Visit The *EVEN NEWER* Barrow-Downs Photo Page |
09-29-2002, 02:45 PM | #1 | |
Itinerant Songster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: The Edge of Faerie
Posts: 7,066
|
Have you seen.......?
In the final moments of LotR, Frodo, Bilbo and the Elves are riding west from the Shire to the Grey Havens.
Quote:
[ September 29, 2002: Message edited by: littlemanpoet ] |
|
09-29-2002, 05:11 PM | #2 |
Ghastly Neekerbreeker
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: the banks of the mighty Scioto
Posts: 1,751
|
Well, after my cat, Kittyhawk, passed on, I would see her out of the corner of my eye in my garden.
Perhaps ol' Kittyhawk was an Elf. An Elf who would bite toes. |
09-29-2002, 05:48 PM | #3 |
Spirit of Mischief
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Land of the free and home of the brave
Posts: 366
|
You meant to post this in Middle Earth Mayhem, right? I mean, it is obviously (I hope) a joke.
__________________
"Cats are like greatness: Some people are born into cat-loving families, some achieve cats, and some have cats thrust upon them." -William H. A. Carr |
09-29-2002, 05:56 PM | #4 |
Wight
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 228
|
LMP: I have had several experiences of catching something out of the corner of my eye... The most recent one was a yellow dog running across the road under my wheels late at night while I was driving: I swerved; nothing there. My strongest in-the-woods feeling was more bad then magical, I'm afraid. I walked up into a square little hilltop clearing with my cats (yep, I walk my cats... don't wanna hear it!) and had an overpowering feeling that this was a bad place; that something, some little living thing, had been killed there. That feeling I still can't explain. I still get it, too, if I go there; but perhaps it's by association now.
Birdland, once again, as so many times before, [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] . I have heard that Eol the dark elf bit toes on occasion, gently, and only by special request. Apparently that was one of the few things Aredhel liked about him. "It was not said that Aredhel was wholly unwilling, nor that her life in Nan Elmoth was hateful to her for many years..." Eol slacked off later in their attachment. If only he had kept up his kittenish attentions, it might have averted the fall of Gondolin! |
09-29-2002, 06:10 PM | #5 |
Itinerant Songster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: The Edge of Faerie
Posts: 7,066
|
Sorry to disappoint, red, but I am quite serious. Who knows what is real that we cannot see?
|
09-29-2002, 06:31 PM | #6 |
Pile O'Bones
|
Well ... have any of you ever been to Gettysburg (Pennsylvania)? I know it doesn't have anything to do with LotR BUT if you want to see some "swift shimmers under the trees" or "shadows flowing through the grass," that's the best place to find them. I'm pretty sure they're not Elves, but ( [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img] ) you never know! (j/p) And judging from my own experience, littlemanpoet, there's plenty real that we cannot see. I used to live in a haunted house (no joke!!!) and I'll vouch for the spirits anyday!
|
09-29-2002, 07:29 PM | #7 |
The Perished Flame
|
Back home there's a certain hill I can't climb because I become overcome by fear.
(Completely serious) It feels like the trees are watching me. It's a very creepy feeling.
__________________
"Man as a whole, Man pitted against the universe, have we seen him at all 'til we see that he is like a hero in a fairy tale?" |
09-29-2002, 07:41 PM | #8 |
Hostess of Spirits
|
When I was little I would always look for unicorns whenever we drove by some woods. I would always, in my mind, catch a shimmer or the light reflecting off of a horn. It was a beautiful image.
I tell ya, I wouldn'tmind running across an elf nowadays, because they would understand me more than a lot of people today do. I like to believe in things that we cannot see and to believe that the world may have some magic in it behind the concrete walls and pavement. I always get a deep feeling when I am surrounded by nature... this is why I chose to live by the lake. |
09-29-2002, 09:46 PM | #9 |
Wight
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Patchogue NY
Posts: 158
|
More than once in my posts about autumn I have mentioned seeing the spirits that once inhabited the woods on Long Island, where I live. It's harder to find them now, with all the nasty sodium-lights they've installed here. When we had white steet lights it seemed more favorable to the shades. Indians and farmers stride through our woods, Hessians and Revolutionary War soldiers seem to visit the shores off The Sound.
