Baba Yaga

I was first introduced (unknowingly) to the dark figure of Baba Yaga many years before I discovered Paganism. As a role playing game enthusiast, I was intrigued with a gaming module published in Dragon magazine, based on Baba Yaga and her magickal hut. I found the character of Baba Yaga to be so interesting. I had no idea that she was a real figure in Russian mythology.

She lives deep in the woods, in an enchanted hut perched on an enormous pair of chicken legs. Some myths describe a single leg, and some have 4 legs supporting the hut. Baba Yaga's hut dances and spins around, making entry impossible. The hut comes to a stand-still only with the right command from Baba Yaga. Around her hut, is a fence decorated with glowing skulls and bleached bones. When not at home, Baba Yaga flies around in a giant mortar and pestle. She's quite a unique character, to say the least.

The most well-known tale involving Baba Yaga also has a young girl named Vasilisa. The girl is presented with several challenges by Baba Yaga, that she must solve in order to get a flame to take back to her stepmother. The tasks are virtually impossible (such as separating poppy seeds from a pile of dirt) but Vasilisa's magick doll completes the tasks for her.

On a symbolic level, Vasilisa portrays the innocence of maidenhood and her doll represents the intuitive spirit. Youth can overcome the challenges that lead to age and wisdom, by following their own inner knowledge. At least, this is one interpretation made by people who are more learned in literature and folklore than I.

Few other people visit her, but those who do can have their questions answered by the wise crone, provided that they are honest and pure of heart. But more often, visitors to Baba Yaga's hut are eaten by her (adults and children alike).

Baba Yaga doesn't live completely alone. There are 3 horsemen who ride to and from Baba's hut each day, one white, one red and one black. They represent dawn, midday and midnight respectively and demonstrate Baba's control over time itself. She also has a pair of disembodied hands that help her around the hut.

Though Baba Yaga isn't a Goddess in the typical sense, she does embody many of the qualities of the Crone archetype. Age is still viewed as a frightening force, but there is great wisdom for those who choose to face it.