In a special Pride Month Episode I explore what queer readings, queer coding, and explicity queer characters mean in subcreation, and ask myself - what would a Shire Pride look like?

The cannonical answer is - there would be a drag queen story time!

In this episode I explore how we anxiety and fear can make us feel we have to erradicate all risk, and the life limiting, and joy limiting implications of that.

Oh and I tell the Valar they need therapy - badly!

Willow Moot link https://blackberry.signumuniversity.org/events/willowmoot2026/

The Big Read - https://www.tolkiensociety.org/members/big-read/

Follow me on Threads - @counsellingkaren

Bluesky karen.bskyb.social

and email me on [email protected]

Exploring Myth, Parenthood, and Growth through Tolkien's Legendarium In this episode, psychotherapist and Tolkien enthusiast Karen Pollock dives into the profound themes of myth, parenting, and personal growth as reflected in Tolkien's works, particularly focusing on the story of Aule, Yvanna, and the dwarves. Perfect for lovers of literature, psychology, and Middle-earth, this episode reveals how myths mirror our own internal journeys.Key Topics:

• The parallels between mythological stories and parenting, especially the hopes and fears involved in nurturing others
• The story of Ale (Aule) and Yvanna, and their roles as archetypes of creator and nurturer
• The evolution of Tolkien's Valar and how their stories reflect changing ideas about power and stewardship
• The importance of humility, acceptance, and growth in both the legendarium and real life
• The significance of mistakes and humility in creation and personal development
• How Tolkien's mythic themes relate to mental health and self-awareness
• The contrast between Ale's desire for control versus his genuine wish to nurture and love
• The role of compassion and acceptance in healing and growth

• Tolkien Society
• WillowMoot (belgium)
• EuroMoot (Prague)

• Hephaestus - Greek God of Fire and Forge
• Vulcan - Roman God of Fire
• Understanding Myth as a Reflection of Human Experience

This week we are exploring how Tolkien’s mythic universe and psychoanalytic concepts illuminate the complex emotions of shame and anger, offering insights for healing and self-understanding. I look at Melkor's response to Illuvatar telling him, your improv Jazz Solo was still my music brought out both shame and defensive anger.

Content note for shame being weaponised, internalised shame and toxic parenting - please remember the importance of patience and gentle inquiry when working through shame and anger

You can contact me on [email protected] and @karenpollock.bsky.social

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to the episode and themes of Tolkien and mental health

01:09 - The Tolkien Society’s read-alongs and community engagement

02:34 - The dual passions of Tolkien and demystifying mental health

03:29 - Exploring the emotional space of shame, with insights from Tolkien’s lore

05:00 - The music of the Ainur and the creation of the universe as a metaphor for identity

06:37 - The significance of Melkor’s shame and creation out of rebellion

09:47 - Differentiating guilt ("I did bad") from shame ("I am bad")

12:22 - Freud’s theory of shame and the superego’s role in internalized shame

15:11 - Shame as systemic and culturally embedded, using Foucault’s framework

16:04 - How societal shame targets marginalized communities and enforces norms

17:42 - Weaponization of shame, internalized prejudices, and societal control

18:54 - The role of divine compassion versus shame in Tolkien’s Valar

19:54 - The shame of Melkor’s rebellion and failure, and the importance of compassionate guidance

24:00 - The protective role of anger and how recognition can help process shame

26:32 - Gentle approaches to healing shame, like caring for a rescue dog

29:14 - Closing thoughts on healing shame and fostering self-compassion

Remember — understanding shame and anger can lead to greater compassion for yourself and others. Be gentle and patient in your healing journey.Resources & Links:

• Tolkien’s Legendarium & The Silmarillion (HarperCollins Edition 2024⁠

• ⁠The Tolkien Society Big Read⁠

• Life isnt Binary
  

Music by https://pixabay.com/music/beautiful-plays-cloud-of-sorrow-13984/

This week in the first of the Silm Season Episodes I explore the fascinating interplay between Tolkien’s legendarium and the concept of family canon, revealing how myths influence personal and collective identity. Family myths (family canon) can influence personal identity, highlighting examples like the "messy" middle child or cultural expectationsand the harms of rigid family canon can be huge, especially when it enforces stereotypes or suppresses authentic self-expression

Content contains themes related to darkness, family myths, and personal identity.

