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Maiden, Mother and Crone

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By relache


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Some see the three-fold Goddess as relating to the main phases of life
Some see the three-fold Goddess as relating to the main phases of life

The Threefold Goddess

Spanning many traditions found around the world is the concept of the Goddess as being threefold. These perceptions shared associations with the moon phases, with the growing seasons and with the phases of a woman’s life. Most frequently they are described as Maiden, Mother and Crone.

With a strong connection to the Earth and its cycles, it’s not surprising that this view can be found in so many cultures. The Greeks, Romans, Norse, Celtic and Hindu spiritual systems all had groups of goddesses who fit this interpretation. Sometimes a single goddess could embody all three aspects by herself.

Sets of threes were also found in some of the minor deities. The Greek Furies and the Fates of Roman and Nordic beliefs are examples of this. Several goddess were of such complexity that they embodied the Triple Goddess all on their own. Brighid, Hecate and Kali all had multiple aspects. You can work with established triads of goddesses or compose your own based on what feels best for you.


Books About The Triple Goddess

Maiden, Mother, Crone: The Myth & Reality of the Triple Goddess Maiden, Mother, Crone: The Myth & Reality of the Triple Goddess
Price: $2.97
List Price: $14.95
Maiden, Mother, Crone: Voices of the Goddess Maiden, Mother, Crone: Voices of the Goddess
Price: $4.98
List Price: $24.95
Dancing the Goddess Incarnate: Living the Magic of Maiden, Mother & Crone Dancing the Goddess Incarnate: Living the Magic of Maiden, Mother & Crone
Price: $1.91
List Price: $14.95

The Maiden

The Maiden, a young girl, represents the first stage. Newness, youth, purity, and innocence were qualities possessed by the Maiden. This matches the new moon phase. Fresh flowers, new grains and the color white are all appropriate for working with this energy. Springtime rituals often involve these deities. Specific instances when you might want to invoke the Maiden are during any new beginnings, when starting a new job, at the start of a new relationship and as part of a puberty ritual for young girls.


The Mother

The Mother, a woman who has reached puberty, represents the second stage. Her role is one of fertility, growth, sexuality and ripeness. She also is in a position of power, either from her life-giving forces or in her actions to defend her young. The full moon corresponds to the Mother, as does the color red. Summer and fall rituals, when crops are growing and being harvested, are when to work with these goddesses. Working with the Mother often happens when projects are reaching fruition, in rituals as part of marriage and childbirth, for protection of people or animals, and when working with plants.


The Crone

The Crone, an elderly woman, represents the last phase. She is symbolic of wisdom, experience, change, transformation and death. The waning moon is associated with the Crone. Like the moon phase, the death she represents is necessary for rebirth. Winter is her season and her color is black. Working with the Crone is related to rituals that are about the ending of things (quitting a job, divorce, etc.), moving out of a home, extreme protection or retribution (assault, abuse), passing through menopause, or dealing with a death.

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Comments

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Whitney05 profile image

Whitney05  says:
17 months ago

Wow I had no idea what I was clicking on when I saw this hub. Ha. This is very interesting. I loved the top 3 pictures that you have.

relache profile image

relache  says:
17 months ago

When I stepped down as the Pagan editor for Bellaonline last year, I took all my articles from that site with me. Slowly but surely, I'm putting them up here.

Inspirepub profile image

Inspirepub  says:
17 months ago

It's great to see it appearing here, relache.

My daughter is currently working on an eBook about Wicca and paganism with Liam Cyfrin - I posted a transcript of one of their conversations as a Hub a while back.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Genuine-Witchcraft

I'm looking forward to seeing the whole series ...

Jenny

Zsuzsy Bee profile image

Zsuzsy Bee  says:
17 months ago

Again a very interesting article.

regards Zsuzsy

Princessa profile image

Princessa  says:
17 months ago

I love the subject, I will be waiting for more. Since moving to France 3 years ago I started to be very interested in paganism as a way of life.

Pashun profile image

Pashun  says:
14 months ago

Very nice hub, the only thing that made me cock my head was where you got that the Furies were related to the Maiden, Mother, Crone trifecta. As spirits who upheld social order and tended residents of Tartarus, I'd never heard of Megaera, Alecto and Tisiphone portrayed in that light. Or were you just using it as an example for goddesses that came in groups of 3? If you were, sorry for the mix up! If not, it'd be interesting to see how they stood in the Maiden, Mother, Crone group. Again, great hub~

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