AGELESS BEAUTY

​September 20, 2016
POSTED IN WRITING from my old website
                   This past week-end I was honored as a crone by my community of women and my family. In our society older women are marginalized and often put into powerless roles. We are told over and over again that our bodies aren’t beautiful, that we have nothing to say and we should be happy to sit in a rocking chair in front of the T.V. Luckily for me, my faith has created rituals of passages for women transitioning from one part of their lives into another based on our monthly cycles of life. For example, when we as women first bleed , or give birth to children or ideas and when we lose our blood. This last transition is anything other than weak or unimportant. This is the time where we step into real power gained through experience, throwing off the shackle of motherhood, jobs,  and the opinions of others. It s a time of re-connecting to our dreams, our freedom and the beauty of life. Here are some of my re-claiming statements.
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 I was silent, but now I claim my words.
I was a victim of abuse, but now I claim my body as my own.
I was distant, but now I claim the joy of hugging.
I was unhappy, but now I claim laughter as my own.
I was clumsy, but now I claim the freedom to dance my own dance.
I was fearful, but now I claim the courage to be myself.
I was stupid, but now I claim my instinct as wise and real.
I was embarrassed of my faith, but now I claim the right to be a pagan, priestess, healer and witch.
I’ve been a daughter, sister, mother, friend, wife, lover, teacher, musician and now I claim all these parts as my own and step into being a whole woman.
        My daughter, Amrita, wrote something which warmed my heart and I know the legacy of trying to live my life well and with integrity was heard.

         Mom, I am so proud of you that we are here to celebrate this new stage in your life for you as a crone. Your wisdom signified by this ritual is remarkable and honorary.
I hold dear to my heart the magic you have brought into my life along with so many others.
You have lived life to the fullest first as a young maiden where you were up for any adventure. I have learned your crazy stories of backpacking through Europe thinking to myself you must have had one hell of a guardian angel. As a mother of three, you were the rock in my life, you were and are my support system. You were and are a strong woman who both taught me my own strength and independence as well as how to laugh, love, cry and sing. Now you have reached in many ways the most honorable stage of your life as a crone. I hope you celebrate your regained independence and inner wildness. As a crone you have walked this earth longer than most. Your knowledge of the world is divers, making you a leader to teach others your magic. I hope this new stage in your life is at times serene and peaceful but also wild and free.
“Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue.” Buddha
I was in tears when I heard this and I know that my other two daughters who live far away feel the same. And I knew that I’d raised three glorious beings.
The Goddess has been my guardian and I’m eternally grateful for her protection and guidance through the tough times and the times of joy.
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