All the Wicked Buzz Has Me Soulfully Protective of The Wizard of Oz
The new movie, Wicked, is a hit. From costumes to choreography the multi-layered story is as engaging as it is entertaining. In the next post I will peel back the layers of Wicked, but let’s root ourselves in the origin of this marvel and unpack the magic of the timeless tale, The Wizard of Oz.
This story has been interpreted in countless ways, with claims ranging from economic commentary to political propaganda. However, The Wizard of Oz is most likely an exoteric spiritual tale, deeply influenced by the Theosophical beliefs of its author, L. Frank Baum. Theosophy is a spiritual and philosophical tradition that seeks to understand the divine, the universe, and the spiritual evolution of humanity through a synthesis of religious, philosophical, and scientific ideas. Rooted in ancient wisdom traditions, Theosophy emphasizes the exploration of universal truths that transcend individual religions or dogmas. Baum even wrote these ideas in more explicit forms with articles for The Chicago Evening Post, discussing Theosophy and exploring ideas about reincarnation, karma, and the unity of all life.
In spirituality, stories often serve as allegorical tools to convey messages in an exoteric (outward focused) manner that is accessible and appealing to a broad audience. We connect so deeply with these stories because they point to the esoteric (inward focused) mystical knowledge of the soul’s journey. In the Wizard of Oz, beneath the charming narrative and colorful characters lives the universal story of the soul’s quest for enlightenment, self-discovery, and spiritual awakening.
ToTo
In the beginning of The Wizard of Oz, Miss Gulch tries to take Toto away from Dorothy. Toto represents the nonverbal intuition throughout this story, the elements of inner knowing and creativity. Toto will play a key role at critical moments of the tale, even as a non-speaking character, who ultimately pulls back the curtain on Oz to reveal the charlatan for the fake that he is. Miss Gulch represents a position of social power or wealth in the community - the structures in place that attempt to separate us from our own inner wisdom. Dorothy refuses to lose this intuitive part of self and sets off on her adventure.
The Call to Adventure
Most heros “refuse the call” before taking the soul’s journey. Dorothy does not. But Professor Marvel, the first snake oil salesman she encounters, does send her back home to Aunty Em. The Universe will not deny Dorothy her journey, because Dorothy has already made the sincere request to go “over the rainbow.” So she is greeted with nature’s catalyst, in the form of a tornado, that is the initiating force of chaos in personal transformation. She moves from the mundane (black and white) to the extraordinary (world of color), as many spiritual initiates will confirm - you begin to see the world through a different lens as if your eyes can see in high definition clarity.
Glinda
Our hero meets Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, embodying the presence of the Divine Feminine, the Sacred Mother. The North always represents the Divine, like navigating a path using the North Star. Glinda serves as a Divine Guide in the story, but she cannot walk the path for Dorothy—Dorothy must undertake the journey herself. Glinda cannot reveal the full power of Dorothy's shoes because Dorothy needs to first complete her process of integration. While Glinda warns Dorothy of the Wicked Witch of the West, she remains completely unfazed by the Wicked Witch's presence. The West is spiritually associated with the darkness of the setting sun and the unknown, and the Wicked Witch reflects the inner darkness Dorothy must face on her journey of self discovery.
The Yellow Brick Road: The Path to Enlightenment
The Yellow Brick Road is more than a pathway; it symbolizes the golden path of spiritual awakening. It is Dorothy’s path “home” to the highest SELF. Its winding route mimics the sacred oval shape of the universe, reminding us that the journey is rarely linear but is more likely an upward spiral.
The Triune: Thought Feeling Action
Dorothy meets the next three characters in order of thought, feeling, action. These are personified as the scarecrow, tin man, and lion. The triune of thought, feeling, and action is a concept that reflects the interconnectedness of the mind, emotions, and behaviors in human experience. This framework suggests that each of these elements plays a critical role in shaping our reality, and that they are not separate or isolated but rather work together in a dynamic way.
In a spiritual journey of self development, we have to align these aspects in order. Thought precedes feeling, and feeling precedes action. We know what is like when these are not in line. “Right action” without the sincerity of thought and feeling behind it, puts us in a state of conflict or superficiality. Or when our thoughts and feelings are aligned, but we do not have the courage to take action on them, we also experience a state of conflict.
So we see the characters clumsily moving along the Yellow Brick Road, with arms in link, and eventually they get in order and synchronize (integrate) on their journey.
The Emerald City and the Wizard: The Illusion of Authority
Many people believe that external things will bring them satisfaction or hold the most power, but this belief can be reversed when we realize that true fulfillment comes from within. The Emerald City, dazzling and alluring, symbolizes the magnetism of materialism, perceived power, and the external validation we often seek. The Wizard, initially perceived as a powerful figure, is revealed to be an ordinary man hiding behind a façade. This discovery underscores the esoteric teaching that true power lies within, not in external sources of authority.
The Wicked Witch: Confronting the Shadow
The Wicked Witch represents the shadow self—the darker aspects of our psyche that we fear and repress. We often think the spiritual journey is one of ease and peace, but in order to integrate all aspects of being, we have to face our own darkness within. This is the shadow work, and it requires great courage. Dorothy’s eventual triumph over the Witch is not about destruction but integration, as she learns to reclaim her power and confront herself.
The Ruby Slippers: The Key to Self-Empowerment
Dorothy’s ruby slippers are a potent symbol of inner power and the realization that the tools for transformation have been with us all along. Her journey teaches that self-empowerment comes from recognizing and embracing our innate gifts. The Wizard tries to hand out frivolous tokens to the bunch, but the audience obviously can see that the characters had what they were seeking all along.
The Return Home: The Hero’s Journey Fulfilled
Dorothy’s return to Kansas signifies the completion of the hero’s journey as she returns to the physical and spiritual “home.”
Esoteric Wisdom in Everyday Life
The Wizard of Oz invites us to reflect on our own journeys. Like Dorothy, we are all on a path of self-discovery, accompanied by fragments of ourselves seeking wholeness and alignment. The story reminds us that the answers we seek are already within us, waiting to be awakened through courage and self-awareness.
The next time you revisit this classic tale, look beyond the surface. Let its esoteric messages guide you in your own quest for meaning and transformation, reminding you that there’s no place like home—your True Self.
These ideas are included in my upcoming book, Your Baby Your Guru, available for preorder now.
If you like this content, there is a long podcast (Know Thyself) that goes into even more depth: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0YCBy1i3Vzq2WS50ghBbcV