“Vedma” is the Slavic word for “witch” that comes from the Old Slavic root "ved-", meaning to know. In Slavic folklore, Vedma isn’t inherently evil. She is the keeper of nature’s secrets, a healer, a seer, and an intermediary between the human and the spirit worlds, the mortal and divine, honouring pagan gods such as Mokosh (personification of Mother Earth giving birth), Perun (the thunder god), and Veles (lord of the underworld and magic). The gods were often represented by sacred wooden idols or animals; in this piece, Mokosh and Perun appear as idols, while Veles reveals himself as the black goat.