I thought it'd be fun to do some long posts on specific gods as a small guide for beginners, those interested in learning about them, or even just little refreshers.
Naturally this isn't everything (if anything it's the basics) and I can't cover everything single topic and aspect of a god in asking singular Tumblr post, but I hope it's a decent starting point!
As always, I am a single source and encourage you to seek out other resources and learn more for yourself ♡
Hermes- son of Zeus and the Pleiades nymph Maia, father of Pan- was the Olympian god of herds and flocks, travellers and hospitality, roads and trade, thievery and cunning, heralds and diplomacy, language and writing, athletic contests and gymnasiums, astronomy and astrology. He was the herald and personal messenger of Zeus, King of the Gods, and also the guide of the dead who led souls down into the underworld.
Hermes was depicted as either a handsome and athletic, beardless youth or as an older, bearded man, with winged boots and a herald's wand.
• 𝐀 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐇𝐲𝐦𝐧 •
Hermes was born at dawn in a cave in Kyllene on the 4th of the 10th month and was immediately a menace to everyone and everything he came in contact with. He lept from his cradle as an infant in search of Apollo's cattle and, in midday, found a tortoise at the front of his cave and was immediately enamored by the beauty of hef shell. He took the tortoise into his cave and, with an iron knife, removed the shell. With sheep's guts, reeds, and cowhide, he fastened the shell into a lyre, the sound of it haunting and beautiful. He sang of Kronos and Maia, and his own birth as well as Maia's handmaidens.
But while he sang, he realized he wanted more and paved the lyre in his crib before setting off in search of meat. As the sun began to set, he made his way to the mountains of Piera, where the gods kept their divine cattle and stole a herd of 50. He turned their hooves backward, so as they walked, their tracks led away from him and fastened himself sandals as he hated walking barefoot.
An old man tending his vineyard witnessed him herding the cows, and Hermes promised him abundance in wine if the man pretended he hadn't met him.
The moon rode high as Hermes led the cattle to a high arching cave, feeding them lotus and grass. Having acquired the cattle, Hermes then desired fire and started one with sticks in a pit he created.
Hermes then picked 2 cows from the herd and drove his knife through their backbones. He cut their meat, cooking it over the fire and cut it into 12, even portions. He set the offering out on a flat stone, and even though the smell was tempting, he did not eat. Instead, he lifted the smoking meats and fat high in the air to show off his skills of thievery.
When he had finished, he threw his sandals into the Alpheos River and smoldered the fire. He smoothed the ashes until nothing remained.
He quickly returned to his home in Kyllene as dawn rose, so stealthy and quick he was heard and seen by no mortal or god, and crawled back into his cradle and swaddled himself as if he'd never left.
But his mother noticed his absence, and Maia asked where he had gone, calling him all manner of shameless and cunning and a thief. Hermes (being the gaslighter he is) feined innocence, appales his mother could think these things of just a newborn.
He told her that he would learn any skill for them, as he desired to not stay in the cave and wanted to be rich, with crops, and to speak with the other gods. He wanted the same respects from Zeus given to Apollo, defiantly stating that if he couldn't receive them, he would just steal them.
It was during this time that the sun rose, and Apollo found the old man Hermes had sworn to secrecy, asking if he had seen a man with his cattle. The old man claimed he had not, but instead saw a baby with a wand leading the herd. Apollo headed the words speedily in search of his cattle and found the cave of Kyllene where Hermes lived.
He opened the closets and all, searching for his cattle before going before Hermes and asking where he had hidden his cows. He threatened to throw him into Tartarus, where Maia nor Zeus would ever be able to rescue him. Hermes (once again being a gaslighter from birth) claimed he'd never seen nor heard of Apollo's cattle. He claimed that because he was just a baby, he didn't have the capabilities to take his cattle and instead was focused on newborn things such as his mother's milk. That he had only been born yesterday, and his feet were too soft to handle the rough ground. Because Hermes was the original male manipulator, he offered to even swear an oath to Zeus that he hadn't taken the caftle nor seen anyone that had. Hermes apparently had a terrible poker face as a baby, though, as his expressions betrayed his words and made Apollo laugh.
Apollo claimed he'd be a plunderer, robbing all manner of homes before naming him the prince of thieves and scooping him up and taking him away. Hermes decided that as a baby, his best bet to be released was to do the most baby thing in the world. Which was fart and sneeze in Apollo's face, who flung him to the ground.
Apollo told him that he WILL lead him to his cattle, and Hermes, in annoyance, continued to claim he had no clue what he was talking about. The two made their way to Zeus.
Apollo recounted what he knew to Zeus, how Hermes had stolen his cattle and hidden them.
