PANITEOWL:

Blessed Be all are we ready for class yet?

Xori:

{---ready

x Magyar x:

ready here

ViragoWitch:

{- ready, with bells on my ankles and flowers in my hair

x Magyar x:

What is the topic tonight?

PANITEOWL:

Tonight we are discussing the "CRONE" aspect

x Magyar x:

ahhh.very good

Cloudburst:

Definitely ready

PANITEOWL:

{G} . ok . Meli is Logging

PANITEOWL:

Who will Ward?

Red Deer:

ME

PANITEOWL:

thanks RD

PANITEOWL:

Thanks Meli

Red Deer:

may I review etiquette before we start?

PANITEOWL:

sure

Red Deer:

1) Please hold questions and comments until PA asks for them.

Red Deer:

2) Please hold side conversations in IM until class is over.

Red Deer:

3) Should I call for an exclusion, please cease talking to and about the excludee in the room.

Red Deer:

Agreed?

Cloudburst:

yup. Thanks

Xori:

sounds good

Red Deer:

OK, with that, I pass the besom to PA

PANITEOWL:

The triple Goddess is identified as Mother, Maiden, Crone . there is a 4th aspect, Warrior, which encompasses all phases. So the Crone I speak of is not a mild, meek Grandma {G}

PANITEOWL:

My particular favorite is for Hecate so I will concentrate on that aspect

PANITEOWL:

Hecate stands at the crossroads . and is generally regarded as the aid to those passing through the veil

PANITEOWL:

She is nasty, she is funny, she teaches many things. She is not afraid of either side of the veil. She will help when needed, she will chase down those who avoid her and for those who are undecided, she will sit and laugh with glee at their predicament

PANITEOWL:

She does not suffer fools greatly yet she understands the paths each must tread for she knows the "endings" of us all . and she knows the beginnings

PANITEOWL:

Now, to translate that . the Crone aspect, within the craft has special significance

PANITEOWL:

For those who are identified as Crone within a specific Trad it means they have participated, and learned much, and are now in a position to teach

PANITEOWL:

It also means they have achieved an age, and level of experience which puts more responsibility upon them

PANITEOWL:

ok . any questions? Shall I continue?

Red Deer:

go

Xori:

yes, please

ViragoWitch:

please.follow so far

Cloudburst:

go

PANITEOWL:

alright

PANITEOWL:

Each aspect of the Goddess has it's own set of responsibilities and roles to play in the circle of life. For those who are Maiden . it is joyful, and confusing, at times. For Mothers, the Joy increases, as do the problems and responsibilities

PANITEOWL:

Some feel that after Motherhood has passed, Crones just sit in the sun and relax, but in reality, they are now charged with helping more than ever before rather than concentrating on their families, or their own children, they are now obligated to share with others that which they have learned

PANITEOWL:

They can be negotiators, baby-sitters, midwives; but perhaps the most important function is that they are now the ones who will help their loved ones pass over.

PANITEOWL:

They approach a time when death is indeed a reality, for those who are "coming to" Crone stage . it

can be frightening

PANITEOWL:

For those who are afraid of the aged in our society, it may be that they are afraid to look in their own mirrors of vulnerability, yet within Crone stage there is such freedom

Wingsnlght:

it is the same basic fear, Man looking for his place in eternity

PANITEOWL:

there is so much more time for contemplation and reflection

PANITEOWL:

yes, Wings

PANITEOWL:

yet, we are so much busier than I ever thought possible {G}

PANITEOWL:

because at Crone stage, we can focus within for many of our responsibilities have changed

Wingsnlght:

signs of the time, PA

PANITEOWL:

Many women have the "empty nest" syndrome . I often wonder if they are afraid of being with

themselves.

