Oh my, you have summed up exactly the energies I embody at this time. In owning my full power as crone I love my inner maiden even more. A soul collage is stirring and in order. I seek to embody these two distinct energies on my card. Thank you and stay tuned.
Loved this. Thank you so much for writing this. For years, I have had this sense of being a crone and a maiden at the same time. Too many things to say, but one thing I want to share - at 27, before I married, I had a road accident that broke my hip. Road to recovery was long and slow, but since that incident I’ve had this sense that it fast-tracked me to crone phase. But in many ways I still had the Artemis energy in me. In the last few years, I’ve been more and more convinced I will never outgrow Artemis, nor will I ever not be the Crone. So maybe I’m all three at once. A common idea is that women’s path through these phases is more clear cut than men’s because of our biology marking out these phases for us. And we are less dependent on rites of passage by elders and community, unlike men, to be initiated into each stage. Reading your post has convinced me -- while our biology may appear to keep it simple, our inner world is not that simple or linear.
actively trying to rediscover my inner self after years of filling social roles. can't wait to be the wise woman who lives in a cottage at the edge of the wood. thanks for this piece Jan
A cottage at the edge of the woods would be fabulous. Short of that we can always create within our lives ways to support and nurture our authentic self.
Life was too full when this first arrived, but rather than delete it, I set it aside knowing that I wanted...needed...to read it. So glad I did! I had the good fortune of growing up with a mother who, while not what I would call spiritually curious, was as robust in her Crone years as she was in her Maiden years. She never accepted the mantle of invisibility that some older women allow to become their burden. She stood her ground, maintained her vibrance, shared her wisdom (even when it wasn't solicited - ha!). What a role model for me and my two daughters! We miss her but continue to live by her example.
Only one piece of this essay gave me pause: "...meting out judgments..." I do not see that as my role, and I try to not confuse it with the sharing of wisdom. Would love your thoughts on that.
I was thinking about a couple of things. First, King Solomon reputedly the wisest person the world has ever known, and hoping/imagining that as we age we can, like Solomon dispense a “judgement” that settles a thorny, tangled complicated question. I was also thinking about the ancient Viking Althing, when all clans could gather and anyone could bring their complaint or “legal case” in front of a leader who could act as judge to settle disputes with wisdom and fairness to the satisfaction of all parties without the use of violence or force. So, in this instance I’m using “to judge” or “judgement” in a way that means to understand a conflict without bias and craft a just solution. I suspect age helps to quiet the ego a bit allowing one to more easily see all sides of an issue or conflict and thus render a decision that’s wise. Tall order, I know, but age does have a way of helping us know what is truly important, and beneficial.
This is such a wise and wonderful way to describe the many facets we have as Crones! I have learned to embrace her and value her many facets. She is wise and childlike, nurturing and loving, strong and supple, gentle and fierce! She is Crone! 💖
Thank you for writing this. I just hit 40 and because of chronic illness I am rapidly moving into Crone early. I need a guide and this was... it just fed my soul. Thank you.
May 4, 2023·edited May 4, 2023Liked by Jan Blencowe
This was so, so wonderful. I assume with your background you've read "Women Who Run With The Wolves?" Your style reminds me so much of the book. I'm still in my Maiden days, and trying to embrace them, because I've spent a lot of time longing for the Crone!
Also, a remarkable insight on the man's individuation journey versus woman's. I hadn't thought of it that way before, but makes a lot of sense!
And I'm curious- how do you make your collages? They are beautiful!
"Maiden, Mother, Crone, and Maiden" indeed. I am in my seventh decade and am very proud to wear the name Crone. Having gone through many health issues these past three-four years, I am now emerging again to show myself. Thank you for the beautiful thoughts.
This is so helpful, Jan, to realized that we are Crone and maiden and mother all at the same time. That we can tap into the maiden energy even now softens the sadness that sometimes accompanies the Crone stage of life.
Hi Mary, thanks for commenting. I do think there’s something really profound communicated to us in the many myths about the winter crone transforming into to spring maiden. It says something about the complexity of women and their ability to develop in ways that are cyclical rather than linear. The crone is the new maiden!
How wonderful to live in a cottage by the woods. Caregiving is something I’m very familiar with, caring for an adult child with disabilities and having shepherded my mom through dementia. I experience the same “re-entry” challenges but the time in nature heals, calm and offers hope, so totally worth it. Thanks so much for sharing your story.
Oh my, you have summed up exactly the energies I embody at this time. In owning my full power as crone I love my inner maiden even more. A soul collage is stirring and in order. I seek to embody these two distinct energies on my card. Thank you and stay tuned.
