Wildest Dreamings
Chapter 14: Franken Analysis
Galinda's divine experimentation enlightens and frightens the charmed circle.
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Of the thirteen full moons on the Ozian calendar, the autumnal lunar eclipse was considered the most foreboding.
Like a pumpkin suspended in the stars, the moon was cloaked by a blood-orange shadow that cast a ruddy glow across the fairyland below. Ancient hearsay speculated that Kumbric witches would harness the power of the eclipse to awaken idle spirits, terrorizing innocent Ozians with their wickedness.
Though Kumbric witches were all but extinct, and encounters with spirits hadn’t been verified in decades, the thirteenth night of Octobrus remained an ominous, twisted sort of holiday, observed in superstitious solitude.
The Kumbrinox was not widely acknowledged with merriment or mischief, but the discreet appointment of carved gourds, confidently guarding doorsteps with their illuminated glee. Even the gnarliest of ghouls would be deterred by the prowess of a lanternized pumpkin, according to the farmers who sold them, that is.
Galinda Upland had historically never given much thought to the lunar eclipse beyond its undeniable radiance, but in the midst of her magical coming-of-age, she found herself wanting to fully embrace the season of the witch.
She’d taken Morrible’s assigned reading to heart, engrossing herself in the wisdom of How to Awaken the Witch Within You. More inspired than ever, she’d convinced herself that spiritual empowerment would evolve into something literal.
Ritualistic in her approach, Galinda had taken to lighting a pink candle each morning for a manifestation meditation. She’d close her eyes and visualize power bubbling around her, bursting with light and goodness. Elphaba, fascinated by the whole routine, would watch her roomie whisper her intentions and attempt to draw sigils in the air with her training wand.
Despite all of these devotional feats, Galinda’s inner witch continued to snooze, and she’d begun to lose faith. She of course still believed in the core tenet of Lurline’s Fae magic— “bless oneself by blessing others”— but how could she ever hope to bless anyone if she couldn’t cast even the simplest of spells?
In the days following their visit to the Boar and Fennel, Galinda had experienced a sort of Kumbric awakening of her own, raising her spirits to new heights.
Desperate to find any transcendent skillset she could master, she had opened her mind to the idea of Kumbric alchemy, venturing into the restricted section of the book place to find literature that might inform her explorations. Kumbric witches weren’t nearly as neat about record keeping as their Fae counterparts, but the wannabe witch was in no position to be particular.
This alternative academia had inspired Galinda to properly observe the Kumbrinox, hoping the hallowed evening would amplify her spiritualism into something more seeable.
She’d invited her cohorts to meet her under the scarlet moonlight in the Shiz gardens, beaming when they finally arrived.
“Galinda, what is all this?” asked Elphaba as the group approached. She had lovingly set up a cozy little séance for her charmed circle, lighting candles, arranging crystals, and placing a grinning, glowing pumpkin by her side. It was quite the bewitching display.
“In honor of the Kumbrinox, I want us all to connect with our inner spirits, and maybe some floating around out here too!” Galinda giggled with excitement like this was a perfectly normal activity for a Friday night.
“Did I not warn you against taking up Kumbric antics?” Elphaba scolded, aghast at Galinda’s deviance from their intended denomination of witchcraft.
“Oh Elphie, relax! I’m not about to join the Pleasure Faith; I’m simply broadening my thaumaturgical horizons!” She was so adorably passionate that Elphaba couldn’t bring herself to disparage Galinda’s determination, but that didn’t mean she was willing to endorse illicit occultism.
She and Fiyero exchanged a negativistic glance, and he could tell from the way Elphaba’s brow cocked that he too should voice some concern.
“And here I was thinking I was the one responsible for corrupting you all,” Fiyero admitted, picking up a crystal to inspect it warily.
“It’s not corruption, it’s enlightenment!” Galinda promised, snatching the crystal back from her beau and restoring it to its rightful place within her collection.
She motioned for them all to settle themselves around her sorcerous spread, the boys helping Nessarose down from her chair and onto one of the plush pillows Galinda had placed on the ground for their comfort.
Elphaba was the last to sit down, her arms crossed in trepid defiance. She filled the gap between Galinda and Fiyero, with Boq and Nessa to his left, rounding out their circular formation to create a quirky sort of coven.
“Alright Galinda, what shade of darksided enlightenment are you leading us toward tonight?” the green witch asked, contempt coloring her tone.
