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| WHO ARE, OR WERE, THE ELVES? A VIEW FROM THE INSIDE |
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| There are many different belief systems regarding elves. Some say elves are mythical beings. They say that early man connected elves and fairies with spirits of the dead. Others said that there were people in Europe- less "advanced" folk, who stayed close to nature- and over the years, people turned them into "elves". Then there are the beliefs that elves are descended from angels, or fallen angels, and are "spirit beings". Some claim that elves are from outer space, and are an alien species. In Tolkien's account, elves are both spiritual and physical beings. Drawing from Norse Mythology, his portrait of elves is probably the most believable- this accounts for the fascination that his descriptions have had over the imaginations of his readers, many of whom, after reading his tales, came to believe that they, too, were elves.... Tolkien describes elves as being about the same height as humans, but with a slender physique, "bright" eyes, and not prone to aging as humans are. This, too comes from old sources. In many tales collected from centuries past, a woman would know that her child was a "changeling" by the childs precocity and spiritual abilities, as well as telltale physical signs- long limbs, large eyes and forehead, insatiable appetite coupled with slow growth/ageing. These childre do not, however, always have the "pointed ears" which are seen as typical to elves. The elf is typically depicted as having "magic" powers to see the future, affect the weather and crop growth, be able to give men blessigs or curses, be able to travel through space/time and shift their shapes. These are abilities which in our day fall under the category of "paranormal abilities". As the European society became more and more superstitious, those who had unusual abilities were often accused of being "witches" and elves came to be maligned as demonic. (Unless, of course, the one doing these things had official church sanction to do them- then, the person was considered a "saint" and their acts were considered "miracles") Any human, however, who developed his/her spirituality to a great enough extent (through prayer/meditation/contemplation) could develop these gifts, however. Jesus told his followers that "ye will do greater works than these", and the early Christian Church (before it was corrupted) believed in working miracles. It seems that elves are somewhat related to humans; however, we tend to be naturally gifted in spiritual things, unlike humans. The physical description does seem to fit many elves, although there seem to be some which have a body type more like a human........the genes have mixed over the centuries....... Many humans claim to be "reincarnated elves"- I cannot vouch for that. Suffice to say, although Tolkien's characters themselves are fictional, the truths he expressed are far from fictional. To me elves are real- we elves can attest to our existence!!! Many of us, although not all, fit the stereotyped description to a T. There have always been elves, and there always will. Centuries ago, humans used to tell tales of "pointed eared" elves, with "magic" powers, who would take them away to fae. Nowadays, we hear tales of "pointy eared" aliens, who take people away on their spaceships, to "other worlds". Is it possible that the new mythology is just the old mythology, dressed up in new clothes? |
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| A scene from a typical elf wedding. |
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