Worst ever for mischievious fairy-spirits was Ireland's tall stretches of pine forest, where only Monkshood (known to enchanters) is sturdy enough to grow. There, camping overnight, I was scared nearly witless by the never ceasing whispers in the branches,twigs falling and wind holwing thru the boughs. I do not relish camping in pine-forests to this day!
__________________
'Perilous indeed,' said Aragorn, 'fair and perilous; but only evil need fear it, or those who bring some evil with them. Follow me!' |
09-29-2002, 10:04 PM | #10 | |
Spirit of Mischief
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Land of the free and home of the brave
Posts: 366
|
Quote:
__________________
"Cats are like greatness: Some people are born into cat-loving families, some achieve cats, and some have cats thrust upon them." -William H. A. Carr |
|
09-29-2002, 11:48 PM | #11 | |
Hidden Spirit
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 1,424
|
Quote:
__________________
What's a burrahobbit got to do with my pocket, anyways? |
|
09-29-2002, 11:50 PM | #12 |
Shade of Carn Dûm
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bree
Posts: 390
|
Once I saw a beautiful woman clothed in star light... oh, wait... drug induced.
Oh, there was one time that I saw a cloud of green mist that glowed and... oh, wait... drug induced. There was this time that I was starring at the moon and it turned into a skull and came out of the sky... oh, wait... drug induced. Oh, yeah! I know! When I was sixteen I saw a ghost... crap! Drug induced. Well, there was this time... grrrrrr... drug induced too. Umm... well, guess not. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]
__________________
I prefer Gillaume d’Férny, connoisseur of fine fruit. |
09-30-2002, 01:15 AM | #13 | |
Brightness of a Blade
|
Quote:
Next, you'll go around saying there are no such things as aliens and Santa Claus [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]
__________________
And no one was ill, and everyone was pleased, except those who had to mow the grass. |
|
09-30-2002, 01:17 AM | #14 |
Brightness of a Blade
|
Btw, check out my signature, guys and gals.
What d'you suppose it implies??
__________________
And no one was ill, and everyone was pleased, except those who had to mow the grass. |
09-30-2002, 04:41 PM | #15 |
Itinerant Songster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: The Edge of Faerie
Posts: 7,066
|
Thanks, red and burrahobbit, for the much needed corrective. Now that it is clear that I am insane and off my rocker, let us continue with this in the full understanding that all such sightings are indeed hallucinations. I for one will be happy to keep hallucinating.
On a more serious note, this obviously taps into rather strong opinions. I am reminded of the words of the Marshwiggle in Lewis' "The Silver Chair" about preferring the lie to the truth if the truth is indeed so paltry. Anyway, I'll keep looking for the shifting lights. And better luck next time, Bill Furny. I love your signature, Evisse. It fits perfectly. |
09-30-2002, 04:47 PM | #16 |
A Ghostly Light
|
Dearest red and burrahobbit,
It is kind of sad to see people who think that because they haven't seen something, it does not exist. Not to say that I'm running around screaming "Elves are real! Believe, all ye people," but it would be nice if a bit of "willing suspension of disbelief" could be attempted. What do you say? And lmp, this is a great idea for a thread. Once I heard somebody singing when I was taking a night hike in what I thought was a deserted patch of woods. Now, all you cynical folk will say it was only a boy scout troup or whatever, but it was a magical moment.
__________________
If a kid asks where rain comes from, I think a cute thing to tell him is "God is crying." And if he asks why God is crying, another cute thing to tell him is "Probably because of something you did." |
09-30-2002, 04:57 PM | #17 |
Summoner of Lost Souls
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: At home, with my Strongbow
Posts: 521
|
Well, whatever it is that is roaming around in my apartment and making my poor cat freak out from time to time (and I'm not referring to myself) I'm sure it's not an elf. Or at least I don't believe it to be unless it's quite a mean one. But it's there and it loves to play with my hair and throw things at me. Go figure... [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]
And I'm just as sane as everybody else. Well... at least I don't hear the voices anymore.... [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [ September 30, 2002: Message edited by: Maikadilwen ]
__________________
-"Death borders upon our birth, and our cradle stands in the grave. Our birth is nothing but our death begun." |
09-30-2002, 11:44 PM | #18 |
Ghastly Neekerbreeker
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: the banks of the mighty Scioto
Posts: 1,751
|
Mine wasn't a hallucination.
|
10-01-2002, 12:05 AM | #19 |
Shade of Carn Dûm
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: The Pacific Northwest - Tir Nan Og
Posts: 306
|
It was mentioned once here at the Downs and personal knowledge that Scandavian beliefs put elves as the spirits of the dead. Or you can go to the british isle where they are spirits of trees or sprites who bring ill or good to people. Sometimes they are melovolent and sometimes kind.
