8 - The Crone

[AeonHorus]

In this second phase we will journey from 8 ~ The Crone through to 14  ~ The Sidhe, and we will together inaugurate the powers of the sub-consciousness. We begin by incorporating within one’s self the strength gained by the first phase and this shall then firmly establish itself in the Crone and give rise to the ability to establish and affirm relationships based upon trust, by using our inner animal instincts. These instincts are gifts to us from the animal dominion whose inhabitants can act as guides when we delve deep into the inner mysterious realm of the sub-consciousness, or from a shamanic perspective of the Underworld. The first phase initiates us into the ‘Middle World’, but now in this second phase we are to be initiated into the Underworld, and the third phase into the Upperworld or the Domain of the Super-consciousness. After strength is passed into us from the Crone we then encounter our human otherworldly inner guide, the weird geezer, the hermit or in this case the Holly King. He is the one who can lead us forwards in an inner expedition that scrutinise the innermost mysteries that guide the workings of both time and destiny. Next we find the Wheel of the Year, which will give us more depth of the understanding that most things that happen (a) happen for a reason and (b) usually come to pass with the natural cycles of life. Next we find ourselves in front of the Standing Stone who guards the secrets of discernment and fair judgements. It shows us that all things are interconnected and that every decision we make can have lasting effects on not only our lives but those who surround us too. After we pass the Standing Stone we come to the Oak King hanging surreptitiously upside down in his most venerable of sacred Oaks. He teaches us that sometimes we need to take a fresh perspective whilst puzzling over life’s little quandaries. Around the tree we come across the Lord of the Shadows, he will reward us for our patience with total transformation, the experience which this second initiatory phase bestows upon us. Which brings us nicely to the end of the second leg of our journey through the Underworld and right into the home of the Sidhe, the gift she bequeaths to us is the gift of perfect harmony and peace of mind, the ability to shift between the conscious and the sub-conscious minds.         

[AeonHorus]

8 ~ The Crone:~ We see the Crone in this serene scene with her astrological counterpart Leo. Her lion is tame when he is by her side for he knows that she has nothing but compassion and love for him in her heart, but woe betide any and all who cross her for they will face the wrath of Leo in all his fury. Contrary to popular modern belief compassion is not a weakness to be used and abused, but it is a strength and it has power far greater than anything physical or metaphysical for that matter. The lion in this card stands for power, authority, courage and inner strength. The Crone carries a staff of hawthorn which is imbued with male (yang) energy, yet it is symbolic of fertility and is historically associated with the triple goddess aspect Mother, Maiden, Crone. “A contradiction in terms” I here you say, well with that in mind Hawthorn stands testament to dualities. Tied to the top this staff of Hawthorn is a bunch of Angelica which in itself is an allegory of power and strength.

 

Edited January 23, 2020 by AeonHorus