Excerpt from
New Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way, Alternative
Approaches to Menopause for Women 30-90 (http://www.menopause-metamorphosis.com/)
by Susun S. Weed
As the menopausal years draw to a close and you find yourself
more stable in your new self, feeling more like your “old
self” as you become your older self, it is time to
manifest the last stage of initiation: rebirth.
You've spent time in some form of isolation as you journeyed
the unpredictable years of menopause. You have given death
to your images of yourself as Maiden, as Mother. You have
crowned yourself, or been crowned as, Crone. Your metamorphosis
is complete. Now comes the time to return to your community.
To assume your new roles.
You return as Crone. You hold your wise blood inside. You
have learned how to spiral the updrafts of hot flashes.
You have learned detachment in the midst of emotional hurricanes.
You have submitted yourself to chaos and have witnessed
the most ancient of all mysteries. How can you share this
with your community?
In the days of the matriarchy, and in some matrifocal cultures
yet, a woman who has completed her menopausal metamorphosis
initiates young men into the ways of love play most pleasing
to women. She is honored as the teller of truth and the
keeper of peace. She is the one the tradition keeper and
the people's link to the spirit world.
Today, there are no givens. We are each free to choose
our own role as Crone. A ritual of commitment helps others
know what your new roles will be.
Here is one example to guide you.
For this ritual, gather an audience of friends, family,
and significant others, the more the better. You could compare
it, at least in mood, to a wedding or a christening. Wait
until at least thirteen moons after your Crone's Crowning
ceremony before doing this ritual.
Let there be music and sweet scents as you gather. At the
appointed time, call everyone together to join hands. You
alone remain outside the circle.
When the circle is complete, begin a hum, vibrating from
the feet. Let it move and spiral until the group energy
feels whole. With the hum of the group supporting you, ask
nourishment, breath, and inspiration, the powers of the
east, to be present. Ask heat, protection, and excitement,
the powers of the south, to be present. Ask emotion, fluidity,
and compassion, the powers of the west, to be present. Ask
stillness, patience, and wisdom, the powers of the north,
to be present. Ask the above and the below to be present.
Ask the inner core of each person to be present.
Ask the circle to open and include you, symbolizing your
return to community life. In your own words affirm: “I
stand before you as self-initiated Crone, woman of wholeness.
Though I have lived for many years, I expect to live for
many more. Today, and for the rest of my life, I ask you
to accept and honor me as Crone. And I wish to commit to
you, my community and family, my intention as Crone to.
. . “
(Speak your intent.)
The oldest woman present gives you a ball of yarn; she
holds the end. You move around the circle, unwinding a long
continuous thread into everyone's outstretched hands. When
you're done, ask everyone to stretch the yarn taut between
their hands, close their eyes and think of something they
would like to end. After a minute of silence, begin to move
to your right around the circle, cutting the yarn between
their hands and saying, in your own words: “I am She-Who-Holds-Her-Wise-Blood-Inside.
I have crowned myself Crone and accepted the responsibility
of giving death. I cut the thread. I set it free.”
When you finish, invite each person to keep the yarn or
to place it in a special basket, to be left outdoors as
a give-away.
To close, hum as before, asking the entire circle to join
you. Thank the energies and attributes of the seven directions
(inside, below, above, north, west, south, and east). Then,
let there be feasting and dancing, music and pleasure, flowers
and feathers, spring water and herbal wine, lit candles
and lovely clothing. You have completed your menopausal
years. You are truly Crone, woman of wholeness.
This ceremony marks the beginning, of your new identity
as Crone. Most older women I spoke with felt they didn't
fully settle into their new self image until the age of
60, or after their second Saturn return.
Juliette de Bairacli Levy's Introduction:
(http://www.wisewomanbookshop.com/) "This
book shows very well Susun's great knowledge of herbs; she
is clearly an herbalist deeply informed by her quarter century
of intimate dialogues with people, plants, and animals.
I consider her one of the mothers of herbal medicine in
the United States."
To read the full introduction go here
http://www.wisewomanbookshop.com/
Your web site is wonderful. I have
one of your books and studied under a wonderful and beautiful
Herbalist that praised you often. So when I happened accross
your site I was so happy to see you online. Thank you for
offering your teachings and wisdom in this format. Thank
you again. Gail
Vibrant, passionate, and involved, Susun Weed has garnered
an international reputation for her groundbreaking lectures,
teachings, and writings on health and nutrition. She challenges
conventional medical approaches with humor, insight, and
her vast encyclopedic knowledge of herbal medicine. Unabashedly
pro-woman, her animated and enthusiastic lectures are engaging
and often profoundly provocative.
Susun is one of America's best-known authorities on herbal
medicine and natural approaches to women's health. Her four
best-selling books are recommended by expert herbalists
and well-known physicians and are used and cherished by
millions of women around the world. Learn more at www.susunweed.com
http://www.menopause-metamorphosis.com/
Alternative Approaches, Home Remedies, and Herbs for Women.
Your body knows more about menopause than your doctor does!
Learn more about the stages of menopause
the Wise Woman Way.
http://www.menopause-metamorphosis.com/An_Art_Gallery.htm
If you enjoyed the art in the article on-line or
if you are interested in art reflecting the great metamorphosis
called menopause,come visit the art gallery for more.
If you are an artist and you would like to show in our on-line
gallery please contact us at susunweed@herbshealing.com