Yes! Reading this (thank you for a wonderful piece of writing!) I realise I am a Hag.
And it feels more comfortable than 'Crone', actually!
'Crone' has always felt uncomfortably close to 'The Noble Savage': a diminishment masquerading as an honorific term. I didn't know why, until you put these words to it.
I would add to number 9:
At the same time, remove the legal recognition of corporations as bodies/beings with these rights.
Yes, thank you. Corporations are not people. I have a shirt that says that. How could I have left that out? It should go without saying that money is not speech, either. But perhaps I covered that bit with keeping lawyers off the Supreme Court.
Today, the official day to celebrate our nation's founding (really 07/02/1776) after 250 years, I call upon the spirit of my ancestors - the Hannums (paternal grandmother) - to wake up all of the enablers in Congress and beyond who have almost destroyed our fragile nation AND mother earth with their worship of a false deity.
Today, I also call upon the female spirits - who were crones OR women in their reproductive years OR children. That is, the spiritual survivors of the 800 to 1000 patriots buried in Washington Square Park here in Philadelphia when it was occupied by British and Hessian mercenaries. We need them too to wake up the destroyers of our nation & mother earth.
I am NOT celebrating today. Instead I continue to weep and pray for the arrival of these ancestral spirits.
Am, I doing this correctly? I don't know. What I do know is that prayer works.
Will you join me in this prayer TODAY and each subsequent day until the mother f*uckers are gone from Washington (maybe the heat there will kill a few of them...?
Yes! I will. I sit in silence every day and call. I used to call for our enablers in Congress to wake up. Now I just call for them to be swept aside. The old system is over, and they were the instruments of that destruction. Now we must rebuild no matter what happens in November. I think that’s good news. I love your ferocity. That’s the spirit.
Very nice. As a Crone, I truly enjoyed your insight.
I would suggest that your list of action points be replaced by one single howl.
Equal Rights Amendment.
Without Equal rights under our Constitution, we are property.
SCOTUS has twice now made States the arbiters of civil rights for gender deviation from cis males. Just like Black skin, gender is a mark of the underclass by government and American Christianity.
A majority demographic demanding Federal Equal Rights, with no allegiance to political parties, would be impossible to ignore. Women are 51% of the population and 48% of the workforce .
Black women are the most highly educated demographic. White population the least.
Bottom line our country must decide:
Are women persons or property?
Under the 14th amendment: property.
That's why courts and Legislators can dictate slavery.
SCOTUS was correct to overturn Roe, because women aren't legally people and therefore have no constitutional protections until the Equal Rights Amendment is enacted.
That is the first and most critical battle.
Everything else follows.
Women have escaped much since I was young. It would be a great solace to die a citizen, not property, like my mother.
You can do it.
PS- absolutely agree that there MUST be a 4th phase. The space between the Death and the next Birth. The time of reflection on things accomplished and things undone.
I agree with all of this. Completely. I just want to make sure the ERA goes far enough, and I’m not sure it does. I think we have to address the history that came before, too, by mandating that bodies like Congress actually represent all people in their elected membership. That would change the face of Congress and their decisions. Not so white male and white patriarchal female. I spent 25 years teaching HS English in the Los Angeles public school system, and the people who were reliably there for all the children were Black women. I learned how to love a community and the individuals in it at their feet. Everyone said they were in education for the children. Black women did it. Love as a verb. Every day. We would do well to put them in charge, which is why I’d like the Supreme Court to be all women, at least for 50-100 years… and not necessarily lawyers. Some History professors would be nice, esp if their specialty is Women’s History or the History of Race in America. The two progressive justices we have now could stay. Indigenous women, too, hold great wisdom. One of the great thorns in my side is that we refuse to pass the ERA. Also, RBG said that the legal logic behind Roe was vulnerable, and we had decades to make it law, but we didn’t even when we saw what they were doing in making shame cases in the hope it could come before a sham SC. We let them push Justices through who were all from the Federalist Society, too. Let them. Where were the Dems? Hmmm.
