May 13, 2002

Gandalf, Alchemist and Magician
Simon

The clue about why Gandalf does not simply magic himself out of the Balrog's clutches is that he is an agent of transformation for the whole of middle earth. If he simply jumped back up to the bridge of Khazad Dum, whistled for Gwahir and plonked the ring into Mt Doom nothing would change. Imagine if Christ came to earth, fixed everything in a blast of white light and then ascended back up again. In six months things would return to bleak normality. Christ redeemed the world be weaving himself into the very earth. Ok Gandalf is no allegorical christ figure but he must accomplish the same thing. If he simply kapowed the Balrog, grabbed a white robe and healed the world of the Dark Lord he would have the same impact as an Isildur ie not much. We would find a dusty manuscript in the vaults of Minas Tirith which would tell of a wizard in white who made everything better for a couple of years until it all fell apart. Gandalf must make his evolution part of the evolution of the whole earth. Gandalf can only do this by choosing to limit himself and his powers and by becoming part of the earth itself. Gandalf uses sacred magic not magic tricks. Sacred magic will put him at the centre of evolution. Through sacred magic the Balrog can be used as a sacred fire. Fire is the only alchemical element that can do this. Then by his simple redeemed presence amongst all the folk of middle earth Gandalf has impact. He kapows Gimli's axe to show he can but chooses not to intervene after that except as an inspiration. Gandalf can then be a truly magical presence and not just a magic act. By weaving himself into the evolution of the earth he can give it a little tilt away from the direction of evil.