Ward up, because April’s showers are shrapnel.

Culturally and spiritually, we have just passed a threshold. Ostara, the Spring Equinox, the Witch’s New Year; each celebration rooted in the passage of time and the spirit of renewal- in the promise of longer days and fresh starts. We see this promise mirrored everywhere: in the softening of the earth, in the flowers pushing out of the soil, in the quiet insistence that something new is ready to begin again.

But April doesn’t stay in that softness. It requires presence. Grounding. Discernment.

As this month rolls in, we are asked to embody the energy of the warrior. Aries brings passion, courage, and action; the archetype of the beginner, the Fool of the zodiac, launching forward before certainty ever arrives. We are asked to pick our battles wisely, to use our resources well, and to keep our wits sharp. For the next few weeks, we must channel the warrior’s strength and resilience, and refuse to give up on ourselves.

We begin April with a Full Moon in Libra. Day One, April First, Full Moon.

This lunation brings our awareness to balance, relationships, and justice. We’re meant to find ways to bridge the gap between our personal needs (Aries) and our partnerships (Libra). This “Pink Moon” encourages emotional reconciliations, acting as a turning point that softens a guarded heart. For many, the dust from battles past; begins to lift, unveiling what’s no longer in alignment- and where we’ve been avoiding accountability in our connections, choices, and long-term patterns.

Unfortunately, though the dust rises, the situation remains unclear. April 3-5, we are supported in choosing courage over comfort and releasing old attachments. We’re forced to look at where you’ve been over-extending. Because Mercury is still shaking off its post-retrograde shadow (clearing April 6), the first week is about tied-up loose ends and finding mental clarity before the fire starts.

April 4-9 Mars will sextile Uranus, It is important that you use discernment, avoid projections and look within- really, really, FOCUS WITHIN. Where are you being asked to take radical accountability?

April 9th- April 18th will act as an “ignition.” April 9th Mars enters Aries until May 18 creating a bridge between your intuition and your physical reality. This transit will will act as an “ignition,” creating “aha-moments” that will continue to unfold with time. This creates a lack of full clarity surrounding the current information. However; this transit also creates a “Stellium” (a cluster of planets) forms in Aries, shifting the global mood from “wait and see” to “do it now.” Expect a massive surge in physical energy, ambition, and the urge to lead.

Again, we’re asked to practice discernment. To wait for impulse to pass before acting. Other people will trigger you this month, and it’s important you notice your response. Did they “make you angry” or did you respond from a place of anger? This month, external change is motivated by internal change.

Mid-month carries a kind of energetic distortion. When Mars meets Neptune in Aries (April 9th- 25th), action and illusion blur together. We want to make moves, but we don’t have all the information. We are being encouraged to pause here, to rest, reflect, and wait. This inaction is strategic, rather than stagnant. Purposeful. Justice requires clarity. Not every impulse is aligned.

Now, I can hear my own internal voice screaming. “What? I thought it was GOOOOO time? Haven’t we been stuck in this holding pond long enough? Mid-April, and you still want me to wait?!” So, I feel called to mention; unlike the heavy winter months, April’s energy is not static, or stagnant, it’s a live wire. We’re not still because we’re stagnant, we’re still because we’re smart enough to navigate the energy well. April’s action requires strategy.

Don’t despair, There are many moments of support woven in throughout the month. April 10-16 Venus will sextile Jupiter, creating one of the most pleasant transits in astrology. Venus (love, money, beauty) dancing with Jupiter (expansion, luck, wisdom) creates a “feel-good” atmosphere.

On April 13 will create A “Golden Window” for luck, money, and socializing. It’s the most harmonious day of the month. When Venus in Taurus connects with Jupiter in Cancer, there’s a collective softening. A reminder that life is meant to feel good, that safety and pleasure are signals of wellness. After so much movement and internal friction, this moment offers a reset. A chance to come back into the body. To remember what stability actually feels like. Bask and savor in the joy of life.

Because April doesn’t let us bypass the deeper work.

