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'''The Void''' was a term used by [[Tolkien]] in various ways, but that in general seems to describe the uninhabited regions of the universe. In particular, the Void is that part of existence outside the World, but the [[Timeless Halls]] of [[Ilúvatar]] seem to be apart from the Void, too. After his defeat in the [[War of Wrath]], [[Melkor]] was cast out into the Void, but legends predict that he will return to the World before its end.
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[[File:Šárka Škorpíková - Melkor reaching Arda.jpg|thumb|250px|''Melkor reaching Arda'' by [[:Category:Images by Šárka Škorpíková|Šárka Škorpíková]]]]
{{quote|Lost and forgotten be, darker than the darkness,<br>Where gates stand forever shut, till [[Arda Unmarred|the World is mended]]|[[Tom Bombadil]], ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[Fog on the Barrow-downs]]"}}
 
'''The Outer Void''', or the '''Timeless Void''', was a term used in various ways.
 
==History==
Cosmologically, the Void is the uninhabited regions of (non)existence outside [[Time]] and [[Eä|Creation]], the absence of the [[Flame Imperishable]]. It is told that [[Morgoth|Melkor]] used to wander in the Void to look in vain for the Flame Imperishable.<ref name=Ainu>{{S|Ainu}}</ref>
 
The [[Timeless Halls]] of [[Ilúvatar]] are apart from the Void; [[Eä]] is created amidst the Void but is not a part of it.<ref name=Ainu></ref>
 
After his defeat in the [[War of Wrath]], [[Morgoth]] was cast out into the Timeless Void "through the [[Door of Night]] beyond the [[Walls of the World]]",<ref>{{S|24}}</ref> but legends predict that he will return to the World and cause its [[Dagor Dagorath|End]]. The Void thus in that context refers to the vast distant empty spaces of [[Eä]]. This was often confused by [[Elves]] and [[Men]] with the Void that existed before the creation of [[Eä]].<ref>{{MR|P5VII}}</ref>
 
[[Sauron]]'s spirit also entered the Void after [[The One Ring]] was destroyed.<ref>{{S|IId}}</ref>
 
It is also possible [[Gandalf]]'s spirit entered the Void after his battle with the Balrog in Moria, as he "passed out of thought and time."<ref>{{TT|III5}}</ref>
 
==Other names==
The Void was also known as the '''Outer Dark''' (or the Outer Darkness), the '''Everlasting Dark''', the '''Ancient Darkness'''. [[Qenya]] names were ''Avakúma'', ''Oiakúma''<ref>{{VT|46a}}, p. 8</ref>, and ''[[Kúma]]''.<ref>{{HM|IX}}, p. 31</ref><ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p. 379</ref>
 
{{references}}
{{cosmology}}
[[Category: Cosmology]]
[[de:Kúma]]
[[fi:Ajaton Tyhjyys]]

Revision as of 20:13, 18 February 2021

"I shan't call it the end, till we've cleared up the mess." — Sam
This article or section needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of article quality.
Melkor reaching Arda by Šárka Škorpíková
"Lost and forgotten be, darker than the darkness,
Where gates stand forever shut, till the World is mended
"
Tom Bombadil, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Fog on the Barrow-downs"

The Outer Void, or the Timeless Void, was a term used in various ways.

History

Cosmologically, the Void is the uninhabited regions of (non)existence outside Time and Creation, the absence of the Flame Imperishable. It is told that Melkor used to wander in the Void to look in vain for the Flame Imperishable.[1]

The Timeless Halls of Ilúvatar are apart from the Void; is created amidst the Void but is not a part of it.[1]

After his defeat in the War of Wrath, Morgoth was cast out into the Timeless Void "through the Door of Night beyond the Walls of the World",[2] but legends predict that he will return to the World and cause its End. The Void thus in that context refers to the vast distant empty spaces of . This was often confused by Elves and Men with the Void that existed before the creation of .[3]

Sauron's spirit also entered the Void after The One Ring was destroyed.[4]

It is also possible Gandalf's spirit entered the Void after his battle with the Balrog in Moria, as he "passed out of thought and time."[5]

Other names

The Void was also known as the Outer Dark (or the Outer Darkness), the Everlasting Dark, the Ancient Darkness. Qenya names were Avakúma, Oiakúma[6], and Kúma.[7][8]

References

Middle-earth Cosmology
 Constellations  Anarríma · Durin's Crown · Menelmacar · Remmirath · Soronúmë · Telumendil · Valacirca · Wilwarin
Stars  Alcarinquë · Borgil · Carnil · Elemmírë · Helluin · Luinil · Lumbar · Morwinyon · Nénar · Star of Eärendil · Til 
The Airs  Aiwenórë · Fanyamar · Ilmen · Menel · Vaiya · Veil of Arda · Vista
Narsilion  Arien · Moon (Isil, Ithil, Rána) · Sun (Anar, Anor, Vása) · Tilion
See also  Abyss · Arda · Circles of the World · · Timeless Halls · Two Lamps · Two Trees · Void