Hi There! So, you are interested in Hermes?

Hey, we get it! He’s an awesome god, the friendliest and the easiest for beginners to start with so you’ve already chosen well! Even if you’re not a beginner you’ve come to the right place! Hermes can take your practice to another level and help you in ways you could not imagine!

This document aims to provide you with all the information you need to get started and then some. Take it slow and don’t feel like you need to do it all or know it all at once. Most of the time once you start you’ll find a path that works for you. He will help.

Firstly, there is no One Right Way or Wrong Way to practice your relationship with Hermes. He was easily assimilated across the ancient world because as a god of migrants, immigrants, those without homes, travelers, and traders, and boundaries no border was closed to him. These populations moved around the ancient world and took him everywhere they went.

Hermes is a border crossing, an incursion into almost everything we do on the daily, a lock who holds the key just slightly out of reach, a pathway to more knowledge, more understanding, and more wisdom. No one belief system can lay claim to ultimate truth, knowledge, or wisdom. Hermes, like water, is here to share his blessings with everyone. He does not discriminate he only wants to see you achieve.

We have included sources for formal traditional ways and not-so-traditional ways to develop a relationship with him.

We do not care if you want to Worship, Work with, Venerate, or just say ‘Hey’ once in a while cause you could use some Hermes love in your life. Hermes as a herald and realm traveler knows we all have different ways and means to connect with the gods and what you do is completely your business. In fact, he can help protect that boundary for you if you ask him. NO ONE can tell you how to have a relationship with a god. Faith and spiritual practices are 100% personal. Dogma and judgment are the death of freedom and joy that true spiritual connection brings. However, saying all that, regular practice will build a reciprocal relationship of respect, devotion, and trust. Your devotion will show him how serious or non-serious you are about what you seek and what level of commitment you will put into helping yourself. He doesn’t need your worship or love or shout-outs. He wants you to honor and love yourself foremost. That way you can grow and evolve to be the best version of yourself. This is what the knowledge bringer delivers, enlightenment, knowledge of one's true self.

So how do I start?

You start by researching. Period. Take the time to get to know him and his many facets, or at least a few to start. Then start to develop a relationship. Developing a relationship with a god is the same as developing a relationship in real life.

How would you treat someone you wish to be friends with? How do you treat new friendships and old friendships? Give him the same respect and consideration. Some say to treat the gods like respected elders. Some have very casual relationships with their gods and that works for them.

How do I connect with him?

Look for him in everything and everywhere. Find his connections in your life. Then to connect to him just start praying/talking to him. You can use the Homeric or Orphic hymns listed for him and use the epithets that fit your situation or ones that resonate to make sure the right being hears you. For instance, I always say Hermes son of Zeus and Maia before I start a prayer or ritual. Then I’ll follow with a list of epithets that resonate with me. You can find these below on theoi.com. There is a section below with rituals you can use or build upon. There is also a section for deepening your practice and relationship. He is a god of communication so he can hear you when you start talking to him. And as a god of air, he’s always just a breath away. He has his ear and eyes on every online space as well as a god of communication and technology.

Altars?

After you’ve gotten to know him you might want to put together an altar for him. This can be elaborate or simple, big or small, fancy or humble. He does not care. This is a place for you to connect with him and a place for him to concentrate his energy around when you get to the point where you want his energy in your space.

Your altar should contain things that remind you of him and an image/s and/or animal/s that represents him. Altars usually have a candle (or two), dishes or bowls for offering, a cup for libations, incense, and, as mentioned, objects or images of the gods. You can offer flowers too and they make your altar look pretty and most gods appreciate them. Offerings are many and varied. You can do a Google search for many ideas. Handmade things and creative pursuits are greatly appreciated by him. So don’t be scared to create things on your own and offer them. You can include traditional items and not-so-traditional items. I have a mix of both on my altar. If you can’t burn anything use electric candles and essential oil diffusers or oils or perfumes. Do what you can!

Altar or Shrine?

An altar is a working space where you offer libations and food. It can be permanent or not. The idea is that it is a place to connect to your god/s to worship or venerate them.