The sun conjuncts Chiron (April 9th-19th); creating a Chiron Cazimi in Aries. This transit is a big one, and it brings old wounds tied to identity, self-worth, and permission to the surface. This wound asks, Where are you still waiting to be chosen? Where are you asking for approval instead of claiming space? Where are you still looking for a right to exist?

By acknowledging a vulnerability, you actually gain power over it. Because the fear of being “too much” has never actually been about truth- it’s been about safety. And April makes it harder to hide inside that story.

This is where the narrative starts to shift; because April 12-14 Mercury will Sextile Uranus and then enter Aries until May 2. Mercury moving from dreamy Pisces into fiery Aries means the “mental fog” lifts. Communication becomes blunt, fast, and decisive. If you’ve been stuck on a problem, expect a breakthrough. What comes up may be tender, use compassion. Trigger points lead us to deeper self awareness, aligned in time with the New Moon on April 17th.

This new moon in Aries is a really big deal because it begins a new cycle. As the first new moon after the Astrological New Year, it encourages authentic action and stepping into leadership. It is uniquely characterized by a conjunction with Chiron, blending courage with vulnerability to heal, and a strong influence from Pluto to release old, heavy burdens, paving the way for a transformative new chapters.

We are meant to tap into our most authentic impulses, shed fears, and step boldly into our own authority. With Pluto in play, this phase helps break down old structures that no longer fit your life, allowing you to let go of what holds you back. Be brave, and choose your path forward. This is a time of radical reinvention, and bold commitment to choices that honor the person we are becoming. This moon was sent to reignite us. It is arguably the best day of the year to launch a brand-new venture, identity, or project.

On April 19, the Sun enters Taurus. The energy slows down. It’s time to take the wild ideas from the New Moon and build a practical foundation for them. However; April 19–20 Mars & Mercury Conjunct Saturn. This is a "stop-and-go" energy. You have the drive (Mars) but hit a wall of responsibility (Saturn). It requires discipline rather than just speed.

This results in a tightening energy. Action meets consequence. Mars wants movement, and Saturn wants control. Impulse meets structure. There’s friction here, but it’s purposeful- this conjunction asks us to take responsibility for what we’re building, rather than chase random impulses.

Following this tension, communication follows. Mercury conjuncts Saturn April 20th. Thoughts sharpen. Conversations carry weight. Communication may feel like a verbal obstacle course. What we say- and how we say it- matters.

April 23rd Venus conjuncts Uranus bringing our attention to our values. Here we may find freedom from attachment to the material, and a greater value placed on the collective whole.

By the end of the month, the energy shifts again. We are asked to be present and curious. April 24th, social energy becomes lighter, more curious, and more flirtatious.

Uranus makes a major and long-term move into Gemini on April 25th, breaking open new pathways around information, communication, and perception. After 7 years of seeking stability through external structures, something begins to unravel. As we move from Taurus to Gemini, the question becomes less about what feels secure-and more about what feels true. This transit will have a huge lasting impact, and will continue until 2033.

April closes at a crossroads.

When Venus in Gemini squares the lunar nodes, we’re asked to choose. Between what is real and what is familiar. Between movement and stagnation. Between the life we say we want- and the patterns we keep returning to.

This is the work of April: Not just beginning again. But choosing, consciously, how you move forward from a place that is grounded, honest, and fully yours.

 

May Hekate Guide us at the Crossroads and illuminate the path ahead.

And so it is.

Our Zodiacal year begins with Aries, the Ram. In mythology, the figure of the Ram is lively, energetic, courageous, and inventive. It lives in rocky terrain with ease and can leap over any obstacles it encounters. The story of Aries the Ram begins in Ancient Greek Mythology.

The Golden Fleece Ram

The constellation of Aries originates with the myth of Phrixus, Helle, and the golden-fleeced Ram. At the threat of being sacrificed by their step-mother, a magical golden ram was sent to rescue Phrixus and Helle, who climbed onto the ram’s back before it took flight over the Mediterranean. Unfortunately, before they got to their destination, Helle fell off the Ram’s back and into the sea. Her watery grave was named Hellespont in her memory (now known as the Dardanelles). When Phrixus arrived in Colchis, he sacrificed the ram to the King Aeetes, who hung the golden fleece in an oak grove dedicated to the god Ares. This golden fleece becomes the center of another myth, where Jason and the Argonauts make a hero’s journey to retrieve the fleece.

