Lord of the Rings Exposed ─ Gandalf the Wizard and Tolkien the Master of Deception (Is Lord of the Rings Occultic?)

Lord of the Rings Exposed ─ Gandalf the Wizard and Tolkien the Master of Deception (Is Lord of the Rings Occultic?)

In this article, we will look at some of the symbols and messages

in some of Tolkien's LOTR books and writings. We will see if they are occultic, or not. 

We'll look at the "Doors of Durin", the White Tree of Gondor, Gandalf's true identity as

one of the Istari, and more.

Many have researched into occult aspects of various books and movies. Some have pointed out actual witchcraft portrayed for entertainment in fictional books and movies, such as Star Wars and Harry Potter. The occult world is very active in these days in which we live. But, are J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings novels free of anything occultic? Or, do they include occult themes and symbols?

To answer those questions, we’ll start with an important character in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Gandalf is a wizard who demonstrates magical power through spells and by use of his staff. But, according to J.R.R. Tolkien, Gandalf is not a human being. Tolkien described Gandalf in this way:

“But G. [sic] is not, of course, a human being (Man or Hobbit). There are naturally no precise modern terms to say what he was. I wd. [sic] venture to say that he was an incarnate 'angel'... that is, with the other Istari, wizards, 'those who know', an emissary from the Lords of the West, sent to Middle-earth, as the great crisis of Sauron loomed on the horizon. By 'incarnate' I mean they [the Istari / wizards] were embodied in physical bodies capable of pain, and weariness, and of afflicting the spirit with physical fear, and of being 'killed', though supported by the angelic spirit they might endure long, and only show slowly the wearing of care and labour. ...” [A.] [End quote] (underline added)

Tolkien described Gandalf (and the other the Istari wizards) as having a physical body that suffers from weariness and pain, but that is controlled by an angelic spirit. Thus, Gandalf was an “incarnate angel”. Half man, half angel creatures are found in Genesis chapter 6.

Genesis 6 and the Fallen Angels

Genesis 6:1-5

“[1] And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, [2] That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. [3] And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. [4] There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

[5] And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” [End quote]

The phrase “sons of God” was used in the book of Job to refer to angelic beings in Job 1:6. Some of the angels that joined Satan, and rebelled against God, desired to pollute the human race with angel blood to prevent the coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. That is why these fallen angels took human women to be their wives.

Before we look more into what Gandalf really is, we need to define what the Bible says a man’s spirit is. God breathed into Adam and Adam became a living soul. Genesis 2:7 ─ “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

We are living beings because of God breathing us into existence, but a hybrid (man-angel) cannot be given a spirit because it would not be human. God did not create hybrid giants. He created people in His own image. The devil interfered with God’s plan, and that is one of the reasons that God had to destroy the world with a flood (Genesis 6:9-15). But, in addition to the giant hybrids, the wickedness of the pre-flood world was very great.

Again, according to Tolkien, Gandalf was an “incarnate angel”. Referring back to what Tolkien wrote ─ “I wd. [sic] venture to say that he was an incarnate 'angel'. … By 'incarnate' I mean they [the Istari / wizards] were embodied in physical bodies capable of pain…”

Since God does not put a newly created spirit into the body of a hybrid, the devil would have to put the spirits of fallen angels into the bodies of the giants. During the days of Joshua, the son of Nun, ancient Israelites had to fight against giants, such as Og, the king of Bashan. Og’s enormous height is found here:

Deuteronomy 3:11

“For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.”

Having a bed 9 cubits in length, this giant, Og, was about 15 feet tall, if we go according to the royal Egyptian cubit (See Endnote 1.). The reason we are looking at Og is to point out that he was not a man with a pituitary disease, which keeps people suffering from Gigantism from living long (See Endnote 2). And, it is almost certain that Og was a hybrid (See Endnote 3).

Gandalf was not a giant, but he was what Tolkien would describe as an angel spirit in a human-like body (incarnate angel). This is very similar to the condition of the Genesis 6 giants, which God had to destroy. Gandalf should, therefore, not be someone you would want your children to read about.

