Exploring Tolkien's Legendarium Beyond Arda: Celestial Bodies in Middle-earth

Tolkien's Legendarium, particularly his creation of Middle-earth, presents a vivid and intricate world that extends beyond the familiar realm of Arda. While much of the focus lies on the region of Ilúvatar, what remains known about other celestial bodies and the wider universe beyond Arda is elusive. This article delves into the cosmological models and descriptions provided by Tolkien's works, including the key concepts of Middle-earth's place in the universe and the nature of the celestial bodies.

Understanding the Cosmology of Middle-earth

The universe as described by Tolkien can be interpreted through several cosmological models. The first model, which is found only in the mythic works The Book of Lost Tales, depicts a flat Earth with mythological entities such as the sun, moon, and stars within its atmosphere. In this model, there is nothing existing beyond Arda except for Kúma, the void, and the Timeless Halls. The second model, detailed in the published works, especially in The Silmarillion, suggests an immeasurable universe where Arda is part of a solar system with a physical Earth round since the beginning, hosted among innumerable stars. Lastly, the third model, from Myths Transformed, portrays the universe as an immense system with Arda as a solar system complete with sun, moon, and planets.

The Stars and Celestial Bodies

In these models, the stars of Arda are distinguished into different categories. Inside Arda, there are the inner stars created by Varda in the upper regions of Ilmen. These are sometimes referred to as the "real stars," such as Carnil, Alcarinqu, Lumbar, Nénar, and Luinil. Varda also grouped together some stars to create the constellations Wilwarin, Telumendil, Soronúm?, Anarríma, and Menelmacar, and Valacirca. Outside Arda, there are the outer stars, which are the real stars known as Velen. The planets of Arda, as Tolkien proposed in a draft, are Mars (Carnil), Jupiter (Alcarinqu?), Saturn (Lumbar), Mercury (Elemmír), and Neptune or Uranus (Nénar and Luinil). The Sun (Anar) and the Moon (Ithil) are also central to Arda's celestial bodies, while Varda is associated with Venus and Pluto is not yet considered.

The Universe Beyond Arda

While Arda is central to the narrative, the universe beyond it is described vaguely. The concept of the night without form or time (Kúma) is mentioned, alongside the vast cosmos with countless splendours, galaxies, and enormous halls. Sauron's statement that "there is nothing outside but Night - and other worlds" hints at a universe with countless other worlds ruled by other Valar and Maiar under Ilúvatar. The specific region chosen by the Valar for Arda is described ambivalently, but it is clear that Arda is a central and important part of the universe's design, set amid an infinite cosmos.

Conclusion

Tolkien's Legendarium offers a rich tapestry of celestial and cosmological elements, beyond the realms of Arda. Understanding these elements helps to grasp the vast and multifaceted universe he created, with Middle-earth as its central, yet not exclusive, focus. Whether through the myths of The Book of Lost Tales, the compiled works of The Silmarillion, or the transformed conceptual pieces of Myths Transformed, Tolkien's descriptions provide a vivid and complex picture of the universe beyond our familiar domains.