The Old Woman Weaves the World

[bridget orman]

There are several Native American tales that refer to the old woman as the Creator. She weaves the world into creation and then ... something happens. The Sioux say her dog comes and tears out all that was woven. As Michael Meade tells the tale a single pulled thread starts the unraveling. Either way she is at some cross-roads. Do nothing and the world ends. Do something and it begins again. But what to do? It is only through the continual rebirth of creativity that she has a vision of what to bring forth. This is the Creator archetype that embodies all women from birth until death. It is not limited to her childbearing years but goes with her always. She keeps that spark safe within and ignites it to bring forth a new vision, reweaving the world and protecting the future for all generations.

This is the generative task of all women. The task is to care and protect seven generations forward and honor seven generations back (as the Iroquois say). It is a wise teaching and one forgotten in the Western world today that honors only the good of the individual and the present moment. Women have been enculturated to believe they can no longer make a difference, but the wise crone knows better. She calls to all of her children to bring forth a brighter future even if it can't be envisioned today. All we need to do is to pick up that single thread to begin.