Post by Andorinha on Jan 17, 2009 0:01:31 GMT -6
The Sil ARCHIVE: Week One - Olorin
____________________________________________
Reply
Message 1 of 16 in Discussion
From: megn1
Sent: 4/13/2002 8:57 PM
Olorin
One of the most exciting moments of discovery I ever had in Tolkien’s books came from the Valaquenta. I first found it years ago, before it was common knowledge, available on almost any Tolkien website. Still, there may be some among us who do not yet know the information that is hidden here. In order to give you your moment of personal discovery, I offer you the following advice:
In the section of the Valaquenta called “Of the Maiar,” read carefully the second to last paragraph, which describes Olorin.
Then turn in your copy of “The Two Towers” to the chapter called “The Window on the West.” About eight pages into the chapter you will find a paragraph where about four lines are printed in italics. Read them. (It’s on page 279 in my copy of TTT.)
Enjoy!
Please don’t respond to this post until at least Thursday 4/18, in order to give people a chance to make their own discovery. Don’t spoil their fun!
_____________________________________________
Reply
Message 2 of 16 in Discussion
From: CamelliaDanderfluff
Sent: 4/15/2002 6:48 PM
megn1; No spoiler here. I actually typed the four lines mentioned for our old trivia quiz and still never made the connection! Thanks for the kick in the head. Camellia
_______________________________________________
Reply
Message 3 of 16 in Discussion
From: Nufaciel
Sent: 4/16/2002 9:22 AM
No spoiler, but you can also find more information about Olorin in Unfinished Tales.
______________________________________________
Reply
Message 4 of 16 in Discussion
From: MusicMom
Sent: 4/16/2002 11:21 AM
Perhaps we should save the references from "Unfinished Tales" until our 2nd reading? Some of us are reading Silmarillion for the first time and will have all we can do to keep up with that. (Of course, those who have time could look up the references now and then post them during the second reading. Just a suggestion.)
MusicMom
________________________________________
Reply
Message 5 of 16 in Discussion
From: Soleil
Sent: 4/17/2002 12:15 PM
Is it Thurs yet?!
Soleil
_____________________________________________
Reply
Message 6 of 16 in Discussion
From: megn1
Sent: 4/18/2002 9:39 AM
Now it is.
Thanks for waiting...
_____________________________________________
Reply
Message 7 of 16 in Discussion
From: Soleil
Sent: 4/19/2002 9:24 AM
Thanks, megn!...and I went to a movie instead! I had an "oh, cool!" experience as I read Of the Maiar for the first time and realized Olorin was our old friend Gandalf.
Soleil
____________________________________________________
Reply
Message 8 of 16 in Discussion
From: Lady_Oiolaire
Sent: 4/19/2002 8:59 PM
i am glad you caught it. i was about to burst from wanting to tell!!!!!!!!
_____________________________________________
Reply
Message 9 of 16 in Discussion
From: Glorfindle
Sent: 4/19/2002 11:54 PM
Didn't it go something like "and Olorin was my name, long ago in the west, when I was young?"
Glotr
__________________________________________
Reply
Message 10 of 16 in Discussion
From: MysticMagycPony
Sent: 4/20/2002 9:36 AM
I purposefully stayed away from this topic until today, because I found a wonderful book to go along side my 'Sil' readings... and it gives this account under Istari.....
Istari After a thousand years had passed in the Third Age of the Sun, an Elven-ship came out of the Western Sea and sailed to the Grey Havens. Upon that ship were five aged Men with long white beards and great cloaks. Each cloak was a different colour, and each Man wore a tall pointed hat, high black traveller's boots, and carried a long staff. These were the Istari, whom Men called Wizards; their hats and staffs were their signs of office. They were an order and a brotherhood sent to Middle-earth from the Undying Lands, for it was perceived by the great Powers of Arda that a great evil was growing in Mortal Lands.
Though the Istari came secretly and in humble form, in the beginning, before their arrival in Middle-earth, they were mighty spirits. They were Maiar, spirits older than the World itself, and of that first race that came from the mind of Iluvatar in the Timeless Halls. Yet in the diminished World of Middle-earth in the Third Age they were forbidden to come forth in power as Maiar. They were limited to the forms of Men and powers that might be found within the mortal World.
Although five Istari are said to have come to Middle-earth, only three are named in the histories that have come to Men, for the others were said to have gone to the East and they played no part in the fate of the Westlands.
