The Hag archetype, often referred to as the Crone, holds immense power and wisdom. Yet, she’s one of the most misunderstood archetypes and expressions of the feminine because of how she has been portrayed. For centuries, the Hag has been unfairly portrayed as ugly, bitter, and irrelevant, a far cry from the respected elder and wisdom keeper she truly represents. Now is the time to reclaim the Hag as a vital source of strength, guidance, and unapologetic expression.

Who is the Hag?

The Hag, also known as the Crone, represents the post-menopausal woman, the elder, and the wise woman. Historically, she has been portrayed as ugly, old, and evil – a figure to be feared or pitied. Yet, this distorted image ignores the true essence of the Hag. In ancient times, the Crone was revered as a keeper of knowledge, a guide through life’s transitions, and a gateway to the mysteries of the cosmos.

In today’s world, where age is often equated with declining value, especially for women, the Hag challenges us to rethink our relationship with ageing. She teaches us that there is immense power in our later years, and that wisdom, not youth, is the ultimate source of strength.

“The cackle of the crone… It is the sound of a woman who is caught inside the mystery of the universe, in the irony of the angst, in the place ego abhors.”

– Toni Bentley 

Reclaiming the Hag Archetype

To reclaim the Hag is to honour our womb as a cosmic portal. Not just for procreation, but for creativity, intuition, and the unknown. The Hag invites us to embrace the void, the mystery of life, death, and everything in between. She represents the Crone phase of the feminine life cycle, where wisdom and deep knowing emerge from life experience.

Unlike the Maiden or the Mother, the Hag isn’t concerned with being seen or validated. She is not bound by societal expectations of beauty or desirability. The Hag knows her worth, her wisdom, and her power. She stands unapologetically in her truth, no longer concerned with pleasing others.

The Power of Death and Rebirth

One of the greatest gifts the Hag brings is her connection to death. In a culture that fears ageing and death, the Hag reminds us that death is a necessary part of the cycle of life. She teaches us that everything – our bodies, our beliefs, our identities – must eventually decay to make room for transformation. The Hag urges us to let go of what no longer serves us, whether it’s old patterns, relationships, or societal expectations.

This is not just about physical death. The Hag represents the little deaths we experience throughout life, the endings that give way to new beginnings. Each menstrual cycle, each phase of life, each shift in identity is an opportunity to connect with our inner Hag, to honour the death of the old and welcome the birth of the new.

Embodying Your Inner Hag

To connect with the Hag within is to embrace & embody the parts of yourself that have been shamed, rejected, or hidden. It is to make peace with ageing, to see beauty in the lines on your face and the stretch marks on your body. The Hag asks you to renounce the societal pressures to remain youthful and instead celebrate the wisdom that comes with age.

The Hag also invites us to explore the unknown, to sit with discomfort, and to embrace the parts of life we cannot control. She teaches us that true power lies not in maintaining perfection but in surrendering to the cycles of life and trusting in the wisdom we’ve gained along the way.

Practical Ways to Activate the Hag Archetype

1. Honour your ageing body: Reflect on how you view ageing. Do you celebrate the changes in your body, or do you resist them? The Hag encourages you to embrace the physical signs of ageing as markers of wisdom and experience.
   
2. Work with death: Create rituals that honour death and rebirth in your life. This could involve journaling about what you’re ready to let go of or practising a “descent into darkness” ritual, where you allow yourself to sit in the unknown and release control.
   
   Some prompts to get you started…
   – What is it about the darkness and the unknown that I am afraid of?
   – What of my dark energy am I resisting?
   – What is asking to be released in order for me to listen to my inner guidance?
   
   
3. Seek solitude: The Hag often retreats from the world to connect with her inner wisdom. Carve out time for solitude and reflection. Whether through meditation, journaling, or spending time in nature, allow yourself to tune into the deep wisdom within.
   
4. Work with your shadow: The Hag isn’t afraid of the darker aspects of life. She asks you to explore your shadow – the parts of yourself you’ve hidden or rejected – and to integrate them into your whole self.
   

The Lessons of Baba Yaga

One of the most well-known Hag archetypes is Baba Yaga, the fearsome crone of Russian and Slavic folklore. Baba Yaga represents the wild, untamed aspect of the Hag. She lives in the woods, far from society, and is known for her tests and challenges. Those who seek her wisdom must first confront their own fears and limitations.

Baba Yaga’s story teaches us that the path to wisdom is not easy. It requires us to venture into the unknown, to face our own darkness, and to emerge transformed. She reminds us that the Hag’s gifts are not handed over freely – they must be earned through self-exploration and courage.

Journal Prompts to Awaken Your Inner Hag

• What does the word “Hag” evoke in you?
• How do you feel about your body as it ages?
• What gifts is your Hag ready to offer you?
• What do you need to let go of in order to step into the next phase of your life?
  

Unleash Your Most Embodied Erotic Expression

The Hag feminine archetype offers us an invitation to step into our wisdom and reclaim the parts of ourselves that society often rejects. By embodying the Hag, we tap into a well of ancient knowledge, self-possession, and unapologetic expression. She teaches us that there is beauty in the unknown, power in the process of death and rebirth, and strength in the wisdom we’ve gathered through life’s experiences.

Take The Erotic Feminine Archetypes Quiz

Expressing, embodying, and empowering the feminine archetypes is a powerful act of rewilding, remembering, reclamation, and revolution. It’s time we recovered our erotic feminine from the sin bin of society, misogyny, and the male gaze. Let’s honour our bodies as portals of pleasure, and remember our power as sexually expressed women.

Ready to discover who you are on a deeper level and learn more about your core erotic energy & archetype, or that which you desire to awaken? Take my FREE Erotic Feminine Archetypes Quiz…

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