Ares, God of War

The primary Greek gods who rule over war are Ares and Athena. Athena is also the goddess of wisdom and strategy, representing the side of war that requires planning and wit. Ares, on the other hand, is known as the hot-headed brute, representing aspects of war that are led by gut feeling and passion. Understanding this dichotomy between the two gods of war allows us to better understand the attributes of Aries, the zodiac sign, and its planetary ruler, Mars. 

Harnessing Fool Energy

The symbolism of the Ram and the qualities of the God of War inform the characteristics of the Zodiac sign Aries: the hot-headedness of the god Ares and the heroism encapsulated by the golden-fleeced ram are integral to Aries energy. Also wrapped up in this archetype are journeys to faraway lands and the overcoming of obstacles. There is a child-like curiosity in Aries, and a hunger to explore and progress forward. Aries is led by gut instinct, and it has strong fire energy, making it resilient to challenges.

The Aries archetype is closely related to The Fool in Tarot. It is the act of beginning a new journey, specifically in a gloriously unprepared way. There is no prior knowledge to work with: it is simply about starting, just as Spring leaps forth from the dead of Winter. When we think of The Fool, we position them as the hero on a journey through the Tarot. Likewise, Aries is the hero starting the journey through the Zodiac, through the new cycle of seasons. Aries is a Cardinal sign, meaning that it initiates, and it does so with fire energy, led by passion and instinct. This is certainly the energy we need coming out of the hibernation of winter and into the new Zodiacal year. How are you harnessing Aries energy as we move into Spring?

March begins in a fog, as we collectively navigate the major astrological shifts that have recently occurred in our orbit. Energetically, we are beginning to feel the developing impact of Saturn and Neptune's movement into the sign of Aries (through March 2039 and April 2028, respectively). We're also smack-dab in the middle of another Mercury Retrograde, and Eclipse Season.

The first three weeks of March may feel especially rough or disorienting because of this layered energy: There's a lot happening. It makes sense if you're feeling spread thin, depleted, reflective, or fatigued. Many people are feeling energetically or physically sick. We are collectively adjusting to heightened intuition and the sudden unveiling of personal and public shadows. Nervous systems are shot, anxiety heightened, awareness keen. Empaths will need to be especially discerning of their boundaries.

Though the fiery momentum of the Fire Horse has our minds wound up in all that needs to be done, this astrological period is not asking for frantic action. It is asking for rest. Attention. Mindfulness. Deep and compassionate reflection. We're not crossing off everything on our "to do list," we're mindfully choosing what feels most aligned. Avoid making major, irreversible decisions during this period if possible. Retrograde decisions are known for producing unexpected or sideways results.....

Though, Intuition is especially strong this month, Eclipse season can feel as though everything is crumbling at once. Mercury Retrograde reminds us, again, that misunderstandings and mistakes are often sacred redirections, clearing the path for new timelines to emerge. We cannot build in this new energy until we inspect our foundations for cracks or structural damage. We cannot step fully into a new life while still gripping tightly to the thoughts, beliefs, and systems that bind us to outdated narratives.

All of the “hold your horses” energy seemed to disappear as we entered the Year of the Fire Horse alongside the eclipse gateway, yet paradoxically, this moment calls for profound stillness. The culmination energy around the early March lunar eclipse urges sacred presence. It invites us to let go of the illusion that we must orchestrate every outcome and instead practice acceptance. Trusting that whatever is unfolding is part of a larger, divine perfection, even when it doesn’t feel “good.” Divine Perfection recognizes, forgives, and includes imperfection as a part of the whole picture, rather than an outcasted piece of the puzzle. This is the version of yourself that is no longer triggered by the external world, finding peace instead, within your own internal landscape.

Old stories will resurface this month, but we are asked to mindfully change the narrative rather than let the past define our identity. Wisdom is gained not by carrying our baggage forward, but by choosing what to release so our hands are free to receive what is new.

