Pilgrimage and The Hero’s Journey

The concept of Pilgrimage and the Hero’s Journey is something that is near and dear to my heart. It ties into both my personal journey and my new project, which I’m excited to share with you here.

Overlooking the Pyrenees Mountains

Pilgrimage

I was struck by how closely the Hero’s Journey aligns with the experience of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. These may be new concepts to you, but don’t worry, by the end of this post, it will all make sense.

Here’s a definition of pilgrimage that resonated with me:

A pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place, which can lead to personal transformation, after which the pilgrim returns to their daily life... Pilgrimages often involve a journey of moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it’s a journey to a shrine or other location important to a person’s beliefs, although sometimes, it can be a metaphorical journey into one’s own beliefs. Source: Wikipedia

Wow, that sounds a lot like the Hero’s Journey too!

The Hero’s Journey

Let’s start at the beginning. The Hero’s Journey is a framework described by Joseph Campbell in his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces. His work has influenced countless authors, screenwriters, and storytellers. One of his most famous influences was George Lucas and the Star Wars saga (you’ve probably heard of it).

Campbell explored myths and stories across different ancient civilizations and discovered that they shared common elements—despite being from entirely separate cultures. His theory is that all stories follow the same basic structure, and this structure is the Hero’s Journey. This is the story we all connect with, particularly when we can relate to the Hero, who is just a regular person like us.

Here’s the basic structure:

1. The Call to Adventure: The Hero is living their everyday life when they receive a call to adventure. Sometimes, they are looking for adventure, but more often than not, they are reluctant. A Herald (friend, stranger, or circumstance) calls them to this adventure, and though they may resist, something draws them toward it—sometimes aided by a supernatural force.

2. Crossing the Threshold: The Hero leaves the world of the known and steps into the unknown, beginning their transformation.

3. Obstacles, Challenges, and Temptations: Along the way, the Hero faces various trials—physical, mental, and emotional challenges. But they are not alone. They meet helpers and mentors who guide them through the difficulties.

4. The Abyss: At some point, the Hero reaches their lowest point—a deep moment of doubt and struggle. But this is also when they have their revelation and transformation.

5. Atonement and Return: After their transformation, the Hero returns to the world of the known, changed. They are now equipped with new wisdom and abilities, ready to share their gifts with others—or to embark on another adventure.

Great, now you’re an expert in the Hero’s Journey! Don’t worry, there’s no test at the end of this blog post.

Pilgrimage and the Hero’s Journey on the Camino

Now, let’s look at how the Hero’s Journey plays out for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago, or the Way of Saint James.

Most pilgrims I know have an interesting story about how they were called to the Camino, or how they first heard about it. Sometimes, the Herald is a friend who tells you about it (in my case), or maybe you stumbled upon the movie The Way, which tells a fictional account of the Camino. Whatever the trigger, most of us feel compelled to go.

There are many helpers and mentors along the way—before and during your walk. I joined the Canadian Company of Pilgrims, and learned from fellow pilgrims as I walked the path.

For me, the threshold from the known to the unknown came the moment I boarded the airplane to start my Camino journey. Some people say it starts even earlier, perhaps when you start planning or even when you arrive at the starting point. For me, that was St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, a popular beginning point for many pilgrims.

Next come the obstacles, challenges, and temptations. On the Camino, this begins immediately as the path from St-Jean-Pied-de-Port climbs straight up into the Pyrenees Mountains. There are more mountain ranges and countless hills to climb along the way. Beyond the physical challenges like blisters or injuries, there are also mental struggles, often filled with doubts and negative thoughts.

And there is the Abyss—the lowest point on the journey, when you question if you can even continue.

But let’s not forget about Supernatural Aid. There's a phenomenon many pilgrims talk about called “Camino Magic.” Unexplainable events seem to help make the journey possible, and pilgrims often say, “The Camino Provides.” Everyone has a story about how the Camino’s magic touched their lives.

But if you persevere, you will reach the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, where you can gather your gift—a certificate of completion—and celebrate your achievement. The return to the world of the known happens when you return home, forever transformed.

How do you share your gifts and enrich the lives of others? That is the true return of the Hero’s Journey.

The Hero’s Journey and the Master Key System

Now, let’s look at how The Master Key System fits into the Hero’s Journey.

I’ve been studying The Master Key System by Charles Haanel for about five years now. According to Wikipedia:

The Master Key System includes principles such as the laws of concentration, attraction, and harmonious thinking and action. It’s unique in that it features exercises for each chapter, which build upon one another, making the system transformational. Source: Wikipedia

You might be familiar with the Law of Attraction. The Master Key System is a foundational course in this concept, written in 1912. It guides you through a journey of thought—much like the Hero’s Journey—leading to transformation.

If you persevere through the lessons, you arrive at your transformed Future Self. You celebrate your achievement, but the journey doesn’t end there. You return to the world, transformed, ready to share your gifts and enrich the lives of others.

My Project

For a while, I wondered, “How can I combine these concepts in a meaningful way?” I wanted to write a book but wasn’t sure what to write about. I love reading Camino stories, but I didn’t think my own story was compelling enough for others to read. I also enjoy studying the Master Key System and personal development, but how could I put that into a book?

Then, it hit me—I could combine these two ideas. So, I began writing a story about a young woman who embarks on the Camino de Santiago and, while walking, discovers Charles Haanel’s Master Key System. It’s a fictional account blending the pilgrimage with wisdom from the Master Key System—Camino magic and transformative personal development.

My book is nearly ready to share, and this website is all about that journey!

Buen Camino, fellow peregrinos!