First named and most praised in the Fourth Age was Gandalf the Grey, who by the Elves was called Mithrandir, by the Dwarves Tharkun, and Incanus by the Haradrim. As a Maia in the Undying Lands he was named Olorin..............
A Tolkien Bestiary
by David Day
Random House
There is much more....
But I will refrain....
A Tolkien Bestiary is a bestiary in the broadest sense of the word; it includes not only fantastical beasts and monsters byt also races, nations, deities and flora: in Tolkien's terms, all the "kelvar" and "olvar". It is a comprehensive encyclopedia that describes, illustrates and historically delineates all his creations.
I think it is a wonderful "Coffee Table Book" and can open many a discussion.
You should see the account of Iarwain Ben-adar..... lol
MysticMagycPony
__________________________________________________
Reply
Message 11 of 16 in Discussion
From: Soleil
Sent: 4/20/2002 2:03 PM
Didn't it go something like "and Olorin was my name, long ago in the west, when I was young?"
Glotr
Yuppers...but when you are reading the 4 books for the first time, some things get misfiled...that little tidbit is up there somewhere!
Soleil
____________________________________________
Reply
Message 12 of 16 in Discussion
From: Lady_Oiolaire
Sent: 4/20/2002 4:10 PM
"Olorin I was in my youth in the west that is forgotten....."
___________________________________________
Reply
Message 13 of 16 in Discussion
From: sparrow
Sent: 4/20/2002 7:44 PM
Is Unfinished Tales a single or multi-volume book? When we finish the Silmarillion, I definitely want to check it out. And MysticMagycPony's book sounds interesting, too.
My friends and I have pondered the origin of Gandalf. They thought he was Elven or Half-elven. I said that he might be half Maia. Turns out I was only *half* right!
~Sparrow
_______________________________________________
Reply
Message 14 of 16 in Discussion
From: DaleAnn
Sent: 4/21/2002 3:38 PM
Dear Sparrow, Unfinished Tales is a single volume. When we finish with The Silmarillion, we will be reading it again. But, this time with other books, such as Unfinished Tales. So, when we are reading about the First Age in Sil., we will also, read the relevant chapters in the other books. The syllabus for that is on the General board under the topic with the words "Mock History Syllabus". We won't be starting it until July. No one has to go out and buy books that they don't want. It is our hope that there will be alot of sharing so that everyone comes away with a good understanding of the history that Tolkien wrote about.
I hope MysticMagicPony shares more of her book with us. I always assumed that it was about the "beasts".
_______________________________________________
Reply
Message 15 of 16 in Discussion
From: MysticMagycPony
Sent: 4/21/2002 6:37 PM
I'm glad that The Tolkien Bestiary has brought about some interest, but please keep in mind that the best study guide for a Tolkien World is Tolkien himself, or a book by Christopher. I'm sure that Mr. Day did much in creative additions to make his book good. If actual, factual information is sought, then by all means, rely on JRR or Christopher. Other authers have a way of adding and deleting where they see fit.
Galenas In the land of Numenor grew the broad-leafed herb Galenas, which was prized for the fragrance of its flowers. Before that land was swallowed by the Western Sea, mariners of Numenor brought it to Middle-earth, where it grew in abundance about the settlements of the Numenoreans descendants.
However, it was not until such an unlikely people as Hobbits discovered Galenas in their own land that the special properties of this plant were revealed. The Hobbits took the broad leaves of Galenas, dried them and shredded them and put fire to them in long-stemmed pipes. This was the herb nicotiana, which was afterwards known on Middle-earth as PIPE-WEED after the habit of the Hobbits. It was commonly smoked by Hobbits, Men and Dwarves, and they derived much comfort from it.
Now here I take a bit from memory, as I don't wish to look it up, but much is said here and there throughout the Trilogy concerning "Longbottom Leaf". It was so widely prized that a dry barrel was found in the drowned ruins of Saruman, much to the surprise and delight of Merry and Pippin.
MysticMagycPony
________________________________________________
Reply
Message 16 of 16 in Discussion
From: sparrow
Sent: 4/27/2002 8:17 PM
Thanks, DaleAnn. I am glad I have until July to start another book. I am too slow to even keep up with the message board! Although I had already read more of Sil than we have covered yet, I am still reading Week One topics. Maybe I will catch up by July. I really enjoyed learning that Gandalf was Olorin, as my friends and I had pondered and argued about that, and I was able to lead them to their own discovery, as well.
