From: ipfoot@ic.ac.uk (Ian Paul Foot) Subject: Re: Elves [Long] Date: Mon, 27 Jun 94 12:22:29 BST This is some information on Elves which has been posted a couple of times to the net. It's very interesting but don't take it (or anything else on them) as gospel. Ian --- The Elven Way By Ilon BlueSky From Elven Glen, Vol. 1, Issue 1, page 3.] Elves are of a special nature. They are sometimes gay and playful, sometimes musing and contemplative. Their magical Way is as difficult to describe as the way the wind whips your hair about on an autumn afternoon, or the way the forest smells on a spring morning. Utterly natural and largely spontaneous, the elven Way includes all others in its eclecticism while it it excludes them in its lack of concrete structure. For this reason, it may be difficult to spot an elf right away. They may be engaged in activities which seem foreign to any elven stereotype. Since their movements coordinate with the underlying Song of Nature, however, given time even an engaged elf can be distinguished quite easily. Yet spotting an elf will not really allow a glimpse of their mystical Way, for such is their magick that it blends into their surroundings much as a cloud dissipates in the sky. In fact, it is more accurate to say that elven magick is absorbed by, or becomes, their environment. Magick for elves is less a labor and more a part of their very being. Those skilled in magick dance in attunement to the essence of All in the very act of living their lives, whatever its form may be. Natural power flows out from them and heals everything it touches. To some in their sphere of influence this may seem uncomfortable or painful, while to others it is a joyous experience. This doesn't mean that the elven Way is easy or that those who walk it face less of a challenge than those on more structured paths toward the Source. Elves often begin their journey from little spiritual foundation. Their parents provide them with none, or that which their parents do provide is released in emotional abhorrence or dashed to pieces by critical intellect. Cut loose, they face a most challenging dilemma - whether to begin an alternate path put forward by the Elders or to forge a new path through the wilderness of spirit. Most fall somewhere between these extremes, mixing together that which seems familiar and attempting to weave a fabric allowing them independence and freedom to express their sometimes unusual tastes. Yet even these are only the initial steps along the elven Way. They may also develop relationships with the powers Faerie (by whatever name), find friends among the various nature spirits, travel the outer reaches of the elemental planes, locate and worship the Star Goddess or other worthy deities, seek out the Fountain of Immortality, or trespass the Summerlands, among many other courageous and potentially dangerous adventures. None of these endeavors in and of themselves constitute an exercise of elven magick. Each may provide a puzzle-piece, a key to unlock the door that leads toward the mystery known to some as the Secret of Merlin, the Art of the Elven Sages, and the lifeblood of Faerie children everywhere. While these words may sound rather precise, they only hint at the nature of ways elven, especially regarding arts of true magick. Along the elven Way are signposts pointing toward an indescribable path of magick which participates greatly in the patterned, cosmic ebb and flow of Universal Tides. Those who navigate these waters do so without the aid of boat or sail. The waters have been called `the subconscious realm', yet this minimizes the beauty and complexity of such an expanse. Elves trained in the ways of Seeing and Exploring move within this dark demesne as an otter swims among the seaweed forests off the California coast. They learn the highways and byways, gradually losing themselves in the ecstasy of discovery, revealing the purest and deepest magick of their being. The elven Way is not a particular form, it is a style. It is not exactly a well-worn path, but is more accurately an art of path-walking. It is not a mindset, it is an attitude, a commitment to eternal youth, the honoring of the Old Ones, and a vow to serve the Mystery of Life. Some descriptions of Elves Elves (Ah Kin) live in Shamballa, the City of Eternal Bliss, also called `Foresthome', which lies deep within the forest and exists simultaneously on many planes. Within Shamballa all needs are met, all dreams are realized, and no wish is ungranted. Things seem dreamlike and intimately real at once, Adventurous elves visit the world outside Shamballa, inhabited by all types of plants and animals (called, sadly, `The Dying Realms'). When they do so they are often on spiritual journeys or exploratory missions. Otherwise it is only the `half-elf' that braves such a challenge. All elves are a family. All time for elves is long (and, arguably, short). They all greet one another with great big hugs. If the two have met before, then they sing songs of their travels since last