In Chapter 11 of The Silmarillion, the Valar put forth their power to help the Trees bear one last fruit and flower, and then place them in the sky as celestial lights to illuminate all of Arda: the Sun and Moon. We also delve into some of Tolkien’s own concerns about his astronomical myth. Finally, the Valar go shopping for a home security system, but instead opt for a really, really big wall.
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It’s a beautiful chapter. I absolutely loved your insight on Arien and Tilion: so many interesting details and parallels. My favourite one has to be the one about Tilion being the first to rise to the skies just as the Elves are the first to awake in Middle-earth. Amazing stuff!
Thank you, Olga! It’s one of my favorite chapters as well (and Alan’s, too). I’m so glad we have it in this form in the finished story, even though Tolkien had some second thoughts.
So I’ve only recently discovered your podcast and am binging my way through episodes. I love every second of it! I do have a question about the action of Manwë in this chapter and Varda earlier in the Silmarillion. What exactly does it mean when it says that Manwë hallowed the fruit and flower? Varda also did this with the Silmarils. Being an Orthodox Christian I’m familiar with the action of hallowing an object as it becomes a vessel of God’s grace. What does it mean in these instances with the Valar?
Thank you, Jessie! We’re glad you found us and hope you enjoy catching up!
In its most basic sense, the word “hallow” simply means “to make holy”. I believe Tolkien means it in this general sense: to make holy, or to sanctify. It’s not entirely clear what specific effect this has on the object that’s “hallowed”, and it probably varies from case to case. But it certainly marks the object as especially holy or sacred, and also implies some special protection or dispensation by a divine (or semi-divine) entity. This can be a protection against evil, as when Varda hallows the Silmarils so that they burn the wrong hands… I believe that Vingilot being hallowed is also meant to protect it. Or it can be a special blessing, as when Melian hallowed the waters of Tarn Aeluin. Or it can be a divine gift, as when Ilúvatar will hallow the Dwarves and give them a place among the Children in the end times. But in all cases, it shows a special appreciation on the part of the Valar or other entity doing the hallowing.