Crone Crowning Ceremonies- everything you wanted to know (but didn't dare ask).

Pic of Crone-in-Training Juzza at her Crone Crowning Ceremony by Laura Page Photography.

What is a Crone Crowning (or ‘Croning’ ceremony?)

A Crone Crowning ceremony is a ceremonial rite of passage that celebrates a positive transition into the ‘Crone’ stage of life - or as I like to call it, our ‘third act’. It reclaims the word ‘crone’ to mean ‘crown’ - a ritual that honours the wisdom and life experience of older women, where the crown symbolises a stepping into and owning our power as older women. 👊🏽

I first came across it a few years ago, my friend Juliann sent me a link to this blog about Crone Crowning. I was in a state of (what I now know to be) peri-menopausal angst at the time, but I noticed that even just reading about Crone Crowning, my fear started to shift...

Just the very idea of actively and proudly stepping into our ‘third act’ and celebrating change, rather than fearfully denying it, seemed like a much healthier response to the negativity of the menopause narrative.

So as I approached 50, I was determined to give Crone Crowning a go, gathered together a few pals who were free, and headed off to the stunning Bodlondeb retreat centre in North Wales.

Why have a Crone Crowning ceremony?

I wondered if an element of ritual would help me embrace the ageing process in a more positive way - perhaps reflect on behaviours and stories that no longer served me - but also plan the kind of crone I want to become, (as well as a flicking the bird to societal narratives around beauty and the perceived invisibility of older women!)

I wanted to honour the women who have had such an amazing impact on me and my life.

I also wanted an excuse to spend some quality time with a few wonderful women of all ages who I knew would get something out of the experience too.

I wanted to mark my 50th birthday in nature, in a spiritual place, with a bit more structure and thought to it, rather than just another piss up!

There is a magic that can happen when good women come together in a safe and beautiful space, and I had a feeling that kindling this sisterhood magic would be a positive experience for us all and be critical to a ‘green and juicy’ crone life going forward 💚

What happens in a Crone Crowning Ceremony?

There are typically four elements that make up a Crone Crowning Ceremony.

#1. Self-reflection.

“Crone Crowning often begins with deep self-reflection- a time for introspection, contemplation, and embracing the transformative power of the aging process. Women reflect on their life experiences, lessons learned, and the wisdom they have gained along the way.”

What we did…

We had various points over the two days for self-reflection. The first was some ‘pre-work’ sent out before the event, based on another suggestion from my pal Juliann.
“Tell the story of your community- who your community is now, how your community might have changed over time, and your relationship with the idea of community.”
We shared our stories over our first lunch together - ‘witches broth’ (nettle soup, kindly made by my wonderful fella Neil!) which we had outside overlooking the fields.

The main self-reflection was in the studio space, with handouts for self-reflection. These prompts got us thinking about what’s most important to us going into the next stage of our lives? What do we want to do/feel/be? What do we want to leave behind that no longer serves us?

#2. Mentorship and guidance.

“The Crone Crowning ceremony often involves the presence of other wise women who have already experienced this transition. They act as mentors, guiding the woman through the process, sharing their own stories, and providing support and encouragement.”

What we did

Sadly the last minute nature of the trip meant that most of my older crones weren’t able to make it (tip - build into your plans the fact that retired crones have more social commitments than crones-in-training!). However, Crone Legend Frankie stepped into the role of ‘high priestess’ to lead the actual crone crowning ceremony on Zoom.

Frankie kicked off our ceremony with the inspiring tale of ‘The Grannies Peace Project’ in 1933 after the horror of the first world war. A group of 20 welsh women collected 390,000 signatures from all over Wales. They took their petition to Washington to join a women’s peace project in the USA, delivered roles upon roles of paper in a beautifully made wooden chest. When unrolled, the petition would have taken up 7 miles.

1923-2023, ‘Hawlio Heddwch’: Welsh Women’s Peace Appeal Centenary Campaign

#3. Symbolic rituals.

“Various symbolic rituals are incorporated into the Crone Crowning ceremony. These rituals may include washing with water, anointing with oils, the passing of a ceremonial object or crown, the recitation of blessings or affirmations, and the sharing of stories and insights.”

What we did

For the water ritual, we had an early morning wild swim in the mist of Bala lake.

Then we had a Crone Crown Workshop and lamp making, facilitated by Crone Karen Kench of Kettle of Fish.

We created a shrine to the women from our own lives we wanted to honour. “Our mothers, their mothers, and all their mothers!!”