If an elf existed, I would not want to enteract with one unless on good terms. The scottish do not call some the Unsellie for nothing.
__________________
Mes sana in corpec sano- (lt.) A sound mind in a sound body |
10-01-2002, 07:11 AM | #20 |
Brightness of a Blade
|
I'm bringing back one of my fave all time threads: Do we live in ME?because it deals with the the idea of belief - backed by evidence or not.
[ October 01, 2002: Message edited by: Evisse the Blue ]
__________________
And no one was ill, and everyone was pleased, except those who had to mow the grass. |
10-01-2002, 07:46 AM | #21 |
Wight
|
Thought I saw one once....turned out to be bunch of little kids playing pranks. Chased away with bats and a broomstick.
Saw one when playing paintball....but elves don't scream or surrender when shot. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] Saw another on shotgun range at BSA camp....had to drop everything and search for mysterious figure. Said mysterious figure recieved many a curse and threat. Now I wanna see a banshee....that would be interesting. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] Elenna-If you heard cursing, it would be a Boy Scout troop. Trust me. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] [ October 01, 2002: Message edited by: Ransom ]
__________________
"The blood of the dead mixes with the the flowing sand and grants more power to the killer."--Gaara of the Desert |
03-03-2004, 08:13 PM | #22 |
Wight
|
Um, just to clarify, I am Christian (as was Tolkien) and of the Lutheran denomination (know about Martin Luther? Yah, same guy.) and have never done drugs (been drunk, etc.). Part of our church's beliefs is "I believe in all things visible and invisible". Not saying there is elves, not saying there isn't. But I do believe 100% that there are things that we can't see or comprehend. But that's just me.
__________________
~*Just call on me, and I'm there. I'll always be your Sam*~
|
03-03-2004, 08:35 PM | #23 |
Wight
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Behind the hills
Posts: 164
|
Really, Lhundulinwen? I'm Lutheran too, and I didn't know that. Maybe that's because I didn't learn anything in Confirmation class...
Anyway, I've never really had an experience like that. Some of my relatives claim that there used to be a ghost in my grandparents' old farmhouse, but it's gone now. My cousin tried to convince me that there were fairies in my grandparents' fields, but then he started saying there was a werewolf, and it wasn't a full moon, so I didn't believe him. I would almost like to see something "weird", but I would be terrified.
__________________
"If we're still alive in the morning, we'll know that we're not dead."~South Park |
03-03-2004, 08:46 PM | #24 |
Ubiquitous Urulóki
|
I've seen elves in dreams. Does that count?
Honestly, I do respect these ideals. I do not believe I would ever physically see elves, but there are occasions when I believe that, because of Tolkein's influence on me, I see different aspects of his books relating to my mood or an event in my life. It's not actually seen by me, of course, but thinking I see them is very helpful.
__________________
"What mortal feels not awe/Nor trembles at our name, Hearing our fate-appointed power sublime/Fixed by the eternal law. For old our office, and our fame," -Aeschylus, Song of the Furies |
03-03-2004, 10:01 PM | #25 |
Ghost Prince of Cardolan
|
I think this topic is a testament to why the Lord of the Rings films are so popular. Everyone wants to believe in that something, that little magical Something that exists, and Lord of the Rings unites that Something with our world so convincingly, some of us can't hardly help but believe.
Do I believe Elves exist? No, unfortuately. But I do believe in the spiritual realm, that which exists outside of ourselves, because I too am a Christian. And permit me to assure you that there is Something outside of ourselves, a beauty likeunto that of the Elves, but far greater. Ha ha, PM me if you have any comments to me about that.
__________________
Eagerly awaiting the REAL Return of the King - Jesus Christ! Revelation 19:11-16 |
03-04-2004, 12:42 AM | #26 |
Wight
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Tottering about in the Wild
Posts: 130
|
Interesting idea, LMP. While I can't say I've ever seen elves, I did see an unexplained gray figure in our house when I was a kid. I thought I was imagining things until my dog growled at it. To be honest, it was quite frightening - if I see shimmery shadows I either try to ignore them or shine a flashlight in that direction.
