Good God!
Meet: Mercury
Mercury, the Roman god of commerce, protected travelers and transporters of goods, as well as shopkeepers and merchants, especially those dealing in grains, who would pray to him for large profits. He is chosen for this issue because Lughnasadh is the grain harvest.
Mercury was the son of Jupiter, king of the gods, and Maia, goddess of the plains. He is one of the twelve major gods of the Roman pantheon. The World History website explains, “He is frequently depicted holding the caduceus, a wand used to reconcile conflicts, and winged sandals for quickly carrying messages for the gods. The wand had been given to him by Apollo in Greek mythology. Besides the wand and sandals, he also wore a broad-brimmed hat, the Petasus, and carried a purse, a symbol of his duties as the god of commerce and profits.
He is often associated with the Greek fleet-footed messenger of the gods, Hermes. Like Hermes, he escorted the dead to the underworld. Mercury is also associated with tricksters and thieves, eloquence, luck, and financial gain. The planet with the fastest orbit around the sun is named for him.
As part of your Lughnasadh celebration, you might consider invoking Mercury to help with communicating with the deities of your choosing. He can also offer help with finances, commerce, writing, speaking, good luck, networking, communicating with those who have crossed over, and safe travel. Incense or a small amount of grain, seeds, or cornmeal can be an offering to honor his help with what you wish to harvest.
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About the Author:
Lynn Woike
All my life I have known magic was real. As a child, I played with the fae, established relationships with trees and “just knew things.” In my maiden years I discovered witchcraft and dabbled in the black-candles-and-cemeteries-at-midnight-on-a-fullmoon magick just enough to realize I did not understand its power. I went on to explore many practices including Zen, astrology, color therapy, native traditions, tarot, herbs, candle magic, gems, and, as I moved into my mother years, Buddhism, the Kabbalah and Reiki. The first man I dated after my divorce was a witch who reintroduced me to the Craft, this time by way of the Goddess. For 11 years I was in a coven, but with retirement, I have returned to an eclectic solitary practice.
When accepting the mantle of crone, I pledged to serve and teach. This is what I do from my skoolie – a 30-year-old school bus converted into a tiny house on wheels that I am driving around the country, following 72-degree weather, emerging myself into nature, and sharing magic with those I meet. Find me at thewitchonwheels.com, Facebook and Instagram.
