What does Athelas smell like to you? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Laurinquë · 11-17-2009, 09:19 PM

Spring air, the kind you get in late March and that makes you feel hopeful inside.

This reminds me of the Amortentia potion in Harry Potter (please don't eat me!) "the potion smells differently to different people according to what attracts them." Copying or coincidence?

Mnemosyne · 11-17-2009, 10:44 PM

As soon as I read about Amortentia in HBP I immediately thought of athelas.

However, there are some differences. First of all, HP states the personalized scent outright; in Tolkien it's only very lightly implied. Then there's the fact that athelas seems to correspond to who's supposed to be healed, not who's smelling it. And finally, presumably Amortentia would have considerable romantic elements to its scent.

For me (after a day's long thought), I'm going to have to go with the smell of sunshine, grass, and dirt, tinged with the faint whiff of freshly-laden sunscreen.

Morthoron · 11-17-2009, 10:55 PM

It smells like teen spirit.

No wait, that's what Nirvana smells like. After a shower more than likely.

It could smell like opium, as it seems to have the same relaxing effects. Not that I know what opium smells like, of course.

Hey! My eleventy-eleventh post! Another useless milestone reached with little or no effort. Woot!

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 11-18-2009, 04:25 AM

Bacon.

Thinlómien · 11-19-2009, 03:08 PM

Probably the sea and damp forest somehow combined. Or just one of them.

Or on a very different note... freshly printed paperbacks.

skip spence · 11-20-2009, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

Probably the sea and damp forest somehow combined. Or just one of them.

Yeah the sweet scent of the sea, and then I mean an actual ocean, is quite something, that might be it. I also enjoy a damp Scandinavian spruce and pine forest, but there's something stuffy, almost stifling about them too so I'm not sure it would be ideal bringing me back from the brink of death.

The pine forests of the Mediterranean region smells more like Athelas would I think.

Oh, and freshly baked cinnamon bun.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lush

But probably pot.

Have to admit that was the first thing that came to my mind too. Smells good. Or so I've heard.

Morthoron · 11-21-2009, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skip spence

Have to admit that was the first thing that came to my mind too. Smells good. Or so I've heard.

Yes, that's why I mentioned opium, which is very aromatic. It is not only the smell of Athelas, but the plant also has somewhat of a narcotic nature, allowing the grievously wounded a peaceful sleep.

I'm sure in the 4th Age bored Hobbit teenagers started putting Kingsfoil in their pipes to smoke.

11-17-2009, 10:44 PM	#2
Mnemosyne Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Between the past and the future Posts: 1,159	As soon as I read about Amortentia in HBP I immediately thought of athelas. However, there are some differences. First of all, HP states the personalized scent outright; in Tolkien it's only very lightly implied. Then there's the fact that athelas seems to correspond to who's supposed to be healed, not who's smelling it. And finally, presumably Amortentia would have considerable romantic elements to its scent. For me (after a day's long thought), I'm going to have to go with the smell of sunshine, grass, and dirt, tinged with the faint whiff of freshly-laden sunscreen. __________________ Got corsets?

11-17-2009, 10:55 PM	#3
Morthoron Curmudgeonly Wordwraith Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ensconced in curmudgeonly pursuits Posts: 2,515	What does Athelas smell like? It smells like teen spirit. No wait, that's what Nirvana smells like. After a shower more than likely. It could smell like opium, as it seems to have the same relaxing effects. Not that I know what opium smells like, of course. Hey! My eleventy-eleventh post! Another useless milestone reached with little or no effort. Woot! __________________ And your little sister's immaculate virginity wings away on the bony shoulders of a young horse named George who stole surreptitiously into her geography revision.

11-18-2009, 04:25 AM	#4
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	Bacon. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

11-19-2009, 03:08 PM	#5
Thinlómien Shady She-Penguin Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In a far land beyond the Sea Posts: 8,093	<- athelas leaf Probably the sea and damp forest somehow combined. Or just one of them. Or on a very different note... freshly printed paperbacks. __________________ Like the stars chase the sun, over the glowing hill I will conquer Blood is running deep, some things never sleep Double Fenris

11-17-2009, 09:19 PM	#1
Laurinquë Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 347	Spring air, the kind you get in late March and that makes you feel hopeful inside. This reminds me of the Amortentia potion in Harry Potter (please don't eat me!) "the potion smells differently to different people according to what attracts them." Copying or coincidence?