What was the Source of Gandalf’s Fireworks?

Q: What Was the Source of Gandalf’s Fireworks?

ANSWER: In “A Long-expected Party” Tolkien writes:

The fireworks were by Gandalf: they were not only brought by him, but designed and made by him; and the special effects, set pieces, and flights of rockets were let off by him. But there was also a generous distribution of squibs, crackers, backarappers, sparklers, torches, dwarf-candles, elf-fountains, goblin-barkers and thunder-claps. They were all superb. The art of Gandalf improved with age.

The fact that Gandalf used rockets implies at least some of his fireworks were built using gunpowder or a similar combustible substance.

Closely associated with this question is the issue of whether Gandalf needed the Ring Narya’s help to create fireworks or to use fire. Some people (and Websites) wrongly attribute Gandalf’s powers to his staff. Nowhere does J.R.R. Tolkien say that a wizard’s staff is the source of his power or the receptacle of the wizard’s strength (as Sauron’s ring was the receptacle of his strength).

As a Maia Gandalf possessed a lot of native “power”. His Maiaric abilities are not enumerated but in The Silmarillion the Maiar are said to have assisted the Valar in their labors to shape and maintain the functions of Arda. They could, presumably, unleash great forces when they desired to. The only Maiar who display great strength that directly affects Arda are Ossë and Uinen. Arien, who was originally a spirit of fire, guided the sun and Tilion, one of Oromë’s hunters, guided the moon.

If as I have written elsewhere the Maiar were partly responsible for the destruction of Beleriand then they were certainly capable of unleashing great forces. But Tolkien does not say if Gandalf or any of the other Istari served in the Host of the West or fought in any of the wars of the Valar. Most readers, I think, assume that would be the case.

While confronting the Balrog of Moria Gandalf named himself a servant of the Secret Fire, which I and others have identified with the Flame Imperishable. But Gandalf also claims to be a “Wielder of the Flame of Anor”. While some people interpret this to mean that Gandalf was announcing he had Narya in his keeping, that would have been inconsistent with his charge as a Keeper to hide the Ring from Sauron, his servants, and any potential allies. The “flame or Anor” means literally “flame of the sun”. In other words, Gandalf was telling the Balrog that he was himself a fire spirit. Some people question this, however, because The Silmarillion does not specifically say that he was a fire spirit:

Wisest of the Maiar was Olórin. He too dwelt in Lórien, but his ways took him often to the house of Nienna, and of her he learned pity and patience.

There is nothing in this passage that describes Olórin’s affinity for anything in particular. Nor do any of the notes and story fragments published in Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth provide insight into Gandalf’s affinity for fire, much less any possible affinities with the other major groupings (air, water, and earth).

As Olórin he seems to have been associated with dreams and inspirational visions, especially among the Elves of Valinor. This association is similar to Cirdan’s description of Narya’s power and purpose, to kindle hearts. But as a Great Ring of Power Narya should have enhanced Gandalf’s native talents regardless of what his affinities might be. That Narya should have conferred some special control over fire seems unnecessary. In fact, both Elrond and Galadriel performed magic using water (Elrond caused the river to rise up against the Nazgûl) but it was Galadriel’s Ring, Nenya, that was named for water. For that matter, Gandalf caused Elrond’s flood to take on the shape of white horses, so he too exercised control over water.

Hence, the idea that the Three Rings were closely associated with the philosophical elements for which they were named is not supported by the texts. And therefore Gandalf’s control over fireworks must have been due to his own native power.