[59] The _Meteorologica_ had been translated about 1150 by Aristippus, the minister of William the Bad of Sicily. The version of Aristippus passed quickly into circulation (Valentine Rose, ‘Die Lücke im Diogenes Laërtus und der alte Übersetzer’ in _Hermes_, i. 376, Berlin, 1866), but hardly soon enough for Hildegard’s _Scivias_, which was completed about 1150. It is, of course, possible that the references to the _ignis niger_ are later interpolations, but this is very unlikely in view of the way in which she speaks of this vision in the _Liber Divinorum Operum_. [60] Migne, cols. 789-91. [61] Migne, col. 389. [62] Plate XII _a_. The elements are represented in their original order undisturbed by the Fall. Uppermost is the _purus aether_ or _aer lucidus_ containing the stars and representing the element _air_ in Hildegard’s cosmic system. Next comes _water_. Below, and to the left, is a dark mass separating into tongues, one of which is formed into a serpent’s head. These tongues are flames of _fire_. Below, and to the right, are plants and flowers emblematical of _earth_. The serpent, the enemy, vomits over a cloud of stars (signifying the fallen angels) that are borne downward by the falling Adam. In the four corners of the miniature the symbols of the elements are again displayed. [63] Plate XIII. Above, in a circle, sits the Heavenly Judge. He is flanked on either side by groups of angels bearing the cross and other symbols. The lower circle exhibits the final destruction of the elemental Universe. The four winds and their collaterals are here subjecting the elements to the crucible heat of their combined blasts. Strewn among the elements can be seen men, plants, and animals. Between the circles is an angel sounding the last trump, and holding the recording roll of good and evil deeds. He faces the throng of the righteous who are rising from their bones, while he turns his back on the weeping crowd of those doomed to torment. Below these latter crouches Satan, now enchained. [64] Plate XII _b_. In the highest circle is the Trinity flanked to the left by the Virgin and to the right by the Baptist, with Cherubim below. In the middle circle are two groups, the Saints above and the Prophets and Apostles below. In the lowest circle are the elements, now rearranged in their eternal harmony; uppermost of these is the _purus aether_ now separated from the _aer lucidus_ and containing the stars; on either side are light-coloured flame-like processes representing the _air_; below the aether is _water_, indicated by a zone of undulating lines; then comes the _earth_ symbolized, as usual, by a group of plants. Below and to the side of _earth_ are dark-coloured flames of fire, now controlled and confined to this lowest rung. [65] Migne, col. 791.