Friday, February 3, 2012

The Crone


While contemplating what I would post for my first Pagan Blog Project post I thought about what is going on in my life and I thought of the Crone. I’ve been going through many changes in my life and one of them is being premenopausal.  I feel as though I’m teetering on that rope between Maiden and Crone, not yet menopausal, but no longer able to bear children as I no longer ovulate.  I find myself wondering where I am and who I am at this time.  

The Crone; for some the picture of an old hag at her cauldron may come to mind and this is probably the most enduring image of the Wise Woman and a remnant of a time when women were the healers of their communities.  These Wise Women were shamans, witches, midwives, medicine women and priestesses of the Goddess.
                                                 
The Crone is a symbol of wisdom.  She has lived through so much in her life, love, sorrow, hope, fear and happiness and through all of these experiences she has been molded into the strong, confident spirit she is.  She has learned the secrets of life and death and of the mysteries beyond this world.  She has watched those that she loved and cared for make the journey to the Summerlands before her and through her mourning she faces death, grows to understand it and become the gatekeeper between worlds.

The Crone is full of power.  Even though her body is no longer fertile, her mind is as sharp and able as ever.  Her power comes from within as she no longer bleeds, owning it without shame or fear.  She is a healer, in tune with Nature working with the elements to cure ailments and guide those ready to leave or enter this world.  She is selfless, yet she loves herself.  She is kind, yet she knows when to be harsh.  She is our elder, our Grandmother whose words are few yet full of wisdom and knowledge.

The Crone has often been thought of as something to be feared as she is a representation of death and its mysteries.  For so many, things unknown are feared and so we should work toward knowing the Crone and understanding her wisdom.  Surrender your fear and embrace her. 

She is associated with the element of water and the direction of west – land of the dead.  She is the mysterious old woman who possesses the knowledge of all worlds.



4 comments:

Merlyn Mischief said...

Awesome blog ;) I, too, am at this stage, have decided to "rock the grey" (have an emergency box of color at the ready ;) and am embracing the Crone and may choose this topic for my next "C"....
and BTW
your blog is BEAUTIFUL.
hugs!

jill said...

Reading your post has made me think of where I am in my life at this time.Reading your post I think I may just be a Crone.Thanks for sharing this,I have only just found you recently and look forward to reading more.Love and blessings to you.Jill xx

Jen said...

This is a beautiful post. Although I still menstruate, I feel like I am teetering from Mother to Maga to Crone (Maga is the period *before* Crone but no longer in the Mother Phase although my children are still with me)...It's odd because at times I still have full Maiden Energy but am more homeward bound as I love to be at home, have quite a bit of life experience but am not in the Crone phase yet as I still have many, many dreams and goals to achieve before I settle down but even as a Crone I intend to be as active as ever! I love your blog! It's SO beautiful!

Anonymous said...

simply stopping by to say hello