The Total Lunar Eclipse in Virgo early in the month (3/3 at 3:33 a.m.) highlights purification, discernment, and sacred organization. Virgo energy illuminates the places where our daily habits, routines, and responsibilities no longer align with who we are becoming.

The eclipse energy itself is not traditionally used for direct manifestation work; it carries a wild, unpredictable quality that can bring unexpected results. Instead, we sit with eclipse energy. We witness it. We allow it to reveal where we have outgrown old skins. There is a Gorgon-like symbolism here: the eclipse confronting us with reflections we cannot ignore, asking us to face what has been turned to stone within us and gently breathe life back into those frozen parts.

Anticipate miscommunications, sudden shifts in direction, and the need to revise plans. This is a powerful time to meditate, pray, listen deeply, sense intuition, process emotions, and work intentionally with dreams. What feels unclear now is gestating clarity beneath the surface.

From March 6–10, Venus moves into close alignment with Saturn and Neptune in Aries, testing the integrity of our relationships, values, and commitments. What is built on fantasy may dissolve. What is rooted in truth may deepen. Notice what flows and what requires force. Notice where compassion is needed, but also where boundaries must be reinforced. Empaths, again, will need to be discerning. Loving does not mean abandoning oneself.

On March 13 and again on March 18, Mercury Retrograde forms connections with the North Node in Pisces, bringing karmic conversations, intuitive downloads, and moments of fated realization. Act gently on inspiration, but do not rush to finalize anything yet. Let ideas breathe. Let dreams speak. This is a period where listening to emotion, symbol, and synchronicity can reveal pathways that logic alone could not see. Misunderstandings may still occur, yet they can open doors we would not have consciously chosen but deeply need. Forgive yourself easily. Offer that same compassion to others. Follow inspiration wherever it sparks joy.

The New Moon on March 18, occurring in the final degree of Pisces, asks us to surrender and release the white-knuckle grip on certainty. We're meant to trust that something larger is gently guiding the unfolding. If you’ve felt scattered, unable to identify exactly what is wrong, be kind to yourself. Gentle supports for the nervous system, such as rest, quiet reflection, and soothing herbal allies like lemon balm, can help calm the mental static so you can settle into the movement that is coming.

By the third week of March, the pace begins to quicken. Mercury stations direct on March 20, right as the Spring Equinox arrives, helping to propel prayers, dreams, and insights into forward motion. What felt foggy begins to clarify. What felt stagnant begins to stir. This is the emergence point- the slow but undeniable shift from inward processing to outward embodiment.

We are asked to become the living flame that lights the way forward through courage rooted in authenticity. The more we release outdated identities and narratives, the more space we create for aligned action. Your quiet bravery, your willingness to heal, your commitment to truth over comfort; these qualities may inspire others more than you realize. Remember though, we are only here to plant seeds, we can't force them to grow. Be sure to focus inward at this time, and refrain from projecting internal struggles onto those around you. Be mindful how projections reflect your own internal shadows, and use the awareness to foster compassion for yourself and others.

March, overall, will not bring instant clarity or easy answers. It is a month of sacred unraveling. Of gentle release. Of tending to the roots before the visible bloom. Sit with the chaos and look for the order within it. Trust your spiritual practice. Trust your intuition. Trust that mistakes are redirections, endings are initiations, and what is dissolving is making room for a more authentic life to take shape.

February is often associated with love and Romance. Thanks to Valentine’s Day and its predecessor, Lupercalia, these themes pervade all aspects of our society for this short month. Many of us began our magical journeys with love at the forefront of our thoughts: we wanted to find, attract, or even test the strength of our love. If you’re a spiritual reader, you will know that love is one of the most common themes in reading for other people. 

The connection between love and magic is so strong in our culture, that it even makes its way into our literature and storytelling.

