Rings and Rituals

Marilyn geeks out over Bear McCreary‘s music and the secrets it reveals in a bonus episode with none other than Phillip Menzies, the Bard of Ered Luin. Musician, composer, and music theorist extraordinaire, not to mention co-organizer of Ozmoot, Phillip is also the host of the YouTube show “The Words and Magic of Music in The Rings of Power.” Find out why Bear’s blog is so helpful, explore the con...

In the final episode of season two of Rings and Rituals, Marilyn and Sara revel in having the two finest scenes of the entire series appear in the final episode, and lament what might have been with Adar. They try to untangle a few lore threads and manage to pull in Mediterranean bells, Wagnerian characters, summoning rituals (not the goetia sort!), standing in awe of what may be seen by the eyes...

Sara and Marilyn manage to find ritual even in the ravaging of Eriador. Sara recites Shakespeare, Marilyn finds the best of lines and the worst of lines (for her), and they give Sun Tzu his proper due by sharing what he actually said. They celebrate Celebrimbor’s freedom from illusion, and grieve the cost he pays to try to undo his dangerous creations.  Meanwhile, Sauron just feels sorry for himse...

Marilyn and Sara examine rituals of trials (all–sorts) and home, and the testing of faith. We see parents and children who keep talking past each other, recognize that Pharazôn is walking on a path of seawater as the rituals of power-over fail him, and wonder if Nenya really would work with Morgoth’s crown. And once again, the sea is always right. Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to:...

Sara revels in dwarves, even in the midst of their dilemmas, Marilyn treasures the shrine of Nienna, the oldest shrine in Númenor, and both grieve over its desecration, agreeing that Kemen is a broken wart of a human being. They see symbols of seeds everywhere, retch metaphorically over Annatar‘s gaslighting, and wonder whether it is possible that Celebrimbor is the better smith of the two. And th...

Galadriel chafes under Elrond’s command, Isildur confronts a feisty woman and a slimy surprise, the Stranger finds a goat-herder, and Nori and Poppy find — more Harfoots? Sara and Marilyn compare rituals of hospitality —or not — and greeting. They also explore a few cultural dining practices. Where the Stars Are Strange - S02E02 - Rings & Rituals In episode two, Sara and Marilyn find rituals o...

Join the Conversation on the Lorehounds Community Discord: https://discord.gg/thelorehounds Contact Us: Questions or comments? Send emails to: ringsandrituals@thelorehounds.com You can also leave us a voicemail through our website, or record a voice note on your smartphone and send it to the email address above: http://thelorehounds.com/contact Rings & Rituals is part of the Lorehounds Network...

Where the Stars Are Strange - S02E02 In episode two, Sara and Marilyn find rituals of remembrance, reconstitution, repair, and dramatic revelation. They also wish that Elrond would listen to Círdan's humble wisdom. Join the Conversation on the Lorehounds Community Discord: https://discord.gg/thelorehounds Contact Us: Questions or comments? Send emails to: ringsandrituals@thelorehounds.com You...

Marilyn and Sara returned for another season of Rings and Rituals ! After a quick catch-up, they discuss a failed coronation, a lengthy re-embodiment, wanderings in the desert, and the promises and perils of a new creation with dubious origins. Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: ringsandrituals@thelorehounds.com You can also leave us a voicemail through our website, or record a voic...

Calling all music fans! The Lorehounds network’s first music podcast, Nevermind the Music, is officially launching on September 10 – where two friends and academics filter their appreciation of music through the frameworks of psychology, music theory, and irreverent humor. Check out Nevermind the Music   https://thelorehounds.com/podcast/nevermind-the-music Get in touch: NeverMusicPod@gmail.com Fi...

Marilyn and Sara spend time with the Noldor, comparing the ritual of the warrior Elves returning home to Valinor with Arthurian imagery, questioning the practice of carving memorials on living trees, and noting contrasts between Elves and Harfoots.  Questions or comments? Visit us at our website where you can use the contact form or use the voicemail feature. Or, send an email to ringsandrituals@...

