The Lament of Hermes, read by Graham Hancock

Hermes thrice-great, the Messenger of the Gods and Greek reincarnation of Thoth presents his `lament`, which reads like a prophecy, telling of a time of cultural disease that will be wiped clean to begin anew. Much like many prophecies around today including the 2012 Mayan date, this one from ancient Egypt appears to apply to our time, giving us reason to reevaluate our present. Photos by Santha Faiia www.grahamhancock.com

Hermes and his invention...

Wynalazek boga Hermesa - lira. Hermes and his invention. Wojciech Rudny. Muzyka: Orkiestra Antyczna Ośrodek Praktyk teatralnych Gardzienice There are many ways in which one can honor the god in the modern day world: Make offerings. There were many offerings which would be acceptable: Coins Hermes is a god of the marketplace, gambling, commerce, and thieves. Strawberries "In the sanctuary of Promakhos (the Champion) is kept all that is left of the wild strawberry-tree under which they believe that Hermes was nourished." -Pausanias 9.22.1-2 Libations Wine, oil, water, or honey would all be appropriate, classical libations to the gods. Incense Styrax (AKA Storax, Styrax benzoin or simply benzoin) and frankincense were specified by the Orphic Hymns for Hermes. Gamble. Buy a lottery ticket, spend some time in Las Vegas or Atlantic City--or take a meaningful risk in your life which would be akin to a gamble. Play dice or card games. Hermes is a god of luck and chance. If gambling doesn't appeal to you, games of chance would make a great offering, or even an agon to him. An agon was a contest or competition held on behalf of the gods in classical times, and is a great way for two or more people to honor the gods. When is it especially appropriate to honor Hermes? -During periods of unemployment, or as a thank you for becoming employed. -For wealth gained, especially if it was a lucky find or a win. -Before, during, and/or after travel. -As a thank you for anything lucky that has ...

Hermes - The Messenger of Greek Gods

Homer described Hermes as a thief, driver of cattle and harbinger of dreams, but according to Greek mythology, he was the son of Zeus and Maia. Zeus was the Olympian ruler of the heavens, while Maia was the daughter of Atlas.

Hermes was born in a cave located on Mt. Cyllene. His mother lived in this cave. During infancy, it was visible that Hermes was born with superpowers as he was able to accomplish numerous feats. A few hours after he was born, Hermes walked to Pieria. Here he found cattle belonging to Apollo, who was his half brother. He padded the hooves of the cattle and drove fifty from the herd backwards to confuse anyone who wanted to follow the tracks of the cattle. He then took the cattle with him, and from the herd he sacrificed 2 cows at Alpheios River to please the gods.

As he was heading home with the cattle, he found a tortoise. He killed it and used the shell and the leather from the death cows to make his first lyre. On discovering the robbery of his herd, Apollo was furious and figured out that Hermes was the culprit. However, Zeus stepped in and made Hermes hand over his lyre as compensation to Apollo. Later on, Hermes created a pan pipe, which was again given to Apollo. However, Apollo gave Hermes his golden staff that he used in several of his adventures.

Along with the golden staff, other symbols of Hermes are the winged cap and winged sandals.

When Hermes was a youngster, Zeus made his the god of trade and commerce. For this he was given the winged sandals. As a god, Hermes had power to control birds of omen, sheep, lions, boars and dogs. He was also the messenger of gods and use to chaperone the death to the Underworld to Hades.

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The Greek Deity Known as Hermes

Hermes was unique among Greek Deities for a number of reasons. Primary among them was his tendency to be a god for everything at one point or another.

The Greek Deity Known as Hermes

The twelve gods of Mount Olympus, in ancient Greece, played an important role in the everyday lives of most Greeks. Whether they read the works of their famous poets and playwrights, such as Homer, or dedicated offerings to their patron deity, gods and goddesses played a major part in Greek culture. One of the most important of these deities, because of his ability to translate between gods and humans, was Hermes.

Hermes, along with being a god that was able to converse directly with humans, was also the patron god of many other aspects of Greek life. He was the god of travelers, cow herders and shepherds, athletics, literature, mechanics and invention. Along with these good qualities, Hermes was also seen as the governing deity of thieves and liars. In fact, the writer Homer was sure to count this as important among his many attributes.

Another item that was connected with Hermes was fire. He was credited with the invention of fire (going along with his governance of invention), but this also made him a parallel of the Titan Prometheus. His other major inventions were the sport of boxing, the syrinx (pan pipes) and lyre. His association with the invention of boxing made Hermes an occasional patron of athletes. While he was definitely involved in many aspects of life, Hermes also had another job for those who entered the world of the dead.

Hermes served as a psychopomp, or escort from death into the afterlife, for the Greek pantheon. He was seen as the one who would bring souls down into the Underworld. In most Greek myths, he is the only deity besides Hades and Persephone that could cross between the world of the living and the Underworld. As time went on, the Olympic deities' world evolved and so did Hermes. Once the pantheon was fully formed, Hermes was described as being the son of Zeus and Maia (who was the daughter of the Titan Atlas). He also gained a more detailed description, including a pouch, winged sandals and a winged cap.

Hermes was important to many average Greeks throughout the Olympian era. His many different aspects (such as a messenger between gods and mortals, and as a psychopomp) as well as the diverse number of myths that were associated with him made Hermes an integral part of the Greek polytheistic society.

Richard Monk is with Facts Monk - a site with country facts about Greece.