The Crone's Crowning
     The third stage of the crone's journey is the crowning. It signifies the birthing of the new self and the crowning of the radiant wise woman. This ceremony marks a commitment to the community. The young ones will look to the crone for guidance and wisdom. The crone is the mother of all and the model of poise and cultural understanding. The woman who holds her wise blood holds the future of seven generations within her womb. Her leadership is guided by the turtle, one of the longest living creatures on earth. She has seen the changing seasons through the four directions and the cycles of the moon are now complete in her. The ebb and flow of the universe is revealed through her eyes.
     The crone is all aspects of the feminine. No longer the maiden, yet always the maiden is present with her enthusiasm and wonder for life. No longer the mother, yet always the mother is present with creative inspiration. The crone is the symbol of integration, wholeness, completeness. She has the freedom to be spontaneous and the wisdom to be impeccable in her word and actions. By accepting the process of metamorphosis, she emerges as the butterfly. Her skin is translucent and soft. Her wisps of gray and wrinkles reveal her migration through life. Laugh lines accentuate her diamond eyes. Now is the time for the crone to reveal the feminine power that pulsates in her veins.
     The crone knows the passage through menopause. She has observed the changes in her body and embraced the hot flashes, night sweats, flooding, dryness and mood swings. When the distress of menopause reaches its peak the labor is complete and the emerging woman begins the push toward the crone's crowning. On the new moon thirteen months after her last menses, she will pass through the ceremony that marks her new role as wise woman. She is now revered as the grandmother to a community and extends her hand to the ones coming up behind her.
     It is a very important time on the Earth Mother. More women are entering menopause at this point in our planet's evolution than ever before. By the year 2013 millions will have passed through the crone's crowning guided by enlightened women. No longer will  the mysteries of menopause be shrouded in fear and shame. This new generation of women is moving through their journey learning about the herbs and the natural ways of coming into balance. They will bring to bear a powerful energy at the time of the "earth changes." Together the crones will move us into a new era of honoring Mother Earth and returning to wholeness.
     There are things you can do in these modern times to honor yourself as a woman. Look into exploring ceremonies of initiation like the Crone's Crowning. Even if you have long since past this stage in your life you can rejoice in the ceremony and step into yourself as a powerful crone. Learn the herbal remedies and nutritional allies that will help ensure strength in your elder years. Take on leadership within the community and mentor others or contribute your expertise. Learn more about the earth ways so that you can lend your energy to these changing times.