Hermes

Before Hermes was the winged messenger of Mount Olympus, he was a virile, rustic, pastoral spirit, presiding over the fertility of women and livestock. Hermes was among the best-loved of all Olympian spirits. He is the lord of animal husbandry as well as language, communication, trade, travel, and divination.

Hermes’ specialty is cleromancy, originally divination using small pebbles, which eventually evolved into dice. He is the trickster lord of the crossroads, spirit of luck and patron of gamblers, especially those who play with dice. Hermes protects thieves and also protects against them. He may be invoked for the gift of gab, business success, and true omens. He is the lord of cunning and mother-wit.

Hermes is a shaman: he travels between realms, hence his eventual role as Zeus’ messenger. He is a psychopomp who conveys the souls of the dead to Hades. Sacrifices were made to Hermes on the final day of Greek festivals of the dead to ensure that he would escort the dead souls back to Hades. If a ghost refuses to vacate your premises, Hermes may be asked to escort them to a more appropriate place. Just be careful: Hermes is not violent or particularly aggressive, but he does enjoy playing tricks and the periodic practical joke. He will be a troublesome spirit for those lacking humor and humility.

Hermes killed Hera’s guardian Argus by boring him to death. After he had put him to sleep, Hermes touched the guard with his staff to kill him. He is sometimes considered the patron of euthanasia: the gentle death.

Hermes prowls around at night, bringing dreams. You can request that he deliver prophetic dreams or that he provide relief from nightmares.

Hermes as Divine Child wears sandals and carries a staff: his image closely resembles that of the Holy Child of Atocha. Post-Christianity, many of Hermes’ functions were assigned to Michael Archangel.

Hermes was born in a cave to the goddess, Maia. Zeus is his father. He makes his home in Mekone, “Poppy town.” Hermes is associated with birth, death, and sex. Although now often portrayed as androgynous, Hermes was originally a very virile phallic deity. His sexual partners include Aphrodite and countless Nymphs. The Greek-born Italian goddess Carmenta may be his official wife. Hermes is credited with many inventions, including the musical scale, the alphabet, boxing, gymnastics, weights, measures, and olive culture. (Athena may have brought the olive tree, but Hermes taught people how to process the fruit and oil.)

ORIGIN:

Greece

FAVOURED PEOPLE:

Merchants; gamblers; travelers; thieves (but only if they’re not violent: he likes clever, tricky thieves, not thugs or muggers); those who live by their wits; boxers

MANIFESTATION:

Hermes traditionally wears a traveler’s broad-brimmed hat and sandals.

ICONOGRAPHY:

Hermes has been through many transitions:

• His most ancient images portray him in the form of an erect phallus.

• He is represented by a cairn of stones.

• Statues called “Herms” were used to portray him: tall rectangular pillars displaying his head on top and his erect penis sticking out. Herms were placed at crossroads. Women seeking fertility would petition Hermes at a herm, placing flower garlands around his neck or elsewhere.

• Hermes was then envisioned as a robust man carrying a lamb around his shoulders.

• Finally he was portrayed in the form most familiar today: a winged, sandaled, androgynous messenger.

ATTRIBUTE:

Caduceus: a staff entwined by two snakes, the emblem of the modern medical profession. He can use the staff to induce sleep.

Spirit allies:

His mother, Maia; Pan; Nymphs

SACRED SITES:

Hermes is an extremely unpretentious spirit. He is among the Greek spirits least often honored with formal temples. Instead he is present at crossroads and in wild nature. Invoke his presence or summon him by erecting a herm or cairn of stones, especially at a four-way crossroads (X-shaped).

Sacred animals:

Dog, tortoise, snake

Tree:

Palm

OFFERINGS:

Cakes; honey; olives; goat or sheep’s cheese; wine; water; incense

SEE ALSO:

• Aphrodite
• Asklepios
• Athena
• Calypso
• Carmenta
• Circe
• Dionysus
• Eshu Elegbara
• Hades
• Hekate
• Hera
• Maia
• Mercury
• Nymph
• Pan
• Psychopomp
• Shiva
• Zeus

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.

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