Monday, April 4, 2016

Archetypes of the Hero's Journey

When embarking on a spiritual journey understanding symbols and archetypes becomes essential.

Exploring Symbols and Archetypes: 

Symbols are sign posts guiding the hero down paths of the unknown. . .

Archetypes are models or patterns of energy. . . knowledge of which informs the hero about what type of challenge she/he may be working with or facing, friend or foe. . .

For those of us on healing and creative soul journeys, symbols offer clues to direct our path. Archetypal characters represent people we meet and face in our ordinary world expanded to mythic proportions.  The wolf in Little Red Riding Hood represents an archetype the dangerous stranger, the rapist, or serial killer, who could victimize us if we are unable to recognize them on the street. The wisdom of our ancestors passed down to us through myth/story.  Our recognition of the archetype assists us in interpreting our experiences and recognizing friend and foe.

What symbols and archetypes do you recognize? 

How powerful an impact symbols and archetypes may have on your psyche would depend on your knowledge and experience of their use. The more symbols and archetypes you recognize the better prepared you will be for the road ahead.



The danger for us comes through losing conscious connection/understanding with the knowledge of the past; when we have forgotten the meaning of a symbol and are only affected by a vague sense of shared resonance.

Over time, misuse or misunderstanding of a symbol can create new associations and fearful responses. We might recognize that a symbol holds importance but not know how to interpret it or use it in our lives. 

Growing our recognition of archetypes and symbols is useful to our personal development and lends richness to our life journey.


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Joseph Campbell's book, Hero With a Thousand Faces, examines the archetypal characters found across cultures, in our stories and myths. How many of these archetypes do you recognize?  Can you associate any of them with people who already appear in your ordinary life.



Seven Archetypes:


1. Hero: “The Hero is the protagonist or central character, whose primary purpose is to separate from the ordinary world and sacrifice himself for the service of the Journey at hand - to answer the challenge, complete the quest and restore the Ordinary World’s balance. We experience the Journey through the eyes of the Hero.”

2. Mentor: “The Mentor provides motivation, insights and training to help the Hero.”


The Threshold Guardian
3. Threshold Guardian/Demon: “Threshold Guardians protect the Special World and its secrets from the Hero, and provide essential tests to prove a Hero’s commitment and worth.”

4. Herald: “Herald characters issue challenges and announce the coming of significant change. They can make their appearance anytime during a Journey, but often appear at the beginning of the Journey to announce a Call to Adventure. A character may wear the Herald’s mask to make an announcement or judgment, report a news flash, or simply deliver a message.”

5. Shapeshifter: “The Shapeshifter’s mask misleads the Hero by hiding a character’s intentions and loyalties.”

6. Shadow: “The Shadow can represent our darkest desires, our untapped resources, or even rejected qualities. It can also symbolize our greatest fears and phobias. Shadows may not be all bad, and may reveal admirable, even redeeming qualities. The Hero’s enemies and villains often wear the Shadow mask. This physical force is determined to destroy the Hero and his cause.”

7. Trickster: “Tricksters relish the disruption of the status quo, turning the Ordinary World into chaos with their quick turns of phrase and physical antics. Although they may not change during the course of their Journeys, their world and its inhabitants are transformed by their antics. The Trickster uses laughter [and ridicule] to make characters see the absurdity of the situation, and perhaps force a change.”


Think about the people in your life. Think about the role(s) they have played and their influence on you. Where would you be on your journey through life without them? How have they helped or hindered you?


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