Visionaries and Intuition ...

And it seemed in the sixth year, after

I had been troubled for five years with

marvelous and true visions.  In these

visions a true view of the everlasting

light had shown me - a totally

uneducated human being - the

diversity of many ways of life ... I

trembled over my whole body and

began to feel ill because of my bodily

weakness.  For seven years I wrote

about this vision but could scarcely

complete the task ... I saw under

(the influence of) heavenly mysteries

while my body was fully awake and

while I was in my right mind.  I saw it

with the inner eye of my spirit and

grasped it with my inner ear ...

And once again I heard a voice from

heaven instructing me.  And it said,

"Write down what I tell you!"

Hildegard Von Bingen

Medieval German prophet, healer, composer

1098 - 1179

In reading Greek Mythology or viewing the movie BURN TIME (persecution of witches), it is no wonder why women are hesitant to express their intuitive nature.  There is the fear of not being believed or greater yet, the fear of being labeled mentally ill.  Highly intuitive women tend to be more introverted or private and have no inclination to take on the accusations of more aggressive or judgmental people.  Women who are highly perceptive frequently experience rejection, betrayal or constant misunderstanding.

A visionary unconsciously receives information through dreams, images, inner voices, and bodily sensations which can inspire ecstasy. The visionary can bring peace, calm, and balance to a surrounding, but unfortunately, those who are present or witness may become threatened.  Joan of Arc was a visionary who became a scapegoat even though she brought hope to a culture.  She became an icon and symbol of salvation.

Intuition is a quality that we all have.  Some people can develop this quality to a very high level; whereas others may have flashes of insight from time to time.  People who live a fast pace life with very little time for solitude or meditation may not be aware of intuition.  Those who live perhaps a more private life, experiencing solitude and meditation might be more apt to delve more deeply into personal intuition.  Visions frequently will be triggered by a near death experience, car accident, abuse or some other form of trauma. 

Intuition is very present in children, but they are usually talked out of their 'wild imaginations' and too soon begin to disregard their visions and insights.  They learn to doubt what they see and know, not willing to risk being humiliated by family and friends. 

We are all intuitive and the more we honor and respect this quality, the stronger it can become.  Be aware of when you just 'feel' you should check on a child or a parent.  Pay attention when you feel 'nudged' to go a different route home.  When you have the 'sense' that you should reach out to a friend at this very moment, follow through. 

"Trust your gut" is another way of saying you need to pay attention to  intuition.  I read that you should value gut instincts as they have not yet had time to reach your brain and talk you out of the information! Sometimes what we learn through intuition is pretty minor, but as you learn to trust and build this ability, wisdom is often imparted.

There are those, of course, who would tell you that intuition is the work of the devil.  I find this attitude/judgment difficult to understand as religions as well as the bible are filled with God's people receiving intuition and visions.  Many of us being raised with strong religious influence may still carry this 'fear' about intuition inside of us without realizing that fear has been used as a form of control ... well, forever.

In a much broader sense, I view intuition as communication between myself and Divine.  I think of answers to prayers coming through intuition, just as I feel intuition connects us through nature to all that is Divine.  Intuition is an awareness of Spirit/God or a connection or communication with higher knowledge that simply is not provided on this earthly plain.

I encourage you to become aware of the gift of intuition.  Learn to value and appreciate this human quality.  Use it with honor and responsibility, enjoying your 'ahh ha' moments!