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from Oliver Sacks – Hallucinations

I was thirteen when I had a voice from God for my help and guidance. The first time that I heard this voice, I was very much frightened; it was mid-day, in the summer, in my father's garden . . .

I heard this Voice to my right, towards the Church; rarely do I hear it without its being accompanied also by a light.

This light comes from the same side as the Voice. Generally it is a great light. . . .

When I heard it for the third time, I recognized that it was the Voice of an Angel. This voice has always guarded me well, and I have always understood it; it instructed me to be good and to go often to Church; it told me it was necessary for me to come into France . . . it said to me two or three times a week: "You must go into France." . . .

It said to me: "Go, raise the siege which is being made before the City of Orleans. Go!" . . .

and I replied that I was but a poor girl, who knew nothing of riding or fighting. . . .

There is never a day when I do not hear this Voice; and I have much need of it