Galinda cleared her throat and her mind with a delicate cough, fanning a deck of illustrated cards face down onto the floral blanket beneath her.
“Have any of you ever received an arcanic reading before?” she inquired with an opportunistic sparkle in her eye. As expected, they all shook their heads.
“Is that like fortune telling?” Nessarose asked with a shy curiosity.
“We witches prefer to call it divination!”
Elphaba preferred to call it a cheap parlor trick, but she held her tongue.
“There are many magical ways to go about understanding one’s past, present, and future,” Galinda explained, “but arcana cards provide the highest form of clarity. I’ve been practicing my intuitive interpretation skills, and I want to do readings for all of you.”
“I would love for you to read me,” Boq admitted all too earnestly. He’d gotten fairly decent at concealing his desire for Galinda on account of his active courtship of Nessa. But every once in a while, the symptoms of his lovesickness would flare up without warning.
“Right, yes, of course!” Galinda affirmed, quickly pivoting into the instructionals.
“From these arcana cards I’ve laid before you, you’ll each pull the three you feel most drawn to; it’s best not to think too hard about it,” she explained, winking at Fiyero, who grinned encouragerizingly.
“Since you’re all new to this, I chose a simple spread from my guidebook that should still be quite revelatory!” Galinda tossed her hair and opened a small booklet, reciting its oracular vernacular like a true performer.
“The first card in this spread is your heart, an aspirational desire that reflects what you need most in your life, even if you didn’t realize it before.”
Boq placed a hand on his chest as if the words had struck him right in the aorta.
“The second card is your hitch— an obstacle that prevents you from finding what you seek. And the third card is your key— the solution to overcoming your troubles and achieving your goals.”
Once everyone confirmed their understanding, Galinda prompted them all to entwine their hands into a proper circle, allowing only the Universe’s divine wisdom to come into their orbit.
“A circle charmed with hearts so true, spirits near, we call to you.”
Their intentions set and their energies cleared, Galinda invited Boq to pull his cards. He took his time with the selection, clearly savouring his proximity to the blonde diviner.
As soon as his trio of cards was arranged, the witch grounded herself with a deep breath of discernment before flipping over the first card.
“Boq, your heart is… Strength!” Galinda sang, exhibiting the card for the group’s appraisal.
“That sounds promising!” Boq gauged, and Galinda launched into one of many short monologues from her guidebook.
“Empowered Strength represents a balance between vigor and patience. Once you commit to something or someone, you are steadfast in your loyalty, offering up your support whenever you see a need. Your emotional fortitude is your greatest asset, an invisible gift that others may erroneously underestimate. Even if you feel like your raw passions get the better of you sometimes, this card urges you to channel your sensitivities into constructive compassion.”
The group regarded Boq’s reading harmoniously, taking a moment to appreciate their friend’s sensitivity, and he basked in the acknowledgement. Galinda was pleased with herself for facilitating such a heartening moment.
“Now here’s where things get interesting. Your hitch is… The Lovers.” Boq blushed at the title and the illustration of an upside down nude couple.
“What does it mean when the card isn’t right side up?” he asked with mild alarm.
“That’s what we diviners call the ‘challenge’ position. It’s not inherently negative, but it does present an alternative perspective!” Galinda explained, going on to clarify the card’s messaging.
“The challenged Lovers signify a disharmony within yourself or with your loved ones. Perhaps the feelings within your romantic relationship are not fully mutual, creating a schism that will only grow more dissonant if not addressed. Within your own heart, are you showing yourself the unconditional love you deserve? If you’ve been wishing to be more like someone else, understand that being able to recognize admirable traits in others is a sign that you possess them as well.”
Boq’s fleeting burst of confidence was suddenly collapsing. He made the mistake of peering over at Nessarose, who refused to meet his eye. Galinda moved the reading along to rescue them from the tension.
“Remember that any obstacle can be conquered with the help of your key, which for you, Boq is… the Devil. But don’t worry, it’s also in the challenge position!” Reversed or not, Boq was visibly distraught to be associated with a demonic entity.
“When The Devil is challenged, you’re being called upon to free yourself from the harmful beliefs and unhealthy attachments that keep you from moving forward in life. You may be on the verge of a great adventure or self-discovery, but you must confront what lies in the shadows before you can fully step into a new version of yourself.”
Galinda smiled tightly as she closed her guidebook, reshuffling the cards as the group sat in a brief reflective silence.
“Did any of that resonate, Boq? I know your cards might have been a little… intimidating, but I think they actually show great promise for emotional growth!”
