Triple Goddess Symbol: Maiden Mother Crone

Introduction

Three moon phases in a row—waxing crescent, full moon, waning crescent. Three faces of the divine feminine—maiden, mother, crone. Three stages of a woman's life—youth, maturity, wisdom. This is the Triple Goddess symbol, one of the most powerful and sacred representations of the feminine divine in modern paganism and goddess spirituality. Simple yet profound, it honors the cyclical nature of life, the phases of the moon, and the sacred journey of the feminine through time.

The Triple Goddess is not just a symbol—it is a philosophy, a way of understanding the divine feminine as multifaceted and ever-changing, a recognition that the goddess (and all women) contain within them the energy of youth, fertility, and wisdom. It teaches that all phases of life are sacred, that aging is not decline but deepening, that the crone is as powerful as the maiden, and that the cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth is eternal.

This guide will explore the Triple Goddess symbol in depth—its geometry, the three aspects, mythology, spiritual meanings, and how to work with this sacred feminine trinity.

What Is the Triple Goddess Symbol?

The Geometric Structure

The Triple Goddess symbol consists of:

• Left crescent (waxing moon): Horns pointing right )
• Center circle (full moon): Complete, whole ○
• Right crescent (waning moon): Horns pointing left (
• Together: ) ○ ( forming a continuous lunar cycle

The Three Moon Phases

Waxing Moon (growing):

• The moon growing from new to full
• Increasing light and energy
• Expansion, growth, manifestation
• The Maiden

Full Moon (complete):

• The moon at its fullest and brightest
• Maximum power and illumination
• Fruition, abundance, fertility
• The Mother

Waning Moon (decreasing):

• The moon shrinking from full to new
• Decreasing light, increasing darkness
• Release, wisdom, introspection
• The Crone

The Three Aspects of the Goddess

The Maiden (Waxing Moon)

Age/Phase: Youth, virginity (in the original sense of "whole unto herself")

Moon Phase: Waxing crescent to first quarter

Season: Spring

Time of Life: Childhood through young adulthood

Qualities:

• Innocence, purity, new beginnings
• Independence, self-discovery, exploration
• Enthusiasm, joy, playfulness
• Potential, promise, possibility
• Adventure, courage, freedom

Symbolism:

• The dawn, sunrise
• Seeds sprouting, buds opening
• The huntress, the wild one
• Untamed feminine power

Goddesses: Artemis, Diana, Persephone (as Kore), Brigid (as maiden)

The Mother (Full Moon)

Age/Phase: Maturity, fertility, motherhood (literal or metaphorical)

Moon Phase: Full moon

Season: Summer

Time of Life: Adulthood, childbearing years, peak of power

Qualities:

• Fertility, creativity, abundance
• Nurturing, compassion, unconditional love
• Power, strength, protection
• Fulfillment, manifestation, fruition
• Sexuality, sensuality, life-giving force

Symbolism:

• Midday, the sun at its peak
• Flowers in full bloom, fruit ripening
• The womb, the breast, the earth
• The giver and sustainer of life

Goddesses: Demeter, Isis, Gaia, Danu, Frigg

The Crone (Waning Moon)

Age/Phase: Elder, wise woman, post-menopause

Moon Phase: Waning crescent to dark moon

Season: Autumn and Winter

Time of Life: Elderhood, the wisdom years

Qualities:

• Wisdom, knowledge, experience
• Introspection, inner knowing, intuition
• Death, endings, transformation
• Magic, mystery, the unseen
• Truth-telling, prophecy, divination

Symbolism:

• Dusk, sunset, night
• Harvest, seeds returning to earth
• The cauldron, the cave, the underworld
• The guide between worlds

Goddesses: Hecate, Cerridwen, the Morrigan, Baba Yaga, Kali (in her destroyer aspect)

The Spiritual Meaning of the Triple Goddess

1. The Cycle of Life

The Triple Goddess represents the eternal cycle:

• Birth (Maiden): New beginnings, potential
• Life (Mother): Fullness, creation, manifestation
• Death (Crone): Endings, transformation, wisdom
• Rebirth: The cycle begins again

2. Honoring All Phases

The symbol teaches that all phases are sacred:

• Youth is not superior to age
• The crone is as powerful as the maiden
• Each phase has unique gifts and wisdom
• Aging is not decline but deepening
• All stages deserve reverence

3. The Wholeness of the Feminine

The Triple Goddess shows that the feminine contains multitudes:

• Innocent and wise
• Nurturing and fierce
• Life-giving and death-wielding
• Light and dark
• All aspects integrated into wholeness

4. Lunar Wisdom

The connection to the moon teaches:

• Cyclical time (vs. linear)
• The power of phases and rhythms
• Waxing and waning as natural
• Darkness as necessary as light
• The feminine as connected to lunar cycles

5. The Sacred Feminine Trinity

Like other trinities (Father/Son/Holy Spirit, Brahma/Vishnu/Shiva):

• Three-in-one, one-in-three
• The power of three
• Past, present, future
• Beginning, middle, end
• The complete cycle

Working with Each Aspect

Invoking the Maiden

When to call upon her:

• New beginnings and fresh starts
• Reclaiming independence and freedom
• Exploring new possibilities
• Healing from loss of innocence
• Reconnecting with joy and playfulness

Practice:

• Work during the waxing moon
• Wear white or light colors
• Spend time in nature, especially at dawn
• Dance, play, explore
• Set intentions for new projects

Invoking the Mother

When to call upon her:

• Fertility and creativity work
• Nurturing yourself or others
• Manifesting abundance
• Healing mother wounds
• Accessing your power and strength

Practice:

• Work during the full moon
• Wear red, green, or earth tones
• Create, nurture, nourish
• Practice self-care and compassion
• Celebrate your creative power

Invoking the Crone

When to call upon her:

• Seeking wisdom and guidance
• Navigating endings and transitions
• Developing intuition and magic
• Honoring aging and elderhood
• Shadow work and transformation

Practice:

• Work during the waning or dark moon
• Wear black, purple, or dark colors
• Practice divination and meditation
• Honor your ancestors and elders
• Embrace solitude and introspection

How to Work with the Triple Goddess

1. Moon Phase Ritual

Practice:

• Waxing Moon: Set intentions, plant seeds, begin projects (Maiden energy)
• Full Moon: Celebrate, give thanks, manifest (Mother energy)
• Waning Moon: Release, let go, reflect (Crone energy)
• Dark Moon: Rest, go inward, receive wisdom (Crone's deepest mystery)

2. Life Stage Honoring

Practice:

• Recognize which phase you're in
• Honor the gifts of your current stage
• Work with the corresponding goddess aspect
• Know that you contain all three within you

3. Altar to the Triple Goddess

Setup:

• Left (Maiden): White candle, flowers, feathers, spring symbols
• Center (Mother): Red or green candle, fruits, grains, abundance symbols
• Right (Crone): Black candle, bones, stones, wisdom symbols
• Center of all: Triple Goddess symbol or statue

4. Triple Goddess Meditation

Practice:

• Visualize the three moon phases
• Meet each aspect of the goddess
• Receive a message from each
• Integrate all three within yourself
• Recognize you are the Triple Goddess

5. Seasonal Celebrations

Practice:

• Spring Equinox: Honor the Maiden
• Summer Solstice: Honor the Mother
• Autumn Equinox/Samhain: Honor the Crone
• Celebrate the turning of the wheel

6. Personal Transformation Work

Practice:

• Identify what needs to be birthed (Maiden)
• What needs to be nurtured (Mother)
• What needs to be released (Crone)
• Work with all three for complete transformation

The Triple Goddess in Modern Paganism

Wicca and Witchcraft

• Central symbol in Wiccan practice
• The Goddess in her three aspects
• Paired with the Horned God (dual deity system)
• Used in ritual and magic

Goddess Spirituality

• Honoring the divine feminine
• Reclaiming goddess worship
• Feminist spirituality
• Women's mysteries and rites of passage

Eclectic Paganism

• Adapted across many traditions
• Personal relationship with the goddess
• Flexible and inclusive interpretation

Common Misconceptions

Misconception 1: It's Ancient

Truth: While the concept of triple goddesses exists in ancient mythology (e.g., the Greek Moirai, the Norns), the specific Maiden/Mother/Crone formulation and the moon symbol are modern (20th century), popularized by Robert Graves and modern Wicca.

Misconception 2: It's Only for Women

Truth: While it honors the feminine, anyone can work with the Triple Goddess. The phases represent universal cycles of beginning, fullness, and ending.

Misconception 3: The Crone Is Negative

Truth: The Crone is powerful, wise, and sacred. She represents the wisdom of age and the transformative power of endings.

Signs the Triple Goddess Is Calling You

• You're drawn to moon phases and lunar cycles
• You're navigating a major life transition
• You're seeking to honor the feminine divine
• You're working through issues with aging or life stages
• You're interested in goddess spirituality or Wicca
• You need to integrate different aspects of yourself
• You're called to honor the cycles of life
• You see the triple moon symbol appearing in your life

Conclusion

The Triple Goddess—Maiden, Mother, Crone—is one of modern paganism's most powerful symbols of the divine feminine in all her phases, the sacred cycle of life, and the wisdom that comes from honoring every stage of existence. Represented by the three moon phases (waxing, full, waning), she teaches us that the feminine is not one thing but many, that all phases of life are sacred, and that the cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth is eternal.

When you work with the Triple Goddess, you're honoring the wholeness of the feminine—the innocent maiden, the powerful mother, and the wise crone. You're recognizing that you contain all three within you, that you can call upon each aspect when needed, and that aging is not decline but a journey into deeper wisdom and power.

The Triple Goddess reminds us that life is cyclical, not linear, that endings are also beginnings, that darkness is as sacred as light, and that the crone's wisdom is as valuable as the maiden's innocence. She teaches us to honor all phases, to embrace change, and to trust the eternal cycle of transformation.

This is the Triple Goddess—Maiden, Mother, Crone—the three-in-one, the lunar trinity, the sacred feminine in all her power and wisdom. Let her guide you through all the phases of your life.