Sara and Marilyn respond to the many notes, observations, queries, and compliments (yes, we did leave those in!) from listeners which hadn’t yet been addressed. Questions or comments? Visit us at our website where you can use the contact form or use the voicemail feature. Or, send an email to ringsandrituals@thelorehounds.com. Links to Network Affiliates and Discord linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opi...

Marilyn is joined by John from the Lorehounds Podcast to analyze the music of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power . They discuss the powerful motifs of Bear McCreary, the influence of Howard Shore over the Middle-earth universe on screen, and the various ancient music traditions the show uses to differentiate the peoples of Middle-earth. Questions or comments? Visit us at our website where y...

Sara and Marilyn discuss the recent teaser for season two and the announcement that a certain actor won’t be returning for it, compare the Harfoot and Númenorean conceptions of death, celebrate the powers of libraries and archives, and ponder the nature of a certain gift–giver. And a special delight: Sara discusses alchemy in the making of the Elven rings. Questions or comments? Visit us at our we...

Marilyn and Sara note that Poppy has a new song, Galadriel has some new introspection (and a big reveal about her past), Elrond introduces a new concept: “save it for the other side“, and Theo has a new crush. They also request listener feedback before July 9 for the series’ final episode of Feedback. Questions or comments? Visit us at our website where you can use the contact form or use the voic...

Sara and Marilyn put a few pins in some key conversations and ask: Do Elves chant on their way to battles? How different are Orcs from Humans? And which kingdoms were, according to Galadriel, saved by humility? Questions or comments? Visit us at our website where you can use the contact form or use the voicemail feature. Or, send an email to ringsandrituals@thelorehounds.com. Links to Network Affi...

Marilyn and Sara discuss Númenorean military rituals and speculate on their expandable “just add water” horses which pack the holds of their ships so nicely. They also do a deep dive into Tolkien’s conceptions of magic (magia and goetia) in honor of the Hissy Sisters, who are quite difficult to define. Questions or comments? Visit us at our website where you can use the contact form or use the voi...

Sara and Marilyn marvel over the voice of Disa, which can make even stone weep, the ritual culture of Orcs (who usually make others weep for rather different reasons), and the ways that contrasting oaths may reveal what is sacred to a person or a culture. And they have even more feedback!

Marilyn and Sara ponder the absolutes in cultural affirmations, the transformations of symbol systems as cultures change, and the astonishing appearance of ritual behavior in Orcs. Marilyn points out the ritual which inspired this entire podcast project, and Sara (unwisely?) encourages her to wax enthusiastically about Nienna. And we have feedback – yay!

Sara and Marilyn reflect on the competitive and cooperative natures of the Dwarves, the communal and conforming behaviors of the Harfoots (with one notable exception), and the illuminating observations of Celebrimbor in Episode 2 of “Rings and Rituals”. Even Amazon Ads got into the spirit of the Rite of Sigin-Tarâg! Contact Us Questions or comments? Visit us at our website where you can use the co...

Marilyn and Sara spend time with the Noldor, comparing the ritual of the warrior Elves returning home to Valinor with Arthurian imagery, questioning the practice of carving memorials on living trees, and noting contrasts between Elves and Harfoots. Contact Us Questions or comments? Visit us at our website where you can use the contact form or use the voicemail feature. Or, send an email to ringsan...

Sara and Marilyn introduce themselves and their experiences with Tolkien. They then discuss the forms and functions of ritual, and describe how they will examine each ritual in each episode of the series and what it tells viewers about the cultures of the practitioners. Finally, they demonstrate their process by applying it to four different rituals from the Legendarium. Contact Us Questions or co...

Marilyn R. Pukkila talks with David & John from the Lorehounds to introduce Rings and Rituals: a new podcast analyzing the rituals portrayed in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Marilyn will be joined by Dr. Sara Brown of Signum University for this 9 episode series that will examine the nature of ritual and what it reveals about the cultures that enact them, both as seen in Rings of P...