Pat Taub
Thousands of years ago during “The Age of the Goddess” older women, known as Crones were sought out and worshipped for the wisdom they imparted. Becoming a Crone was the crowning achievement of a woman’s life—a far cry from 2019 where our ageist and sexist culture dismisses the older women.
An artist’s image of the Crone looking wise and powerful
Barbara Walker, author of The Crone describes the rise and fall of the Crone. She writes that once patriarchy came along, ushering in male ascendency, women’s elevated status proved threatening and had to be undermined. The Crone, the older woman, was reframed as ugly, a hag, and a witch. The former community beacon was transformed into an object of ridicule.
Conversion of Crones into witches stirring the cauldron, a former sacred object
The Crone stereotype endures. Where wrinkles were once a badge of honor, they are now a source of humiliation for many women. The wise, outspoken Crone who guided her village has been replaced by the culturally approved stereotype of the “sweet little old lady,” who makes no waves.
As older women are challenging the ageism and sexism that diminishes them, they are looking for ways to empower themselves. Taking back the label of “Crone” can be an important step on this journey.
In Crones Don’t Whine, Jungian therapist Jean Shinoda Bolen describes the modern day Crone:
Crones don’t whine; they’re juicy and they trust their own instincts. Meditating, not groveling, and choosing the path with heart, crones are fierce about what matters to them. They speak the truth with compassion. They listen to their bodies, reinvent themselves, and savor the good in their lives.
Jean Shined Bolen lecturing about the Crone
Contemporary Crones on the national stage include Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Angela Davis, Native American leader LaDonna Brave Bull Allard, dancer Twyla Tharp, writer, Margaret Atwood, and anti-war activist Ann Wright.
Ann Wright a formidable Crone and tireless peace worker
You don’t have to be famous to be a noteworthy Crone. Ordinary women across the country have earned their Crone badges. In my community a few of the remarkable Crones are: Carol, a 84 year old lifetime activist currently putting her energies into protesting the inhumane detention of migrant children; Susan, 63, contemplating a run for political office; Anne, 67, publishing her first book of poetry this fall; Sara, marking her 70thbirthday with a solo trip to Paris, a trip she’s dreamed of since she was 25.
Other Crones I know are busy writing letters to the editor in support of Palestinian rights, volunteering at Hospice and raising money for Sunrise, the youth-led climate change movement. These Crones fulfill Jean Shinola Boden’s definition of older women who are compassionate and fierce and reinventing their later years to be of service to community and to untap long dormant creative impulses.
Crones of the Granny Peace Brigade marching for peace
Becoming a full-fledged Crone is attainable for every older woman. We owe it to ourselves to celebrate our later years by lending our wisdom to causes dear to our hearts and by plunging into creative projects that give our lives meaning.
We owe it to our daughters and granddaughters to model a positive way to age. We owe it to our communities and the world to advance women-birthed peaceful responses to the new world order dominated by wars, climate catastrophe and economic injustices. Here’s to awakening your Crone power!
