“Kingdom of Baba Yaga” by Victor Korolkov
BABA YAGA is a fearsome witch in Slavic folklore, but the symbolism that accompanies her in fairy tales suggest that she may have divine origins.
She lives deep in the woods, surrounded by a fence of human bones topped with skulls, in an animate house that stands on chicken legs and turns at her command. The heart of her domain is her magical kitchen, and she rides across the skies in a mortar and pestle. Her favorite foods are the travelers she lures inside her oven.
But she will test adventurers and help them if they earn her respect. Many seek her out, for she is guardian of the Water of Life and Death. Sometimes she appears in threes, as three sisters of the same name. She is also mistress of the three horsemen - White Dawn, Red Sun, and Dark Midnight - who usher in the phases of the day.
Putting this together, she seems an awful lot like an initiation goddess who guards the entrance to the underworld. Those who are unworthy, she devours and places their bleached skull on her fence (sends to the underworld in the common way, so to speak). Those who are worthy, gain the wisdom of Life and Death. Her association with the kitchen and the mortar and pestle show of a link to magic and herbalism. Her association with the three horsemen speaks of a link to time, and perhaps fate (through her appearance as three sisters).
Love Baba Yaga!
(by SerenityRose)
Oh hey, one of my camping/thrifting scores on a tumblr I follow! Excellent.
for years i have been trying to remember the name of this TV show i loved as a kid. thanks to Jason Edmiston, i now have it: Tales of the Gold Monkey!
Stocked up at the library and found some eye candy for inspiration while i do final projects for classes.
Eep, it warms my cold little heart to know we have such great things and that people actually appreciate them.
Rosey Grier for all you old school football heads. Others might remember him from “Free to be you and Me” a children’s special where he did a song called “it’s alright to cry”
this just made me immensely giddy!
AWESOME!
