Honoring Lived Experience

As a spiritual counselor in my mid-50s, I’m in the pretty cool position of often being the youngster in my professional life. I’m surrounded by older mentors, colleagues and friends who fill me up with the gifts of their lived experience.

Dr. Clarissa Pinkola-Estés, a Jungian scholar, poet and cantadora (keeper of the old stories in the Latina tradition) names a certain type of older woman as Crone. Estés says that a Crone is:

“one who sees far, who looks into the spaces between the worlds and can literally see what is coming, what has been, and what is now.

The Crone represents the ability to see, more than just with one’s eyes alone, but to see with the heart’s eyes, with the soul’s eyes, and through the eyes of the creative force.”

As I read this description, I’m struck by how blessed I’ve been to have several Crones in my life.

But as one beloved mentor passed away in 2021 and another is soon retiring, I realize I’m approaching the time when I will emerge as a Crone, and so I must claim to be a Crone-in-training.

To that end, I will soon be launching a monthly gathering of women who together in community want to explore the space between the worlds and practice seeing through the eye of the heart: through guided meditations, art, story sharing and deep listening.

But instead of just launching this new program in an ordinary way, why not launch it in an extraordinary way!

To that end, we are hosting a Crone Carnival on July 22: a fun and soulful festival of art-making, music, drumming, storytelling, connection and conversation.

The feminine essence will be revered, and the more a woman has lived, the more she’ll be exalted for her experience and knowing.

All ages and genders are warmly invited to come and celebrate the Crone.

Tickets are free, but registration is required and donations encouraged to cover expenses and compensate the artists. Click here for info and to register: Crone Carnival

I hope to see you there!

-Carolyn Kolovitz