by Marlee Bruinsma

While the term “crone” has been vilified by some in the past, many women now proudly refer to themselves as “crones” and treasure their official “crowning” or “croning” ceremony. Women from the age of 49 or after menopause (whichever is the later) may choose to participate in a croning ceremony. This is a conferring of the status of “wise woman” – a woman who no longer sheds her wise blood each month. The croning ceremony is traditionally done at the new or waning moon with friends and family.

Choosing the title of “crone” is an intentional act to counter society’s bias against aging. All of us know crones among us – those who have taken up their power and are not afraid to speak up. The ceremony is a celebration of transformation and an affirmation of the woman’s place among her friends and family and in society.

A croning ceremony can include the following elements:

• Choosing a new name
• Crowning with a garland
• story-telling, especially the story of the person being honoured in the ceremony
• symbolic gifts by all people attending
• sprinkling of salt at the feet of the crone (salt of the earth)
• feasting
• words about the gifts and responsibilities of cronehood
• invocations to the elements and the goddess (Hecate, Isis, the Great Mother, Gaia, or Mother Mary – or any other goddess who reflects the trinity of maiden, mother and crone)
• drumming and chanting (a great chant for this is from Robert Gass and On Winds of Song “from the Goddess”)
• presentation of a certificate – “Certified Crone”.

Googling the word “crone” comes up with many websites where women have named themselves crone in their bio.

Some great websites to look at for information on crones are:

www.croning.org

www.cronescounsel.org

The Crone Project: www.geocities.com/Wellesley/Garden/3771/

The Elderwoman Manifesto: www.womenofwisdom.org.nz/maninfesto.htm

Copyright: Marlee Bruinsma 2006