Occult Symbolism in The Lord of the Rings

In The Fellowship of the Ring, the door of Durin can magically open into the underground world of Moria by speaking a magic word (a.k.a. a spell). It has a special design that J.R.R. Tolkien made for this novel. The design depicts two trees (that slightly resemble vines) wrapped around two pillars. Above the pillars is an arch with elvish writing (a language J.R.R. Tolkien came up with) within. Between the pillars are a large star; a hammer and anvil; a crown; and seven stars. Let’s keep in mind the crown and seven stars as we continue, for they will be significant.

Others have noted the similarity between this Tolkien drawing and a masonic diagram (The Royal Arch tracing board), representing the Royal Arch degree, which also displays seven stars under the signs of the zodiac (occult symbols). In the alchemical version of the “tracing board,” there are two vines wrapped around candlesticks, like the two trees of Tolkien’s diagram. Again, seven stars appear above. Underneath them is an eagle with a crown, which resembles the position of the crown in Tolkien’s illustration.

The Coronated Eagle Explained

This “crowned” eagle is another version of the double-headed eagle or the phoenix. Masonic authors sometimes refer to this symbol as an eagle. Manly P. Hall, a 33rd degree Freemason, wrote that the phoenix was also called an eagle. I took this quote from a website:

‘Manly P. Hall, in his book, The Lost Keys of Freemasonry , states, "These were the immortals to whom the term 'phoenix' was applied, and their symbol was the mysterious two-headed bird, now called an eagle , a familiar and little understood Masonic emblem ."’ [B.] [End quote]

Albert Pike, a 33rd degree Freemason, wrote in his book Morals and Dogma:

"The Eagle was the living Symbol of Egyptian God Mendes or Menthra, whom Sesostris-Ramses made one with Amun-Re, [sic] the God of Thebes and Upper Egypt, and the representative of the Sun, the word RE meaning Sun or King." [C.] (emphasis added)

Going back to the masonic diagram, we have an eagle with a crown, underneath seven stars. According to 33rd degree masons, the eagle is a symbol of the sun god, Ra (or Re). On Tolkien’s “Doors of Durin” diagram, we see a crown beneath the seven stars. Some may argue that that the seven stars are seven dwarven kings. But, in the Royal Arch tracing board, they have significance to the summer solstice. Listen to what a Freemason writes concerning the Royal Arch “tracing board”:

"Below the keystone we see the 7 stars that represent the Pleiades. The arch expresses the importance of the summer solstice near the Pleiades!" [sic] [D.] [End quote]

The summer solstice (indicated by those 7 stars) is an important event for witches. The late David J. Meyer, a former witch, who became a Bible-believing Christian, wrote an article exposing a scene from Prince Caspian (The Chronicles of Narnia) as a “...witches’ sabat of Midsummer or the Summer Solstice...” [E.] [End quote]. The scene in C.S. Lewis’ book had Bacchus (a pagan god of wine and lust) and Maenads (frenzied women) dancing wildly around a bonfire, with Aslan present.

The Occult Meaning of the “Doors of Durin”

Now, let’s return to Tolkien’s illustration of the “Doors of Durin.” It has a crown with seven stars, like the alchemical design has seven stars over a coronated eagle. As we saw, the eagle, according to Albert Pike, is a symbol of a sun god. Is is possible that J.R.R. Tolkien was familiar with occult symbols and beliefs? And, did he adapted some of these to his Lord of the Rings novels? Is it possible that Tolkien was promoting the occult through his books?

The symbol for the white tree of Gondor, in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movies, has seven stars, which are supposed to represent the seven stars of the royal House of Elendil (from wikipedia). Why would Tolkien have 7 stars and a crown for the dwarves and 7 stars and a crown for Gondor (humans)? Were they actually representing something with a deeper meaning?

An Explanation for the Symbolism in the Door of Durin

Let’s sum up what we know. We know from Albert Pike that the eagle represents the sun god to higher masons. We know that the seven stars are connected to the summer solstice (which is related to or part of sun worship), which is also important to witchcraft. We know that the seven stars are above a coronated eagle in an occult, alchemical design. Could this eagle (sun god) represent Lucifer? Could the crown in The Lord of the Rings symbols (“Gondor” and “Durin”) represent Lucifer or the Antichrist returning to the earth? Satanists and occultists believe that a powerful leader is coming to bring in a new age of esoteric (or occult) “enlightenment.”

