. I do find her story inspiring especially for a woman during this period. However, I do not think that I am alone in feeling a little confused as to why this woman specifically was not met with scorn or suspicion. To be honest when I first read about her I kind of wanted to drop a house on her. I’m not  going to lie…..