Not sure if this is crossing comment boundaries, sending you a link..? But anyway, here's the best version of the hag story I can find..I just realized I know almost nothing, really about the hag--except perhaps your invitation to embody her! (I never liked the word, crone--and it rhymes with...you know, drone)). xoxo Love kk...Here it is: https://www.taramandala.org/blog/mahasiddhas-and-dohas/
I started writing a comment then got distracted by other people's comments and my comment disappeared. When will I learn? Oh. Well. I'll start again.
I love this as I love everything you write, Susan. And I'd happily live in the culture you envision. Where do I sign up? Oh, wait. I already have.
I've decided I'm a hag. I came to this decision while reading this. I think you would affirm My Declaration of INTERDEPENDENCE, yes? I want to hag right along with you. I love being an elder, and I had to go through a trial by fire, as you know. But it didn't consume me. It cleansed me, polished my tarnish (as Chris said) and allowed what's always been there to shine through. I feel blessed by your presence in my life. And if I came to Substack, and the only reason was to meet you and love your wisdom, then that's an embarrassment of riches for sure. And look at all the other things that have come my way (people I adore, unending creativity, and giving to others, creating my vision of a community), I'm winning in all the ways, and more of my true nature is revealed as each day goes by. It happens because I'm willing to be honest and open-hearted. And once in a while some of the patriarchal programming I was given tries to creep in, but now I recognize it quickly, and say, "you're not welcome here anymore, I've got a new way to live." I've become teachable, I'm not afraid of dying, I'm not afraid to love. Thank you for being a part of my evolution. HAGS unite! Love you, pal.
And guess what? I like this version of my original comment, better. Oh! And, I'm not afraid of editing and rewrites! Huzzah! xo
I love all the things you are not afraid of! Meeting you is also my greatest pleasure of SS. An embarrassment of riches indeed. Hags don’t need to be perfect, just willing to admit when the patriarchal conditioning has crept in, and then committed to seeing (and doing) beyond that in the love of self and others. I’ve seen you do that with such grace that I was astounded. Your comment makes me want a Declaration of Interdependence as the foundation of a new American Revolution and a new government. I like that a lot. The application to leadership could contain the question: Describe your trial by fire… I’m so grateful for you and all that you bring into my life. You are most definitely a hag, in the truest sense of that word.
Susan, I'm so grateful for you calling out the hag! "A radiance of Hags who eat patriarchal systems for breakfast!" ha! There are so many hysterically funny asides! and then the serious work of your capacity to know and hold a big vision! (I love radiance as a definition of a group of hags!!)There's so much I'm inspired by, reading this. There's a story abut a hag's wisdom which Naropa university considers its founding story. I'll try to find it---(PS speaking of which, it's Eleanor's birthday today!)
That’s right! I forgot about Eleanor’s b-day being the fourth. I remember backyard BBQs to celebrate. One of the only memories of my Uncle Dick Kesner, my father’s only full sibling, was at one of those. That like you quoted is one of my favorites, and I’m glad you see the jokes. I’m always afraid I’m bearing down too hard because this means so much to me. The big vision is my curse which turned into a blessing after I had lived long enough. When I was younger, it almost killed me. I’m glad you are inspired as you are one of the radient hags I’m talking about. I look forward to reading the Naropa founding story, and always feel free to send me links.
I love love love: “A radiance of hags who eat patriarchal systems for breakfast.” Like a murder of crows… Thank you for this beauty & I especially value the re-visioning aspect. So much commentary is about what doesn’t work only, not what we can create. Thank you!
Thanks right back. We have to be able to imagine it before we can create it. Also, a strong vision makes us less likely to be satisfied with half measures or the argument that we can’t afford a community like this. But we’ve already spent billions just on Trump’s war.
Hell YES!!! I agree Susan, empower the hags! “What the patriarchal system thinks of as its worst nightmare is actually our salvation.”
This is what can change the world, that can stop us from entering a mass extinction. And it really isn't that hard, a shift of attention and focus. And the challenge is how rooted the patriarchal mess it. Well instead of toppling it, lets be the mycelial fibers that break up its foundation.