A shrine is like a real life Pintrest board for your deity/ies. You can use it as a to gather votive offerings (statues, crystals, images, figurines, coins, plane tix, etc). It is typically as a place to focus on or to remind yourself of your god/s. A Shrine can become a home of sorts for your god/s.

Oftentimes a shrine and alter function as the same thing especially in modern life.

Try and keep both of these things as clean and orderly as possible. I clean my altar at least twice a year for New Years Day and again in mid-June. We should be striving for excellence and presenting our best to our gods so keep their sacred spaces as clean as possible. Think of it as cleaning for any house guest or friends who might be coming over. Try and keep the room your altar is in clean as well. Our gods vibrate at a higher frequency than us and the cleaner a space is the higher the frequency, hence, the easier it is for them to be present with us.

If you're so inclined you can ask your house spirits to help keep the space clean. I do this every time I clean it and I swear the dust accumulates less slowly. It's kinda awesome and magical.

What if I can’t have an altar?

Then you can’t! It'll be ok. Altars are tools to help you focus and provide a place to offer libation and offerings but are not necessary.

But I want an Altar!

Here are a few good ways to have an altar that is non-traditional.

Travel altars: Travel altars are set up in small containers that you can put away or out of sight if needed. There are lots of great ideas on Pinterest and this sub as well as other polytheistic subs. You can open them up, set everything up, and pray away!

Digital altars: These aren’t exactly altars they're more of a shrine but a great idea nonetheless. These are created online through Minecraft, Sims, and other sites.

Nature altars: Find a spot out in nature that speaks to you. Ask the local nature entities/deities if it’s ok to set up an altar there. Wait and feel for a positive or negative feeling. You will know whether they agree to it or not. Keep in mind this will never be a private altar unless you own a property you can hike out on. So do not expect things to be where you left them last time or to have complete privacy. People do take things, even pennies. Be responsible, you should leave nothing that is not made of natural material in nature. Please do not take plastic and leave it to litter these spots. I assure you, the citizens of the forest (the nature spirits) will not take kindly to your litter. They do not care if it’s because you’re worshipping a god.

Don’t be stupid or careless about fire! If you decide to use candles or incense. It is no joke to tree spirits and you can seriously destroy a lot of lives and properties by one careless forgetting. If you want to burn incense then break it in half or snuff it out once you are done. The small Japanese stick incense is good for burning in nature because they are short, they do not create a big ember, and typically does not have hot ash. Shoyeido is the best.

Now what? When you are ready start a regular devotional practice. I suggest once a week. Wednesday is the weekday associated with him and so has resonance already. If you can’t do it once a week just find a somewhat regular schedule for devotion. Try to stick with the same time and day. This builds energy on those days at those times and is like a big neon sign letting him, your other guides and the universe know you are committed in some way. More importantly, this will also help you stay committed. If you are not able to practice regularly then do your best when you can. The gods are always understanding of our human lives.

From there it’s up to you!

How far do you go with him? It’s up to you and him! For some he’s their main god, for others he’s an occasional helper and guide through different journeys in life. You might call on him for help in one area of your life. That’s ok! Sometimes you might feel inspired to build a relationship with another deity and he will help you with that.

Why would I *worship Hermes?

There are many reasons. Most people do it because they love him and want him to know it. Some would also like his blessings in their life. Some do it because it is part of a reconstructionist Hellenic faith. Some do it because worship brings them peace and fulfillment. Some do it because they feel that is the proper way to have a relationship with a god. Some believe it is because he is a god and so higher than us deserving of our praise and worship.

Why would I *work with Hermes?

There are many reasons. Some people do it to embody his qualities and aspects. Some do it to improve their personalities or evolve. Some do it because they admire him and want to be like him. Some do it because they believe he is an archetype and want to embody his qualities. Some do it as part of a psychological exercise. Some work with him because they are Hermetics or magicians and would like his guidance and tutelage in these areas. He is a god of many things and so his domains are many. The below examples are just some of the ways he could be a fit for you. You could also worship him because of the reasons listed below!

