The worlds of Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, and other modern epics feature the Chosen One--an adolescent boy who defeats the Dark Lord and battles the sorrows of the world. Television's Buffy the Vampire Slayer represents a different kind of epic--the heroine's journey, not the hero's. This provocative study explores how Buffy blends 1990s girl power and the path of the warrior woman with the oldest of mythic traditions. It chronicles her descent into death and subsequent return like the great goddesses of antiquity. As she sacrifices her life for the helpless, Buffy experiences the classic heroine's quest, ascending to protector and queen in this timeless metaphor for growing into adulthood.

The Heroine’s Journey describes contemporary woman’s search for wholeness in a society where she has been defined according to masculine values. Drawing on cultural myths and fairy tales, ancient symbols and goddesses, and the dreams of contemporary women, Murdock illustrates the need for—and the reality of—feminine values in Western culture. This special anniversary edition, with a new foreword by Christine Downing and preface by the author, illuminates that this need is just as relevant today as it was when the book was originally published thirty years ago.

A workbook to guide readers through the different stages of The Heroine’s Journey—healing deep wounds of one’s feminine nature on a personal, cultural, and spiritual level. Maureen Murdock’s modern classic The Heroine’s Journey explores woman’s mythic quest for maintaining feminine values and a sense of wholeness in a society that’s been defined according to masculine values. Womankind undertakes this spiritual and psychological journey by integrating all parts of her nature. This workbook, based on workshops conducted by Murdock herself with women of all ages, can be used individually or in a group to guide readers through The Heroine’s Journey. With exercises and reflection questions for each chapter, readers will embark on profound self-exploration and gain a new sense of clarity and understanding of their own life quests. The skills learned on this archetypal journey prepare women to work toward the larger pursuit of bringing consciousness to others and preserving the balance of life on earth.

When a high school girl is reborn into the world of her favorite novel, she’s ready for a life of riches, romance, and a front row seat to the drama. The problem? She’s been reborn as Mary Bell, the villainess of the story! To make matters worse, she’s cursed to continue speaking like the original Mary Bell. Every word she utters sounds rude, conceited, and cruel. However, just as she decides she’ll need to live quietly to avoid her death flags, the original heroine of the story, Aria, gets bullied right in front of her. With no choice but to step in, Mary Bell decides to make the most of a new, unexpected proximity to her beloved main character and singer—as her sponsor! Taking knowledge from her previous life of idols and talent agents, Mary Bell helps Aria traverse a world of nameless troupes and mediocre male leads to become Under a Beautiful Melody’s very first popstar, all while avoiding the pitfalls of the original story!