The Wise Woman Blessing and Croning are two rites of passage for older women.
A Wise Woman Blessing is held once a woman enters menopause, and a Croning usually occurs around the age of retirement. Crone has often been used as an insult, and older women in our day and age are often dismissed as nuisances and nothing to celebrate. Why should we not celebrate this phase of life as a “wise woman”, and take back the name “crone” as an elder in the community?
A wise woman blessing would be a powerful addition to a 50th birthday celebration, or you could hold a ceremony for all women in your life who are now wise and powerful women. A croning could be part of a woman’s retirement celebrations, or just to honor the transition.
Here are some ideas to include in your Wise Woman Blessing or Croning ceremony:
- An altar with photos of women who have empowered you or meant something in your life.
- Crossing the threshold into this new stage of life, such as crossing a line, or entering through a curtain.
- Blessings upon the woman, or allow the woman to bless those in attendance – or both!
- Guided meditation honoring the Crone, or the Wise Woman archetype.
- Singing and chanting, drumming.
- A ritual bath before you enter the ceremony.
- A special item such as a staff, shawl, crown, garland, piece of jewelry or something else you choose should symbolize this new phase of life.
- A meal eaten with your guests.
- Taking on a new name for this new phase of life.
- Anointing with oil after crossing the threshold.
- Gifts can be given to the new Wise Woman or Crone.