Nina Paley on Nostr: There are 3 kinds of crones: wives, widows, and witches. Wives fulfill the social and ...

There are 3 kinds of crones: wives, widows, and witches.
Wives fulfill the social and reproductive roles of women, taking care of their men and children (and grandchildren).
Widows are wives whose husbands have died.
Witches, however, do not fulfill their expected social and reproductive roles. They may live alone and not take care of a man. They may not have children, whether by choice or barrenness; or they may be estranged. They do not raise children or grandchildren.
The modern witch archetype is the “old cat lady.” That’s what I am. But I prefer “witch” for its rich historical and mythological significance. I metaphorically live in a cottage in the woods, growing ever more eccentric.