Older women as crone: A radical imaginary for the common good.

Abstract

Feminine traits associated with crone consciousness can help solve many challenges that North American societies face today. This descriptive study demonstrates how six older women, ages 63-74, who identify as crones, contribute significantly as board members, mentors, social workers, daughters, mothers, coaches, and community members. Crones were part of ancient prehistorical cultures and portrayed as wise healers. After the 1400s, the crone is often depicted as ugly, decrepit, repulsive, and threatening. Today, crone consciousness is reemerging, especially in older women, as qualities of wisdom, inner knowing, and intuition. A crone-like person can be an instrument for transformative justice. Phase 1 of this study, n = 84 with an average age of 67, built on a set of crone attributes from previous research, providing a more nuanced description of what it means to be a crone and a leader in the 21^st century. In this follow-up study, Phase 2, the researcher used models and applications from the theory of the Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM) to describe crone consciousness in action. People in positions of power commit epistemic injustices when they prevent those of all genders from enlivening the crone archetype and acting for the common good. When many leaders focus on competition and economic prosperity at the expense of many, working for the common good might be considered a radical imaginary. This study contributes to a growing literature on crones, providing contemporary real-world examples of an ancient and reviving consciousness.