As a seasoned gamer and Tolkien enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in Middle-earth lore, I must say that these “witches” of “The Rings of Power” have truly piqued my interest. While they may not be the traditional witches one might think of, their enigmatic presence and powerful magic make them captivating characters in this expansive world.
One intriguing aspect of “The Rings of Power” Season 1 involves a recurring group of three enigmatic women dressed in white. These women mysteriously appear and pursue The Stranger (Daniel Weyman). Initially, they seek to enlist him into serving their master’s agenda, suspecting he is Sauron. However, when they uncover his true identity as an Istar (a superior order of wizards from J.R.R. Tolkien’s lore) in the Season 1 finale, and he realizes he can fight against evil forces because he is “good”, their initial intentions become malicious.
In Season 1, the three mysterious women served as an intriguing subplot, but they return in Season 2 with a powerful Dark Wizard by their side. The question arises: What exactly are these magic-wielding female adversaries? While it’s possible to label them witches, that term might not be entirely accurate according to Tolkien’s writings. A more fitting description would be cult followers or acolytes given our understanding of their mystical nature. In “The Two Towers,” Éomer refers to them as “net-weavers and sorcerers.” However, it’s been confirmed that they are not part of the Istari order. As we delve into the magical beings of Middle-earth, let’s discover what these three women from “The Rings of Power” might be called and how their character fits within Tolkien’s lore.
Wizards versus ordinary magic-wielders in Middle-earth
In his book “Unfinished Tales”, J.R.R. Tolkien makes it clear that the wizards in his stories are unlike ordinary magic-users. He notes that the Elvish word ‘istar’, which can mean ‘wizard’ or ‘wise’, doesn’t quite capture the distinction between the ‘Order of the Wizards’ and the ‘magicians’ and ‘wizards’ of later tales, as these were distinct entities in his stories.
The distinction here is important. If someone is a “Wizard” in Tolkien’s world, they are one of five named Wizards (he technically didn’t tell us how many Wizards there are in total). He describes this group in “Unfinished Tales” as “all Maiar, that is persons of the ‘angelic’ order, though not necessarily of the same rank. The Maiar were ‘spirits,’ but capable of self-incarnation, and could take ‘humane’ (especially Elvish) forms.”
It’s important to discuss the three witches since they haven’t been compared to anything other than a good and a bad Wizard thus far. The white-robed figures aren’t apprentice Wizards like the Istari. Instead, while they might not be the same, they could develop into potent magic-users in their unique ways, hinting at Tolkien’s exploration of less benevolent spiritual influences in his world.
Mortal magic-wielders in Middle-earth
In various parts of J.R.R. Tolkien’s works, mortals are depicted participating in magical practices and cult-like behaviors. For example, the Mouth of Sauron, the character Aragorn beheads at the Black Gate of Mordor in “The Return of the King” movie, is portrayed in the books as a turncoat who mastered powerful sorcery and was deeply connected to Sauron’s mind. Similarly, the Ringwraiths from “The Lord of the Rings” are described as once being kings, sorcerers, and mighty warriors. Additionally, the “Hobbit” book mentions that Dwarves would cast numerous spells on their treasure.
In J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth saga, one compelling argument for the presence of magical beings lies in the tale of the two Blue Wizards who were not extensively discussed. Originally, the purpose of these magical entities, known as the Istari, seemed to remain constant. However, as Tolkien grew older, he revised their narrative, portraying them as heroic figures who carried out duties similar to Gandalf, but in the eastern realms of Middle-earth instead.
Initially, he held a belief similar to Saruman’s, suggesting they had strayed from the path of wisdom earlier in their lives. In a 1958 letter (as archived by Laurelin), he expressed this thought as follows: “I believe they were sent to remote regions, East and South, beyond the reach of Númenóreans: missionaries, if you will, to lands under enemy occupation.” Later on, he suggests that their success is uncertain, but he fears they may have failed, much like Saruman did, although in different ways. He also speculates that they might have established or initiated hidden cults and magic traditions that persisted even after the fall of Sauron.
As a gamer immersed in “The Rings of Power,” I can’t help but notice the intriguing references to “magic traditions” and “secret cults.” These mysterious practices certainly lay the groundwork for the enigmatic witch narratives within the series. In the early stages of Season 2, we witness these groups employing spells and ritual sacrifices to resurrect a fallen comrade in their leader’s presence. This isn’t entirely unexpected, given Sauron’s ability to prolong the lifespans of the Nazgûl for millennia.
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2024-09-12 23:30