The Metaphysical Lessons of Oz
Dorothy and Toto – The Metaphysical Lessons of Oz
For the past fifteen years, I’ve used The Wizard of Oz to teach mythology, fairy tales, and Eastern philosophies to my college Literature students, sometimes three classes per semester, three semesters per year. There are many metaphysical lessons of Oz. Recently, instead of paying attention to the spiritual/transformational theme, I ‘ve taken greater note of my students’ responses to the characters on Oz adventure. Once Dorothy hooks up with her companions and skips along the yellow brick road in search of home and self, ( a symbol of the third chakra, the “I am” of individual existence), we see how each character mistakenly perceives that a particular physical organ (heart, brain) or specific personality trait (courage) will render him complete, turn him from what he was to what he should be. The first metaphysical lesson of Oz is that we are already what we should be, which is Dorothy’s great lesson. It is not the missing fragment itself that needs replacement. That fragment is just a symbol for the specific chakra that needs activation and healing.
Of course we know that no parts are missing; the chakras are there but the characters have not been fully awakened to them. This pretty much parallels the way so many of us live our lives in the ordinary world which dulls the senses with noise and junk. Sadly, it often takes a tragedy — in this case, Dorothy’s isolation from home and desperate need for familiarity — to deliver to us truly important lessons. So it’s not the heart or brain that’s delivered, no: WE are delivered as we discover our spiritual core. The messengers along the way are not always obvious. Yes, we know the wizard was a fraud. But who is the true wizard of this film? Who makes possible this spiritual unification? TOTO.
Enter the four-legged angel. Toto is the Divine emissary who propels us into higher consciousness. What prompts Dorothy’s escape from home in the first place? It was Toto’s mischievous exploration of Elmira Gulch’s garden. When Dorothy is captured and imprisoned by the Wicked Witch of the West, who bravely leads the trio of her companions to the dark tower where she’s imprisoned (a symbol of her subconscious self)? Who swiftly pulls back the curtain exposes the Wizard as a shameful fraud? And who prevents Dorothy from taking the passenger seat home in a hot air balloon? Toto, who leaps out as the balloon ascends, forcing Dorothy out after him.
The result is a lesson in meditation and chanting by Glinda the Good Witch: Dorothy must close her eyes and visualize, using her third eye/brow chakra to will herself home. She realizes that there are no fields greener than our own and no wizards greater than ourselves. Toto as the animal guide transports her to higher planes, her spiritual teacher in every regard.
As I’ve been monitoring students’ responses to the characters, I notice that they differ markedly from mine. Overwhelmingly, they identify the Cowardly Lion as their favorite character, symbolizing perhaps, their anxieties. I, however, get weepy every time Dorothy bids a soppy farewell to Scarecrow, her first and completely unselfish, loyal protector. I’m sure this triggers a deeply rooted wish for such devotion in my life.
Take the time to watch this film again no matter how many times you’ve seen it. Where does it strike you? What metaphysical lessons of Oz call to you? Where does your inner empath begin to manifest? It may tell you where you need to do your next round of self-therapy.
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About the Author
Lisa Shaw is a spiritual counselor, animal communicator, writer, and English professor. She has taught metaphysical classes in South Florida for over 25 years and currently hosts a women’s spiritual learning circle in Ft. Lauderdale, where she lives with a brood of unruly animals.
Connect with Lisa at: www.reikidogs.com
