I. The Call to AdventureI. The Call to Adventure::

Some heroes :Some heroes :► set out responsibly and intentionallyset out responsibly and intentionally to to

perform the deed in the journeyperform the deed in the journey► are thrown intoare thrown into the adventure the adventure► other heroes who other heroes who initially refuse the call to initially refuse the call to

adventure, but eventually change their mindsadventure, but eventually change their minds ►No matter why the journey was undertaken, No matter why the journey was undertaken,

the the hero is always prepared for the trials he hero is always prepared for the trials he faces. faces.

►The hero takes The hero takes off on a series of off on a series of adventures beyond the ordinary to adventures beyond the ordinary to recover what has been lost or to recover what has been lost or to discover some life-giving discover some life-giving idea/potion/remedy. idea/potion/remedy.

►The The journey is a cycle of going and journey is a cycle of going and returning. returning.

►The hero must move The hero must move beyond known, beyond known, conventional safetyconventional safety in order to in order to undertake this journey.   undertake this journey.  

II. Supernatural Aid:II. Supernatural Aid:

►Although the Although the hero is ultimately the one hero is ultimately the one who must face the challengeswho must face the challenges, he/she , he/she generally generally does not do so alone. does not do so alone.

► In most stories, the hero will have a In most stories, the hero will have a guideguide,, someone who is wise in the someone who is wise in the ways of the world, and someone who ways of the world, and someone who will offer the hero guidance and wisdom will offer the hero guidance and wisdom as he/she progresses through the as he/she progresses through the journey.journey.

► In addition to the guideIn addition to the guide, the hero will , the hero will often have some kind of a often have some kind of a talisman,talisman, some symbolic item that offers power some symbolic item that offers power or strength to the hero. or strength to the hero. 

►Most heroes also have Most heroes also have companionscompanions on their journey. The companions can on their journey. The companions can serve a variety of functions. They may serve a variety of functions. They may offer balance for the hero, they may offer balance for the hero, they may help the hero in battle, they may help help the hero in battle, they may help the hero learn valuable lessonsthe hero learn valuable lessons

III. Crossing the III. Crossing the Threshold:Threshold:

►Early on in the journey, the hero Early on in the journey, the hero will will leave the world he/she has always leave the world he/she has always known.known. The hero will leave what is The hero will leave what is familiar and venture into the unknown. familiar and venture into the unknown. As the hero leaves his/her familiar As the hero leaves his/her familiar world, world, the hero will cross a threshold. the hero will cross a threshold.

►Sometimes this is simply symbolicSometimes this is simply symbolic, but , but other times there will be some kind of other times there will be some kind of physical barrierphysical barrier that the hero must get that the hero must get through. through.

IV. Trials and ChallengesIV. Trials and Challengesa.k.a.: Hero Deedsa.k.a.: Hero Deeds

►The trials fall into The trials fall into two main categories:two main categories:

►1.1.The Physical DeedThe Physical Deed:: The hero performs a The hero performs a courageous act in battle or saves lives. courageous act in battle or saves lives.

► 2. 2. The Spiritual DeedThe Spiritual Deed:: The hero learns to The hero learns to experience the supernormal range of human experience the supernormal range of human spiritual life and then comes back with a spiritual life and then comes back with a message. message.

V. Temptations V. Temptations

►During this step in the journey, the During this step in the journey, the hero might encounter temptations that hero might encounter temptations that may led the hero to abandon or stray may led the hero to abandon or stray from his/her quest. from his/her quest.

VI. AbyssVI. Abyss(death & rebirth)(death & rebirth)

► Near the middle of the story, the hero enters Near the middle of the story, the hero enters a place in the unknown world where he/she a place in the unknown world where he/she will confront death or faces his/her greatest will confront death or faces his/her greatest fear. fear.

examples: Journey to the underworldexamples: Journey to the underworld

Slaying the dragonSlaying the dragon

Belly of the whale Belly of the whale

► Out of this moment comes new life and an Out of this moment comes new life and an urgency to complete the mission.urgency to complete the mission.

VII. RevelationVII. Revelation

►Part of the transformation, in which Part of the transformation, in which the hero the hero has a dramatic change in the has a dramatic change in the way he/she views life.way he/she views life.

►This revelation This revelation makes him/her truly a makes him/her truly a different person. different person.

VIII. TransformationVIII. Transformation

► The hero has The hero has conquered the abyss and conquered the abyss and his/her transformation is complete.his/her transformation is complete.

► A A part of the hero must diepart of the hero must die so that a so that a new part new part can be reborn.can be reborn.

► Fear must die to make way for courage, Fear must die to make way for courage, ignorance dies to make way for ignorance dies to make way for enlightenment, and dependency dies to make enlightenment, and dependency dies to make way for independence.way for independence.

IX. AtonementIX. Atonement

► The hero is often when the hero The hero is often when the hero must must confront issues from his/her past confront issues from his/her past

►The hero The hero becomes “at one”becomes “at one” with with his/her new self.his/her new self.

X. The ReturnX. The Return

►The hero, sometimes The hero, sometimes willingly and willingly and sometimes unwillinglysometimes unwillingly crosses the crosses the threshold and returns home. threshold and returns home.

►The hero The hero brings with him/her new brings with him/her new wisdom, important cultural values, wisdom, important cultural values, experience, and/or knowledgeexperience, and/or knowledge back to back to the community. the community.

►Upon the return, the hero discovers Upon the return, the hero discovers his/her gifthis/her gift for completing the journey:for completing the journey:

- - Become richer and strongerBecome richer and stronger

- Become a great leader- Become a great leader

- Become spiritually - Become spiritually enlightenedenlightened