Tom Bombadil - Nature Spirit - Part 4 (Final Thoughts and Perceptions)

(Note: In order to appreciate the conclusions drawn in this article,
please first read: "Nature Spirits and Elemental Beings" followed
by "Tom Bombadil - Part 1 (His Symbolism and Appearance)"
then "Tom Bombadil - Part 2 (His Powers)"
then "Tom Bombadil - Part 3 (His Legend)".)

If a Nature Spirit Chose to reveal itself to us, would it do so in an
awesome and frightening manner? Or, would it instead reveal
itself to us as something pleasant, comforting, and disarming?

The answer to this question would probably depend upon the
situation, the type of Nature Spirit, and the character of the
individuals to which the Nature Spirit Chose to reveal itself to.

Nature possesses awesome powers. In its peaceful, undisturbed,
and unchallenged state, nature is beautiful, enchanting, and full
of frolic and wonder. However, behind its silent beauty, nature has
also the ability to be menacing, perilous, and threatening.

This is the combination we, and the Hobbits, are made fully Aware
of in the character of Tom Bombadil. For although Tom appears to
be a jolly, harmless, and comical fellow, with pleasant and
disarming characteristics, he also possesses awesome and
unimaginable powers; powers he expresses with crystal clarity
to the Hobbits.

Tom Bombadil, as a Nature Spirit, reminds us that there are always
Higher Powers which rule the many different aspects of nature.

And these Higher Powers cannot help but be amused at the follies
of mankind, in ALL of its forms, as they watch the "play of life"
continue to unfold with all of its ever-repeating acts, scenes, Cycles,
conclusions, and Consequences which are important only to those
who are currently standing upon the Stage of Life.

We find this charming amusement contained within the character,
or Nature Spirit, of Tom Bombadil. For although Tom possesses
awesome powers, he simply remains an unattached observer of
the follies which manifest themselves in the physical realm.

Tom simply looks on, with mirth and unattachment, as both
extremes of Duality continue their endless and futile struggle for
power and supremacy; which no one person, nation, or kingdom
has the right to possess.

At best these powers and supremacies can be only grappled over
and maintained for short periods of history.

Then, because of the never-ending Cycles of Eternity, and the
over-ruling power of Duality, those in possession of these fleeting
powers and supremacies fade into the Mists of history and
these fleeting powers and supremacies find their way, for another
short period of history, into the hands someone new. And so it
goes, on and on, throughout the long march of Time...Individuals
and nations, drunk with the illusion of material power, imagining
they can possess the un-possessable, and control the
un-controllable.

Tom Bombadil understands, and is immune to, this eternal Truth
which rules the material realm; for he is a Nature Spirit. This is
why Tom frolics, sings, dances, and laughs at the frivolities and
foolishness of the material realm of which he is The Master.

Now that Tom Bombadil's Symbolism, Appearance, Powers, and
Legend have been analyzed, one question remains unanswered.

Why has Tom Bombadil, as a forest Nature Spirit, Chosen to limit
his domain to only his ancient forest?

It would appear that there are three answers to this question:

1. There are other Elemental Beings which govern different types
of forests.
2. Tom has Chosen to govern only that which is most ancient,
leaving other forests to other Elemental Beings.
3. The final answer may never be known. For this answer may lie
with the Mythological Master himself; the creator of Middle Earth
and all which lies within it; the Nature Spirit of the novel itself;
J.R.R. Tolkien, the true "Lord of the Rings".

(Tom Bombadil appears in J.R.R. Tolkien's "Fellowship of the Ring")

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required

© copyright Joseph Panek 2011

Tom Bombadil - Nature Spirit - Part 3 (His Legend)

(Note: In order to appreciate the conclusions drawn in this article,
please first read: "Nature Spirits and Elemental Beings" followed
by "Tom Bombadil - Part 1 (His Symbolism and Appearance)"
then "Tom Bombadil - Part 2 (His Powers)".)

Now that we have discussed the Symbolism, Appearance, and
Powers of Tom Bombadil, let us now examine his Legend.

The first legendary description we have of Tom Bombadil comes
from Goldberry, Tom's female companion, who tells the Hobbits
that she is the "Daughter of the River". This statement tells us
that she is also a Nature Spirit and, by her close association
with Tom, she is Tom's feminine counterpart.

