Baum s Theosophical interests have not been widely known, but there is ample external evidence to show that he was sympathetic to and involved with the movement in the 1890s. There is also internal evidence from his writings, specifically The Wonderful Wizard of Oz . There is not time today to present a full-scale Theosophical reading of the book, so a few indications must suffice. There can be no doubt that belief in reincarnation was held by various members of Baum s family. You are more alive than ever you were after what is called death.
Death is only a journey, like going to another country.
After people have been gone for awhile, they come back and live in another body, in another family and have another name. To be sure, reincarnation is not explicitly mentioned in The Wizard , but the plot of the story allegorizes the concept. The theme of self-reliance is central to The Wizard , as it is to Theosophy. If you are unable to perceive it within you, it is useless to look for it elsewhere. The Wizard of Oz came to Baum as a kind of inspiration.