Red Deer:

Psychiatrists speculate fear of being with their husbands, PA {G}

PANITEOWL:

Also, many are afraid of losing the ability to bear children, as if that , and that alone, determined their sexuality

PANITEOWL:

{G} That too, RD

PANITEOWL:

but if you listen to the wisdom of the Craft . and to the lore of the Crone Goddesses . it is not scary at all

PANITEOWL:

In fact . speaking from experience . I'm having the time of my life!!! {G}

ViragoWitch:

good!

PANITEOWL:

Please don't think I have forgotten the Sages, in this discussion

PANITEOWL:

because they too are progressing, and they too are following an inevitable path

PANITEOWL:

so, IMHO . enjoying each stage is the best part of living within the craft.

PANITEOWL:

Now . lets talk about how each views aging .

PANITEOWL:

the floor is open

Wingsnlght:

age is a learning process

PANITEOWL:

ahhhh . but we know people who are older than we, who seem not to have learned much at all {G}

PANITEOWL:

There are a number of "Crone" groups on the Web . and the wisdom and enrichment to be found there are wonderful

PANITEOWL:

If any of you are invited to participate, please do .

Cloudburst:

PA, I seem to aspect a pretty strong Crone, even though I'm not "old enough"{G} - care to

address everybody having all aspects in them somewhere?

PANITEOWL:

Ah Cloud . that's the secret!!! . Yes, each aspect is there and should be nurtured at all times.

That's one of the main things I have a problem with

PANITEOWL:

To neglect the Warrior aspect of all phases is to do a disservice to each one

melilot:

i've never viewed myself as only "one" aspect i'm all

Cloudburst:

I like that - the Dianics I occasionally hang out with "croned" a woman last year who still seems mostly Maiden to me - I kinda envy her lightness

PANITEOWL:

yes, Meli . but I know you, and you are aware of all phases

Cloudburst:

and she's 77!

ViragoWitch:

Wow, Cloud

PANITEOWL:

Yes Cloud . it's wonderful, isn't it?

Cloudburst:

Amazing

PANITEOWL:

The aging process can be very good, or it can be horrible to those who are afraid of aging

PANITEOWL:

For those who think the Crone is "an old Hag"; well, I don't really know how to explain it to them

LordCearnach:

There is an universal and ubiquitous fear of aging. It is how we each embrace that fear that's important and doing so via the Craft helps greatly in seeing the natural importance of it.

LordCearnach:

steps off his beaten soapbox {s}

PANITEOWL:

except to say that the picture of Crone, to me, is very powerful

PANITEOWL:

Yes, Cearnach

PANITEOWL:

What are some of the fears of Croning?

melilot:

wrinkles

PANITEOWL:

c'mon . you all have some opinions {G} I know!!

PANITEOWL:

heheheh . wrinkles are laugh lines Mel {G}

ViragoWitch:

ok. explain cellulite {G}

Cloudburst:

Not having a chance to find some local friends before I'm too old to travel - everyone faded while I was boxed up with my kids' adolescence{G}

PANITEOWL:

uh . padding??? VW . to make old age more comfortable?

ViragoWitch:

LOL.

Cloudburst:

OTOH, cyber friends can be pretty neat.

PANITEOWL:

oh, yes Cloud . but that phase is passing for you, and there will be new experiences

PANITEOWL:

I can remember feeling I was brain dead for about 10 years while raising my kids {G}. Because your focus is on the children, you neglect your own growth

PANITEOWL:

as you pass into Crone . you will find the time to develop more of yourself

Cloudburst:

I know that one. And while the guys were teening we couldn't leave the house much .remind me to tell you the horror stories some time

COOLBREZZE3:

My fear of aging is if i get to old to work will i get by with the money "system"

melilot:

i think the worst fear of croning is to wake up one day and find the world has passed you by and you didn't see it coming

PANITEOWL:

Breeze . I find I have less need for money {G}

PANITEOWL:

Meli . it doesn't have to be that way .

Cloudburst:

Me too, Breeze - if I could afford a financial planner their first words would be "don't ever retire"{G}

Red Deer:

you mean going, meli?