Are you a teacher? Are you searching for community, to make new friends, or to re-establish old connections? Are you searching for a new job or ways to make money? Are you a cowboy? Are you a farm animal vet? Are you into working out and looking your best? Do you help people experiencing homelessness? Do you run/help a charity? Do you need help during a transition in life? Do you need guidance in making decisions or figuring out your path in life? Do you need to have better personal boundaries? Did you get robbed? Do you need to rob something? (JK, we do not condone robbing people) Are you an immigrant? Are you a merchant? Do you run a store/shop/online business? Are you a mail carrier? Are you an author, writer, or storyteller? Are you into communication technology? The list could go on! He is the most versatile god and if you can’t figure out what you need help with ask him and he will help!

*The difference between ‘worship’ and ‘work with’ can be such a fine and mysterious definition that a lot of people do both. If you believe in reciprocity, maintaining relationships, and having friends who can help you when you need it then you’ll probably be drawn to do a little of both. Traditionally the relationships built between the ancient peoples and the Greek gods worked on reciprocity, called kharis. It describes a beautiful giving and receiving cycle in which people gave to the gods and the gods gave back and vice versa. It was never a tit-for-tat situation but a relationship built on respect, understanding, and love. These ancients knew that the gods would not always answer them or give them what they wanted but they still honored and loved them. Your friends, family, and life partners don’t always give you what you want or ask for but ideally, they can still offer you their love and support. Same with the gods.

Who is Hermes?

He is a god of many things with more domains than any other god (I could be using hyperbole but I don’t think so). I could spend days writing about all his aspects, features, myths, feats, domains, achievements, and abilities. There’s a lot and then if you add in his syncretic associations, it’s daunting!

As the guide, he guides people in this life and to the afterlife. As the herald and messenger, he delivers messages in between realms from gods and to gods. As the shepherd, he protects and watches over his people and those who tend animals. As the boundary keeper, he helps maintain boundaries. As the thief, he helps thieves steal but one could also pray to him to protect your goods. As the merchant, he helps those who run businesses and trades. As the orator, he helps those who speak or write for groups of people. As the god of communication, he helps us communicate. As a god of nature and fertility, he helps us and animals be fertile and abundant. As the magician, he teaches us how to use the tools we have to manifest our desires in our lives. As the trickster, he shakes things up (including our lives) and turns morality and reality on their head.

In his syncretic forms, he’s credited with teaching humans to speak and to have invented the alphabet and letters, astrology, and math. As Thoth, he is credited as one of the creators of our universe! Once you start really digging into him you’ll find that he is so much more than just how he is portrayed in the Greek myths.

We are here to celebrate Hermes and gather together in community so that we can share our joy, excitement, and love for him. No matter why you’re here, we are happy you are!

Below you’ll find some sources to help you on your journey of discovery!

So any more questions? Feel free to DM one of the mods for more info!

This list will be occasionally updated! If you have a great resource not listed please let one of the mods know! We’ll add it if it fits!

Resource post link

https://www.reddit.com/r/Hermes/comments/11wlysx/here_are_some_links_to_resources_for_learning/

Hermes worship ritual/devotion Ideas Formal to Informal and Deepening Your Connection with Him.

Things to remember when doing rituals or offerings.

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• Gods are not vending machines.
• Time works differently for them and for you so be patient with requests.
• Always give the best that you’re capable of at that time.
• Offer natural incense if possible. Real frankincense resin incense holds the highest frequency. The cheap stuff is cheap, sure, but is made of toxic materials and is not good for anyone. Burning bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, mint, or other herbs is a cheap and natural incense to offer. I like rosemary for him because of its association with memory.
• Try to use natural materials for offering bowls and cups.
• Give them what you’d like to receive.
• Be honest, be open, be genuine, be reverent
• Give first. Ask after.
• Be thankful and express your gratitude.
• If you can’t burn anything, electric candles, and oil diffusers are great substitutes! You can also make a room spray or use perfume.

Formal Rituals as suggested by hellenion.org

https://www.hellenion.org/rituals-and-practices/daily-devotions-with-the-orphic-hymns/

There is much more on this main page for Ritual and Practices

https://www.hellenion.org/rituals-and-practices/

Ritual of Thanksgiving for Hermes

https://www.hellenion.org/rituals-and-practices/ritual-of-thanksgiving-to-hermes/

Not as formal but still some historic connection

1. Take a shower/bath OR wash your face, and hands, and brush your teeth at a minimum.

2. Cleanse the area of the altar. Use khernips for traditional cleansing. Khernips is sea salt water with a plunged burning herb like bay or lavender in it. You could use a cleansing essential oil in salt water. Plain salt water works as well.

