On Star Lore: Vikings, Mesopotamian, Mediterranean, and Tolkien's Elvish Cosmology
Rev. Dr. Jay Grave
Pastor in the ELCA, Archaeo-Astronomer, Bjj Grappler, Husband, Dad
Rev. Dr. Jay R. Grave
The star lore of Viking and Mesopotamian cultures unveils a profound connection between celestial bodies, the divine, and human comprehension of the universe. In contrast, J.R.R. Tolkien’s Elvish cosmology, as portrayed in The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and The Silmarillion, and elaborated upon in his letters, offers a more transcendent, ethereal perspective on the heavens. By examining these traditions side by side, we can explore both their similarities and differences in how they inspire awe, shape myths, and connect mortals to the divine.
Viking Star Lore
In Norse mythology, stars were deeply intertwined with both gods and cosmic destiny. Viking cosmology, though grounded in the practicalities of navigation and agriculture, imbued stars with mythological significance. They were often linked to deities and the fate of the cosmos, especially regarding the prophesied end of the world, Ragnar?k. For instance, the Milky Way, known as Vígbláinn, or "the path of battle," symbolized the celestial battlefield where gods and giants clashed. The Vikings perceived the universe as cyclical—creation would inevitably lead to destruction, and the stars were integral to this cosmic rhythm.
Tolkien’s Elvish cosmology mirrors the Viking reverence for stars, yet diverges in its portrayal of fate. Whereas the Norse viewed stars as symbols of inevitable doom, Tolkien’s stars represent enduring hope. In Middle Earth, Varda, the Queen of the Valar, crafted the stars to illuminate the world even before the Sun and Moon existed. The Elves, as the firstborn of Ilúvatar, hold the stars in great reverence, often invoking Varda’s name in times of need. Samwise Gamgee’s invocation, “O Elbereth! Gilthoniel!” in The Two Towers exemplifies this deep spiritual connection. Unlike the Norse, for whom the stars foreshadowed destruction, Tolkien’s stars reflect an eternal, sacred order beyond mortal struggles.
Mesopotamian and Mediterranean Star Lore
The star lore of ancient Mesopotamia reveals a sophisticated understanding of the stars as both practical tools and divine messengers. Skilled in astronomy, the Mesopotamians meticulously charted the skies, associating celestial bodies with specific gods. The movements of stars and planets were seen as indicators of divine will, influencing human affairs. For instance, the planet Venus was linked to the goddess Ishtar (Inanna), symbolizing both love and war, and its appearance was interpreted as a sign of either prosperity or conflict. Unlike the fatalism of the Viking tradition, Mesopotamian star lore focused on divination and interpreting the gods’ intentions rather than the cosmos' ultimate end.
In the Mediterranean, particularly on the Maltese islands, ancient Phoenicians left a legacy of star lore woven into their religious practices. During a visit to the ?gantija temples on Gozo, some of the world’s oldest standing structures, I witnessed firsthand the celestial alignment of these ancient sites. The temples, dating back to 3600 BCE, were designed with precise astronomical alignments, suggesting a profound awareness of the stars’ movements for their commercial and religious significance.
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The Phoenicians, and later inhabitants of Malta, continued to use these sites for worship, venerating gods like Melqart and Astarte. As I stood among the massive stone structures, I felt an overwhelming sense of connection between the earth and the stars. The priests of that time likely studied the heavens to seek guidance, much like the Mesopotamians. Yet, in Tolkien’s cosmology, while there is still a profound reverence for the stars, their significance is not bound to prophecy. For the Elves, the stars serve as a reminder of their divine heritage and enduring beauty—a light that transcends the mortal struggles of Middle Earth.
Tolkien’s portrayal of stars, particularly in The Silmarillion and his letters, departs from the Mesopotamian use of stars as omens or tools of prophecy. For Tolkien, the stars were not predictors of fate but symbols of untainted beauty and divine creation. The Elves' veneration of the stars reflects a spiritual connection to the heavens, distinct from the Mesopotamians' utilitarian view of celestial bodies as part of a divine system. In Tolkien’s world, stars serve as reminders of hope and the eternal, unmarred by the corruption and struggles of Middle Earth.
Divergences and Conclusion
Ultimately, while Viking and Mesopotamian star lore depict the stars as intertwined with fate, prophecy, and divine intention, Tolkien’s Elvish cosmology elevates them as symbols of beauty, hope, and divine creation. The Viking vision of stars as harbingers of Ragnar?k and the Mesopotamian view of stars as divine tools of prediction underscores a more transactional relationship with the cosmos. In contrast, Tolkien’s stars, especially in the eyes of the Elves, reflect a purity and timelessness unclouded by mortal concerns.
My experience at the ?gantija temples deepened my understanding of how ancient cultures regarded the stars as both divine and practical. Although Tolkien drew inspiration from various mythologies, including Viking and Mesopotamian traditions, he ultimately crafted a cosmology that emphasizes a purer connection to the divine—a celestial vision that inspires hope, unburdened by the fears and anxieties of fate or prophecy.
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