Sorcerous elder of folklore

CRONE

Think of the wizened woman often found stirring a cauldron in fairy tales, her knowledge of herbs and curses as deep as her wrinkles.

"Crone" is a term from folklore and mythology for an old, wise woman often linked to magic or witchcraft. The clue plays on the idea of a "sorcerous elder," which directly points to this archetype—think of the wizened, spell-casting women in fairy tales or pagan traditions. It’s a straightforward definition with no wordplay, just a nod to the cultural image of a powerful, sometimes fearsome, magical figure.