Rings and Rituals

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...