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hermes
Sept 18, 2005 19:12:12 GMT
Post by jamma on Sept 18, 2005 19:12:12 GMT
Does anyone have information/ideas/insights about the meaning of the asteroid Hermes? I know that in mythology Hermes is the Greek version of Mercury and that he is one of the "trickster" gods ... and also that Hermes is integral to alchemy ... Regarding the asteroid, I have Googled, but all I've been able to find is this snippet: "Astrologically, Hermes seems to have something to do with cleverness, intelligence, divisiveness, division, and occultism."
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hermes
Sept 18, 2005 22:22:47 GMT
Post by blueorchids on Sept 18, 2005 22:22:47 GMT
Seems from my readings that duality is at its core...Inventiveness, service, creativity mixed with a bit of tricky slipperiness (lol)..Note how he slips away at birth...
From Jan Carter:
Hermes is the Greek version of the Winged Messenger, Mercury. He is born as a result of a secret union in a dark cave between the King of the Gods, Zeus/Jupiter and the wood nymph, Maia. Maia is also the name Zeus calls to when consulting the oracle of the Great Goddess Night.
Hermes was a very precocious child and was constantly getting into and out of trouble. On the day of his birth he leaves his cradle, wanders outside and comes across a tortoise. As he admires the creature, he suddenly kills it and invents/creates a beautifully crafted lyre out of ox hide and its shell.
He plays with his new toy for a short while, then gets bored and decides he is hungry. He happens upon a herd of cattle belonging to his older brother, Apollo - the Sun God; and devises an ingenious plan to steal the herd by turning their hooves around, so that as he leads them away, their trail appears to be heading in the opposite direction. Thus, Hermes/Mercury gets the reputation of being a “Trickster”.
Hermes decides to kill two of the cows, cutting them into twelve pieces, and make offerings, honoring twelve of the Olympian Gods – including himself!
This of course reflects Mercury’s passage through the 12 Signs/Archetypes of the Zodiac. Apollo soon discovers his cows are missing and suspects Hermes. During their confrontation in which Hermes denies any part in the matter, Apollo becomes enamored with Hermes’ Lyre. A bargain is struck and the situation is resolved.
For his inventiveness, Hermes/Mercury becomes an honored member of the Pantheon. Apollo gives him a gift of the Caduceus - a winged wand with two snakes wrapped around it. Because of Hermes’ stealth, he is often given the task of entering precarious places and retrieving things. He is the only god that can freely pass into and out of the Underworld.
In Traditional Western Astrology, the Planet Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo. The Gemini/Air aspect relates to his mental dexterity. The Virgo/Earth aspect is associated with his service and craftsmanship.
Gemini, the twins, reflects the dual nature of our thoughts. Its symbol is the Roman Numeral II. Also, if you consider the number “88”, which is the number of days Mercury orbits about the Sun, you will see two vertical “infinity symbols”. An interesting parallel again! There are two sides to everything.
We communicate energetically by way of the infinity symbol, as we give and receive information. What are you choosing to share?
In the Myth, part of Hermes’ nature is being a liar and a thief. He is also a marvelous inventor and a genius. We each carry this dual nature in us – a lightness and a darkness.
Remember the name of his mother, “ Maia”, also means “illusion”. We can span the gamut - from conscious propaganda to mere misunderstanding. Words can never quite grasp the core of what one is trying to convey.
ALSO...
Mercury, the smallest planet, is also the planet nearest the Sun. A symbol of the rational mind, Mercury is linked with our sense of spiritual direction; the mind must serve our sense of purpose (Sun). In late classical times (300 BC-300AD) Hermes, the Greek Mercury, was symbolically united with the Egyptian Thoth who was considered to be the god of the Moon. The connection is not without significance as Mercury represents the rational intellect and the Moon represents instinctual memory. When the two planets are favorably aspected, a person has the innate ability to remember everything he/she learns resulting in a sparkling intellect....
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hermes
Sept 19, 2005 0:10:19 GMT
Post by jamma on Sept 19, 2005 0:10:19 GMT
Dear Blue ... Thanks SO MUCH for all the wonderful info ... and I loved the part at the end: I have Mercury conjunct Moon in Pisces in the 3rd House (Gemini) so it was quite a compliment! Love, J
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