I’ve been enjoying re-reading The Hero With A Thousand Faces, by Joseph Campbell, published in 1949, describing the similar archetypal path of humans, throughout time and across cultures. The first three parts of this path are named as:
– the call to adventure
– refusing the call
– supernatural aid
The first part of the human journey is to be called, usually unexpectedly to do something, find something, or achieve something.
The second part, is refusing the call. Often, we don’t want to answer the call – we are too busy, or it’s too dangerous, or we have other things to do.
The third step along the way, as described by Campbell is supernatural aid. He uses this term to describe our guides along the way; the people that seem to almost “magically” appear to help us.
I’ve had so much help, from so many people. I don’t generally think of it as being supernatural, but this help and guidance is certainly usually unexpected and surprising. “Even to those who apparently have hardened their hearts, the supernatural guardian may appear.”
This is an excellent topic to think about or write about. Who have your guides been? And, who are you guides now, in your life? In what way is your heart hardened, and in what way is your heart open?