Wk6 Bk5 Ch8: The Hands of a King

[Stormrider]

From: AnnieLT (Original Message) Sent: 4/24/2003 4:58 PM

The pictures were lost--they were:
"Healing Faramir" by Anke Katrin Eissmann
Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn
"Éowyn in the Houses of Healing" by Greg & Tim Hildebrandt

Wk6, Bk5, Ch8, DISCUSSION: The Hands of a King

In this chapter, we see Aragorn emerge as healer fully capable of curing the Black Breath. Where does this power to heal come from? It is said that the ancient Numenorians knew the healing properties of Athelas among other healing herbs but that the knowledge had fallen into disuse over the ages remembered now only in nursery rhymes. Were there other Kings of old who possessed the power and knowledge of healing? According to Ioreth, there were, "Would that there were kings of Gondor as there were once upon a time, they say! For it is said in old lore: The hands of the king are the hands of a healer. And so the rightful king could ever be known." To which kings was she referring? And was Isildur one of those? Because Aragorn was the heir of Isildur, do you think this power could be passed from ancestor to descendant?

This kind of healing is usually passed down from healer to apprentice but Aragorn would have had no access to this knowledge as he had been brought to the refuge of Imladris while still a babe and grew up among the elves. But the elves knew and practiced this ancient art, Lord Elrond being especially gifted in this area. So it would seem that what Aragorn knew of Athelas, he learned at his "stepfather’s" knee. What do you think?

And yet he was not fully capable of curing Frodo’s wounds inflicted at Weathertop. Only Elrond could heal Frodo of the wound of the Black Riders, Aragorn tells us. And so the frantic ride to Rivendell. Did Aragorn know all that he needed to know at that time, and if so, why couldn’t he heal Frodo? I am wondering if it had something to do with self-confidence? Perhaps he did not feel fully confident in using that power or was not completely aware that he had the power?

Do you think Aragorn hesitated when he was called to the houses of healing? It was a long way to Imladris so that was not an option. I almost imagine him reaching out to some unseen force to be with him as he attempted a healing. He went to Faramir first. "Now Aragorn knelt beside Faramir, and held a hand upon his brow. And those that watched felt that some great struggle was going on. For Aragorn’s face grew grey with weariness..." and later after he had crushed the leaves and it’s aroma filled the room, "... Aragorn stood as one refreshed." One might argue that the struggle Aragorn was experiencing was trying to reach Faramir. I wonder if there were other struggles going on? When did Aragorn become fully capable of performing this healing ritual? Did it have something to do with confidence? Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

And what of the ritual itself? I see several parts to this:

1. The crushing of the leaves and placing them in boiling water.

2. Aragorn's breath on those leaves (was the power in the breath?)

3. The fragrance of the leaves filling the room (aromatherapy?)

4. The calling of the name of the inflicted (hypnotic healing?)

5. The laying of the healers hands on the head of the patient.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the healing process that Aragorn used?

How do you feel about the ability to heal and give comfort? Do you consider these traits to be qualities of true nobility? Why or why not? How did this experience further Aragorn along the road to kingship?

[Stormrider]

From: Merlin the mad Sent: 4/26/2003 11:16 AM
Aragorn has Maiar powers in his lineage, through his descent from Elros - Elwing - Nimloth - Luthien - Melian the Mia. The methodology of his healing is more learned lore than actual discipline, in my opinion: the real healing power comes through his lineage.

MtM

* * *

From: DaleAnn Sent: 5/14/2003 6:17 AM
It is interesting to go back to FotR and re-read the section of Strider attempting to heal Frodo. I get a feeling of a "shamanistic" approach to this rather than actual "doctor" skills. (Aragorn sings over the weapon.)

In Sil, Huan brings Luthien an unamed plant with healing powers so she could save Beren. However, in the related "Lay of Leithian" from The Lays of Beleriand Huan brings athelas. I don't know if there are any earlier (in terms of Middle earth history) mention of athelas. Could athelas have been a gift from the Valar, given through Huan and then the use taught through the line of Beren and Luthien? Perhaps.

