Source of Magic

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Rumil

Were Gandalf's flashes and bangs (eg in Goblin Town) magic or gunpowder or both?

That depends on whether Gandalf would carry gunpowder in his pockets. Seems a bit dangerous.
I'm inclined to think it was 'magic', as he was clearly able to create fire (as he did on Caradhras) simply by speaking a few well chosen words.
And what of his encounter with the Ringwraiths on Weathertop?

I was hard put to it indeed: such light and flame cannot have been seen on Weathertop since the war- beacons of old.

Surely he isn't dependant on gunpowder for such varied displays.