Source of Magic - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

mormegil · 07-09-2009, 10:47 AM

I am rereading, or listening to rather, the Fellowship on disc and a question has occurred to me I know not the answer.

What is the source of the magical power that Gandalf, Saruman, Radghast, Galadriel,Durin's Bane, Saruon and other possess? What can they do and how? We know Gandalf worked some lightning or some magic on Weathertop against the wraiths. He performed a sealing or locking spell on the door in the chamber of Marzbul, the lighting of the way by his staff. The balrog does a countr-spell against him at the door and it leaves him weary.

What 'magical' powers do each possess, how do they come across it and what is the power source of this magic?

Another example I just thought of is the girdle of Melian. Obviously most of the beings are maiar but not all, i.e. Galadriel and her mirror.

07-09-2009, 10:47 AM	#1
mormegil Maundering Mage Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 4,651	Source of Magic I am rereading, or listening to rather, the Fellowship on disc and a question has occurred to me I know not the answer. What is the source of the magical power that Gandalf, Saruman, Radghast, Galadriel,Durin's Bane, Saruon and other possess? What can they do and how? We know Gandalf worked some lightning or some magic on Weathertop against the wraiths. He performed a sealing or locking spell on the door in the chamber of Marzbul, the lighting of the way by his staff. The balrog does a countr-spell against him at the door and it leaves him weary. What 'magical' powers do each possess, how do they come across it and what is the power source of this magic? Another example I just thought of is the girdle of Melian. Obviously most of the beings are maiar but not all, i.e. Galadriel and her mirror. __________________ “I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”