I concur Odo. I don't quite remember where I read it, but I am sure Tolkien remarked that Hobbits had a kind of "natural magic" related to Nature and Growing Things. And though Elves could also be said to have Natural Magic, it was on a far higher level than that of Hobbits.

And though Gandalf was a Wizard, again, the focus was on Natural Magic. Which, from what I recall, Tolkien saw as a different order of magic altogether from the Manipulative Magic practiced as Sorcery (such as by Saruman and Sauron in particular). In other words, Natural Magic is that which flows from the natural order, the Source of Life; whereas Sorcery was a Mechanical attempt to manipulate and distort the natural order (in Tolkien's world anyway).

Otherwise, I quite agree with Eldorion's excellent exegesis on the textual analysis of Tolkien's work .

[b:14intfah]GB[/b:14intfah]

I've thought a bit more about magic and I think it's largely a matter of semantics. I wouldn't call it magic and I doubt a hobbit would either, but we know that there are "magical" things (to us) that are not seen as magic to the practitioners (the Mirror of Galadriel is what I'm thinking of here). So if you want to call Hobbits' affinity with the earth magic, that would be possible from a human standpoint though it's not necessarily supernatural.

I'm rambling now I think. My main point is that while I'm not going to call it magic, I think we're all on the same page here.

I agree odo, you really can't pin down magic, simply because the freedom of it is what makes it so magical: everyone can have it. That's why people enjoy it so much. And that's why people (like myself) can't bear to think about a world without it in some why shape or form. Tolkein knew that, and that's why everyone loves the stories so much! Magic for everyone! I can't help but think (and shudder) at the thought of a world without magic, or worse, LOTR!

There I was, all pumped up and snorting over the Anti-White Council Crusade - and now suddenly I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy and thinking about all the magic is in the world... sigh....

I think I might have that pint Lester Cat mentioned...

Odo

I don't think it a bad thing at all to escape to a fantasy world - so long as when you get there you believe in everything - absolutely everything - including magic, Eldorion! Call me old fashioned!

Odo