____________________________________________
Reply
Message 1 of 16 in Discussion
From: megn1
Sent: 4/13/2002 8:57 PM
Olorin
One of the most exciting moments of discovery I ever had in Tolkien’s books came from the Valaquenta. I first found it years ago, before it was common knowledge, available on almost any Tolkien website. Still, there may be some among us who do not yet know the information that is hidden here. In order to give you your moment of personal discovery, I offer you the following advice:
In the section of the Valaquenta called “Of the Maiar,” read carefully the second to last paragraph, which describes Olorin.
Then turn in your copy of “The Two Towers” to the chapter called “The Window on the West.” About eight pages into the chapter you will find a paragraph where about four lines are printed in italics. Read them. (It’s on page 279 in my copy of TTT.)
Enjoy!
Please don’t respond to this post until at least Thursday 4/18, in order to give people a chance to make their own discovery. Don’t spoil their fun!
_____________________________________________
Reply
Message 2 of 16 in Discussion
From: CamelliaDanderfluff
Sent: 4/15/2002 6:48 PM
megn1; No spoiler here. I actually typed the four lines mentioned for our old trivia quiz and still never made the connection! Thanks for the kick in the head. Camellia
_______________________________________________
Reply
Message 3 of 16 in Discussion
From: Nufaciel
Sent: 4/16/2002 9:22 AM
No spoiler, but you can also find more information about Olorin in Unfinished Tales.
______________________________________________
Reply
Message 4 of 16 in Discussion
From: MusicMom
Sent: 4/16/2002 11:21 AM
Perhaps we should save the references from "Unfinished Tales" until our 2nd reading? Some of us are reading Silmarillion for the first time and will have all we can do to keep up with that. (Of course, those who have time could look up the references now and then post them during the second reading. Just a suggestion.)
MusicMom
________________________________________
Reply
Message 5 of 16 in Discussion
From: Soleil
Sent: 4/17/2002 12:15 PM
Is it Thurs yet?!
Soleil
_____________________________________________
Reply
Message 6 of 16 in Discussion
From: megn1
Sent: 4/18/2002 9:39 AM
Now it is.
Thanks for waiting...
_____________________________________________
Reply
Message 7 of 16 in Discussion
From: Soleil
Sent: 4/19/2002 9:24 AM
Thanks, megn!...and I went to a movie instead! I had an "oh, cool!" experience as I read Of the Maiar for the first time and realized Olorin was our old friend Gandalf.
Soleil
____________________________________________________
Reply
Message 8 of 16 in Discussion
From: Lady_Oiolaire
Sent: 4/19/2002 8:59 PM
i am glad you caught it. i was about to burst from wanting to tell!!!!!!!!
_____________________________________________
Reply
Message 9 of 16 in Discussion
From: Glorfindle
Sent: 4/19/2002 11:54 PM
Didn't it go something like "and Olorin was my name, long ago in the west, when I was young?"
Glotr
__________________________________________
Reply
Message 10 of 16 in Discussion
From: MysticMagycPony
Sent: 4/20/2002 9:36 AM
I purposefully stayed away from this topic until today, because I found a wonderful book to go along side my 'Sil' readings... and it gives this account under Istari.....
Istari After a thousand years had passed in the Third Age of the Sun, an Elven-ship came out of the Western Sea and sailed to the Grey Havens. Upon that ship were five aged Men with long white beards and great cloaks. Each cloak was a different colour, and each Man wore a tall pointed hat, high black traveller's boots, and carried a long staff. These were the Istari, whom Men called Wizards; their hats and staffs were their signs of office. They were an order and a brotherhood sent to Middle-earth from the Undying Lands, for it was perceived by the great Powers of Arda that a great evil was growing in Mortal Lands.
Though the Istari came secretly and in humble form, in the beginning, before their arrival in Middle-earth, they were mighty spirits. They were Maiar, spirits older than the World itself, and of that first race that came from the mind of Iluvatar in the Timeless Halls. Yet in the diminished World of Middle-earth in the Third Age they were forbidden to come forth in power as Maiar. They were limited to the forms of Men and powers that might be found within the mortal World.
Although five Istari are said to have come to Middle-earth, only three are named in the histories that have come to Men, for the others were said to have gone to the East and they played no part in the fate of the Westlands.
