Is there an age requirement for being a Crone?
By rowantree
@rowantree (1186)
United States
May 11, 2009 1:37pm CST
There are three phases in a Pagan woman's life - Maiden, Mother and Crone. Do you believe there is a certain age where you reach each phase?
I had a hysterectomy and mentioned to a Pagan acquaintance that I was now "officially" a Crone. She informed me, rather angrily, that I wasn't a Crone until I reached the age of 50, no matter what my body went through.
I think this is ridiculous. Then at what age are you considered a Maiden? What age are you considered a Mother? If you give birth at age 17, are you not considered a Mother until 21 even though you are a Mother to your son or daughter? Do you see how ridiculous setting an age requirement is?
I feel there should not be an age requirement for becoming a Crone. I believe each individual person will know when they are ready.
Myself, I don't feel like a Crone. Physically I meet the requirements. Mentally, I don't feel it. I still feel very much a Mother. I guess it helps that my kids are still fairly young. I might not feel as though I'm in my Crone stage until I'm 63 or 78.
What stage are you in? Do you believe there should be a set age for when you're considered to be a Maiden, Mother or Crone?
2 people like this
7 responses
@highflyingxangel (9225)
• United States
13 May 09
I do not feel that there is an age requirement on being a Crone. I feel that once menstruation has stopped then you have reached the Crone years. However, I feel like that isn't and shouldn't be the only requirement. I feel that once you have gotten older and your children have become rather independent and you are retired and are taking it easy then you're a Crone.
However, I feel like it's up to the individual and there should be no stern restrictions on the ages.
@rowantree (1186)
• United States
26 May 09
I agree, it definitely should be up to the individual and there shouldn't be an age restriction!
@littleowl (7157)
•
12 May 09
Hi Rowan, I think that you must you must be a Maiden up until the day you get married, then when you have children you become a Mother, after the children have grown up and 'flown the nest' so to speak your Mothering Days never end but when the grandchildren come along, or you are more settled with your husband, etc then it is the beginning of your Croning years.
That is my interpretation but really it is something that I have never thought about really...but have just seen the Goddess as such as she also went through the maiden, Mother to Crone..to me it seems that it is three stages in life that we go through.
Hugs LoLo
@rowantree (1186)
• United States
26 May 09
I love that we have Maiden, Mother, Crone as our life stages but it bugs me when someone tries to put an age requirement on one of them and tries to make others feel less.
I was going to say I feel you become a Mother once you have children, but when you marry, your husband is like your child now isn't he? LOL Certainly someone you have to take care of and isn't that mothering?
@Monkeyrose (2840)
• Canada
3 Mar 10
I don't believe that there is any set time. It depends on each individual and where she is in her life. These are loose concepts that are metaphoric for the cyle of life.
Even if you have a child you may still be in the maiden stage. Say you give birth at 13 and your mother does most of the mothering of your child while you finish your education?
Its all very subjective.
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
11 May 09
I think you were right. You are a Crone when you are no longer able to become a mother. (thought I'm not so sure that's what I mean because I can't be a mom again but am not sure I'm a crone) Crones are Mothers that have gone a step further.
Maybe you Crone when you are no longer Mothering full time? Yeah. I feel better about saying it that way.
You crone when the day to day mothering is done. And you feel as though your body, mind, and soul have crossed that point.
Great question!!!!! I can't wait to see what others say.
@rowantree (1186)
• United States
26 May 09
I like that, that you become a Crone when you are no longer Mothering full time. Makes sense to me!
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
30 Jun 09
I like Galena's answer...and agree with her. We have a little of each in us all through our lives.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
30 Jun 09
I agree with you. Those phases of life come as you live life. They are an internal and spiritual position you reach, not a physical milestone.
Each woman lives her life....differently. Some, unfortunately never reach the crone stage...they get stuck in one of the others and never mature.
I feel I am in the crone stage and I am only 52. I piled a lot of life into my early years...and I have gained much insight into myself and hopefully into others. I am finally comfortable with life.
@Galena (9110)
•
13 May 09
I don't think so.
I've had a touch of the Crone on me since childhood, and in my early 20s felt ready to embrace that side of me.
true, I may yet breed, even if I won't ever try to, but there's a side of me that is Crone, through and through. and I'm not yet 30.
being a Crone isn't about the loss of fertility, or the flying the nest of the children.
it's the part of you on the shadow side of the cycle. the part that feels close to the boundaries in life. like you are there to assist with beginnings and endings.
the part of creation that takes place underground is the Crones work. the first budding shoots are the Maiden, but the germination, that is all Crone.
here in the dark, we find peace, we see our place in the universe, and we weave the web.
a Crone can be as old as the hills, or young but beyond her years in outlook.
