The appropriate title for a male witch is a witch. Despite the historical association of the term "witch" with femininity, witchcraft is a gender-neutral practice. In contemporary use, the term "witch" can be applied to any person, regardless of their gender, who practices witchcraft or identifies with the label. It is important to recognize that gender does not dictate someone's ability or right to practice witchcraft. Just as women can be witches, so too can men. The term "warlock" is sometimes used as a male-specific counterpart to "witch," but it carries connotations of betrayal and is generally not favored within the modern witchcraft community.

Glinda the Good Witch’s Wizard of Oz wand to auction at Bonhams

A wand made for Glinda the Good Witch in the classic film The Wizard of Oz will lead a movie memorabilia auction at Bonhams next month.

The wand will cross the block in Los Angeles as part of an auction celebrating Hollywood memorabilia from its “greatest year” of 1939.

Although the wand never appeared in the finished film, it is the only surviving example created for the production by the renowned costume designer Gilbert Adrian.

It was originally made for Billie Burke, who played Glinda the Good Witch of the North, and was likely used in behind-the-scenes wardrobe tests.

But when it came to filming, the use of new Technicolor film meant the production team had to re-think their designs (most notably by changing the colour of Dorothy’s slippers from silver to red).

The test wand was made using clear Rhinestones, which didn’t show up well in Technicolor, and it was eventually replaced with a multicolored version in the filnal film. (Image: Bonhams)

The prop department had originally created a silver wand using clear rhinestones, but when it appeared on-screen in glorious Technicolor it seemed to lose its sparkle.

To stand out against the vibrant background of Oz, a new wand was created for Glinda using a variety of multicoloured stones, and it was this design which ultimately appeared on-screen.

It might not have made it into the finished film, but the silver wand did appear in a portrait photo of Billie Burke in her famous costume, which the actress commissioned herself to celebrate her role in the movie.

Burke then returned it to the MGM prop department, and there it remained tucked away for the next three decades.

Then, like almost every iconic prop and costume from the film, the silver test wand was sold off in 1970 at MGM Studio’s now-legendary clearance auction.

Actress Billie Burke, who played Glinda the Good Witch, holding the wand in a portrait she comissioned from MGM studio photographer Clarence Sinclair Bull (Image: Bonhams)

Two multicoloured, screen-used Wizard of Oz wands were also sold during the auction, and became exhibits at a newly-opened North Carolina theme park called The Land of Oz.

The park included a small museum containing props from the film, some of which were co-owned by the Hollywood star and renowned collector Debbie Reynolds.

However, in 1975 a mysterious fire swept through the park, destroying the Emerald City gift shop and Amphitheater, and during the chaos the museum was looted.

A ‘Dorothy’ dress worn by Judy Garland was stolen, and the two wands are thought to have perished in the fire – leaving the present silver test wand as the only surviving example made for the film.

Following the MGM auction the silver wand spent the next 47 years in the same owner’s private collection, before being sold to the present consignor in 2017.

Back in 1970, only a handful of collectors (and apparently no MGM studio executives) placed any value on props from the Golden Age of Hollywood

But today they are highly prized, and items from The Wizard of Oz are amongst the most sought-after and valuable of all.

Notable sales in recent years have included a Dorothy dress worn by Judy Garland which sold in 2015 for $1.56 million; the Cowardly Lion costume worn by Burt Lahr which sold in 2014 for $3.1 million; a handwritten first-draft copy of the screenplay, which sold in 2018 for $1.28 million; and the hat worn by Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West, which sold in 2010 for $200,000.

Although Bonhams hasn’t revealed the wand’s pre-sale estimate, experts believe it could easily fetch a six-figure sum, and sprinkle a little Hollywood magic on whoever owns it next.

‘TCM Presents…1939: Hollywood’s Greatest Year’ takes place at Bonhams in Los Angeles on December 10.

This Fan Theory Proves Glinda Is Actually The Villain Of 'The Wizard Of Oz'

The Wizard of Oz remains a cinematic classic decades after its 1939 release, no small feat for a film made during the burgeoning years of Hollywood. As everyone knows, the Wicked Witches of the East and West are evil, while Glinda the "Good Witch" of the North is, well, good. Right? Maybe not, as some fans think viewers watch the movie all wrong, and Glinda isn't as wholesome as she appears. In fact, these Wizard of Oz fan theories claim she's secretly the real villain of the story.

L. Frank Baum's book series is a lot darker and more complex than the sugarcoated, Technicolor production Hollywood presents, so the idea that such a two-dimensional character carries a lot more grit and depth underneath the surface makes sense. This is something that's also been explored more recently in the Oz prequels Wicked , the novel by Gregory Maguire that was adapted into the hit musical of the same name, and the 2013 Disney movie Oz the Great and Powerful . Regardless of how you view them, these Glinda fan theories certainly burst her big, pink bubble.

The term "warlock" is sometimes used as a male-specific counterpart to "witch," but it carries connotations of betrayal and is generally not favored within the modern witchcraft community. Instead, embracing gender inclusivity and recognizing that anyone can be a witch regardless of their gender is the most appropriate approach. Witchcraft is a personal and spiritual practice that transcends gender, and the title "witch" can be embraced by all those who identify with it, regardless of their gender identity.

Glinda Is The Only Character Who Doesn't Have A Real-World Counterpart

While one may interpret the land of Oz as a fantasy dreamed up by a stressed-out teenager - as Dorothy does - if taken literally, Oz could actually be an alternate universe. Rather than interpretations of the people Dorothy knows on Earth, the resemblance between Dorothy's friends and family and the quirky characters she meets in Oz might signify that the magical land exists as a parallel universe filled with inter-dimensional doppelgängers. Dorothy stands as the only exception to this parallel. Many mistakenly believe Glinda acts as the doppelgänger of Dorothy's Auntie Em, just as her mean neighbor is the doppelgänger of the Wicked Witch of the West. But Auntie Em and Glinda are played by two different people, which makes Glinda stand out for all the wrong reasons. If she boasts no real-life parallel, how does Glinda insert herself into this narrative?

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Reviews for "Changing Times: Reevaluating Traditional Titles for Male Witches"

- Samantha - ★☆☆☆☆

I did not enjoy "What is the appropriate title for a male witch" at all. The writing felt shallow and lacked any depth or originality. The author's attempt to address gender stereotypes fell flat, with predictable and cliché characters. The storyline was uninteresting and failed to hold my attention. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointing and forgettable read.

- Michael - ★★☆☆☆

I had high hopes for "What is the appropriate title for a male witch," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The concept had potential, but the execution was lacking. The protagonist was one-dimensional, and the supporting characters felt underdeveloped. The plotline was predictable and followed a formulaic structure. While the writing style was decent, it wasn't enough to redeem the weaknesses of the book. Overall, this was a mediocre read that failed to engage me.

- Jennifer - ★☆☆☆☆

I found "What is the appropriate title for a male witch" to be highly disappointing. The dialogue was stilted, and the characters lacked depth and complexity. The plot felt disjointed and poorly paced, making it difficult to invest in the story. Additionally, the attempts at humor consistently fell flat, leaving me cringing rather than laughing. Overall, I was left with a sense of wasted potential and would not recommend this book to others.

- David - ★☆☆☆☆

"What is the appropriate title for a male witch" was a book that failed to captivate me. The writing felt amateurish and lacked polish. The characters felt flat and lacked any real development. The dialogue was often forced and unrealistic, making it difficult to connect with the story. The plotline meandered aimlessly without any clear direction. Overall, this book was a disappointment and not worth the time or investment.

Beyond Wizards and Warlocks: Reimagining Titles for Male Witches