When Frodo asks Goldberry "Who is Tom Bombadil?", she
simply answers, "He is". This tells us that Tom is an Eternal
Constant, an Eternal Truth. In other words, a Nature Spirit.

Goldberry then goes on to say, "He is the Master of wood, water,
and hill". Frodo then asks, "Then all this strange land belongs to
Him?"

To which Goldberry replies, "No Indeed! That would indeed be a
burden. The trees and the grasses and all things growing or living
in the land belong each to themselves. Tom Bombadil is the
Master".

This tells us that Tom Bombadil is the Creative Spirit, or essence,
which brought his ancient forest into existence. And as the
Creative Essence, he also designated the laws by which all of his
creations must abide; not only in relation to themselves, but also
in relation to all the other creations which occupy his forest
community.

He grants all things contained within his forest complete freedom,
and Sovereignty, to express themselves in any way they wish; so
long as it is within the bounds of their specific natures. He only
interferes with his creations when it is absolutely necessary;
as in the case of Old Man Willow. Tom's Mastery, therefore, is
similar, in many ways, to that of a good ruler or a good parent.

Later, Frodo again presses Tom with the question, "Who are you,
Master?" To which Tom replies, "Eldest, that's what I am. Mark
my words, my friends: Tom was here before the river and the trees;
Tom remembers the first raindrop and the first acorn..."

This statement by Tom again informs us that he is an essence,
a Spirit, a Master, which is eternal.

Tom then goes on to express himself in the second person when
he tells Frodo, "He knew the dark under the stars when it was
fearless - before the Dark Lord came from the Outside."

"He knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless" refers
to the realm of Unity, the Time before creation.

"Before the Dark Lord came from the Outside": Note the
capitalization of the word 'Outside'. The introduction of the 'Dark
Lord' from the 'Outside' tells us that another eternal essence
affected Tom's realm of Unity and thereby created Duality. This
creation of Duality is the moment of physical manifestation; the
moment of the Seed penetrating the Womb; the moment of
conception; the moment of material creation.

Later, at the Council of Elrond, Tom Bombadil is referred to as
"older than the old", "oldest and fatherless", and "Last as he was
First".

The term "fatherless" is referred to often in mythology, legend,
and ancient texts. "Fatherless" means an Eternal Spirit.

In the phrase "Last as he was First", we again have capitalization
of the words "Last" and "First". This means that these Words
are not simply used as a part of a sentence, but to express
an Divine Essence which is both powerful, timeless, ageless,
and unchangeable.

As we can see, all of the terms used to describe Tom Bombadil
at the Council of Elrond, by Goldberry, and by Tom himself, define
Tom to be something eternal, everlasting, and beyond the follies,
rules, and restrictions of the physical realm. In other words, they
define Tom Bombadil to be a Nature Spirit!

In Tom Bombadil - Nature Spirit - Part 4 we will conclude with
some final thoughts and perceptions about Tom Bombadil -
Nature Spirit.

(Tom Bombadil appears in J.R.R. Tolkien's "Fellowship of the Ring")

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required

© copyright Joseph Panek 2011

Tom Bombadil - Nature Spirit - Part 2 (His Powers)

"All that is not eternal is eternally out of date."
- C.S. Lewis

(Note: In order to appreciate the conclusions drawn in this article,
please first read: "Nature Spirits and Elemental Beings" followed
by "Tom Bombadil - Nature Spirit - Part 1".)

After having defined Nature Spirits, and having analyzed the color
Symbolism and Appearance associated with Tom Bombadil, let us
now look at the powers and behaviors associated with Tom
Bombadil which further define him to be a Nature Spirit.

The first glimpse we have of the power and supremacy which Tom
Bombadil possesses within his forest domain is when Merry and
Pippin become trapped within Old Man Willow.

Tom listens to Frodo's and Sam's account of the incident with an
amused interest. Then, with a final authority, as one would see in
a parent scolding a naughty child, Tom orders Old Man Willow to
release his captives. Old Man Willow instantly obeys and Merry
and Pippin are released at once.

This incident makes us quickly aware of the complete power and
authority which Tom possesses over his forest domain. This is
consistent with the power that a Nature Spirit possesses over all
that resides within Its realm.

