About H A G
hag; noun, plural noun: hags
a witch.
an ugly old woman.
Similar: crone, old woman, witch, gorgon, cow, old cow, old bag, old bat.
In the old stories of Ireland, a woman past her childbearing years is often referred to as ‘hag’, or ‘crone’. Yet she also possessed great power; she could, for instance, confer kingship rights to a man either by sleeping with him, or offering him refreshment; who knows what magic swirled within the vessel she embodied, or the cup she offered.
In the flux of physical female change, there is a maelstrom of energy, the journey of self-discovery, and the reinvention of identity. A transfer of power takes place from reproduction into self-knowledge, and it is liberating, confusing and exciting. In the midst of my own re-empowerment, I am reclaiming the word ‘hag’ for all women who have reached a certain age, but not passed their ‘best-by’ date. Female power accumulates with age. We are more than the sum of our reproductive parts.
H A G - The Cailleach Project is for all women who are searching for a meaningful way to navigate their H A G years.
H A G invites you on an exploration into this anomaly of female being. Through the intersection of ancient and indigenous wisdoms, a growing awareness of the world about us, an acceptance of the interconnectedness of Other life entities, the study of world mythologies (but particularly the myths of Ireland), laced with observations from the literary canon and engagement with literary criticism, H A G will seek to draw new meaning from what it is to be female and aging in the context of global patriarchal capitalist normativity that is on the verge of implosion.
Why Subscribe?
Subscribe to join me on this journey through my H A G years, and get full access to the newsletter and website.
Free subscribers: Monthly Newsletter no. 1, which includes an essay on the Cailleach, a discussion of 5 quotes, or ‘wisdoms’ which are relevant to the topic, and lessons from the Cailleach; commenting, and the gatherings.
Paid subscribers: Monthly Newsletter no. 1 [see above] and Monthly Newsletter no. 2, which will include the impact of the Cailleach’s lessons, an ancient site report and essay on the women associated with it, an interview or history of a woman I find inspiring, a recipe using foraged ingredients which may be a food or drink, medicine or skin-care, and space for the sharing of your own stories, should you wish to, commenting, the Cailleach’s Circle (chat) where you can get to know me and each other, ask questions, share knowledge and support, and the gatherings.
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