For centuries the visionary
and healing gifts of women went underground in Europe (19 Good Friends)
existing on the fringes of culture, often persecuted by religious zealots.
Within the Christian church however, some women found their voice in sacred
songs and visions (20 Hildegarde) such as Hildegard of Germany and
Julian of Norwich who are still regarded in the Christian tradition as pivotal.
Again, in the late medieval era, women mystics became persecuted by
authoritarians. Outside organized Christian religion a sect of women lived in
early communes, also served the community and had visionary experiences; they
were called the Beguines[1] (21 Beguine).
Experiments in religion and science brought about the illegal study of Alchemy.
Where most European women were involved only symbolically in the mystical
practice; in China Master Teacher Geng[2] (22 Master teacher Geng)
rose to prominence in ninth century court by spinning snow into silver. She was
an important imperial court Tang Dynasty counselor.
[1]
Neel, Carol,” The Origins of the Beguines”, Working Together In the Middle
Ages: Perspectives on Women’s Communities, Vol 14, #2, Winter 1989, Univ of
Chicago Press, pp321-341
[2] Wh
Shu, Chiang Huai L Jen Lu (Records of 25 Strange Magician Technicians
between the Yangtze River and the Huai River) circa 975 CE
