As we end our year of magic in Oz, we look to the Land of Oz and the magic that emanates from its roots. One village, within the Quadling Country, has deep roots in magic and utensils. Yup, I said that right. As if Oz could not get any weirder and unique, there is a small kingdom in the Quadling Country that is made up of entirely and exclusively utensils. Of course, there are tons of villages around Oz and the Quadling Country that are impacted by magic like the town of Cuttenclips (a town of magical paper cut outs), the town of Fuddlecumjig (a town of walking, talking puzzle people), and the mysterious realm of the Hammerheads, who crush anything with their heads. However, I thought since we are about to go into the month of Thanksgiving meals, what better way to celebrate the Ozian food and our kitchens than with the magic of Utensia. So, we will explore its origins, its legacy and magic, along with how you can bring such magic to your neck of the woods. So, let's head south and visit Utensia! Oh no! We've been captured. What will we do? Well, why we await what will happen to us, let’s talk to some of the locals about how this town came.to be and look around to see what we can learn. Well, first, we are brought to court with his highness KING KLEAVER, standing on his chopping block next to his son, PRINCE KLEAVER, ready to give out a verdict and sentence. Walking through the town, we learned that the town is protected by the SPOON BRIGADE, with CAPTAIN DIPP as their leader. Other notable members of this village we encountered were the JUDGE SIFTER, the HIGH PRIEST COLLANDER, MR. PAPRICA, MR. POPP, and SIR JABBER. We also saw that the around the town, as we are in the town square, that there are stovetops, ovens, refrigerators, cupboards, and drawers that function as the houses to these utensils. These locals refer to themselves as Utensians and there are a lot of them in this small kingdom. So, where did it come from? We first learn about Utensia in Baum's sixth book, The Emerald City of Oz, released in 1910. Unfortunately, there is no origin to this town divulged in the one chapter that they are introduced as the entire conversation within the town is what crime Dorothy has committed, which was none, and what should they do with her, which was to send her out of the town to get blueberries since she was hungry and there is no food in Utensia. It really does make one wonder, why was this village created, what is its purpose and what is it even doing there? It does feel like another half-hearted attempt at fantastical creatures, but you can jot down your theories in the comments below and let me know what you think about how this place originated. I think that the Utensils were discarded but brought olive unexpectedly by the Magic of Oz. But, what exactly was done? Well, the magic of Oz that is active in Utensia is making these inanimate utensils come to life. Additionally, they have the ability to speak, walk, and have their own thoughts regarding various events and activities. I have my own ideas about this village and others that since Oz is magical in itself, anything that can be influenced by magic, will be influenced by magic. In the case of the Cuttenclips, another village in Quadling Country, Glinda gave enchanted paper to the leader, Ms. Cuttenclip, to do with as she wanted. Knowing this, it does seem to imply that anything in Oz that can be influenced by magic is enchanted and infused with magic. When it comes to the legacy of Utensia, there are minimal adaptations that feature this small village in the Quadling Country. It's first appearance comes in the book, The Emerald City of Oz by L. Frank Baum. If you would like to hear this village come to life in a wonderful audio performance, check out the theatrical adaptation from the Colonial Radio Theatre Company. If you click on the image above, you will find this story and more done by this company. Next up, in 2013, Marvel's The Emerald City of Oz featured many storyboard scenes from this village. If you would like to check that story out, feel free to check out how to get your own copy from your local comic book store or on Amazon's Comixology. Around 2017, Amazon's Lost in Oz introduced various scenes that featured citizens from Utensia like a fork that works for the Nome King or citizens walking around The Emerald City. Notable episodes that feature these characters include Season 1, Episodes 3 and 12; then, in Season 2, episodes 2 and 4. Be sure to check it out on Amazon Prime. Now, how do you bring this village or other magical villages from Oz to your neck of the woods? Why through crafts, of course. Utensia is the exact kind of village that you can take wiggly or google eyes and glue them to any of your utensils. It works on a lot of different levels and if you want to create a whole claymation experience, why not just make a movie that tells all about the origins of this lovely and magical village? It would be awesome to see. But let me know, how would you bring other villages like the Cuttenclips or the Rigamaroles to life? There are quite a lot of options to choose from, so what do you think?
Also, before we end our year of magic, I want to know what has been your favorite part of our year of magic? We will definitely come back to another year of magic, but in the mean time, we will be starting our third year of Oz celebrations starting in December with each month celebrating a different location in Oz and its surrounding locales. It will be our YEAR Of THE GEOGRAPHY OF OZ. In December, what better place to start than with Santa’s birth place, Burzee and its connecting region, appropriately called the Laughing Valley of HoHaHo. See you next month and have a great Thanksgiving in the Land of Oz!
