Croning

An Initiation Into the Third Cycle

In early cultures, the female elder was considered a wise woman. She was the healer, the teacher, the imparter of knowledge. She mediated disputes, she had influence over tribal leaders, and she cared for the dying as they took their final breaths. For many women in Pagan and Goddess-centric belief systems, reaching the status of Crone is a major milestone. These women are reclaiming the name of Crone in a positive way, and see it as a time to joyfully welcome one's position as an elder within the community.

For a long time, to be called a crone was an insult. The very word implied a wrinkled, hunchbacked old woman, unwanted and unloved. Women who had reached an advanced age were dismissed as useless hags, and there was nothing to celebrate about it at all. Fortunately, times are changing, and more and more women are welcoming this aspect of their life. We spend many years in the guise of the Maiden followed by a couple of decades as Mother for many of us. Why not celebrate this next phase of life?

More women in their fifties, sixties, and even seventies are forgoing all the trappings of "false youth" that have been a part of society for the last few decades. It's not uncommon to see mature women with glorious manes of silver hair, when ten years ago they might have spent a small fortune to hide the gray strands. Older women are dating younger men -- after all, we live longer than they do -- and they have busy, active social schedules.

Women today are far more willing to embrace their sexuality and womanhood during the years which not too long ago were considered the time of, for lack of a better phrase, drying up. We're finally able to take back the notion that with age comes wisdom, and we're welcoming the power of our own energy. We're living longer, we're self-sufficient, and we're willing to share our knowledge and experience with others. We're smart and confident - and that's sexy.

Crossing the threshold into Cronehood can be a major event in a woman's life. It's a celebration of all that you've learned, and all that you will come to know in the future. For many women, it's a time to make new commitments and vows. If you've ever had an interest in taking a leadership position in some aspect of your life, now is a great time to do so. This third cycle of your life is the one in which you become an Elder, and you've joined a special group. You have a lifetime of achievements behind you, and decades more to look forward to. The word Crone should now be a word of power for you, so celebrate it. You've earned it.

The Crone's title was related to the word crown and she represented the power of the ancient tribal matriarch who made the moral and legal decisions for her subjects and descendants. It was the medieval metamorphosis of the wise woman into the witch that changed the word Crone from a compliment to an insult and established the stereotype of malevolent old womanhood that continues to haunt elder women today.

-- Barbara Walker, The Crone

Croning Information Links

All Things Yoni: The Crone

Blessed Day: Croning Ceremonies

Obsidian Mask: Crone Goddesses

Older Wiser Women: Being Crones

Tangled Moon: Croning Ritual

Tryskilion: Croning

Wikipedia: The Triple Goddess

Wisegeek: What is Croning?

WiseWomen Worldwide: Ceremonies

Refresh this page for a new quote!