Yesterday as I was consolidating some piles of scraps I came across an image of Hermes/Mercury. I don’t remember where it came from. That for me is a big part of the delight of having collected images for years – you have time to forget things and then get to rediscover them with delight all over again.
I have a great love for Hermes/Mercury. Seriously, winged cap, winged shoes! Who wouldn’t want those?! Because Mercury is known as a messenger, I thought for the longest time that my affinity had to do with my devotion to mailart, and my loving invocation of the patron of communiqué delivery. And I do believe that’s how I first allowed myself to welcome in those energies and start my relationship with Mercury. Just like any true friendship, things have evolved over the years as I have come to understand and experience the deeper layers of connection. Hermes has indeed become a beloved ally.
Hermes, messenger of the gods, fact-gatherer and disseminator of information, was the son of Zeus and the goddess Maia, who is a springtime goddess associated with the act of blossoming. But there’s another aspect of Hermes that is less widely known. He is a crosser of boundaries – he rescued Persephone from the underworld; he released Ares from a jar; he freed Dionysius from his father’s thigh. His winged shoes (talaria) symbolize his function as a go-between from the world of human affairs and the realm of the gods. He delivered messages from the gods to mortals, and that act characterized his function as a bridge from the mundane to the sacred.
I like to think I embody some of these archetypal divine energies in my work. Certainly my work as a channel qualifies as a messenger; and my work in the Akashic Records is crossing a boundary. There can be playful trickster energy about Hermes as well. If you sign up for my snail mail list, which requires a bit of a perusing of my website, I send out periodic surprise love letters. I know Hermes would approve.
Yesterday I also discovered my summer reading project. It seems every year I stumble upon a book series that captures my attention and makes for fun summer reading. One year it was the Charles de Lint Newford books series (can you say YES – Crow Girls!!!); last year it was the Zodiac Series by Vicki Petterson. And this year I discovered Anne Zouroudi. I just finished her book The Messenger of Athens which is the first of her series of Greek Island mysteries starring detective Hermes Diaktores. Coincidence? I think not. And yes, Hermes is not your average gumshoe.
You’ve probably guessed today’s journal page is my Artysville Glue It Tuesday homage to Hermes.
So tell me, do you have a special relationship with Hermes/Mercury? Some other archetypal energy? If winged shoes aren’t your thing, what kind of footwear is? Have any must-read recommendations? Please share – you know I love to hear!
Beautiful collage, inspiring post. Hmmm… archetypal energy. I’d love to do some research to figure out my own. Any suggestions of reading material to help me? Cheers to you and your winged shoes. As for shoes my favorite pair right now are Chacos – rockin skirts and sandles in this warm weather.
Thanks for the kind words April. You may want to check out Carolyn Myss’ work on archetypes -it’s pretty accessible and might be a good place to dive in. And yay for weather warm enough to liberate winter-weary feet. 😉
Thanks, Deborah!
Very interesting to hear your discussion about Hermes, and your relationship with him. And a lovely, inspired collage!
Thanks Andria.
Lovely homage to Hermes!
Thanks Betsy.
I loved reading about the evolution of this page and it’s meaning to you. Wonderful.
Thanks Susie. And I have to say I’m delighted for the GIT portalway that allowed me to find your blog.
Oh, dear! Will you still be my friend if I admit I was awful in my high school and college Greek mythology studies?! I will say I have been fascinated with the history of Athens, Greece, because I was born in Athens, Georgia. In 1968 I was able to visit Greece. The sculptures and ruins are incredible.
I’m going to have to look up your Greek island mysteries. Sounds like good reading!
LOL, yep Ruth, even the shocking revelation that mythology studies weren’t your cup of tea doesn’t put me off. How fun about your connection to the two Athens. I’ve always been rather fascinated by the concept of sister cities, and I love that you have your own version. While I’ve never been to Greece, I imagine it is utterly incredible – I’m glad you got to visit.
I love hearing Greek stories of the gods . Thanks for imparting the little lesson at the same time. I’ve always had a fondness for stamps, but haven’t partaken in mail art yet. One day, I’ll get myself organized and enter a group, for support! {:-Deb
Glad you enjoyed the little Hermes highlights Deb. 🙂 And have fun when you start playing in the mailart stream!
Wow Deborah, you are taking me back to my favorite class in high school…mythology. I have to admit though I’ve forgotten much of it over the years! lol! I always had a thing for Hercules! He was so strong and honorable.
LOL – I remember those high school mythology class crushes Belinda.
Love your creation and love creating for glue it tuesday with things that come to hand!
Rinda
Thanks Rinda. GIT is such fun isn’t it?
Deborah–
Thanks for the wonderful reminder of mythology–and how wonderful your relationship with Mercury. In answer to your question, I love to wear shoes which represent the path I am intending for the day–usually silver or gold, pink or turquoise–to represent Divinely steps on a Divinely guided path. I love your thoughts and the way you write–so fresh and so uplifting!
love and blessings to you!
Irene
Oh Irene I LOVE LOVE LOVE your intentional footwear choices – how utterly perfect! And I so appreciate your kind words – thank you.
HI Deborah,
I have added “Glue It Tuesday” to my calendar with reminders, but I think I need the reminders to start several days before it! Always a good reminder coming out here and seeing what you’ve done with it.
My daughter and I are reading the Lightning Thief series. We are just diving into the second book. She has actually read every single ONE of his books, but is patiently wading through them again with me at her side. Perseus is the hero of that story.
Like April, the commenter above, I am not so familiar but would certainly like to be more so. I think that the archetypes are very intriguing.
LOL – I know what you mean Amy about sometimes needing pre-reminder reminders! How fun about your reading with your daughter – that totally makes me smile in delight. And while I’ve heard the title, I had no clue what the Lightning Thief was about. You can bet I’ll be checking the series out – thank you.
I loved your blogpost (and collage!) as I did have lessons in roman/greek mythology in highschool but that was decades ago and I did not know that much about Hermes. You ask some true provoking questions too – you now have me puzzling what my fave footwear is. Hmmm, probably nothing – which means I like barefeet!
LOL – I’m with you Marit. If I can’t have winged sandals, bare feet are best.
Can’t wait to show this beautiful collage to my daughter — she’s obsessed with mythology!
Oh fun!