Beyond Age: Rediscovering the Lost Rites of Passage for Women’s Empowerment
Maiden
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Mother
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Crone
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The Wylde Wisdom Collective
Maiden 〰️ Mother 〰️ Crone 〰️ The Wylde Wisdom Collective
Imagine if our society honored the stages of a woman’s life with sacred reverence, seeing each phase—Maiden, Mother, and Crone—as a unique passage with its own wisdom to be explored and embodied. But in our modern world, we’ve traded these rites for birthday milestones and generic checkboxes. And the result? Many women feel caught between roles, unsure of their true purpose or place. What might our lives look like if we reclaimed these lost passages?
Section 1: The Ancient Wisdom of Rites of Passage
In ancient cultures, rites of passage weren’t just events; they were life-altering transformations meant to recognize profound changes within a person. These ceremonies, from Indigenous rites for Maidenhood to the sacred role of Crone elders, acknowledged the depth of each phase. They weren’t markers of age but initiations when a woman was seen, celebrated, and encouraged to step into her new power.
Imagine a young girl entering Maidenhood in a tribal setting. Wise elders would guide her through this, showing her the power of curiosity, boundaries, and the wisdom of saying “yes” or “no” to life’s invitations. This was her first experience of womanhood, embraced by her village’s wisdom.
“A named thing is a tamed thing, and my people are wild forever.”
― Joanne Harris
Section 2: The Loss of Rites in a Fast-Paced World
Fast forward to today, where these sacred passages have been largely replaced by an emphasis on what one can do at a certain age—vote, drink, drive—yet there’s no initiation into the heart’s journey or a woman’s true identity. Without these rites, we see women in their 60s struggling with the inner restlessness and emotional confusion more commonly associated with adolescence. Without guidance or acknowledgment, many of us remain “Maidens” indefinitely—seeking, proving, and clinging to roles that might no longer suit our souls.
The absence of this guidance creates a societal paradox. We see it in our current rush of self-appointed “life coaches,” for instance, where wisdom is assumed rather than earned. Coaching, teaching, and mentoring are powerful roles, yet without deep, reflective rites of passage, we risk the blind leading the blind—sharing untested and ungrounded advice.
Section 3: The Sacredness of Self-Inquiry as a Modern Rite
But here’s the silver lining: these rites of passage can still be reclaimed. Deep self-inquiry, the act of pausing to truly assess where we are in life and what phase we’re embodying, is a modern way to connect to these ancient traditions. Becoming a Crone is not to reach a certain age but to reach a state of deep knowing, having lived and learned, and finding peace in one’s path and purpose.
When we stop merely checking the boxes
of societal expectations and instead ask questions that matter, we begin a rite of our own making.
Questions like:
Am I holding onto a role, relationship, or identity that no longer serves me?
What phase of life do I truly feel aligned with, and am I ready to fully step into it?
How can I celebrate and honor this stage in my journey?
Conclusion: A Call to Reflect and Reclaim
As women, each of us is a unique instrument in life’s orchestra, but our song is evident only when we know where we belong in the symphony. Reclaiming these rites of passage isn’t about returning to the past; it’s about recognizing that each phase of life—Maiden, Mother, Crone—is precious and powerful in its own right.
So, I encourage each of you to ask: where are you on this journey? And how can you honor the sacredness of that stage, with or without societal recognition? Reclaiming our rites of passage isn’t just an act of personal growth—it’s a gift to the world, a deepening of the collective wisdom we all share. Let’s embark on this journey together, beginning with curiosity, reflection, and an openness to truly know ourselves.
Talk to me in the comments, soul sister! Have you paused here to grab your journal and conduct some self-inquiry using the questions and insights above? Get to it, Crone!
Love & starry skies, Jenn x