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As we roll into the spooky and “Wicked” season, what better way to grab some thrills and chills in Oz than with a post all about those hideously grotesque wicked ol’ witches. Of course, I am talking about the notable wicked witches of the West and East; however, there are some other wicked witches that do exist in the north and south as well. So, I will discuss in the more notable and #villainous characters first, their convoluted origins, some notable magical powers, and their magical legacy. Also, I will highlight a little bit about the more unknown wicked witches of Oz. So, let’s journey through the Haunted Forest and see what awaits us! So, the most notable wicked witches of Oz have been the ones that we all know, love, and loathe at the same time. I am referred to, of course, the Wicked Witches of the West and East. So, let’s start with the Witch of the East then we'll talk the Witch of the West. Wicked Witch of the East In Baum’s lore, not much is divulged about her except that she was terribly wicked to the Munchkins and was responsible for not only the Tin Woodman’s appearance but also Captain Fyter’s (another tin character that appears in Book 10) tin appearance as well. She lived in a cottage in Munchkin Country and while looking for herbs and spices for a spell, Dorothy’s house crash landed on top of her and thus crushing her “to death”. That scene is heavily depicted and referenced from the MGM’s The Wizard of Oz (1939) and gives insight into some magical footwear that she had in her possession that clearly had the ability to transport someone across great distances. The book said that they were silver and the movie made them ruby red. In 1975, The Wiz gave the Witch of the East a name, “Evvamean”, for the first time ever. It would not be until Gregory Maguire’s first Wicked novel published in 1995 that we would actually get a backstory and a different name for this unknown witch. In NBC’’s Emerald City, it was suggested that she had the magical power of weather, which caused the tornado to come collect Dorothy and bring her back to Oz. Wicked Witch of the West Regarded as the #4 greatest villain of all time, according to the American Film Institute, this wicked witch has quite the story to tell. So, in Baum’s world, no origin is ever divulged for this character. She has always lived in the Winkie (or "Vinkus") Country as a very malevolent ruler. She is described and illustrated in the book as having an eye patch, three pigtails, and an umbrella. She was very aqua-phobic in the books, just like the adaptations. She is believed to possess only magical power with the animals that she can control, e.g., the flying monkeys, the crows, the bees, the wolves. She also possessed the Golden Cap, which was discussed two posts ago. Her story ends when Dorothy throws water on her and thus melts to a liquid puddle that evaporates (meaning that she has either died or changed forms). In Maguire's world, we get to see a deeper side of her story from birth to death along with legacy. The whole saga is quite a fascinating story and in honor of those stories, I created a Wicked Years section of my blog where every "Wicked" season, I post something new. This year will be the 10th anniversary of the fourth book in the saga, so I will posting some fun activities to celebrate that anniversary. After discussing the origins, its now time to look at the magical abilities of these witches. Wicked Witch of the East In Baum's world, the Witch of the East had the ability to enchant an weapon (like an axe or sword) to move on its own with dark intentions, possibly a curse or hex, as well as making potions from herbs and spices. The incantation for the enchantment is unknown as well as what types of potions she was able to make. In various adaptations, it has been implied that she has the ability to control the weather and do weather-based magic. Wicked Witch of the West This witch's magical abilities has been explored much more in depth than her "sister-witch". In Baum's world, she can magically control such creatures as wolves, bees, crows, and winged monkeys. This magical ability has never been explored except that it is implied that can do animal-based magic. This did imply that she was able to communicate with the animals through her own magical skill set. She also has the ability to create objects and make them appear invisible. Various other adaptations have given her some notable abilities like the ability to read magical texts, using transfiguration magic, clairvoyance and other divination practices such as the ability to use a crystal ball. There is another implication that somehow her magic like her "sister-witch" might have been used to control the denizens of the different regions; however, that is not fully backed up with the texts. But, now, I pass it to you! Which magical abilities would you want? Also, if you have noticed other magical abilities from other various adaptations, please feel free to comment them below! Each of these characters has appeared in various interpretations, so I will just highlight some of my favorites below. I have already include some of the more famous legacy images above. If you are looking to see a more comprehensive list of each witch, click East or West.
