Thank you so much for your encouraging words, Lana. What a blessing it is to know that my crone poem resonates with you and brings a little of the beauty, direction and sense you're seeking. May we all continue to find strength and inspiration in each other's wisdom and shared journeys.
What a divine poem 🙏 so much resonates — I embraced my self identified 'fairy crone' being a couple of years ago, she plays with her inner child .😊 Just today, I made a flippant contextual remark when tutoring some senior English students (a feminist text of short stories), something about being 'just an old woman', not in a derogatory way of course ... I model for them positive acceptance of self. 'You're not just an old woman', said one of them, 'You're our old woman'. It made my day. 🤣🙏
Thank you for your warm and thoughtful reply, Simone. I ab-soul-utely love the idea of your 'fairy crone' embracing her inner child - there’s such a wonderful blend of play and wisdom in that. In fact, you've remind me that I included a prose poem about this archetypal pairing in my book Croneology: Poetic Reflections on the Crone.
What a beautiful moment with your students - it speaks volumes about the positive impact you’re having on them. To be 'their old woman' - what a privilege! What a testament to the connection and inspiration you're clearly bringing into their lives. Moments like these are such powerful reminders of how transformative positive self-acceptance can be. Bravo!
Oooh WOW, what a treat 😊, l shall delve into your poems when l get hold of a copy, l have just got to hold a book, they nurture me - to open the pages and smell them, then read them, and repeat 🤣💜🙏. Yes, the students are a gift and l am grateful to learn with them. 💝
Yesss! There’s something so grounding and magickal about holding a physical book, isn’t there? The texture of the pages, the scent of stories waiting to unfold ... a gift for the senses. Wishing you endless joy in both your reading and teaching journeys. 💝
What a gift—thank you. I’ll be returning to this again and again. My immediate reflection: I’m struck by how rarely I’ve been presented with a vision/image/model for fiercely embracing the gift of aging. We’re absolutely inundated with societal messaging that insists women do the opposite—and hate ourselves along the way for our inevitable failure to hide the natural changes that come with age. Just recently, my heart ached to witness a beloved family matriarch bemoaning the deep wrinkles in her face and the loose skin on her arms. She repeatedly says things to this effect: “It’s terrible to get older.” I do not hold this view and shall not. And I certainly won’t pass it on to my children. I hope they savor every minute of the precious days of life they’ve been given. “Everything changes,” as the guru said.
Thank you so much Amy, for the depth and richness of your wonderful reply! Naturally, your words resonate deeply with me. From dream to poem, the archetypal Crone highlights the beauty and strength that come when we embrace the gift of aging. Indeed, it's disheartening the way society bombards us with messages to reject natural ‘age-ing to sage-ing’ changes.
Your reflections remind me of the importance of celebrating every stage of a woman’s life - Maiden, Mother and Crone - and how, in our own ways, we can help instil these values for the next generation. By learning to embrace the beauty and wisdom that come with aging, I truly believe our lives become all the more precious. Long live the Crone! Together, we rise!
This delightful post (as always) is brimming with valuable insights and striking visuals. Sorry for the delay; I have felt somewhat exhausted and unfocused lately. Wishing you great prosperity.
It's wonderful to see you here Aladin! Thank you so much for your lovely words and warm wishes. I'm so sorry to hear that you're having an exhausting time of it. Feet up, good book in hand - relax and recharge! I've been reading for days now, mostly poems.
A melodic and rich cadence, the feeling tone of such, pulling us inward to soul's wisdom and grace. And I love the little shout-out to Ms. Zweig, "from role to soul." Thank you for this.
Thank you for your wonderful feedback, Stephanie. I'm thrilled that you enjoyed my poem. Your poetic words reverberate with a deep sense of reverence and connection to the Divine Feminine, Herself. Connie’s remarkable book, “The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul,” was my book of the year in 2021. May we all embrace the transformative journey of creative eldering.
Deborah, I’m an unabashed fan-girl for “The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul” too. May we continue to unite in the poetry of passion and politics; in the word smithery of lifting each other up and pointing out the light in one another.
I'm delighted to find a fellow fan of Connie's remarkable book. Hear, hear! I bless the day I found myself stepping onto the crone's path. Together, we rise.
Hello my Substack sister! ❤️ Many thanks Jenna for your kind-hearted words. Well, the verses kept tumbling out in that order and fashion. No edits. When the muse comes a-knocking who are we to argue!
And then three years later, almost to the day, Croneology arrives. You couldn't make it up! Thanks for all your encouragement. Loving the synchronicity of things.
Thanks for your lovely comment Aimee! It wasn't until I reached this Crone stage of life that I could make sense of my own Maiden and Mother years. Indeed, the energy of the Crone is undervalued, and often misunderstood. I'm hopeful this will change for my grandchildren.
I'm definitely more crone now than ever and need the kind of beauty, direction and sense your poem brings.
"...you must transform inwardly,
read between the poet’s lines
to find a way in, not out."
Thank you for this rich and supportive share Deborah!
Thank you so much for your encouraging words, Lana. What a blessing it is to know that my crone poem resonates with you and brings a little of the beauty, direction and sense you're seeking. May we all continue to find strength and inspiration in each other's wisdom and shared journeys.