For a more cheerful idea, I used to fancy that the two trees in our front yard whispered to each other when the wind rustled their leaves. (They were very nice trees!)
__________________
Not all those who wander are lost . . . because some of us know how to read a map. |
03-04-2004, 06:25 AM | #27 | |
Deadnight Chanter
|
Quote:
I always had a similar feeling in case of pine trees (I happen to lie under those in summer - in the place I usually go for my vacations. It's not far from the sea shore, up to hundred yeards, no more, soo the sea adds up to the effect)
__________________
Egroeg Ihkhsal - Would you believe in the love at first sight? - Yes I'm certain that it happens all the time! |
|
03-04-2004, 10:09 PM | #28 | |
Wight
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Tottering about in the Wild
Posts: 130
|
HerenIstarion:
Quote:
The idea of the 'talking trees' is a fancy I picked up after reading LOTR - it was the closest I could come to meeting an Ent!
__________________
Not all those who wander are lost . . . because some of us know how to read a map. |
|
03-05-2004, 01:12 PM | #29 |
Ghost Prince of Cardolan
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: commonplace city
Posts: 518
|
LITTLEMAN POET CONGRADULATIONS!
I see by this thread that YOU GET IT. lol thank you - you may pick up your prize at the 2nd tree on the left. Keep it up! |
03-05-2004, 01:52 PM | #30 |
Stormdancer of Doom
|
lmp-- yeah, but usually it takes me by surprise. I'd use the word "numinous" and attribute it to activity from the Kingdom of heaven; experiences with the kingdom of darkness are far less pleasant but more difficult to shake.
Continuing on in this pleasant vein of discussion, I do think it's easier to sense the presence of evil troops (eg, wraiths and barrow-wights) than the presence of God's troops. With regard to the Lutheran issue of believing in the unseen-- it sounds to me like you might be referring to the nicene Creed, which is worded slightly differently? The opening to the Nicene Creed (also used by Tolkien's catholic church and numerous christian denominations) goes like this: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible... ...meaning that God created all things, those that are visible, and those that are invisible. Hence, there are things that are invisible. But according to the creed the focus of the faith is in the creator, not in the Things invisible. From a scriptural standpoint, my great-great-grandfather pointed out that when when the disciples mistakenly thought Jesus was a ghost, Jesus did NOT say, don't be silly, there's no such thing. He said, Touch me, and see that I am flesh and bone like you. .....And yeah, I've always felt that elves bordered on the angelic.
__________________
...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve. Last edited by mark12_30; 03-05-2004 at 02:04 PM. |
03-05-2004, 01:57 PM | #31 |
Ghost Prince of Cardolan
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: commonplace city
Posts: 518
|
as the prof put it, elves are:
Humankind in its purest form we had that once, long ago |
03-05-2004, 02:01 PM | #32 |
Deathless Sun
|
You can believe what you want to believe. As for me, I find comfort in those little shimmers underneath the trees. There is a thick wood close by my house, and sometimes, to relax myself, I take long walks in it. While I'm walking underneath those trees, I sometimes see little glimmers out of the corner of my eyes. I'm not sure if they are people, but I do know that they are there. I would like to believe that they are Elves, and I am fairly sure that they are. I think that the spirits of the Elves can be found in each and every wood, meadow, glen, and waterfall in this world. We just need to have the sight with which to see them.
__________________
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. |
03-05-2004, 05:35 PM | #33 |
Wight
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Valhalla
Posts: 116
|
i reciently converted to druidism, and one of our beliefs is that ther is an "otherworld" if you will. every once and a while there will be an opening in the otherworld and a few spirits and such will cross that path and travel to the mortal realm. one catch though, they can not touch the ground or they will become dust, so that is why you see most ghosts and spirits 'fly"
but on a non-religious note, i believed in ghosts and other "faire" things long before i converted to druidism
__________________
As you go the way of life, you will see a great chasm. Jump. It is not as wide as you think |
03-05-2004, 06:48 PM | #34 |
Ghost Prince of Cardolan
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Bag-End, Under-Hill, Hobbiton-across-the Water
Posts: 606
|
What do you mean you want to see a Banshee, Ransom? Do you not know that if you see a Banshee you are going to die very soon? And if you hear one but do not see it it means a family member willl die soon??
