Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me this eARC to review. Sadly the content within this book is not good for my mental health which I did not realise at the time so I am very sorry for that! I will give this 3 Stars as I couldn't review it properly. Apologies again!

Growing up with a Slavic Grandfather, I was always told tales that stole my imagination to no end. Baba Yaga was always one of those figures from his stories that I found absolutely enthralling despite the horrid reputation she has. Reading this was like reliving the stories of my childhood in a lot of ways and a marvelous introduction to the famed witch of Slavic lore. I wish I had this book growing up.

Who hasn’t heard of Baba Yaga before? As someone with Slavic heritage I was excited to get my hands on this. I loved how this book explored the traditions and how to incorporate them into your own path.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

Baba Yaga has always been fascinating to me. She is perhaps my favorite of the fairytale witches because there is such diversity in her stories and origins.

This book is a short read full of historical information about where Baba Yaga's stories come from, the people who believe in her, and the traditions surrounding her magic, or witchcraft.

Fun and informative!

Baba Yaga's Book of Witchcraft by Madame Pamita provides a thorough exploration of the slavic traditions of the craft and how to incorporate them into one's own path.

The publisher only provided the first chapter for this book, but it's absolutely enough to have me interested in picking up the full book! Insightful, guiding, and layered with its tone, this is a book that informs in much the same way a grandmother might as you sit next to her learning these traditions.

When Madame Pamita was little, her mother told her stories about her Ukrainian grandmother — how she would pour wax into water to heal the sick; how once when Madame Pamita’s mother was very sick, her grandmother made a doll for her to hold, which disappeared after she got well.

Those stories became little mysteries for Madame Pamita. The clues to unlock her grandmother’s magic were hard to find — while she considers herself a witch as well as a member of the Ukrainian diaspora, Madame Pamita doesn’t read or speak Ukrainian, and she says that little about Ukrainian folk magic was written or preserved during the Soviet era.

Then she stumbled on a book about Ukrainian wax-pouring healing at a friend’s bookstore. It was like “opening the Cave of Wonders,” she said.

In the years since, Madame Pamita has collected dozens of ancient and modern Slavic magical practices, which she has compiled as a new book: “Baba Yaga’s Book of Witchcraft: Slavic Magic from the Witch of the Woods.” She also hosts an accompanying podcast called “Baba Yaga’s Magic” and owns an online witchcraft store called Madame Pamita’s Parlour of Wonders.

While we don't publish reviews or make recommendations at Religion News Service, we do write about new books and interview authors. I've linked the rest of my interview with Madame Pamita below.

The publisher provided only a first chapter for review, so this is based on what is available. The narrative promises to tell the story of Pan-Slavic witch Baba Yaga, whose name and form vary over time and cultures, but retain a core legend of her mysteries and dark powers. The scope of author Madame Pamita”s magical tale is remarkable and her research - learning Ukrainian, drawing on significant folklore scholarship, crafting folk magic teachings - make this a valuable and unique resource, Chapter 1, "Vyshyvanka: The Magical Stitches” a tale of a journey unfolds the lore of Ukrainian cross-stitch as a language of protection. A skillful tale-spinner, the author has adopted the voice of Baba Yaga and it works very well within her chosen framework. Practical, playful, but respectful of the old ways, this should appeal to folklorists as well as an audience primarily interested in magic.

I’m familiar with the story of Baba Yaga, but reading Madame Pamita’s book feels like gaining an entirely new perspective on the Russian witch. Connect to Baba Yaga through this new insight into the famous witch through the magic of embroidery, magic, and charms. Depending on what stories you’ve heard, some may have put Baba Yaga in a poor light as the villain. This will have you seeing differently the daily things in your life, such as how clothing can protect you from the sun or the wind (while also doing double duty to protect you from a burning jealous glance or a coldhearted curse). Madame Pamita gives a deeper look at the beauty and magic in vyshyvanky (embroidered shirts and shifts worn that are covered in sacred symbols). These symbols have powerful meanings and can bring good while keeping out the bad. They encode strength, love, prosperity, and more through embroidered charms you can use to showcase your individuality, such as your wishes, hopes, and dreams. Bringing what you want into reality is what Madame Pamita highlights throughout the book in ways that make you feel the enchantment and power these symbols have come right off the page.

These symbols are powerful to where they're on rushnyky which are ritual cloths used to bless the food, wrap babies when they are born, tie a couple together in a marriage ceremony, and more. Madame Pamita explores so much as she explores the various importance and example designs to create your own talismanic embroidery. It's a compelling read that draws you into this magic world that Madame Pamita has laid out and you can't help but be enthralled. The narration is an intriguing blend of Baba Yaga and Madame Pamita herself where it feels as if you're sitting literally at Baba Yaga's feet to hear stories and fairytales that bring magic to life then going to take a lesson in embroidery with their meanings, styles, and more. You'll learn how the kvadrat (square) is used to enchant the material to draw abundance, protection, and harmony, how the kalyna (guelder rose) represents youth, love, and motherhood, and how to create spiritual protection through a mak (poppy). Madame Pamita goes into each of these symbols and delves into the importance they have to bring blessings, remember ancestors, and add enchantment into your life.

