THE CRONING*
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     When a woman feels that the sparsity of her flow of
blood warrants it, she may do the Rite of Croning.  She
should invite all her female friends to a solemn circle.  Let
them all be clothed in wise black (or, if that makes you feel
uncomfortable, blue).  Let the woman closest to her make a
comfortable couch and meal for her.  She should then tell the
gathered women of all the great things the new Crone has
accomplished.  Let a young daughter make for her a garland of
flowers and place it on her head, and the young woman saying:
 
          "OUR GREAT MOTHER IS THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE.  UNTO
          HER BOTH THE FLOW AND THE EBB, BOTH THE WAXING AND
          THE WANING, ARE HOLY.  THEREFORE, ON THIS DAY DO WE
          HONOR YOU, BELOVED GRANDMOTHER, GIVER OF LIFE AND
          SOURCE OF GREAT WISDOM.  AND I PRAY THAT FROM THIS
          DAY FORWARD YOU MIGHT COUNSEL ME AND MY SISTERS IN
          MATTERS OF EARTH.  I PRAY THAT I MIGHT BE WORTHY TO
          RECIECE YOUR COUNSEL."
 
     Let the new crone say:
 
          "PRAISED BE OUR GREAT MOTHER WHO HAS PLACED WITHIN
          ME THE RHYTHM OF LIFE FOREVER AND EVER.  PRAISED BE
          OUR GREAT MOTHER WHO IS BOTH THE FLOW AND THE EBB,
          THE WAXING AND THE WANING.  PRAISED BE OUR GREAT
          MOTHER WHO IS ALL INTELLIGENCE AND ALL WISDOM.
          PRAISED BE OUR GREAT MOTHER WHO HAS MADE ME IN HER
          IMAGE."
 
She should then select three fruits from the bowl and say:
 
          "SUCH ARE THE FRUITS OF OUR GREAT MOTHER'S LABORS.
          AND THESE FRUITS ARE CALLED JOY, WISDOM, AND LOVE."
 
     She takes a bite of each, and passes them around the
circle for all to take a bite of.  She then takes a piece of
the bread and says:
 
          "SUCH IS THE FLESH OF OUR GREAT MOTHER THROUGH WHOM
          WE PARTAKE OF THE PLEASURES OF THE FLESH."
 
     She passes the bread around for all the take a bite of.
She raises aloft a chalice of red wine and says:
 
          "SUCH IS THE BLOOD OF OUR GREAT MOTHER WHO IS THE
          WAXING AND WANING OF THE MOON, THE EBB AND FLOW OF
          THE TIDES."
 
     She then passes the wine around for all the taste.
     Now is the time for feasting and celebration, and for
     the new Crone to divine and counsel.

     
*See She Lives! by Judith Laura.