Tolkien, The Fall of Numenor: [Sauron] did not object to the existence of the world, so long as he could do what he liked with it. He still had the relics of positive purposes that descended from the good of the nature in which he began: it had been his virtue (and therefore also the cause of his fall, and of his relapse) that he loved order and coordination, and disliked all confusion and wasteful friction.
It’s Hobbit Day, as all civilized Shirelings know. Specifically, it’s Bilbo and Frodo’s birthday, as well as the autumnal equinox. I recommend shepherd’s pie and persimmon pudding, which is how we celebrated yesterday. (Leftovers today!) This morning I’m listening to the Weird Studies episode about Conan the Barbarian, mostly in preparation for an upcoming post. Of all the wonderful Weird Studies episodes, by the way, that is one of my favorites, both because it was a fun topic and because it bring back memories of one of my road trips, travelling between Corydon and Leavenworth.
Tolkien:
[Frodo] found himself wondering at times, especially in the autumn, about the wild lands, and strange visions of mountains that he had never seen came into his dreams.
Especially in the autumn. What is it about autumn that stirs up that wanderlust? I also feel it every year.
It’s sometimes said that Tolkien had no “magical system” underlying LOTR. This post makes a good argument that there is one, albeit more subtle than most.
Lovers of Tolkien’s legendarium: the YouTube channel In Deep Geek is worth your time.
Lord of the Rings has obviously had a huge impact on me. I’ve mentioned before how the Litany Against Fear from Dune is a part of my life. Recently the line from Wheel of Time has been popping into my head regularly: “The wheel weaves as the wheel wills.”
“How Jung and Tolkien Tapped into the Collective Unconscious”
Tom Shippey’s marvelous exposition of Tolkien’s Ringwraiths.
Happy 132nd birthday, J.R.R. Tolkien!
Happy Hobbit Day! Unfortunately I won’t have as much time for celebrating today but I will certainly have this music playing in the background.