meeting. Humans who hear an elf sing are enchanted by their voices and while within hearing distance cannot move, such is the ecstasy in which they are wrapt. Plants harmonize with all being and their song is the song of the universe. Elves don't sleep. They meditate in trance for a few moments and then enter the world of dreams fully awake. Those elves who spend time with humans may be able to join in the human dreams and control them, to a certain extent, somewhat like the computer in Star Trek: The Next Generation controls the `holodeck'. Humans who spend time with elves and encounter such dream-work will gradually transform into elves over time. Given shared dreams, they begin showing elven characteristics and attitudes. From this observation, it has been suggested by elven sages that humans are elven `eggs', which can be fertilized through dreams by an elf who wishes to see this `hatchling' through to `becoming', or full realization. As some elves see it, then, humans are like children, some playing Mother Nature's game, and some not. Regardless, since elves live so long, it seems likely that all humans may eventually become elves. Elves rarely eat outside Shamballa, living quite healthily on water and sunshine. Human food makes them queasy and human liquor is of unfortunately poor quality. Elven mead and wine are very strong and tasty. Elves love trees because they are directly related to them. Elves are evolved plants, coming from the same `branch' of the geneological family. They understand that trees are intelligent, nonmobile sages of great wisdom, spending the entirety of their lives in meditation. Elven sages are said to become trees upon their final rebirth. Elves don't die like humans do. They mature and then, after many journeys about the Great Star, (this process is not completely understood), they wither and are reborn in Shamballa with continued memory and a similar, though renewed body. This is the evolved state of the vegetative cycle of renewal (rebirth). It is said that rebirth requires a conscious choice, however, so that elves who venture into the Dying Realms and begin to doubt their ability to be reborn may be reborn as trees instead. Often rites of death and rebirth are performed in winter and spring, respectively, at Shamballa. The entirety of the elven life, the Way, is one of fun, love and laughter. They delight in games and their childlike nature combines with their often advanced intellect to create some of the most sophisticated and challenging games of skill and chance, involving magical powers, spells, quests and mysteries. Some of those less fortunate young elves get lost in the Dying Realms and begin to take the games for reality, becoming dour and moody. A brief time in the company of other elves usually cures them of this, however. Their `religion', if you will, is based on such games. Elves aren't required to believe anything, but are told a marvelous story which encompasses and enriches their lives. This is the story which most elves are told upon their lingual maturity. It is understood, at the time, that it can help the individual understand hir place in the cosmos and give hir a basis for interaction with the World, but that there are other, equally valuable stories that will do the same. ``Ah and Kin were the first great trees. They stood atop the world and fruited Sun, Moon, Seas, Stars and the various plants and animals. In this way all things grew and ripened, falling off the branch of statelessness onto the ground of being. Once there, they crawled or moved to different parts of the world, where they were born from the seed, pod, egg or womb of their parents. Enjoying the movement of their offspring, Ah and Kin died and became the first elves - what humans might call `gods' and the elves call `The Elders', `The Ancient Onces', `The Celestial Masters', `The Old Ones', or countless thousands of other names of endearment. Gradually Ah and Kin, now unified in the elven race, are waking to their true essence and will grow to their old strength in a never-ending cycle.'' To the elves the Old Ones are less wholly other beings and more divine patterns of behavior. In `worshipping' them elves engage in activities with which the Old One is associated. This does not make the worshipper of greater value than the non-worshipper. Worship is not considered a show for others but an ecstatic experience. While the practice is considered serious business (if anything is for elves!), once one becomes acquainted with the stories, legends about the Elders, one begins to realized the value not only of acting but of watching, of listening to the new stories which they tell through their new worshippers. No harm is ever done in elven worship, and those who do so accidentally are advised to return to Shamballa immediately to renew their sacred vows. Little if anything is known about these vows, but often they are said to be ideal goals rather than adopted commandments. The Old Ones are innumerable in their variation. They have as many