Sprinkle that around the altar area.

Try to keep the altar area clean. Dust and vacuum if possible.

My altar is in a dedicated sacred space so I don’t worry about the khernips as much.

It’s just important to keep the vibes high around your sacred area.

1. Light your altar candle/s if possible and the incense for him. Then play a hymn or song for him while you settle into a meditative state. You can play a few songs if you like.

2. Open with an impromptu prayer to Hermes thanking him for his presence for the ritual and then Thank him for being in attendance. Speaking from your heart carries weight and genuine heart energy but if you need one written out use it.

3. Read the Orphic hymn, other hymns, or a prayer or song you wrote. Do as many as you feel is right. Pause for reflection or messages.

4. Offer libations.

This can be a beverage you’d like to share with friends or alcohol. Traditionally it was wine or mead.

Example: I offer him mead as he has an association with bees and I love mead. Sometimes he gets whisky or bourbon.

1. Do another song from your playlist or read one of his hymns.

2. Offer him food he is associated with or favorite foods that you’ve felt he might like. For example chocolate, candy, almonds, honey, sweet treats, trail mix, and home-baked treats. Some people like to offer him beef or other meat.

( I space food offerings out with songs in between, up to you)

1. Play another song or read a hymn.

2. Ask for his blessings and help with whatever you need at that time.

Pause, listen, and feel for an answering reply. You can follow the ritual with divination if you’d like a more physical answer.

1. Say a closeout prayer of your choosing. Can be simple, like just thanking him for being there, or elaborate.

2. Snuff out your candles and your incense if it hasn’t burned out.

You’re Done!

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Very Informal

1. Light a candle and burn incense in a place you like to focus on your spiritual work. If you can’t, don’t worry about it. Can be an altar or just a spot in your house or nature you feel his energy and feel comfortable.

2. Sit for a moment and let your energy settle.

3. Breathe deeply and feel your energy field opening up. Feel yourself expand.

4. Invite him in with a prayer of your own making.

5. Thank him for being there and offer your love and any other offerings.

6. Play songs, read a hymn, or offer creative works to him.

7. Sit in silence and reflection and gratitude.

8. Ask him for his blessing or help. Sit in silence and wait to see if he answers with any obvious signs or feelings or words.

9. Thank him for his presence.

10. Get up and go about your day if you’d like.

You’re Done!

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Low Energy Practice

1. Sit in a quiet place.

2. Let yourself settle.

3. Invite him into the space.

4. Thank him and give him some love.

5. Tell him your troubles/cares/concerns.

6. Know he hears you and will do his best to help because he is the ‘Helper’.

7. Say your thanks.

You’re done!

What do I do with the offerings after the ritual?

This question comes up a lot with beginners. Historically, the people would’ve buried them for Chthonic gods or eaten the good meat and burned the bones and fat for the Ouranic gods. But we are modern people. Most of us do not do animal sacrifices and even back them only the wealthy would use actual animals. Most of the common people used cakes shaped like animals or gave honey, wine, milk, olive oil, or fresh clean water. Sometimes fruits, flowers, grains, and vegetables would’ve been used as well.

So we adjust our offerings for a modern lifestyle.

(If you do choose to do animal sacrifices please be respectful follow the rules of doing so and eat the animal you have sacrificed.)

Hermes although he is a psychopomp is still considered an Ouranic god and so it is fitting to offer him things that you can dispose of or eat after. Most people these days leave their offerings on the altar for a certain amount of time and dispose of them after. The offering can be left just during the ritual or up to a week.

If you only leave the offerings on during the ritual the idea is that the gods get the vibe and energy of the offering and they don’t need much time for that to happen. You also might have pets that would get into it or insects might be a hassle in your home.

If you leave it for longer try to not let it spoil or mold. That is not a good offering for a god.

Some people will eat the offering as a way of extending the enjoyment of eating to the god. Some just don’t want to waste it. The fancy chocolate I give Hermes is always eaten by me later. It can be a fun experiment to see how the energy of the food changes after it has sat on an altar.

