Are you a Crone? Old(er) women everywhere are beginning to reclaim powerful words such as crone, which have been used in demeaning ways for centuries.
Not all older women are Crones. To be a Crone is a deliberate way of living, a badge of honour, not a by-product of longevity. You’re not a Crone if your mind is closed, if your heart is cold, if you’re unaware of what your instincts are telling you.
Below is a (wo)manifesto for all Crones and Crones-in-training, with some favourite quotes on the right. Why not come out as a Crone by adding a comment to this page?
- I will banish the word ‘should’ from my life
- I will laugh a lot, including gently at myself sometimes
- I will gather my community of loved ones close about me
- I will speak up bravely when I need to
- I will demonstrate that a little eccentricity gives spice to life
- I will live more simply, leaving space for what’s really important to me
- I will treat my body to movement and to delicious, nourishing food
- I will compromise as little as possible
- I will find all kinds of occasions and people to celebrate
- I will live in a profoundly creative way, understanding that the word creative does not always refer to the arts but to a deeper current running through life
- I will, being human, feel fear and regret sometimes; I will not allow those feelings to define me
- I will ask for help when I need it
- I will mark the significant moments of life, large and small
- I will mourn my losses fiercely, in my own way
- I will fall in love when I feel like it
- I will work to heal our beautiful planet home
- I will do and learn things I’ve always wanted to do and learn
- I will forget to worry what people think of me
- I will discover my gifts and offer them freely
- It is entirely likely I will wear purple
- I will live a spiritual life, although not necessarily a religious one
- I will keep an open mind and an open heart
- I will learn to cackle
Where do I sign?
How about a croning ceremony?
Fantastic ideas here.
Lynne
Thanks Lynne! The comments are the signing book unless I can figure something fancier. Oh yes, croning ceremonies are a grand idea. I’m planning mine for 60…
As a crone I was delighted to find this place!
Cate, so pleased you found the site! The artwork on your own site is simply stunning.
You have a great concept here,a very pleasant Crone’s Cafe feel to this website-wish you all success and all of us will benefit as this venture takes off.
This is wonderful Tess… so delighted to find somewhere to celebrate mt crone-hood
Ahhhhh! I am at home! Wonderful site, can’t wait to watch it develop and participate. This really speaks to my heart.
Betty
A lovely collection of crones gathering here, thank you!
I am doing my croneticeship now, at the beginning of my forties. I love the thought of the richness to come.
This list is great. Fiercely mourning losses, asking for help when needed – such a good balance.
Oh, and I see that clock. The one I threatened on my blog to come and steal under cover of darkness with some catnip. I never did make it in – those cats of yours are *fierce*, Tess!
Meow!! Love ‘croneticeship’ – may borrow it.
Cheers!
Cate
you know i LOVE this, tess! this is just what i need to get over my aversion to the word, crone. the manifesto is fabulous and you know i’m living it, baby!!!! xoxoox
I am with Sue. I just turned 40 this year, so I’m in my croneticeship too. I love what is ahead.
CateUSA, welcome here and glad the list hits home.
Kayce, I do know it!! It’s a funny thing about words, isn’t it?
Lisa, ‘love what is ahead’ is just exactly what I’m on about.
Your manifesto sounds like me…I must be a crone. Now I need to get used to this new discovery!
eclecticvae (great name!) welcome to this site and to being a crone.
I love this, Tess – there’s so much energy and enthusiasm here! Like Kayce, I find it hard to relate to the word ‘crone’ even though I know this positive sense is now well established, but the affirmations are a joyful and positive catalyst for embracing the journey, and I’m with you all, all the way!
Hi Alison, good to see you here. I wonder if ‘crone’ gets easier when we pass the stage when we can ‘pass’ visually as still younger than our chronological age. Perhaps more difficult.
Great! a weaver of words, I came here via Rima’s The Hermitage, beautiful banner……..there seems to be a bit of a movement going on, wonderful looking forward to being here and participating in the company of Crone’s.
The Cranky Crone
Just what I needed right now. I’m planning some radical changes in my life, and it’s good to know there are other travelers on this journey. Thank you for doing this!
Lynne, welcome to my site. And I just visited your own site briefly – the Cranky Crone, I love it! And there I found one of my all-time favourite quotes, Cohen’s: Ring the bells…
Joanne, you’re very welcome, thank you for the comment and enjoy the journey!
I love the manifesto! And as I’m 50 next year, maybe the time has come to consider a bit of a ‘croning do’ …
Amen, sister!
Will be back soon for more exploration. This is most excellent!
Hugs!