I see no difference between Queen, hag, or crone though I prefer queen. And midlife is a transition into it though it culminates at sixty - ish and beyond.
Susan, this is another excellent essay, not a rant, a solution, an anthem. Thank you, I can't find the line that struck me as I was listening about a theme I am writing on "the woman without a backdoor" — we are the sacrificial lamb. (in a good way that is realized ....) hugs, P
I love that, Prajan. There is so much to be said for not having a back door. When my husband and I married, we agreed to accepet each other’s insanity by “bolting the back door.” We would work things out, fight things out, do almost anything but leave. It was a hard practice. There were clusters of years when we did not want to. And always the practice was to wrench my awareness from what he was doing or not doing, and put it back on myself. I know your bolted back door is much bigger than my simple one. I can’t wait to read what you have to say about this. Much love.
Love this. Imagine all the growth and possibilities. We would miss if we did not bolt the back door or if it was not bolted for us. Not a gift that is always in sight.
It didn’t always feel like a gift, as you can well imagine. Now, at the end of the road, I see it all was. Such a gift. Wouldn’t change it. It’s love that bolts the door, otherwise, it would be simple to leave. We’d just tell ourselves a story, as people love to do, and walk out the door telling ourselves it was brave to go.
I love the collective noun 'a radiance of hags', and that you used 'a murder of ministers' to counterpoint it.
And I love a great parallel and the readers who see them. Thanks so much.
Yes! Reading this (thank you for a wonderful piece of writing!) I realise I am a Hag.
And it feels more comfortable than 'Crone', actually!
'Crone' has always felt uncomfortably close to 'The Noble Savage': a diminishment masquerading as an honorific term. I didn't know why, until you put these words to it.
I would add to number 9:
At the same time, remove the legal recognition of corporations as bodies/beings with these rights.
Yes, thank you. Corporations are not people. I have a shirt that says that. How could I have left that out? It should go without saying that money is not speech, either. But perhaps I covered that bit with keeping lawyers off the Supreme Court.
I listened to this again. It is so well written and spot on.
Well, done you supreme hag of mythology
Thank you my beautiful friend who eats shadow for breakfast.
LOL! Of course, only you would know this.
I loved this so much, Susan—especially "a radiance of hags." May it be so.
This is my dream. It felt like a fever dream, but you articulate it in terms that seem possible. I’m all in.
Today, the official day to celebrate our nation's founding (really 07/02/1776) after 250 years, I call upon the spirit of my ancestors - the Hannums (paternal grandmother) - to wake up all of the enablers in Congress and beyond who have almost destroyed our fragile nation AND mother earth with their worship of a false deity.
Today, I also call upon the female spirits - who were crones OR women in their reproductive years OR children. That is, the spiritual survivors of the 800 to 1000 patriots buried in Washington Square Park here in Philadelphia when it was occupied by British and Hessian mercenaries. We need them too to wake up the destroyers of our nation & mother earth.
I am NOT celebrating today. Instead I continue to weep and pray for the arrival of these ancestral spirits.
Am, I doing this correctly? I don't know. What I do know is that prayer works.
Will you join me in this prayer TODAY and each subsequent day until the mother f*uckers are gone from Washington (maybe the heat there will kill a few of them...?
Yes! I will. I sit in silence every day and call. I used to call for our enablers in Congress to wake up. Now I just call for them to be swept aside. The old system is over, and they were the instruments of that destruction. Now we must rebuild no matter what happens in November. I think that’s good news. I love your ferocity. That’s the spirit.
Very nice. As a Crone, I truly enjoyed your insight.
I would suggest that your list of action points be replaced by one single howl.
Equal Rights Amendment.
Without Equal rights under our Constitution, we are property.
SCOTUS has twice now made States the arbiters of civil rights for gender deviation from cis males. Just like Black skin, gender is a mark of the underclass by government and American Christianity.
