The following explanation of Joseph Campbell's monomyth is based on materials developed by the Office of Resources for International and Area Studies (ORIAS) at the University of California, Berkeley. The ORIAS version presents Campbell's monomyth graphically in eleven stages forming a circle representing Campbell's image of the cosmogonic cycle, the cycle of the seasons, the cycle of day and night.

Birth

Unusual circumstances characterize the birth of a hero. The events and circumstances leading to the birth of the hero often appear in their own story cycle. A classic example is Star Wars, where the circumstances leading to the birth of Luke Skywalker are developed in Episodes 1-3.

Call to Adventure

The hero can be led to the adventure by an event or by the appearance of a messenger. For Luke Skywalker, the messenger calling him to adventure is R2D2 with the message meant for Obi-Wan Kenobi, which Luke stumbles on when working on R2D2. For Frodo Baggins, the call to adventure is Bilbo's mysterious disappearance at Bilbo's birthday party. In the first of the Harry Potter novels, the call to adventure is the letter from Hogwarts.

Guardian/Amulet

Early in the journey, the hero oftens meets someone who serves as guardian or guide, directing the hero on the start of his or her journey. Often these are elderly figures who also provide the hero with an amulet or weapon to assist the hero on his or her journey. For Luke Skywalker, the guardian/guide is Obi-Wan Kenobi who provides him with a light sabre. For Frodo Baggins, the guardian/guide is Gandalf who commits the One Ring to Frodo's care. For Harry Potter, the guardian is Hagrid, and the amulet is Harry's wand.

Crossing the Threshold

Often the most easily identifiable moment in the hero's journey is when the hero crosses the threshold between the ordinary, everyday world and the world of adventure. For Luke Skywalker, the spaceport represents the threshold between the world of his childhood and the world of adventure. In the movie, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Sam indicates the threshold as he and Frodo leave the Shire, saying that, if he takes one more step, he will have gone farther than he has ever gone before. For Harry Potter, the threshold is Platform 9¾. In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the wardrobe marks the threshold. Crossing the threshold can be as easy as entering a forest, getting lost in fog, opening a door, or flying out of a window (Peter Pan), or as traumatic as being kidnapped, swallowed by a great fish (Jonah), or carried away by a tornado like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.

Tests

Once the hero enters the world of adventure, he or she faces a variety of experiences to test the hero's resolve or, in conquering them, advance the hero on the path. Luke must rescue Leia, lose Obi-Wan, escape from Darth Vader, and so on. Frodo constantly must resist the urge to put on the ring. One of Harry Potter's first tests is the ordeal of the Sorting Hat. These tests are the crises the hero faces that lead to that ultimate crisis, the climax of the story.

Helpers

Often the hero is helped along on the journey by various helpers. They may assist the hero with tests, provide supernatural help, offer comfort or solace, or otherwise assist the hero. For Luke, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Hans Solo, Chewbacca, Leia, R2D2, and CP30 all serve as helpers. For Frodo, the Fellowship of the Ring are his helpers, especially Sam as well as Gollum, who, as Gandalf insists, has a part to play. For Harry Potter, the Weasleys, Hermione, Dumbledore, Hagrid, and many others are his helpers in the fight against Voldemort.

Climax

This is the moment the hero faces the ultimate test. This is the moment when the hero succeeds or ultimately fails. The initial climax for Luke is the destruction of the death star. For Frodo, it is the destruction of the One Ring. For Harry Potter, it is the ultimate defeat of Voldemort.

Flight

Having faced the ultimate crisis, the hero now begins the journey back to his or her own world. In some cases, the hero must flee from pursuers. In others, the hero, having accomplished his or her task, resolves any lingering issues or has an uneventful return to the threshold. The flight is not dealt with much in Episode 4 of Star Wars. For Frodo, the flight involves his rescue by the eagles. For Harry, it is his return on the Hogwarts train.

Return Across the Threshold

Having accomplished his or her task, the hero returns to the ordinary, everyday world. Harry Potter takes the Hogwarts train home; Frodo rides back to the Shire; Dorothy clicks the heels of her red slippers wishing to be home again. The return can be a benign event like waking from sleep or a coma, or returning home through the action of some violent natural or supernatural force.

Elixir

Back in the ordinary, everyday world, the hero often has, as a consequence of his or her adventure, gained some attribute, skill, ability, power, talisman, or other object, knowledge, or blessing that both defines the hero's new role in his or her old society and/or provides aid or comfort to that society. Luke becomes a Jedi knight. Frodo records his travels. Harry matures into a leader.

Home

The circuit is complete. The hero now has the power to provide for or otherwise care for and support his or her old society as a consequence of the adventure. Frodo returns to the Shire and ultimately the Grey Havens. Harry Potter secures his place in the wizarding world and has a family.

Campbell saw the monomyth as a journey each and every person must make in his or her movement through life from childhood to adulthood. He often referred to this process as "finding one's bliss."