She’s certainly associated with the woods and forests, and the wildness of nature. “The essence of Baba Yaga exists in many cultures and many stories, and symbolises the unpredictable and untameable nature of the female spirit, of Mother Earth, and the relationship of women to the wild.

Baba Yaga: The greatest ‘wicked witch’ of all.

The Slavic crone, known for living in a house built on chicken legs and feasting on children, is a complex, and arguably feminist, figure.

Cunning, clever, helpful as much as a hindrance, she could indeed be the most feminist character in folklore.

Baby Yaga crosses the wicked witch godmother trope to create an ultimately far more unpredictable and powerful role than either of those – Yi Izzy Yu

In fact, the origins of Baba Yaga might go back far further than the 17th Century — there’s a school of scholarly thought that says she’s a Slavic analogue of the Greek deity Persephone, goddess of spring and nature. She’s certainly associated with the woods and forests, and the wildness of nature.

The trope of the mountain or forest crone or witch is a popular one across East Asia, mainly because the mountains are associated with great spiritual power and with hermit figures who decide to live life on their own terms – much like how Baba Yaga is very much her own woman.

She’s a reminder that freedom lies a little beyond the border of social norms, and that we can learn as much from the dark as the light – Lindy Ryan

She’s a shamanic trickster, a category and boundary-crosser, a reminder that freedom lies a little beyond the border of social norms, and that we can learn as much from the dark as the light. Ultimately, she teaches ‘Both/And’ logic. She reminds us that we are both hero and villain.

What magic do you want to bring into the continued journey of your life? What are you willing to have transformed in the dark to make that possible?  

November is traditionally the Full Moon of Baba Yaga

Those ugly truths, dark truths that we do not want to look upon and that we bury deep inside. Baba Yaga is here to help you shine light on your fears and your truths. She holds an intense message of renewal and self care as well – if you don’t take care of yourself, then no one else will.