Being a crone is a wondrous thing. I was horrified, therefore, when I asked Merriam-Webster for their notion of crone, only to find this: " a cruel or ugly old woman, a withered old woman". Apparently M-W is stuck in the middle ages on this one.
My interpretation of crone came from dabbling in "paganism", and learning of the Triple Goddess: Maiden/Mother/Crone. The crone in this instance is a wise elder, in her power, sharing her wisdom and moving gracefully (and did I say powerfully?) towards the end of life.
In my 20's, I explored much of life: sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, as well as some travel and much adventure, including starting to build a homestead on 9 acres of raw forest.
In my 30's, I had one of the more profound experiences of life: giving birth to 2 children. I was amazed at how my intuitive side came to the fore and provided me with many insights into what children need. I was also blessed to live within the cradle of nature, in a verdant and fecund world in southeast BC.
When I turned 40, I had a wild ride into deepening my psychic side and found some powerful metaphysical training to understand that part of myself. A wild journey ensued for much of that decade, a transmutation within.
When I turned 50, I felt myself moving into Cronedom as I navigated the wild seas of menopause. I managed to come out on the other side, relatively unscathed, and much the wiser for having lived a life outside the normal expected path for a woman who was raised in the 1950's and 60's.
Now I'm in my 60's and fortunately, its becoming apparent that "60 is the new 40". Science is helping us to understand that we have the power to extend our life span. If we care for ourselves and use some of the vast knowledge available to us for powerfully regenerating cells, decreasing the damaging forces that create aging as we know it, and continuing to exercise and strengthen our physical forms, then the potential life span is more like 120. And our brains can continue to work at near-full to full capacity.
So how do we live a life of passion, joy and power as we move into the years that many write off as filled with decrepitude and decline? Stay tuned for more on this topic. It's an ever unfolding story and I would love to hear your ideas. Let's start a conversation that empowers everyone.
And here's a question: What is the male equivalent of Crone? Comment below
Until next time.......
