Hero's Journey Chapter 5: Trials and Enemies
What Is Forging You?
Every hero eventually discovers that answering the Call doesn’t make the journey easier. In many stories, it’s exactly when the hero commits to the path that the real obstacles begin. In Lord of the Rings, the Fellowship leaves the Shire—and suddenly there are Ringwraiths hunting them. This is different from Fear & Resistance. Fear asks, “Am I willing to go?” Trials ask, “Now that you’ve gone… can you keep going?”
In astrology, I look especially to Mars and Saturn, along with the 8th and 12th Houses. Mars can show where life demands courage, action, conflict, and effort. Saturn reveals the obstacles we can’t rush—the places where we develop patience, discipline, boundaries, and endurance. The 8th and 12th Houses can take us into experiences where some degree of control has to be surrendered: loss, dependence, uncertainty, hidden difficulties, or circumstances we simply can’t muscle our way through.
I don’t think these placements mean we’re destined to struggle. I think they ask a much more interesting question:
What is life trying to develop in us? Because the obstacles aren’t always punishment. Sometimes they’re training.
What Trials Look Like in My Chart
When I look at my own chart, I can see this clearly. My Mars is in Aries in the 9th House—the same area of my chart connected to my Call. In other words, answering my Call actually creates some of my trials. Traveling, teaching, hosting events and retreats, putting my beliefs into the world, and taking risks without knowing whether they’ll work have all demanded courage.
I’ve had events fail. I’ve struggled to fill retreats. I’ve worried about money (2nd house Saturn). I’ve questioned whether I was making a huge mistake leaving the security (12th house Camcer) of a more conventional life—and whether following this path was really the best thing for my family.
My 12th House is where I have Jupiter in Cancer that is being overcome by a square from Mars. The more I’ve followed my Call, the more I’ve had to learn about surrender, faith, intuition, and accepting that I can’t control every outcome. Those experiences have developed something in me that success alone never could: resilience, patience, humility, and trust. The trials haven’t necessarily taken me away from the journey. They’ve been preparing me to sustain it.
Sean Astin: The Trial of Endurance
We can also watch this chapter unfold through Annual Profections. Sean Astin gives us a beautiful example because the quality that defines Samwise Gamgee isn’t power—it’s endurance.
Saturn was the lord of the year while he was filming The Lord of the Rings. Astin moved through an Aquarius 6th House Annual Profection, activating themes of work, service, physical labor, and the body. The production itself was physically demanding, and Astin famously injured his foot while filming Sam running into the water after Frodo, requiring medical treatment. So the theme of illness and injury that 6th house activates, forced him to face a trial he never experienced on this level.
So this wasn’t simply symbolic. His body was being tested by the work.
And then look at the character he was playing. Sam isn’t the chosen Ring-bearer. He doesn’t receive the glamorous quest. His role is to serve, endure, and keep showing up. When Frodo can’t continue, Sam carries more. Eventually, he literally carries Frodo.
That’s what makes Sam such a powerful image for this stage of the Hero’s Journey. Trials reveal capacities we might never discover if everything were easy. Sean Astin already had his gifts, but this chapter gave endurance, commitment, and service an arena in which to develop.
Sometimes the treasure hidden inside a difficult chapter isn’t what we accomplish. It’s the strength we discover because the journey required it.
Reflection
We usually look at our greatest obstacle and ask, “Why is this happening to me?” The Hero’s Journey offers another possibility:
What if the obstacle isn’t only standing in your way? What if it’s developing something your Call is going to require?
Maybe courage. Maybe discipline. Maybe boundaries, patience, humility, or the ability to keep going when no one is applauding yet.
So consider the challenge you’re facing right now and ask:
“If my greatest obstacle were actually my greatest teacher, what might it be preparing me for?”
Sometimes the thing that feels like it’s blocking the journey is the very thing forging the heroine capable of completing it.
Continue Your Journey
Every Hero's Journey is unique. Your birth chart reveals the lifelong map.
Your Annual Profections reveal the chapter you're living right now—where your adventure is unfolding, what part of yourself is being called forward, and where your treasure is waiting to be embodied.
If you're curious where your own Call, Fears, Mentors, Allies, Inner Cave, Treasure, and Return live within your birth chart, I'd love to explore your story with you.
Together, we'll uncover not only who you came here to be...but where you are in your journey today.
A personalized Hero's Journey Birth Chart Reading with Lainie
Discover Your Authentic Nature & Gifts Through Your Birth Chart
Your birth chart is more than a personality profile. It's a map of the journey your soul came here to live.
Using the timeless framework of the Hero's Journey and Hellenistic astrology, I'll create a personalized recorded video exploring your unique path—revealing where your Call, Fears, Mentors, Allies, Trials, Treasure, and Return unfold in your chart.
We'll also explore your current Annual Profection, helping you understand the chapter you're living right now and the gifts life is inviting you to embody.
This isn't simply an astrology reading. It's the story of remembering who you are, understanding the chapter you're living, and discovering the gifts only you can share.
Included:
✔ Personalized recorded video (approx. 30–40 minutes)
✔ Hero's Journey Birth Chart interpretation
✔ Current Annual Profection
✔ Practical guidance for your current life chapter
✔ Delivered within 5–7 business days