While resting in the house of Tom Bombadil the Hobbits experience
further displays of Tom's powers.

He tells the Hobbits not to fear any nightly noises they may hear
while they are his guests for nothing evil or harmful can penetrate
the walls or windows of his home.

He is conscious of their every waking and sleeping moment. And,
he makes the Hobbits aware of this when he tells them, "In the
night little folk wake up in the darkness, and sleep after light has
come!"

Tom speaks of Events which occurred in distant and long-forgotten
ages. And he is able to create vivid visions of these Events in the
minds of the Hobbits. Thus allowing the Hobbits to "see" these
long-ago Events which Tom had personally experienced.

Tom also describes to the Hobbits the lives, thoughts, and feelings
which are the heart and soul of his forest domain. Thereby giving
the Hobbits a better understanding of all that resides within his
forest realm.

It is through these stories, comments, and visions that Tom makes
the Hobbits aware of the mystical and magical powers he has at his
command; powers which are the natural essence of a Nature Spirit.

Now we come to Tom Bombadil and The Ring.

"Show me the precious Ring!", Tom suddenly says to Frodo.

Tom then places the much feared Ring round the end of his little
finger but does not disappear. This shows us that the Ring has no
power over Tom.

Tom then tosses this most powerful Ring into the air and causes
it to vanish! He is "toying" with this One Ring which is serious,
feared, and perilous to the creatures and inhabitants of middle
earth. Yet the powers of this One Ring are useless, amusing, and
in fact even silly to Tom.

These two incidents are a further reminder that not only does
anything which enters Tom's realm have no control over him, yet
Tom has complete control over everything which enters into his
domain. These are further indications that Tom Bombadil is a
Nature Spirit.

Frodo then places the Ring on his finger and disappears before his
Hobbit companions... but he remains fully visible to Tom Bombadil.
This shows us that Tom is the "Master" who knows, sees, and has
power over all that exists within, or enters into, his domain.

This is yet a further display that, as a Nature Spirit, Tom exists
well beyond, and is therefore immune to, the mundane rules and
restrictions, which govern both mankind and the material realm.

Later on, when the Hobbits leave the house of Tom Bombadil, we
see another awesome display of Tom's authority when the Hobbits
are overcome by a barrow wight in the barrow downs which are
within Tom's realm.

By the use of a summoning rhyme, taught to the Hobbits by Tom,
Frodo summons Tom, who immediately appears, rescues the
Hobbits, and banishes the wight from his domain.

Now we come Tom's self-admitted limits to his powers.

Tom proclaims that, although he is the Master of his forest,
"I am no weather-master". This tells us that Tom is a Nature
Spirit of his forest but not of the weather. For the weather is
the realm of, and governed by, another Elemental Being; the
Nature Spirit of weather.

Tom also states, "Out east my knowledge fails. Tom is not
master of Riders from the Black Land far beyond my country."
This is a further reminder that, as a Nature Spirit, Tom is only
Master of his particular, self-created, domain; the domain of
his ancient forest.

And though, being a Nature Spirit, he may have some powers
outside of his personal realm, he is not Master of, nor does
he have control over, that which occurs in any of the domains
beyond his borders.

These admissions by Tom are consistent with the Divine Principles
which govern all Nature Spirits and Elemental Beings. They are the
complete Master of only their specifically defined realm and have
minimal, if any, power outside the borders of their sole domain.

In "Nature Spirits and Elemental Beings" we have a specific
definition of these powerful, important, and eternal essences.

In "Tom Bombadil - Nature Spirit - Part 1" we analyzed the
Symbolism associated with Tom Bombadil.

In this article we have discussed Tom's powers and behaviors.

In "Tom Bombadil - Nature Spirit - Part 3" we will discuss the
legends associated with Tom Bombadil.

(Tom Bombadil appears in J.R.R. Tolkien's "Fellowship of the Ring")

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required

© copyright Joseph Panek 2011

Tom Bombadil - Nature Spirit - Part 1 (His Symbolism and Appearance)

"Nature always wears the colors of the spirit."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

(Note: This is the first of four articles on Tom Bombadil)

Tom Bombadil is an enchanting, jolly, powerful, and highly
Symbolic character who is introduced to us in J.R.R. Tolkien's
"The Fellowship of the Ring".

