You say 'hag' like it's a bad thing? Harridan, besom.... CRONE! For too long, the Dark Crone has waited for you to wake in the darkness and find her. For too long, you have shunned the wisdom, strength, and etched beauty of the ancient one. Turn out the light. She's waiting for you.

The Dark Crone embodies the full mysteries of life itself. She is the gatekeeper to all that comes next. In Her face, you see the reflections of all one finds in a life's journey. You will want to look away. Instead, look deeper. Like the dark of the moon, she makes us face the darkness within us. Not darkness as in "evil", "bad", or "wrong", but darkness as in the womb, the cave, the seed bed for all that is possible. To embrace the Dark Crone is to embrace all that life has to bring... the bitter and the sweet, the reveling and the regret, the joy and the sorrow. Her dance is slow, deliberate, and expert. Her embrace is both fragile and strong. Do not rush to Cronehood, but welcome Her when she arrives. She has much to teach you. Photo credit: Glen Morgan

Do not seek the Dark Crone for all that is 'love and light'. She may not be your worst nightmare, but neither is she your warm and fuzzy grandmother. She will reflect back to you all you need to work on and all you have avoided, while shining that very positive light around yourself. She will laugh at your foibles, poke you where it aches, and is more likely to pull your hair than to stroke it lovingly. There is still fire in her eyes and and in her belly, but she's earned her fire-walking status and she expects you to do the same. And you do that in the dark.