Hermes (Mercury) – the messenger of the gods

Greek mythology

In Greek mythology, Hermes is the son of Zeus and Maia. On the very day he was born, he invented the lyre and stole Apollo’s cattle using clever tricks. Afterward, he pretended to be an innocent baby, incapable of such actions. From the very beginning, he was a master of communication.

Hermes is closely connected with alchemy; mercury represents the soul hidden within matter. He always carried his caduceus, a symbol of commerce, negotiation, and duality. