Welcome October

I plan to post images of the Crone throughout the month of October. As we go deeper into the darker months of autumn and winter what better way to honor those days then with beautiful images of the crone.

The Crone or dark mother is the last aspect of the Triple Goddess, together with the Mother and the Maiden she represents part of the circle of life. This aspect is the most often misunderstood of the three as she represents our destruction, decay and death. Here, as in nature, the death of Winter is followed by the promise of rebirth in the Spring. Her color is black and she is associated with the waning or new moon, Autumn and Winter.
In her positive aspect she is often depicted as a Grandmother, a wise woman, or a midwife. The word Crone is derived from the old word for crown, suggesting the wisdom that emanates from the head like a halo. Her own child baring days are past; she is the wisdom keeper, seer and healer and midwife, whose knowledge is sought out to guide others during life's hardships and transitions. 
Today as woman live longer they have grown to reclaim their power. The Crones encourage us to be wild and free, they show us the strength and courage within us all.