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Snow White: I thought she was supposed to be the Good Witch of the South.
Glinda: I was. Before I was banished here.

—Glinda and Snow White src

Glinda, formerly known as the Good Witch of the South, is a character on ABC's Once Upon a Time. She débuts in the nineteenth episode of the third season and is portrayed by guest star Sunny Mabrey.

Glinda is based on the character of the same name from the children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

History

Before First Curse

In a sisterhood of witches, Glinda, the Witch of the South, along with the Witch of the East and the Witch of the North, protect Oz with each of their magic affinities. Only the fourth seat of the sisterhood—representing innocence—remains empty, but through Glinda's guardianship of the Book of Records, a prophecy foretells of a sorceress coming to Oz via a cyclone to join them. Secondly, the book also states this witch will "unseat the greatest evil the realm has ever seen." After seeing Zelena punish the deceitful Wizard of Oz, Glinda believes this woman, who arrived to Oz many years ago from a cyclone, will fulfill the prophecy. Though Zelena is more interested in changing her past, Glinda convinces the unsure redhead that her destiny lies in changing her own future by becoming a good witch, however, she does not tell Zelena about the second part of the prophecy. From joining the sisterhood, she gifts Zelena a pendant to harness her powers. While showing Zelena the western area of Oz, they approach wreckage from a cyclone and take in a girl, Dorothy. Zelena, from reading the Book of Records, believes Dorothy will become the Witch of the West and defeat her. Glinda doesn't believe this to be true, but she witnesses Zelena attack Dorothy, who causes her assailant to melt with water. Realizing the prophecy was right, Glinda offers Dorothy a place with the sisterhood, but the latter wishes to go home. With Zelena defeated, the Wizard reverts to his old self and thus Glinda helps her to return home with his assistance. Only after, Zelena reveals she masqueraded as the Wizard to get rid of Dorothy. Glinda vows to find another sorceress to fulfill the prophecy, but Zelena prevents her from doing so by banishing her to the Enchanted Forest.[1] In this new realm, she begins living in the woods, south of Rumplestiltskin's castle, hidden in a pocket dimension of ice and snow, which only those who are pure of heart may enter through. ("A Curious Thing," "Kansas")

Before Second Curse

Sensing the incoming presence of Snow White and Prince Charming crossing into her realm, Glinda makes herself known to them. When Snow White asks for Regina's whereabouts since she was just with them, Glinda states that the Queen didn't meet the qualifications needed for entering through the door. The banished Good Witch briefly explains her past friendship with Zelena and tells them the Wicked Witch's greatest weakness is light magic. Recalling that her own daughter, Emma, is a product of the strongest magic of all—true love, Snow White believes she may able to defeat Zelena. Glinda agrees with this sentiment; further prompting Snow White to go through with casting another Dark Curse to send everyone back to Storybrooke. ("A Curious Thing")

Magical Abilities

  • Conjuration - Ability to conjure objects out of the blue.
  • Teleportation - Ability to magically teleport oneself and/or others from one location to another.

Trivia

Etymology

  • The name "Glinda", which comes from the novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, is of Welsh origin and is derived from the word glan meaning "clean, holy", and da, meaning "good".[2]

Production Notes

  • The casting call describes her as someone in her mid to late twenties who is "elegant, warm and benevolent, as well as wise, clever and shrewd". However, "years of isolation have made her lonely and cautious — though at her core, she is a steadfastly filled with optimism".[3]
  • Concept artist John Gallagher created concept art for a wand for Glinda in "A Curious Thing",[4] but this idea did not make it onto the screen.
    • This was most likely inspired by the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, where the character carries a wand.

Props Notes

  • Alchemical signs for the four elements[5] are carved into the table[6] and the stone pillars[7] where Glinda and her fellow sister witches are gathered. The element of Glinda the Good Witch of the South, an upward-pointing triangle (🜂), is fire. In magic lore, fire is associated with the south.[8] ("Kansas")

Costume Notes

  • Vancouver-based accessories designer Medicina Designs created a silvery crown and a golden choker for Glinda to wear,[9] but they were not used during filming.
    • This was most likely inspired by the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, where the character wears a silvery crown and a golden choker.

Appearances

See also

References

  1. Note that the 100 episodes promo implies that the winter garden is separated from the Enchanted Forest, but Zelena literally says that she is sending Glinda to the Enchanted Forest in "Kansas"
  2. Glinda - Meaning of Glinda. Babynamespedia. Retrieved on January 25, 2021. “Glinda is used chiefly in the English language and its origin is Welsh. Glinda is a variant of the name Glenda (English, German, and Welsh).”
    Glenda - Meaning of Glenda. Babynamespedia. Retrieved on January 25, 2021. “Welsh origin: It is derived from glan meaning 'clean, holy' ; da 'good'”
  3. Mitovich, Matt Webb (February 6, 2014). Once Upon a Time Exclusive: Witch Oz Character Will Show Up Next? Who Should Play Her?. TVLine. “Casting is underway right now for an actress in her mid to late twenties to recur as the good witch, who is described as elegant, warm and benevolent, as well as wise, clever and shrewd. That said, it sounds like Glinda might not be in fighting form when we first meet her. Rather, years of isolation have made her lonely and cautious — though at her core, she is a steadfastly filled with optimism.”
  4. File:319ConceptArt1.png
  5. Beyer, Catherine (June 5, 2019). The Five Element Symbols: Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Spirit. Learn Religions.
  6. File:320HelpMe.png
  7. File:320TheKeeper.png
  8. Wigington, Patti (May 6, 2019). The Four Classical Elements. Learn Religions. “Fire is purifying, masculine energy associated with the south, and connected to strong will and energy.”
  9. NEW! DIGITAL PORTFOLIO. Medicina Design. Retrieved on October 17, 2021. “Ref # 14 – Glinda Good Witch Crown: Once Upon A Time. Ref # 15 – Glinda Good Witch Choker: Once Upon A Time.” (Picture of crown, choker)
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