What a divine poem 🙏 so much resonates — I embraced my self identified 'fairy crone' being a couple of years ago, she plays with her inner child .😊 Just today, I made a flippant contextual remark when tutoring some senior English students (a feminist text of short stories), something about being 'just an old woman', not in a derogatory way of course ... I model for them positive acceptance of self. 'You're not just an old woman', said one of them, 'You're our old woman'. It made my day. 🤣🙏
Thank you for your warm and thoughtful reply, Simone. I ab-soul-utely love the idea of your 'fairy crone' embracing her inner child - there’s such a wonderful blend of play and wisdom in that. In fact, you've remind me that I included a prose poem about this archetypal pairing in my book Croneology: Poetic Reflections on the Crone.
What a beautiful moment with your students - it speaks volumes about the positive impact you’re having on them. To be 'their old woman' - what a privilege! What a testament to the connection and inspiration you're clearly bringing into their lives. Moments like these are such powerful reminders of how transformative positive self-acceptance can be. Bravo!
Oooh WOW, what a treat 😊, l shall delve into your poems when l get hold of a copy, l have just got to hold a book, they nurture me - to open the pages and smell them, then read them, and repeat 🤣💜🙏. Yes, the students are a gift and l am grateful to learn with them. 💝
Yesss! There’s something so grounding and magickal about holding a physical book, isn’t there? The texture of the pages, the scent of stories waiting to unfold ... a gift for the senses. Wishing you endless joy in both your reading and teaching journeys. 💝
Thanks Deborah. I only work Monday and Tuesday and l am retiring after this year, so savouring it. 😊🙏
What a gift—thank you. I’ll be returning to this again and again. My immediate reflection: I’m struck by how rarely I’ve been presented with a vision/image/model for fiercely embracing the gift of aging. We’re absolutely inundated with societal messaging that insists women do the opposite—and hate ourselves along the way for our inevitable failure to hide the natural changes that come with age. Just recently, my heart ached to witness a beloved family matriarch bemoaning the deep wrinkles in her face and the loose skin on her arms. She repeatedly says things to this effect: “It’s terrible to get older.” I do not hold this view and shall not. And I certainly won’t pass it on to my children. I hope they savor every minute of the precious days of life they’ve been given. “Everything changes,” as the guru said.
Thank you so much Amy, for the depth and richness of your wonderful reply! Naturally, your words resonate deeply with me. From dream to poem, the archetypal Crone highlights the beauty and strength that come when we embrace the gift of aging. Indeed, it's disheartening the way society bombards us with messages to reject natural ‘age-ing to sage-ing’ changes.
Your reflections remind me of the importance of celebrating every stage of a woman’s life - Maiden, Mother and Crone - and how, in our own ways, we can help instil these values for the next generation. By learning to embrace the beauty and wisdom that come with aging, I truly believe our lives become all the more precious. Long live the Crone! Together, we rise!
This delightful post (as always) is brimming with valuable insights and striking visuals. Sorry for the delay; I have felt somewhat exhausted and unfocused lately. Wishing you great prosperity.
It's wonderful to see you here Aladin! Thank you so much for your lovely words and warm wishes. I'm so sorry to hear that you're having an exhausting time of it. Feet up, good book in hand - relax and recharge! I've been reading for days now, mostly poems.
"where are the crones
those holy hags, green witches,
keepers of keys and torches
in touch with Gaia’s rhythms"
A melodic and rich cadence, the feeling tone of such, pulling us inward to soul's wisdom and grace. And I love the little shout-out to Ms. Zweig, "from role to soul." Thank you for this.
Thank you for your wonderful feedback, Stephanie. I'm thrilled that you enjoyed my poem. Your poetic words reverberate with a deep sense of reverence and connection to the Divine Feminine, Herself. Connie’s remarkable book, “The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul,” was my book of the year in 2021. May we all embrace the transformative journey of creative eldering.
Deborah, I’m an unabashed fan-girl for “The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul” too. May we continue to unite in the poetry of passion and politics; in the word smithery of lifting each other up and pointing out the light in one another.
I'm delighted to find a fellow fan of Connie's remarkable book. Hear, hear! I bless the day I found myself stepping onto the crone's path. Together, we rise.
"...For we crones are no longer
interested in clearing up others
piss, shit, puke or lies,
no longer will we serve the ego,
come burn your apron poet,
take down your family nest..."
Wow. Powerful words and a powerful poem, sister Crone.
Thank you...❤️
Hello my Substack sister! ❤️ Many thanks Jenna for your kind-hearted words. Well, the verses kept tumbling out in that order and fashion. No edits. When the muse comes a-knocking who are we to argue!
Yes, and such a powerful creative expression of your dream!
And then three years later, almost to the day, Croneology arrives. You couldn't make it up! Thanks for all your encouragement. Loving the synchronicity of things.
Beautiful. A different aging journey is such a perfect perception - and the energy of the crone is one which is too undervalued. Thank you
Thanks for your lovely comment Aimee! It wasn't until I reached this Crone stage of life that I could make sense of my own Maiden and Mother years. Indeed, the energy of the Crone is undervalued, and often misunderstood. I'm hopeful this will change for my grandchildren.