The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers Daily Meditations
with Matthew Fox |
Watch for Matthew Fox's video meditation -- now
appearing every Monday! Don't miss Matthew's exciting upcoming webinars and courses, listed at the bottom of this DM! |
The Good News in Hildegard’s
Paintings of Evil 4/12/2025 |
As the impacts of the new regime ripple out, learn the deeper stakes involved. Get your copy of Trump & the MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ today! Choose your format in the book block below. |
I promised in yesterday’s DM that Hildegard was offering us good news along with the bad as she paints her picture of Evil and Satan at work in the world. |
The good news is this: In the same painting in which Hildegard paints Satan with his “poisonous arrows in his mouth,” she also paints him bound up in chains and being kept down by good people “trampling the same serpent strongly under foot” who are “not affected by “his flames or by his poison.” In fact, they are sitting on him and keeping him down. She calls these people, “people of God,” and addresses them in the second person, “good |
“The Mystical Body Taming the Devil.” Hildegard of Bingen, Scivias |
people, most royal greening verdancy, rooted in the sun, you shine with radiant light.” They “shine in faith through their good works.” People of virtue and strength, “they are strong enough to resist being befouled by the devil’s attack.…Living justly, they grasp holiness.” They put up a good
fight. A golden mountain supports them and even more---they are “the anointed mountain of God.” They become other Christs, other anointed mountains of God. The Kingdom of Heaven is very, very near. We are the holy mountain which she paints as gold or doxa, containing the divine radiance of the Cosmic Christ. Hildegard urges us to meditate on that. |
We the People rise up. Sign at a “Hands Off!” protest in a small town suburb of Philadelphia, April 5, 2025. Photo by C. Greb, DM team. | Those who succumb to evil “have no happiness in God or in men,” but good people overcome weakness and dryness “by attending to the celestial light” and are ruled by “good things and just thinking." She urges us to “rise up from your sleep to justice.” Injustice can
lead us to “wake up to justice.” Hildegard warns us that the fires, poisons and plagues of the demonic one find a special place in the marketplace. There, “corruptible riches and vainglory” are for sale along |
with “deceitful mockery." Everything is for sale “because the devil deceitfully offers his crafts to the people. And those who desire them, purchase them.” |
How? If they are sellers “they relinquish their good conscience.” If buyers, they “consume the deadly wounds of their souls.” |
How different this is, Hildegard shouts, to those who “receive the wages of good working.” These are the ones who are strong in resisting evil. Such people “do no business. For they, knowing God, carry the treasure of good will and the aroma of virtues and it is these things that they consume.” I am struck by how vividly and |
One of the many useless trinkets this president shamelessly hawks to his supporters. TRT World |
loudly Hildegard paints and preaches the power of Evil in history. In contrast, the modern era, so eager to throw out angels and demons, has often been out of touch with naming the Sacred, and often unbelievably out of touch with naming Evil for what it is. This, even though we engage
in wars against Mother Earth, hatred against one another, and threats of nuclear catastrophe. |
SIGN THE PLEDGE: Boycott pro-Trump corporations for Lent this year. Faithful America. EngageForDemocracy offers curated trustworthy
reporting, educational resources, and action campaigns to hold government accountable to the Constitution and democratic norms. _______ See Matthew Fox, Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen, pp. 132-135. And plate 20. See Matthew Fox and Rupert Sheldrake, The Physics of Angels: Exploring the Realm Where Science and Spirit Meet. See Fox, Trump & The MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ. And Fox, Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society. And Fox, The Pope’s War: Why Ratzinger’s Secret
Crusade Has Imperiled the Church and How It Can Be Saved. And Fox, The Hidden Spirituality of Men: Ten Metaphors to Awaken the Sacred Masculine. And Fox, Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the World.
Banner image: A 3D reproduction of a statue of the devil, found in both the crypt and on the roof of St. Bavo Cathedral, Haarlem, The Netherlands. Image by Rob Oo on Flickr. |
Responses are welcomed. To add your comment, or read other comments and enter into dialog, please click HERE to go to our website and scroll down to the Comments field. |
Queries for Contemplation |
Do you find yourself carrying and consuming “the treasure of good will and the aroma of virtues” while standing up and resisting Evil in its many forms? Do you try your best to “live justly, grasp holiness” and recognize yourself as another Christ and another “anointed mountain of God” working to tame evil along with others? |
Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen
An introduction to the life and work of Hildegard of Bingen, Illuminations reveals the life and teachings of one of the greatest female artists
and intellectuals of the Western Mystical Tradition. At the age of 42, she began to have visions; these were captured as 36 illuminations–24 of which are recorded in this book along with her commentaries on them.
“If one person deserves credit for the great Hildegard renaissance in our time, it is Matthew Fox.” – Dr Mary Ford-Grabowsky, author of Sacred Voices.
|
|
Trump & The MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ: A Handbook for the 2024 Election Matthew Fox tells us
that he had always shied away from using the term “Anti-Christ” because it was so often used to spread control and fear. However, given today’s rise of authoritarianism and forces of democracide, ecocide, and christofascism, he turns the tables in this book employing the archetype for the cause of justice, democracy, and a renewed Earth and humanity. For immediate access to Trump & The MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ: A Handbook for the 2024 Election, order the e-book with 10 full-color prints from Amazon HERE. To get a print-on-demand paperback copy with black & white images, order from Amazon HERE or IUniverse HERE. To receive a limited-edition, full-color paperback copy, order from MatthewFox.org HERE. Order the audiobook HERE for immediate download. |
|
Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society
Visionary theologian and best-selling
author Matthew Fox offers a new theology of evil that fundamentally changes the traditional perception of good and evil and points the way to a more enlightened treatment of ourselves, one another, and all of nature. In comparing the Eastern tradition of the 7 chakras to the Western tradition of the 7 capital sins, Fox allows us to think creatively about our capacity for personal and institutional evil and what we can do about them.