Every Slavic country had its own name for a witch in the woods. Hundreds of names were in the folk tales told to Russian author Alexander Afanasyev. The book he published in the mid-1800s used only one: Baba Yaga. Because her stories are traditional across traditions and countries, “cultural anthropologists and folklorists believe that Baba Yaga was originally a spirit or deity who was revered and honored as the Mistress of the Woods,” Madame Pamita wrote in the introduction.

The book centers on Slavic practices from her Ukrainian heritage. Chapters begin with an episode of the fairy tale of Vasylyna that meanders through the book, pulling readers to befriend characters, and join their worlds to receive insights applicable to their lives. That is followed by Baba Yaga, speaking in the first person, sharing her wisdom, opinions, and truths. Madame Pamita also provides hands-on techniques and tips.

In Chapter 1, “Vyshyvanka The Magical Stitches,” the mother teaches her daughter to embroider protective and magical symbols into cloth. Embroidery was a secret language and Baba Yaga has readers cross-stitching a talisman with a traditional pattern with magical and sacred symbols.

There are chapters (that were not provided in the advance copy) about enchanted food, the oven, the spindle, decorated eggs, the mortar and pestle, bones, and more. Readers will learn about traditional Slavic magical practices as they weave wreaths from herbs, work with spirits of the forest, and make enchanted poppets.

The book will help readers meet Baba Yaga with humbleness and respectfully, and graciously develop a relationship with her that will yield “gifts and wisdom that you never knew you held within you.” Appendix I lists plants and their magical meaning, while Appendix II has a list of colors and their meanings. There is also an extensive index.

Madame Pamita is a Ukrainian diaspora witch, teacher, author, candle maker, spellcaster, and tarot reader. She has a popular YouTube Channel for teaching witchcraft, and is the author of “The Book of Candle Magic” and “Madame Pamita’s Magical Tarot.” In addition, she is the proprietress of the online spiritual apothecary, the Parlour of Wonders. She lives in Santa Monica, California. You can find her at parlourofwonders dot com.

Reviewed by Lynn Woike (The Witch on Wheels) of PaganPages dot Org

This was my first experience reading about the lore of Baba Yaga and Ukrainian folk magic. I enjoyed reading and learning about this (new to me) type of Magic. It was more academic than I had hoped and reads more like a textbook than I expected. But if the stories and magic of Baba Yaga interest you, than this would be a perfect place to start your inquiry into Ukrainian folk magic.

Thanks to NETGALLEY for this ARC. These thoughts are my own opinions.

This is quite a book.The artistic illustrations in this book are beautiful. The folklore of the Ukraine and baba yagas special brand of magic make this one of my favorites. I was delighted and surprised at how helpful this book is. I definitely added this one to my personal collection.

I have an obligation here otherwise would just contact publisher & editor. This was a bad move & nit too sure why anyone would have done this. Have reviewed numerous books for Llewelyn & actually bought close to half a dozen for my library afterwards. Never put a book up for review that is a sample or in this case, one chapter that has nothing to do with the title than a bit of ideas from the author. It wasn't even a finished tale. There were a few sweet Slavic cross stitch designs & their meanings which were really nice & this would perhaps be a good reference book on Baba & Slav magic but I don't know. I have read way way too many books to try & judge one by the first chapter or sprinkled bits, as the embroidery pieces may have been from somewhere else in the book. Samples do not belong on sites for serious book reviews. There are Deity crones from the mists of times in many if not all cultures if one searches deep enough & never have thought they should be mixed much outside of their perspective cultures. I know little of Baba per se & was looking forward to reading & reviewing this. I have been wanting to know more of Slavic Deities for a while just gp. There're a couple of Slavic Deities I personally have had some interaction with don't understand. as with Velas & others like 3 sisters & Perun have heard of & enjoyed their tales.

When I requested an ARC of this book on NetGalley, I didn’t realize I would only be getting a sample of like the first 20 pages. The cool thing is that this sample was compelling enough to convince me that I loved this book and wanted to buy a physical copy to hug and hold forever (so I did).

I am a longtime lover of Baba Yaga. I have a painting of her that holds permanent residence on my altar. I devour every book and story I can find about her. I am undeniably drawn to Slavic folklore and find a strange kinship with each story I come across (have you played the video game Black Book? OMG.). All this to say that opening up Baba Yaga’s Book of Witchcraft felt like coming home and waking up at the same time. You get this beautiful combination of the author’s personal experiences with Baba Yaga & Ukranian folklore, immersive storytelling, a look at magic from Baba Yaga’s perspective, and guides on how to explore and incorporate these magical practices into your own life. It is basically all the things I want in a magical book.

