Crones Don't Whine: Concentrated Wisdom for Juicy Women
A Book Review and a Personal Reflection
Today, I’d like to continue my conversation about crones with a look at Jean Shinoda Bolen's "Crones Don't Whine: Concentrated Wisdom for Juicy Women."
As you know, this space is all about embracing the wild wisdom and transformative power of the crone archetype – the wise woman, the seer, the one who cackles with knowing laughter. So, Bolen's title immediately grabbed my attention.
Bolen, a Jungian analyst and author of feminist classics like "Goddesses in Everywoman," lays out thirteen qualities to cultivate in our crone years. With her signature playful humor, Bolen uses insightful psychology to create a series of bite-sized essays in this short book (I read it in just two sittings) that offers a blend of personal anecdotes, mythological references, and practical exercises.
The book's central message is to ditch the negativity and embrace the juicy fullness of life. Bolen challenges us to confront the societal pressures that make women feel invisible or irrelevant as we age. Instead, she argues, we can tap into a source of wisdom and power unique to the crone stage.
The 13 qualities Bolen lays out are:
Crones don’t whine.
Crones are juicy.
Crones have green thumbs.
Crones trust what they know in their bones.
Crones meditate in their fashion.
Crones are fierce about what matters to them.
Crones choose the path with heart.
Crones speak the truth with compassion.
Crones listen to their bodies.
Crones improvise.
Crones don’t grovel.
Crones laugh together.
Crones savor the food in their lives.
While I loved the book's overall message and Bolen's engaging style, some readers might find it a little "light" on practical tools. For those seeking in-depth guidance on navigating the challenges of aging, "Crones Don't Whine" might feel a touch superficial. In addition, it might feel a bit dated, too; there are clear time references to the generation before mine. And while they don’t take away from the 13 qualities, the context is different, especially for those of us reaching cronehood in a time where women are losing rights rather than gaining them; the fight is different.
Despite that, I still recommend "Crones Don't Whine" for anyone on their crone-becoming journey. It's a refreshing reminder to shed societal expectations and embrace the “juicy” wisdom that comes with age.
"Crones are in the habit of speaking the truth." (page 57)
As I aspire to become a crone, I look at these qualities as goals. Many of them I have (and some for a long, long time), but certainly I still whine a bit too much sometimes, and I haven’t been listening to my body enough (which landed me with some health problems last fall). And while I always speak the truth, I’m still learning to always do so with compassion. Becoming a crone is a journey.
I’d love to know what you think about the book, too.