A majority demographic demanding Federal Equal Rights, with no allegiance to political parties, would be impossible to ignore. Women are 51% of the population and 48% of the workforce .
Black women are the most highly educated demographic. White population the least.
Bottom line our country must decide:
Are women persons or property?
Under the 14th amendment: property.
That's why courts and Legislators can dictate slavery.
SCOTUS was correct to overturn Roe, because women aren't legally people and therefore have no constitutional protections until the Equal Rights Amendment is enacted.
That is the first and most critical battle.
Everything else follows.
Women have escaped much since I was young. It would be a great solace to die a citizen, not property, like my mother.
You can do it.
PS- absolutely agree that there MUST be a 4th phase. The space between the Death and the next Birth. The time of reflection on things accomplished and things undone.
I agree with all of this. Completely. I just want to make sure the ERA goes far enough, and I’m not sure it does. I think we have to address the history that came before, too, by mandating that bodies like Congress actually represent all people in their elected membership. That would change the face of Congress and their decisions. Not so white male and white patriarchal female. I spent 25 years teaching HS English in the Los Angeles public school system, and the people who were reliably there for all the children were Black women. I learned how to love a community and the individuals in it at their feet. Everyone said they were in education for the children. Black women did it. Love as a verb. Every day. We would do well to put them in charge, which is why I’d like the Supreme Court to be all women, at least for 50-100 years… and not necessarily lawyers. Some History professors would be nice, esp if their specialty is Women’s History or the History of Race in America. The two progressive justices we have now could stay. Indigenous women, too, hold great wisdom. One of the great thorns in my side is that we refuse to pass the ERA. Also, RBG said that the legal logic behind Roe was vulnerable, and we had decades to make it law, but we didn’t even when we saw what they were doing in making shame cases in the hope it could come before a sham SC. We let them push Justices through who were all from the Federalist Society, too. Let them. Where were the Dems? Hmmm.
Hi Again Susan,
Not sure if this is crossing comment boundaries, sending you a link..? But anyway, here's the best version of the hag story I can find..I just realized I know almost nothing, really about the hag--except perhaps your invitation to embody her! (I never liked the word, crone--and it rhymes with...you know, drone)). xoxo Love kk...Here it is: https://www.taramandala.org/blog/mahasiddhas-and-dohas/
I love it when people (esp you!) respond with a link. Thanks! I’m going there as soon as I finish here.
I started writing a comment then got distracted by other people's comments and my comment disappeared. When will I learn? Oh. Well. I'll start again.
I love this as I love everything you write, Susan. And I'd happily live in the culture you envision. Where do I sign up? Oh, wait. I already have.
I've decided I'm a hag. I came to this decision while reading this. I think you would affirm My Declaration of INTERDEPENDENCE, yes? I want to hag right along with you. I love being an elder, and I had to go through a trial by fire, as you know. But it didn't consume me. It cleansed me, polished my tarnish (as Chris said) and allowed what's always been there to shine through. I feel blessed by your presence in my life. And if I came to Substack, and the only reason was to meet you and love your wisdom, then that's an embarrassment of riches for sure. And look at all the other things that have come my way (people I adore, unending creativity, and giving to others, creating my vision of a community), I'm winning in all the ways, and more of my true nature is revealed as each day goes by. It happens because I'm willing to be honest and open-hearted. And once in a while some of the patriarchal programming I was given tries to creep in, but now I recognize it quickly, and say, "you're not welcome here anymore, I've got a new way to live." I've become teachable, I'm not afraid of dying, I'm not afraid to love. Thank you for being a part of my evolution. HAGS unite! Love you, pal.
And guess what? I like this version of my original comment, better. Oh! And, I'm not afraid of editing and rewrites! Huzzah! xo
I love all the things you are not afraid of! Meeting you is also my greatest pleasure of SS. An embarrassment of riches indeed. Hags don’t need to be perfect, just willing to admit when the patriarchal conditioning has crept in, and then committed to seeing (and doing) beyond that in the love of self and others. I’ve seen you do that with such grace that I was astounded. Your comment makes me want a Declaration of Interdependence as the foundation of a new American Revolution and a new government. I like that a lot. The application to leadership could contain the question: Describe your trial by fire… I’m so grateful for you and all that you bring into my life. You are most definitely a hag, in the truest sense of that word.
