The Triple Goddess: The Maiden, Mother & Crone
This post may include affiliate links and I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Mabon House only features products that I believe in and use myself. Thank you!
One of my favorite allegories is the Triple Goddess, also known as the Maiden, Mother and Crone. A fairly new idea that really took root in the 1970s, the Triple Goddess aligns with the different moon phases and represents all the phases of womanhood. It highlights the power of the feminine and no matter your age or maternal status, you can look to the Triple Goddess for guidance, inspiration and comfort.
History of The Maiden, Mother & Crone
The concept of the Goddess goes back to most ancient civilizations and was often presented as a tripartite being, meaning that it was seen in three different images or phases of life. According to Skye Alexander in her book Modern Guide to Witchcraft, the feminine Goddess was represented as the maiden, mother, crone, while the masculine God power was shown as youth, maturity and old age. Goddess and God were often worshipped together, to draw from the different types of passive and active energies for a balanced life.
The specific idea of the Triple Goddess as its own deity or power was first popularized by 19th Century folklorist Robert Graves in his book The White Goddess. In it, Graves melds together several mythological figures popular in European culture to form the archetype of the Triple Goddess, which reflects the still popular notion of conventional beauty and feminine mystique. The Maiden is seen as blonde and conventionally beautiful, the mother as plump and matronly and revered for fertility and homemaking, while the crone is seen as bitter and a reminder of death. This western patriarchal idea of womanhood is still reflected by popular culture, which revere youth and motherhood, while often ignoring women once they age past a certain age.
Grave’s research was eventually discredited, though his ideas continued to permeate the neopagan movement of the early and mid 20th century. The modern day celebration of the Triple Goddess as a stand-alone divine feminine power took root in the 1970s, following the rise of the Wiccan religion in Western culture.
This article from Learn Religions gives further insight into the history of the Triple Goddess.
The Triple Goddess & The Moon
The most common association with the Triple Goddess are the three phases of the monthly moon. The waxing (growing bigger) moon represents the Maiden, the full moon represents the Mother and the waning (shrinking) moon represents the Crone. At a quick glance this comparison would align to life and death. We grow, we peak, we die. But upon closer study, the Triple Goddess and the moon phases can be applied to many aspects of our lives. In her excellent book Modern Witchcraft Book of Natural Magick, author Judy Ann Nock states that “The lunation cycle is our best representation of the triple goddess….We are constantly reminded that the only constant is change.”
The Maiden
The Maiden is represented by the waxing moon and associated with the start of the growing cycle of late winter and springtime. The Wheel of the Year sabbats Imbolc, Ostara and Beltane are associated with the Maiden phase of the Triple Goddess.
In popular culture (AKA the male gaze) the Maiden is often portrayed as a white, able bodied blonde teenager who is, if we’re being honest, a bit of a ditz. Think of every classic fairytale princess ever. Beautiful and noble, but totally unable to make good decisions and possesses no problem solving skills. She is young and vibrant, but also needs to be balanced out by more active masculine energy, usually in the form of being rescued by a dashing prince.
A modern take on the Maiden is viewing her as our youthful curiosity, openness and sense of adventure. The Maiden can happen multiple times in one’s life. When you go back to school, learn a new skill or hobby, or have a general sense of excitement at life’s opportunities - that is the Maiden channeling through your spirit.
Traditional myths featuring the Maiden include the Greek Persephone and Artemis and the Celtic Rhiannon.
The Mother
The Mother phase of life is represented by the full moon- the fullest part of your life. In the Wheel of the Year it is associated with the harvests of Lughnasadh and Mabon.
The idea of motherhood has long been associated with safety, love, security and home. The Mother is often portrayed as plump and matronly and loved by her family, while also being dismissed as anything else beside being a mother - Mrs. Weasley from Harry Potter comes to mind. But despite the matronly associations with the Mother Phase - It is one that lives within all women - regardless of maternal status. It represents the fullness of life - the growing season and the start of the harvest. Those early ideas and possibilities that happened with the Maiden are now coming to fruition.
The Mother is represented in nearly every ancient culture including the Roman Ceres, Greek Demeter, and Hindu Lakshmi.
The Crone
The Crone phase of life is represented by the waning moon- when the cycle comes to an end and a new beginning starts. The Crone is full of wisdom and life experience. In the Wheel of the Year she is associated with Samhain and Yule, when the days shorten and the growing season officially ends. Author Judy Ann Nock likens the Crone to seed magick, observing “...the seed is the Crone containing all wisdom within, arising at the end of the life cycle, the culmination of all the seasons and the many turns of the wheel.”
Historically there has been a lot of fear around aging and for good reason. Dying peacefully is a fairly new idea, thanks to modern medicine. Previous to modern medicine, death could be painful and prolonged for many. So it isn’t a surprise that the Crone is associated with pain, fear and bitterness. But if we go beyond this superficial association, the Crone can represent our own innate wisdom and strength. Life’s storms leave their mark, but the Crone demonstrates how we can come out stronger and more resilient than ever.
The Crone is represented in many cultures including the Russian Baba Yaga, the Indian Kali and the Celtic Morrigan.
Despite the association with feminism, the Triple Goddess has historically been seen through the male gaze of western patriarchy. Her energy is associated with passivity rather than action and balanced with the more active male/God energy. Modern interpretations value the Goddess for her own power and representation of the life cycle. For those that want to align with the Triple Goddess, looking inward is a good place to start, knowing that no matter what phase you are in, the Goddess stands with you.
Recommended Readings
In the Wake of the Goddesses by Tikva Frymer-Kensky
The Modern Guide to Witchcraft by Skye Alexander
The Modern Witchcraft Book of Natural Magick by Judy Ann Nock