faces and names as there are days in life (and for an elf, this is a lot!). The Old Ones this adventurer knows of thus far are these: Varda, Star Mother (aka `Queen of the Stars') Creatrix, Genetrix, Womb of life. She is associated with planting and/or defending trees. Leollyn, Dancing Father Magick energy of being, the dancing Song of All. He is associated with magick, singing and dancing. Yow, the Teacher (aka `Uncle Yow') The Trickster, the Fool. He is associated with deception and the revealing of wisdom, trickery and education. Cleowyn, Wizardress Wise One, compassionate Lover. She is associated with magick and romance. Tufyl, Leader of the Festive Spirits Partier, mirthmaker, intoxicator. Associated with merrymaking, drinking, smoking. The Festive Spirits include all those substances which trigger altered states of consciousness and levity. Snassis, Snake Beauty Regenerator, renewer, rebirther. Associated with awe, `death' and knowledge (books), it is said that Snassis will be the final guide beyond the veil(?). Her sisters, Almuldhea and Cleowyin are alternatively said to accompany her in this function. Vitraya, Healer Healer, vitalizer and restorer of life. She is associated with healing, aiding and service generally. Farrelon, The Game Hunter Dedicated challenger and adventurer. He is associated with hunting and game playing. Kellon, the Silent (aka `Eternal Questor') The keen eye, the sensitive ear. SHe is associated with searching, tracking and quests. SHe, paired with Almuldhea (below) are said to be neither male nor female, but both and neither. Both are rather seldom spoken of, actually, for it is thought that to do so is to bring them shame. Amuldhea Mysterious Mystery, Darkness in its extreme, She is Death in the sense of eternal extinction. This is not a concept which elves understand well, and many find Hir difficult if not impossible to speak about. She is associated with sex, secrecy and hiding. These are brief descriptions only. Each has countless tales told about them around deadwood fires and in mead-slick taverns late at night. If you know of more or of some of the tales, please post them for the benefit of the elves in the audience. Thank you. Tolkein and the Elves I think that Tolkien is ONE source on elves, and a good one, yet one must understand a few things about this subject if one is to proceed without venturing off the deep end: these stories are myths all language, is, at its base, metaphorical myths are not only metaphorical of physicality (this in itself is a difficult concept) but also of a psychological status what we consider `fact' and `history' is just as mythical, sometimes more so, than what we take to be fiction Given these things, here are my reactions to the typical descriptions of elves in modern Euro-culture (ala Tolkien): Aging My understanding is that elves are immortal. This does not mean that they don't age. This means that they do not become extinct, that they do not, in fact, die. We are talking about a subjective experience here. Immortality may be had by perfecting perception to a razor-sharp degree, in effect, slowing down the bifurcation which is known to us as `the passage of time'. I don't claim to have perfected this, yet have enough success to consider it a valid perspective. Disease Dis-ease is how I'd approach this one. What we are talking about here is elves in Foresthome. Lack of disease is identical to Buddhist `Nirvana', enlightenment. I would also not claim to have perfected this one, but then again, I live in the Dying Lands outside Foresthome so far. I think - mark this as a `shamanic perspective' - that one may merge with the Forest, the Faerie, the Summerlands, whatever you wish to call it, and perfect a disease-free life, yes. Heightened sensation Definitely a characteristic of elvenkind, yet I'd say it isn't so much from the physically perfected body as it is a state of attentiveness. Those who achieve Elder status (which can never be verified) would also be said to have `enhanced sensation' (i.e. certain yogis, Masters, etc.). Beautiful appearance Aside from the relative definition of `beauty', I'd have to say that elves, in general, are more healthy than humans, on the whole. They radiate a certain joy and well-being which others see as `beauty', when in fact it's simply an attunement to one's deeper self which brings this effect about. I must add that I think that the label `human' is just as mythical as that of `elven' and that both are poorly understood. To assume one knows oneself and then calls this self `human' is not to really understand oneself at all. To answer another post which asked for my dilineation between elves and humans, I'd respond by saying that I think that certain humans can become. This is not unknown in literature, yet does not require literature to substantiate it. I tend to think that humans are more like pupae; to the elven butterfly, or caterpillar to the elven pupae; (from which dragonflies are born). Categorizations of `Christian' or `Buddhist' compare