Can you hear it? This is the perfect time of year to listen to the Song of Deep Magic that exists all around us. It is there every moment, swirling and lifting, creating and dancing. It has been there from the beginning of Time.

It is a mighty Song! It holds all the Beauty of Creation

       All the Dark and all of the Light

              All the Hate and all of the Love

                     All of the Hurts and all of the Healing

                            It is the Song of All Of Us!

Let your imagination engage for a few moments as we go on a journey into the darkening year.

Of the Earth and by the Earth and with the Earth, I am the Earth!

Lyrics from “Elven Earth Chant” by Ginger Ackley

The Journey Begins

The air is crisp and the sky is blue as we step outside our living space. Our curiosity is roused by the sounds of ancient music on the autumn breeze. The season’s first breaths of cold air have colored the leaves and swirls of falling foliage dance as if they had sprouted fairy wings!

As the sun starts to set, a mysterious path appears at the edge of what is known. Our spirit is drawn to it, our feet following the gentle, winding trail. The path seems to brighten in the dusk, leading us deeper into a mystical wood.

Into The Cave We Go

There, at its end, we come to a cave set into the side of a tall cliff. As we look up, the evening’s first stars appear, twinkling around a lone pine that stands proudly at the top.

The area around the mouth of the Cave is swept and neat, with small bits of forest art here and there. There is a flash of a chipmunk running around and through stacked river rocks and a small chickadee sings a greeting atop a gnarled branch bedecked with small acorns and painted snail shells.

The breeze jingles the little bells that have been hung from the bushes close by. There is a sturdy rocking chair constructed from fallen branches, gifts from the forest to the ancient woman sitting in it. A cauldron sits over a nice fire, and inviting aromas reach out in welcome.

We have found Her. We have found The Crone!

Hail to the Crone, she’s the wise one! Hail to the Crone, Queen of Time!

Lyrics from “Crowning of the Crone” by Ginger Ackley

A Timeless Encounter

Her sparkling eyes and merry smile greet us as we draw near. She stirs the great pot and motions us to join her as she dishes up bowls of the stew to renew our bodies. She hums a low melody, pitched just right for our spirits to hear and heal. She motions us to sit with her on one of the rustic stools set near her Cave opening.

It is the Season of the Crone and we are here to grow and heal in her Wisdom.

Her words are melodic as she draws back the Great Veil briefly, allowing us to feel the presence of our Ancestors as she gently stirs the cauldron. Steam rises at her touch, filling the area with soft mists that swirl and spiral on the evening breeze.

Ancestors!

At first, it seems like a trick of the eye – but then we watch in awe as familiar faces start to form from the wisps of vapor. We begin to softly hear ancient melodies and harmonies, singing of love and hope as we start to recognize loved ones from our own lives. As they move forward, other faces form, and somehow we understand that these are the ancient mothers and fathers who have been watching over us since before we were even born!

Their Song becomes a Deep Breath of Peace, reaching beyond the small clearing, spreading its magick into the wide world.

We are gifted with a sense of true belonging that is deep and grounding. There is such an aura of peace and joy, even when we think of folks that had been troubled in their lives. The vacant places in our hearts are filled and healed as we begin to understand that everything remains connected in both Life and Death.

The fire’s glow is reflected in the tears that gently flow down our cheeks… the ache of sadness and longing is replaced by a deep sense of true Peace.

The Magick of the Crone

With a soft sigh, we look up at the ancient Woman, her lined face almost glowing with a transient kind of beauty. It seems to shift quietly between her life as Maiden, as Mother, and now, as Crone.

The Crone’s song changes as she invokes the power of the small things of the Earth to heal and comfort. She knows the Deep Magick of the World, the Deep Peace.

This is the Song. This is the Wonder. This is the Magick of the Crone.

What’s next? Take Her wisdom into your heart and understand that YOU hold this Story, this Journey within your own spirit.

“Deep Peace” (c) 2022 Lyrics and music by Ginger Ackley is one of 20 chants that you can listen to on ENCHANTica.

Deep Peace is my wish, my prayer, my song for you. Remember to breathe Deep Peace into each other and this World – now, more than ever!

You can find more articles in Pagan Song about the archetype of the Crone here.

Feature image Samhain Goddess: The Crone is a work of art by Arwens Grace (Angela Jayne Barnett). Explore her work here.

For more information about Ginger Ackley, including her collected articles here on Pagan Song, her bio, and links to Ginger’s sites on the web, check out Ginger’s page on Pagan Song.

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