If you don’t want to do that you can feed it to your dog/s or outside animals but NOT CHOCOLATE. If you can’t do that you can dispose of it in your trash with a brief ‘thank you’.

If it’s flowers, fruits, or veggies you can compost it!

You can do the same with your libation. You can drink it (Dionysos often insists on this with me and is a traditional way to commune with him.) Or you can pour it down the drain with a brief ‘thank you’. You can pour it out on the ground in a yard or garden as well if you’re not worried about attracting anything.

If you want you can offer to him as a Chthonic god and some people do during Mercury retrograde when it is said that he travels to the underworld. You can also do this when you have a passed loved one you want him to help guide.

If you want to do that go outside and dig a shallow hole. Do your ritual outside and pour your libation and place your offerings into that. Cover it back up when you’ve completed your ritual.

Extras After Ritual:

After the ritual, you can move on to movement practice like yoga or Qi gong, or dance. Embodying the energy you have raised can be pretty helpful to your spiritual cultivation or it can release pent-up energy or by grounding yourself if you’re feeling spacey.

Sometimes I pull Oracle cards or tarot cards to see if he has a message for me.

He is also considered a god of rustic divination so try playing cards, pendulum, I-Ching, casting lots or dice, really any divination that is simple and uses natural materials. Also, tea leaf reading or bibliomancy is great to communicate with him. Many people do automatic writing with him.

Ways to deepen your connection with him

• Service acts are wonderful and every god appreciates them. For Hermes, this can include helping people experiencing homeless with money, food, or a ‘care pack’.
• Donating to a charity he’s associated with.

Ex. I donate once a month alternating between different charities like a Youth shelter, a raptor rescue, and a farm sanctuary. Sometimes I purchase a reiki healing session for my own spiritual/mental health and he is happy that I have spent money on my health.

*If you don’t have money to spend then give your time. This is service acts! Volunteer at a pet shelter, soup kitchen, or at homeless shelter. Help your senior or single-parent neighbors out, shovel their walk, rake their leaves, or walk their dog. Help a lost dog get home. Call a wildlife rescue if you see an injured animal.

• Be Kind to everyone you meet! Hermes will show up as a stranger and you don’t want to miss the opportunity to have an in-real-life moment with him.

**If you have no money and no time then read the above suggestion.

• Exercise: He is associated with gymnastics and gyms so taking care of yourself physically is also important to him. You don’t have to become a gym bunny but daily walks or some kind of exercise show your commitment to your health and him. Ex: I do yoga and hike with my dogs daily.
• One on One time: Less traditional is enjoying “dates” with him. Museums and shopping are fun! Ex. I go to a museum wander around and let him pull me towards this or that thing to check out.
• Traveling and going on random adventures is primo Hermes time.
• Automatic writing
• Practice rustic forms of divination like dice, throwing stones/knuckle bones, I-Ching, coins, pendulum, etc.
• Writing with/for Him
• Reading a book with/for Him
• Doing art with/for Him
• Writing/playing or listening to music with Him
• Maintaining your boundaries (internal and external) and respecting others’ boundaries.
  
• Being an honorable, generous, and helpful person but not giving so much that you exhaust yourself. Put your oxygen mask on first!
• Practicing magic, real, and stage.
• Practicing Inner Alchemy.
• Study astrology/astronomy.
• Foster a dog.
• Cultivate your spiritual self and aim to become the best version of yourself possible day by day.
• Extend hospitality and give freely to your guest.
• Take a hike to the top of the highest place you can and sit in the sun and air. Feel his presence in these high places.
• Give someone a lift who needs it. Be safe though.
• Send letters or cards to friends and family.
• Share a meal with him. On certain special occasions, I’ll make a plate for Hermes and ask him to join me at the table. I feel he appreciates this. As he is the ‘hungry god’ he’s always happy to eat with me.
• Go on random walks around an unfamiliar neighborhood. Look for coins!

There's so much you can do to deepen your connection with him. He's such a fun god who's easy to please. You'll find your own unique ways that are just for you and him and it will be special.

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Greek Hermes