well here. One could claim that these describe only `mindsets', yet how can one counter the argument that mindset makes the individual, that being is directly affected by thought, and that one's self-concept (however abstract) allows one's choices in future incarnation (evolving self-images). This gets very complex very quickly. I tend to agree with what Buddhists say about the illusory view of the `self'. I also think that most religious terms are metaphors, not literals. Even enlightenment, itself, refers to a metaphorical `state', not some sort of different condition. Reincarnation is the replication of the self-concept. Liberation is what happens when one becomes Immortal, becomes an elf, if you will, and we call it by many names. The most astounding difference between elves and humans lies within their psychology and their magick. Elves tend to stay away from dogma, rigid mental concepts, and literal `truths'. Humans tend to need these things as structures of support. Elves tend to be less attached to the things of the world, are more contented, being immortal, with patience and kindness, and they are playful in a genuine way. Elves are also often the most empathic, due to their depth of experience, their value of those things which do not change, and their direct connection to the natural, the spontaneous, the unrestricted. Elven magick is often not visible to the untrained eye, passes, more often than not for `natural phenomenon', and is much less control- oriented than human magick. There is much in Tolkien and others, that I think worthwhile regarding elven magick. I've been studying it for some time and think it will be a lifetime study. There is no end to the self for the self. Elven magick is too complex to encompass. Most people focus on simply the physical characteristics of mythical beings. They do not see the incredible depth which these beings make available to our experience through our identification. Fantasy and reality may be mixed in a pleasant and valuable way. The Age of Reason is over! More on types of Elves My understanding is that he different `types' of elves correspond largely to the habitat that the elves developed within. This is sort of the 'flavor', if you will, of them. Much like humans, there is very little difference really between most elves. Sure, some skin colors are different, some have developed different physical characteristics to confront the immediate needs of their environments (gills for sea elves, for example), but all in all an elf is an elf. This is not a popular theory among young elves, mind you. Sources which take the attitude of elven youth will tell you that there is a superiority among elves - that those born on the surface are somehow `better' than those born, for example, below the surface in caves. This is patently untrue. I was born beneath the surface and raised in the Great Forest. I was fortunate enough to see both cultures personally. They are almost identical in nature, if not often in form. Dark Elves Dark Elves are generally thought to be the ones who live under surface of the earth. They have excellent night vision and have some difficulty with the sun. Sometimes these elves are called `Drow', though I don't know where this word originates. Dark Elves are generally more counter-cultural, less respectful of humans, more often picked on by other elves (especially the immature ones), and tend (because of this picking) to have `a chip on their shoulder'. Silver Elves Silver Elves may be the same as Moon Elves, but I can't be sure. Moon and Silver often go together. Even if they are, I don't know much about them. I guess that Silver/Moon Elves live on the Moon. I've heard rumors to this effect from one lady elf who claims to be of their line. They probably have some magical means of coming to earth, but I'm not sure what that might be. Shadow Elves> Shadow Elves I've never even heard of. I wonder if these elves are what are sometimes referred to as the `shadows' of the elven dead. Elves don't really die, but they are sometimes dormant and there is much speculation about exactly `where' elves are between dissolution and rebirth. Courtly Elves Courtly Elves seem a more social distinguishment as compared to `feral', which would be `wild' as opposed to `civilized'. I don't know an elf who fits neatly into either category, I'm afraid. Feral Elves Feral Elves sound like fun. I wonder if they're dangerous. Elves that grew up away from ForestHome, perhaps lost or kidnapped and left to grow in the wild? I can only guess. Sea Elves Sea Elves are fairly common where I'm from. They live underwater, usually ocean or seawaters. They can breathe air, however, so I suspect that the gills are a later development. They PREFER the water. I've noticed that these elves tend to be less friendly in general toward other elves and humans, and that they seem to have rather elitist attitudes, but this is true of many elves from a variety of environs. Perhaps these elves are more emotional than others, but I can't be sure.