"We are shapeshifting creatures, through and through. Shedding skin after skin, 'til finally we reach the one that will see us out.
The skin that is fused to the bone, that will not shift and will not shake – the skin that contains the essence of everything we were ever going to become. The skin with hagitude".
Sharon Blackie
In the three stages of a woman's life, Maiden, Mother Crone by DJ Conway, the Silver Sirens community is in the crone phase of our life cycle.
The first time I heard of the crone was reading Women Who Run with the Wolves by Carissa Pinkola Estes back in the 90s. It awoke some deeply forgotten place within me and I felt the connection with my female ancestorial lineage.
Before reading Clarissa's book, my idea of the crone was from a fairytale of old hags with hooked noise, with a single hair protruding out of an ugly boil.
The crone archetype is a representation of the older woman in mythology, folklore, and literature. Often depicted as a wise and powerful figure, the crone embodies the wisdom, experience, and knowledge that comes with age.
However, throughout history, the crone archetype has also been demonised and portrayed as a negative and threatening character.
One reason for the demonisation of the older woman can be traced back to patriarchal societies, where women were often marginalised and our power was seen as a threat.
The crone, with her wisdom and independence, challenged the traditional gender roles and societal expectations placed upon women. As a result, she was often portrayed as a witch, sorceress, or evil enchantress, using her powers for malevolent purposes.
The association of the crone with witchcraft and dark magic further contributed to her demonisation. In many cultures, witchcraft was seen as a threat to the established order, and older women were often accused of practicing it. This led to the persecution and execution of countless women during the witch trials of the 16th and 17th centuries.
Furthermore, the crone archetype is often associated with physical decay and ugliness. In a society that values youth and beauty, the older woman is seen as undesirable and unattractive. This negative portrayal reinforces the idea that older women are to be feared and avoided.
However, it is important to note that the demonisation of the crone archetype is a result of societal biases and prejudices which is at the core of why communities such as Silver Sirens have thrived.
As we know in reality, older women possess a wealth of knowledge, experience, and wisdom that should be celebrated and respected. By challenging the negative stereotypes associated with the crone archetype, we can begin to appreciate and value the contributions of older women in our society.
I see my inner crone as the part of me that is not limited by societal standards, including those around beauty.
My crone is the part of me that is comfortable with my thickening waist and thighs.
She is the part of me that will stand up and speak the truth when others are afraid to.
She is the part of me that will sit down on the ground, hold you tight, and rock you gently in your grief.
Most of all, she is the part that is able to laugh at the ridiculousness of our human plans and schemes.