Witchcraft as an Act of Self-Love 

One important aspect that often gets glossed over in the conversation of love and magic is the love we need to have for ourselves. Self-love needs to precede any romantic love, otherwise it lacks a good foundation. Many of us come from cultures steeped in patriarchy and colonization, which encourages our own self-loathing. Choosing to practice witchcraft is in many ways a denial of that culture and a rejection of self-hatred. Walking the path of the witch is a decision we make to empower ourselves, and that very decision is an act of self-love. The rituals we practice show us that we matter to ourselves and that we believe we deserve better. Any magic we perform, whether for ourselves or as a service to others, is fueled and empowered by that self-love. 

What is a Cord-Cutting Ritual?

This month, we wanted to share a cord-cutting ritual for letting go and inner healing. Releasing past relationships and making way for new ones is an act of self-love. Cord-cutting has its roots in shamanism and Eastern philosophies, although cords and knots have been used in spell crafting all around the world. A cord often represents ties to a person or object, and in mythology, it also represents a person’s life. Today, a cord-cutting ritual is performed to release energetical ties to a person, an object, or a memory. These rituals can be beneficial in helping you to move forward from a past relationship or situation that is no longer serving you. In releasing these unhealthy ties, you free up your energy and make way for new connections. The ritual outlined below is designed to do just that.

Cord-Cutting Ritual

This ritual is for anyone who is ready to move on from an energy/person/place/habit that energetically seems to be taking a slow time to transform. Sometimes we get entangled with energy, willingly at one point and time in our lives, but are feeling the call to grow and expand. We are ready for that new beginning but are finding it hard to get that movement going forward or just feel plain stuck and unavailable for new energy. Our conscious minds and hearts are saying “YES PLEASE I'M READY!!”, but the energy still doesn’t seem to be moving. Well cord cutting the energetic ties of the old, outdated patterns may be exactly what you need. It can release you, to then start anew. It may be the last thing that needs to happen for you to move on properly, so the same patterns don’t repeat. It’s a clean start. A resurrection if you will. This time of the year is perfect for this. Releasing yourself with a cord-cutting ritual and resurrecting the pieces of your soul that have laid dormant. Once wholeness is obtained you may manifest more wholeness instead of fragments.

1st- Gather ritual items: 1 white chime candle and holder and fireproof dish, a pair of tweezers or small tongs, 1 small bowl and fill with water, Salt in a small bowl, lighter or matches, Incense or smoke bundle of choice, 4 small pieces of paper or bay leaf, and a pen or ink of choice. 1 flower or offering to be left at a crossroad.

2nd- Set the sacred space. Make sure you set the tone of the ritual by giving yourself private sacred space. Pick a nice quiet space with no distractions, no phones, or extra people.

3rd- Ground. Protect. Connect. Consecrate your space with smoke by lighting the incense and saying a beginning incantation that calls on the elements to awaken the forces within the elements assisting your ritual. Something like, “I call on the spirit of water to come forth and assist in this ritual” holding the bowl in your hands whilst doing so. Set your altar and light the candle. On the 4 pieces of small paper, write the name of the person, place, or things/aspects that you are energetically cutting or releasing on one side of the paper. On the other side draw an upside-down pentagram for releasing of the energy. While the candle is burning focus on all the ways that you see your life as whole and complete. It is entirely important that what is focused on is your wholeness. While the cords are being cut out of your life it is vitally important you fill your energetic space with more of you and where you see yourself going.

Suggestions- Take out a journal and write about where you visualize yourself and your life at its highest and best. Contemplate your soul’s purpose and what you feel called to during this time of your life. As you release you are also calling in your soul’s purpose to take up more space in your life from here on out. You can also meditate or listen to soft music or meditations that are inspiring. This will set the tone for a new way. When the candle is almost burned out fold up all the pieces of small paper with the pentagram on the outside as it is folding in on the things being released. Burn all 4 pieces over a fireproof dish. You can hold them with a pair of tweezers or tiny tongs. Recite if you feel called, ‘I release myself from all negative attachments and I dedicate all thoughts to union.” Thank the spirit of fire and make sure the candle burns all the way out. Next release the water into the toilet then flush or pour down the sink, while reciting the words and thanking the spirit of the element. If there are any ashes left from the ceremony release them into the wind, and again reciting the words and thanking the spirit of Air. Bring the salt from the ceremony and any wax, if any is left, at a crossroads of choice. Preferably away from where you reside. Dig a tiny hole, pour in the salt and wax cover with dirt, and on top leave a flower or offering of choice. Recite the words and thank the spirit of the earth. When you turn to walk away, DO NOT LOOK BACK. Walk with gratitude and know it is done.