PANITEOWL:

the World can open up to you more than ever before, Mel

melilot:

no just the changes in the world and you were too busy to notice

PANITEOWL:

This is a promise to you all .

Cloudburst:

World passed me by, meli, but I figure I've got a few years top try and catch up{G}

ViragoWitch:

like "whoa, when did it get to be 1997?" {g}

COOLBREZZE3:

i myself have no need for money

PANITEOWL:

If you walk into Crone, with the Goddess figure as a full and complete Moon .you will have more joy than ever before

Red Deer:

One with the Lady & Lord is one with the world - no passing by, even though it sometimes may feel that way!

PANITEOWL:

Right, RD

WISDOM7:

Is joy the objective?

COOLBREZZE3:

im just saying that its hard now 2 get by without it now.

PANITEOWL:

and I don't think I really came to understand that until passing into Crone Stage

PANITEOWL:

No, Wisdom . it's real

PANITEOWL:

the magick becomes "natural" . I don't have to work at it so hard {G}

melilot:

i don't think i notice the passings pa one day i'll just notice hemmmm i'm in the crone mode a lot lately {g}

PANITEOWL:

The "tools" for my craft are pretty much unnecessary because the workings are within me, I don't need the tools to focus as much

PANITEOWL:

Heheheh . Meli . I'll be there to tell ya!!

melilot:

thanks pa cause someone's gonna half to {EG}

PANITEOWL:

the Empathic abilities are increased

PANITEOWL:

and I think {IMHO} because we are nearer the veil we are trying much harder to peer beyond, and listening much more carefully to the ancestors

PANITEOWL:

I have a short test I would like you all to take . are you game?

Cloudburst:

sure

Red Deer:

sure

Arcadea:

ok

ViragoWitch:

game

COOLBREZZE3:

okaley dokely

PANITEOWL:

I will give the 5 statements, you picture them as you will then, I will tell you their meanings and you can interpret your life path as you will

PANITEOWL:

First question:

You are on a path, walking along. Describe the path. Just picture it, or write it down if you wish, to study later.

PANITEOWL:

ok . ready for the next question?

Cloudburst:

yup

Red Deer:

aye

ViragoWitch:

yes

melilot:

yeppers

COOLBREZZE3:

yep

PANITEOWL:

2nd Query . you find a cup along the path . describe it.

PANITEOWL:

ready?

Cloudburst:

yup

COOLBREZZE3:

ready

CJLEO:

yup

ViragoWitch:

aye

PANITEOWL:

3rd Query . you come to a stream . what do you do?

Delbin:

look for turtles

PANITEOWL:

shhhhh . Del . keep it to yourself {G}

PANITEOWL:

ready for the next?

ViragoWitch:

aye

CJLEO:

aye

Cloudburst:

ok

PANITEOWL:

You come to a house, and a person is there . describe the house, and the person.

PANITEOWL:

Let me know when you are ready for the final query

Cloudburst:

ok

Arcadea:

ready

CJLEO:

ok

ViragoWitch:

ok

PANITEOWL:

Last Query . along the path you come to a cave . describe it, and what do you do?

melilot:

meli is walking down a path covered with pea gravel surrounded by foliage. She picks up a earthenware cup, dips cup in water, smells water to see if fresh. English cottage. Studboy. Go in

PANITEOWL:

heheheh . shhhh, Mel {G}

PANITEOWL:

ok . ready to do your interpretations?

melilot:

yep pa {G}

Cloudburst:

sure

ViragoWitch:

i think so.

PANITEOWL:

ok . now remember . this is for your own understanding

LordCearnach:

{{---still trying to figure out how to illustrate a sandtrap {g}

Cloudburst:

{-actually, sorta sure{G}

PANITEOWL:

1. The path you walk, is how you view your life right now . if it is hilly, or narrow, you have difficulties.

If it is broad, well traveled, and comfortable, you are pleased with your current situations.