I'M A HAG!!! DOUBLE HUZZAH! I love you with all my heart, Susan. xo
And I love your enormous, haggy heart right back.
Thankee!
Susan, I'm so grateful for you calling out the hag! "A radiance of Hags who eat patriarchal systems for breakfast!" ha! There are so many hysterically funny asides! and then the serious work of your capacity to know and hold a big vision! (I love radiance as a definition of a group of hags!!)There's so much I'm inspired by, reading this. There's a story abut a hag's wisdom which Naropa university considers its founding story. I'll try to find it---(PS speaking of which, it's Eleanor's birthday today!)
That’s right! I forgot about Eleanor’s b-day being the fourth. I remember backyard BBQs to celebrate. One of the only memories of my Uncle Dick Kesner, my father’s only full sibling, was at one of those. That like you quoted is one of my favorites, and I’m glad you see the jokes. I’m always afraid I’m bearing down too hard because this means so much to me. The big vision is my curse which turned into a blessing after I had lived long enough. When I was younger, it almost killed me. I’m glad you are inspired as you are one of the radient hags I’m talking about. I look forward to reading the Naropa founding story, and always feel free to send me links.
I hear your voice.
You do! I feel that as such a deep connection.
I love love love: “A radiance of hags who eat patriarchal systems for breakfast.” Like a murder of crows… Thank you for this beauty & I especially value the re-visioning aspect. So much commentary is about what doesn’t work only, not what we can create. Thank you!
Thanks right back. We have to be able to imagine it before we can create it. Also, a strong vision makes us less likely to be satisfied with half measures or the argument that we can’t afford a community like this. But we’ve already spent billions just on Trump’s war.
Hell YES!!! I agree Susan, empower the hags! “What the patriarchal system thinks of as its worst nightmare is actually our salvation.”
This is what can change the world, that can stop us from entering a mass extinction. And it really isn't that hard, a shift of attention and focus. And the challenge is how rooted the patriarchal mess it. Well instead of toppling it, lets be the mycelial fibers that break up its foundation.
Agreed. Completely. No half measures. Keep working until we have a system based on wisdom and common sense rather than violence.
⚡️⚡️⚡️as usual 👊
There is so much to love here, Susan. I'll go back through this for a closer read. Thanks for upending things as usual.
Your four phases track with Donna Henes’ Maiden, Mother, Queen, Crone in her book “The Queen of My Self.”
I see no difference between Queen, hag, or crone though I prefer queen. And midlife is a transition into it though it culminates at sixty - ish and beyond.
Oh wow. I’ve never read it. Is the Crone the darkenss then? And the Queen being different from the mother? I’ll have to look into that.
Susan, this is another excellent essay, not a rant, a solution, an anthem. Thank you, I can't find the line that struck me as I was listening about a theme I am writing on "the woman without a backdoor" — we are the sacrificial lamb. (in a good way that is realized ....) hugs, P
I love that, Prajan. There is so much to be said for not having a back door. When my husband and I married, we agreed to accepet each other’s insanity by “bolting the back door.” We would work things out, fight things out, do almost anything but leave. It was a hard practice. There were clusters of years when we did not want to. And always the practice was to wrench my awareness from what he was doing or not doing, and put it back on myself. I know your bolted back door is much bigger than my simple one. I can’t wait to read what you have to say about this. Much love.
Love this. Imagine all the growth and possibilities. We would miss if we did not bolt the back door or if it was not bolted for us. Not a gift that is always in sight.
It didn’t always feel like a gift, as you can well imagine. Now, at the end of the road, I see it all was. Such a gift. Wouldn’t change it. It’s love that bolts the door, otherwise, it would be simple to leave. We’d just tell ourselves a story, as people love to do, and walk out the door telling ourselves it was brave to go.