Loved this. Thank you so much for writing this. For years, I have had this sense of being a crone and a maiden at the same time. Too many things to say, but one thing I want to share - at 27, before I married, I had a road accident that broke my hip. Road to recovery was long and slow, but since that incident I’ve had this sense that it fast-tracked me to crone phase. But in many ways I still had the Artemis energy in me. In the last few years, I’ve been more and more convinced I will never outgrow Artemis, nor will I ever not be the Crone. So maybe I’m all three at once. A common idea is that women’s path through these phases is more clear cut than men’s because of our biology marking out these phases for us. And we are less dependent on rites of passage by elders and community, unlike men, to be initiated into each stage. Reading your post has convinced me -- while our biology may appear to keep it simple, our inner world is not that simple or linear.
actively trying to rediscover my inner self after years of filling social roles. can't wait to be the wise woman who lives in a cottage at the edge of the wood. thanks for this piece Jan
A cottage at the edge of the woods would be fabulous. Short of that we can always create within our lives ways to support and nurture our authentic self.
Life was too full when this first arrived, but rather than delete it, I set it aside knowing that I wanted...needed...to read it. So glad I did! I had the good fortune of growing up with a mother who, while not what I would call spiritually curious, was as robust in her Crone years as she was in her Maiden years. She never accepted the mantle of invisibility that some older women allow to become their burden. She stood her ground, maintained her vibrance, shared her wisdom (even when it wasn't solicited - ha!). What a role model for me and my two daughters! We miss her but continue to live by her example.
Only one piece of this essay gave me pause: "...meting out judgments..." I do not see that as my role, and I try to not confuse it with the sharing of wisdom. Would love your thoughts on that.
Thanks, Jan!
I was thinking about a couple of things. First, King Solomon reputedly the wisest person the world has ever known, and hoping/imagining that as we age we can, like Solomon dispense a “judgement” that settles a thorny, tangled complicated question. I was also thinking about the ancient Viking Althing, when all clans could gather and anyone could bring their complaint or “legal case” in front of a leader who could act as judge to settle disputes with wisdom and fairness to the satisfaction of all parties without the use of violence or force. So, in this instance I’m using “to judge” or “judgement” in a way that means to understand a conflict without bias and craft a just solution. I suspect age helps to quiet the ego a bit allowing one to more easily see all sides of an issue or conflict and thus render a decision that’s wise. Tall order, I know, but age does have a way of helping us know what is truly important, and beneficial.
Every one of my friends I sent it to LOVES it!
I’m so delighted to hear this! Thanks so much for sharing my post with your friends.
This is amazing! At 76 I have hated the word crone. Now I can embrace it!
Fantastic! Embrace the complexity of womanhood, love, honor and live the Maiden at any age.
This is such a wise and wonderful way to describe the many facets we have as Crones! I have learned to embrace her and value her many facets. She is wise and childlike, nurturing and loving, strong and supple, gentle and fierce! She is Crone! 💖
Yes, all those things and more!
Thank you for writing this. I just hit 40 and because of chronic illness I am rapidly moving into Crone early. I need a guide and this was... it just fed my soul. Thank you.
Crone-hood is waiting for you with open arms.
This was so, so wonderful. I assume with your background you've read "Women Who Run With The Wolves?" Your style reminds me so much of the book. I'm still in my Maiden days, and trying to embrace them, because I've spent a lot of time longing for the Crone!
Also, a remarkable insight on the man's individuation journey versus woman's. I hadn't thought of it that way before, but makes a lot of sense!
And I'm curious- how do you make your collages? They are beautiful!
Yes, love Women Who Run. Here's a link to a video demo on how to do the collage thing https://vimeo.com/793481952?share=copy
Oh, wonderful, thank you so much!
Thank you Jan. Beauty full!!!
You're welcome, thanks so much for reading + taking a moment to comment.
Thank you, Jan. Even when I was a tiny girl, my Granny would say, “This one has been here before.”
Oh see, you're Granny knew you were an Old Soul.
"Maiden, Mother, Crone, and Maiden" indeed. I am in my seventh decade and am very proud to wear the name Crone. Having gone through many health issues these past three-four years, I am now emerging again to show myself. Thank you for the beautiful thoughts.
Hello Melissa, so glad to hear that healing has come and you are ready to rise again. Thaks for reading + taking the time to share your journey.
Thank you so much. And many blessings on your journey as well. Keep up the writing!
Thank you Jan from a crone who has always considered her maiden self a gift for all seasons.
Yes! That’s a wonderful way to look at it, our Maiden self is a gift for all seasons.
My necklace is of shells. I wish I had more hair. I celebrate my name, Grandma.
Grandma - the grand (or great) mother, I celebrate your embrace of that identity, and your necklace of shells from the depths of the oceans.
This is so helpful, Jan, to realized that we are Crone and maiden and mother all at the same time. That we can tap into the maiden energy even now softens the sadness that sometimes accompanies the Crone stage of life.
Hi Mary, thanks for commenting. I do think there’s something really profound communicated to us in the many myths about the winter crone transforming into to spring maiden. It says something about the complexity of women and their ability to develop in ways that are cyclical rather than linear. The crone is the new maiden!
How wonderful to live in a cottage by the woods. Caregiving is something I’m very familiar with, caring for an adult child with disabilities and having shepherded my mom through dementia. I experience the same “re-entry” challenges but the time in nature heals, calm and offers hope, so totally worth it. Thanks so much for sharing your story.