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Spiritual Mastery for the 21st Century
On Croning: An Ancient Ceremony of Merit
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by Dr. Gwen MacGregor |
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“The Crone is the Spinster, the creative spider-woman who weaves the world from her own substance. Weaving a cocoon out of the substance of one’s own life is the necessary prerequisite for the emergence of the psyche: in withdrawing, we prepare a way out.”
From Motherpeace: A Way to the Goddess by Vicki Noble
I recently had the honor to officiate at a croning ceremony held outside of Washington, D.C. The honoree, a 65-year, young matriarch is everything I want to be at that age and more. She is mature, honest, sensual and I have never heard her speak an ill word about anyone. The ritual of croning is dedicated to celebrating and honoring the life of a woman over her ages - the age of immaturity, the age of maturity and the age of mastery. This time-respected ceremony goes back to the beginning of civilization and is witnessing a comeback as so many baby-boomers approach the age of wisdom. The act of croning does not fly in the face of any organized religion or, laws of state. At the recent service, our honoree was a Quaker. Also present were Baptists, Catholics and a Jew. The beauty of rituals such as this is that in the process of croning, we can act in ways that embody the changes we want to take place in the world and in our hearts. We actively intend to be like the wise woman we cherish - more loving, mature, compassionate and yet, still growing.
A woman who calls herself crone is willing to acknowledge her age, wisdom, faults and accept her true power before the Divine. Through conscious self-definition, she assists to reverse hundreds of years of oppression, mistreatment and degradation while exalting a principle of passion that can never be denied. The power of woman. In many ways, this ritual is also designed to give a woman a last, great burst of get-up-and-go before the descent into decay and death. Yes, that sounds harsh to those who are afraid to live but, the Crone does not fear the call of eternity nor give up the life without just cause. She is a torch-bearer and changes with the times, even if that might alienate her from her family, her community or her world. And even if she prefers the term, “Elder” to the less beautiful title of ‘Crone,’ she is nonetheless, assuming a role of gigantic proportions. It means she will work for the good of humanity till the end of her time.
When can you and I assume the throne of the Crone? Some believe as the ancient Hebrews, that neither man nor woman can assume the title of wisdom before 40 years of age. But, in most longer-living societies, crone-ship may start after 49. By honoring the cycles of humanity and the Earth, continuing to grow and be the role model of passion and wisdom, many woman are putting on the mantle of the Elder every day now in our world. And, as we watch so many of Earth’s societies being decimated by negative male sponsorship and activity, the power of the Crone will begin to rise proportionately to the damage done by violence, anger and mass death. You see, the power of the Crone may personify and exalt death at its most meaningful, but, she does not worship it for its power to end civilizations - only reveres it as a passageway of ascension.
As history has shown us over thousands of years, the energy of the Female Divine has over time been weakened by men and woman who sought only outer power reflective of greed, narcissism and physical weakness. Many ancient societies were governed by wisdom-led matriarchs who were female warriors of light utilizing their physical and spiritual energies to maintain balanced and positive social environments. Their societies embraced rituals that honored positive change within an individual, male or female and honored all life. They never would have eliminated boy children as without potential, as we witness girls being slaughtered all over our planet today. Crones revere life and are often referred to as spiritual-midwives, showing us the birth of wisdom within each and every one of us.
Today, aging is often viewed as a negative part of life. It is seen as anti-beautiful, anti-healthy and not to be cherished. With the advent of a great deal of our U.S. population falling over the age of 50, there is a challenge in the air as to whether our intelligence and compassion will take us now down the road of respect or humiliation as we age into the future. Studies show that elder workers are some of the best. AARP constantly lobbies and rallies our seniors to not give in to apathy, entropy and a loss of dignity. Now is the time to remember what you have to offer to society; a lifetime of learning and growing. And that applies to you also Ms. Housewife! The duties of Crone do not only apply to the college-educated, working woman. We all have a role to play as beacons of enlightenment, challenging aging laws and norms that exist only to hurt all growth. I have noticed that many woman cherish the title, “Grandma,” more than they ever loved to be called, Mom. Who knew? All along, we have been heading towards the only title with real power to change and justify a society’s existence.
“There are no specific elements which are necessarily a part of the croning ceremony. Generally the ritual is developed by those who have been croned or, in conjunction with the new crones.”
Helen Lane - UU Church Of Needham, MA
The ceremony I led for our beloved crone was a mixture of light, smell, sound, the four elements and a lot of love. We began with a lighting ceremony and a reading of wisdom passages relating to crone-ship from its many aspects all over the world. A candle was placed before the initiate to represent her being able to assume the mantle of “Beacon of Light.” Next, we called forth the spirits/angels of the Four Directions through invocation and praise. We set up a golden ring of power around our group, with every woman and man pouring forth their power into our circle of light. This “ring” brings healing, comfort and boosts individual power allowing participants to bask in the glow of fellowship. We proceeded to light a chakra tree as we individually stood before the Crone and exalted her activation into this most holy of kinships. Each of us gave her a gift of ourselves. She was given a veil to celebrate her mystery, a shawl to represent her mantle of authority and respect, a neolithic figure of woman to show her spiritual lineage on Earth and other gifts all slated to enhance her power and yes, showmanship!
