Twelve Stages of the Hero’s Journey

“The Hero Quest”

Stage 1: Status Quo (Life in the ordinary world)

• Normal everyday existence.• No conflict.• Life as usual.• Peaceful, calm, quiet, ordered.

Stage 2: A “call” to adventure

• A serious situation emerges that threatens life in the ordinary world.

• The hero is “summoned” or “called upon” to undertake a very important task or mission.

Stage 3: Assistance and Refusal of the call

• The hero sees the task as overwhelming and feels inadequate or unable to fulfill the quest.

• Or the hero doesn’t want to undertake the task or quest.

• Or the hero doesn’t believe the quest is essential.

• Or someone refuses the call for him/her.• The Herald / Mentor encourages, compels, or forces them to

continue.

Stage 4: Departure / Discovering a Mentor

• The hero leaves their old life and meets a mentor = Guide

• The hero finds a mentor / “friend” who will guide, instruct, or lead them.

• The mentor typically convinces the hero that the task or mission is necessary.

Stage 5: Trials / Passing the “threshold”

• The hero leaves their world, their “home,” behind and embarks on a journey.

• This marks the beginning of the quest.• Small challenges and trials are met.

Stage 6: Approach / Finding Allies and encountering enemies

• Along the way, the hero discovers a band of allies who will help them along their quest.

• The hero also learns who there enemies are.

• The hero approaches the challenging place with their allies.

Stage 7: Crisis / Tests and challenges

• The hero, alone or with allies, faces small challenges in the form of henchmen / threshold guardians

• Hero undergoes many tests and challenges.• Each challenge brings them closer to their

goal• Each challenge makes them stronger,

bolder, wiser, etc…

Stage 8: Enters the innermost cave and collects / learns “the treasure”.• The hero must enter a place of darkness.• Literally: a deep cave, underground, a very

dark and scary place.• Figuratively: emotional depression,

sadness, melancholy.• Hero learns something of extreme value

during this stage, claims the “treasure” (which will be key in the final battle).

Stage 9: Showdown / Result

• The Hero undergoes the most challenging test.

• Usually face-to-face with their mortal enemy.

• The fight / battle is resolved.

Stage 10: Return / Resurrection

• Literal or figurative• The hero dies and is miraculously brought

back to life. • The hero is thought to be dead, only to

return again, surprising everyone.• The hero is reborn into a higher state of

being or consciousness.

Stage 11: New Life / Returning with the elixir

• An “elixir” is a potent potion that restores one to health.

• The hero brings back an “elixir” that restores their ordinary world.

• The “elixir” can be peace, calm, hope, order, a cure, an actual healing potion, etc…

• The hero has gained or learnt or fought for some new part of themselves.

Stage 12: Resolution

•The hero/es have improved / changed, now they receive their reward, or claim their new place in the world. Awards or fame or riches or importance are earnt.