K – KNOWLEDGE

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I have an inward treasure born with me, which can keep me alive if all the extraneous delights should be withdrawn     

Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte

 Older women, having amassed experience, have the keys to something. We know and yet who asks. Why the blank space around her? Are we merely a bypass to be avoided and not considered? Do we reveal what we know, asked or not? If knowledge sets us free, then older women might be more considered and consulted, their lives an example. And, we might consider that they have something to offer.

 The type of knowledge we are addressing relates to the sources swinging on the underbelly of life. In some tales this is a character called Baba Yaga. In some stories she lives in a hut on the edge of the forest, denoting that she can negotiate the conscious and unconscious. The young princess often has to consult her and get directions about how to proceed on her journey. Youth does not know without the guidance of this older woman. There are such amazing tales depicting the various directions given by the older woman that the younger has to follow for making it through. In each one the younger must consult, listen to and trust the older. For the younger, the tasks she has to accomplish seem hopeless, daunting, the unknown too much to handle. The Baba Yaga figure, the old witch, is the one who knows. She has gone through life and can survive. With confidence and firmness she guides the younger so she will not waver but will achieve what she must.

The witch or the sorceress, an older woman is imbued with the knowledge of potions. She knows how to heal and she lives on an edge that is not part of the community. The witch is special and on her own. She carries mystique and a feeling of the unusual. She is of the world but not bound by it. She can traverse boundaries, she has a place of distinction on the edge, yet can be feared because of this. Her life is not like that of others. Why should it be? She knows what others do not and she passes it on to those who listen and obey. In many fairy tales the princess has to negotiate the witch and make peace with her. This means following her orders that seem obtuse or impossible. It means trusting in that which is unknown and which seem to make no sense. There is no orderly plan. The witch has mystical knowledge, without logical reason but knowledge in what is unseen and that belongs to the unusual.

 In our modern day this also entails listening to dreams and following their wisdom. This is a wisdom that addresses the essence of what it is to be a person. It is the ability to untie the conscious and unconscious from reaching into the well of life and drawing forth the waters for sustenance. This knowing means honoring the wisdom emanating from the older woman to anyone conscious enough to enquire.

Do you respect the knowledge gained through your own aging?

46 Comments on K – Knowledge

  1. I have long maintained a computer file called “Treasures,” where I keep the stories I write. These are the inner me, the treasures of myself. As I age, now in my 70s, I notice that young people don’t know what to make of me; it’s like they’re afraid to approach me. I have two women friends right here in town who are in their early 80s, 10 years older than I. I sense the wisdom within them. I kind of have to pry it out of them. We don’t talk about it, because no one wants to listen. But, I love listening to them. Above all else, I think, they give me hope — the future is bright and you can always stay active and begin and learn new things.

  2. This is brilliant. I remember Baba Yaga from folk tales (I had this book, Tales Of The Amur or something like that, and she was in a couple of them), and she was presented as a villain–but your post has completely shifted that for me. At the edge of forest and civilization, at the edge of conscious and unconscious–or subconscious?–she straddles both worlds, she has unique perspective. Kind of like you 🙂

    I’m loving your blog, Susan.
    Guilie @ Life In Dogs

    • Thank you so much Guilie. Baba Yaga – such a wise woman. Not a villain (nice word for V); though we fear the UNconscious in spite of it being a wealth to be plummeted for the treasure to be found.

  3. Susan, I love the perspective you bring to your posts. The knowledge I have gained and my growing confidence in it give me great joy and it is a joy to share it with those who would ask as well. I agree with your earlier reply to one of your commenters though. There is a wisdom in knowing that we don’t know, at least not much. Thank you for your great blog. Enjoy the At to Z. Maria from “http://delightdirectedliving.blogspot.com/”

    • Thank you for your kind comment Maria. It was Socrates who said “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing”. And “wonder is the beginning of wisdom”.

    • Thanks for stopping by Madeline. That’s what life is about in great part, learning – and accepting – one’s self. What is ‘good’ anyway?

