Crones Unite: The Power and Provocation of Woman
July 19 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
$140.00
In folklore and mythology, the crone is an old woman often depicted as ugly, or even sinister. These tales have long coopted the crone, taking her power and strength, leaving a wicked, old woman in her place. In this course, we challenge the historical marginalization of the mature woman, while actively honoring, validating and owning her power.
Join Rev. Cara Stultz Costello as we reclaim the crone through exploration of her power and provocation. Using art, song, discussion, nature and movement, we will reimagine traditional gender roles, the process of living long in this world and will explore how the divine feminine works in and through us.
This workshop invites participants of all ages to explore the richness of becoming older through storytelling, archetypal reflection, and sacred engagement practices inspired resources like The Power of the Crone by Clarissa Pinkola Estes and Falling Upward by Fr. Richard Rohr. Participants will honor the people who shaped them, reclaim forgotten aspects of themselves, and receive inner guidance for the path ahead.
Don’t worry we won’t get up to too much trouble…well, maybe a little.
Itinerary:
Morning: We’ll begin by welcoming participants and introducing the workshop purpose. Then, we’ll transition to a grounding meditation to fully arrive to the session. The morning will also include a candle ritual, some short readings, time for sharing, journaling, and reflections. Inspired by the Bone Woman (La Loba), we’ll do some exercises, journals, creation, and sharing on the topic of reclaiming buried instincts and gifts.
Break for lunch
Afternoon: After lunch, you’ll be invited to stretch, hydrate, and breathe. You’ll be guided through some visualization before journaling, creating, and sharing regarding the theme of listening to our inner elders. Moving onto the final theme of sacred solitude, students will go on a silent, reflective walk finished by a writing and sharing session. At the end of the day, we’ll gather to give our personal vows, reflections, and to close with a poem.
What you get from the class:
- An exploration of the role of the Crone in folklore and mythology
- Time for intentional reflection and creation
- The opportunity to learn and share in community
- A small token as a reminder of the time spent in this reflective space
Meet Your Instructor:
Rev. Cara Stultz Costello
Gifted with keen discernment, overflowing hope, and buoyant joy and creativity Cara is uniquely skilled at igniting curiosity, generosity and wholeheartedness in others.
She has served as a hospice chaplain church pastor, Conference Superintendent and adjunct professor with the United Methodist Church where she is recognized for her practiced courage in challenging long-held convictions and expectations.
Cara earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a double major in sociology and music with a concentration in vocal performance from Albion College in Michigan, and a Master of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.
Reclaiming the Crone: A popular character in folktales and mythology, the crone has a bad reputation. Old women have been antagonized and cast out of the narrative. This class explores traditions with a modern lens, something all Green Door Folk School classes incorporate. By understanding the traditions rooted in the character of the crone, and the stories she has been worked into, we become more aware of the attitudes present towards mature women in modern society. In reshaping and reimagining the power and beauty of the crone, we merge pieces of these folktales and mythology into the present moment, and find ways to reclaim traditions of storytelling.
Green Door classes are immersive and intentionally long. We find that over prolonged time together, students form deeper bonds with each other, the craft, and their instructor for an over all more impactful experience. Even if you are a Traverse City local, the intention is that these classes feel a bit like a retreat away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. If you are visiting from afar, the experience can be even deeper.
Class Details:
Where is the class held?: Cedar North, where you’ll gather in community in a beautiful classroom setting surrounded by rolling farmlands
Cost: $140 per person which includes a $15 materials fee
Date/Time: July 19th @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Prerequisites/Skill Level/Age Requirements:
- No prior experience required.
- Ages 18+
Booking Information and Policies:
What happens after I book the class?: After you book, we will send you a confirmation email that you are IN! A week out from the class, we will send you an email with more details about our meeting locations and some housekeeping items.
Want to make sure you have all of the information before you dive in? Here’s our cancelation policy: We understand that plans change, and we do our best to accommodate while honoring the time, energy, and resources that go into preparing for each class.
Cancellations made more than 14 days before the class start date Receive a full refund, minus a $25 administrative fee. This fee helps cover the cost of filling your spot. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer refunds for cancellations made less than 14 calendar days before class begins.
At this time, we are not able to offer:
• Course credit
• Transfers to other courses
This policy allows us to keep class sizes small and intimate, while minimizing pressure to increase overall course costs.
If the class is canceled by the school: In the event of inclement weather or other disruptions, we will issue a full refund and do our best to offer a reschedule option.
Policies:
Go for it! You don’t have to be an old woman to take this class; in fact, you don’t even have to be a woman to take this class! This is for anyone curious about the crone, and interested in learning about the marginalization of mature women.