As a child the hero has no idea of his true parentage. He thinks he
is just like everybody else, but he has a nagging feeling of being
different and an intuition of a special destiny. One of the main themes
of the hero's quest is the discovery of his true origin, which is both
mortal and immortal. In this mythic image of hybrid birth we can
perceive a deep sense of duality, a conviction that we are not merely
made of earth and doomed to eat, reproduce and die. Each of us is
special, unique, and has a personal destiny, an individual
contribution to make to life. [...]
Another important element in the solar hero's childhood is that he
is usually envied or persecuted without knowing why. Sometimes the
enemy is his mother's husband, who is really his stepfather.
Sometimes it is a usurping or wicked king who has had an omen or
augury and fears that the hero, having reached manhood, will
overthrow him. We can see this theme in the stories of Greek heroes
such as Perseus as well as in the story of Jesus, who as an infant was
persecuted by King Herod. The theme of envy, and the potential
threat the hero holds for the ruling powers, is one which I
will refer to many times as we explore the solar journey. The Sun is special, and
the expression of specialness often invokes destructive envy in others. [...]
At some point in his growing-up process, the hero receives what
Campbell refers to as "the call to adventure." This can come in a
number of forms. The divine parent may appear in a dream or vision,
saying, "All right, son, pull your finger out, it's time to grow up and go
after the treasure hard to attain." In other words, the call may come
from within us a sudden intuition of meaning and destiny...
