The Hero’s Journey

I was at a workshop with Dorothy Rittal-McIntyre at Sun Moon Yoga Studios last weekend.  Dorothy is the artist for a deck of oracle cards called “Spirit of Archetypes” by Roi Solberg.  The cards are excellent and the art work is wonderful!  During her presentation, Dorothy talked about times in our lives when we may feel separate and  isolated as we move through some sort of transition in our lives.  She referred to this as being “the hero’s journey”.  She talked about the stories we know that typify this journey; Dorothy from the “Wizard of Oz”,  Frodo from “Lord of the Rings”,  Luke Skywalker, from “Star War’s”.   All of these characters were modest and unassuming……not what you would think a “hero” would look like.  They each had a mission that was out of the ordinary.  They had no “map” .  They were really walking into the unknown.  But they were dedicated to the mission in front of them.    They had many difficult encounters but they did not give up.

I especially love the “Lord of the Ring” books and movies. I remember the last movie where Frodo and his beloved friend, Sam, were climbing through the mountains.  They were exhausted and realized that they were going in circles.  The closer they got to their destination, the more difficult it seemed to get.  Also, as each of these hero’s were reaching their destinations, the heat got turned up from their opponents to defeat them.  What is interesting about this “journey” is that in each of these situations, our hero begins with others who are there to support them and begin the journey with them.  As time goes on, those who had begun the journey fall away for one reason or another……and at the end the “hero” must endure the last leg of the journey (usually the most difficult) by him or herself.

I deeply connected with this idea and it is comforting to see the components that make up the journey.  Roi says that each and every change in your life will take you along this path.  Whether it is the first day of school, marriage, a move, a job change OR the loss of a friendship, a death, an illness etc.  At these points in your life, you are separated from things that were familiar and safe.

Roi’s words: “The hero’s Journey takes you through six gates: 1) separation 2) isolation 3) revelation 4) initiation 5) death 6) rebirth.  The process of moving through the Hero’s Journey takes you to a new level of awareness and to a new energetic frequency.  The archetype at each of the six gates guides your way and gives you insight into your transformation.”

When we go through times of transition, we can often feel very lost and confused AND we can feel very alone.  At the end of the stories, the heros all reached their goals.  They all learned valuable lessons and they all reached another level of confidence and strength which they then had to share in the world.

Are you on a Hero’s Journey right now?  Do you remember a time when you were?  The three hero’s from the movies above all felt very afraid at times.  They felt like they were NOT the one to be carrying on this important mission,  they wanted to give up.   If you are in the midst of a hero’s journey, remember to gather your friends around you as you can.  Even though you will have to finish the walk by yourself, get the strength and support when you can.  Be compassionate with yourself.  You will be afraid at times, you will think that you cannot do it.  But you are a Hero and you can prevail, even when the going gets so difficult.  Remember that the darkest is always right before the Dawn.  Much love in your journey,  Melanie

The “Spirit of Archetypes” cards are available at Sun Moon Yoga Studios

P.S.  Remember, June 5th “Power of Intentions” workshop at Sun Moon