The Rebirth of the Hero: Mythology as a Guide to Spiritual Transformation

by Keiron Le Grice

The portrayal of the hero in classical myths and modern films continues to exert a compelling influence on the collective imagination, entertaining and inspiring audiences the world over. On a deeper level, the myth of the hero’s adventure is recognized as a fundamental pattern of human experience itself, a symbolic expression of the individual’s struggle for greater consciousness, psychological wholeness, and spiritual realization.In The Rebirth of the Hero, Keiron Le Grice draws on the ideas and life experiences of C. G. Jung, Joseph Campbell, and Friedrich Nietzsche to explore the spiritual journey of the modern self, from existential crisis and the “awakening of the self” to the dramatic encounter with the underworld of the psyche and the arduous labor of spiritual transformation. In a work of wide-ranging scope and insight, Le Grice analyzes scenes from a number of popular films—Jason and the Argonauts, Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, Pan’s Labyrinth, and more—to illuminate the themes and stages of psychospiritual rebirth and individuation, helping to make the deepest of transformative experiences more readily intelligible to us all. Drawing interchangeably on classical Greek myths, Christianity, alchemy, Romanticism, and depth psychology, the author also relates the individual’s personal journey of transformation to the relationship in Western civilization between spirit and nature, reason and instinct, and masculine and feminine. In so doing, The Rebirth of the Hero demonstrates the critical significance of the archetypal pattern of the hero not only for the individual, but also for cultural renewal and the wider spiritual transformation of our time.

Genres: Astrology

271 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2012

Reviews

[Guilherme Smee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me surpreendi muito positivamente com este livro. Depois de ler quase uma dezena de livros sobre a Jornada do Herói, muitos deles com teor de autoajuda, já estava bastante cansado de narrativas que queriam me convencer a usar os arquétipos na minha vida. Este livro de Keiron Le Grice é diferente. Ele realmente traz uma análise da Jornada e das ideias de Joseph Campbell sem querer vender uma doutrina ou estilo de vida. É um livro bastante completo que traz também os antecedentes à ideias de Campbell, explicando um pouco sobre como ele chegou nas suas ideias, mas também trazendo interlocução com outros autores que vieram depois de Campbell. Se eu tivesse que indicar um livro apenas que faz uma crítica e uma explicação da Jornada do Herói não seria nenhum daqueles que li na semana passada e sim, este aqui. Acabou sendo uma ótima opção de leitura e, por acaso, foi o último de toda uma leva. Mas é aquela velha frase irônica: as coisas sempre estão no último lugar que a gente procura. Não é mesmo?

[Hans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jung, Nietzsche, Campbell ideas and principles illustrated with old&modern mythologic narritives such as Odysseus, lord of the rings, star wars and good writing.... what's not to like 😉 A work that puts the puzzle pieces together. I am left inspired and hungry to continue my individuation journey 😄🙏

[Mr. Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing follow-up to any reader who enjoyed "The Hero with a Thousand Faces," by Joseph Campbell. Challenging, re-orienting, soulful, and deeply philosophical.

[Emilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful application of a mythological understanding of life, as well as its place in modern society. I would advise that you have at least a casual familiarity with Jung and Joseph Campbell before reading, as the author expands on their ideas.