Now, we have heard the origins, discussed the magic of each of these Wicked Witches, and shown their legacies within different media adaptations. So, how do we bring these lovelies to our neck of the woods? There are tons of options from watching the movies above to checking out some notable books that include these powerful womxn. First, if you want to check out more on the Wicked Years, feel free to jump over to my other tab where I am currently celebrating the 10th anniversary of Out of Oz, the fourth Wicked book. You can also check out the activities I posted last year for 25th anniversary of the first Wicked book. Other notable books include some comic adaptations along with new written histories concerning the Wicked Witches of Oz. Oh, and if your wondering about the other Wicked Witches in the North and South, there are some notable stories that have been written concerning them. Mombi is implied to be the Wicked Witch of the North in Baum's Marvelous Land of Oz and Singra is said to be the Wicked Witch of the South, according to the book written by Oz Historian Rachel Cosgrove Payes. In the book Ages of Oz, the Wicked Witch of the South is called Aphidina. We will discuss this more in Part 2 and Part 3 coming in Year 4. As close out our spectacularly wicked celebration of the Wicked Witches of Oz, I offer up some more ways for you to bring them into your world and enjoy them. Some notable options include the Oz Museum, which has tons of Wicked Witch souvenirs to purchase as well as the All Things Oz Museum. Then, you will want to stop by the Wicked: The Musical store and check out what fun options you have there. If that does not spark your interest, check out my Wicked post from last year to get some inspiration. Amazon, Etsy, and Pinterest all have tons of ideas as well. So, what will you add to your Wicked Witch collection this October? Also, what is your go to Wicked Witch of Oz book? Let me know in the comments below. One last piece is to check out Bridge to Another World: Escape from Oz collector's edition as the bonus chapter features the Witch of the West. Let me know if you have had a chance to play this game and until next time, I'll be seeing somewhere into the Oz-verse. Greetings Oz Book fans! As we start September, it is a month that has always been dedicated to truly starting school and what better magical artifact to teach us something that Glinda's Big Book of Records. In this post, we learn about the book's origins, its magical abilities, its legacy, and how you can bring just a touch of magic in your neck of the woods with this magical artifact. So, let's begin our studies! Now, the origin of this artifact is unknown but is said to have always belonged to Glinda. Officially introduced in The Emerald City of Oz, very little is known about how she obtained the book or if she created the book; but there is a magical component to this book that should be addressed. It has the automatic and sole ability to document anything and everything happening in Oz and the outside world. There is no quill or anything to write with, the words just magically appear on the page. This is actually shown in the 1990 animation of The Wizard of Oz in the episode, "Time Town". The Cowardly Lion inadvertently sneezes the Witch's spell of the book and the words just appear. What do you think the spell is that causes this book to be able to do this? It is very similar to the Quill and Admissions Record Book in Hogwarts. For more on Glinda's Great Big Book of Records, read more about it here. #amazed In terms of magic, there is not a lot there except that there is something clearly spying on people in Oz and throughout the world. It is quite fascinating. Anyways, let us look to some notable moments of the Great Book of Record's magical legacy within media adaptations. Of course, we saw that it made its mark in 1990's The Wizard of Oz, produced by DiC. It appears in the episode "Time Town", where the Witch of the West, who is back, clearly is trying to eradicate the history of Oz through this book. In ABC's Once Upon a Time, the book appears to Zelena; and in this book, it predicts the future. It appears in the episode, "Kansas", when Zelena first learns about the cardinal witches of Oz and her role in Oz. After now knowing the Book of Record's limited legacy, it is time to discuss how you can bring this lovely book into your home. Of course, any Oz book detailing out Oz adventures is considered Oz History, so why not start with Baum's fourteen (14) Land of Oz books to begin understanding your Oz education. You can find out more about each book here while learning how the Oz adventures continue with other Oz Historians (or authors). Of course, you can always check out the Marvel adaptations of Marvelous Land of Oz and Emerald City of Oz to see more visuals of the lovely Big Book of Records. Also, speaking of Oz education, don't forget to check out my post last year of schools in Oz. Another great option is to understand the history of Oz is through its timeline. Years ago, an amazing Ozian resource was completed by Oz fan Joe Bongiorno. In this website, Bongiorno documents the entire Oz History and its timeline along with alternate and parallel histories, and he has named it The Royal Timeline of Oz. It is such a great resource to foundationalize your Oz History. Another great timeline comes from the International Wizard of Oz club that concerns our world and Oz History within our world. Check it out here. Speaking of Oz History within our world, have you seen this amazing site yet? Here, Oz fan Dan Olsolfka created a Ozian database of all the influences and historical locations influenced by Oz within our world. It also includes well-known festivals and authors who have contributed to the Oz-verse. It is amazing resource to be able to see how much of Oz has made it into our world. So, what are you waiting for? Click on the image below and follow the Yellow Brick Road to Oz. Of course, you can always check out the fun media and comic adaptations above that showcase the amazing and magical Big Book of Records. But, let me know in the comments below. How would you bring Glinda's Big Book of Records to life in your neck of the woods? Might it include crafts? I always love seeing Ozian crafts! So, until next time, we'll be seeing you somewhere into the Oz-verse.
