How many, young and old, have been inspired by the hero or heroine, banished from the cottage, lost in the woods, who risks everything to find a forever-space? The children who find Baba Yaga's Place are often bewildered and seeking counsel. As in many fairy tales, the magical hut may be associated with a yearning for home or for comfort. The Hut of Baba Yaga appears from the outside to be a small hovel standing on two strange stilts. The interior of the hut, which resembles a small palace, is ten times the outer diameter and filled with rich furnishings, magic fountains of water and wine, and other magic items; its walls are the equivalent of 5-foot thick stone. The stilts it stands upon are actually gigantic bird-like legs which can carry the hut over any terrain. They are able to deliver mighty blows to any uninvited intruder.
In mythology, Baba Yaga may stand for a person's fate. When someone enters the hut, they live or die depending on what they say and do. Some also say that Baba Yaga stands for the dark side of wisdom; she has power; people should fear and respect her.
In many ancient societies, older women were seen as the keepers of wisdom and tradition for the family or tribe. No longer having to care for children, they became mother to the rest of the community. It was believed that these wise women understood the mysteries of birth and death. They were healers and looked after the dying. Sometimes they were thought to have the power of life and death itself. The word witch once meant wise.
It may seem strange that anyone would look for Baba Yaga or enter her hut. However, she is wise and is all knowing, all seeing and tells the whole truth to those who are brave enough to ask. The fate of those entering her hut is in their own hands; the trick is to approach with and emphasis on the need for proper preparation and purity of spirit, as well as basic politeness. Often a hero or heroine enters her hut looking for wisdom, knowledge, truth or help. Baba Yaga aids the heroes and heroines, by giving advice, finding weapons and making tasks easier: she instructs us on how to face or fear and listen to our intuition: to find a better way of life a better life.
In mythology, Baba Yaga may stand for a person's fate. When someone enters the hut, they live or die depending on what they say and do. Some also say that Baba Yaga stands for the dark side of wisdom; she has power; people should fear and respect her.
In many ancient societies, older women were seen as the keepers of wisdom and tradition for the family or tribe. No longer having to care for children, they became mother to the rest of the community. It was believed that these wise women understood the mysteries of birth and death. They were healers and looked after the dying. Sometimes they were thought to have the power of life and death itself. The word witch once meant wise.
It may seem strange that anyone would look for Baba Yaga or enter her hut. However, she is wise and is all knowing, all seeing and tells the whole truth to those who are brave enough to ask. The fate of those entering her hut is in their own hands; the trick is to approach with and emphasis on the need for proper preparation and purity of spirit, as well as basic politeness. Often a hero or heroine enters her hut looking for wisdom, knowledge, truth or help. Baba Yaga aids the heroes and heroines, by giving advice, finding weapons and making tasks easier: she instructs us on how to face or fear and listen to our intuition: to find a better way of life a better life.