Magic in Middle-earth

[Saulotus]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Animated Skeleton
Posts: 38</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
As requested: a real quick analysis.

Ok, here's what we got from Tolkien.
Two types (or main modes of uses) of magic mentioned; Dominance and Preservation (or slowing of decay)
Preservation and Dominance from LETTERS #131
Melkorian element from MYTHS TRANSFORMED VII section (ii)
Definition of uses of Matter of Arda for magic and conditions of evil intent from ATHRABETH Author's note 10.

That's pretty much it for actual info.
Everythin else is now like speculation on these points and (stayin within this criteria) I'll, speculate real quick like.

Ok, down the road of speculation that goes on and on we go (shall we stop and smell some flowers?)

Some Sauronic use of Preservation type magic; Foundations of Barad-dur, Near indestructability of One Ring, (Possible use on Orcs of Mordor considerin Gorbag's mentionin of the Great Siege), probably some of the partially inserted essence of Sauron in the One ring itself since Gollum, Bilbo and Frodo are described variously as well-preserved, stretched thin, and unchanged. Sauron doesn't seem to use this magic too much, but these examples (and ones below) are like just like quick ones.

Some Sauronic use of Dominate type magic: The One ring controllin the other rings, Command of troops from afar, Saruman's capture through the Palantir (possible) and prolly more than I care to think of at the moment.

Some Gandalfian use of Preservation type magic; Himself from aging normally while in mannish form as one. Can't really think of gandalf usin this one much.

Some Gandalfian use of Dominate type magic; Fire from nowhere, Fireworks, Word of Command, Words of Opening and prolly more.

Some examples of Elvish use of Preservation type magic; Lorien, Palantiri, Silmarilli and prolly more.

Some examples of Elvish use of Dominate type magic; Mirror of Galadriel, Elvish blades that light up, Elven lamps and prolly more.

Some examples of Mannish use of Preservation type magic; Orthanc, Stone of Erech, Dead men of Dunharrow and prolly more.

Some examples of mannish use of Dominate type magic; Daggers of Westernesse, Silent watchers, Healin with Athelas and prolly more.

Some examples of Ainur (Valar, Maiar) use of Preservation type magic; Valinor, Extension of the lives of the Numenoreans, Sleep of Yavanna and prolly more.

Some examples of Ainur (Valar, Maiar) use of Dominate type magic; Command of the Shadowy Seas, Creation of the Dwarves, Chain Angnainor and prolly more.

Now we can see about the stated catalyst for this magic. Tolkien states that the Melkorian element is present in all matter of Arda, with some elements havin like greater concentrations of it (Gold given as one example).

Interestin note here: a Hroa is made up of matter of Arda. Another interestin note: Several of these examples make use of the same materials. Gold, and Black Stone as ones that show immediately. Palantiri, Stone of Erech and Orthanc all described as Black Stone. Most of this magic makes use of material matter in some form or another. Very few seemingly don't: Words of Command, Words of Openin (debateable since the magic may be in the door itself) and Fire from nowhere. (Fireworks are easy since it's gunpowder; coincidentally a black powder for what that's worth). We are told that the Hroa is made up of Matter of Arda, so it's possible that Gandalf drew upon the elements within his body that contained the Melkorian 'Taint' of matter as the catalyst and maybe why is was so weak after the event. This also works for the Numenorean lifespan extention since it is an effect upon the matter of the Hroa and works well with the Mouth of Sauron bein ancient yet still alive (Sorceror, Necromancer, Wizard call them what you will I guess). This knowledge would classify as an Art I guess in the true sense of the word the same way that a fire may be created from wood or a sword may be created from iron ore. Does this mean it's 'magical'? Perhaps this is why Galadriel's statement at the Mirror was obscure. Seems to be just somethin learned.

Tolkien states that the intended use of 'Magic' (and he is quite doubtful of even that constrictive defining term) makes it 'evil' or 'good' not that magic itself is like evil or good. Most of this magic above uses combos of the two magics blended into one item. Palantiri (Preservation from the stone and Dominate from the mind speech), Deadmen of Dunharrow (Preservation of spirit in Arda and Dominate for conditional release), Wights tied to the gold of the mound (Preservation and Dominate) which Bombadil disperses outside to break the spell, and other such marriages of these magic types. Dominate is not simply of One will Dominating another, but of imposing one's will upon something, and how much this melds with Preservation magic is like questionable as they really seem to be the same, but maybe it's just the intended usage. Can't see where Eru steps directly into this equation at all.

So how was the quick trip around the lane? Did we wander far from the path?

</p>