PANITEOWL:

2, The cup represents friendship. If it is most like chalice . you have, and are a good friend, and friendship is important to you. If it is a paper cup . well, you'd best look for new friends, or figure out what kind of friend you are {G}

melilot:

what if it's styrofoam {EG}

Delbin:

what if it was a glass one?

ViragoWitch:

then you're not environmentally friendly {g}

CJLEO:

what if it is gold chalice

Delbin:

LOL

Red Deer:

rofl

PANITEOWL:

3. The stream is Sexuality . If you use the cup and drink the water {G} . friendship and trust must be a part of you're sexual pleasure. If you leap across the stream . you are avoiding sex. If you jump in, and play, and explore {G} . Meli would like to talk to you {G}

melilot:

heheheheh

ViragoWitch:

LOL

CJLEO:

lol

Red Deer:

me too!

melilot:

meli want's to talk to you {EG}

PANITEOWL:

4. The house, is your home . and how you view it as to it's importance to you.

PANITEOWL:

The person is the "inner you". Do you like and admire the person you described? If the person was of the opposite sex, it means your male/female aspects are in balance

CJLEO:

how about if the house and the people (2) in it are radiant and dressed in white

PANITEOWL:

I'll talk of that later CJ {G}

PANITEOWL:

5. The cave is your feelings about death. If you explore but hurry back out, you're not ready to contemplate it. If you see it as a passage, you feel that death is a passage and will probably reincarnate

PANITEOWL:

The description of the cave itself tells you your view of death

PANITEOWL:

OK . How did everyone like the "test"? {G}

CJLEO:

Loved it, PA

melilot:

great test pa {G}

PANITEOWL:

How close did the test come to where you are now?

Delbin:

i liked it. shows everyone the turtle i caught

melilot:

pretty darn close pa {EG}

ViragoWitch:

pretty bloody close, Owl. scared me a bit, though

Cloudburst:

I like this - beats card readings{G} Can I share my croneish connection?

ViragoWitch:

{please don't give meli my phone number! i followed the stream to the end!}

PANITEOWL:

heheheh . yep Mel, Yep VW . makes you a little uneasy, eh?

PANITEOWL:

heheheh VW

melilot:

hehehe vw

ViragoWitch:

more than a bit, Owl

PANITEOWL:

there is one more thing to know about the test

Cloudburst:

yes?

CJLEO:

yes???

melilot:

it's only a test {G}

PANITEOWL:

It is also to show that each has their own path . it is yours alone. And when you can look at the path objectively, you can change it {G}

Delbin:

I hope i didn't fail

melilot:

at least i got foliage to make up for that pea gravel {G}

Cloudburst:

Nobody fails, Del

PANITEOWL:

Only if you think you did Del . then look at it and see what you would change

Delbin:

okay Pa

PANITEOWL:

heheheh . ok, y'all . that's the Crone Wisdom for the day, hope you enjoyed it {G}

melilot:

it was great pa {G} wonderful

Cloudburst:

terrific

Red Deer:

EXCELLENT PA

PANITEOWL:

Blessed Be . Class is OUT!! {G}

ViragoWitch:

thanks, Owl. nicely done, hon! {{{{{{{}}}}}}}}

Red Deer:

and a thousand thank you's

Arcadea:

loved it Owl

Annwyn2:

Thanx teach. Sorry was late

PANITEOWL:

I know most of you are no where near Crone stage . but trust me, you'll get here sooner or later . so don't be afraid . it's fun!!

Cloudburst:

{VBEG} mood people are in tonight, I bet when the bell rang they all started racing for the creek{G}

ViragoWitch:

{- is still asleep in the back of the cave

PANITEOWL:

heheheh . Cloud, you'll never cross a stream again without thinking of it {G}

PANITEOWL:

ah, VW . you saw it as a place of rest . good aspect!!