The melting of the wicked witch of the west is a significant moment in the classic story of "The Wizard of Oz." The wicked witch of the west, also known as Elphaba, serves as the primary antagonist in the narrative. She is portrayed as a menacing and powerful character, with her green complexion and signature black hat. Throughout the story, she continuously tries to thwart the journey of Dorothy and her friends, seeking to obtain the ruby slippers. In the climactic scene, the wicked witch finally gains possession of the ruby slippers and delivers a warning to Dorothy about their power. However, when the witch attempts to snatch the slippers from Dorothy's feet, she is shocked by their magic, causing her to melt.
However, when the witch attempts to snatch the slippers from Dorothy's feet, she is shocked by their magic, causing her to melt. The famous line "I'm melting!" has become an iconic moment in film history. The melting of the wicked witch of the west symbolizes the defeat of evil and the triumph of good.
Witchcraft Terms and Tools – Coven
In Wicca and other similar forms of modern Neopagan witchcraft, a coven is a gathering or community of witches, a group of believers who gather together for ceremonies of worship, such as Drawing Down the Moon or celebrating the Sabbats. Other words may also be used, such as clan, grove, sept, touta, cove.
The word “coven” (or “covan”) was originally a late medieval (c.1500) Scots word meaning a gathering of any kind, deriving from the Latin root word “convenire” (meaning to come together or to gather). The first recorded use of it being applied to witches, however, came much later, in the 1662 trial of Isobel Gowdie, which described a coven of thirteen members. Even then, the word remained largely unused in English until 1921, when Margaret Murray promoted the idea, now much disputed, that historically all witches across Europe met in groups of thirteen which they called “covens”.
The number of witches in a coven may vary, and any meeting of three or more can be considered a coven. Twenty is often considered a rule-of-thumb maximum, although covens of up to sixty are not unheard of. Some covens limit membership to thirteen, possibly in deference to Murray‘s theories, and possibly on the grounds that this is the maximum number which can be comfortably accommodated in the traditional 9-foot circle. However, some groups consider that a coven of as many as thirteen can lead to unwieldy group dynamics and an unfair burden on the leadership.
A coven usually has one or two leaders, known as the High Priestess and/or High Priest, and each coven is usually autonomous and makes its own decisions (depending on the particular Wicca, a newly made High Priest or High Priestess (with 3rd Degree ordination) may also leave to start their own coven, and strike off in new directions.
Many covens (called initiatory covens) require that the leaders initiate new members before they can be considered part of the group or tradition, which usually involves some kind of formal induction ceremony and oath of loyalty after the prospective member has carried out the required level of study (often for the traditional year-and-a-day). Other covens operate on a self-initiation basis, or accept initiates from other groups or traditions.
Some covens work in robes, some in modified street clothing, and a few go “skyclad” or naked. Some are “teaching covens” and are happy to take on newcomers; others prefer to keep to the current membership and aim to develop a closer family-type relationship. Some “open covens”, or those with an “inner circle” and “outer circle”, allow interested outsiders to get a taste of coven practice without committing themselves. Some covens are gender-segregated, although most are open to both sexes and often try to maintain a more or less even balance of male and female members.
Many covens also have some system of degrees or ranks based on the level of expertise or experience of the members (although these vary significantly between traditions). Typical degree divisions might be: Neophyte (a student preparing for basic initiation as a witch); First Degree (a witch who has been initiated, but has not yet undertaken any advanced study); Second Degree (a witch who has an intermediate knowledge of the craft, which in some traditions may also confer priesthood); Third Degree (a witch who has studied the craft in depth, and is capable of teaching others and/or serving as High Priest/High Priestess); Elder (in some traditions, a witch of advanced knowledge and who has been active for a number of years).
After the witch trials and the suspicion of witches died down, witches began to practice and live in secret, some with their covens, including the original Bonum Coven, led by the High Priestess, Diane Williams. Soon, however, talk and sightings were mentioned by some of the remaining members of the Anti-Witch Council during the end of the 17th century in 1700. Witch Hunters began to arise again, threatening to eradicate the species. The Genocide of 1701 began. Many covens were targeted and killed including the entire Bonum Coven. However, they had protected their six children with witchcraft so they could continue on the tradition. Unfortunately, there were no remains of any other descent covens.
It represents the power of innocence and goodness prevailing over wickedness and malice. Dorothy and her friends are able to overcome the challenges posed by the wicked witch and continue their journey towards finding the wizard. The melting also serves as a turning point in the story, marking the beginning of the resolution and eventual happy ending. Furthermore, the melting of the wicked witch carries a deeper symbolism. Elphaba, despite her reputation as a wicked witch, is revealed to have a complex backstory and motives. Her green complexion, a result of a potion gone wrong, sets her apart from others and makes her an outcast. The melting of the witch can be interpreted as the destruction of societal prejudices and stereotypes. It shows that appearances can be deceiving and that true goodness can exist in unexpected places. Overall, the melting of the wicked witch of the west is a pivotal moment in "The Wizard of Oz." It represents the defeat of evil, the triumph of good, and the destruction of societal prejudices. The iconic scene has left a lasting impression on audiences worldwide, showcasing the power of storytelling and the enduring appeal of the classic tale..
Reviews for "The Wicked Witch's Secret Power: Understanding the Magical Properties of the Melting Spell"
- John - 1 star - I did not enjoy "Melting wicked witch of the west" at all. The storyline was weak and the characters were not well-developed. I found myself losing interest within the first few chapters and struggled to push through to the end. The writing style was also disappointing, lacking depth and creativity. Overall, I would not recommend this book to others looking for a captivating and well-written story.
- Sarah - 2 stars - "Melting wicked witch of the west" did not live up to my expectations. The concept seemed intriguing, but the execution fell short. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of dull moments and sudden bursts of action that felt disconnected. The main characters lacked depth and were difficult to connect with. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. Overall, I found this book to be lacking in both character development and storytelling.
- Alex - 1.5 stars - I had high hopes for "Melting wicked witch of the west," but unfortunately, it was a letdown. The plot was predictable and unoriginal, offering no surprises or twists. The writing style was plain and lacked any captivating descriptions or language to hold my interest. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked the complexity necessary to engage the reader. I was left feeling unsatisfied and would not recommend this book to others.