“It did, Galinda, your divine intuition is remarkable,” Boq insisted as he dabbed at a stray tear with his handkerchief, realizing his inner turmoil was now all too external.
“I would like to go next,” voiced Nessarose, still refusing to even acknowledge Boq’s presence.
“Wonderful! Go ahead and select your cards,” Galinda directed, thankful for the engagement. Nessa weeded out her cards like a gardener extracting invasive plants, with sharp, decisive plucks.
“Alright,” Galinda began, “Nessa, your heart is… The Chariot! Ooh, that’s a good one!”
“The empowered Chariot is a recognition of your innate willpower. When your autonomy aligns with your values, you can make actionable decisions that can bring your dreams to life. Let this be an encouragement to assert yourself when others do not respect your boundaries or understand your needs. Remain disciplined with fierce dedication, and you’ll be able to overcome any obstacle in your way.”
Nessarose nodded neutrally, but her aura conveyed a keen yearning. “And my hitch?”
“Your hitch is… The Emperor, in the challenge position; quite common for hitches, by the way.”
“When challenged, the Emperor represents a struggle with an authoritative presence in your life, possibly a partner, mentor, or father figure. This card asks you to reflect on your relationship with power in all aspects of your life. Are you sacrificing your personal power to please others, or asserting it in a way that makes others feel powerless? You shouldn’t try to control others, nor should you submit to rigid dominance; true power comes from balance.”
As soon as Galinda had uttered the words father and figure, Elphaba and Nessa’s eyes locked, both recognizing the truth of the reading. Though Nessa certainly had a more doting dynamic with Frexspar, she could never truly thrive beneath his thumb.
“And your key is… The Wheel of Fortune! Oh, how fortunate you are Miss Nessarose!”
“When empowered, the Wheel of Fortune seeks to remind you of the cyclical nature of karma. What you put out into the world will come back your way, so be mindful of your attitudes and actions. No matter the strife you may be experiencing, have faith that the Universe will eventually turn things around in your favor. The magic of fate and destiny is behind you, and miracles are happening all the time.”
Everyone grinned optimistically at Nessa’s prospects, and the girl felt a sense of restorative righteousness. “That was very… motivational. Thank you Galinda.”
“You are so very welcome!” the witch crooned, beginning to feel like a true bringer of goodness.
There were two members of the coven left to be read, and neither of them volunteered. They leered at each other with contention, silently daring one another to offer themselves up for divine assessment. Elphaba was resistant to self-reflection, and Fiyero didn’t care for tests of any kind.
“Fiyero, dearest,” Galinda chirped, intercepting their stagnant little war. “Will you let me read your cards next?”
“If it’ll make you happy, of course I will,” he responded with only a tinge of sarcasm, casually culling his cards from the reshuffled spread. He figured if he didn’t give the selection any thought, the cards wouldn't be able to detect his deepest ones.
“Perfect. Your key, Fiyero, is… The Hermit.” The prince peered skeptically at the illustrated figure, wearily cloaked and clutching a lantern like a lifeline.
“The Hermit empowers you to go on a journey of introspection. If you’re considering a new direction, allow yourself to tune in to the guiding light that will illuminate the wisdom you seek. Shine this on your soul and create a new unique path, traversing it one step at a time. You don’t have to take this journey alone, however. The Hermit may join you as a spiritual mentor, enhancing your consciousness by teaching you how to find your answers within.”
Galinda preened, assuming this spiritual mentor of his must be none other than herself. To her left, Elphaba fidgeted with her rings and found herself imagining the way the alphabet looked written in sand.
Fiyero openly scoffed at the card’s suggestion. “I famously do not seek wisdom, so as intuitively talented as you are, my darling, I think the Universe is mistaken on this one.”
Galinda lovingly narrowed her eyes at her beau, his careless existence somehow still charming to her.
“Alright, well, let’s see about your hitch, which is… The challenged Fool.”
“Now that one has to be accurate,” Elphaba chimed in, chuckling at her own wry wit even when no one else did. Galinda glared at her affectionately as well before continuing.
“The challenged Fool indicates that you’ve been acting far too recklessly as of late. Your spontaneous, adventurous spirit is admirable, but have you considered the consequences of the risks you’ve been taking? Despite your uninhibited lifestyle, your fears may be holding you back from your true potential. Be courageous when faced with the unknown, but don’t be afraid to show a little more caution.”
