When I was a little girl, an incredible librarian at my elementary school read us stories of the Baba Yaga: the scary Witch-lady living on the edge of the forest in Russian and Ukranian folklore.
The (mostly) direct translation here is “Little Grandmother.” The Baba flew around the forest in a mortal with a pestle and lived in a house on chicken feet. She was one who would try to trick little children into staying in her home so she could cook and eat them. But she also helped brave little children out of their troubles (which usually surrounded wicked, jealous stepmothers, of course!)
Over the last few years, the Baba has been embraced by contemporary Witches as a Crone Goddess, and rightfully so.Whether the Baba was actually a Goddess of old preserved in folklore, or She was a story created by parents to keep their children from straying too far in the woods (*my suspicion is a combination), the Baba is here to stay. Her Magick works…but She’s not one to mess around with. Love-and-light junkies be forewarned–the Baba is more like the grandma who will shake you by the collar and smack you upside the head for touching the hot stove ***after She told you not to*** instead of coddling and comforting your dumbass avoidable mistake.
And HOLY CRAP! THE BABA HAS AN ADVICE COLUMN, NOW!
A few of my choice favs:
The Baba Yaga answers the question: “How can I find what will give my life meaning?”
The Baba Yaga Answers the Question: “What is Even the Fucking Point?”
You can ask the Baba Yaga questions by emailing Her, HERE!
There go the rest of my weekend plans!
