Last week, I introduced the idea of the Heroine's Journey on the blog, so this week I want to talk about the first encapsulation of this type of journey, which is more about going deep inside, healing and reclaiming one's spirit, rather than heading out into the world and seeking that "magic elixir" (or whatever goal the hero is pursuing).
This first iteration hails from research performed by Maureen Murdock and was rooted more in the psychology of women and an understanding of their healing journeys rather than as a structure for storytelling (though this would come later).
Here is the journey circle she established:
Shift from Feminine to Masculine
The journey begins with a separation from the feminine, most likely a mother figure or some kind of mentor, but mostly from the rules that one is governed by (which is why this circle works so well with minority populations).
Identification with the Masculine
In separating from the feminine, a new way of life appears--one outside traditional societal roles, as this structure now feels too limiting for our heroine.
Road of Trials
The heroine faces antagonists who will try to persuade her to return to what is comfortable, to turn her from this new path.
Illusory Boon of Success
The heroine overcomes the trials presented, but the new way of life isn't fulfilling, either.
The Descent/The Meeting with the Goddess
Her new path is a problem, and the heroine falls into despair. This becomes a crisis moment. The dominant group strategies that she has adopted (i.e. the masculine) won't fully work for her.
Yearning for the Reconnect
As hard as she tries, she can't return to the feminine, either. No path seems to work, anymore.
Reconciliation with the Masculine
The heroine makes peace with both the feminine and masculine traits, pulling knowledge and skills from both sides in order to form a new perspective and way of life.
The Union
Both perspectives are fully integrated, and the heroine can now face her world.
~:|:~
What's so nice about this type of growth arc is that there are no binaries. It's not about male or female, success or failure, good or bad--it's about wholeness.
Hero's Journeys often end with the "Boon of Success," but we know (and so did Murdock) that life goes on, and Heroine's journeys tend to focus on growth after the success, or "the rest of the story."
Be Brilliant!
~Katie~
