Are you familiar with the archetypes Maiden – Mother – Crone? They have described the phases of life women take for centuries. But Stephanie Raffelock, author of Creatrix Rising: Unlocking the Power of Midlife Women disputes that and offers a new archetype for crone in the form of Creatrix.
Most modern older women do not think of themselves as haggard and worn-out “old women.” They are staying active, are engaged in the world, and are busy creating new paths for themselves after their children are grown.
As women pass into midlife and past midlife, they can connect to their power and unlock it. Sadly, some women still see themselves as crones and waste their time left on Earth in the waiting room thinking there is nothing left to learn or do.
The book contains stories from the author’s life as well as women in her family and how she was shaped by them to become the woman she is today. It also depicts some of the obstacles and challenges that have moved her in various directions throughout her life and into menopause.
Raffelock pays homage to the strong and enlightened women who influenced her and made an impact on her life.
What is a Creatrix?
To embody the Creatrix is a sovereign soul, a seeker, taping into a higher vibration and consciousness that has always informed her, but now she speaks and proclaims the truth of that higher octave.
She weaves the qualities of creativity, courage, self-love, and acceptance along with the practice of gratitude into a pattern that is reshaping the collective consciousness of older women and how they are seen by the culture.
Her strength comes from a knowing, a spiritual knowledge that she is the constant consciousness that is as old and wise as the universe.
She no longer strives to prove herself through the trappings of youth but remains an uplifter to younger women. – Creatrix Rising
The name for this new archetype is derived from the three Greek fates: The spinner, weaver, and cutter. The weaver was called Creatrix which means a woman who makes things.
The crone is still a fixture in marketing today
If you are a woman over 50 you have probably experienced ageism. Men who are gray are thought of as distinguished and worldly. Women, on the other hand, are seen more as washed up, kooky, and not capable of leadership. Look at how long it has taken us to have a woman President. It hasn’t happened yet. We have a female Vice President who is constantly being harangued for being too strident and unlikable, simply because she dares to speak her mind.
You can see the archetype changing with women like Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Meryl Streep, and others who managed to defy being seen as irrelevant crones. Women are now proud of going gray rather than hiding it under scarves and hair dye. They are traveling, creating, leading countries, and making huge differences in the world.
At the end of each chapter, you will find action items to help you find the Creatrix in yourself.
About the author
Stephanie Rafflelock is a graduate of Naropa University’s program in writing and poetics. She is also the author of the award-winning A Delightful Little Book on Aging. She grew up with a single mother in Los Angeles and worked in the entertainment industry in the 1970s. She moved to Colorado where she attended school and met her husband Dean there. She now lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and their Labrador retriever.
Purchase Creatrix Rising: Unlocking the Power of Midlife Women on Amazon here.
I think about a Crone as a wise older woman.
It’s good you do but I always thought of the word as like a witch from a Disney movie.
I hate the connotation of the word “crone.” Creatrix sounds perfect.
It is a cool term. I agree, Karen.
Mmmm…loving the ‘Creatrix’ vibe!
So glad, Diane. We are creators in all senses.
Hi guys, Stephanie Raffelock here. Thanks for the comments. A little clarification on Crone and Creatrix. Crone was the only word/archetype that we had for a while. And bless the women who used it as a means of celebrating aging. The etymology of the word, however, means “disagreeable old woman.” The word entered the lexicon sometimes in the mid 1300’s and was meant as an insult. The word Creatrix comes from the three Greek fates: the spinner, the weaver and the cutter. The weaver was a Creatrix, which literally means a woman who makes things. For centuries men have had positive archetypes for aging, such as wizard or sage. Women have had archetypes such as hag and crone. So Creatrix is a positive word for this most positive time in our feminine history where I really do believe that women are rising up, standing in the light of their truth, and letting their voices be heard. Again, I appreciate the time that you took to comment and I raise my glass to your awesomeness! Cheers.
Thanks, so much for the explanation, Stephanie and congrats on your book launch! It makes so much sense.