The Hero’s Journey

1. The Hero’s Journey Function, Role, & Purpose in Society

2. What is the Hero’s Journey? • In essence, it is a map for human experience: our challenges, our triumphs, our pain, our joy • “In a sense, every challenge or change we face in life is a journey. Every love found, every love lost, every birth and every death becomes carries the potential of transformation to a new level of understanding. Every move to a new school, job, or city opens the chance to stop being what we were and to start being what we can become. Every situation which confronts us with something new or which forces us to re-evaluate our thinking, behavior or perspective presents us with possibilities for insight and growth.” (Harris, The Hero’s Journey. A Guide to Literature and Life. (1995)

3. Stages of the Hero’s Journey • The Hero’s Journey has eleven steps, but we must remember that the journey is a single process and “an individual adventure towards growth and transformation.” (Harris www.yourheroicjourney.com) 1. The Separation (from the known) 2. The Call 3. The Threshold (with guardians, helpers, and mentor) 4. The Mentor (Initiation) 5. The Challenges/Temptations 6. The Talisman 7. The Abyss 8. The Revelation 9. The Transformation 10. The Atonement 11. The Return

4. 1. The Separation • The first stage of journey • The initiate is dragged from the comforts of home to experience growth and change

5. 2. The Call • The moment the hero is called on a quest is known as his/her call. • The hero may make a deliberate decision to start a journey or he/she may have no choice.

6. 3. The Threshold • The jumping-off point for the adventure; point between known and unknown. • The hero actually begins his/her journey, crossing over into a new and unfamiliar world. • Often the hero realizes that in this new place, the “underworld,” he/she must acquire new skills or knowledge to function well.

7. 4. Allies/Mentors • Individuals who assist the hero during the journey are known as allies. • These are also guides that keeps the initiate focused on her goal • They may be acquired at any point during the journey and may be family members, friends, guides, animals, or even gods.

8. 5. Challenges/Temptations • These are obstacles that try to trip up the initiate during initiation • The obstacles may be literal (e.g., physical barriers or individuals who oppose the hero) or figurative (e.g., fears and doubts).

9. 6. Talisman • help in the form of a supernatural gift/ something that produces seemingly magical effects. • Just when things are at their worst for the hero, he/she meets a special person, has a powerful experience, or receives a special gift that “saves” him/her, enabling him/her to achieve the journey’s goal.

10. 7. The Abyss • The greatest challenge of the journey • the hero must "slay the dragon“ • The hero faces a series of difficult experiences which test the courage, strength, intelligence, determination, and wisdom of the hero in the “underworld.” • It may even seem that he/she has no hope or chance of getting out of a dangerous situation.

11. 8. The Revelation • A sudden change in the way one thinks or views life

12. 9. The Transformation • a part of the initiate “dies” so another can be born • The hero is changing, now understanding the “underworld”’ around him/her and adapting accordingly. • The transformation of the hero is sometimes physical, often mental, emotional, and/or spiritual. • During this step, the hero experiences success.

13. 10. The Atonement • being in perfect harmony with life and the world

14. 11. The Return • final stage where the initiate contributes to his society • The hero shares the gift of experience, knowledge, and wisdom—gained through the journey—with the broader community. • The hero returns to the “normal world” but now sees life differently because of the journey.