On September 17th, we celebrate the feast day of St. Hildegard of Bingen, a remarkable woman whose life continues to inspire many people more than 800 years after her death. And maybe one of the reasons her story still speaks so powerfully today is that St. Hildegard refused to hide her light in life.

She was a mystic and spiritual teacher. She also was a writer, composer, artist, healer, and student of the natural world. She founded communities, corresponded with religious and political leaders, taught others, and shared her insights with a confidence that was not common for a woman of her time.

She created.

She questioned.

She taught.

She spoke.

And she continued to write, compose, teach, correspond, and share her spiritual insights well into the later years of her life.

Some people consider St. Hildegard as the patron saint of creativity. Although this isn’t an official title, we can understand why. Her creative contributions were numerous.

Her life was filled with creative expression, music, writings, and artwork. They were ways of bringing what she experienced inwardly out into the world.

So, in honor of her feast day this year, I invite you to engage in something creative that shines your own light out into the world.

Set aside 20 to 30 minutes on September 17. Gather whatever materials you may need: watercolors, colored pencils, clay, fabric, flowers, a musical instrument, or simply a blank sheet of paper.

Spend a few moments reflecting on what is calling you to be shared with the world.

Maybe you have a dream you want to manifest. Or an innovative idea that you put on hold for a while. Or maybe you simply want to express how you see the world or feel in this moment.

Then begin to create! Let whatever is alive within you shine out into the world. In whatever form you’d like.

And when you’re finished, place your creation or a remnant of it somewhere you’ll see it for the next few days. Let it serve as a reminder to you.

I am a creative being.

I continue to grow, learn, and evolve.

I have gifts to shine out into the world.

Celebrate and honor the wisdom of St. Hildegard on her feast day by giving your own gifts a little more room to shine.

If St. Hildegard’s incredible life and wisdom inspire you, my Healing with Hildegard online course offers an opportunity to explore her teachings more deeply and discover how her holistic approach to spirituality, creativity, nature, and well-being can speak to life today. Learn more and register here.