Of the Wizards

"Even as the first shadows were felt in Mirkwood there appeared in the West of Middle-earth the Istari, whom Men called the Wizards"(p. 299, The Silmarillion). Sauron is rising and the Wizards arrive to fight his evil. I read sections from several books to gain fascinating insight about the Istari.

It appears that the Valar, summoned by Manwë, (and perhaps at the leading of Eru) held council and decided to send forth emissaries to Middle-earth as Sauron was rising. "'Who should go? For they must be mighty, peers to Sauron, but must forego might, and clothes themselves in flesh so as to treat on equality and win the trust of Elves and Men. But this would imperil them, dimming their wisdom and knowledge, and confusing them with fears, cares, and wearinesses coming from the flesh'" (p. 393, Unfinished Tales). Indeed, the Wizards are of the Maiar, helpers to the Valar and angel-like; supernatural if you will. If you've followed this blog you probably have a good idea that I would call myself a Christ-follower and so the idea of these supernatural beings clothing themselves in flesh is not a new concept for me. Indeed, Christ left His place in the eternal Trinity to wrap himself in the flesh of humanity to live a life of obedience to God the Father and offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice for humanities sin, our rebellion and falling away from God. I like the way Tolkien writes of the Maiar being burdened with the cares and wearinesses that come with flesh and bone and it makes me think, to some degree, of what Jesus endured while wrapped in skin. It's a cool idea incorporated by Tolkien with shades of the epic Biblical story.

It appears that it was originally decided that three messengers would go forth. Curumo was chosen by Aulë and Alatar was chosen by Oromë. "Then Manwë asked, where was Olorin? And Olorin, who was clad in grey, and having just entered from a journey had seated himself at the edge of the council, asked what Manwë would have of him. Manwë replied that he wished Olorin would go as the third messenger to Middle-earth...But Olorin declared he was too weak for such a task, and that he feared Sauron. Then Manwë said that that was all the more reason why he should go, and that he commanded Olorin...But at that Varda looked up and said: 'Not as the third'; and Curumo remembered it" (p. 393, Unfinished Tales). In the end Curumo was begged by Yavanna to take Aiwendil with him and Alatar took Pallando his friend.

And so it was that the Istari left the uttermost West and entered Middle-earth. "None knew at that time whence they were, save Círdan of the Havens, and only to Elrond and Galadriel did he reveal that they came over the Sea" (p. 299, The Silmarillion). They appeared in likeness as old men yet hale and they aged little.They were vigorous with much wisdom and power. "Long they journeyed far and wide among Elves and Men, and held converse also with beasts and with birds; and the peoples of Middle-earth gave to them many names for their true names they did not reveal" (p. 300, The Silmarillion).

Curumo was known as Saruman. Olorin was Gandalf. Aiwendil was Radagast. Alatar and Pallando were called the Blue Wizards but they do not play a role in these histories. Radagast was a friend of all beasts and birds, Saruman dwelt chiefly among men being subtle in speech and skilled in smithcraft. Gandalf, also known as Mithrandir, was closest with the Elves and journeyed far and wide never making a lasting abode. Saruman journeyed into the East and upon his return settled in the tower of Orthanc in the Ring of Isengard which had been a Númenórean tower.

The Wizards belonged to the Third Age of Middle-earth. And as the shadow of Sauron lengthened they became more active. "Then far and wide rumour of their comings and goings, and their meddling in many matters, was noised among Men; and Men perceived that they did not die, but remained the same...while the fathers and sons of Men passed away. Men, therefore, grew to fear them, even when they loved them, and they were held to be of Elven-race..." (p. 388, Unfinished Tales). But Elves they were not yet only the Wise knew they were Maiar. Being veiled in flesh they subject to suffering hunger and thirst and their bodies could be slain.

