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]], inthe which 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]]. The Handsome Warlock or Beautiful Witch, good or bad may change a Crone or Hag to normal looks, appearance if so desired.<ref>{{cite Blessedjournal Be|last1=Roberts |first1=Jeanne Addison |title=The Crone in English Renaissance Drama |journal=Medieval & Renaissance Drama in England |date=2003 |volume=15 |pages=116–137 |jstor=24322658 }}</ref><ref>{{cite thesis |id={{ProQuest|858604053}} |last1=Parker |first1=Nancy Ann |date=2009 |title=The mythical and mortal Crone: Recollecting and reclaiming the powerssacred intertwinedregeneratrix comically,}}{{page needed|date=April universally.2024}}</ref>

==In feminism==
In [[feminist]] spiritual circles, a "Croning" is a [[ritual]] [[rite of passage]] into an era of [[wisdom]], [[freedom]], and personal power. Similar to many Cultures.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Payerle |first1=Margaret |title=The Croning Ceremony |journal=The Journal of Traditions & Beliefs |date=2016 |volume=3 |issue=1 |url=https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/jtb/vol3/iss1/11/ }}</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 |last1=Barnhart |first1=Robert K. |title=Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology |date=1995 |publisher=HarperCollins |isbn=978-0-06-270084-1 }}{{pnpage needed|date=July 2023}}</ref>

In more modern usage, ''crone'' is also defined as a "woman who is venerated for experience, judgment, and wisdom." <ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=crone |encyclopedia=The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth|edition=5th Edition copyright ©|date=2022 by |publisher=HarperCollins Publishers |url=https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=crone }}</ref>

[[Clarissa Pinkola Estes]] suggests that the word ''crone'' may derive from the word [[crown]] (or, la corona). While a crown is known as a circlet that goes around the head and establishes one’sone's authority as a leader, "before this understanding, the crown, la corona, was understood to mean the halo of light around a person’s body. La corona was considered to shine more brightly when a person was clear, filled with love and justice."<ref name=Estes2011/> Thus, Estes suggests, the Crone is one who reflects this enhanced degree of clarity and in/sight.

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=1993|page=209|isbn=978-0-8050-2701-32004 |urlpages=[https://books.google.com/books?id=ojccFpRU8DwC8LLxZXqgJdwC&dqpg=crone+myth+OR+folklore+OR+folktale+PA153 153–154] |isbn=978-%22Triple+0-Goddess%22+8131-neopagan+2963-neopaganism+-wicca+-wiccan&pg=PA2091}}</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 |last1=Briggs |first1=Katharine Mary |chapter=Forgotten Gods and nature spirits |pages=48–57 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=si_cXO1yJNwC&pg=PA48 |title=The Fairies in Tradition and Literature |date=2002 |publisher=Psychology Press |isbn=978-0-415-28601-5 }}</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 |chapter=The Poor Brother and the Rich |pages=237–243 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ufCBAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA237 |editor1-last=Campbell |editor1-first=John Francis |title=Popular Tales of the West Highlands: Orally Collected |date=1890 |publisher=A. Gardner |hdl=2027/mdp.39015024662390 |oclc=609004831 }}</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>