For those who have not refused the call, the first encounter of the hero journey is with a protective
figure (perhaps an old crone or man) who provides the adventurer with amulets against the dragon forces he is about to pass." -- Joseph Campbell
A step in the path of the Hero's journey
(see the full journey at the main journey page)
Supernatural Aid/Finding a Mentor
After the hero has accepted the Call, and is just beginning to embark on his/her adventure the hero will receive a gift of some kind that will be of practical use during the adventure. The gifts that the hero receives will probably be something that they would not have acquired on their own. The gifts can include things like rings, swords, maps, books, some special object to be used at the right time or important clues/information.
The hero may also meet up with allies or a mentor. The allies are usually people that the hero trusts without question. The allies can offer support during the trials of the adventure, but they can't solve the hero's problems. They can help in the fight, but the hero must learn to stand up for himself. Of course, one or two of the allies may have already undertaken a similar quest and can now offer some wisdom of their own to the hero.
The mentor tends to be a mature person, who can offer advice, instruction or practical tips. The mentor can also be a source of inspiration, courage, and confidence for the hero and his party. Early on, the hero might dismiss the wisdom of the mentor, as he may think that he has new and better ways of doing things. The mentor may accompany the hero on his journey, but he might remain behind.
Note that in any given story, the advice or the gift that the hero gets is powerful enough to help him/her, but it is not too powerful. In the TV series "Angel", Angel, who is a vampire, gets a ring that would allow him to exist in the daylight. He decides to destroy the ring, so that he doesn't forget the people who can't get help from the "ordinary" day time world and really need his help.
For myself, I still have fond memories for those mentors who helped to guide me on my own path. They suggested articles for me to look at, lectures to attend and classes to take. I remember one owner of a book shop that simply made suggestions for really good books to read and that made all the difference for me. I also remember the tenacity of a mentor that I worked for, who would spend the time to find the exact right niche for you to apply and hone your technical skills in. The encouragement that I felt from my mentors really gave me the confidence and determination to learn more about myself and helped me to seek out other people and groups that continue to support and encourage me.
At this time it's important to remember not to "burn your bridges before you've crossed them". This means that you will not necessarily just drop everything in your life in the process of answering your Call. It's about making intelligent and responsible decisions. Of course, you will have to find a way to learn to let go of some relationships or situations that would prevent you from having a successful adventure. Angel really wants to help people who have no other source of help and he destroys the ring he has been given, as he thinks its power will draw him away from helping others. You too, will have to make decisions about what to keep in your life and what to let go of. What roles will you have to step into (or out of)? Perhaps, now is the time to let go of a job or relationship, but it is also important to make sure that you have at least talked with the people who will be affected.
Now is also the time to evaluate your plans and goals. What resources do you have? What resources will you need? What obstacles do you predict? How will the actions that you take have impact on others? Don't be afraid, or unwilling, to ask for help! Being stubborn, aloof or closed at this time will draw you away from the people that you may need assistance from. Your friends, family and community can be a great source of strength and encouragement for you now. They can help you to stay on the path and help you to be more aware of false starts, boogeymen and illusions.
Have faith in yourself and your abilities!
Some examples of gifts given:
* In the "Harry Potter" books - Harry Potter has the invisibility cloak and the marauder's map.
* In the TV series "Angel" - Doyle gets "visions" that help them to save people.
* In the movie "Willow" - Willow is given magical acorns that will be of use to him later on.
* In the movie "Star Wars" - Luke gets his father's light saber.
* In the movie "Lord of the Rings" - Frodo gets special chain mail and a magic/Elven dagger.
* In the TV series "Chuck" - Chuck gets a "super database" zapped into his brain.
* In the TV series "Stargate SG-1" - Jack gets an "ancient database" inserted into his brain.
* In the TV series "Grey's Anatomy" - Meridith finds many old journals from her mother.
Some examples of mentors in movies/books:
* Bra'tac on Stargate SG-1
* Morpheus in the "Matrix" series
* Obi Wan in "Star Wars"
* Professor X in "X-Men"
* Gandalf in "Lord of the Rings"
* Dumbledore in "Harry Potter"
* Jack on "30 Rock" -- TV show
* Earl on "Saving Grace" -- TV show
Some examples of allies:
* Alfred in Batman
* Doyle, Cordelia & Wesley on Angel TV Series
* The Fellowship - "Lord of the Rings"
* Chloe & Pete on Smallville
* Ron & Hermione in Harry Potter
* Pepper & Jim in Iron Man
* Many of the heroes to each other on "Heroes" tv show
* Teal'c on Stargate SG-1
Some questions to ponder:
* What advice from a mentor do you still rely on today?
* Who were your "allies" during your difficult challenges?
* What gifts do you have the strongest memories or feelings for?
* Who are your allies now?
* Have you been a mentor to someone else?
* Have you given a 'gift' to someone else?
"There is a vitality, a life-force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. " -- Dancer, Martha Graham
