The Hobbit Trail, Part 2: Imagination and Initiation

Faerie

Fairy stories are not stories about fairies; they’re stories about Faerie—the realm from which fairies have their origins. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings is a story of his personal quest into these inner worlds of the imagination—the world of Middle-earth. The unknown lands of Faerie are “a perilous realm,” says Tolkien; they’re extraordinary, fantastical, imaginative, and dangerous. To embark into Faerie is similar to the craft of cooking or baking, for it not only involves learning recipes and theories, it also involves the baking process and the results of enjoying the cake. Similarly, Faerie involves three parts: theory, a process, and the results which leads to a transformation of consciousness—initiation.

As when learning a new art or craft—like playing a musical instrument—the more one practices, the more skilled one becomes. Similarly, the more one engages with Faerie, the more one gets initiated into it. This imaginative process leads to—eventually—seeing reality from another side. The subtitle of The Hobbit is “there and back again,” which foreshadows the return from the "beyond." The effect of reading fantasy is that it primes the imagination and gets the reader near these worlds. Children find it easier to access Faerie than the rigid minds of the average adult. And most people think that fantasy tales are primarily for children, but fairy stories are for everyone—men, women, and children.

The secondary world of Faerie is “a reservoir of power,” says Tolkien, from which if one were to “drive a well down,” one will:

"...tap a power that can not only change the visible forms of things already existent, but spout up with a boundless wealth of forms of things never before known.” ~J.R.R. Tolkien

Initial Trials

Bilbo’s home was placed up on a hill in the village of Hobbiton, and when he departed on his adventure, he travelled down that hill, which symbolizes a psychological descent. The further away from home--our known world--the stranger the surroundings become. After traveling past familiar hobbit lands, the company encountered villages where the language was different; traveling further, they found themselves in isolated areas where no people dwelled. The uncomfortable weather conditions also represents a descent, for the rain was falling and the sun was setting. Initial trials often begin with a strange feeling of awkwardness and discomfort as one travels into unknown territories.

In any hero’s quest, there’s often a trail which was set and travelled by previous pilgrims, voyagers, and pioneers. But since the circumstances and conditions are always changing, this causes the journey to be different for each generation that follows a trail (path). Joseph Campbell’s theory of the Hero’s Journey proposes that there’s an archetypal trail—a map—which outlines the path, but the trail unfolds differently for each person; hence why stories differ for people who follow a similar path.

In the hobbit’s version of the hero’s quest, the company of dwarves recruited not a warrior, but a simple hobbit. The company didn’t think much of Bilbo, for he didn’t have any special abilities—he was considered inexperienced and lacking in courage. As the company travelled further away from the Shire, they crossed a bridge that went over a river; another symbolic theme that could represent the crossing of the threshold, the dividing line between the know lands and the unknown lands—the point of no return.

The company spotted a strange light from the distance, so they sent Bilbo on his first mission to investigate. Bilbo got closer to where the fire was coming from, a theme which represents a trial of fire is nearby. He discovered a group of trolls gathered around a camp fire roasting food. Trolls are representatives of the inner creatures people perceive, which dwell only in darkness and disappear when light arises; trolls are turned into stone upon sunrise, but in darkness, they wreak havoc.

Trolls

Bilbo in an effort to prove himself to Thorin—the leader of the company--decides to demonstrate his “burglar” abilities by attempting to steal a purse from the trolls. Bilbo failed in his mission and got captured by them. The dwarves then began to investigate why Bilbo hadn’t returned, which led them to getting captured as well. Gandalf eventually had to come to the rescue and rescue them, because the dwarves were about to get roasted in the fire. This was a simple yet dangerous mission which Bilbo not only failed, but caused the company to be involved as well.

During our early trials, they’ll typically be too challenging, hence the value of consulting a mentor, teacher, or guide. One must try new things in the world, and even if one fails, which first attempts often do, at least one can be proud that something new was attempted, and maybe next time, we can do it better.

In chapter two “Roast Mutton,” Bilbo faced his first real challenge which taught him that dangers are real and must be approached with skill and caution. Character development—in fiction and real life—is developed through facing challenges, and facing the fire. This process continuous with gradual amounts of increased intensity, which travelers gradually learn to overcome; as in the development of the hobbit’s story. Overcoming challenges lead to the next stage of any quest. Fortunately for Bilbo and company, Gandalf reappeared at the end of chapter two “Roast Mutton” and helped them escape their predicament. For the company was yet to be fully equipped with tools and weapons to handle great challenges.

Often, at the beginning of a quest, we may require assistance from individuals who have progressed further in development, like a mentor or guide, such as Gandalf in this case. This assistance should be sufficient to help us overcome our peril, similar to someone providing guidance at the gym without lifting the weights for us. Gandalf offers similar assistance, offering help when necessary and staying back when needed, for character development; similar to a parent or guardian who allows a child to learn by doing, and stepping in to guide when appropriate or necessary. And maybe that’s how the higher powers of the universe work as well.

