The crone archetype is a pre-existing form that embodies instinctive ways of channeling intuition, transitioning, and bringing forth transformation. When women resonate with the crone they reclaim primordial instincts that honor older women and their inner way of knowing. They find their authentic self and they transition better through aging.

1. The Crone
Archetype:
Women Reclaim Their Authentic Self by
Resonating with Crone Images
Joanne Sienko Ott, CFA
Master of Arts in
Holistic Health Studies
jsott7@comcast.net • 952-693-8835 • Twitter:
jsott7
1
Background
2
Method
3
Results

2. Background - Why this research is
important
 Concept of aging is “socially constructed,” is based
on society’s beliefs and values (Cruikshank, Heidrick,
Minkler, Thomason, Woodward)
 Degrading & harmful myths about older women are
internalized
 Negative perceptions, thoughts, & emotions are
embedded as cellular memories – affect wellbeing
(psychoneuroimmunology - Pert)
 Reclaiming myths that honor older women –
restores them to the intrinsic relationship to the
feminine in the psyche (Estés, Kolbenschlag, Ulanov)

3. Definitions
 Archetypes – are pre-existent
behavioral forms or patterns that exist in
the psyche, the collective unconscious,
and are universal across time and
culture (Carl Jung, 1968)
 Mythology – provides a framework of
connecting symbolic figures (the
archetypes) to interpret & create meaning
for our own personal experiences
through myth, stories, & folktales (Joseph
Campbell, 2008)

4. “Hagia Sophia” = Greek for “Holy Woman”
Hag
Zabe da Loca
Photo: Ricardo
Peixoto
The Crone is synonymous with the Hag
image
Crone sources: (Bolen, 2001; Madigan, 1998; Walker,

5. Inner
Wisdom
Transformative
Wrath
Three-fold form
Cycle of life
Characteristic
CRONE
FORMS

6. Research Purpose
To describe the lived experience of women who
activate or resonate with a crone archetypal
image
2
Method

7. Orientating Theories – Trinity of Theories
 Feminist Critical Perspective
(DeVault, Hess-Biber, Smith)
 Critical Pedagogy Theory (Paulo
Freire)
 Liberating Theology for Women
(Ivone Gebara)

8. Method: Excavation
Fork
Phenomenology
Ethnographic slant
Organic
Inquiry
Feminist Ethnographic
Principles
 Women’s perspective &
voice
 Hierarchal relationships
 Different ways of knowing
 Empowerment of our own
knowledge
 Social justice & activist role
of researcher
 Appropriation &
dissemination of knowledge
Sources: Clements, DeVault, Hess-Biber,
Smith

9. Organic Inquiry: The Vibrating
Fork
 A methodology that impacts the entire research
process
 Focuses on the psycho-spiritual realm of research
Rooted
Foundations
• Sacred
• Personal
• Chthonic
• Relational
• Transformational
Research
discipline
Preparation
Inspiration
Integration
Sources: (Braud, 2004; Clements, Ettling, Jennet, & Shields, 1998; Clements,
2002, 2004; Curry & Wells, 2006)

10. Guidelines for Interviews &
Selection Process
 Informants utilized to
recruit women
 Question Guide sent to
Women
 Women were asked to
bring image of Crone to
interview
 Disclosure of research
purpose
 Consent form &
pseudonyms
 Demographics described
by women
Women reviewed
transcripts & summaries
 Researcher as the
instrument
 Preparation steps
◦ Intention – lit candle
◦ Aware of ego wanting to
control process
◦ Open psyche to liminal
experience – leads to
inspiration
• Data analysis –
common threads

11. THE SEVEN WOMEN
INTERVIEWED DESCRIBE
THEIR CRONE IMAGES
FROM THEIR PERSPECTIVE
& IN THEIR VOICE
3
Result
s

12. ANDREA
When I connect with Sophia, I can be that free person!
Completely open & accepting [like the rose].
Sophia is what comes from inside, not what came from
outside; what we were taught. Sophia is the truth from my
perspective. I get to the truth of the matter.
Andrea’s crone image: Rose flower from garden represents Hagia
Sophia – Feminine wisdom, Greek Goddess Sophia
• Gnosis (Greek) = Feminine Intuitive
way of knowing inside of us =
represents Sophia
• Logos = knowing outside of us =
rational & objective way of knowing –
this has been engrained as the only
valid way of knowing – basis for
suppressing sacred feminine
• Andrea has found freedom &
confidence to be herself & to trust her
own insights, even if they are
contrary to systemic beliefs (e.g.
Bible story-Mary & Elisabeth)

13. CAROLINE
Sophia has given me the courage to be different, to not
follow the styles of the day. I don’t fit a stereotype. To just
be who I am. Sophia as a wisdom figure has helped me to
recognize all of the ways that the divine is present in the
world.
Caroline’s crone images: Sophia – Owl (Greek Athena) & the
Book of Wisdom; Native American Women with wrinkles (images
from internet)
It doesn’t matter that
she is wrinkled, except
that it is an honor to
have those wrinkles that
signifies she has really
lived.

