Pre-Christian religions and many non-European cultures recognized and revered three distinct phases of a woman's life: the maiden, the mother and the crone. Today, many middle-aged and older women are reclaiming the honor, identity and status once associated with the wisdom of the third stage in life. They are proudly returning to croning and its associated responsibilities and respect, and reversing the trend of oppression and discrimination aimed at older women. Acknowledging their age, wisdom and power, these women proudly adopt the name “crone,” a word that in recent history has come to be associated with the idea of an ugly, withered old woman. Croning may begin at any age but generally occurs after menopause or age 45; however, the term refers more to a point of perspective than a biological age.

Louise Nahas, of Hudson, read a 1997 article in the Plain Dealer about the reemergence of croning entitled “Elders Finding Honor with Croning Rituals.” “It appealed to me because I was getting older in a youth-oriented society,” she recalls. “The article put a positive spin on aging.” Louise researched a few other articles and shared the idea of holding a croning ceremony with her circle of friends, other older women in her community. “I thought that it would allow us to feel really good about ourselves. As a crone you are seen as wise, you develop your sense of humor and you have the opportunity to mentor young women because they respect you for your knowledge and experiences.”

Louise investigated the croning ceremonies and learned that crones are initiated at gatherings of women; the event can be formal or casual, large or small. Without any crones in her community to lead the ceremony, Louise read up on the process and the symbolism of the rituals. She and her friends gathered at a local retreat center. They brought a bowl of fruit to symbolize fulfillment, candles to represent unity and reconciliation, and a bowl of water to stand for healing and centering the self in God. During the ceremony, they made a commitment to strive for positive change within themselves, their relationships, their family, the community and the world.

The group continues to socialize regularly, meeting for coffee or hiking through the local parks. Louise notes that her group does not necessarily consider their lightheartedly adopted crone titles on a regular basis. However, everyone in her group truly embodies the crone mindset. As she says, “We are all doing interesting things.” One 80 year-old woman recently put herself through classes to follow a different career path; another took lifeguard training and tests at age 60. Louise herself volunteers for the National Park Service and is involved in political activism.

Croning is an empowering, natural stage for older women. Transforming modern values, as well as internal and external images associated with aging, crones learn to trust the power of intuition. They revere their ancient heritage, honor the cycles and seasons, and respect the interconnectedness of life. Crones seek to improve their own lives, give back to society, and create a legacy for coming generations. They become an integral link between our past, our present and our future.