Hermes claimed he didn't even know how to lie and spoke about how Apollo had barged into his home and threatened him over cattle he knew nothing about, attempting to force a confession. He pleased (near demanded) that Zeus take his side as the youngest brother, and Zeus laughed from amusement at Hermes's lies. He ordered the brothers to work together to find the cattle, with Hermes as the guide, which he agreed to.
Hermes led Apollo to the cave he held the cows, and Apollo was appalled to find 2 of them dead. Apollo was set to kill him there, but Hermes instead grabbed the lyre he crafted, playing it for Apollo, who was immediately taken to it. Apollo asked if he had crafted it himself or taken it from mortals, and Hermes proudly announced the lyre to be his own creation.
Apollo offered Hermes rites and riches for him and his mother in exchange for the lyre, which Hermes agreed to. In the exchange, Apollo gave Hermes his whip, nicknames him the cattle hearder. And as Apollo played, Zeus joined them as friends.
For a moment Apollo worried that Hermes would steal his lyre and bow (valid fears) and asked that Hermes swear to the gods not to, which he did, and Apollo promised to love Hermes more than any other siblings.
Apollo gave Hermes the herald's wand, making note that the wand would not grant Hermes the oracular gifts bestowed upon him by Zeus (as he had promised to never share them). Instead, he would use it to confuse the mortal with luck, helping one and harming the other.
Hermes was then granted rulership over the cattle, horses, and mules, as well as lions, boards, dogs, and sheep. He was made the messenger of Hades, guide of the living and dead, dealing with the mortal and immortal, always flipping a coin for whether he will help or trick.
Hermes's cult was central in Peloponnese, with his most important shrine being in Mount Kyllene in Arkadia. That said, he was actively worshipped in Arkadia, Athens, and Delphi.
In Arkadia, his shine in Mount Kyllene was a major site of worship as his birthplace. Statues of him were placed in fields and at crossroads, where farmers and travelers would make small offerings to as a rustic god and god of travel. He was often honored as a pastoral god as opposed to a trickster or messenger and was revered as the protector of flocks, herds, and the wild.
As opposed to Arkadia, Hermes played a major role in the economic and active aspects of Athens as a protector of commerce/trade, travel, athleticism, and aspects of public life. He was honored as the patron of merchants, thieves, traders, athletes, and heralds, and was deeply ingrained in Athenian life which thrived in marketplace culture as he had several statues and altars dedicated to him throughout the agora (marketplace). It was common to make small offerings to these statues before engaging in commerce as he was invoked for fair trade. Although it's considered that merchants may have also invoked him as a god of cunning and trickery.
Statues of Hermae (stone pillars of his head and an errect phallus) were seen at crossroads and city entrance for protection and good luck and even used as property markers.
Athletes would also pray to and give offerings to Hermes before games for speed and dexterity, and young Athenians participated in rituals for him.
Delphic Hermes was strongly seen as a patron messenger, mediator, and guide. Gis khthonic ties were most heavily seen here, as psychopomp and his ties to the divine, communication, and divination were paramount.
As Apollo traded his caduceus for Hermes's lyre, he was worshipped closely alongside him as a second primary deity in Delphi. Those who sought the divinity of the Oracle would also often invoke Hermes for guidance and protection, as well as the messenger of the gods.
Because Delphi was so sacred as the center of divination and prophecy, Hermes would commonly be invoked to help understand and interpret the cryptic messages of the Pythia.
It was heavily seen in Delphi (and Athens) that Hermes was also the guide of souls and was invoked during funerary rites to safely guide the deceased in the afterlife.
Finally, Hermes was sometimes associated with the Omphalos as a divine boundary keeper, maintaining balance between the mortal and divine realms. He was believed to protect the sanctity of Delphi, preventing chaotic or deceitful forces from disrupting Apollo’s prophetic order.
• 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 •
Golden winged boots or sandals that allowed him to fly
A wide brimmed hat granting him invisibility, a or winged cap
The Caduceus granted to him by Apollo
A golden blade he weilded in the war between the gods and giants
Epimêlios- Keeper of the Flocks
Agoraios- Of the Market-Place
Dolios- Of Crafts, Of Wiles
Hermêneutês- Interpretor, Translator
Trikephalos- Three-Headed (Of Road-Intersections)
Ram/cattle/sheep/dog imagery
Carrying a lucky coin or token
Traveling (even if it's just to the store or park)
Practicing/learning lockpicking (preferably not on other people's property)
Getting "sticky fingers" with major corporations
Partaking in safe gambling (adults only)
Helping/donating to animal shelters
Doing puzzles and riddles
Supporting small businesses
Learning how to count cards in poker/cheat in gambling (adults only)
Leaving coins or offerings at crossroads
While fairly sloppy, I hope this little blurb was informative! It was fun to make and I plan to make more ♡
