The River Mother??? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Finwe · 11-15-2003, 01:02 PM

Hmmm... that is an interesting possibility.

In many creationist myths, the father is constantly jealous of his children, and even seeks to kill them. It is the mother who has to step in to protect them and/or avenge them. The Uranus/Gaea myth is an excellent example. When Uranus saw the Cyclopes and Hundred-Handed Ones (who were his "uglier" children, compared to the Titans), he either pushed them back into their mother's womb (OUCH!!!!!) or sent them to Tartarus. Gaea (obviously in a LOT of physical and emotional anguish) persuades her youngest son Cronos, leader of the Titans, to ambush Uranus, and cut off his *cough cough* genitalia with a sickle (given by her). Thus, her children were avenged. I think that story can be applied to the sort of "relationship" between OMW and RW. RW (and Goldberry, along with Tom) help protect the denizens of the forest and hapless wayfarers from OMW and his "evil" Minion-Trees. In a sense, it is the Uranus/Gaea myth repeating itself.

11-15-2003, 01:02 PM	#21
Finwe Deathless Sun Join Date: May 2003 Location: The Royal Suite in the Halls of Mandos Posts: 2,609	Hmmm... that is an interesting possibility. In many creationist myths, the father is constantly jealous of his children, and even seeks to kill them. It is the mother who has to step in to protect them and/or avenge them. The Uranus/Gaea myth is an excellent example. When Uranus saw the Cyclopes and Hundred-Handed Ones (who were his "uglier" children, compared to the Titans), he either pushed them back into their mother's womb (OUCH!!!!!) or sent them to Tartarus. Gaea (obviously in a LOT of physical and emotional anguish) persuades her youngest son Cronos, leader of the Titans, to ambush Uranus, and cut off his cough cough genitalia with a sickle (given by her). Thus, her children were avenged. I think that story can be applied to the sort of "relationship" between OMW and RW. RW (and Goldberry, along with Tom) help protect the denizens of the forest and hapless wayfarers from OMW and his "evil" Minion-Trees. In a sense, it is the Uranus/Gaea myth repeating itself. __________________ But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.