Universal Archetypes

UNIVERSAL ARCHETYPES

The Hero’s Journey

The Hero/ Heroinne

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This protagonist is almost always unparented. The hero or heroine must accept the journey, then overcome obstacles, usually with the help of companions. Anit-heroes become

stuck and do not change significantly in time, while heroes realize some shortcoming in themselves, which turns out to

be the key to defeating their external adversary or situation. They grow. They find a way to move forward with hope.

The Mentor

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The male substitute Father, the Mentor most often does not accompany the hero, but he gives advice for the journey, often knows how to overcome an obstacle, and very often

gives the Talisman.

The Goddess

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Female equivalent of the Mentor – a substitute mother who offers truth/light, advice regarding the path, and often a gift, very often a talisman.

The Call/ Harbinger

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Some outside force inserts itself into the hero’s world, both letting the hero know that there is more out there than they

previously supposed, and suggesting a task that requires completion.

The Threshold/ Guardian

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There is some obstacle that bridges two worlds, and almost always, some figure that provides instruction, how to cross, and a warning: once you cross the threshold, there is

no “going back.”

The Helpers

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Personas who accompany the Hero/Heroinne. Usually the hero can not overcome the obstacles in his path without utilizing the aid of his helpers or their unique skills and

attributes.

The Talisman

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This item both connects the hero in some way to the absent parent and becomes instrumental in defeating the

Shadow.

Masculine/Feminine Talismans

Chalice Well is a holy well situated at the foot of Glastonbury Tor in southwest England, thought to be originally the island of Avalon from Arthurian legend, and the site where Joseph of Arimathea placed the chalice known as the Holy Grail. According to legend, the Tor, a masculine symbol, is hollow underneath and the entrance to the underworld, guarded by the Grail. The well, on the other hand, is a symbol of the feminine aspect of deity, and its waters are believed to possess healing qualities. (-Sword of Damocles)

The ShadowThis dark force is almost always personified in some figure, but represents the worst traits of humanity. The emotions associated with the Shadow are almost always fear,

hatred and bitterness, and falling to the Shadow leads to isolation and death.

The Abyss

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Often associated with a cave, a pit, or a body of water, the Abyss represents the unknown. The hero enters willingly, often unsure if he or she will be able to escape. The Abyss almost always has a psychological component that represents temptation for the Hero or Heroinne.

Revelation/ Redemption

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The hero makes some tragic error along the way. Almost always, either the Mentor or one of the Helpers ends up paying the price. The hero must gain important knowledge,

realize and admit to their mistake, and do something to make up for it.

The Trickster

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This persona is a double agent. At times, the trickster works against the hero, and at others, switches sides to aide the Hero or Helpers. The Trickster may be a shape-shifter.

Part of the Hero’s quest is learning whom to trust.

The Gift/ The Return

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Ideally, the Hero or Heroine comes home. With them, they bring new knowledge to the benefit of “the village.” Very often, they also bring back an object, often the Talisman,

as proof of the completion of the quest.