Crone Crown

Fanny: “You might call her a crone, if you're brave.”

Raquel: “This track is about the changing definition of the terms crone and hag over time, which became terms of abuse in the late fourteenth century. You might notice this coincides with the European witch hunts, since that time female knowledge has been vilified.

This track is about reclaiming the term crone. You’ll hear part of a conversation with Fanny Eaton Hall and poems written by Fanny Eaton Hall and Mary Crowder.

Fanny: “that one has hag definition (mumbled)....... But you see, you see, this is interesting 'cause it keeps going an ugly or evil looking old woman. But isn't that the whole point is that when we get old, we suddenly become frightening. I don't know, you know?

“…an unattractive middle aged, or slightly older woman. The term is commonly used to describe hysterical, ugly women in positions of power.”

“And I think part of it is that older women don't have anything to lose as it were and were a bit more forthright and outspoken. Yeah? which my favourite badge of the 70s Wicked witches were invented by frightened men. You know? that sums it up for me!

The Sorceress by Fanny Eaton

There lives an old woman at the top of our road,

Who wears bright clothes of purple and gold,

and she walks through the park head high and so bold,

I think she sounds so exciting.

For she talks as she walks to her cockapoo dogs,

asking them whether they want to sniff logs,

and pulling them back from licking hedgehogs,

then home where they sit on her feet as she's writing.

She's worked most of her life though she doesn't see old,

at enabling others to find words so their stories are told,

breaking free from feeling so numbing and cold,

helping pull back the mind’s dark safety curtain.

But it's not what she says that makes it alright,

nor the hand holding and empathy shown for their plight,

it's the listening to what haunts from night after night,

until she hears words that unlock and burden.

Fanny: That’s because I used to work with victims of sexual abuse, domestic violence and rape, so - and I think - but - I think that is an element of the older woman as well, the ability to sit and listen and to listen attentively.

Fanny: “I prefer the terms Mature, Elder, Matriarch, but I also rather enjoy Crone even Hag! These terms seem to recognise an accumulation of experience and knowledge over a long life. For example, The definition of Matriarch is “An older woman who is powerful within a family, tribe or organisation.

Crone, or hag, were once positive “Crone comes from crown, indicating wisdom emanating from the head; hag comes from hagio meaning holy; and witch comes from wit meaning wise.”

Fanny: “The accumulation of experience brings other benefits: so for a lot of women, postmenopausal you become you! You finally become, come into yourself and you're not bothered by what other people think about you, you know, it doesn't matter anymore because you are you.”

Senior

No longer young desirable gives a

steep

drop-off from unwanted attention.

We do not learn from our mistakes but

freedom

from the anguish of what others think.

Ageing is only a concept a

relief

from expectations of our life plan.

Memories shift offer

liberation

from the threatening past.

Growing old is an illusion

toothless

soft food, playing with grandchildren.

Daytime power-naps

alleviate

doing chores, entertaining bores.

Hearing shrinkage we tune-in unseen

listen

to others secrets.

Raw is still raw yet

gives

confidence to embrace possibilities.

Wrinkled contours show

Pedigree of

care, experience, laughter.

Tired aching energises

brazenness

to roar our roar: The proudness of

senior.

Fanny: “I want to challenge the stereotype that that we are used up, dried up, dull brained, set in our ways, have nothing to give to society.

“An old crone is full of life’s experiences, inner knowing, wisdom and intuition.”

Outro: (Sound of Fanny laughing)… “excellent, fabulous, fabulous.”

Raquel: “You heard the voices of Fanny Eaton Hall and Mary Crowder.”