Becoming a Crone

Oh I am enjoying this thread - informative, interesting and fun - pagans, druids et al thank you - I've not quite reached my cronedom - not long to go - but I have the wisdom to recognise & appreciate such lively posts - thanks gransnetters. As for flowers from the hedgerows - where I was brought up in the tough inner city we were lucky to see a dandelion .... ?

I imagine a crone to have a hook nose with a big wart on it. Perhaps with a broomstick in the corner and a black cat curled up next to the cauldron. Maybe with a crystal ball on the table ?

Well, NanKate, I think that is what the Druids are describing, but with flowers in their hair

What am I now? Over 80, so am I something different? Have I become a grand crone ?

Only if your hook nose is very large, the warts have multiplied and the cat has had kittens, also all black.

dbDB77 thank you for your comments. I don't post threads that often but I do try to find something unusual and hopefully not too contentious. Nice to know its appreciated.

Don't tell me that owning a kitten is a pre-requisite of becoming a Crone!
Kittens grow into cats

Precisely.

Oh, I can’t wait to tell the Offspring that I am now officially a Crone! I’ve been known as Nanny Og ever since I became a gran and they’re all convinced I’m a bit witchy.Perhaps I should investigate my hidden abilities. Do I need a wand?

In my mind a crone is an ancient (or maybe only overworked) Greek lady with a wrinkled face and not many teeth dressed in black leading a donkey......while her husband sit smoking with his cronies in the kafenion

I could borrow a cat as long as I can give it back again as soon as possible!

I'm sure there are alternatives to cats...how about a toad?

Or: " mouse, ferret, hare, bat, snake, dog or bird (particularly the raven or owl"

Besom buddies = crone cronies?

This is all very interesting! If only young people (which these days seems like most under 50) would realize what a lot there is to learn from us oldies. (Most of us!) Then again, when you're young, you're not necessarily wise enough to do that, so it's all a bit confusing!

And as both Lady Bracknell and Miss Havisham could actually be understood when they spoke, any similarities can only be good.

Papa John was lovely, wasn't he? My Mum always fancied him a bit! I'm not certain but I think 'crony' is connected to Kronos/chronos, the idea being 'life-long friend' or 'old friend' ... if Kronos is letting my memory serve.

We really do have a lot to learn from the East about this. Sad that it's been twisted and/or forgotten in our own heritage, but nice that this thread has brought some of that to light.

I'm not a crone but I frequently drone!