The Maiden, Mother and the Crone

Just as we all emerge from our mothers, so all life on this planet springs from the earth. Witches realize the earths power worshipping it as The Great Mother.

We see Mother Earth as a living representative of Goddess life. She brings forth of new life the changes of maturity and, finally death, the ending life cycles which makes way for and leads to being born again, or rebirth. It is by working with Her living energy that we can predict the future, cast o spells, assist in healing and communicate with loved ones that have crossed the veil of earthly living.

All that a Witch does must come under natural law. This law is summed up in the Witches creed "In doing what ye will, harm ye none." This law is the corn stone upon all true spiritual paths and the basic theory and tenet upon which all true magic will stand.

The cycles of life and magic are indeed the cycles of the Witches' Goddess. Birth, death, rebirth, spring into summer, summer into autumn, autumn into winter, flowing systematically into spring again. This cycle will go on and on never broken yet always changing and growing. Old gives way to new and new becomes old, and so on.

 The Maiden

In the first phase of Life, or the Goddess, we all experience birth and new beginnings. The maiden aspect leads the way and marks out this milestone of life. Here, our life is like hers. It is new and innocent. She is empowered by the scent of spring and she, like us, will be fueled by an insatiable hunger for what lies beyond. We, like her, have travelled the enchanted road of new beginnings in which we see our hopes and dreams and goals of a new tomorrow. Off we go with her, the maiden, through the woodland path to find hopes of new beings.

In this phase of life, the Goddess is young at heart, showing us all of the adventure and uncertainties of life, the joys, and tests presented by the road we tread. We see her hopes and feel them within ourselves, then knowingly take her hand to journey onward.

 The Mother Aspect

Travelling life's road and experiencing first hand both the high places and the pitfalls, we now have matured with our Lady, proving ourselves worthy of the prize of life. Having dared to follow and to achieve our hearts' desires as a maiden, we have attained them, all here as a mother. Like the Goddess, we have given birth to our new life. In this full, ripe aspect we share with our lady the fullness of her labor and now stand with the fruitfulness of what has been completed. It is from here we can more clearly see how the hopes and dreams of life have manifested and how our life has given birth to our intentions. It is a powerful place which we have earned. We enjoy the changes we have made in our existence.

Now we must continue to play the goddess role as nurturers and lovers of ourselves. We claim full responsibility and wisdom for our lives. The face of the Mother Goddess is responsive, showing us in her looking glass a part of ourselves which we share with her. In this phase of life we are fully rewarded with the "seeds that we have sown" and are now fully reaping the bountiful benefits spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically. We are truly prosperous.

A Special Note

As Witches, we take full responsibility for our actions, thoughts, deeds and desires. We see the maturity and fruits of our nurturing, and blame no one for the results. At this point, we can drink deeply from the goddess' unveiled golden Grail and renourish ourselves for what the future holds. Remember, dear ones who dare, that the goddess does not stop with the birth process but serves the continuing process of life. We must give ourselves as mothers tender care, guidance, nurturing and acceptance balanced by gentle discipline and reason. Treat yourself as our great Mother would treat you. Believe in yourself. It is in this truth that the Witch finds all strength. The Mother aspect shows us how to be patient with ourselves. We, like her, have a whole lifetime ahead to be schooled and fed in the cycles of change.

 The Crone Aspect

As with the seasons, the fullness of summer gives way to the death and clearing of autumn. As fall sets in, we like the goddess must give way to the great force of change. It is here that we relinquish and fade to give way to the inevitable new which must come forth to sustain life. In our death is all new life. As in the seasons, the fullness of summer gives way to the death and clearing of autumn. As the fall season sets in, we like the Goddess must give way to the great force of change. It is here that we relinquish and fade to give way to the inevitable new which must come forth to sustain and balance life.

At this time we have grown old and wise. Our glamour, our physical beauty has faded to reveal a deeper spiritual beauty. The dark twilight has finally come. The red autumn sun is now (set ) casting shadows on the wrinkled face of the one who is wise. This aspect of life, or the Goddess, is known as the Crone .

When you have reached this place, you are at peace. This change brings rest. It refreshes the soul. Here the mysteries of life and death are discovered and the reason for your souls' journey is known. Gazing off to the approaching night, you will know that as the stars appear from the fading days the end has come. The Crone's robes are no longer starched and pressed. Through a lifetime of living they have become grey and tattered. Yet the Crone stands strong and radiant. She has exchanged vanity for true beauty, money for true riches. By her life and her example, she is now ready for the Great Passing. She has taught the ways of the earth, and because of her love she will live on in all those whom she has touched.

As the old crone looks away she gazes deeply into her cauldron to review the lesson learned and taught. The magical ingredients of this bubbling pot remind her that the unknown is the source of all transformation wanes into the brew of life and death.

Wisps of sweet scent fill the air and the cool night air soothes her brow. The sacred smoke moves ahead to prepare her place. She is alone now with only the true reflection of her most hidden self. In this reflection she sees all the joys, wants, thoughts, and desires of her life. Peering deeper, she must face the ultimate judge: that which is reflected, herself.

Now she must take absolute accounting for all she has chosen in this life and prepare for the next change. In the spirit of humility she has seen, accepted, and learned, and is now duly satisfied and prepared to move to the crossroad and leave her offering.

She now has become the Goddess of the cross roads, the mistress of death and sorcery, and she has won, holding the keys of life and death in her taloned hand. When you reach this stage of being she will call out for only justice and purity of heart. She will weigh the measure and call you forth to judge yourself. The crone aspect of the Goddess is the keeper of the space between the worlds and by her wisdom we gain our rite of passage. This is done by the purity of our own conscience and spirit. We must remember that we have total control of our fate. What goes around will soon come around. The great Goddess will share your joys, inspire your hopes, give goodness and glory in your accomplishments and also by your motives and your deepest thoughts, will judge you. For she is the part of your being that is timeless and knows all. You are one with her.

These are the three aspects of Our Lady with whom we see and in whom we can see ourselves.

Upon her is the mystery of life, the three are one, and so are we.