Few films capture the intricate interplay of power, control, and deception as masterfully as The Wizard of Oz. However, beyond its cautionary nature in the political landscape, The Wizard of Oz delves deep into realms of spiritual significance and mysticism. It is here that we will extract our wisdom from this timeless classic.
“THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME.”
We begin in the dreary expanse of Kansas, where endless fields of dusty farmland extend to the horizon. This landscape mirrors the mundane reality of the physical world and the realm of the toiling working class.
We find our protagonist, Dorothy Gale, singing what would become an iconic classic, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
“BIRDS FLY OVER THE RAINBOW…”
The rainbow has long been a symbol of promise and divine connection in various spiritual traditions. It represents the bridge between the earthly realm and the heavens, reminding us of the interconnectedness of all things and the possibility of transcending earthly limitations to reach a higher state of consciousness.
In this sense, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” becomes a metaphor for the spiritual journey—a quest for inner peace, enlightenment, and ultimate liberation from suffering.
Dorothy yearns for a place where dreams come true, and troubles melt away like lemon drops. It speaks to the innate human longing for happiness, fulfillment, and spiritual transcendence beyond the confines of our physical existence.
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR:
In an attempt to rescue her unruly dog, Toto, from being euthanized, Dorothy runs away from home.
Along the road, she encounters Mr. Marvel, a charlatan posing as a fortune teller. Peering into his “crystal ball,” Mr. Marvel (whose big old head we’ll see later) foresees Auntie Em crying.
“Someone has just about broken her heart,” he says with sincere compassion.
Terrified for Auntie Em, Dorothy immediately regrets her decision to run away and rushes home. Though she makes it back safely, everyone has gone underground due to a looming storm. With no time to hide, Dorothy heads back to her bedroom, where the window shatters and knocks her unconscious. This blow symbolizes the descent into her subconscious mind, where the spiritual journey will unfold.
“WE MUST BE OVER THE RAINBOW!”:
The TORNADO sweeps Dorothy’s house up and carries it far away from Kansas. The Tornado itself symbolizes the disruptive elements that shape our existence. It embodies chaos, destruction, and abrupt transformation internally and externally. Yet, within this upheaval lies the potential for liberation and profound enlightenment.
Upon landing, Dorothy finds herself in the Technicolored world of Oz. Captivated by the enchanting and welcoming world around her, Dorothy’s delight quickly fades when she realizes her house has landed on the Wicked Witch of the East, who symbolizes Eastern industrialists and bankers.
Before Dorothy can panic, Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, appears. Glinda serves as the embodiment of the divine feminine. She provides motherly guidance on what is to come but emphasizes that Dorothy must embark on her journey alone. However, before any further wisdom can be imparted to Dorothy, the Wicked Witch of the West arrives.
THE WITCH OF THE WEST:
The Witch of the West symbolizes the financial elite of Western America, representing corporate greed and the insatiable thirst for power and control. However, on a deeper spiritual level, she embodies the fear consciousness wielded by an unenlightened mind.
She has come for the highly coveted Ruby Slippers.
THE RUBY SLIPPERS:
The ruby slippers symbolize power, particularly the power of one’s true self.
Initially, they are worn by the Wicked Witch of the East, suggesting that she wields authority and control, a kind of self-mastery.
When Dorothy inherits the slippers, she unknowingly inherits this power, signifying the potential for her own inner strength and empowerment.
When the Witch of the West tries to seize the ruby slippers from her sister’s dead body, she finds they have found a new home on Dorothy’s feet.
“There they are, and there they’ll stay,” Glinda asserts.
The ruby slippers are now firmly entwined with Dorothy’s fate. Glinda warns Dorothy never to remove them, suggesting their potent power:
“They must be very powerful, or she wouldn’t want them so badly.”
FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD:
The iconic yellow brick road represents gold (the currency of the time) and embodies the hope and positivity driving Dorothy as she embarks on her odyssey. It symbolizes a route to aspirations and a journey toward enlightenment.
Although initially alone, Dorothy does not embark on this journey without companions.
Three companions—the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion—join her, each representing essential facets of her being.
The Scarecrow is on a quest for a brain (mind), the Tin Man searches for a heart (spirit), and the Cowardly Lion represents courage (body).
For our consciousness to ascend, these three aspects—mind, body, and spirit—must align harmoniously. When this alignment occurs, the manifestation of desires becomes a reality.
