Powder of Life

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Powder of Life is a magic substance from the Oz book series by L. Frank Baum. The substance first appears in The Marvelous Land of Oz .

It is a magical powder that brings inanimate objects to life. The witch Mombi first obtained it from a "crooked magician." Later in the series it is revealed that the substance is made by a Dr. Pipt. In order to make the substance, Dr. Pipt had to stir four large cauldrons for six years. Only a few grains of the powder could be made at a time. It is always described as being carried in a pepper box.

Mombi's shaker also contained three "wishing pills" fabricated by Dr. Nikidik.

Usage

After the subject is sprinkled with the powder, an incantation must follow. Text from The Marvelous Land of Oz:

"Then, putting the pepper-box back into the basket, Mombi lifted her left hand, with its little finger pointed upward, and said:

"Weaugh!"

Then she lifted her right hand, with the thumb pointed upward, and said:

"Teaugh!"

Then she lifted both hands, with all the fingers and thumbs spread out, and cried:

"Peaugh!"

Jack Pumpkinhead stepped back a pace, at this, and said in a reproachful voice:

"Don't yell like that! Do you think I'm deaf?"

Old Mombi danced around him, frantic with delight.

"He lives!" she screamed: "He lives! he lives!""

List of Ozites brought to life by the powder

• Jack Pumpkinhead
• The Sawhorse
• The Gump
• The Patchwork Girl (Scraps)
• The Phonograph
• The Glass Cat

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