Where Are All The Crones?

Let’s face it, we have a culture that denigrates the elderly woman. The perfect example of this is Pamela Anderson. For those who don’t know her, Anderson was the sex kitten of the 1990s. After the death of her long time makeup artist, Anderson has chosen to go makeup free. You would have thought this woman committed a crime against humanity for choosing this option. The level of vitriol she is receiving is revealing.

I finished a book called The Crone: Women of Age, Wisdom, And Power by Barbara G. Walker. Throughout my life I have heard Crone used in a disparaging way. It has come to symbolize evil, old, wicked, a witch, a devourer of men, a devourer of children, a devil, a hag, casting spells, etc. All one has to do is look to history to see how independent women were treated. I watched a documentary last year on Hulu which chronicles the world’s most infamous witch trials. I still think about the horrors those women went through.

Walker contends the Crone archetype served a valuable purpose in pre-historic, antiquity, and before the creation of the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The Crone in its original form was the giver of life. She is the arbiter of values, standards, and knowledge as a positive life force. The Abrahamic religions turned the role of the Crone into a negative life force. A life force that needs to be controlled, demeaned, and diminished. Sadly it has succeeded.

I commend Pamela Anderson for sticking to her guns. She is 57 years old. She has no need to be dolled up, or “beat” to the gods. The jet set life of Playboy, rocks stars, and sex tapes is dead and gone! She is fully in her Crone stage, and this is why she is criticized. She has returned to her hometown in British Columbia for peace. Her peace now is gardening and creating vegan cuisine. Instead of being vilified, she should be celebrated.

The only women in media who I believe embody the Crone archetype are the following:

• Angela Bassett
• Janet Jackson
• Madonna
• Maggie Smith
• Helen Mirren
• Debbie Allen
• Phylicia Rashad
• Lisa Bonet
• Judi Dench

This is not an exhaustive list of the Hollywood elite. The individuals noted I have followed since I was a child. Their ability to navigate the entertainment industry, and all its degeneracy is a testament to their class, resilience, and their skills as performers.

Think about the Crones in your family. I have created a list of family and family friends who have had a positive impact on my life. What’s your list like?

In ending this post I want to highlight a quote in the final chapter of the book called The Future Crone. In identifying the true meaning of the Crone archetype Walker writes:

When the Crone was recognized as a valid image, the old woman was not seen as a useless object, as she often is today. Beyond her sexual and maternal functions, she had others, perhaps even more important. She commanded respect. Her advice was sought. Her community looked up to her and took her ideas seriously.

Moreover, the Crone was not so inclined to break her own laws as the inconsistent gods of men. According to her word, karma was karma: one who injures will be injured; one who is kind will receive kindness. The golden rule was her idea, in India and in ancient Egypt, long before it was copied into the Gospels. She was implacable; she couldn’t be bought off like her sons the gods. Like nature, she was not manipulated by flattery or impressed by puny human words. One had to learn to exist within her framework, not in opposition to it, for this was only common sense. Who would plant in the season of harvest, or who could expect to win love by hateful behavior? [Bold added]

Bookish Babe

Tags: Abrahamic religions, Barbara G. Walker, Crones, Hollywood, Pamela Anderson | Posted in Current Events/Popular Culture, History, Philosophy