“A scholarly masterpiece embodying a better vision and depth of perception far beyond the grasp of any one single science. A breath-taking analysis.” — Diarmuid O’Murchu, author of Quantum Theology: Spiritual Implications of the New Physics |
|
The Hidden Spirituality of Men: Ten Metaphors to Awaken the Sacred Masculine
To awaken what Fox calls “the sacred masculine,” he unearths ten metaphors,
or archetypes, ranging from the Green Man, an ancient pagan symbol of our fundamental relationship with nature, to the Spiritual Warrior….These timeless archetypes can inspire men to pursue their higher calling to connect to their deepest selves and to reinvent the world.
“Every man on this planet should read this book — not to mention every woman who wants to understand the struggles, often unconscious, that
shape the men they know.” — Rabbi Michael Lerner, author of The Left Hand of God |
|
The Physics of Angels: Exploring the Realm Where Science & Spirit Meet
By Matthew Fox and Rupert Sheldrake When was the last time a scientist and a theologian discussed angels together? What are angels? Many people believe in angels, but few can define these enigmatic spirits. Now visionary theologian Matthew Fox and acclaimed biologist Rupert Sheldrake—pioneers in modern religious thinking and scientific
theory—launch a groundbreaking exploration into the ancient concept of the angel and restore dignity, meaning, and joy to our time-honored belief in these heavenly beings. |
|
The Pope’s War: Why Ratzinger’s Secret Crusade Has Imperiled the Church and How It Can Be Saved
The Pope’s War offers a
provocative look at three decades of corruption in the Catholic Church, focusing on Josef Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI. The final section in the book focuses on birthing a truly catholic Christianity.
“This book should be read by everybody, not only for its ferocious courage, but also for its vision for what needs to be saved from the destructive forces that threaten authentic Christianity.” ~ Andrew Harvey, author
of The Hope.
“In the gripping The Pope’s War, Matthew Fox takes an unwavering look at the layers of corruption in the Catholic Church, holding moral truth against power.” — Jason Berry, author of Vows of Silence: The Abuse of Power in the Papacy of John Paul II |
|
The Return of Father Sky: A Cosmic Mystery for Kids of All Ages
The second book in the Father Fox’s Fantastical Fables series, The Return of Father Sky helps boys and girls to celebrate a new
relationship with the masculine by way of Father Sky, whose return excites joy and wonder and possibility that enlarge the soul to welcome others and all creation. Written in a rhyming Dr. Seuss-like style, this full-color, beautifully illustrated book, written by world- renowned theologian Matthew Fox weaves together modern science and classic spirituality in a whimsical, entertaining format to illustrate important truths to readers aged 4 and up. With artwork curated from illustrators around
the world, this book expresses the joy and wonder of all peoples and cultures, planting seeds of respect, cooperation and hope to work together for the healing of our planet. |
|
UPCOMING EVENTS See Matthew Fox's full calendar HERE |
Join Matthew Fox as he offers a guest lecture in the Creation Spirituality Communities course “Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: An Exploration of Evil” led by instructor Carolyn Million. Wednesdays, March 12– April 16, 4-6 pm PT. Register HERE. |
Join Matthew Fox in a new 6-month program of mystical wisdom for a new world: - Activate your spiritual awakening with the mystics
- Say “yes” to life & the beauty, goodness & potential it offers
- Awaken your inner mystic & prophet for deeper awakening
- Nurture the life-giving qualities of your humanity
By Application only - apply
HERERegister for a free information session HERE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Join Matthew Fox for three lecture and
Q&A sessions on “Angels & Science, Today & Yesterday,“ with special guest appearances by Rupert Sheldrake. Hosted by WisdomFeed. |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book, Wrestling with the Prophets: Essays on Creation Spirituality and Everyday Life, in an online Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat. Thursday, May 15, 4:00pm-5:30pm PT. Register HERE. |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book, Letters to Pope Francis: Rebuilding a Church with Justice and Compassion, in an online Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat. Thursday, July 17, 4:00pm-5:30pm PT.
Register HERE. MONTHLY: Join Matthew Fox and Skylar Wilson of the Order of the Sacred Earth in a free virtual meeting for connection and networking with other mystic warriors. Last Tuesday of every month, 4:00-5:00pm PT.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88665302478
Meeting ID: 886 6530 2478 Learn more at www.orderofthesacredearth.org |
Creation Spirituality Conversations |
Matthew was recently interviewed by Sandie Sedgbeer on her program “What is Going OM,” about his book, “Trump and the MAGA Movement as AntiChrist.” Watch or listen HERE. |
|
Inspired by this post? Share your insights on BlueSky, Instagram, Universeodon, or Facebook using the hashtag #RevDrMatthewFox and tag Matt with @RevDrMatthewFox FOLLOW MATTHEW FOX: |
|
|
|
