Once upon a time, Baba Yaga... Psychological and Cultural Aspects of the Image

In Slavic tradition, Baba Yaga is a witch and mistress of the natural realms, involved in initiation rituals, the owner of beasts, the progenitor of all living things, knowing the fates of people. Such multifacetedness of the image makes it extremely attractive for fairy tale therapeutic work. Baba Yaga is a crisis therapist, a facilitator; meeting this character presents the necessity to undergo initiation, live through a crisis, and cross the gates (to rise to a new level of development). A visit to Baba Yaga is an existential experience for a person.