Greetings Summer in Oz fans! Today's post is reflective of the golden summer sun, The Golden Cap of Oz. First introduced in Baum's first Oz story, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1900, this magical artifact has quite the history, useful magical abilities, and a unique legacy in media adaptations. So, without further ado, let's put on our Golden Cap and invoke the help of the flying monkeys to guide us through this month's Year of Magic post. The origin of the cap starts years prior to Dorothy's entrance to Oz in the Gillikin Country with a princess named Gayelette, who lived in a jeweled palace, and fell in love with a handsome gentlemen named Quelala (illustrated above). As a token of their love, Gayelette made a golden cap just for Quelala. However, when the flying monkeys decided to pull a prank on Quelala by shoving him into a river, the princess got mad and turned the gift into a curse for the monkeys. The cap was magically enchanted for force the monkeys to do whatever the wearer commanded three times. Guess they felt dumb for pulling that prank, eh? Over time, the cap ended up transferring hands and ended up in the hands of the Wicked Witch of the West. She used her final request to collect Dorothy and her friends and bring them to her castle (seen below). When the witch was destroyed, the cap was taken by Dorothy, who used it three times during the story to help her along. Then, it was given to Glinda from Dorothy, who used it three times to take the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion back to their newly founded kingdoms. Afterwards, the cap was handed back to the leader of the Flying Monkeys, which broke the curse for them permanently to live freely for the rest of their lives in Oz. Now that we know the origin, let us discuss the magic behind the cap, which comes from a charm that Princess Gayelette used. It is never stated exactly what the charm, spell or incantation was that was used; but, we were enlightened to what the charm did. It locked all the flying monkeys in Oz and they were supposed to do the bidding of anyone who spoke the summoning incantation. This summoning incantation was, as follows: This was spoken by the Wicked Witch, Dorothy, and Glinda throughout the first book. So, now you know what to do in calling the flying monkeys, all you need is the cap. So, feel free to get creative like these Oz fans did and make your own Golden Cap (seen below). Then, when you are finished making your cap, record yourself calling the monkeys like Dorothy and Glinda did in the books; and, share the video for all to see so we can all enjoy the Ozzy goodness of your awesome adaptation. Now knowing what the origin and the magical abilities of the cap are, let us look into the Golden Cap's unique legacy within media adaptations. What makes it so unique is that there's very few adaptations out there that feature the Golden Cap and one of them even made the Golden cap a maroon cap. So, let us discuss those feature adaptations. So, above are some feature film and TV adaptations that utilize the Golden Cap within their stories. In Cinar's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, starting in the episode, "The Wicked Witch of the West", the golden cap makes its appearance as a maroon cap to call the monkeys. She also does not recite the same incantation from the book, but in fact says her own incantation. In MGM's The Wizard of Oz, the Wicked Witch of the West is seen holding a golden headwrap cap, in which she talks into to call her flying monkeys. She does not state the incantation from the book, but just speaks into it. Be sure to check that out as it is a quite a wonderful experience. Then, in the Russian adaptation, Adventures in the Emerald City, we see the witch's golden cap hiding in a treasure chest. It's all quite fascinating to see any and all interpretations of the Golden cap and I do enjoy the adaptations where we can see this magical artifact. Speaking of adaptations of the Golden Cap, even though we do not see it in so many media forms, we do get some illustrated books (and comic) adaptations that bring this item to life. In Marvel's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz comic, we get to see Dorothy using the Golden cap in illustrated form as well as speaking the actual incantation from the book. Additionally, I have collected some notable illustrated editions of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, each featuring their own take on the Golden Cap. Someone even made a pop-up book that includes a pop-up Golden Cap (see cover above, first slide). Each of these books are available online to purchase or you check them out at your local library. Of course, if you are feeling artistic, you can always create your own version of the Golden Cap and post it in the comments below to share with others. Also, feel free to let me know what is your favorite way to celebrate the Golden Cap of Oz? Let me know in the comments below. Before we leave, check out the appearance of the Golden Cap in the game, Bridge to Another World: Escape from Oz (Collector's Edition). It is important if you get the game to get the Collector's Edition because it has this extra storyline of the Wicked Witch of the West. It is available to purchase through Big Fish Games if you would like to play it yourself; and, until next time, we'll be seeing you somewhere in the Oz-verse. What better way to celebrate #Summer and celebrate #FourthofJuly weekend than discussing the magical waters of Oz. While everyone is vacationing to different resorts and spending a lot of time by the pool and in some awesome water parks; there is unfortunately a couple watering holes in the Land of Oz that you will want to stay away from this Summer unless you are okay with their magical properties. Of course, I am talking about the Forbidden Fountain and the Truth Pond (both seen above). So, for this post, we will talk about both the Forbidden Fountain and the Truth Pond, their origins, their legacy, and ways you can re-create these lovely watering holes without the chaotic magic that goes with these different watering regions in the Land of Oz. So, right out the door, we are introduced to The Forbidden Fountain in Baum's sixth book, The Emerald City of Oz (1910); whereas, the Truth Pond was first introduced in Baum's fifth book a year earlier in 1909, The Road to Oz. In regards to their origins, each has their own story to tell. In The Emerald City of Oz, Ozma tells the story that The Forbidden Fountain, which resides in the Emerald City, is believed to have been designed and constructed by Glinda herself, as a gift to a Wicked King, who ruled Oz many years prior to King Pastorius. The Truth Pond's origins however are still unknown; except, we know where it resides and that is in the Southwestern part Winkie Country with a silver plaque that states its name, "The Truth Pond". In Baum's The Lost Princes of Oz, that signage was later changed to tell what the truth pond is and does (see below). The magic behind both of these magical waters in Oz are a little more detailed than their origins. The Forbidden Fountain is imbued with ability to eradicate all evil and negative intentions within your body to create a more peaceful and serene persona. It also seems to give the drinker partial amnesia, as they will forget all about their past transgressions and wicked ways. This was shown in The Emerald City of Oz, when all the nightmarish creatures like the Phanfasms, the Growleywogs, and Nomes were transformed into peaceful, delightful creatures with no ill will at all. The Truth Pond has a couple different abilities. First, it has the ability to be a truth serum and it does not wear off. Secondly, if you have been transformed into something that you are not, it can wash that spell away. We saw this in Road to Oz, when The Shaggy Man and Button Bright both got their original heads restored to their original look. Quite some powerful waters that they have in Oz. Makes you wonder what else these magically imbued waters can do? What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. Now, that we know what these magical waters of Oz do, we can look into its legacy in media adaptations. In Cinar's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz TV series, episode 46, "The Water of Oblivion", Dorothy and her companions are informed about a Spring of Forgetfulness, in which they use this water to get the Nomes and the Growleywogs to forget their warlike aggressions and go back to their realm in peace. The entire show was released back in 2017 on Amazon Prime Video. The TV show was also shortened into four 90-minute movies, each corresponding to the different arcs, which you can also purchase on Amazon or watch on YouTube. In Amazon's Lost in Oz, the water of oblivion is found in a subterranean area of Glinda's castle. Dorothy is forced to ride a boat across to find something within the house in the middle of lake, where she enlists the help of the Scarecrow. The same water above is used in balloons thrown by the winged monkeys to make people temporarily forget what they are doing since its such a small dose. In an episode of Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz on Boomerang, "Ojo the Unlucky", we see a different version of the Forbidden Fountain called the Fountain of Refresh. The heroes look for this fountain to get rid of Ojo's unfortunate luck. It is quite a fascinating journey that they go on in this story, so feel free to check out a clip above from the aforementioned episode. That is the legacy thus far of the Forbidden Fountain, so, let's move on to the Truth Pond; in which, there is only one mention of this pond's legacy within media adaptations. In that same TV show on Boomerang, in the episode, "Copy Cat", Wilhelmina find a glass artifact that can copy anything, including herself. The heroes endure the attacks but then use the Truth Pond to find out which Wilhelmina copy cat is the real one. It shows the extent that that Wilhelmina will go to get the Ruby Slippers and it feels just right for Oz. So, what are some ways in which we can bring these magical waters to our neck of the woods? Of course, watching the episodes above is always a start; but, if you want some more, I have a few suggestions for you. Below are some comics and books that feature either the Forbidden Fountain or the Truth Pond or both. Check them out to add to your Ozian collection. The Forbidden Fountain is featured in the podcast "Hit the Bricks", as part of the background story concerning the four witches of Oz and what they did when they first got to Oz. So, be sure to check out that saga as a fun getaway to Oz by clicking on the image below. If you want to get real crafty, you can always create your own version of the Forbidden Fountain in your yard or get an inflatable pool and create your own truth pond, with the signage and everything. Then, when people come over, it will be a true conversation starter and you can always post your pictures here to share with others. Well, that ought to do it for now. So, we'll be seeing you somewhere over the Vinkus for next time.
