The Hero's Journey Vs. Individuation

Walking the Hero’s Journey towards Jung’s Quest for Wholeness with the Archetypes of the Major Arcana of the Tarot

Comparing the Hero’s Journey to Carl Jung’s Path of Individuation

The Hero’s Journey and Carl Jung’s path of Individuation are two profound frameworks for understanding the process of personal transformation.

Both describe a symbolic adventure, where one moves through challenges, encounters archetypes, faces the unknown, and emerges transformed. Whether we’re exploring ancient mythological stories or delving into the depths of Jungian psychology, the essence of the journey remains the same: it’s a process of moving from unconsciousness to consciousness, from fragmentation to wholeness.

1. The Call to Adventure vs. The Call to Individuate

In the Hero’s Journey, as famously described by Joseph Campbell, the hero begins their adventure with a call to leave the familiar and embark on a quest. This call often comes during a time of crisis, upheaval, or deep dissatisfaction with life as it currently is. It is a summons to step into the unknown.

Similarly, in Jungian psychology, the journey of Individuation begins with an inner call to move beyond the confines of the ego and embrace the deeper, often hidden aspects of the psyche. It’s a movement toward the Self—the larger, whole aspect of our being that has integrated both the conscious and unconscious parts. Like the hero, we are invited to leave behind old patterns of identity and step into a process of deep psychological transformation.

2. Crossing the Threshold vs. Encountering the Unconscious

Both journeys require the protagonist to cross a threshold. In the Hero’s Journey, this involves leaving the ordinary world and entering the unknown—symbolized by the hero’s descent into darkness, whether it be a forest, cave, or abyss. This is where the hero encounters challenges, trials, and forces that test their resolve.

For Jung, crossing the threshold into Individuation means engaging with the unconscious. This is where we confront the shadow—the parts of ourselves we’ve repressed or denied. The shadow contains both dark and light qualities, and the process of facing it can be challenging, requiring courage to explore our inner depths. This encounter forces us to confront who we are beyond our social masks and ego-driven identities.

3. Meeting the Mentor vs. Archetypal Guides

In the Hero’s Journey, the mentor or guide appears to offer wisdom, tools, or training to help the hero succeed. The mentor serves as a crucial ally, providing knowledge that the hero needs for the trials ahead.

In the process of Individuation, we encounter archetypes—universal symbols that arise from the collective unconscious. These might include the Wise Old Man or Wise Woman, the Anima/Animus, or the Self—guiding forces that lead us to greater self-understanding. Like the mentor in myth, these archetypal figures offer crucial insights, helping us to integrate the unconscious into our conscious awareness.

4. The Ordeal vs. The Dark Night of the Soul

In both journeys, the most intense part of the transformation comes in the form of the Ordeal. In myth, the hero faces a life-or-death challenge—whether battling a literal or symbolic monster. This moment is a symbolic death of the old self, a rite of passage that forces the hero to let go of who they once were.

In Jungian psychology, this ordeal mirrors the Dark Night of the Soul, where we confront the darkest aspects of ourselves. This can be a time of deep inner turmoil, where old identities, relationships, or beliefs fall apart. It’s a moment of ego-death—a necessary process to allow something new to be born.

5. The Return with the Elixir vs. Reaching Wholeness

In the final stages of the Hero’s Journey, the hero returns home with the elixir—a boon or gift that can heal and transform not only the hero but their community. The hero has been changed by their trials and now embodies the wisdom they’ve gained.

In both frameworks, the journey follows a cyclical pattern. In the Hero’s Journey, the protagonist leaves the ordinary world to enter an extraordinary one, eventually returning with transformative insights. Jung’s Individuation follows a similar trajectory: starting with the ego’s identification with the conscious self, the process leads to the exploration of the unconscious (the “underworld”) and ultimately to the integration of its contents into a balanced and whole psyche.

One significant difference lies in how these journeys are often presented. The Hero’s Journey is told as an external adventure, where outer events symbolize inner growth. In contrast, Individuation is an internal psychological process, where the confrontation of one’s shadow, complexes, and unconscious material is the central focus.