Some may object that J.R.R. Tolkien was a “Christian.” But, many professing Christians have joined masonic lodges. Also, Tolkien was actually a Roman Catholic. Catholics hold unbiblical teachings that require trusting in Mary to assist them through a process of performing good works to be completely saved from sin. But, the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ alone is He Who saved the believer in Jesus from his (or her) sin. Romans 4 says...

Romans 4:4-7

4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says: “[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Therefore, being Catholic, Tolkien was not a true, Bible-believing Christian. We know that he was fascinated with the occult and pagan mythology.

“The Inklings”

Tolkien was part of a group of writers called “The Inklings.” Charles Williams, a prominent member of this small group, was fascinated with the occult and wrote occult themes into his books. In Williams’ The Greater Trumps (novel), supernatural, occult powers are released by way of tarot cards. According a Wikipedia article that refers to the book:

“The original Tarot deck is used to unlock enormous metaphysical powers by allowing the possessors to see across space and time, create matter, and raise powerful natural storms.” [F.]

Other stories Charles Williams wrote include necromancy (supposedly speaking to spirits of the dead); black magic to contact spirits; occult powers; ghosts; and other occult topics. All of this God forbids in Deuteronomy 18:9-14 and throughout the Bible.

According to researcher Grevel Lindrop, Charles Williams was a close friend of Tolkien. Lindrop writes:

"...Williams, a devout Anglican as well as a former member of the Fellowship of the Rosy Cross and a specialist in Tarot and Kabbala, was a close friend of Tolkien during the years of the Second World War, and an even closer friend - almost, indeed, a spiritual adviser - to C. S. Lewis....” [G.] [End quote] (underlining added)

Last Words (or Final Thoughts)

Could J.R.R. Tolkien, who had friendships with occultists, who was a devout Catholic, who was fascinated with the occult and paganism, produce novels that are spiritually edifying and godly? Should a Christian read such novels? By looking at Tolkien’s fruit, we can see that he did not bear the fruit of a true Christian or of a godly man.

I encourage you to seek God about Tolkien and about other authors you may like. God will show you the answers to your questions. In Jeremiah 33:3, God says to you and me: “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

Getting to Know God as Our Best Friend Is the Answer to the World’s Ways and Temptation.

God calls us Christians to come out of the world, and be separate from its ungodly ways (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 — "[17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, [18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."

Getting to know God as our best Friend is the answer to all of life's problems, and is what living is truly all about. Jesus said in John 17:3: "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

Psalm 16:11

[11] Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Psalm 36:7-8

[7] How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

[8] They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

If you are coming here as a non-Christian, I encourage you to read this. God desires to have fellowship with you, as you make Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior.

____________________________________________

Endnotes:

1. Moses, the likely writer of Deuteronomy, was raised by the Pharaoh’s daughter (Exodus 2:10) and would have known the Egyptian cubit.

2. The tallest man on record is the late Robert Wadlow, who was 8 ft. 11 in. Og was almost twice Wadlow’s height. Keep in mind that God is faithful to preserve His Word, the Bible (Psalm 12). When God describes a giant that is a little less than 9 cubits (about 15 feet) tall, He means exactly that. Therefore, It is certain that unnaturally tall giants did exist.

3. Genesis 6:4 mentions how (hybrid) giants were produced after the events of Genesis 6.

__________________________

References:

[A.] Tolkien,  J.R.R. (Carpenter, Humphrey). "The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien." books.google.com.

[B.] “Freemasonry The worship of Lucifer, SATAN Part 2 of 5.” theforbiddenknowledge.com.

[C.] Pike, Albert. "Morals and Dogma : Scottish Rite in Freemasonry." books.google.com. (pg. 108 of 438).

[D.] "Royal Arch Tracing Board." taughtbydegree.wordpress.com.

[E.] Meyer, David J. "The Witchcraft of the Narnia Chronicles." lasttrumpetministries.org.

[F.] “Charles Williams (British writer).” en.wikipedia.org.

[G.] “The INKLINGS - Charles Williams.” crossroad.to.

Other referenced sites:

- “J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.” illuminati-news.com. (http://www.illuminati-news.com/tolkien-occult.htm#1)

- “The Lord of the Rings Symbolism.” darkstar1.co.uk. (http://www.darkstar1.co.uk/ring.html)