The true Istari

[Boromir88]

This is about the Common view of a Wizard (for example Harry Potter stuff) Vs. Tolkien's Istari. The main point I want to talk about is the Istari staff, since Tolkien really never wrote about the staffs. I think if you want to find out the true Istari, I believe we will have to put away our views of what we feel Wizards are (again Harry Potter).

About the Istari staff, to me, PJ made it seem like the Istari's power was in the staff, which I would have to disagree with. I've always thought the power was in the Istari, and he would need the staff to perform his "magic,"(as I argue on later, I might contradict this, and see really there is no power or point at all for an Istari to be carrying a staff). As we all know Saruman doesn't shoot flaming balls out of his staff (as we will see in ROTK EE, a part I might close my eyes on). But we see Gandalf use some sort of power a few times, he can summon dark clouds, he can cause thunder bolts, he can burst out white light to fend off the Nazgul, but is this really "a spell" or is this Gandalf's revealing "natural" power as an Istari? We never hear of any Istari using energy blasts to kill orcs or whatever. We can see Gandalf use his power but its often used as a scare tactic not to kill or destroy. Saruman's power is similar to that of Hitlers or Churchill, he's a good orater, and can persuade you and in a way put a "spell" on you, with his words. From what was written it seems like the Istari weren't on middle-earth to shoot flaming balls all over the place, they were more there to give council, guidance, wisdom..etc. And I think the reason they were referred to as "wizards" because thats how the ME people thought of them as, as "wizards" they had power that other, normal men, didn't have.

With the whole "staff," thing whether the Istari needed it or not. This is tough because we do see Gandalf use white lights and in Moria he even says he put a holding "spell" on the door.

The Bridge of Khazad-dum
"I do not know" said Gandalf "But I found myself suddenly faced by something that I have not met before. I could think of nothing to do but to try and put a shutting-spell on the door..."

I was thinking the "staff" was a tool they needed in Valinor as a Maia. They bought it to ME, because they grew attatched to it. Part of my job is to work at hockey games and I know players can be come attatched to their sticks, so attatched when the stick breaks they will pay 100's to get it refixed. So maybe the "staff" was important in Valinor and they just brought it with them because they were attatched to them. Who knows maybe there was an importance in the "staff" to me it just didn't seem much use in them.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Old men need staffs to lean on. Seriously.

[Lostregiel]

yes, the Harry potter stuff is completely different.

The magic of the Istari reminds me of the Elven magic, and when the hobbits asked if those cloaks were magical. Even after the answer of the Elves, I think the hobbits kept on thinking they were magical, while for the elves they weren´t.

[Tuor of Gondolin]

And you have to exclude PJ's foolishness in ROTK, with Gandalf assaulting Denethor.
In Letters:
"Why they [the istari] should take such a form is bound up with the 'mythology' of the 'angelic' Powers of the world of this fable. At this point in the fabulous history the purpose was precisely to limit and hinder their exhibition of 'power' on the physical plane, and so that they should do what they were primarilt sent for: train, advise, instruct, arouse the hearts and minds of those threatened by Sauron to a resistance with their own strenghts; and not just to do the job for them."

(And I rather doubt Gandalf made dinner materialize at Rivendell ).

The staffs do seem to be a critical focusing element, as Gandalf was so keen to keep his at Edoras. Since he came back enhanced in power you must assume Gandalf the Grey was significantly limited, and presumably then lesser in power to the head of his order.

[Morsul the Dark]

I agree it's a focus thing..Its like a storm lightning crashing every where...however Gandalf(and the other isatari) have a simliar thing their power is strong and like lightning their staff is like a lightning rod it send the magic where they want and also I blieve like the one ring they can put some of their power into the staff like in moria so he doesnt have to continuaslly conetrate on making like heputs the spell into the staff and voila light and he can concentrate n where he's going

[Amrod the Hunter]

The true power of Istari is in wisdom they have.Staff is only a tool wich represents their wisdom and channels their powers.It is not like Harry Potter where they can't cast spell without staff-for Istari magic is a part of their wisdom.