Hermeticism

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Versatility and mutability are Hermes' most prominent characteristics. His specialties are eloquence and invention (he invented the lyre). He is the god of travel and the protector of sacrifices; he is also god of commerce and good luck. The common quality in all of these is again consciousness, the agile movement of mind that goes to and fro, joining humans and gods, assisting the exchange of ideas and commercial goods. Consciousness has a shadow side, however: Hermes is also noted for cunning and for fraud, perjury, and theft.

such a good guy/bad guy!?!?!

― brg30 (brg30), Saturday, 9 November 2002 22:26 (twenty-three years ago)

How did he become the god of sealing things really thoroughly?

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Saturday, 9 November 2002 23:14 (twenty-three years ago)

Hermes Trismegistus --> wrote abstruse gnostic shit --> invented the airtight seal --> now Martin can eat canned peaches in January hurrah!

― chzd (synkro), Saturday, 9 November 2002 23:20 (twenty-three years ago)

And I did have tinned peaches earlier tonight, so hurrah indeed!

Though I confess to some confusion, in that I didn't realise the mythical ancient Greeks (was HT not associated with Cronos, or however you want to spell him?) had canned food. I shall revise my mental picture accordingly.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Saturday, 9 November 2002 23:27 (twenty-three years ago)

HT was more recent (his books were supposed to have been written c. 200 BC - 100 AD), and was a Hellenistic pash between Greek Hermes and Egyptian Thoth. He was also the leader of his own mystery school, so no doubt got all sorts of crazy shit attributed to him, like Pythagoras. Beyond this I can't remember much.

Sealing things is a way to make perishables portable, so isn't really opposed to trade (not sure if this is what you meant).

― chzd (synkro), Saturday, 9 November 2002 23:35 (twenty-three years ago)

brg30 have you read TRICKSTER MAKES THIS WORLD by Lewis Hyde?

― chzd (synkro), Saturday, 9 November 2002 23:44 (twenty-three years ago)

My Larousse has HT as secretary to Cronus.
1. Different spelling of Cronos, though it seems to be the same being.
2. Secretary?

I don't understand what I said that seemed to be about trade, I'm afraid. I was just picturing ancient Greeks opening tins of olives, in a useless and facetious manner.

And I am a fan of Thoth! If I had to choose a god to worship, I'd probably go for him. Not just because he is just one letter away from my favourite comic artist (Toth) but inventing writing is a great career highlight.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 10 November 2002 00:17 (twenty-three years ago)

Hermes was my favourite Greek god when I was eight!

I also thought Artemis was hot, which just goes to show how early the idea of lezzing up has appealed to me.

― Daniel_Rf (Daniel_Rf), Sunday, 10 November 2002 00:21 (twenty-three years ago)

brg30 have you read TRICKSTER MAKES THIS WORLD by Lewis Hyde?

No, I haven't. Actually I don't know much about Greek gods. I just like the fact that Hermes is an inventor. I wonder what he would think of The Lyres and Liars....

― brg30 (brg30), Sunday, 10 November 2002 18:47 (twenty-three years ago)

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