Podcast transcript:
Hello and welcome to NOT YOUR MAMA, a Soulful Storytelling podcast dedicated to be responsible for self for the higher good. I am your host Misha Van Horn. Thanks so much for listening…
Hey there, this is Misha. Thanks for listening to NOT YOUR MAMA. This piece is something that I wrote for a croning ceremony, which is a ceremony for our older Wise Women. So the terms Maiden, Mother and Crone signify the different cycles of being a woman. So the maiden is the child, the mother is just that the mother-and it doesn’t mean that you actually have to be a mother. It’s the phase of life that you would become a mother. And then the Crone phase, which is the one right after that. It’s the phase of the grandmother essentially.
Ten or fifteen of us maidens and mother’s honored our crone sisters throughout the day. We shared stories together, broke bread, drank wine, created a bonfire, made music, sang and danced with each other. We had a foot-washing ceremony that signified us younger women honoring our wise woman-caring for them as they have cared for us, and cleansing them before crossing the threshold of their life’s next Journey as the wise woman- as the Crone. I wrote this poem in my 20’s and offered it at the croning ceremony that day which I offer to you now. It’s called Wombanini Crown The Crone.
You are present with us, focused on our conversation
In ways us Maidens & Mothers can only contemplate in
With wise ears & understanding eyes
You smile with content & knowing,
But remain present with our stories
You allow us our newborn experience
Even though we may have had them a thousand times before
And you a thousand more…
You hear our fresh thoughts that are ancient,
Old ideas that we make innovative
And you receive us poised & polished,
Still with your gifted presence- you’re open-ended
Expanding love essence & we can all begin anew.
You keep us young & encourage us to encompass
All of our luscious beauty.
You grow us acutely wise
By being alive and here-
With your ears & eyes knowing, & your silky gentle touch
And we love you so much
For such caring & caress
We are so blessed to be in the presence
Of such solid gentleness
Because we are a mess at times
And I find it helpful to hear your council
And it may be a mouthful & an ounce-ful of reprimand
But it’s because you understand – you WANT to lend a hand
You can see our compromised state-
The wool over our fresh wide eyes
And demand of us our utmost greatness
Because you have faith in us, because you relate to us
With love & sincerity you tell it straight to us
(So sorry to ever make you wait for us)
We are a youthful you
And You are the sexy wise women we can only dream to become
You are so much fun!
I feel like a chosen one to have you in my life.
You are the creator of all precious life!
Our Earth mothers, old crone witches,
My sister bitches & cunt-loving friends-
You’ll always be mothers, but now your role
Is Grandmother hen-
You ignite something in me that only Crone sisters’ can.
You hold a world-class position as the sacred healer-
Your intuition is a gift, my sweet herbs-Womyn dealer.
You give freely from the heart,
Which is open, glowing & centered-
You’ve entered your final portion of this body’s existence
And you wear it well.
From this moment on I wish for you to only be
Respected, honored, & adored
As I know you have abhorred so much of the opposing side
In this lifetime, which keeps you in the place of knowing.
My wish for us is to follow in the footsteps
Of the Wise-Womyn Croning.
Thanks for listening. This is Misha. You can find more information out at itsnotyourmama.com
Intro Music: You Roll With Me by Mike Nowa https://www.melodyloops.com/tracks/you-roll-with-me/
Music: Velvet Ladder by TinyTiny Trio https://www.sessions.blue/?fwp_search=velvet%20ladder&fwp_mood=2
