Ask Baba Yaga: My Best Friend Just Got Engaged and All I Can Do Is Weep

Illustration for Baba Yaga's Blue Rose Tea (Celestial Seasonings) by Patrick Sheehan

Being happy for someone when they get something you want is tough. Baba Yaga has advice on getting your 'self' together and finding peace. And maybe even some happiness for your friend.... (and just in time for Valentine's Day, when most women in particular - single AND married - are dreading seeing what everyone else is putting on Facebook that day.)

This week's question and answer (via poet and oracle Taisia Kitaiskaia* of The Hairpin):

(Originally posted at The Hairpin HERE)

Evidence of tough love (and tough self-love) appeared in the comments:

• Oh my GOD this is good. "Happiness is a thing that passes through you, not a thing you meet and hold in your deathly grip forever afterwards" is somehow exactly what I needed to hear. Happiness is not the end goal, because it isn't guaranteed no matter what your circumstances are, and because it's a constantly evolving state of being, not a static thing you can hang on to. This column is seriously one of my favorite things the Hairpin has ever produced. (Jocasta Carr)
• Oooohhh, THISSSS. That's all I can do, just point at it and say "THISSSS."
  Wanting to share this with a particular friend, buuuut she's engaged. (stroopwafel)
• this absolutely gutted me, in the best possible way. (Lady Pants)

In the end death is death. She always gets right to the heart of it, doesn't she? 

I just hope that if they make soup in my cauldron after the fact, they give it a good clean first. (!)

In the meantime, have some tea...

"Seeking out her aid is usually portrayed as a dangerous act. An emphasis is placed on the need for proper preparation and purity of spirit, as well as basic politeness. It is said she ages one year every time she is asked a question, which probably explains her reluctance to help. This effect, however, can be reversed with a special blend of tea made with blue roses." (Source)

Wow. I really do need some tea. Specifically some of THAT tea, stat!

What do you think of Baba Yaga's advice?

Want to ask Baba Yaga a question of your own?

You can!

There's now an email address where you can send your questions

directly to Baba Yaga herself.

AskBabaYaga AT gmail DOT com

To encourage Baba Yaga to continue imparting her no-bones-about-it wisdom (ok, there may be some gristle in there... bones too), I suggest we not to leave her box empty... 

Thank you Baba Yaga (& Taisia).

* Taisia Kitaiskaia is a poet, writer, and Michener Center for Writers fellow. Born in Russia and raised in America, she's had her poems and translations published in Narrative Magazine, Poetry International, and others.