First named and most praised in the Fourth Age was Gandalf the Grey, who by the Elves was called Mithrandir, by the Dwarves Tharkun, and Incanus by the Haradrim. As a Maia in the Undying Lands he was named Olorin..............
A Tolkien Bestiary
by David Day
Random House
There is much more....
But I will refrain....
A Tolkien Bestiary is a bestiary in the broadest sense of the word; it includes not only fantastical beasts and monsters byt also races, nations, deities and flora: in Tolkien's terms, all the "kelvar" and "olvar". It is a comprehensive encyclopedia that describes, illustrates and historically delineates all his creations.
I think it is a wonderful "Coffee Table Book" and can open many a discussion.
You should see the account of Iarwain Ben-adar..... lol
MysticMagycPony
__________________________________________________
Reply
Message 11 of 16 in Discussion
From: Soleil
Sent: 4/20/2002 2:03 PM
Didn't it go something like "and Olorin was my name, long ago in the west, when I was young?"
Glotr
Yuppers...but when you are reading the 4 books for the first time, some things get misfiled...that little tidbit is up there somewhere!
Soleil
____________________________________________
Reply
Message 12 of 16 in Discussion
From: Lady_Oiolaire
Sent: 4/20/2002 4:10 PM
"Olorin I was in my youth in the west that is forgotten....."
___________________________________________
Reply
Message 13 of 16 in Discussion
From: sparrow
Sent: 4/20/2002 7:44 PM
Is Unfinished Tales a single or multi-volume book? When we finish the Silmarillion, I definitely want to check it out. And MysticMagycPony's book sounds interesting, too.
My friends and I have pondered the origin of Gandalf. They thought he was Elven or Half-elven. I said that he might be half Maia. Turns out I was only *half* right!
~Sparrow
_______________________________________________
Reply
Message 14 of 16 in Discussion
From: DaleAnn
Sent: 4/21/2002 3:38 PM
Dear Sparrow, Unfinished Tales is a single volume. When we finish with The Silmarillion, we will be reading it again. But, this time with other books, such as Unfinished Tales. So, when we are reading about the First Age in Sil., we will also, read the relevant chapters in the other books. The syllabus for that is on the General board under the topic with the words "Mock History Syllabus". We won't be starting it until July. No one has to go out and buy books that they don't want. It is our hope that there will be alot of sharing so that everyone comes away with a good understanding of the history that Tolkien wrote about.
I hope MysticMagicPony shares more of her book with us. I always assumed that it was about the "beasts".
_______________________________________________
Reply
Message 15 of 16 in Discussion
From: MysticMagycPony
Sent: 4/21/2002 6:37 PM
I'm glad that The Tolkien Bestiary has brought about some interest, but please keep in mind that the best study guide for a Tolkien World is Tolkien himself, or a book by Christopher. I'm sure that Mr. Day did much in creative additions to make his book good. If actual, factual information is sought, then by all means, rely on JRR or Christopher. Other authers have a way of adding and deleting where they see fit.
Galenas In the land of Numenor grew the broad-leafed herb Galenas, which was prized for the fragrance of its flowers. Before that land was swallowed by the Western Sea, mariners of Numenor brought it to Middle-earth, where it grew in abundance about the settlements of the Numenoreans descendants.
However, it was not until such an unlikely people as Hobbits discovered Galenas in their own land that the special properties of this plant were revealed. The Hobbits took the broad leaves of Galenas, dried them and shredded them and put fire to them in long-stemmed pipes. This was the herb nicotiana, which was afterwards known on Middle-earth as PIPE-WEED after the habit of the Hobbits. It was commonly smoked by Hobbits, Men and Dwarves, and they derived much comfort from it.
Now here I take a bit from memory, as I don't wish to look it up, but much is said here and there throughout the Trilogy concerning "Longbottom Leaf". It was so widely prized that a dry barrel was found in the drowned ruins of Saruman, much to the surprise and delight of Merry and Pippin.
MysticMagycPony
________________________________________________
Reply
Message 16 of 16 in Discussion
From: sparrow
Sent: 4/27/2002 8:17 PM
Thanks, DaleAnn. I am glad I have until July to start another book. I am too slow to even keep up with the message board! Although I had already read more of Sil than we have covered yet, I am still reading Week One topics. Maybe I will catch up by July. I really enjoyed learning that Gandalf was Olorin, as my friends and I had pondered and argued about that, and I was able to lead them to their own discovery, as well.