Since the incredible work of mythologist, Joseph Campbell, “The Hero’s Journey” has been widely popularised in the western world as a preferred model of the human journey through initiatory processes. But what happens when the masculine-heavy map of the muscular Hero leads us out of the contours of soul-terrain? What kind of stories, then, can we turn towards? 

 The story of “The Raven,” originally collected by the Grimm Brothers, is one such story. Rather than the usual heroic journey, this fairytale leads us into the territory of the “Wounded Healer’s” journey. Superman doesn’t fearlessly and flawlessly come to save the day. He also doesn’t show up before harm is done and slay the dragons in perfect timing. Nor does he seamlessly power his way through trouble, unscathed. In fact, the muscular hero doesn’t show up at all. Instead, we encounter humility. We encounter exile. We encounter a journey that requires failure, grief, and intergenerational curses, in order to move onto the path of destiny. 

The Raven takes us on the very human journey of facing our core wounds and addictions, and guides us to befriend the Giants of the Psyche that hold important destiny maps - and through that journey - awakening our divine resources and genius. The story reveals how a holy marriage awaits us when we dare to step through the dream doors of inner and out nature.