Sibylle, thank you, and don’t forget to invite me!
Barbara Anne, so pleased to see you here, hugs back at you.
I am really enjoying getting into this
Tess!
Penny, delighted to hear it!
I’m nearly 39 so I guess I am a crone-in-waiting. Tess, I knew your manifesto was for me when I read the first item. I have banned the sh***d word from my vocabulary … it’s the most horrible word in the English language!
Anne-Marie, a very warm welcome and I’m honoured to have you as a crone-in-waiting! Just took a look at your blog and found the post about being a stepmother very moving.
Owning up to crone status is such a liberation! freedom to be who i am,do as i like(sometimes!!) and not apologise or justify it, or ask permission…….hey ho!
Coralie – absolutely right! Glad you’ve added your voice here.
Already clearing life of clutter and ‘stuff’; trying to live creatively… will look seriously at how I use that word ‘should’!
Hello Ann, and welcome. Great to hear what you’re doing – keep us in touch with your progress, especially with those ‘shoulds’.
I am doing this tomorrow a.m…..my car needs to be clean and upsplashed by mud as ……I will place a political sticker on my car bumper and invite those who disagree with me to share in conversation. The sticker btw is “OBAMA 2012″.
Great thoughts, Tess!
xo
Dianna, love the preparation of the car ready to welcome in the sticker, the sentiments of which I agree with completely, of course!
I am crone, it is my turn. This is a very spiritual and sacred time.
great list!
magnolia, welcome and thank you! Your phrase “it is my turn” really resonates with me.
Fantastic Tess! While I haven’t (yet) claimed the title crone for myself, I resonate so deeply with everything you share here. Yes, yes, yes!
Hi Christine, and thanks for these warm words. Perhaps you can be a crone-in-waiting!
Thank you Tess,
So sood to find a new space in the cyber sea to celebrate our crone years!
oops! that is meant to say good not sood!
Mo, good or sood, I’m glad you’re here! Just had a look at your site, some really interesting art there. Love the attributes related to cats!
[...] The Crone’s manifesto [...]
i arrived here via The Hermitage and so pleased i did.
i was only thinking the other day how different i am growing older (44 now!) than my mother and my nan.
i was wondering when the ‘sensible’ thing would hit and i would start to dress like an ‘older’ woman but then i realised why should i?!
laoi, welcome to my site and I am applauding very loudly your last remark. Why should you indeed?!
I was born with a cackle in my mouth; I have longed for this and now that I’ve arrived I’m loving it! Profound creativity sounds pretty good to me… Thanks go to Rima for the signpost to this exciting new site. Sign me up!
Kate who was born with a cackle in your mouth: a warm welcome to my fireside!
Arrived via Rima’s site (as did so many others, I see!) 60 later this year, so well into my Cronehood; always considered ages just numbers. Your site resonates with me, and I shall be tipping my circle of sister-crones the wink to your blog.
Like you I love words – unable to draw or paint to my satisfaction but create with textiles and musical instruments. Shall be settling down happily to read more…Hello all You Others out there!
Lynne, hello and welcome to you, sister crone! Glad to see you here.
beautiful!
Timely!
Love!
I found you through Rima’s site as well.
Love you both!
Shine on!
michelle: thank you, and welcome!
Definately embracing my future crone, in my early 40′s but looking forward to what’s to come!
Julie, welcome to this space and here’s to what’s to come!
My youngest sister (by 14 years) has affirmed that I am no longer middle-aged but am well and truly in the realms of old age. I think I could be a crone if you would have me!
ps I got here through Rima`s blog too!
A warm welcome to the fireside, enjoy the cackling!
Ooh, now this has come at just the right time for me – I turned 50 earlier this year! Purple is already my fabourite colour – see also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM1Ahn0Osjo
Love the list!
Clare, welcome to the world of cronehood! Delighted to know that purple is your favourite colour and thank you for the link to that mad video. The lead singer is exactly as I would imagine the love child of Bette Midler and Marlene Dietrich might turn out to be!!
11 hours ago my kin aged friend sent me a link to here : )
Having acquired a croneish accolade of the same years as “crone will sew” and my 6th beautiful grandchild, I decided to post the above manifesto in the kitchen as all will agree i am most definitely one. HOWEVER have added a foot note. It’s short and simple like myself, it says . . . .
and you may call me YOUR CRONENESS.
sending thank you’s to clare with love, and love laughter & smiles to all in the crone hood. xx
Your Croneness: a humble welcome to the fireside, we will make sure there’s a red carpet – or well maybe a red rug – for you. Enjoy the cackles!