After confronting these aspects of her personality in the form of her companions, Dorothy and her friends set off to meet the all-seeing Wizard, a divine entity they believe will be their savior.
THE EMERALD CITY:
The Emerald City, a realm of the elite, symbolizes promises of fame, fortune, and unparalleled achievement. It lures Dorothy into its fold and (literally) transforms her.
Upon entering the chamber of the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy is not greeted by the glorified savior she anticipated but instead encounters a raging egomaniacal head (ego).
He is devoid of true spiritual essence. This false prophet embodies authority and influence, sustaining illusions of control through smoke, mirrors, and deception.
“True courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to overcome it.”
During the ultimate confrontation with the Witch of the West, the flying monkeys torment Dorothy’s companions while Dorothy herself is imprisoned in a tower.
As the witch attempts to remove Dorothy’s ruby slippers, she is suddenly struck by an unknown force. This event is profoundly significant, indicating that Dorothy has ascended to a new level of enlightenment.
Her unwavering desire to return home exerts a power so potent that it shatters all attempts to keep her ensnared within the illusion of fear. Hence, the witch cannot remove her slippers.
As the climactic conclusion approaches, the witch sets the scarecrow ablaze, symbolizing a final attempt to destroy the knowledge attained on Dorothy’s spiritual journey. In response, Dorothy douses the witch with water, causing her to melt away.
The symbolic meaning of water represents the cleansing and purifying power of truth triumphing over evil. Dorothy’s act of throwing water on the witch serves as a metaphor for washing away the witch’s malevolent influence and revealing her true nature.
It underscores the idea that goodness and purity prevail over wickedness and corruption. For as the witch vanishes, she acknowledges, “Who would have thought a good little girl like you could destroy all my beautiful wickedness?”
NOBODY GETS TO SEE THE WIZARD:
Upon returning to OZ, Dorothy exposes the Wizard of Oz as a fraud. This revelation represents the unveiling of truth and the collapse of false authority.
In this moment, Dorothy confronts the illusion of power and control the wizard perpetuates. To save face, the Wizard praises Dorothy and her companions, acknowledging that they already possess the qualities they so desperately desire.
FINDING HOME:
Although he offers to take Dorothy home (appropriately via a hot air balloon), this path does not align with her destiny. By revealing his deception, she inherently asserts her own agency therefore, her subconscious rejects the notion of relying on external figures for validation or guidance.
Once more, Toto (arguably her subconscious mind in physical form) jumps out of the balloon just as it’s about to take off. Instinctively, Dorothy goes after Toto, and the balloon ascends without them.
Dorothy pleads with the wizard to return, but he confesses that he “can’t come back” as he doesn’t understand how it works. With that, he floats away into the air, leaving Dorothy behind.
His inability to return reflects the idea that genuine enlightenment isn’t found through saviors but rather in the journey of the heart, which leads us to…
When it seems Dorothy may never find her way home, Glinda appears. The Divine Mother smiles confidently as she approaches a tearful Dorothy.
“Can you help me?” Dorothy pleads.
“You don’t need to be helped any longer. You’ve always had the power to go back to Kansas.”
“Why didn’t you tell her before,” scolds the Scarecrow.
“Because she wouldn’t have believed me, she had to find out for herself.”
Glinda explains to Dorothy that with THREE clicks of her heels, the ruby slippers will transport her home.
Dorothy expresses that her quest for her heart’s desire, symbolized by her desire to return home, was ultimately unnecessary. She realizes that the love and sense of belonging she yearned for were always within her grasp, residing right there in her heart. And with three clicks of her heels, Dorothy returns home.
THE HEART OF OZ
The ruby slippers metaphor reinforces the notion that the answers we seek are not found in external pursuits but within the depths of our own being. As Dorothy learned in “The Wizard of Oz,” the greatest treasures and wisdom are not discovered in distant lands or through magical artifacts but through the journey of the heart.
“The greatest power lies within oneself, waiting to be discovered.”
Glinda of Oz
Keep Seeking,
I love this. It almost brings tears because it was a large part of me growing up giving me something higher to believe in. One of my first pitches was the new age Wizard of Oz, simply because its message was to follow your heart. Beautiful to read. Thank you.
My pleasure! Yes! I love the “follow your heart” theme too. Thank you for reading and for sharing your story. The new age Wizard of Oz sounds really cool btw. 🙂