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one of my friends, who knew a lot of Greek and Roman mythology, had trouble understanding that the Valar were not like the Greek and Roman gods, that there were not Valar of love, and war and the moon, etc. She thought that-for example-Varda was the "goddess" of the stars, Yavanna was the 'goddess' of the earth...
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Posted by Novlamothien
I don't know too much about this either, but I can see where your friend is coming from. I read the part where they explain each Valar again and in my opinion there are ties between them and not just greek mythology, but I see others as well. Now when it comes to being Varda as the Goddess of the stars you are right for the Valar are not assigned to just one thing. But neither are the Greek gods. For example, my favorite and patron Apollo is mostly known as the God of the Sun. Well like Varda being the lady of the stars he is much more than a sun god. He is the god of music and dancing, of prophecy, of healing, of truth (he can't tell a lie) of argiculture, protector of young men. So I feel that your friend was right when we dig a little deeper and is the not such an "annoying unbeliver".
I hope that answers your question and sheds light on the subject.
Unless you meant that the Valar are not "Goddesses" but I too have always seen them as that for they are still deities whatever name you give them. And when I say deities I mean an imbodiment of energy that we believe in a pray to, ei, God, Jesus, Allah, Budha, Apollo.
Which is exactly what the Valar are.