The road home brings the Hero back to the ordinary world. If the Hero hasn’t fully reconciled with the challenges of his quest, the troubles might persist. The Hero should take heed to make amends or tie up any loose ends before Returning Home. Otherwise, dangers might follow.

A sense of loss can accompany the act of Return Home. The Hero might not be able to return to such magic lands or ever be able to describe to his loved ones what he experienced. Some tools that served the Hero along the road might also have to be left behind. It can be a moment of reckoning and adjustment back to the ordinary world.

This stage can feel like the sadness of moving to another city, knowing you can never come back. Or you are trying to settle back into the stress of everyday life after traveling abroad. “Re-entry” is a strange transition!

When you find yourself in this stage, ask yourself what has changed. How will you be able to take what you learned back to everyday life?
Is there anything you should leave behind that helped you succeed at your goal? What obstacles might be between you and integrating this change?

The Entitled Prince hides from responsibility and pushes others to do the actual work. He feels so inflated by his own self-worth he spends most of his time bickering and complaining. He sees himself as a victim of external circumstances, making him feel impotent and passionless.
The Entitled Prince assumes the world is conspiring against him. The only time he feels safe is if he is wholly coddled by someone else.

To break free of the Shadow, the Entitled Prince must take up his responsibility and regain his empowerment. He must face his anxieties and begin the long journey of finding inner-confidence. Otherwise, he will hurt the people around him and see his kingdom in ruin.

When exploring the Shadow Aspect of the Entitled Prince, look to how you fulfill your obligations. Consider if you feel you must be treated differently than other people? Are certain things guaranteed to you because of your position? How do you show gratitude toward people that help you?

Working on your confidence and self-reliance will help bring this Shadow Aspect back into balance and unlock your true potential as a leader.

The Caretaker offers physical and emotional support to others.
He is moved by compassion and a desire to help, be it friends, strangers, or even foes. The Caregiver generously gives his time to those in need.

If one is out of balance, the Caregiver can get trapped in a cycle of trying to “fix” everything. He can overwork himself to the point of exhaustion and is prone to martyrdom. The Caregiver’s intentions to help others can sometimes enable lousy behavior in those he cares for. If he gives without any boundaries, he can be taken advantage of and find himself in a codependent relationship. His desire to help others has to be balanced with his self-care.

The Caregiver draws people to himself by his innate altruistic personality. This Archetype can manifest itself in different types of relationships, from caring for your parents, children, lovers, and community. When you draw this card, ask yourself to examine how you care for people in your life.
Do you take the time to nature others? If you do, how do you find a balance between sacrifice and self-care?