 |
 |
|
|
|
Commentary, Song of the Stars |
|
|
(8) And now the seven jewels most fair
Across the sky are wandering:
These are the planets, also known as the wandering stars.
Wat'ry Nénar and Luinil blue
Nénar and Luinil are probably Neptune and Uranus, though it's not certain which is which. On the one hand, Neptune in Roman myths is the god of the sea, so that would make Nénar Neptune and Luinil Uranus, the god of the blue sky. Nénar is derived from nén, Quenya for water; and Luinil from luin, Quenya for blue. But on the other hand, the history of Middle-Earth isnt infallibly connected to our old myths (though our myths were, as we all know, descended in many ways from Middle Earths long ago!). And judging by color alone, Neptune is definitely the bluer planet. So who knows.... Another thing: We can't see Neptune and Uranus with unaided eyes, but this would have probably been no problem for the Elves and their keen eyesight!
Carnil, scarlet red as war
Carnil is Mars, the Red Planet (carnë is Quenya for red).
Elemmírë and clouded Lumbar,
Elemmírë (Lit. Star-jewel) and Lumbar (clouded or shadowy) are presumably Mercury and Saturn, respectively. Although it seems a bit strange to me that bright Saturn should be labeled shadowy. We could easily atone for this by pointing out that Saturn is a gas giant, so it's obviously cloudy. But I doubt that even the Elves would be able to see that! So maybe Elemmírë is in fact Saturn (maybe the Elves perceived its ring?), and Lumbar is Mercury. But I really dont know.
Alcarinquë, glorious star.
This is majestic Jupiter, brightest of all the planets except for Venus.
(9) And on the edge of night arising
The Mariner sails his glistening ship
Beyond the starlight journeying
Through shades of rose, and silver and blue
Eärendil bears the Silmaril
Star of Hope, and brightest of jewels.
The Star of Eärendil, brightest and most beautiful of all stars (and probably the most frequently mentioned!), is Venus. Eärendil the Mariner sails his ship Vingilot beyond the starlight, but he's seen most often glimmering in the sunrise or sunset, as he comes back to Valinor. A Silmaril, brightest of jewels, is bound upon his brow. The sight of the star of Eärendil brought hope to the people, especially the Elves, of Middle-Earth. The story of Eärendil in the Silmarillion is really quite beautiful - read it if you havent already!
(10) When winter's bite has met its night
And breezes warm from the sea are blown
A white swan lifts its wings to fly
And sails the stars to islands far
As sail the ships of Alqualond
Across the sea by Valimar.
One of my favorite constellations is Cygnus the Swan, and I couldnt write any poem about the night sky without including it! Since as far as I know Tolkien didnt record any Middle-Earth lore for the Swan, I made up my own. This constellation lifts its wings to fly in the summertime, right by Aquila the Eagle (otherwise known as Soronúmë). In fact, Cygnus brightest star Deneb is another star in the Summer Triangle. As for the last two lines: Alqualondë (literally Swan-haven), which I took the liberty of shortening to Alqualond for poetic reasons, is a port in Valinor. The ships there are shaped in the form of swans (the model for the ships of Lothlórien). Valimar, or Valmar (meaning Home of the Valar), is a city where many of the Valar lived. Though it is not right next to Alqualondë, it is easy for me to imagine the Elves, who longed to be in Valinor with the Valar, speaking of it so.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
