Goddess, Witch, Woman | ep. 14 - into the hungry forest - the witch of hansel and gretel

Goddess, Witch, Woman | ep. 16 - the fairest of them all | mother, daughter, mirror

In this episode of Goddess, Witch, Woman, we descend into the glass coffin and meet the most famous witch of them all — the Evil Queen of Snow White. Drawing from Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Maria Tatar, Sandra Gilbert & Susan Gubar, and ancient goddess myths, we explore what lies beneath her envy: the ache of aging, the inheritance of silence, and the shadow of the mother. We go deep in: The mirror as patriarchal gaze Adolescence and menopause as mirrored initiations The Queen’s hunger and transformation into the Hag The symbolism of the apple, comb, and laces Hera and Hebe as mythic parallels The enduring allure of the Evil Queen Listen if you love: fairy tales, mythic psychology, women’s archetypes, feminist storytelling, or Jungian depth work. Subscribe: mariannaportela.substack.com [https://mariannaportela.substack.com] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mariannaportela.substack.com [https://mariannaportela.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Goddess, Witch, Woman | ep. 14 - into the hungry forest - the witch of hansel and gretel

A dark fairy tale becomes a mirror. We explore the witch of Hansel and Gretel as an archetype of hunger, danger, and initiation. 🔮 Featuring Baba Yaga, devouring mothers, historical witch hunts, and Gretel’s fire of transformation. Includes myth, analysis, and prompts for reflection. 📚 References & inspirations:The Interpretation of Fairy Tales by Marie-Louise von Franz The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales by Bruno Bettelheim The Great Mother by Erich Neumann From the Beast to the Blonde: On Fairy Tales and Their Tellers by Marina Warner (I've got an autographed copy + a selfie with Marina, I'm a nerdy fan girl, excuse me) The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm, an edition by Jack Zipes Aarne-Thompson-Uther (ATU) Index – Tale Type 327A - For those who like to go deep into folklore: ATU 327A is the tale type classification for "children lost in the forest who encounter an ogre or witch." This site has an excellent index: https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/type0327.html [https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/type0327.html] Witches, Witch-Hunting, and Women by Silvia Federici 💌 Subscribe to my newsletter at for more myth, ritual, and audio blessings: https://mariannaportela.substack.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mariannaportela.substack.com [https://mariannaportela.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Goddess, Witch, Woman | ep. 13 - Baba Yaga - death grandma, devourer, witch

In the shadowy forest of Slavic folktales, Baba Yaga waits — death crone, devourer, and initiator. In this episode, we journey through her myths, symbolism, and archetypal wisdom. Why does she frighten us? What does she demand? And what do we gain if we pass her tests? We explore the tale of Vasalisa the Wise through the lens of Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés, look at the origins of Baba Yaga’s name, her connection to death, nature, wild wisdom, and why she still matters — maybe more than ever. 🔮 Featuring:– Myth and analysis of Vasalisa the Wise– Origins and etymology of Baba Yaga– Archetypal initiation and the wild feminine– Symbolism of spinning, fire, skulls, and ritual tasks– Folktales, folklore, and fierce grandmothers 📚 References & inspirations:• Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés • Baba Yaga: The Wild Witch of the East in Russian Fairy Tales by Andreas Johns • The Maiden King by Robert Bly and Marion Woodman wonderful fiction: • Ask Baba Yaga: Otherworldly Advice for Everyday Troubles / by Taisia Kitaiskaia • The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore • The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson💌 Subscribe to my newsletter at mariannaportela.substack.com [https://mariannaportela.substack.com] for more myth, ritual, and audio blessings. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mariannaportela.substack.com [https://mariannaportela.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Goddess, Witch, Woman | ep.12 what makes a witch

What Makes a Witch? | Episode 12In this threshold episode of Goddess, Witch, Woman, we begin a new series. One that turns the spiral from goddess to witch — from devotion to accusation, from memory to myth. We trace her steps through folktale, persecution, and power. From Baba Yaga to Hecate. From bruxa to crone. From burning times to broomsticks. This is a remembrance of all she is: shadow and healer, heretic and wise woman. A witness to what was done — and what still stirs. Includes references to Silvia Federici, Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Sharon Blackie, Jean Shinoda Bolen, and more. Mentioned books:– Caliban and the Witch by Silvia Federici– Hagitude by Sharon Blackie– Crones Don’t Whine by Jean Shinoda Bolen– Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés Want to go deeper?🔮 subscribe to mariannaportela.substack.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mariannaportela.substack.com [https://mariannaportela.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Goddess, Witch, Woman | ep. 11 - sacred dissonance

What if your inner season doesn’t match the outer one? In this short, reflective episode, Marianna explores seasonal dissonance, mythic rhythm, and Persephone as guide of the in-between. A gentle permission slip for anyone feeling quiet in a loud world. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mariannaportela.substack.com [https://mariannaportela.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]