The Crone

"Your room is ready."

Crone n.: Great Hag of History, long-lasting one; Survivor of the perpetual witchcraze of patriarchy, whose status is determined not merely by chronological age, but by Crone-logical considerations; one who has Survived early stages of the Otherworld Journey and who therefore has Dis-covered depths of Courage, Strength, and Wisdom in her Self. --Mary Daly's Wickedary

The Crone is the third aspect of the Triple Goddess. She represents wintertime, and old age. She is the knower of mysteries and the power behind transformation. Our Crone time is a reaping of the benefits of experience and wisdom. The Crone can be a teacher and Wise Woman, passing along wisdom and learning to the next generation of women. In mythology her name is Hecate, Kali, Baba Yaga, Cerridwen, the Morrigan. Animals associated with the Crone are the snake and the cat.

Images of the Crone

I visualize the Crone as the wise old woman living in the woods, living alone in a small cottage. She is also a fairy godmother; someone who has what I need to overcome a problem, or someone who offers strength and protection in a vulnerable time of need. I imagine she is a Medicine Woman, wise woman of a native American tradition, who can heal body and spirit with knowledge and magic and herbs. She is necessary to integrating all aspects of myself.

Cultural Images

The Crone is an aspect of women that is feared, seemingly because she reminds us of old age and death. Her image has become one of the wicked witch with a cauldron. Her power is not respected and attempts are made to try to repress this power.
Fear of the dark side of our personality is hard to admit, much less deal with. We are willing to repress this dark side in order to appear in control, to be acceptable.

Accepting the Crone

To acknowledge this aspect of ourselves is a path toward healing. We can embrace this phase of our lives and enter a time of self-loving and acceptance. In her image, we can be teachers, healers, visionaries. We can embrace the solitude lovingly.

The Crone and the Four Elements

The element of Air represents intelligence, thought, and a facility for poetry, language, and myth. The image of cutting is also appropriate-- we can critique, prune, say no. We can cut off old paths in order to begin new ones.

The element of Earth is familiar with the body and the earth. We are adept at healing ourselves and others. We attune ourselves with the seasons and the methods for planting, cultivation, and herbs. We are capable and wise in the ways of money, seeing its connection to service and personal energy. We are commited women, showing practicality and dependability.

The element of Water is familiar and accepting of the emotions, both bad and good. We have satisfying relationships with other beings, showing compassion and love. We accept our needs and express them in simple ways. We are adept at insight and divination.

The element of Fire represents the ownership of the secret mysteries of fire and energy. We conserve and spend energy wisely. Fire is kundalini (sexual fire) and the crone knows how to direct this energy wisely. Fire is also representative of the will, which the crone has mastered fully.

Crone, Wise Woman, Elder
A most intriguing site about midlife. I'm going back to explore some more.

Power Surge
Fantastic site for health-related needs of menopausal-age women.

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