Menopause, Witches, Crones, and Hags
I’ve been learning some new facts that seem relevant to this blog. Perhaps it’s why the angels have been getting this information in front of my face?!
Besides humans, the only other mammals that experience true menopause (cessation of periods) are toothed whales. Scientifically, survival of species seems to rely on female members continuing to have children until death. However, humans and toothed whales have a delightful phenomenon called grandmothers. Scientists have different theories for why this may be the case but ultimately agree that we have evolved this way because it is helpful for the survival of our species. A combination of teaching and helping raise the younger generation seems to be central to humans and whales.
Originally, witch, hag, and crone were used somewhat interchangeably to describe a woman beyond childbearing years (maiden and mother the stages before menopause). Witch, meaning wit, or wise, described women who could help those in her community. Hag, a word derived from hagio, or holy, was used to describe the reverence people had for women with wisdom . And crone, another word for crown, was to honor the wisdom coming from the head. These women were leaders in their communities, revered for their abilities as midwives and healers, and for their wisdom of plants of the earth.
As Patriarchy and Christianity spread, especially throughout Europe, witches, crones, and hags, with their wisdom passed between each other, and reverence for helping their communities were vilified. Fables were written and told casting paganistic practicers as dabblers in dark magic. Fear spread. Women of all ages lost status and the meanings of witch, crone, and hag became synonymous with darkness and evil.
What we lost as a society was a shared wisdom; a reverence for the earth and its plants, and admiration for those with experience and knowledge of life gained through experience of midwifery and living in community.
The shift is happening. The pendulum is swinging back toward the sacred feminine and the wisdom of living in communion with the earth and everything on it. Matriarchy is not the opposite of patriarchy. Matriarchy is based on feminine wisdom, the realization of oneness, and making sure that no one’s need go unnoticed or unmet: a sacred circle, in which everyone is invited, a web instead of a ladder. There are a lot of fears deeply ingrained to overcome. We have a ways to go before we get back to balance and unity, something that the sharp toothed whales never lost.
So, what is the angelic message in this?
Be careful of what you’ve been taught to fear. Be wary of what you’ve been taught to trust. Look within. Trust your intuition. How is your body reacting to this information...to any information you receive? If your stomach clenches and you feel uneasy, generally it’s a warning that something is not in alignment with your inner-knowing. For me, when something resonates as true, it’s as if someone lit a torch above my crown (a literal lightbulb moment!) and I get kind of excited about it. I want to know more! Get in touch with your inner-crone (and before you say, “But I’m a guy!” - we all have masculine and feminine energy within us, no matter our gender, you can find your inner crone!). It’s time to listen to grandmotherly wisdom. Our leaders are in crisis, and no one is coming to save us. Our power is realizing we are connected with the earth and each other and act accordingly. Reach out in love. Expand your circle. You don’t have to be a toothed whale. Be human.