14. GRACE
I liked her power, she wasn’t afraid of life, she was her own
person.
She helps me to draw on my own experiences and my own
wisdom.
I just kind of grew into her. She just captured my
imagination.
Yeah, I’m an old hag!
Grace’s crone images: Cailleach she resonated with the Shape-shifter
image as a metaphor for transition & renewal - later the Cailleach morphed
into the Halloween witch – she could not be smothered out (images produced
from internet)

15. ISIS
I think in our crone years, it is all about dipping into our own
wisdom. The crone has been a term that has been
demonized, which I really want to help redeem – it is a very
wonderful word.
We came into this world complete; at our core we are
divine.
Isis’s crone image: Amethyst rock – crone energy (photo from
internet)
We write old women off. The truth of the
matter is that they [society] are terrified of
us. Older women who really don’t care
what you think anymore are really
dangerous. If they write us off, they don’t
have to take us seriously. Deep down, I
think there is a real fear of the old women.
Why have we turned old hag into in such a
pejorative word?
Crone into such a pejorative word?
Witch into such a pejorative word?
It is all based on fear!

16. JULIA
The crone represents the end of the cycle and the seed for
the next. The feminine is the earth. The feminine needs to
come out because of the recklessness. [refers to the misuse of
the earth’s resources]. Wisdom comes from experience and life
and not just from what the books represent.
Julia’s crone images represent: Sophia Owl – inner wisdom; Artio-Celtic
Bear Goddess – birthing creativity & goddess of shamanistic journey; Triple-
Goddesses & Pheonix rising – restore the feminine balance to the earth

17. LISA
[Collage below] The moon cycles are a reminder about the feminine
cycles; an older woman represents the depths of her wisdom in the
roots of a tree; a woman half underground is reaching for the gift from
the spirit. If I pay attention, the answers will be revealed to me. [Of
Lucretia Mott] she is an affirmation of myself… maybe this is a way of
being! [Lisa resonates with Lucretia’s words] “In a true relationship,
independence is equal, dependence mutual & their obligation
reciprocal.
Lisa’s crone images: The Grandmothers; Lucretia Mott; Ancient Dolls
named Blackthorn & Rowan; Collage with Proverbs 8:1 Does not
Wisdom Call

18. WANBLI
Cerridwen has given me the courage to grow into myself… to
taking my own power on and has helped me through
transitions. She is [symbolic of] going into the darkness and
brings the light back. She holds the space open, safety for
the underworld – the deepest part of ourselves.
Wanbli’s crone images: Cerridwen, Shape-shifter, Triple
Goddess; Corn necklace talisman that represents
Resonating aspects to Cerridwen:
 Cauldron symbolic of her tincture-
making & salve- making (has done
extensive study with herbalists
Matthew Wood)
 Cerridwen’s story of birthing the sun
on Dec. 21st & Wanbli actually
birthing her son on the same date
 Cerridwen as the Grain Goddess &
Wanbli’s long connection with
American indigenous culture
identifying with corn – representative
of fertility & abundance

19. Reclaiming/honoring the
Authentic Self
Denial of the Sacred
Feminine Linked to
Demonizing of Older
Women
Metaphor for
Transformation
& Transitioning
the life Cycle
Common Threads Excavated from the 7
Women Interviewed

20. Discussion – Activating the
Crone
Reclaiming
Authentic
Self
Exclusion:
Feminine
Intuition
+ Feminine spiritTransformatio
n
Going inward
Anima -
Animus
Women Experience
Transformation
differently
Transitioning
the Life Cycle
“When the feminine is not present, honored in ritual, or in a culture’s sacred image of
the divine, the entire social fabric is affected and violence against women becomes
commonplace” (Ress, 2006, p. 142)

21. Implications for Holistic Health +
Awareness -
Paradigm
Shift
Balanced
relationship
with self
Acceptance of
Intuitive way of
knowing
Reclaim &
Affirm Self
Balance
Wellness

22. Take-away
 The crone archetype that exists in the
collective unconscious, when activated, may
resonate more deeply over time and may be
influenced by the collective behavioral
experiences of older women identifying with
the crone archetype
 Women’s experiences of connecting with
crone images that affirm and honor them, over
time may thus have a ripple affect & influence
society in a way that changes its negative
perceptions of older women
 Collective experiences of older women who
find honor in their true self may in return create
a society that values the sacred feminine,
accepts the inner way of knowing & honors our
connection to the universe