The Heros Journey Joseph Campbell in his study

The Hero’s Journey Joseph Campbell, in his study of myth across culture, has determined these, the typical stages, of the Hero’s Journey.

Stage 1 – The Departure a. The Call to Adventure – The call is the point in the person’s life when they are first given notice that everything is going to change, whether they know it or not! b. Refusal of the Call – Often the hero refuses to listen to the call. This may be due to feelings of fear, duty, obligation, insecurity or any other reason that holds the person in her/his circumstances.

Stage 1 – The Departure cont’d c. Supernatural Aid – Once the hero has committed to the quest their guide or magical helper appears or becomes known. d. The Crossing of the First Threshold – The person, physically, crosses into the field of adventure, leaving the known limits of their world behind and venturing out into danger.

Stage 1 – The Departure cont’d e. The Belly of the Whale – This represents the hero’s final separation from their world and self. This stage reflects a metamorphosis or willingness to die.

Stage 2 – The Initiation a. The Road of Trials – A series of tests, tasks, or ordeals that the person must undergo to begin the transformation. Often the person fails one or more tests, which often occur in threes. b. The Meeting with the Goddess – the hero experiences an all encompassing love that is all powerful and unconditional. (not necessarily a woman)

Stage 2 – The Initiation cont’d c. Temptation – A woman/man or object may tempt the hero leading her/him to abandon or stray from the quest. d. Atonement with the Father – The person must confront and be initiated by whatever holds the most power in her/his life. Often times it is the father figure who has power over life and death. Marks the centre of the journey! The hero must ‘die’ at this point and come into their new ‘self’.

Stage 2 – The Initiation cont’d e. Apotheosis – Can be a period of rest, peace and fulfillment before the hero begins the return. Can also be a spiritual state, where the hero moves into a godlike state. f. The Ultimate Boon – the achievement of the goal of the quest. All previous steps prepare and ‘purify’ the hero for this accomplishment.

Stage 3 – The Return a. Refusal of the Return – The hero does not want to/can’t return to ‘normal’ life. b. The Magic Flight – Sometimes the hero must escape with the boon, which can be as dangerous as it was taking it. c. Rescue from Without – A guide or aid must assist the hero’s return to everyday life or home.

Stage 3 – The Return cont’d d. The Crossing of the Return Threshold – the trick in returning is to retain the wisdom gained on the quest and integrate that into life. (Can be literal, too) e. Master of Two Worlds – For a human, may mean achieving a balance between the material and spiritual.

Stage 3 – The Return cont’d f. Freedom to Live – Freedom from the fear of death, which in turn is freedom to live. ‘Living in the moment’, neither anticipating the future nor regretting the past.