Baba Yaga, The Bone Mother

With the cold, dark season approaching, many of us are reminded of death. Death does not always mean the actual loss of one's life. It can also symbolize significant changes or the shedding of old ways. For many people, Autumn or Samhain is a time to follow the tree's lead and shed our outer coats, leaving our real selves exposed. This time of cold, darkness and changes connects us to the goddess Baba Yaga.

There are many Russian and Eastern European folktales involving Baba Yaga. In a few of these tales she is portrayed as a kind old woman, but in most of them she is a wicked old hag, who eats children. Many children were told that if they misbehaved Baba Yaga would come and eat them. She has been regarded as an ogress, a devil witch, and has even been called the grandmother of Satan.

Baba Yaga's hut is in the deepest and darkest part of the forest. In some stories, the hut stands on chicken legs and spins, rises and falls in tune with the changes of the seasons. The hut is also surrounded by a fence of human bones. In the folktales about Baba Yaga, she is also said to ride in a mortar, which she rows with a pestle, and behind her she drags a broom to brush away her tracks.

Baba Yaga is a very misunderstood goddess. She is not just the stereotypical wicked witch. She often appears as a frightening old hag, but can also appear as a beautiful woman who bestows gifts. She is wild and untamed but also can be kind and generous. Even in her haggard form, Baba Yaga has many gifts to share.

Baba Yaga is the old crone who guards The Waters of Life and Death. She is the White Lady of Death and Rebirth, and is also known as The Ancient Goddess of Old Bones. The old bones are symbolic of the things we cling to, but must finally let lie. When we experience a death, darkness, depression, or spiritual emptiness in our lives, we journey to Baba Yaga's hut, where she washes new life into us. She collects our bones and pours the waters on them, while she sings and chants and causes us to be reborn. She destroys and then she resurrects. Baba Yaga symbolizes the death of ignorance. She forces us to see our true, darkest selves, then she grants us a deep wisdom that we can attain by accepting the dark shadows within ourselves. We can only receive help from Baba Yaga by learning humility. Her gifts can destroy or enlighten us.

It is said that each day three horsemen ride out from Baba Yaga's hut and then later return to her. The first horseman is all white and represents dawn. Her second horseman is red and represents the brightness of midday. The last horseman is black and represents night. White, red and black are Baba Yaga's colors because like her, they represent the different stages of life.