The reason the Istari were chosen to counter Sauron was based on past events in history. "And this the Valar did, desiring the amend the errors of old, especially that they had attempted to guard and seclude the Eldar by their own might and glory fully revealed; whereas now their emissaries were forbidden to reveal themselves in forms of majesty, or to seek to rule the wills of Men or Elves by open display of power, but coming in shapes weak and humble were bidden to advise and persuade Men and Elves to good, and to seek to unite in love and understanding all those whom Sauron, should he come again, would endeavour to dominate and corrupt" (p. 389, Unfinished Tales). Indeed, a wise plan methinks. They come humbly, as one of us, being able related to the cares and burdens of the people of Middle-earth and therefore can be trusted. Again, reminiscent of the Biblical narrative; that Jesus walked in this world experience all that you and I do. He is a God that can relate, empathize, and can be trusted because of it.

The total number of Wizards was unknown. But the five mentioned above came into the North where the remaining Eldar and the Dúnedain resided. The first to come was Saruman, clad in white, and regarded by nearly all as the head of the order. "Others there were also: two clad in sea-blue, and one in earthen brown; and the last came who seemed the least, less tall than the others, and in looks more aged, grey-haired, and grey-clad, and leaning on a staff" (p. 389, Unfinished Tales). But Círdan, who met the Wizards at the Grey Havens discerned that this last one clad in grey, Gandalf as he would become known, was truly the greatest. Círdan who possessed Narya, one of the Three Elven rings, gave it to Gandalf saying, "'Take this ring...for your labours will be heavy; but it will support you in weariness that you have taken upon yourself. For this is the Ring of Fire, and with it may you rekindle hearts in a world that grows chill. But as for me, my heart is with the Sea, and I will dwell by the grey shores until the last ship sails. I will await you.'" (p. 366, The Return of the King).

Gandalf took the ring keeping it secret (I wonder if the ring aided him with his skill with fire; remember those splended fireworks at Bilbo's party?) and yet Saruman the Wise discovered the gift. He begrudged Gandalf because of it (and don't forget the note above when Varda declared Olorin was not the third) and grew bitter. Gandalf and Saruman would each play vital roles in the War of the Ring at the end of the Third Age.

Less is known of the other Wizards. "Of the Blue little is known in the West, and they had no names save Ithryn Luin 'the Blue Wizards'; for they passed into the East with Curunir [who is Saruman], but they never returned, and whether they remained in the East pursuing there the purposes for which they were sent; or perished; or as some hold were ensnared by Sauron and became his servants, is not now known" (p. 390, Unfinished Tales) Indeed, being in clad in flesh the Wizards, though Maiar, were able to stray from their purpose and even perform evil and forgetting the good purpose for which they were sent. Which really should not be a surprise, given Sauron's own history.

As for Radagast the Brown (who I was excited to see portrayed in the Hobbit movie; even though he had no formal role in the book) a little more is known. "For Radagast, the fourth, became enamoured of the many beasts and birds that dwelt in Middle-earth, and forsook Elves and Men, and spent his days among the wild creatures" (p. 390, Unfinished Tales).

"Indeed, of all the Istari, one only remained faithful, and he was the last-comer" (p. 390, Unfinished Tales). I love this, especially since we know Olorin declared himself too weak and fearful of the task when asked by Manwë. He alone fulfilled the purpose designed by the Valar under the One. Which brings another spiritual reminder that when all seems silent, abandoned, and/or forgotten that does not mean that God is not at work bringing about his sovereign purpose. Gandalf is a remarkable character and perfectly portrayed by Sir Ian McKellen in The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. So I will end this post with a beautiful quote that describes Gandalf the Grey Messenger; Mithrandir; Olorin.

"Warm and eager was his spirit (and it was enhanced by the ring Narya), for he was the Enemy of Sauron, opposing the fire that devours and wastes with the fire that kindles and succours in wanhope and distress; but his joy, and his swift wrath, were veiled in garments grey as ash, so that only those that knew him well glimpsed the flame that was within. Merry he could be, and kindly to the young and simple, and yet quick at times to sharp speech and rebuking of folly; but he was not proud, and sought neither power nor praise, and thus far and wide he was beloved among all those that were not themselves proud" (p. 390-391, Unfinished Tales).

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, circa 1000
Today's reading comes from: The Silmarillion, page 299, Unfinished Tales, pages 388-394, and The Return of the King, pages 365-366