As we enter June, which is Pride Month for the LGBTQIA+ community, we reflect on the magic of Polychrome, a RAINBOW fairy, who has visited multiple parts of the Land of Oz throughout the various Land of Oz books. From John R. Neill's version in Baum's Road to Oz to the latest iteration in Boomerang's Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, we will learn and experience all about the The Great Rainbow's daughter's origin, her magical mark on Oz, and how you can bring Polychrome's magical rainbow to your world. Now, before we move forward, I have a little CHALLENGE for you AT HOME. Challenge: Identify the different versions of Polychrome that have been shown in various adaptations. You will need to identify the artist and when it was created. I'll even get started: One of the versions appeared in Disney's Return to Oz in 1985 as imagined by Director Walter Murch. Did you see her at the end of the movie? Either way, have fun with it as you delve into this rainbow wonder! So jumping right into it, Polychrome is first introduced in Baum's The Road to Oz, in which Polychrome's dilemma is told. You see, she got abandoned by her father, The Great Rainbow, which you can read more about in my previous year's post on Rainbows in Oz. In addition to being abandoned by her father, she was left wondering in Oz when she came across the Shaggy Man, Dorothy, and others. Her origin has yet to fully be told in a singular Oz text; but, I have collected clues over the many books I have read to piece together an origin. So, Polychrome was born as one of many daughters of The Great Rainbow and has been alive for thousands of years, possibly as long as the Mother of Oz, Lurline. Might Lurline be Polychrome's mother? That would be fascinating to know. As a side note, I did write a post during my 25th anniversary celebration of Wicked all about Lurline here. Additionally, Polychrome was actually born above Oz in the skies but still visits every once in a while when she accidentally gets separates from her father. Her adventures in Oz are detailed out through many of Baum’s books, starting with The Road to Oz (cover seen above left). To see a full list of all her adventures, check out the list here. Next, since are in our year of magic, we need to address the magical side of Polychrome, being a MAGICAL FAIRY and all. Over the course of Baum's books, we discover multiple magical abilities that are just implied or out right stated. One first noted ability comes from Baum's Road to Oz, when we discover she can walk on both rainbow and on firm ground, which might also being seen as MAGICAL FLOATING. Another noted ability that I have inferred from the texts is her ability to MAGICALLY TELEPORT. In Tik Tok of Oz, she tells the Nome King if he can catch her, she will stay with him and agree to his terms about letting her friends go. In the process of trying to catch her, she basically teleports through a magical prism-like shimmer. It is quite fascinating and hilarious to read. Who knew that Polychrome had such a sense of humor? Finally, in The Tin Woodsman of Oz, she demonstrates that she has the magical ability to WALK THROUGH WALLS, when she helps Nimee Aimee walk through a wall at Jinjur's house. Now, she has a wide assortment of other abilities, but I want to hear from you. What is your favorite Polychrome magical moment? Please let me know in the comments below. Now that we know where Polychrome originated and discussed her magical abilities, we can check out her magical legacy through media adaptations. To start, we go back in time to Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse club (1957) in their attempt to make a larger film about Oz, but it never went through. But, what we do have left from that film experience is this short that was put together as more of an advertising video and its entitled "Rainbow Road to Oz". You will notice Polychrome immediately in the video by the very striped dress. So, please enjoy! Next up, Polychrome as she appears in Boomerang's Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz. Of course, her whole legacy is outlined above in the WIkiTubia video; but, I am highlighting some activities that I enjoy that features the lovely Polychrome. It comes from the episode entitled, "Chasing Rainbows", where Polychrome has fallen from The Great Rainbow and now needs the help of Dorothy and her companions to get home. We also get to see the Tin Man fall in love! Oh, what would Nimee Aimme say? Outside of the media adaptations out there, Polychrome has been in a ton of Oz books, but I will highlight only a few some books that I think should definitely be visited this month, when discussing the RAINBOW fairy. First on the list, of course is the book where she is introduced for the first time, Road to Oz (cover seen below). Also, if you want to see any other books that are not listed below or on the list above, feel free to check out the Royal Timeline of Oz and The Oz Index for more inspiring ideas on our favorite Rainbow Fairy. Now that we have explored Polychrome's origins and her magical legacy, it is time to see how you can bring this wonderful fairy's rainbow magic into your world. First up, check out the rainbow collections at the All Things Oz Museum and Wamego's Oz Museum. Both have a huge collection of rainbow themed items for your to add to your Oz collection. If you click on the pictures below, it will take you to their online stores. Another great option that comes out just in time for Pride Month is from the Oz Shaving Company, who makes the wonderful Polychrome Shave Soap for that rainbow-loving guy in your life. As an added benefit, you can also pair it with the Polychrome After Shave Tonic to get that extra Polychrome touch. So, keep an eye out for those when them "come out" this summer at The Oz Shaving Company. I already use their products and they are wonderful. Also, side note, and confirmed by the company: THEY ARE NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS! HUZZAH! (UPDATE: This company has closed since this post, so if you will have to find it elsewhere). Another great option is to check out the Podcast Production, "Hit the Bricks", that features a relative of Polychrome within the story in the episode, "Rainbow Road". It was surprising when I heard this character mention Polychrome being his relative. I loved it! Well, that covers our magical introduction to one of the most colorful fairies in Oz and now I would love to hear from you. What is your favorite Polychrome book or media adaptation? What is your favorite place to buy Polychrome inspired memorabilia? Let me know how you are planning on celebrating the beautiful rainbow fairy, Polychrome, this June in the comments below and until next time, I'll be seeing you somewhere over the Vinkus.
As we still make our homes more homely and come out of this rough period in our history, we can always consider adding a little touch of Oz anywhere. So, this month when we gather with our moms and families again, what better way to add a touch of Oz than with Ozma's Magic Picture (seen above). A magical artifact that allows you, the viewer, to see anywhere and anyone in the Land of Oz (and its neighboring regions). It is even possible for this artifact to see outside of its magical barriers and into our world. Such a wonderous magical device! So, in this post, we will look at where it was first introduced, its possible origins, its magical legacy, and how you can bring this artifact into your home with just an little bit of Ozian magic. First introduced in the Baum’s third book, Ozma of Oz, Dorothy asks what it is and how it is used. Ozma gives a brief introduction to it; however, we get a more thorough description in the chapter above from Baum’s sixth book, The Emerald City of Oz. In the chapter, we learn all about how the magic picture looks (framed in gold with changing pictures of country landscapes) and where it hangs (inside Ozma's bedroom in the Emerald City Palace). We are also clued into its magical properties such as MAGICAL VIEWING, which gives the viewer the ability to see someone (in