  6. There was a time in my life, when I was given the opportunity to learn some life sustaining lessons from an aboriginal elder lady. Those lessons she taught, are with me to this day. She is thought of fondly many times, especially as I prepare a certain tincture or offer council to a grandchild. Wisdom in the elders is priceless and we need to honour that.

  7. Yes I do respect my inner knowing and I also heartily respect the wisdom of all women thru all time that is held within my cells. does this make me wise? not necessarily but this notion does allow me to open to the vast reservoir of knowledge ….
    Sandra

    • Aloha Courtney and thank you for stopping by! How great that you mention Hawaii and the Kupuna, the bearers of wisdom.

  9. Great post ma. Ya, realised that elders really do have quite a bit of wisdom / knowledge, and I think they’re loathe to impart it to know-it-alls, but if there’s a willing listener there’s a better chance of learning.

  10. An interesting post, thank you. We accumulate knowledge through experience, and one of the joys of being older is being able to use this experience to help others. It’s a factor I value greatly in the aging process.

  11. Hello to BOTH Susan’s!
    Beautiful words on knowledge. I especially love the closing paragraph. It spoke to my heart.
    Namaste,
    Trisha Faye

  14. Beautiful post, Susan, full of wisdom. I try to respect my own knowledge, but more so the knowledge of the elders around me. What’s that saying: if we don’t have an elder around, we should buy one … or something like that. Someone who’s been through life, their knowledge is invaluable. Thank you for the thought-provoking post.

    • Dear Silvia;
      Knowledge lies in the honesty with which we approach our world.
      Maybe we can do this more the older we become…
      Thank you,
      Susan

  15. I thrive on receiving knowledge from those who are older than I. I thrive on receiving it from anyone. I don’t mind sharing the things I’ve learned but I much rather listen and learn from others. Not as a cowardice but because I find it more rewarding & enjoyable. If I’ve explained that well?

  16. I love learning and will continue to learn so long as I live. I find that people come to me for advice even when I don’t feel I have the wisdom they seek. There is so much more to know and I will never acquire all I want to know.

    • That’s a great attitude Cecilia to continue to be curious. Your deepest self will tell you all you need to know. Thank you for commenting.

    • Rocky roads there will always be Rosie. Just be yourself at all times and you are already there. I tried to find your website so I could see you and return the compliment of commenting but no luck – can you advise?

  18. Dropping in from the A-to-Z Challenge. Thank you for this reminder. I have been listening to my dreams and my own inner wisdom.

    I am enjoying all of your posts and am very glad I found your blog.

    • Thank you for stopping by Ashtoreth via A-Z, we appreciate this. Keep on listening, hearing and paying attention to the richness within! Am about to go check yours. Have a great weekend!

  20. Hi,

    The wisdom from a woman who has been encountered life with an open heart and the willingness to change is invaluable. It is knowledge that any one can profit from.

    In this respect I treasure sitting at the feet of older women, but more than that, I treasure sharing my own knowledge that I have gained on my journey with others. To share and pass own the pearls of wisdom actually enriches my life, and I continue to gain knowledge through engaging and stretching my horizon.

    Thank you for sharing. It is truly beautiful.

    Shalom,
    Patricia

  22. You provided an interesting tale. I had forgotten about the role of the witch or wise woman. I totally agree with Patricia’s comments. I too am growing more confident in me as a person and the knowledge I have gained over time.

    Thank you for this wise story.

  23. Where do I begin? You have offered a comprehensive, sensitive, intelligent,wise dissertation on the role of the witch, the hag, the wise woman of every tribe, every society, whether or not she is recognized as such. Speaking personally, I realize at my age, now in the late 80’s, that I really know nothing. What I can call on is an innate appreciation for what I I feel, a gift that is bestowed upon every one of us, a basic, deep-seated, bone-born knowledge of another dimension’s existence and beauty and truth.

  24. You made me go yes, yes, YES and I’m getting my wicca books back out, that is exactly the older woman I want to be…I’ve a bit of a way to go admittedly! Thanks for the inspiration, which I’m not sure you intended in this way. 🙂
    Loving the A to Z Challenge Maggie@expatbrazil.

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