As the gift-giving and ritual healing finished up, each of us blessed water held in the cup of the Spider Woman. The spider brings the power of oral tradition and family history to each crone. Spider magic allows us to be soothsayers, story tellers and magi as we weave tales of glory and the old days for the crones to come. In acceptance, we stepped before our Crone and placed our symbols of power in water upon her body. It was then her turn to speak to us of her wisdom as she shared images and stories with us. She was crowned at the last and swore to uphold the wisdom and compassion of the ages through her thoughts, words and deeds. She indeed accepted her position as role model and strength to the next generation. Our honoree’s body glowed and she emanated the beauty of the ages. Not one of us saw her earthly age - only the beauty of the timeless soul.
So, are you ready to accept new leadership on Earth? Led by wise elders, both male and female. We are at the proverbial crossroads for a generation and I want to see victory soon. After the major shift in potential that occurred this past October 17th, I think we all should be investing more time in setting our sights for the Crone Chair of Power. Not living towards death, but, living towards spiritual ascension with tolerance, mercy and wisdom dogging our every step.
Dr. Gwen G. MacGregor
November 9, 2006
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Dr. Gwen G. MacGregor,
Intuitive, Life Counselor Master's Studies Teacher, and Certified Hypnotherapist
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Dr. Gwen G. MacGregor is a nationally recognized intuitive life coach and metaphysical teacher with clients in 37 states and 7 countries.
She is also a Certified Transpersonal Hypnotherapist with a thriving practice helping clients modify addictive thinking through spiritual, mental and magical means.
Conducting seminars and Master's Classes nationwide, she travels several months out of each year to such cities as Charlotte, NC, Charleston, SC, Philadelphia, PA, Los Angeles, CA and Pittsburgh, PA, to name but a few.
Dr. MacGregor has successfully consulted with over 2,000 clients across the United States and abroad utilizing her skills as a gifted clairvoyant-life coach, hypnotherapist, tarot and palm reader. While she is originally from New York and Washington, DC, she currently makes her home in Annapolis, MD near the Severn River.
Gwen believes in being an on-going activist and just recently stepped down from her work as an empowerment director for 18 years with the Good Knight Campaign for Protection - a national non-profit organization dedicated to stopping crime and violence against children.Her full-time volunteering allowed her to work with thousands of children and their families.
Today, she still emphasizes the "champion" within all children, whether they be 6 or 60 years old and she conducts workshops challenging adults and children to fulfill their true potential through community volunteering, character development and self-esteem boosting on
physical, mental and spiritual levels. She has worked with "Indigo"children for most of her adult life.
Dr. Gwen has also volunteered for the American Red Cross, and The Washington Home Hospice of Washington, D.C.
Dr. MacGregor is a regular contributor on radio stations in Washington, DC, Baltimore and Annapolis and has appeared as a guest on the "Art Bell Show." She has also appeared on "Inside Edition," "America's Most Wanted," and the New Age television series, "Strange Universe."
Known for her clear receptionand accurate spirit readings, she is often called upon to assist in locating missing children, and has consulted on Civil Defense Air and Sea Rescue Missions. Her work with angels and spiritual mastery led to a splendid article being written in The Washington Post.
She consults with medical doctors, acupuncturists, psychologists and chiropractors to assist in patient diagnosis. She has been teaching for Prince George's & Howard County, MD, Community Colleges,' Continuing Education Programs for over 10 years as well as conducting ongoing Master's Classes in Ascension Studies. Dr. MacGregor has a B.A. in Sociology (U of MD), an M.S. inSocial Work (U of MD), a Doctorate in Divinity (ULC-CA) and a ChT in Transpersonal Hypnotherapy (NATH).
Dr. MacGregor regularly takes her innovative approach to intuitivecounseling on the road presenting informative seminars at community centers, corporate board rooms, festivals and New Age Expos. Her individual spiritual consultations address issues such as personal health, success, loving relationships and self-empowerment techniques for corporations and individuals. She is a distinguished Reiki Master, and incorporates healing touch and esoteric ceremonial techniques into much of her work.
As a spiritual counselor and clairvoyant, Gwen G. MacGregor has dedicated the last 26 years of her life to promoting balanced spiritual and physical integration. Her readings move clients to take greater responsibility for their own lives and success. According to Dr. MacGregor, "We have been sent here [to Earth] to learn about love and experience all kinds of compassionate relationships.
Once we take responsibility for our actions and our own happiness, the destiny we were born into becomes a natural progression forus." Gwen's next (and current) project is a new book celebrating "Mastery for Our New Dimension." She hopes to have it finished by late Fall!
Dr. MacGregor may be reached by phone at:
(410) 280-0185
or by email at:
DrGwenGMacGregor@
aol.com
for appointments, classes, hypnotherapy sessions, reading parties, or interviews concerning metaphysical writings or services.
Her website address is:
www.drgwengmacgregor.
com
Notes from
Dr. MacGregor:
Dr. MacGregor's Schedule for August, 2006:
Friday's and Saturday's thru August - Taking appointments at Insight Concepts in Annapolis, Md
Will be available for phone sessions during the week as well as local Hypnotherapy Sessions in Annapolis, MD
Teaching Master's Studies classes every Tuesday and Thursday evening during the month.
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