The Feral Crone: Rewilding Yourself in Later Years
Aging is often framed as a process of decline, a slow retreat from vitality and relevance. But what if, instead, it is a time of awakening? A time to shed societal expectations, reconnect with your wild, authentic self, and step boldly into your power? This is the essence of the feral crone—a woman who reclaims her later years as a time of freedom, wisdom, and untamed authenticity.
For women over 60, this journey can be transformative. It’s about rewilding yourself—returning to your natural state of being, free from the constraints of cultural norms—and embracing the wisdom and boldness that come with age. Let’s explore what it means to become a feral crone and how you can embark on this liberating path.
Redefining the Crone
The word crone has long carried baggage. In folklore, it conjures images of an old woman hunched over a cauldron, feared for her mysterious power. Historically, however, the crone was revered as a wise elder—a healer, a storyteller, and a guide for her community. She represented the culmination of life’s lessons and the deep knowing that comes from experience.
In modern times, the word has been reclaimed by women who reject society’s obsession with youth and beauty. The crone is no longer a figure to be pitied or feared but celebrated as a symbol of empowerment. She is unapologetic, authentic, and deeply connected to herself and the world around her.
To embrace the crone archetype is to reject the notion that aging diminishes your worth. Instead, it’s an invitation to step into your power as a woman who has nothing to prove and everything to offer.
The Call to Rewilding
To become feral is to return to your natural state—wild, untamed, and free. It’s about shedding the layers of conditioning that have shaped you over decades and reconnecting with your primal instincts and desires.
fe·ral
/ˈferəl,ˈfirəl/
adjective
- (especially of an animal) in a wild state, especially after escape from captivity or domestication.
Rewilding isn’t just about spending time in nature (though that’s part of it); it’s also about rediscovering who you are beneath the roles you’ve played—mother, partner, professional—and embracing your truest self. It’s about asking: What do I want? What brings me joy? What makes me feel alive?
For women in their later years, rewilding can be especially powerful. After decades of caring for others or striving to meet societal expectations, this stage of life offers an opportunity to prioritize yourself. It’s a chance to reconnect with passions you may have set aside or discover new ones altogether.
Rewilding fosters creativity, resilience, and emotional well-being. It invites you to let go of perfectionism and embrace imperfection as part of your unique beauty. It reminds you that you are not separate from nature—you are nature itself: dynamic, evolving, and full of life.
Nature as a Source of Healing and Power
One of the most profound ways to rewild yourself is by spending time in wild places. Nature has an incredible ability to heal and restore us—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Research shows that spending time outdoors can reduce stress, improve mental clarity, boost mood, and even lower blood pressure. For women over 60, these benefits are especially valuable as they contribute to overall well-being during this transformative stage of life.
But beyond its health benefits, nature offers something even more profound: perspective. When you stand beneath ancient trees or gaze at an endless horizon, you’re reminded that you are part of something vast and eternal. The worries that once consumed you shrink in comparison to the grandeur of the natural world.
Many women find that spending time in nature helps them reconnect with their intuition—their inner knowing that often gets drowned out by the noise of daily life. Whether it’s hiking through forests, sitting by a riverbank, or simply walking barefoot on grass, these moments in nature can be deeply grounding and transformative.
Personal stories abound from women who have embraced nature as part of their rewilding journey. One woman shared how hiking solo in her 60s gave her newfound confidence: “I realized I didn’t need anyone else’s permission to live boldly—I could give myself permission.” Another spoke about how gardening helped her feel connected to the cycles of life: “Watching plants grow reminded me that I’m still growing too.”
Embracing Boldness and Authenticity in Later Years
One of the greatest gifts of aging is freedom—the freedom to stop caring what others think and start living for yourself. Yet many women find this easier said than done after decades of putting others’ needs first or conforming to societal expectations.
Becoming a feral crone means embracing boldness—not recklessness but intentional courage in pursuing what lights you up inside. It means speaking your truth even when it’s uncomfortable or unpopular; setting boundaries without guilt; trying new things without fear of failure; wearing what makes you feel beautiful; saying yes when something excites you—and no when it doesn’t.
Authenticity is another cornerstone of this journey: stripping away masks or personas you’ve worn for others’ approval so that your true self can shine through unapologetically.
Practical steps toward boldness might include:
- Taking up an activity you’ve always wanted to try (painting? dancing? kayaking?).
- Traveling solo—even if just for a weekend getaway—to rediscover your independence.
- Saying “no” more often so there’s room for things that truly matter.
- Sharing your story with others—it might inspire them too!
Practical Steps to Begin Your Journey
If you’re ready to answer the call of the feral crone but aren’t sure where to start—don’t worry! This journey doesn’t require grand gestures; small steps can lead to profound transformation over time.
Reconnect with Nature
- Spend time outdoors daily—even if just sitting on your porch or walking in a local park.
- Try forest bathing (shinrin-yoku), which involves mindfully immersing yourself in nature using all five senses.
- Plan trips specifically focused on exploring wild places—whether national parks or hidden gems near home.
Do Inner Work
- Start journaling about what “rewilding” means for you. What parts of yourself feel tamed or constrained? How might you set them free?
- Practice mindfulness or meditation outdoors—listen closely for birdsong; feel sunlight on your skin; notice how being outside shifts your mood.
- Explore creative outlets like writing poetry inspired by nature or sketching landscapes.
Build Community
- Join groups celebrating aging women (e.g., croning ceremonies or elder circles).
- Attend retreats focused on rewilding practices such as wilderness survival skills or eco-spirituality workshops.
- Share experiences with like-minded friends who support each other’s growth journeys.
To become a feral crone is not just about aging gracefully—it’s about aging boldly. It’s about reclaiming your later years as a time for adventure rather than retreat; authenticity rather than conformity; connection rather than isolation.
This journey invites you back into alignment with yourself—with all your wisdom earned through experience—and with nature itself as both teacher and sanctuary.
So go ahead: step into wild places; speak truths long buried; dance under moonlight if it calls! The world needs feral crones now more than ever—women unafraid to live fully while inspiring others along their path toward freedom too!
xoxo, Xen
