If you are an oldie but moldie like me, the crone aspect of the goddess can be both comforting and daunting. Common depictions of the crone in popular media is one of a wart-nosed hag, completely unattractive, if not malevolent. Conversely, these days we've seen the rise of another "older woman" archetype, the "cougar" who devours young men for her own sexual purposes. While the stereotype at least portrays the older woman as vital and sexy, it presupposes that there is something amiss (or maybe more amiss) than when an older guy is linked to a younger woman.
Personally, I don't grok either image. I like the vitality of the cougar, but I also like the implied wisdom of the crone (even if it's perceived to be in all things wicked). As I pass from the mother phase into the world of the crone, I seek a new image, perhaps a blend of these two to supplant them both.
Then I stumbled upon this post on Enchanted Spirit Magical Mysteries--a crone's dedication ceremony to her community by Susun Weed. It begins something like this.
Not a bad way to start. I'd never heard of Susun before so I followed the link to her site. Lots to explore. I'll let you know what else I find.
As the menopausal years draw to a close and you find yourself more stable in your new self, feeling more like your "old self" as you become your older self, it is time to manifest the last stage of initiation: rebirth . . . . You have given death to your images of yourself as Maiden, as Mother. You have crowned yourself, or been crowned as, Crone. Your metamorphosis is complete. Now comes the time to return to your community. To assume your new roles . . . .You have submitted yourself to chaos and have witnessed the most ancient of all mysteries. How can you share this with your community?
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