The Hero’s Journey and Jung’s Individuation through the Lens of the Tarot's Major Arcana

Just as myths and stories have archetypal stages, so too does the tarot. The Major Arcana of the tarot offers a symbolic roadmap to these same psychological and spiritual journeys. The cards, rich with archetypal imagery, mirror the key stages in both the Hero’s Journey and Jung’s Individuation process.

Let’s take a look at how the stages of the Hero’s Journey and the path of Individuation correspond with the Major Arcana of the tarot. These cards provide further insight into the archetypes we encounter at each stage and offer guidance as we navigate the cycles of growth, challenge, and transformation.

1. The Call to Adventure (The Fool)

This is the start of both journeys. The Fool, representing innocence and infinite potential, steps forward into the unknown. In the Hero’s Journey, this marks the moment when the hero is called away from their ordinary life, and in Individuation, this symbolizes the initial spark of self-awareness—the recognition that a deeper path must be explored.

2. Crossing the Threshold (The High Priestess)

As the hero crosses from the known world into the unknown, The High Priestess represents the gateway to the unconscious. In Jungian terms, this is the moment of initiation where the seeker begins to access the deeper layers of the psyche, tapping into hidden knowledge, intuition, and mystery.

3. The Guide or Mentor (The Hierophant)

The Hierophant symbolizes the guide or mentor that the hero encounters. Whether it’s a wise teacher or an inner spiritual guide, this figure helps the individual navigate new territories, providing teachings and insights that are crucial for growth and understanding.

4. The Descent into the Abyss (The Hanged Man)

The Hanged Man marks the hero’s descent into the depths of challenge and crisis. In Jung’s model, this represents the confrontation with the shadow—the parts of ourselves we have repressed or denied. Here, the individual must suspend their old way of seeing things and trust in the transformative process.

5. Facing the Shadow (The Devil)

The Devil card represents facing one’s inner demons, addictions, and fears. This is the part of the journey where both the hero and the individual in the process of Individuation must come to terms with their darker aspects, attachments, and limiting beliefs.

6. Death and Transformation (Death)

Death signifies the end of the old self and the birth of the new. In both the Hero’s Journey and Individuation, this is the moment of profound transformation—where the hero or seeker sheds old identities, letting go of what no longer serves them in order to make space for rebirth.

7. The Revelation (The Tower)

The Tower represents a moment of drastic upheaval, where the ego’s structures crumble, and deeper truths are revealed. In Jungian psychology, this can represent a breakthrough—when old belief systems are shattered, paving the way for a deeper understanding of oneself.

8. The Return to Wholeness (The Star)

After the chaos of The Tower comes The Star, symbolizing hope, healing, and renewal. The hero returns from the abyss with newfound wisdom, and in the Individuation process, this represents the beginning of reintegration—the first steps toward creating a balanced and whole self.

9. The Mastery of Both Worlds (The World)
The final stage of both journeys is represented by The World. The hero has mastered both the internal and external worlds, and the individual undergoing Individuation has fully integrated the conscious and unconscious aspects of the psyche. It represents completion, balance, and unity.

Whether you are beginning your own journey of self-discovery or deepening your current soul path, the Hero’s Journey and Jung’s Individuation can provide powerful frameworks that put our personal experience into a universal context.

With the Major Arcana as your guide, you can draw upon rich archetypal wisdom to navigate this transformative process with greater insight and clarity.

Would you like more inspiration?

How I came to create a Tarot Deck

In this video I am excited to share with you a little insight into how I came to create my new major arcana tarot deck, the “Inner Journey Tarot”. Twenty-Two hand collaged cards inspired by the Hero’s Journey and Jungian Psychology to guide you on your personal soul journey.

Experience the transformative power of Collage

Explore the 'inner Journey' Deck

If you would like to start working with the Tarot for self-discovery and personal growth in the ways described in this blog I am sure you will enjoy the ‘Inner Journey Tarot’ Major Arcana Deck. It comes with a free 70-page eGuidebook to initiate your journey with the archetypes – incl. a free 70-page eGuidebook-