On Becoming a Crone, I want celebrate the wisdom and power that comes with age. I’m not a traditional “crone” if we define it as a woman past menopause and motherhood, but I am quickly approaching that milestone. I’m 50. I still get periods —sometimes? And, I still have a teenager at home (2 more years until college). My journey to cronehood, though, truly began in 2018. These were the major turning points:
My physical symptoms of peri-menopause began in the winter of 2018 with night sweats, though I didn’t realize that was what was happening at first. (More about that in a future post.)
I decided that my career no longer was my biggest passion (outside of family) and that my hobbies were more fun and life fulfilling. My husband and I bought several acres of land that I could grow more on, but to afford those acres within the city limits, we settled for a house that needed a lot of work (wasn’t our first rodeo with a fixer upper). The DIY-ing, the planting and harvesting, the cooking, creating herbal blends, the crafting (witch-like and not), reading, writing, etc., all began to make me happier than the day job.
And, just as the pandemic was taking off, my first grandchild was born. Being a grandparent is such a different experience than parenting, and I wanted to enjoy it and be there for my grandson to be around.
Since those “points,” I’ve only leaned in more to becoming a crone. I’m not fighting it. I want to transition to “wise woman” as easily and gracefully as possible—though that’s pretty laughable with my aches and pains and peri-menopause. But, I haven’t dyed the gray hair, and I’m 99% more likely to dress for comfort rather than looks. And, I think about official retirement all of the time. I’m technically eligible in the fall of 2026, but I have one more child to get through college and a house to pay off before I can truly consider it. So all of that’s to say, I’m becoming a crone, even if I’m not there quite yet.
What’s that mean, though? Across cultures and mythologies, the Crone embodies a potent mix of power, mystery, and connection to the cycles of life and death. Characteristics might include the physical archetypes like age, appearance (I have always had the wild hair, so I’m good there), and sometimes demeanor (grumpy, “get off my lawn” kinds of things). More positive characteristics, though, include wisdom (and passing down the traditions of their practice), intuitive and maybe even prophetic or the ability to communicate with the spirit(ual) realm, and a strong self-sufficiency / independence —potentially outside of societal norms.
Here’s some quick (and incomplete) imagery / archetypes from around the world:
Morrigan (Celtic): This fierce Irish goddess is a warrior queen, a shapeshifter, and a harbinger of death. Morrigan isn't afraid to show the messy, destructive side of nature, reminding us that endings are necessary for new beginnings. For me, this side of Herself is Macha. Though I fully assert that I am not an Irish person living in Ireland, and my research may be faulty, so I would always deter to native voices. I’d also point out that many do not specifically see Macha as a Crone because the maiden-mother-crone triad is quite faulty in many ways (more in a future post, I’m sure).
Hecate (Greek): Ruling over crossroads, magic, and the underworld, Hecate is a powerful guardian. Often depicted with torches and accompanied by dogs, she represents illumination in the darkness and guidance through life's transitions. She is often referred to as the Queen of Witches, offering guidance and assistance to those in need, despite her darker aspects (potentially as queen of the underworld). Keys are the most common association with Hecate in modern neo-paganism.
Baba Yaga (Slavic): Living in a hut that walks on chicken legs, this enigmatic Crone is both terrifying and helpful. Similar to Hecate, and embodying the same duality, Baba Yaga guards the boundary between life and death and offers wisdom to those who seek it.
Kali (Hindu): A goddess of destruction and rebirth, Kali is often depicted with a necklace of skulls and a fierce demeanor. However, she also represents transformation and the release of what no longer serves us. I don’t know her well, though I hope to learn more.
The Three Fates: Both Greek and Norse mythology include Three Fates, old women who spin, weave, and control the threads of life. In Greek tradition, the Moirai are sometimes daughters of Zeus and might operate under his authority. The Norns, on the other hand, are independent. Urd (the Past), Verdandi (the Present), and Skuld (the Future) have a wider range of symbolism, including watering the world tree Yggdrasil (representing the flow of fate) and carving runes (representing the shaping of destiny). Both groups weave the tapestry of destiny. These Crones remind us that life is interconnected and that our choices have consequences.
These are just a few examples of the rich tapestry of Crone imagery across cultures. They embody the complexities of aging and the power we hold as we move through different life stages. That’s the ultimate crone goal to me—to be fierce, wise, beautiful, and terrifying all at once.
Note: It's important to note that the crone archetype is not limited to women. While typically associated with femininity, the core concept of a wise elder who bridges the seen and unseen realms can apply to men as well. While it’s not typical, it’s not impossible.