Croning Ceremony

Needed:

  • Crown (for the celebrant)
  • Chalices
  • Wine/juice
  • Bell

Clothing Color:

  • Council and Staff: White
  • Celebrant: Black

Cast the circle.

The Guardian of the East rings their bell once, stating: "Guardian of the East,
Power of air
Bearer of the wand,
I invoke thee,
Morning Light and mountain crags,
Wind dancer,
Eagle of the Gray Dawn
Send your essence, come! Be here now!"

The Guardian of the South rings their bell once, stating: "Guardian of the South
Power of Fire
Bearer of the Sword,
I invoke thee,
Blood and flame, Life and will,
Desert Lord,
Send your essence, come! Be here now!"

The Guardian of the West rings their bell once, stating: "Guardian of the West,
Power of Water
Bearer of the Cup,
I invoke thee.
Water Womb, Pool of Hidden thought
Serpent of Twilight,
Send your essence, Come! Be here now!"

The Guardian of the North rings their bell once, stating: "Guardian of the North
Power of Earth
Bearer of the Pentacle,
Death and Spirit, Grove and Grotto
Keeper of the Crystal Cave,
Bull of Black Night,
Send your essence, come! Be here now!"

All Sing: "Lady Lady listen to my hearts song
Lady Lady listen to my hearts song
I will never forget you, I will never forsake you,
I will never forget you, I will never forsake you!"

EbonyDoe: "We are gathered here tonight to honor (member). and entering the Wise Age. Her proper title is from now on among women "Young Crone".
Behold the Crone
Dancer of Time
Completion of the Sacred Cycle

She Who is Wisdom
Beloved, respected and feared
Honored as Grandmother, Ancestress and Hag

In the end ~ there is beginning,
Death brings Birth, Life renews through Her

Behold the Crone, Dance of Time
Mother of worlds, Maiden of re-birth
Child of the next generation

Dancing through Time
She who cuts the cords of life and death,
Grandmother of all

The Crone comes,
Silently, powerfully, relentlessly
Crossing space and time,
Holding the threads of life and death
Mistress of endings and beginnings

Celebrant: Speaking through elders
I am the Crone.
The Grandmother — The wisdom of Age,
I am Hecate, I am Kali, I am the Eternal One

I cross space and time
Holding the threads of life and death,
Mistress of endings and beginnings

I am the completion of the Cycle
Maiden — Mother — Crone,
I have come as the Goddess,
And in me all life renews
All things are possible

The Crone comes dancing
Silently, powerfully, relentlessly,
To all

One by one each person takes a sip from their chalice and relates a story about the celebrant, and asks the celebrant for a memory about a time in their life.

EbonyDoe: "Who is the Crone you ask? A Crone is a woman who has reached wisdom in her heart, who is called on in disputes to arbitrate, who is called on in despair to sooth the wounds, a young Crone who is everybody's older sister.
Who else is the Crone you ask? a young Crone is the Goddess in her third aspect; she is Magera, she is Hecate, she is the Goddess of unbound power.
Folklore has it that Crones bring good luck when you see them on the streets, if they smile on you, you will have a very good day. They appear in important times to show the grace of the goddess. Crones' wishes must be respected for the Goddess demands this from the younger generation.
Crones enjoy special favors, their magic is stronger, their spells are faster, their loves are stronger.
The paths you have walked have presented you with many options. Your life has been rich with experience, and filled with both sorrow and joy. Your teachers have gone on, and now you must assume their role. There are many who look to you now, eyes filled with wonder, hearts open, ready to learn. Now you must decide whether or not to honor your own teachers by following their steps. You possess more than just the answers. You have learned the questions."

All: "Bless you (name) with good health, happiness, and long life!"

EbonyDoe: “We present you with your Crone Jewel, to remind you that you are our teacher, our beloved sister, and Crone of the Goddess.”

Afterwords the celebrant places their crown upon their head.

Celebrant: “I traveled the road from my mother's breasts to Cronehood. I thank the Goddess for the good seasons that passed, and, oh, I toast the good seasons to come! Blessed be!”

Guardian of the West: “Element of water, thank you for your participation in our ritual. Peace be with you and harm none on your way. Power of water, thank you for your special gifts. Go if you must, stay if you like. Hail and farewell!”

Guardian of the South: “Element of fire, thank you for your participation in our ritual. Peace be with you and harm none on your way. Power of fire, thank you for your special gifts. Go if you must, stay if you like. Hail and farewell!”

Guardian of the East: “Element of air, thank you for your participation in our ritual. Peace be with you and harm none on your way. Power of air, thank you for your special gifts. Go if you must, stay if you like. Hail and farewell!”

Guardian of the North: “Element of earth, thank you for your participation in our ritual. Peace be with you and harm none on your way. Power of earth, thank you for your special gifts. Go if you must, stay if you like. Hail and farewell! Everything comes from the north!”