The Triple Goddess: Maiden, Mother & Crone (Part I)

These are the three phases that a woman embodies throughout her lifecycle.  Just as the world turns around the sun and we witness the changes of the seasons, a woman shifts through her own transitions in a physical, emotional, and spiritual way.  We have chronological milestones of passing from one phase into the next.  These are usually marked with biological and physiological changes in a woman’s body (like the physical act of childbirth or entering menopause.)  But there are also symbolic milestones that mark the passage of one phase to the other and women may express multiple goddess phases at one time.  A forty-year old woman may be well into Mother phase but enters Maiden phase as she experiences a new country for the first time or embarks on a new hobby.  A sixteen-year old Maiden may write poetry that is “wiser-than-her-years” or be nominated for the Nobel Peace prize.  A seemingly frail Crone may glide effortlessly on the dance floor as she exudes confidence and sensuality with every rhythmic step.

As women journey through their lifecycle, they embody all three of these goddesses at any given time.  It is the goddess within who decides to take center stage, and we must honor the energy that she brings to the table. 

The Maiden represents Spring. Dawn. Birth. Early beginnings. Blossoms. Waxing Moon. Curiosity, wonder, and a fresh perspective.  She’s the ever-optimist. She is the spark of a new idea and the pulse to keep it going.  She’s heart-forward and headstrong. Tireless, carefree, and ready for adventure. She is where dreams are formed and where love begins.

The Mother represents Summer and Early Autumn.  Daylight. Abundance. Harvest. Full Moon. Boundless love. Nurturing. Understanding. Refinement. She’s responsible and accountable for her actions.  She is a warm hug.  The lyrics to your favorite song. She is the safest home you've ever known. She pours herself into others and expects nothing in return. 

The Crone represents Late Autumn & Winter. Dusk. Reflection. Release. Waning Moon.  Experience. Wisdom. Sorrow & Grief. She tasks you with the contemplation of mortality and the meaning of life. She is the keeper of the mysteries of the great beyond. Shameless. Without fear. She bears a heavy heart with a gentle hand. She is the witch from our childhood fairytales. Fearsome but enchanting. Often misunderstood and always underestimated. She is last physical manifestation of the Authentic Self.

...continued in part 2