Liminal Space

Bilbo and company later find themselves at a town called Rivendell, where Elrond and many elves live. Rivendell is a place that is in harmony with nature—sun, moon, stars, seasons, and cycles. Bilbo finds Rivendell pleasant, wishing that he could stay in that place, which reminds him of the comforts of the Shire. These experiences are called liminal spaces: a safe place in between the challenges of a quest, which offer a brief sense of peace and quiet. For even in the midst of a battle or epic quest, there is always an opportunity to rest and find that eternal sense of peace—either in meditation or prayer. Since the quest is already underway, they only briefly stay there before the journey must continue.  Tolkien made this chapter short in length, which reflects the plot of chapter three, “A Short Rest.”

A real-life scenario we can relate to is the experience we feel at a park—peaceful tranquility. For instance, in New York City, there’s Bryant Park and Central Park, which clearly express this sense of beauty, enchantment, and harmony with nature. It is where people go and rest after their jobs or during a weekend mini-retreat, like picnics and recreational activities at Central Park.

Liminal Spaces, or places of rest and tranquility are vital; that’s why people go to church on Sunday. These places offer opportunities to connect with nature or the divine world. New York has retreat Buddhist centers which host weekend events for renewal—activities like yoga and meditation. Some people may find peace in a museum, and many in church environments.  Regardless of retreat genre or preference, it’s important for people to have at least one place that offers a similar experience as Bilbo at Rivendell.

At this short rest, Elrond reveals to Thorin the news of a secret entrance on the side of the Lonely Mountain, which the company must arrive by a specific time in order for the door to be revealed on Durin’s Day, the dwarf’s new year. A mystical idea which this scene presents is that, often, astrological circumstances must be in alignment—"when the stars align” is a common phrase in modern culture. There are many instances along the quest where “chance” doesn’t just happen by accident. Some things are meant to occur when the circumstances and conditions are aligned—as in human psychological development. For example, children aren’t ready to understand what adults understand, and adults aren’t ready to understand what advanced initiates (wizards) see, for everything “has a time and a season” to properly manifest.

Along the path of any genre of quest, one will encounter allies, guides, teachers, and mentors. It’s at Rivendell that Bilbo encounters Elrond the lord of the elves. He offers his wisdom by reading the hidden layers of the map that Thorin carries. Every story at some point, introduces a mentor figure who guides the traveler along their quest. Elrond represents the keeper of wisdom who does not join the quest but equips them with enough tools to advance to the next stage of the journey. Elrond also reveals that the swords they found are of elven heritage; Bilbo’s sword now holds deeper significance, for spiritual weapons have a long legacy and are part of a long tradition.

Elrond decoding the map at Rivendell

A short rest is sometimes necessary in order to recharge and learn about the journey’s mystery which lies ahead. Some traditions offer and recommend this type of spiritual retreat at least once a week, in order to recharge, nourish, and uplift beings on a journey.

Recreating Reality

The fantasy genre of literature is a global phenomenon. A survey of the field will demonstrate its high demand—there’s the Harry Potter phenomenon and the Lord of the Rings enterprise of books, films, and tv series. Fantasy isn’t just an escape for readers and viewers, it’s what gives people wings to fly and discover new possibilities in the modern world. Fantasy tales are worth exploring for they offer an alternate view of the world, one more magical. Successful authors like J.K. Rowling have the privilege to dwell in those magical worlds because they have a strong support group of readers which cover her living expenses and gives her the luxury of being a full-time creative. But for most independent artist without a strong support system, they can only dwell in these creative worlds of fantasy world-building when not busy working for a living. But for most adults without a developed creative skill, television programs become the only creative outlet or escape. It’s obvious to see that creativity and fantasy is a vital aspect of human society--whether in literature, music, or television. 

J.K. Rowling

At some point in every adult’s life, the impulse to create and venture beyond the known world re-emerges, this is when new life begins. Buddhist call this effect rebirth, Christians call it being “born-again.” Regardless of the terms preferred, the idea is the same. Fantasy worlds allow new views of the world to emerge. We all must find a creative outlet to express our ideas, whether in art, writing, or preaching a positive message. 

Fantasy isn’t an escape as some people may think, it’s a portal which opens new worlds. And by studying the creative geniuses of our time, one may catch a glimpse of their world and hopefully acquire some of those skills of world-creating--tools that we can borrow to manifested our reality; skills and tools which originate in the field of fantasy worlds, which are full of potential creativity. But in order to effectively master the tools of the craft, one must venture beyond the limits of knowledge and enter Faerie, where the powers of the imagination await discovery, like a great treasure.