I found an interesting article on "Kingship in the Wrok of the Inklings" www.thinline.com/~ccoulomb/articles/inklings.htm
--DA

* * *

From: AnnieLT Sent: 5/14/2003 8:33 PM
MTM and DA:

Tolkien says in Letter #155 that "the use of ‘magic’ in this story is that it is not to be come by by ‘lore’ or spells; but is in an inherent power not possessed or attainable by Men as such. Aragorn’s ‘healing’ might be regarded as ‘magical’, or at least a blend of magic with pharmacy and ‘hypnotic processes . . . while A. (Aragorn) is not a pure ‘Man’ but a long remove one of the children of Luthien."

So this would support what you said, Merlin., that the power is inherent through his ancestry. But when did he become aware of this power? Was it revealed to him by Elrond when Estel had attained his 20th year? "That day therefore Elrond called him by his true name, and told him who he was and whose son; and he delivered to him the heirlooms of his house." (Appendix A,v, ROTK) I would agree that having the power is essential but learning when, how, and why to use the power is equally important; it has to be attained. If this is what you mean by "learned lore" then I would agree. And my question is where did he learn this lore? However, Tolkien has said " . . .it is not to be come by by ‘lore’ or spells."

DaleAnn, I’m so glad you made a reference to Weathertop. This Shamanistic approach that you detected as in singing over the weapon caught my attention, too. And I feel that it was also present in the Houses of Healing when Aragorn tended the three. Perhaps that is why Aragorn asked who had removed the arrow from Faramir and if it had been kept? Do you think he would have sung over it if Imrahil had kept it?

The little research I have been able to do regarding Athelas turned up similar references to Beren and Luthien and can add no more to that. But I do wonder, like you, about the possibility of the leaf and its lore as having come from the Valar. Maybe someone with more familiarity with the Silmarillion could enlighten us?

There is an interesting note to Tolkien’s Letter #155, "Alongside the final paragraph (which is quoted above), Tolkien has written, "But the Numenoreans used "spells" in making swords?" Was he questioning his own repudiation of the use of spells? And why was Aragorn singing over that weapon, anyway? If the Numenorians used spells in making swords why not the enemy?

Thanks for the link. A similar essay I came across by David Cofield examines healing traditions among the medieval French and English monarchies and compares them to Tolkien’s royal healers, Aragorn in particular. It also explores many of the themes referred to in these threads.

www.grijalvo.com/Hfz000/hfz000_2002_J_D_Cofield_Hands_of_a_King.htm

Annie

* * *

From: galenas Sent: 5/15/2003 8:26 PM
Doing this from memory, so forgive if I get some of the facts out of line. It seems that the world itself and many great works afterward, were brought about by singing them into being. The singing wove magic and strength and beauty into things great and small.

Aragorn was descended from Numenor. He knew his mother, Gilraen. I think that she would have imparted much knowledge to him as a youngster....just by virtue of being mom. I think that Elrond would been a role model.

As one of the Dunedain, he would have had to know some healing arts for survival.

I also think that he did have a special connection with the earth by virtue of his blood. Perhaps that is why the singing to and blowing on the athelas was effective. Almost like the plant responded to his urgings.

Galenas

* * *

From: sparrow Sent: 5/16/2003 12:10 PM
Great point, Galenas, about creation by singing. That got me to thinking/speculating. Maybe, not only was the Athelas responding to Aragorn's singing, but also something bigger. In Sil. the Valar were to prepare the earth for Iluvatar's children, so they continued the creative process. If Aragorn's healing powers or Athelas's healing properties derived from the Valar, that would be a further continuation. And perhaps Aragorn's singing had an effective on general creative forces, which responded to fight the destructive forces of illness or injury. This may be entirely speculative, but I like the sound of it, anyway.
Regards,
Sparrow