Joan Goldberg – Artist & Storyteller

Storytelling for adults: Over the past 36 years, I have been doing performance work as a storyteller, focusing on the historical, sociological and psychological underpinnings of folktales and myth. At countless workshops and Elderhostels I have introduced such topics as Warrior Anger and Inner Peace, Demeter: The Real Story, Cinderella: The Real Story, The Inner Hero, and countless others. The venues have ranged from prisons to Goddess Conferences, from convents to Chairs of Poetry at various local colleges. My work has ranged from Toronto to Syracuse, and all over New York State.

I enjoy the quirky humour of the old stories, which often mask their deep wisdom, so that my presentations are full of fun as well as the deep wisdom of our ancestors.

As a mask-maker, I am interested in the mask’s ability to both conceal and reveal the true self. All my work uses non-traditional materials such as stones, feathers, shells, bark, leaves and other natural materials. My work has been exhibited in Western New York for years, and they have homes in homes and offices both here and throughout the US. I have also been doing workshops for Human Services Organizations, using mask-making as a healing and expressive form.

Reclaiming the Image of the Crone (pre-requisite to the croning ritual)

Crone, Hag, and other such names have been used recently (in the past 4000 years) to put down older women. As each year, some of us reach that stage, we should understand the early sacredness of those words, and reclaim the holy tasks which were hers alone, including birthing, healing, judging, deathing (welcoming into the Land of Apples). The most sacred of the stages of life, our wisdom welcomes us home.

The Witch in Folktale, The Ageless Witch

She is NOT an old lady doing weird rituals and casting spells…She is The Force, offering treasure, or, perhaps, death, and YOU choose whitch. Her name, in English, bears an unfortunate resemblance to “bitch,” and she has taken on those characteristics. In France, La Sorcière, in Italy, The Mama Draga, she may be fierce and frightening, or a Gentle Grandma, or even a beautiful desirable young woman, healing the Knight’s wounds. But she presents options: healing, awareness, transformation, and sometimes suffering, as you choose.
She is Karma; She is Life Itself.
Come, laugh, enjoy, and learn!

 

CRONING CEREMONY

The transition from the Mother stage of life to that of the Crone is a major one for a woman. This ceremony acknowledges the accomplishments of a woman’s Maiden and Mother stages, and facilitates her entry into the Moon Lodge of the Grandmothers. Grandmother Bear is the Guardian of our Moon Lodge.

Participants are encouraged to wear an item, preferably a red one, that represents their Mother stage of life. This item will be removed during the ceremony. If you have an item that represents your new stage of life please bring it.

Donata Ahern and Joan Goldberg will facilitate the ceremony. Joan is a story teller who includes tales of the Crone in her repertory. Donata is a Wiccan HPS and Druid who has facilitated several Crone ceremonies.