Wise Woman : Bean Feasa

The first Wise Woman I met was Fran Tripp. Not long after we had become acquainted she asked would I like to be crowned Wise Woman also. At first I demurred, thinking I was undeserving of such a title. However, in November 2013 I was crowned by Fran in a ceremony that celebrated age, power and wisdom.

Until recently tradition held that there were three phases to a woman’s life: maiden, mother and wise woman. Now it is accepted that a woman’s life embraces four seasons: maiden, mother, matriarch and wise woman.

A matriarch is a woman in her power, an autumn queen who celebrates her achievements and meets the challenges of age with grace.

With five children, one grandchild, and several books and plays to my name, I am happy to acknowledge that this is the season I now inhabit. It means I am on the cusp of wisdom and recognises that, although I have been crowned Wise Woman, I have much to learn before embracing its mantle.