someplace) or just someplace as far as the mind allows (as the viewer cannot see a place it cannot identify). Another magical property of the magic picture is the magical ability to offer ONE-WAY SOUND included in the viewing. It is clarified in Baum's Tik Tok of Oz that the viewer needs a wireless communication device to talk two-ways, as Shaggy Man and Ozma did to actually talk to each other. Another added magical benefit is you can also view scenes and people INFINITELY without consequences. What is great about this artifact is it feels like having a television set with magical spyware inside of your walls. I wonder if she can watch cable on this magical viewing screen? I think it would be great to have a TV installed inside a wall in my house, especially in my bedroom. One final note on the Magic Picture, before moving onto to its origins, is that in Baum’s third book, Ozma declares that every Saturday she will check in on Dorothy with the Magic Picture to make sure she is okay. If she is not, Dorothy can use a hand gesture to let Ozma know she needs help as she does in the fourth book, when we learn the exact time when on Saturday when she checks in. Talk about some Saturday morning TV drama. So, where did this magical artifact originate? Well, there are two possible origin stories discussed by a couple Historians of Oz. One comes from Jack Snow's The Shaggy Man of Oz, that says Ozma created the artifact herself with her own fairy magic. The other comes from a more obscure author, James E. Nitch (a.k.a. Onyx Madden), in the book, The Mysterious Chronicles of Oz, who says that Tititi Hoochoo (pronounced: tee-tee-tee who-chu), a great omnipresent and magical entity, who first appears in Baum's Tik Tok of Oz and lives on the other side of the world from Oz in his own realm, gave the picture to Ozma as a gift. So, whichever story you choose to believe, let me know which one you prefer or which one connects to you more? Up next, the magical picture's legacy. The most recent example of Ozma's magical picture in media adaptations include Boomerang's Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz. In multiple episodes, we see Dorothy, Ozma, and the crew all visiting the magical picture hanging in Ozma's throne room to see what is happening around Oz like a dragon who attacks Munchkin Country or some heinous beast that has made its way into Oz to terrorize its citizens. It all comes up on the magic picture of Oz. So, if you are looking to check that out, feel free to start with the episode, "The Vault Heist" or "Chasing Rainbows". They are some of the many episodes that feature the magical picture of Oz. Next up is one of the only theatrical performances to ever feature the magical picture of Oz. It premiered on stage back in 2016 at a London theatre called "Chickenshed", who put on a play called "Adventures to Oz". The story was meant as a mashup of all things Oz and includes Ozma using her Magic Picture; so, go ahead and check it out above. Also, if you would like to learn more about this uniquely named theatre, read all about its origins here. Even more so, feel free to check out other clips from the play here on the Chickenshed's Youtube channel. Moving into the gaming world, the magical picture of Oz appears in two possible forms in the computer game Emerald City Confidential by GluGames Incorporated. So, the two possible theories of what could be Ozma's magical picture in this game are Ozma's mirror in her throne room (seen above left) or Ozma's picture (seen above right), which hangs in many locations throughout the game. Even more so, in this version, It could be said that she is spying on many people through this picture. Awkward! So, its up to you, my Ozian readers, to figure out the mystery of which item in the game is actually the magical picture. personally, I tend to lean toward the second one because it goes with the film noir approach of this world and the weirdo spying on you through the Magic picture. But, let me know what you think in the comments below. The game is available for download on Amazon, the Mac App Store, and Steam; so, check it out if you have not. It is quite a fascinating adventure with many book references and lots of interesting reading. The last legacy bit is one that is a bit of a conundrum. So, the reference comes from Disney's Return to Oz (1985). In this scene above, Dorothy sees Ozma in her mirror as if she is checking in on her as she said she would in the movie and in the books. This does imply that Ozma is using the magic picture in Oz on her end, but we are seeing it from Dorothy's side. Weird, but cool! Now, it never states in the Baum books that anyone can see Ozma looking at them when she is using the magic picture; however, that is definitely not the case with this scene. So, do we count this as a magic picture reference or not? I chose it because I liked that it showed the magic picture from a different setting and perspective. So, whatever you decide, be sure to check out Disney's Return to Oz, which is available for streaming on Disney+ currently. Now that we know the legacy and magical impact of our magical artifact, it’s time to discuss ways in which you can bring this magical item into your home. So, before we forward, it should be noted as a precursor that the Magic Picture has been equated to a television set. So, right off the bat, if you have a TV, computer, tablet or phone in your house, you have already completed the first step in acquiring your very own Magic Picture. Congratulations on owning a piece of Oz History. Of course, you can always watch Disney’s Return to Oz or the many episodes of Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz on the Boomerang app as a starting point, but I do recommend reading the Marvel comic adaptation of Baum’s The Emerald City of Oz (cover seen below) or check out one of the many books that reference the Magic Picture listed here. It’s going to be a Magic Picture party! As a nice side expose article, The Baum Bugle, Spring 2017 edition, has a wonderful article entitled "Magic Picture: A Look at Oz Conventions and Happenings". In the article, we meet our current Oz Club president, Jane Albright, back in the day and how she started her own museum experience with tons of Oz memorabilia from over the years for the exhibition at the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures in Kansas City, Missouri. So, go check it out. You can get a copy of the Bugle with an Oz Club subscription and you can purchase previous copies (if available) of the Baum Bugle at their shop or at a another Ozian book site here. The Magic Picture articles appear quite frequently within the Bugle, so be sure to get your copy soon.
Well, that wraps it up. What has been your favorite Magic Picture of Oz element discussed? Let me know in the comments below and until next time, we'll be seeing you somewhere over the Vinkus. Greetings Easter Bunny in Oz fans! Today's magical being comes from an area just a little hop and skip outside of Oz, the Easter Bunny! We will be discussion where he is introduced and the story behind Dorothy meeting the Easter Bunny, his magical mark on Oz, and how to bring the Easter Bunny magic to your neck of the woods. But, before we dive into our Easter Bunny in Oz experience, I should state that, "this is not the first time magical, talking bunnies have been introduced in the Land of Oz." The first time that magical, talking bunnies appear in Oz are in Baum's The Road to Oz. Here Dorothy meets the denizens of a small town in the Quadling Country called Bunnybury (seen above) along with its fantastical and talking King Bunny (see below). The town of Bunnybury was created by Glinda because she had a love of bunnies. I wonder where that came from? Any ideas? Let me know your thoughts below. So, now the second time we experience magical, talking bunnies are with the Easter Bunny in Bunnyland. The Easter Bunny's first (and only) Oz appearance comes in the book, The Merry Go Round of Oz by Lauren McGraw and Eloise Jarvis. This book is not a Baum book (since I just stated the names of the