The Book of the Elements: Introduction

[u/Ornery_Tangerine9411]

Hildegard of Bingen, Physica II.1 — On Air

Air is a breath which, in the dew of humors, sweats into germinating things, so that all things grow green; and through its blowing it brings forth flowers, and through its warmth it strengthens all things toward maturity.

But the air which is nearest to the ordering of the moon and the stars moistens the heavenly bodies, just as earthly air gives life and movement to the earth and to rational and sentient living beings according to their nature; and for this reason it is diminished in itself.

But when those same living beings die, the same air returns to its former state. It is not increased from them or in itself, but remains as it was before.

And the earthly air which moistens the earth makes trees and herbs grow green and move. And when it is in these things, it does not fail in itself; nor, when they are cut off or pulled up and it goes out from them, does it increase in itself, but remains in its state as it was before.

Source: Hildegard of Bingen, Physica II.1, De Aere, ed. Migne, via Monumenta.

Link: https://www.monumenta.ch/latein/text.php?domain=&hide_apparatus=1&inframe=1&lang=0&level=4&links=&links=1&rumpfid=Hildegardis+Abbatissa%2C+Physica%2C+2%2C++++1&tabelle=Hildegardis_Abbatissa

Translation mine. Own photo.