“So you’re saying I should stop jumping into canals or provoking truculent trees? But I so enjoy my own foolishness!” Fiyero winked at Elphaba, who fought valiantly to suppress a smirk. It was obvious to her that his interjections were clever attempts to deflect from how fluently these cards were reading him.
“I’m not the one saying it; the Universe, however, might be trying to tell you something through me!” Galinda insisted before flipping over Fiyero’s last card.
“The key to your heart is… The Hierophant, in the challenge position, interestingly.” The primary challenge the card presented to Fiyero was trying to comprehend its spelling.
“The challenged Hierophant dares you to challenge the status quo. The darkest path is carved by blindly following others. Forge your own by embracing your truth and trusting your intuition. Don’t be afraid to open your eyes and really look at the world around you, seeking out opportunities to rebel against the rigid structures that try to tether you to conformity.”
Fiyero chuckled despite himself, trying his best to seem unaffected by the messages he’d received. Though he felt compelled to affirm Galinda’s augural prowess, he wasn’t ready to admit just how much it actually resonated.
“Well, if I ever do go searching for wisdom, I’ll try not to do so recklessly. And I’ll make sure to bring a lantern, for whatever that last card was trying to illuminate.” Galinda was pleased to see him heeding the Universe’s advice, even if a bit too literally.
After four uniquely complex readings, Galinda felt ready to divinely decipher the most labyrinthine creature she knew. “Elphie,” she lilted in her most enticing manner, “will you let me interpret your destiny just a little?”
Her cunning little smile was almost impossible to resist, and Elphaba surrendered with a huff. “I want you to know that the only reason I’m consenting to this is to support your thaumaturgical education.” Elphaba didn’t need further instruction, efficiently selecting three cards that surreptitiously called to her.
“Excellent!” Galinda exclaimed, delighted to have gotten her way. “Elphie, your heart is… the Empress! How utterly divine!” She took in the illustration of an ethereal woman reigning over a lush forest, serene but almost lonesome looking.
“The empowered Empress acknowledges that you are in a period of growth where your dreams are starting to come to fruition. This is the time to reflect on the abundance around you and receive the grounding spirit of nature into your heart and consciousness. When you are in tune with the divine feminine, you’ll find yourself enriched by a strong urge to nurture and care for others, as you do your own ideas and goals.”
Elphaba tried to envision herself in such a wonderful state of being, the hazy imagery of that special vision clarifying just a little. She’d yet to share her prophetic proclivities with Galinda, knowing it would just make her more insecure about her own lack of supernaturality. Figuring she could stand to be more optimistic towards Galinda’s journey, Elphaba gave her friend a nod of resonance, which resonated deeply within the girl’s heart.
“See! This work is meaningful! Now Elphie, your hitch is… the Moon.” The group instinctively glanced skyward to see if the lunar eclipse was still in its appropriate position.
“The challenged Moon shows itself when you are letting negative influences cast a shadow over your soul. You may have tried to avoid your fears and anxieties in the past, pushing them aside under the pretense of indifference. By not working through these emotions, you are limiting your potential. You are being called to listen to your inner voice, and not the voices of others.”
Elphaba’s inner voice suddenly felt hoarse, and the urge to curl in on herself was mighty. She wouldn’t meet anyone’s eye, and Fiyero could see the defensiveness radiating off her like phosphorescence. He’d also seen what she was capable of when she did face her fears, and if she heeded the Moon’s advice, he feared for anyone who might try to get in the way of Elphaba’s power.
“And finally, Elphie, your key is… Death.”
“Death?!” Fiyero immediately interrupted with far too much fear in his voice. “What do you mean, Death? How could that possibly be her key?”
Elphaba let herself glance over at him again, concerned but oddly comforted by his fretting over her. Fiyero’s breath was heavy beside her as he recovered from his outburst.
“It’s not as frightening as it sounds, I promise!” Galinda assured him and Elphaba both, though her doelike eyes welled with an unambiguous uncertainty.
“An empowering Death symbolizes the conclusion of a major phase of your life that is no longer serving you. You will have to put the past behind you and part ways, relinquishing unhealthy attachments to pave the way for a renewed life of deeper meaning and significance. It may be frightening to let go of the past, but take the leap; the fall will be transformative.”
Elphaba could sense the weight of the card’s omen, but for reasons she couldn’t yet understand, she felt unburdened, like maybe there was some enlightenment to be found in the darkness.