authors) and is the FINAL book in the "official canon" series called "The Famous Forty", which you can find out more about here. Anyways, in this book, Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion are preparing for an Easter celebration in the Emerald City of Oz and are told to visit the Easter Bunny in Bunnyland to request help with making Easter Eggs, so they can use them in their festivities. Well, in typical Oz fashion, they begin their walking journey to Bunnyland. You can see that journey below on the Oz map, provided in the book, as the two make their way to Bunnyland from the Emerald City. Once there, they requested to see the Easter Bunny and kindly asked him to fulfill their request for decorated Easter eggs. (A great side note that I would like to point out is a great website that discusses the many maps of Oz by author and longtime Oz fan, David Maxine. One post that David writes about concerns the map below and you can see it here. So, feel free to check that out for more fun activities and inspirations.) POP QUIZ: Did you notice where the entrance to the Easter Bunny's land is? Correct: Munchkin Country. Now, when we look to find the origin of the Easter Bunny and how he came to obtain his connection to Oz, it is never divulged in this story or any other (that I am aware); so, unfortunately, there is no origin story to tell. Maybe someone should write one? That would be wonderful. Now, in the spirit of fans writing fanfiction, there is a great piece regarding the Easter Bunny in Oz, that was written back in 2014 by Nathan DeHoff, a longtime Oz fan and blogger. In the introduction of this piece, we discover that the Easter Bunny calls himself Paschal and there might be a new holiday called "Wester" that the citizens of Oz would like to celebrate. Oh, what else will we discover? To answer that, you will have to check out the store here and leave your thoughts on the story in the comments below. Also, Nathan has a really great blog that highlights and showcases many great components in the Land of Oz (as well as other great stories out there), which you can check out here. Before we move onto how we can bring this Easter Oz magic to life, let us first address the magic of the Easter Bunny, since we are in our year of magic in Oz. Now, very little is described or said in this book regarding his magic; however, some elements can be inferred as to what are within his magical reign of powers. First, there is his magical ability to replicate and decorate Easter eggs on command. I came to this realization because why else would Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion go to put in an order for decorated Easter eggs with him if he did not have this ability and why would Ozma not just magic them up herself if they didn't need his help. A second ability that I feel he has mastered is the power of magical teleportation because our heroes have to enter into a cavern just to arrive in Bunnyland (entrance on the map above). This cavern/tunnel takes them into a new land, outside of Oz, but is magically connected through some sort of transportation spell. A third ability that I am sure just comes with being associated with the magic of Oz is the magical ability to be a talking animal as the Cowardly Lion has shown multiple times as well. Sounds like he is one powerful, magical animal. What powers or abilities did you notice when reading this book (or the fan-fiction piece)? Please let me (and other followers of this page) know in the comments below. So, what can you do to bring this Easter celebration to your own neck of the woods? Well, first, be sure to check out the story itself where the Easter Bunny first appears in the Oz world (original cover image seen above left). I found a physical copy with an updated cover (seen above right) on Amazon. You can also check out The Wonderful Books of Oz page for your own copy. I have not found or seen an e-book or audio version of this book, but if you know where to find one, please share that with us below. One version that definitely does not exist of this book yet is video form and that would be wonderful adaptation to see at this time of the year. So, if you are feeling inspired and have the ability to do so, create your own version of this story in video or media form and share it below for all to see, as that would be a wonderful way to celebrate the Easter festivities. Of course, what would the Easter Bunny be without his Easter eggs and we have just the fix for that. A great Easter read is called Red Reera the Yookoohoo and the Enchanted Easter Eggs of Oz by Richard G. Quinn and illustrated by A.E. Mouse. For more on this book, click here and here. This book lies outside of the canon and is just another fun Oz story. I personally have not read this book, but if you have or are planning on reading it, please let us know what your thoughts are on the plot, content, and its connection to Oz. If you would like to get a copy for yourself or an Easter basket gift, you can order it here. Thirdly, you can always create your own Wizard of Oz themed Easter eggs and as a bonus, I have supplied some inspiration above to help you along. Some great paths you can take with this idea is that you can make them character based or location based like doing an Emerald City themed egg or a Munchkinland themed egg. It is up to you! If decorating eggs is not your schtick, you can always purchase something fun for your Easter baskets from the Oz Museum. Either way, have fun with it and feel free to post how you plan on bringing the magic of the Easter Bunny in Oz to your domain in the comments below. Well, that will do it for our Easter Bunny in Oz experience; and, before we leave, I have one final recommendation for this Easter: Let's make more Easter Bunny in Oz stories and media adaptations; and, until next time when we continue our year of magic in Oz, we'll be seeing you somewhere over the Vinkus.
Hello fellow Ozians! This month we are celebrating Women's History Month with one magical and powerful woman, Locasta, The Good Witch of the North. This woman is a very obscure and under appreciated character; but, actually has quite some power in the Land of Oz. She is the first witch that Dorothy meets in the Land of Oz and the one that sends our heroine in the direction of the Emerald City. She also gives Dorothy the power of protection with her kiss and sends her off with some very magical footwear. So, even though she may not have Glinda's power or Elphaba's powers, she is still a force with which to be reckoned. I mean, by Baum's second story, she had banned all witchcraft and magic in the North, which is why Mombi was such a great fascinating character. Quite the rebel! But, where did this person come from, what is her origin story, what has been her magical impact been on the Land of Oz, and how can we celebrate this amazing witch of the North? All these questions will be answered in today's post as we celebrate the magical being, The Good Witch of the North. We first meet The Good Witch of the North, named Locasta in Baum's 1902 play, along with Dorothy as she discovers the Land of Oz. Locasta (and the munchkin council) welcome Dorothy to the Land of Oz. Locasta's power, as we learn right off the bat, is that she has the power of transformation because she turned a hat into a chalkboard that told Dorothy to visit the Wizard of Oz in the City of Emeralds. She also has the power of protection with her kiss that she gave to Dorothy and the limited power of teleportation because she transferred the silver slippers onto Dorothy's feet (unless the shoes did that themselves?). Lastly, the Good Witch of the North has the power to call upon Winter and the Snow Queen in Baum's 1902 play. Check it out in my Snow in Oz post. What other powers do you know our good witch to have? Please feel free to comment below. Now, aside from her known powers, Locasta's origin story is never actually divulged in the Baum series of books. It is actually detailed out in the Second Royal Historian's book, The Giant Horse of Oz by Ruth Plumly Thompson. I did a whole post