We walked into the ceremony to ‘Calon Lan’, a song we sang at my nain’s funeral, performed here by my midlife crone hero, Cerys Matthews.

Cerys Matthews Calon Lan - our crone crowning walking in track

We then had a reading from the crone bible - ‘Crones Don’t Whine’ by Dr Jean Shinoda Bolen. Here’s a short extract from it.

To be a crone is about inner development, not outer appearance.
A crone is a woman who has wisdom, compassion, humour, courage and vitality.
She has a sense of truly being herself, can express what she knows and feels, and take action when need be.
She does not avert her eyes or numb her mind from reality. She can see the flaws and imperfections in herself and others, but the light in which she sees is not harsh or judgemental.
She has learned to trust herself to know what she knows.
These crone qualities are not acquired overnight. One does not become a fully-fledged crone automatically following menopause, any more than growing older AND wiser go hand in hand. There are decades that follow menopause in which to grow psychologically and spiritually.
It is in cultivating these qualities that the third phase of life becomes a culmination time for inner beauty and wisdom.
This may be a time to play and express affection, or a time for creativity or sensuality, or a time for mediation or therapy, or a time for family, or a time when family recedes, or a time to make a difference in the world.
Crones can make a difference. Your mentoring can support and make it possible for another to grow and blossom. You can be a healing influencer for good. You can have a ripple effect throughout generations to come or through institutions and communities. With vision and intention, and in numbers and influence, crones together can change the world.
If we acquire a crone’s eye view, then we will see ourselves and others from the perspective of soul rather than ego. Ageing well is a goal worth wanting.
The crone is a potential, much like an inherited talent, that needs to be recognised and practiced in order to develop. This wise presence in your psyche will grow, once you trust that there is a crone within and begin to listen. Then in the quiet of your own mind, pay attention to her perceptions and intuitions and act upon them.
Dr Jean Shinoda Bolen , Crones Don’t Whine - concentrated wisdom for Juicy Women. 2003

We closed the ceremony by throwing away our written stories of the things we wanted to leave behind onto an open fire.

#4. Community celebration.

“Crone Crowning is often celebrated within a community, acknowledging the woman's transition and honoring her journey. This gathering allows for the collective recognition of the Crone's wisdom and the affirmation of her continued importance and relevance.”

What we did
We sang together! Our high priestess Frankie opened our ceremony on Zoom with her song 'Lily’ that celebrated the Grannies Peace Petition, followed by a rousing celebration of women coming together in activism, where we all joined in on the chorus: - HERE’S WHAT WE WOMEN MUST DO! Join in the sing-along below - I guarantee, you’ll feel the power 👊🏽

We also walked (and got lost) together.

We ate, drank, swam and danced together!

And we laughed…and laughed…

(And there is nowt quite like the sound of women of all ages laughing together is there).

What did I learn from our Crone Crowning ceremony?

It confirmed my feeling that 50 for me was too young to be crowned an official crone. I’d love to have another at 60, and even 70 or 80 if I’m still lucky enough to be here.
Give everyone a chance for a role that plays to their strength/passion and give them time to prepare for it (eg one person arranged the walk, another a yoga sesh etc).
Have a really clear agenda, but don’t try to cram in too much. Plenty of nanan naps essential!
If it’s your ceremony, you might find it less stressful to get someone else to lead it and facilitate it. (See below).

Crone Crowning facilitators

In the UK, contact me for prices for a Crone Crowning consultation and/or our Crone Crowning toolkit! hello@justjuzza.co.uk

Crown and lamp making workshops.

My creative pal Crone Karen Kench of Kettle of Fish ran our crown and lantern making workshop. She’s great to book for events and retreats too.

Crone Crowning venues for midlife rituals.

Bodlondeb studio and retreat in Corwen, North Wales was our wonderfully wild and witchy base for my Crone Crowning. Steph is a wonderful Crone-in-Training who has invested everything into creating this beautiful (and affordable) space for healing. Check out Steph’s next Healing Stress and Burnout retreat here, or contact her for venue hire information. Mention Crone Club to get a discount.

Crone Crowning gift ideas.

Crones Don’t Whine, by Dr Jean Shinoda Bolen and ‘The most expensive tea towel you will NEVER need’ by Justine Gaubert and Crone of Corwen, Lyn Hodnett - available from the Crone Club Shop.

Crone Crowning photography.

We were so lucky to have Laura Page with us - as a friend but also as our official photographer. Laura is passionate about creating a more positive narrative for ageing - check out her work here.

What is a Crone Crowning Ceremony and how to run one?