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Sunday, August 28, 2022

Crones by Bea Tifton

 I always heard that through age comes wisdom. I concede that I do know more than I used to know about bad vs. good decisions. But I still do make inadvertent bad decisions. The older I get, the less I care about what other people say or think about me, but I do still care.  And if I get inside my own head about their opinions too much, I can drive myself crazy. I’m well away from being a crone, but why in our society do people think of this ancient woman, wearing black, back bent almost double, with gnarled, arthritic hands? Even the word “crone” can be used as a pejorative.  The etymology of the word is quite insulting, indeed. It originated in the 14th century and basically meant “A disagreeable woman.” Hmmm. Disagreeable, or comfortable in her own skin, filled with knowledge, and independence?

The crone of cultural folklore is a great woman indeed. The crone was defined as a symbol of wisdom, a woman who has lived a life composed of love and hate, sorrow and joy, and has come through it all with a dignity and strength of spirit that only time and a life well lived can achieve.

 


Wow.  I hope that I can make it to crone someday. Crones were the matriarchs, the seers, the healers. 


So as you go through your life and you become a "woman of a certain age" ( whatever that means), celebrate being older and wiser.  After all, we crones must stick together. 


 Picture Credits

Crone: Katja from Pixabay

Crone: Stefan Keller from Pixabay

Woman with Crystal Ball: Brigitte Werner from Pixabay

Aged Cheerful Women in Elegant Outfits Together: Anna Shuets from Pexels

I'm filling in for Beth Trissel.

7 comments:

  1. Thanks for the explanation. I always thought of the word in the pejorative way and didn't realize it wasn't necessarily a bad thing!

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    1. There are several sites in the web and Facebook pages with more celebrations of the crone. Thanks for your comment.

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  2. Now I won’t mind if someone calls me a crone. Good blog, Bea.

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  3. I had read this recently and it surprised me - I always thought of it as a negative. Interesting blog as usual.

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  4. The maiden, the mother, the crone. I guess by now I must be a crone since I have chin whiskers. Maybe I've even made a few wise decisions. Hmmm. Nice of you to bring up this thought-provoking topic!

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