Journey of a Hero

1. Separation/Departure Call to adventure –Appearance or meeting of the Herald –The call may occur during a crises or traumatic event –The call begins the quest Refusal of the Call –Hero is reluctant and tries to refuse going on the journey, but is eventually convinced with the help of a supernatural aid.

Crossing the Threshold –The pathway that connects or separates the known from the unknown. –“Threshold Guardians” (beings, people, situations) protect and/or push the hero in this part of the journey.

Belly of the Beast –The hero enters a symbolic womb (cave, swallowed by a monster). This is a sacrifice of the hero’s self in order to attain power, self- awareness, and/or to be reborn.

2. Initiation Road of Trials –The temptress: tries to pull hero from the path, usually female, represents the knowledge the hero seeks –Meeting with goddess: usually a wife or sister (infancy regained) Ex: Princess Leia –Conquest of death: journey to the underworld. Hero must face death and realize their own mortality

–Atonement with father: hero must endure the test/initiation by the father. Hero becomes the source of power –Apotheosis: (dissolutions of opposites), hero is reborn through the taking of power from the father. Hero gains true awareness of self. –Ultimate boon: item or symbol of immortality. Hero may have to trick gods to receive to elixir/gift.

3. Return Refusal of the Return –(world denied) hero may not want to return to the “ordinary world” Magic Flight –Hero journeys back to the world with boon. Return is complicated by obstacles and is another test. Rescue from Without –Hero may be rescued by another being (mortal or immortal) if hero refuses to return to the “ordinary world.”

Crossing the Return Threshold –Hero must face society with boon and must survive the impact. Master of Two Worlds –Hero represents the freedom to go between two worlds. Also, self-destruction leads to rebirth and new life. Freedom to Live –The goal of the hero myth: hero is reconciled with the universe. NO FEAR