• Tolkien’s Legendarium & The Silmarillion (HarperCollins Edition 2024

• The Tolkien Society Big Read

• The Alliance of Arda

Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction and the excitement around Tolkien’s 2026 Big Read
00:29 - The upcoming legendarium discussions and the Sylm season focus
01:29 - Dark themes in Tolkien and the importance of self-care when engaging with heavy content
02:47 - The influence of myth and legend on Tolkien’s work, with a focus on darkness and heroism
03:46 - Exploring the theme of family canon: how stories shape our identities
04:14 - Definition of canon in literature, religion, and fandom and its implications
05:14 - The fluidity of subcreated worlds versus rigid Tolkien canon enforcement
06:42 - The danger of weaponizing canon in fandom disputes
09:11 - Families’ own attitude towards myths, legends, and individual roles within family canon
09:41 - Personal reflection on being the “messy” middle child and family mythologies
10:38 - How family legends can influence behavior and perceptions across generations
11:08 - The potential harm of family canon—such as expectations around gender, career, and sexuality
12:49 - How family myths can be harmful, especially when they dismiss personal truth
13:32 - Examples of how family canon can impose limits on individuals' identity and life choices
15:01 - Personal story about family canon regarding education, class, and sexuality
16:43 - The importance of breaking free from harmful myths and myths as prisons
17:55 - Ending reflection on the importance of valuing people over things and myths
18:36 - A reading from Tolkien’s "Anilindole" and its themes of harmony and divine music
22:54 - Closing thoughts: embodying light in darkness and the enduring power of myth:Note: Content contains themes related to darkness, family myths, and personal identity.

Music by https://pixabay.com/music/beautiful-plays-cloud-of-sorrow-13984/ contact me on [email protected] or find me on Bluesky @karenpollock.bsky.social

In this special episode celebrating Tolkien Reading Day, I read from one of my favourite passages in the Silmarrilion, and if just one person remembers that sometimes heroism is just getting through another day, then thats the light in the darkness I hope for.

Happy Gondorian New Year!

Any comments or questions you can contact me on [email protected]

Karen Pollock explores the character Andreth from Tolkien's legendarium, highlighting her wisdom, philosophical debates, and significance for International Women's Day.

keywords; keywords

Tolkien, Andrith, Middle Earth, Women in Literature, Philosophy, Tolkien's Legendarium, International Women's Day, Literary Analysis

contact Karen on [email protected] or find out more about them on their website counsellinginnorthumberland.com

This week I am looking at cogntive distortions, beliefs we hold onto as "facts" and how dangerous these can be with the weight of structural power behind them.

The seemingly harmless belief those folk the other side of the shire are all a bit queer shows us how these distortions can have all the authority of solid facts, for the right listeners in the Ivy Bush.

Content Notes for Mentions of racism, slavery, and conversion therapy.

https://www.routledge.com/Gender-Sex-and-Relationship-Diversity-Therapy-Theory-and-Practice/Davies-Neves-Prunas/p/book/9781032868806

A short gift giving episode and seasons greetings to all the wonderful people on this journey with me.

Here is to 2026! May we all be lights in the darkness for each other

Another inhabitant of middle earth joins me in my hypothetical therapy room, although in this case, as I will explore, I think a therapist's office would be the worst place for Fredegar Bolger to heal. In this episode I explore what the impact of his experiences might have been, and how as a therapist I might work with them.

Content notes for discussion of torture, the holocaust (briefly) incarceration and eating disorders/disordered eating.

My paper on Orcs (mentioned in the podcast) https://scholar.valpo.edu/journaloftolkienresearch/vol22/iss2/ and if you have any thoughts, suggestions or comments you can find me on Bluesky - @karenpollock.bsky.social or email on [email protected]

Keywords -

mental health, Tolkien, trauma therapy, Fatty Bolger, resilience, healing, psychotherapy, literature, trauma, coping strategies