Blessed be.

Take some time this month to perform an act of self-love. This cord-cutting ritual can be part of a wider journey to healing and empowering yourself spiritually and physically. Another important tool in your spiritual journey will be a Grimoire or magical journal. Historically a grimoire was used by a witch to record spells and incantations. As Mercury transits through Pisces over the next few weeks, you will want to write down your spiritual thoughts and ideas and record any spellcrafting you perform. Use these magical tools to build yourself up and release anything that is not serving you right now. May we always remember the immutable connection between witchcraft and self-love. 

All materials for the cord-cutting ritual can be found in our online store or at Asheville Raven & Crone on Merrimon Avenue. 

Dreams have been a source of fascination and bewilderment to humans for millennia. Throughout our existence, we have tried to explain and interpret our dreams. We have used dreams as tools for self-discovery, artistic inspiration, and even channels for divine communication. Dreamwork is the mechanism for harnessing the power of our dreams. 

What is Dreamwork?

Dreamwork encompasses a multitude of spiritual and therapeutic practices that focus on your dreams. Sigmund Freud was known for having a particular interest in deciphering dreams to reveal what the subconscious mind is trying to manifest. This part of dreamwork is called dream interpretation, where the querent analyzes symbols and recurring motifs from their dreams to interpret a message from the subconscious. As a therapeutic practice, a qualified therapist will act as a guide for the querent, allowing them to explore the thoughts and patterns from their dreams and come to their own conclusions. 

Other than being a conduit to the unconscious mind, dreams have always been considered tools for contacting spiritual entities and a means for divination and receiving prophetic messages. The Oneirocritica is an ancient Greek text from the 2nd century that lays out a detailed framework for interpreting symbols in dreams, which includes divinatory delinations. The Bible even mentions certain prophets receiving symbolic dreams containing warnings about the future. 

What can you use Dreamwork for?

Dreamwork can be incorporated into your magical or spiritual practice in numerous ways. You can work more closely with deities or other entities that are harder to contact in the waking world by inviting them to visit you in your dreams. Dreams may come to you as a response to recent spellwork, confirming the effects of a spell. 

You can use your dreams as a tool to look into the future, or dreams can be a conduit to receiving prophecies from the divine. Lucid dreaming, where the dreamer is aware of being in a dream, can be a tool used for shadow work or revisiting past events to work through trauma. 

Preparations for Dreamwork

Dreams can feel uncontrollable at the start of your journey, and learning to harness them as a tool is a deeply personal experience. It will take considerable time and a lot of trial and error to find what works best for you. 

To begin, you should find a way to record your dreams, like a journal (paper or digital) or a recording device. Keep your dream journal next to where you sleep so you can record as soon as you wake. You will find that some dreams don’t have much meaning in them, but others will stand out as significant to you. 

Before you go to sleep, you will want to set a ritual to induce dreaming and give those dreams a direction. Magical teas, tinctures, or ritual baths can be a good starting point. Incorporate herbs and ingredients that correspond to your intention: if you want to peer into the future, herbs like mugwort or wormwood will enhance divinatory powers. If you are looking to connect with a deity, you may make an offering to them just before bed, inviting them to contact you in the dream world. 

While you are sleeping, it may be helpful to have a charm or talisman with you to focus your dream on your purpose and to provide protection from baneful entities. You can hold it in your hand or keep it under your pillow (as a safety precaution, it is not advised to wear anything around your neck while sleeping). Charms to block nightmares are helpful, as those dreams tend to be less productive, unless you are doing shadow work. Visiting the dream world can be exhilarating and frightening all at the same time, but having the right tools and resources will help you get the most out of your experience. You can find all of the tools mentioned above at Asheville Raven & Crone.

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.