“Could I look at the card a little closer?” she asked, feeling herself called to it like a beacon. Galinda nodded her consent, and Elphaba reached out towards the arcanic spread.
The moment Elphaba made contact with the illustration, her skull whipped backward with the force of a visceral vision. The images came to her in fragments as they always did, blurred at the edges with no distinct chronology.
A wooden bucket spilled over onto a puddle of its own liquified contents.
“Elphaba?!”
An isolated blue feather arched upward in sorrow.
“Elphie, that isn’t funny, stop it!”
A bundle of bristles charred by smoking embers, lightning a dark chamber like a defiant match.
“ELPHABA!”
A horrified harmony shook her out of her dreamlike stupor, as did a physical shaking. Elphaba opened her eyes to find Galinda and Fiyero staring at her at close range with even closer concern.
“What is it?” Elphaba asked casually, as if they hadn’t just witnessed her experience a paranormal event.
“What in Oz just happened to you?” Galinda wailed, “I thought we’d lost you to the spirit realm!” Fiyero didn’t say anything, he just kept looking at Elphaba like she might disappear if he took his eyes off her.
“I have… visions sometimes. I don’t know why, and they come to me at random; though I’ve found that they can be triggered by specific stimuli.” She pointed to the card, and Fiyero grimaced at it with fire in his gaze.
“What did you see?” asked Galinda, desperate to understand the implifications of Elphaba’s clairvoyance.
“Um, I didn’t recognize any of it, and the images come and go so quickly… there was an overturned bucket, a plucked feather, and some burned straw?” Her description did little to ease anyone’s confusion or worry. "I'm sorry if I scared you all, I didn't mean to."
She looked so ashamed of herself for something she had no control over, and it made Fiyero's heart twist. "We're just glad you came back to us. Just promise that you'll stay far away from buckets, feathers, and straw.”
Elphaba chuckled weakly at the uncanny nature of her condition. “I’ll try my best.”
“I think this is our sign from the spirits to bring our Kumbrinox observations to a close," Galinda admitted, squeezing Elphaba to keep her safe and grounded.
Even though she was still reeling from Elphaba’s near possession, it was undeniable proof of the power of divination, possibly even her power. Galinda expressed her gratitution to the Universe by lovingly recollecting the cards, blowing them a kiss, and crowning them with a crystal to help them recharge.
“And they say Winkies are the exotic ones…” Fiyero mumbled towards Elphaba, and the two of them shared a coy grin over her whimsy. His lingering fear for her life was soothed ever so slightly by her smile.
They all helped pack up their little seance, officially moving on from their brief stint as Kumbric witches. Galinda clutched Elphaba's hand a little tighter than usual as they made their way back to the dormitory.
“Elphie…” a petite voice cried out, “I’m too spooked to sleep.”
Her bedside lamp illuminated a trembling Galinda, clutching her knees as well as a crystal for protection.
“What’s wrong?” Elphaba asked gently as she crossed the dorm, sliding under her roommate’s frilly duvet. Galinda craved closeness whenever she was anxious, and Elphaba too had come to appreciate the calming properties of a good cuddle.
“The more I think about your key and your vision, the more frightened I get.”
“But didn’t you say that Death isn’t something to be frightened of? The message was about letting go of what doesn’t serve you so you can find a more fulfilling path. If that’s what will unlock my heart’s desire, why should I be afraid of it?”
“But the things you saw sound so ominous; what could a bucket or a feather possibly have to do with personal growth?” Galinda whined, plugging her ears when another roll of thunder came through.
Elphaba tenderly took Galinda’s hands into her own, wanting to ease her fears, but for once not knowing how to logic them away.
“I have no idea how those things in my vision connect to Death or what that will even mean for me, and I think I’m alright with not knowing. Someday, we’ll understand that strange little prophecy and probably laugh about it.”
Galinda giggled, momentarily assured that she wasn’t about to lose her friend to the afterlife. Elphaba also wanted to assure her of something else, a real fear that she knew was limiting her true potential.
“Even if I don’t endorse all of your methods, I respect how passionately you’ve applied yourself with sorcery.” The affirmation of her efforts made Galinda’s eyes glisten.
“You have real power, Galinda; I know you do. But you won’t find it in pretty stones or a deck of cards, you have to find it within yourself.”
The girls slept peacefully through the rest of the thunderstorm, and Galinda dreamt of a future empowered by love, magic, and Elphaba.
we love gay witchery!! Happy Kumbrinox to all who celebrate!
