Crones Amongst Us

By Tracy Schruder

“I come from a long line of spiritual and holistic women, whose homes were centered around the warmth and love of the hearth. In our ancestral homes, cauldrons would simmer on wood-burning cook stoves, filling the air with moisture and fragrant aromas. Every item was handmade with love and care, from the brooms to the remedies.

Our family’s treasured book of teachings was passed down through generations, containing recipes, notes on natural plants and their healing properties, and secrets of teas and potions.

This sacred book was typically entrusted to only two female members of each generation, and my mother was one of them. She passed it down to my sister and me, and with it, the responsibility of carrying on our family’s traditions. As holders of the hearth, we’ve been blessed with special abilities that have been passed down through our lineage.

We can see auras, read tea leaves, and tap into the wisdom of tarot cards. We’re oracles, sensing things that others might not, and we’ve learned to cultivate kindness, empathy, and compassion.

These gifts came naturally to us, and I’ve been honored to continue my mother’s legacy.

When mom passed away, I received her trusty staff, her poetry, and her writing. I inherited her recipes and secret spice list, and I’ve been working to preserve her traditions. But what’s even more remarkable is that my mother stayed with us for at least two years after she passed, watching over us from just out of sight. We’d catch glimpses of her from the corner of our eye, and I even captured a sign from her in a photograph – a message in the clouds that let us know she was okay.

My mother used to share with us her dreams of her mother and grandmother, who would visit her and guide her through life’s challenges. During a surgery, she told us that she saw her mom and grandmother, who waved goodbye and told her it wasn’t time yet. These experiences have deepened my connection to the spiritual realm and my understanding of the mysteries of life and death.

For me, the hearth represents a place of love, nourishment, and spiritual growth. Besides my Reiki practice, I find joy in creating teas and homemade remedies, and I love crafting spell packages for my clients and customers.

I’m guided by my reverence for the universe and the divine power that flows through me. Though I’m just a spark of the divine, I’m proud to be a part of this lineage, carrying on the traditions and wisdom of my ancestors.”