on #RPT in last year's YEAR OF OBSCURE. So, if you want to know more about this lovely woman's contribution to the Oz History, check it out here. Now, back to the main star, Locasta Tattypoo, The Good Witch of the North. In her origin story, we learn a full name, Locasta Tattypoo, the feuding history behind her and Mombi, what growing up as a young princess was like in Oz, and how she ended up being the only witch to greet Dorothy in the Munchkin Country as she arrived. It is a story I myself have not read, so if you have read it, feel free to post your thoughts and comments below. One thing I do know is that #RPT has a reputation of being creative, fun, and enjoyable with the Land of Oz stories. After learning about her origin story, we can see her magical legacy through media adaptations. The Good Witch of the North's magical impact spans multiple media adaptations and above are a few of the adaptations that I have selected to showcase, which highlight different versions of the The Good Witch of the North. For a full list of magical media adaptations where the Good Witch of the North has left her mark, feel free to check that out here. In the mean time, here is an animation done by the artist GemTapp, who offers a very accurate interpretation of how she was envisioned in the original Baum story that featured her first appearance. Let me know your favorite adaptation of the Good Witch of the North in the comments below. So, how can we celebrate such an amazing and magical woman in the Land of Oz? Well, I think one great way to celebrate someone is through amazing fan art, as least in my opinion. So, let's check out a few interpretations of how The Good Witch of the North has inspired different artists. Feel free to celebrate the Good Witch of the North by posting something that inspires you, whether it be a coloring page, your own fan art, or some amazing craft that you have done. It is all appreciated here and it is always Good Witch approved. Well, that will do it for this post on Locasta Tattypoo, Good Witch of the North. If you have anything you would like to add concerning this amazing character, feel free to post it in the comments below. Also, feel free to let me know how you celebrate this amazing woman (womxn?) in the Land of Oz. Now, before we leave, I would also like to share some great podcasts that feature the protagonist of our post. First, feel free to check out this podcast episode all on the good witch of the north from Down the Yellow Brick Podcast. These ladies are wonderful and very delightful to listen to each episode, especially in the Chapter 2 episode on the Good Witch of the North, where they wonder is she really as good as she says? A second great podcast is Hit the Bricks in which it tells a story about Jessi, her cousin Wallace, and their adventures in the land of Oz, where they eventually meet up with the Good Witch of the North, who aids them on their quest through Oz. So, when feel free to check out that story here; and, until next time, when we come back to Oz with The Easter Bunny in the Land of Oz, we'll be seeing you somewhere over the Vinkus.
Hey Valentines in Oz fans! Today's post is all about the love-inducing magical artifact: The Love Magnet. I did a post on this previously, where I briefly introduced this, but I will be going into a lot more depth about the love magnet by showing it a little more love concerning the origin of this lovely magical artifact, its magical impact, and how you can find one for yourself (or even make one, if you are so inclined). First up, let us discuss the origin of this lovely magical artifact. In Baum's The Road to Oz (cover seen here), we are told that the magnet was given to the Shaggy Man by a lady in Butterfield, Kansas (later, it is discovered, he stole it); however, we are never told where this young woman obtained the love magnet and who created it, so forth. So, if you are in the mood to write a good Oz story with magic, consider telling that one. Now that we know the origin, let us look at the love magnet’s magical impact through media adaptations. In a Marvel comic (cover seen above) based on Baum's The Road to Oz story, we even get to see what the Love Magnet looked like. The Love Magnet, in the comic book, is described as a rusty brown colored horseshoe-shaped magnet that gave the holder all the love in the world from everyone within close proximity of the holder. This also does explain why Dorothy is so nice to the Shaggy Man right during the bat when he introduces himself to her. Another great comic adaptation concerning the LOVE MAGNET comes from a comic series done by a Shawn Cheng, who did the Oz series as part of a book, Graphic Canon of Children's Literature, published in 2014. In the series, he created one-page comics, each based on one of Baum's 14 original stories. Above is the one that is based on Baum's The Road to Oz. If you want to see the first six comics done (The Dorothy Saga), check out Cheng's site, as he has done others besides the Oz books. Moving into some media adaptations, we can see a different version of the LOVE MAGNET as seen in Boomerang's Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz episode, "Rules of Attraction". In this version, it is not a horseshoe magnet, but instead is a thick heart-shaped magnet. Check it out for yourself above. Another great adaptation of an Ozian love story is one that focuses on the love between the Scarecrow and the Patchwork Girl in the episode, "Brain Power of Love", which does not specifically state that the love magnet is not involved but it could still happen. I like to think that the love magnet is always around since it got put into the gates of the Emerald City at the end of Baum's The Road to Oz. The episode also has a fun Oz Love quiz within the episode that is hilarious to watch because Tin Man also gets the feels during Scarecrow's proclamation of love. So, enjoy a clip from that episode as well. As we close out our discussion of the Love Magnet’s magical impact, you might also be interested in experiencing the LOVE MAGNET in play form. In Baum's play (cover seen below) Ozma of Oz or The Magnet of Love, we discover the many elements from other books Tik Tok of Oz, Ozma of Oz, and The Road to Oz that influenced the story. We also get to experience the love magnet; however, this is a play that still has yet to be performed publicly or available online somewhere, so if you feel like putting a play together and sharing it with other Oz fans, feel free to post that link below. So, how can you obtain one of these amazing Love Magnets for your own love this Valentine's Day? Well, below are quite a few options you can choose from to your heart's content. One option comes from Etsy's search page with many ideas or some here from CafePress from which to purchase. You can also find some on Amazon or a Google Shopping page. Another option is to create your own love magnet and post a picture of the finished product in the comments below. You can also create a love magnet themed game like this person who was inspired to create a math game based on Amazon Prime's Lost in Oz. However you choose to get a love magnet, please let us know in the comments what you feel is the better option for love (or love-themed) magnets. Well, that will do it for all things LOVE MAGNET. If you have something related to the LOVE MAGNET that you want to share or I have left something out, feel free to share it below in the comments for others to see. For now, I hope you have enjoyed our little touch of the Love Magnet in Oz and we'll be seeing you somewhere over the Vinkus.
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AuthorMy name is Vinkus Ken and I have been a long time fan of many things in Oz and how their world truly does emulate much of ours. Did you know that they have a flag of their own? Or did you know that they have a law about only having 9 jurors in their courts? Also, Oz has a court system! I like to introduce facts that seem meaningless and bring meaning to them by comparing them to our world. So, come along on this journey and enjoy the ride. |