The Hero's Journey as Metaphor
for Pilgrimage
Maggie Finefrock
The Learning Project
"Myth is the secret opening through
which the inexhaustible energies of
the cosmos pour into human
manifestation..."
(Joseph Campbell 1904-1987, Hero
with a Thousand Faces)
Purpose of Mythology
It has always been the prime
function of mythology and rite to:
• Supply the symbols that carry
the human spirit forward
• Conduct people across the
threshold of transformation that
demand a change in patterns
not only of conscious but also of
unconscious life
• Intended to touch not only the
candidate but every member of
his circle
The Standard Path
Z
X
Y
The Standard Path of the
mythological adventure of the hero
is a magnification of the formula
represented in rites of passage:
separation – initiation – return:
which might be named the nuclear
unit of the monomyth.
A hero ventures forth from the
world of common day into a region
of supernatural wonder (x):
fabulous forces are there
encountered and a decisive victory
is won (y): the hero comes back
from the mysterious adventure
with the power to bestow boons on
his fellow man (z).
The Hero
The hero is symbolical of that divine creative and redemptive image which is
hidden within us all, only waiting to be known and to be rendered into life. Her
aim is to rehearse the universal pattern. What is the hero heart?
Odysseus
Moses
Frodo
Harriet Tubman
Mohammed
Jesus
Prometheus
Aeneas
Dorothy
Don Quixote
Dulcinea
Neo
Peace Pilgrim
Mary Magdalene
Buddha
Katniss
Princess Leia
Luke
Jason
Jonah
Malala
Gandhi-ji
Nelson Mandela
Viola Liuzzo
Vedas: Truth is one, the
sages speak of it by many
names.
What is The
Monomyth That
Has Guided
Your Life?
Equilibrium
(Stability)
Freedom to
Live
Call to
Adventure
Refusal of
the Call
Supernatural
Aid
Master of
Two Worlds
Departure
Crossing the
first Threshold
Return
Crossing the
Return Threshold
Initiation
Rescue from
Without
Belly of
the Whale
Magic
Flight
Road of Trails
Refusal of
the Return
Meeting with
the Goddess
The Ultimate
Boon
Woman as
Temptress
Atonment
with Father
Apotheosis
Departure
1.
2.
3.
4.
The Call to Adventure
Refusal of the Call
Supernatural Aid
The Crossing of
The First Threshold
5. The Belly of the Whale
Initiation
1. The Road of Trials
2. The Meeting with
The Goddess
3. Woman as Temptress
4. Atonement with the Father
5. Apotheosis
6. The Ultimate Boon
Supernatural Aid
Spiderwoman
Navaho
You will pass four places of dangerthe rocks that cut the traveler
the reeds that cut him to pieces
the cane cactuses that tear him to pieces
the boiling sands that overwhelm him
Return
1. Refusal of the
Return
2. The Magic Flight
3. Rescue From
Without
4. The Crossing of
the Return
Threshold
5. Master of the Two
Worlds
6. Freedom to Live
Equilibrium
(Stability)
Freedom to
Live
Call to
Adventure
Refusal of
the Call
Supernatural
Aid
Master of
Two Worlds
Departure
Crossing the
first Threshold
Return
Crossing the
Return Threshold
Initiation
Rescue from
Without
Joesph Campbell’s
17-Stage Monomyth
Belly of
the Whale
Road of Trails
Magic
Flight
Based on the Hero with 1000 Faces, Part 1
“Adventure of the Hero”
Refusal of
the Return
Meeting with
the Goddess
The Ultimate
Boon
Woman as
Temptress
Atonment
with Father
Apotheosis
Questions for the Quest
What of this metaphor speaks to my life?
What stage of The Hero's Journey am I experiencing now?
What is calling me? How am I responding?
What am I longing for?
What does it mean to "follow my bliss" ?
Am I willing to give up the life I have to discover the life that is waiting for me?
What is the story within that I am telling myself today?
What is the task of tasks of my life?
What is next?
Pilgrimage is intentional dislocation
that allows the body (and
surrender) to mentor the soul.
In order to discover the life that is
waiting for you, you must give up
the life you planned.
Belden Lane
Joseph Campbell