Several very interesting and detailed essays have been written
about this "enigmatic" character in an attempt to un-Veil who
Tom Bombadil is, and what he represents.

This article defines Tom Bombadil to be a Nature Spirit.

However, before simply stating that Tom Bombadil is a Nature
Spirit, we must first have a fair definition of this term. The article,
"Nature Spirits and Elemental Beings", provides a specific and
detailed definition of the term "Nature Spirit".

Based upon that definition, let us now take a look at some of the
Symbolism, and Mystery contained within this wonderfully
mysterious character called Tom Bombadil.

When Tom first appears, he is described as: wearing an old
battered hat with a long blue feather, great yellow boots, a blue
coat, and having a long brown beard. Later, Tom is described as
having thick brown hair.

Furthermore, "his face was red as a ripe apple but creased into a
hundred wrinkles of laughter".

As can be seen, we are presented with an abundance of color
Symbolism in Tom's attire and Appearance. Let us now carefully
analyze this Symbolism:

Old battered hat:

It is important to keep in mind that Tolkien possessed a very deep
understanding of Mythology. This would also encompass the
understanding of Symbolism, of which Color Symbolism plays an
integral part.

Therefore, it is interesting to note that while Tolkien is very specific
in describing the colors, and in many cases even the size, of Tom's
other clothing, along with his physical features, he does not
mention the color of Tom's hat. He simply describes it as "an old
battered hat with a tall crown".

As meticulous as Tolkien is in his descriptions of nearly everything
else in his writings, this makes the color of Tom Bombadil's hat
an intriguing curiosity!

But, back to the "old battered hat".

Anything "old" Symbolizes timelessness, antiquity, and Wisdom.
"Battered" Symbolizes a time-worn, and time-tested, familiarity.

Long blue feather:

A Feather comes from the wing of a bird. Wings and birds are
Symbols for Spirit. The fact that the Feather is long tells us that it
belongs to a very large bird; a Great Spirit.

Blue is the color of Truth. It Symbolizes "that which IS".

Long brown beard and thick brown hair:

Brown is the color of the earth; of soil. This tells us that Tom is
associated with the earth and is therefore an Earth Entity; an
Earth Spirit.

The fact that Tom's hair is long and thick suggests virility, potency,
plentifulness, and generative powers.

Blue coat:

Again, blue is the color of Truth. Therefore Tom "wears" the Truth;
he is "that which IS".

Great yellow boots:

Yellow is the color which is associated with, represents, and is
interchangeable with Gold. Gold Symbolizes the incorruptible, the
untarnishable, the unchangeable, the unalterable, the everlasting.

In mentioning that his boots were "great", we are again presented
with the Principle of Greatness or Largeness, just as in the length
of his Feather mentioned above.

The boots are what Tom walks in and is supported by. They are
also responsible for leaving his Footprint.

Therefore the great yellow boots are Symbolic that Tom walks in,
and is supported by, the untarnishable, the incorruptible, and the
everlasting. Furthermore, the Footprint Tom leaves, by way of his
"great boots", is a reminder to others that he is a representative,
and Bringer, of these Divine Qualities wherever he Travels.

His face was red as a ripe apple but creased into a hundred
wrinkles of laughter.

Here, in Tom's face, we encounter a striking familiarity to St.
Nicholas (Santa Claus), whose "cheeks were like roses, his
nose like a cherry!" ***

Red is a masculine essence which Symbolizes vitality, activity,
power, energy, and life-blood. In other words, Tom's Red face
Symbolizes an active masculine life-force.

The "wrinkles" in Tom's face again Symbolize age, Time, and the
Wisdom contained within the wrinkles of Time. More specifically,
Tom's wrinkles represent Aged (and Ageless) Wisdom.

Based upon the Symbolism contained within Tom's clothing and
features alone, we have enough details to classify him as a Nature
Spirit. However, this only describe Tom's outward appearance.

We will now turn to Tom's behavior and powers in order to further
determine why Tom Bombadil is a Nature Spirit.

An analysis of Tom's behavior and powers appears in
"Tom Bombadil - Nature Spirit - Part 2".

*** "Twas The Night Before Christmas" by Clement Clarke Moore

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required

© copyright Joseph Panek 2011