Jezibaba

Jezibaba literally means “Granny Witch.” This witch goddess seems to be Baba Yaga’s Czech sister. Like Baba Yaga, Jezibaba lives in a little hut in the forest but hers is on the shores of a lake and may be constructed of regular building materials not human bones. Her personality is somewhat milder than Baba Yaga’s too: she’s not quite as scary. Although she can be fierce, Jezibaba is generally a helpful witch, if you address her kindly and respectfully.

Devotees request her assistance with love and fertility. Jezibaba is an herbal expert.

She may be petitioned to oversee magical and/or herbal studies. Request her blessing over love potions to increase their effectiveness and ask for her help finding the best possible herbs for healing purposes. Jezibaba may be an incarnation of the ancient Semitic deity, Jahi, female ruler of menstrual power, now demoted to a cottage in the woods. Jezibaba’s children are the Jezinky, sometimes hostile cave-dwelling spirits. Some scholars think the Jezinky are really Djinn. Jezibaba stars in Antonin Dvorak’s 1901 opera Rusalka.

Realm:

Forest

ELEMENT

Water

SEE ALSO:

• Baba Yaga
• Djinn
• Jahi
• Rusalka

Source:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.