Middle-Earth Essence - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

ninlaith · 10-12-2004, 03:43 PM

Is there anything that makes you feel "connected" to Middle-Earth? I know sometimes when I eat, drink, or smell something when I'm reading LOTR it gets stuck in my head and every time I encounter one of those things I'm wisked away to Middle-Earth even if it's just for a moment. It's truly a remarkable journey. So BDer's..is there anything that gives you the same feelings??

Son of Númenor · 10-12-2004, 04:13 PM

Bob Marley - Johnny Was
Wings - Band On The Run

I couldn't tell you exactly why (it may have something to do with my listening to them frequently while surfing the Downs, and with the melancholy tones of the songs), but these songs seem to 'connect' me to the world of Middle-earth more than any other specific experiences (aside, maybe, from reading my favorite parts of the books). There is also the elusive word, scent or sound that sends me to Middle-earth; I most often find myself in the fire-lit den at Bag End with Frodo and Gandalf, in the Dwarrowdelf with the Fellowship, and walking in the hills of Caras Galadhon with Estel.

ninlaith · 10-13-2004, 07:14 PM

I get the same feeling when I smell wood smoke...One major scent though is that of vanilla. The whole time I was reading the Hobbit for the first time I lit a French Vanilla candle every time I started reading. Also whenever I eat those Frosted Animal Cookies it reminds me of what I imagine the texture of Lembas to be...except without the frosting.

mark12_30 · 10-13-2004, 08:20 PM

On a crisp winter night, the delicate moon-shadow of bare branches on the snow.

The moon "caught in the branches" of a bare tree in winter.

( In February: Golden scottish crocus = Elanor. Snowdrops = Niphredil, of course. )

Making a pot of tea to share with a friend.

The wind in my hair.

The sun on the water.

The way an open window freshens the air of a room, enticing you to go out of doors... perhaps without a pocket-hankerchief.

The Milky Way. The Northern Cross. The Pleiades.

Moss (actually, that draws me into George MacDonald's works even more.)

Following a deer-trail to see where it goes (Archet.)

Walking on a pine ridge (Rivendell.)

Beech trees, especially the Crown Beech or the Beech Woods nearby.

Watching the waves roll in and break on the beach or on the rocks: Grey Havens.

Bedewed gossamer.

The sheen on a leaf.

Raefindel · 10-13-2004, 10:21 PM

The smell of maple leaves after they've fallen.

Frost on a fallen leaf.

fiddle-necks (partially unrolled ferns) in the spring.

Coffee, out of doors on a chill morning.

fog on the bay with the mountains just peaking out above.

Licorice ferns hanging form the maples in the rainforest.

Feanor of the Peredhil · 10-14-2004, 07:04 AM

What a nice idea for a thread... For me, the sight of a field of corn, just ripening. A cup of hot cider on a cold autumn evening. Sitting by the fire with friends. Any time I see a plain gold wedding band.

Fea

10-12-2004, 03:43 PM	#1
ninlaith Wight Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: in my hobbit hole Posts: 204	Middle-Earth Essence Is there anything that makes you feel "connected" to Middle-Earth? I know sometimes when I eat, drink, or smell something when I'm reading LOTR it gets stuck in my head and every time I encounter one of those things I'm wisked away to Middle-Earth even if it's just for a moment. It's truly a remarkable journey. So BDer's..is there anything that gives you the same feelings?? __________________ "I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve!"-Bilbo Baggins

10-13-2004, 07:14 PM	#3
ninlaith Wight Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: in my hobbit hole Posts: 204	I get the same feeling when I smell wood smoke...One major scent though is that of vanilla. The whole time I was reading the Hobbit for the first time I lit a French Vanilla candle every time I started reading. Also whenever I eat those Frosted Animal Cookies it reminds me of what I imagine the texture of Lembas to be...except without the frosting. __________________ "I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve!"-Bilbo Baggins

10-13-2004, 08:20 PM	#4
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	On a crisp winter night, the delicate moon-shadow of bare branches on the snow. The moon "caught in the branches" of a bare tree in winter. ( In February: Golden scottish crocus = Elanor. Snowdrops = Niphredil, of course. ) Making a pot of tea to share with a friend. The wind in my hair. The sun on the water. The way an open window freshens the air of a room, enticing you to go out of doors... perhaps without a pocket-hankerchief. The Milky Way. The Northern Cross. The Pleiades. Moss (actually, that draws me into George MacDonald's works even more.) Following a deer-trail to see where it goes (Archet.) Walking on a pine ridge (Rivendell.) Beech trees, especially the Crown Beech or the Beech Woods nearby. Watching the waves roll in and break on the beach or on the rocks: Grey Havens. Bedewed gossamer. The sheen on a leaf. __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

10-13-2004, 10:21 PM	#5
Raefindel Sword of the Spirit Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,313	The smell of maple leaves after they've fallen. Frost on a fallen leaf. fiddle-necks (partially unrolled ferns) in the spring. Coffee, out of doors on a chill morning. fog on the bay with the mountains just peaking out above. Licorice ferns hanging form the maples in the rainforest. __________________ Blessed be the Lord my Strength, Who trained my hands for war and my fingers to fight. Psallm 144:1

10-14-2004, 07:04 AM	#6
Feanor of the Peredhil La Belle Dame sans Merci Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: perpetual uncertainty Posts: 5,517	What a nice idea for a thread... For me, the sight of a field of corn, just ripening. A cup of hot cider on a cold autumn evening. Sitting by the fire with friends. Any time I see a plain gold wedding band. Fea __________________ peace

10-12-2004, 04:13 PM	#2
Son of Númenor A Shade of Westernesse Join Date: May 2004 Location: The last wave over Atalantë Posts: 515	Bob Marley - Johnny Was Wings - Band On The Run I couldn't tell you exactly why (it may have something to do with my listening to them frequently while surfing the Downs, and with the melancholy tones of the songs), but these songs seem to 'connect' me to the world of Middle-earth more than any other specific experiences (aside, maybe, from reading my favorite parts of the books). There is also the elusive word, scent or sound that sends me to Middle-earth; I most often find myself in the fire-lit den at Bag End with Frodo and Gandalf, in the Dwarrowdelf with the Fellowship, and walking in the hills of Caras Galadhon with Estel.