Actually I kid, our days are determined by got not strange looking women running around in the woods. Even though in the back of my mind I know elves cannot exist, its still fun to imagine that they do. And you can imagine and believe anything you want and no one can stop you. Frankly, if mankind were not blessed with imagination, it would be a dreary existance. And I still continue to search the woods under the moonlight and starlight for the Eldar.
__________________
"I'm your huckleberry....that's just my game." |
03-06-2004, 01:57 AM | #35 | |
Deadnight Chanter
|
Quote:
__________________
Egroeg Ihkhsal - Would you believe in the love at first sight? - Yes I'm certain that it happens all the time! |
|
03-06-2004, 07:53 PM | #36 |
Wight
|
Wow! I'm one of the very few Lutherans around where I live, so I'm suprised other people know about our beliefs. I'm really shortsighted I guess. I didn't know other denominations use the Nicene Creed! I have learned something today. Thank you. Yes, that is what I was getting at. And I really 100% believe that there is a lot LOT bigger force outside of ourselves. (God, angels, demons, devil- GOD being the greastest of all). I doubt that there are elves, or have ever been, but I wasn't there at creation, so, I can't say with any athority.
P.S. I just remeber that little bit of Conformation class because I had it last year.
__________________
~*Just call on me, and I'm there. I'll always be your Sam*~
|
03-07-2004, 11:48 AM | #37 |
Princess of Skwerlz
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles)
Posts: 7,500
|
Here's another old thread that has resurfaced from the depths of the Books forum! Now we are placing topics like this, which are not actually discussions of Tolkien's books, on the Novices and Newcomers forum, so I'm moving this thread there.
__________________
'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...' |
03-21-2004, 08:24 AM | #38 |
Denethor's True Love
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Mirkwood. With Thranduil... *swoon*
Posts: 2,049
|
I've seen elves, faeries, ghosts, witches, moving trees (what are ents known as outside Tolkien?), and all sorts of creatures of the forest, whatever they may be.
I can't recall any "swift shimmers" as such, but definitely movements or flashes. There are still a few elves left in the forests.
__________________
'The Hobbit' 1st impressions: 1. Thorin is hot... Oh god, I fancy a dwarf. 2. Thranduil is hotter. 3. Is that... Figwit! 4. Does Elijah Wood never age? 2nd: It's all about Fili & Kili, really. 3rd: BARD! OMG, Bard. |
03-21-2004, 11:20 AM | #39 |
Haunted Halfling
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: an uncounted length of steps--floating between air molecules
Posts: 841
|
I always love discussions like this one, and I feel compelled to throw in the fact that I have seen Ents, about six years ago, in a wood outside Atlanta. I wasn't looking for them and it had been about 7 years since I had read LOTR. It had quite faded from my conscious brain at the time and I remember no sparks that would have brought it back to the forefront; but there was no other way I could describe what I saw.
Now I live on 120 acres of woodland and hills, and I hear the trees talk all the time (can't understand them, though). My backyard hackberry used to talk all the time, but unfortunately, it was struck by lightning and high winds and fell in two pieces last year. The cedars in the cemetery are constantly babbling; I am not sure if they're trying to tell me something or not, but I always say "Hi!" when I pass. I'm sure there are those who would pass off tree sounds as the play of wind in swaying branches or the glints in the forest as mere reflections of sunlight, but it is more satisfying to look at them without the filter of rationalization. It is more interesting to leave the analytical functions behind and simply see things without judging them. Why did I judge my visitors to be Ents? Well, I didn't, until I tried to describe them to someone else after the fact. Therein lies one of the eternal problems of Man--how to relate experience in words. Cheers! Lyta
__________________
“…she laid herself to rest upon Cerin Amroth; and there is her green grave, until the world is changed, and all the days of her life are utterly forgotten by men that come after, and elanor and niphredil bloom no more east of the Sea.” |
03-22-2004, 03:21 AM | #40 |
Wight
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Tottering about in the Wild
Posts: 130
|
Lyta,
Ents in the Deep South! Maybe I can meet one at last!! Now I'm wondering what Entish sounds like with a Southern accent
__________________
Not all those who wander are lost . . . because some of us know how to read a map. |
|
|