Mythology, legend, and folklore provide us with an abundance of
tales whereby humans, elemental beings, or a combination of both,
come together to form a Fellowship in order to pursue a common
goal.
And although the Fellowships which are spoken of in myth and
legend tell us of noble deeds and near-impossible Quests, there
are also those down-to-earth Fellowships which most of us have
participated in while hardly being aware of the fact that we were,
indeed, part of a Fellowship.
In its most simple, basic, and earthly context, we participate in a
Fellowship when we are part of a school project, a sports team, or
a community planning group. Fellowships are also formed when a
group of complete strangers unite in times of local and national
emergencies. Fellowships can also be formed when a group of
complete strangers bond together, for a short period of time, while
on a pleasure cruise.
These are the simplest forms of Fellowships that many of us have
most likely participated in while being unaware that we were
actually a part of a Fellowship. And while these types of Fellowships
all serve a purpose, and provide value to our lives and experiences,
they are a far cry from the legendary Fellowships which are passed
down to us by way of mythology and folklore.
Since legendary Quests and Fellowships are such an important part
of our individual cultures and universal consciousness, let us take a
closer look at what they are and what they represent in their purest,
esoteric form.
A Quest is a Great Adventure. It is a noble task. It is a life-changing
Event.
A Fellowship is a voluntary union of complete strangers who
temporarily bond together to pursue a Quest. In other words, a
Fellowship is the motley combination of guides, mentors, and new
friends we encounter when we accept a Call To Adventure.
It is also interesting to note that while a Quest can be pursued by
an individual, a Fellowship requires a Quest to bond all of its
participants together.
Once a Quest is completed, the Fellowship that was formed to
achieve the purpose of the Quest automatically dissolves. And the
bond that once held this Fellowship together as a single unit now
Changes into a different kind of bond: a bond of an Old,
unforgettable, and Reminiscent Friendship.
And although this Fellowship will never come together again with
the same purity and intensity it once held, the bond of Friendship
which it Forges becomes a valued Memory...a coveted entity...
which remains forever alive within those who participated in the
Quest for the remainder of their days.
Some of the legendary and life-changing Quests and Fellowships of
mythology, legend, and folklore include:
...King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table: their chivalric
Adventures and their Quest for the Holy Grail;
...Jason and his Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece;
...Odysseus and his shipmates and their long, Adventure-filled,
journey back to their homeland;
...the Fellowship of hobbits, dwarfs, elves, and humans who
bonded together to destroy the One Dominating Ring in JRR
Tolkien's "Lord Of The Rings";
...Luke Skywalker and his human, non-human, and robot,
companions who ultimately overcame the Evil Empire in "Star
Wars";
...Harry Potter along with his close-knit circle of classmates, elves,
Wizards, magicians, and warlocks who ultimately defeated Lord
Voldemort.
The list of heroic Quests and Fellowships is monumental. And once
the Noble Purpose or Legendary Pursuit of the Quest is achieved,
the dissolution of the Fellowship must ultimately follow.
And though the participants in the Fellowship must finally part and
go their separate ways, the permanent bond that was sealed by
their Fellowship remains a forever burning ember of Remembrance
within each participant. This burning ember is an eternal reminder
of days long gone, and a Quest fulfilled. It is also a rare gift of an
inextinguishable, eternal, and Untarnishable Friendship that was
once Forged in the Fires of Companionship which is now part of
their fading but never forgotten Past.
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
