Old Witches and Crones—not derogatory terms after all
Valerie Hadden
Boston Pagan Examiner
Why are “witches” often depicted as old and ugly, with large noses and chins, and warts on their noses? And what about the word “crone”? Is it always derogatory? The answers are tied in with paganism, Witchcraft, and the veneration of age, femininity, and wisdom.
Jenny, a pagan living in Massachusetts, writes, “Over the years I heard the old decrepit witch with a wart explained to me as the village wise woman. She is now old, has seen the years go by, has helped people with herbs, healed the sick, delivered babies, etc. As we age our nose and ears grow bigger, more wrinkles, etc. I thought it was a nice way to think of her.”....
Read the rest of Valerie's article here: http://www.examiner.com/pagan-in-boston/old-witches-and-crones-not-derogatory-terms-after-all
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