Being an Elven Queen

Ever since I knew what elves, fairies, and magic beings were I knew that I was one of them. I mean, I hoped and all, but pretty much I knew that I was magic. That there was something deeper than reality and I always strove to connect to that.

When I was about 13 or so, I got pneumonia and I couldn't go to school or dance. (I danced at least 3 days after school at that point, maybe more, and helped my mom at the art's school on the other days. To keep myself busy, I pulled these old paperbacks off the shelf in my dad's computer room/study called "The Lord of the Rings" by J R R Tolkien. I remember that it took me a while to get into it, with all the songs and the long form descriptions Tolkien loves... but WHOA.

I had a great discussion with my physician—another LOTR fan - during checkups. He always asked me what was happening and we relived the characters and events. I remember very poignantly he asked me about the Ents—and what I thought that meant about nature and the environment.

BOOM—ACTIVIST ENABLED.

I LOVED the Lord of the Rings books, and sped thru to finish them all laying on a raggedy towel in my backyard, while stretching (something... I still do).

Over the course of the next few years I read the Hobbit, the Silmarillion, and all the adjoining extra books. Realizing the Elven language was created by Tolkien and based on my grandparent's language of Finnish, I became a little (a lot) obsessed with it all—especially the art. I painted and drew fairies, and even repainted my room dark green with gold elven accents to make it look more like Rivendell.

However, my favorite character was Galadriel. I wanted to BE her. I walked around my suburban house in Ohio, in the woods, in the dance studio with my posture held high trying to dissolve my skin and access my power and magic (though I wouldn’t articulate this out loud until decades later).

Galadriel was my inspiration to see the depth in reality as empowered magic, which I still does everyday.

Galadriel is the ancient elven queen called the "Lady of Light", ruling over the enchanted forests of Lothlorien with her husband Celeborn on Middle Earth. She is a ring bearer, wearing Nenya, one of the three rings given to the Elves. She has been on middle earth for all three ages, and decides to take the golden ships into the West and fade from the history of middle earth. Read more about her here.

When the movies came out a few years later I was right in line for opening night, dressed as an elf, of course. The movies were both so inspiring and disappointing, as the images I had in my head were replaced with Peter Jackson's vision—with slightly different faces. However, seeing the epic landscapes and battle scenes brought LOTR to life in a whole new way—one I could have never imagined on my own.

created for Raksgeek.com (follow us on FB & check out our livestream shows!)

filmed at the Newport Theater by Greg Inda & Lindsey Marks

music

“Afterglow + Mantra“ by Phaeleh

This performance art piece was created for my dance troupe Raks Geek. I embody Galadriel and her struggle with shadow & brightness—her ability to make the hard decision to serve the greater good with her ring of power. As a powerful femme, she holds great responsibility, over a great period of time.

I'm honored to bring her through as an archetype we all hold within.

Thanks for watching, and big thanks to everyone who's supported me in my fantasy lifestyle over the years :)

big love,

gaea