Crone: Difference between revisions

In [[folklore]], a '''crone''' is an old woman who may be characterized as disagreeable, malicious, or sinister in manner, often with [[Magic (supernatural)|magical]] or [[supernatural]] associations that can make her either helpful or obstructive. The Crone is also an [[Archetype|archetypal]] figure, or a [[Wise Old Man and Wise Old Woman|Wise Woman]]. As a character type, the crone shares characteristics with the [[hag]]. The word became further specialized as the third aspect of the [[Triple Goddess (Neopaganism)|Triple Goddess]] popularized by [[Robert Graves]] and subsequently in some forms of [[neopaganism]],. particularlyIn [[Wicca]], in whichthe shecrone symbolizes the Dark Goddess, the [[far side of the Moon|dark side of the moonMoon]], the end of a cycle; together with the Mother Crone, the Light Goddess and the Crone Maiden, Day Goddess, she represents part of the [[Biological life cycle|circle of life]]. InThe [[NewHandsome Age]]Warlock andor [[feminist]] spiritualBeautiful circlesWitch, agood "Croning"or isbad amay [[ritual]]change [[ritea ofCrone passage]]or intoHag anto eranormal of wisdomlooks, freedom,appearance andif personalso powerdesired.<ref>{{cite journal |lastlast1=PayerleRoberts |firstfirst1=Margaret|date=2016Jeanne Addison |title=The CroningCrone in English Renaissance Drama Ceremony|journal=TheMedieval Journal& ofRenaissance TraditionsDrama &in England |date=2003 Beliefs|volume=315 |urlpages=https:116–137 |jstor=24322658 }}<//engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/jtb/vol3/iss1/11ref><ref>{{cite thesis |id={{ProQuest|858604053}} |last1=Parker |first1=Nancy Ann |date=2009 |title=The mythical and mortal Crone: Recollecting and reclaiming the sacred regeneratrix }}{{page needed|date=April 2024}}</ref>

As a noun, ''crone'' entered the English language around the year 1390, deriving from the [[Anglo-Norman language|Anglo-French]] word ''carogne'' (an insult), itself deriving from the [[Old North French]] ''charogne'', ''caroigne'', meaning a disagreeable woman (literally meaning "[[carrion]]"). Prior to the entrance of the word into English, the surname [[Hopcrone]] is recorded (around 1323–1324).<ref>{{cite book|authorlink=Robert Barnhart|lastlast1=Barnhart |firstfirst1=Robert K.|date=1995 |title=The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology |date=1995 |publisher=[[HarperCollins]] |isbn=978-0-06-270084-71 }}{{page needed|date=July 2023}}</ref>

TheIn [[SlavicNorse folklore|Slavicmyth]] witch, [[Baba YagaThor]] iswrestles athe crone and [[liminality|liminalElli]] guardianwho topersonifies theold [[Otherworld]]age.<ref>{{cite book|first=Roy G.Jane|last=WillisChance |title=WorldTolkien and the Invention of Myth |title-link=Tolkien and the Invention of Myth Mythology|publisher=MacmillanUniversity Press of Kentucky |date=19932004 |page=209|urlpages=[https://books.google.com/books?id=ojccFpRU8DwC8LLxZXqgJdwC&pg=PA209&dqPA153 153–154] |isbn=crone+myth+OR+folklore+OR+folktale+978-%22Triple+0-Goddess%22+8131-neopagan+2963-neopaganism+-wicca+-wiccan&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=1&as_miny_is=2009&as_maxm_is=12&as_maxy_is=2009&num=100&as_brr=3&as_pt=ALLTYPES}}</ref>

In the local folklore of [[Somerset]] in southwest[[South West England]], the Woman of the Mist is said to appear sometimes as a crone gathering sticks; sightings of her were reported as late as the 1950s.<ref>{{cite book |firstlast1=KatherineBriggs Mary|lastfirst1=BriggsKatharine Mary |titlechapter=TheForgotten FairiesGods inand Englishnature Traditionspirits and Literature|publisherpages=University48–57 of Chicago Press|origchapter-date=1967|date=1989|page=41|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wkc9AAAAIAAJsi_cXO1yJNwC&pg=PA41&dqPA48 |title=crone+myth+OR+folklore+OR+folktale+The Fairies in Tradition and Literature |date=2002 |publisher=Psychology Press |isbn=978-%22Triple+0-Goddess%22+415-neopagan+28601-neopaganism+-wicca+-wiccan&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=1&as_miny_is=2009&as_maxm_is=12&as_maxy_is=2009&num=100&as_brr=3&as_pt=ALLTYPES5 }}</ref> In the [[Scottish Highlands]] tale "The Poor Brother and the Rich", a crone refuses to stay buried, until her son-in-law provides a generous [[Wake (ceremony)|wake]], after which he becomes as wealthy as his more fortunate brother.<ref>{{cite book |firstchapter=J.F.|last=Campbell|title=PopularThe TalesPoor ofBrother and the WestRich Highlands Orally Collected|publisher=London|date=1890|volume=1|pages=237–240237–243 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ufCBAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA238&dqPA237 |editor1-last=crone+myth+OR+folklore+OR+folktale+Campbell |editor1-%22Triple+-Goddess%22+-neopagan+-neopaganism+-wicca+-wiccan&lrfirst=&as_drrb_isJohn Francis |title=q&as_minm_isPopular Tales of the West Highlands: Orally Collected |date=1&as_miny_is1890 |publisher=2009&as_maxm_isA. Gardner |hdl=12&as_maxy_is2027/mdp.39015024662390 |oclc=2009&num=100&as_brr=3&as_pt=ALLTYPES#PPA237,M1609004831 }}</ref>

In [[Cuba]]n traditional folklore old women often appear as helpful characters, as in the tale of the sick man who cannot get well until he meets an old woman who advises him to wear the [[tunic]] of a man who is truly happy. According to writer [[Alma Flor Ada]], "They tend to be the ones who keep the family together, who pass on the traditions, who know the remedies that would cure the different illnesses".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2015/10/28/450657717/why-are-old-women-often-the-face-of-evil-in-fairy-tales-and-folklore|title=Why Are Old Women Often The Face Of Evil In Fairy Tales And Folklore?|date=28 October 2015|first=Elizabeth|last=Blair|website=[[National Public Radio]]}}</ref>

[[Category:New Age-related stereotypes]]