This month, we venture into the dark forest of Eastern European folklore to meet the frightful yet fascinating Baba Yaga. Famous for her roaming house with legs, Baba Yaga has a reputation for being the ultimate ambiguous entity, helping and hurting as she sees fit. Children who grew up in Slavic households will have heard her name as a threat against misbehaving, yet some witches today view her story holistically and find that she has many lessons to teach.

Where is Baba Yaga from?

The Baba Yaga appears in many Slavic folk tales, but particularly in Eastern Slavic mythology (modern-day Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus). The first written account of Baba Yaga dates back to 1755 as part of a discourse on the book Russian Grammar by Mikhail V Lomonosov.

Depictions of the Baba Yaga can be found in artwork from throughout the 17th century. 

She is often described as a crone who lives in a birch wood, in a house atop a pair of chicken feet. She moves around using a black kettle in some stories, and in a mortar driven with a pestle in other stories. She conjures storms along her path when she travels. The Baba Yaga has inspired many characters in modern art and entertainment, such as the spa proprietor in Spirited Away. 

Who (or What) is Baba Yaga?

It is contested whether or not the Baba Yaga is a singular figure or a classification of spirits, such as sirens, harpies, or vampires. She is sometimes referred to as an ogress, and in other stories, Baba Yaga refers to three entities in one. For simplicity, we will continue to refer to Baba Yaga as a singular character in this post.

Baba Yaga does not fit neatly into one description: across her folk tales, she plays the role of both malefic and benefic spirit. Cannibalism is a core feature of Baba Yaga’s character, and she is probably most infamous for eating children. She often travels alongside Death, consuming newly released souls. 

Many scholars of Slavic folklore consider the Baba Yaga to be a proto-feminist figure, especially considering her depiction in the tale of Vasilisa the Wise (or Brave). In this story, Baba Yaga is associated with protection and ancestral knowledge. It is also suggested from this story that she is a primordial goddess, complicit in the creation of the world.

Working with Baba Yaga.

If you are interested in or currently working with Crone energy, Baba Yaga may be an entity worth exploring. The name “Baba” itself suggests a familial role, such as a Grandmother, who may offer the wisdom that comes with life experience. Being an entity that walks the line between malefic and benefic, Baba Yaga would be a great energy to call upon for any baneful magic as well as protection spells. 

Offerings to Baba Yaga would include vodka, tobacco, or items collected from the forest. Other correspondences would include a mortar and pestle, the hearth and fire, and a broom. Your journey with Baba Yaga will require resilience, resourcefulness, and courage. Whatever your needs, the staff at Asheville Raven & Crone will help guide you down your chosen path.

As the long nights of winter approach, the torch-bearing goddess Hekate appears to us. She is the keeper of the crossroads, the guardian of thresholds, and the guide through shadowed places. November 16th marks a night of venerating this ancient goddess of death, magic, and liminal spaces—a time to honor her as the green life of summer fades and the earth sinks into dormancy. In this darkening season, we call upon Hekate to light the path ahead and to shield us as we move through the frozen stillness of winter.

Hekate the Lightbringer

Hekate is often depicted holding a pair of blazing torches, their flames illuminating what lies hidden in the darkness. In Greek mythology, she is the only deity who retained her power when Zeus divided the heavens, earth, and sea—a testament to her strength and autonomy. Her torches appear throughout myth: most famously, she uses them to guide Demeter through the night as the grieving mother searches for Persephone. In this way, Hekate becomes a literal and spiritual light-bringer—one who leads the lost and the sorrowful toward understanding and transformation.

Over time, Hekate also became linked to the moon, her triple form representing the lunar phases: maiden, mother, and crone. Each face of Hekate corresponds to a stage of the moon’s cycle and to a stage of life itself—birth, maturity, and death, perpetually turning. Her connection to the moon and torches alike reminds us that even in the darkest night, illumination can be found.

Mullein Torches

Just as Hekate’s torches pierce the night, so too can the humble Mullein plant be transformed into a source of flame and protection. Mullein is a soft, velvety herb long associated with healing, purification, and banishing negativity. Folk names include Candlewick Plant, Hag’s Taper, and Witch’s Taper—titles that speak to its magical nature and practical use. The tall, dried stalks of Mullein can be dipped in wax or oil to create natural torches, while the fluffy leaves were once used as lamp wicks.

Traditionally, Mullein has been burned to ward off evil spirits, cleanse sacred space, and promote health and vitality. The herb carries the energy of fire and light, making it a perfect offering or tool in workings that invoke Hekate. At Asheville Raven & Crone, Mullein Tapers are crafted and used for a variety of magical purposes—from protection spells to seasonal rituals of renewal and illumination.

Invoking Hekate’s Light

As we journey into the dark half of the year, we can welcome Hekate’s guiding flame into our homes. Lighting a Mullein torch in her honor is both a devotional act and a practical charm. Use it to purify your space, to banish unwelcome energies, and to petition the Goddess’s protection. 

Let your Mullein torch stand as a symbol of Hekate’s eternal flame—a reminder that the goddess lights the way even in the deepest night. With her torches burning brightly beside us, we move forward through winter not in fear, but in knowing that the light will always return.