Lux in Tenebris: The Dialectic of Light and Darkness in Tolkien’s Legendarium
Signum University invites you to join us on 7 February for SoCal Moot 2026. This hybrid event will occur at the Carlsbad City Library in Carlsbad, California. This year, we invite you to contemplate the juxtaposition of light and darkness with our theme, “Lux in Tenebris: The Dialectic of Light and Darkness in Tolkien’s Legendarium“.
Register Here for SoCal Moot 2026!
- $50.00 USD for In-Person Attendance
- $25.00 USD for Remote Attendance
The interplay of light and darkness in Tolkien’s legendarium operates not merely as a moral binary but as a dynamic dialectic that is fundamental to his sub-creative world. Elements like the Flame Imperishable, the primordial Light of the Two Trees, the Phial of Galadriel, and the Silmarils themselves invite exploration of Light not merely as the absence of Dark, but as a tangible, sacred, and sometimes perilous substance. Conversely, Darkness is explored as both a void of creation and an active, malevolent force that twists and parodies Light, as seen in the withering flames of Morgoth, the Unlight of Ungoliant, the shadow of Mordor, and the balrogs’ intermingling of shadow and flame.
SoCal Moot welcomes analysis of our theme from literary, theological, philosophical, and interdisciplinary perspectives to illuminate (pun intended) how Tolkien’s treatment of light and darkness fundamentally structures his mythology’s understanding of creation, fall, the struggle against evil, and redemption.
Please read our Regional Moot Recording and Privacy Notice. You will be required to agree to its contents in our registration system before completing your ticket purchase.
Schedule of Events – All Times Listed for Carlsbad – Pacific Time
10:00 – 10:15am: Welcome to SoCal Moot w/Corey Olsen
10:15 – 10:55am: Winds Beneath the World: Tolkien’s Engagement with Isidore of Seville and Vergil w/Sam Lewis
10:55 – 11:30am: Tolkien’s Capitalization of Sun and Moon w/Praise Moyer
11:35 – 11:50am: Elevenses – A Short Break
11:50am – 12:30pm: Ein Sof and Eru Ilúvatar: Concealed Divinity and the Gift of Being in Kabbalah and the Ainulindalë w/Adam Beaton
12:30 – 1:30pm: SoCal Moot Lunch Break
1:30 – 2:45pm: Corey’s Textual Analysis Dice Game w/Corey Olsen
2:45 – 3:25pm: Kenotic Incantations w/Matthew Muñoz
3:25 – 3:40pm: Afternoon Break
3:40 – 4:20pm: Orodreth – A Character Study w/Michael Rensink
4:20 – 4:50pm: The Future of Signum University w/Corey Olsen
