top of page

Create the Life You Imagine~October 2018


The Ruby Slippers

“The goal of the hero trip down to the jewel point is to find those levels in the psyche that open, open, open, and finally open to the mystery of your Self being Buddha, consciousness, or the Christ. That’s the journey.”

~ Joseph Campbell


In the final scenes of the Oz tale Dorothy, disenchanted but not discouraged at the falling away of the illusion of the Great and Powerful Oz, prepares for a more ordinary passage home in the balloon of the magician. Just as they prepare to depart, Toto escapes from the basket of the balloon. Once more Dorothy follows Toto. She leaps out of the balloon and the balloon sets sail without her. In the confusion, the magician floats away unable to take Dorothy on the final stage of her journey. As Dorothy watches him drift out of sight in his balloon, she feels lost, abandoned and despairing as her friends try to console her. But just when all seems lost, the soft pink bubble carrying Glinda appears again out of nowhere. Relieved, Dorothy asks her if she can help her get home. Glinda replies, “You don’t need to be helped any longer, you’ve always had the power to go back to Kansas.” The Scarecrow angrily protests, “Why didn