The book is beautifully designed, with red ink accents, and each chapter has at least one illustration. The back includes some useful appendices, a glossary, and an extensive bibliography so you can dive even deeper. The topics range from stitching magic (something I have dreamed about for years and didn’t know was such a real thing) to mortar & pestle to hair to salt! This book was the perfect way to sate my appetite for all things Baba Yaga and Slavic folklore (especially after being thoroughly enticed by Black Book). I am obsessed.

So many types of witches and practices. Which one am I? Maybe none that match with someone else's but that doesn't mean you are wrong. There's different charms, spells and rituals covered in this book that will help lead you to your way. I loved how easy the book is to follow. This book never tells you to believe this way or you are wrong. It's a great book to add to your library. I received this book from LLewellyn Worldwide and Net Galley for a honest review.

An easily accessible book of folklore and magic that's truly enchanting!

I decided that this was a book I needed to take my time with. Full of folklore and traditions that even have citations! This book was such a fun time!

My favourite part of this book had to be the embroidery patterns! If only I could actually do embroidery 😂

This was a fantastic introduction to Slavic mythology and while I felt like I learned a lot I would've loved a deaper dive into some of the folklore.

Overall a lovely book of folklore, wisdom, and a bit creepy at times!

3.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Llewellyn Publications for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Reading this book is like sitting with a grandmother and learning the old ways. The stories and embroidery patterns were my favorite parts. Based off the first chapter I was given to read I am definitely adding this book to my library.

Baba Yaga's Book of Witchcraft: Slavic Magic From the Witch of the Woods, by Madame Pamita @madamepamita, published by Llewellyn @llewellynbooks

A big thank you to Llewellyn for granting me an advanced digital copy of the introduction and chapter one of this amazing book via @netgalley ❤️

I know next to nothing about Slavic witchcraft and magic, although of course I've heard of Baba Yaga, so I was very excited to be able to read this new book. And with the atrocities being committed against the people of Ukraine, the desire to learn more about their magical practices has become stronger than ever within me 💙💛

The first chapter focuses on Vyshyvanka: The Magical Stitches, and starts with a tale about a girl called Vasylyna (I'm guessing her tale continues throughout the book, but I've only got access to chapter one at the moment.) I love that we have wisdom shared by Baba Yaga before Madame Pamita shares her own experience with vyshyvanka, and finally explaining how it's still relevant today.

I learned how to cross stitch from my mother, and while she still enjoys it as a hobby, I must admit I've not stitched anything in years. But I've found some aida, black & red floss, a hoop and some needles in my craft stash, and I'm going to curl up later to create my own cross stitch talisman using the patterns in this book.

Speaking of the patterns, there are a lot to choose from, together with their traditional names and meanings. I think I'm going to choose Dub/Oak to stitch first, as I keep finding very prominent oak leaves in my garden I'm not sure where this oak tree is, but I'm guessing it's in the woodland at the back of my house somewhere (if the weather holds, I might go looking for it later).

I'll share my finished stitched talisman(s) when my physical copy of this book arrives ☺️

The preface and introduction form a wonderful guide as to what awaits you within the pages of this book, and I can feel the love and respect Madame Pamita has for this subject. This really makes me want to dive into the rest of this book, but I'll have it wait until the 9th of May for its UK release.

#babayaga #babayagasbookofwitchcraft #llewellynbooks #madamepamita

Not quite sure how to review this book.
The e-arc I received from NetGalley definitely seemed shorter than the 300+ pages stated. However it also didn't say anywhere that it was just a sampler.
While what I did read on the origins of Baba Yaga and the folklore and traditions involved in the cross stitching and embroidering within Slavic cultures was very interesting, I don't know if there was a problem with my download as the synopsis and page count seems to indicate that a lot of the book was missing.

I live for books about Slavic culture/traditions/magic written by actual Slavic authors. Sure, authors who aren't from Slavic countries can attempt to explain it, but the same feeling won't be there.

Baba Yaga's Book of Witchcraft was not only written by a Slavic author, but also had Slavic helpers and extensive research (with cited sources) done which makes me very happy.

The arc I received was only the first chapter of the book, which I wasn't expecting. I didn't even realise it until I got halfway through in no time. Is this a bad thing? Not necessarily, I just wish it was stated that it was a sample on the NetGalley page.

In that first chapter, and the intro before that, we get to see parts of the author's personal story, a fairy tale, and embroidery patterns. It was enough to convince me to buy the book (but let's be real, I would've bought it on sight anyway). I'm really excited to see what the rest of the book will hold, since we didn't even get to the most interesting part (the spells) yet.

And that mention of the evil eye and someone harming you just by looking at you with it? VERY REAL. It works similarly with objects given with ill intent. That's why my family never let me accept objects given to me by people they didn't trust (my aunt even vacuumed a clear quartz crystal necklace "on accident" because the person who had given it to me very likely wanted to wish me harm).

So yeah, I'll absolutely be reading the full version when it's out. And you should too.

*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*