Book Review: The Power of the Crone

The Power of the Crone

Clarissa Pinkola Estés

Tags: Crone, Myths, Life Lessons

Book Cover Summary: "Dear brave souls, I warmly invite you to come be at the fireside with me and the Dangerous Old Woman and the Power of the Crone. Who is the crone? She is the most dangerous, the most radical, the most revolutionary woman in existence. Whether in fairy tales or in consensual reality, the old one goes where she wants to and she acts as she wishes; she lives as she chooses. And this is all as it should be. And no one can stop her. Nor ought they try."

–Clarissa Pinkola Estés, PhD

Entering the terrain of wisdom occurs at any age. We sometimes step, sometimes stumble, and other times we are pulled into the territory of the Crone when the need for a deeper, larger understanding of our most meaningful path can no longer be denied—when the gifts hidden in our challenges must be brought forth.

Reinventurers' Book Review: I was hesitant to buy this book as I can only find it as an audio book, and I am not an auditory learner.  However, the book kept calling to me, so I broke down and bought it.  Best purchase ever.  The author is a fabulous storyteller, as if your grandmother is feeding you wisdom from a silver spoon.

Each myth she shares with a running dialog of which elder woman shared the story, how it fits into Jungian archetypes, and how it relates to us now.  Her wisdom made me laugh, cry, shake my head, and clap for joy that someone was actually speaking to my psyche in terms I could understand and appreciate. 

I can’t imagine you will be disappointed when you listen to The Power of the Crone.

Questions to Ponder and Discuss:

Which myth spoke to you with earnest?

Who was the wise crone in your life?

What lessons has the crone taught you?

How do we present ourselves to the world as the wise and insightful crone?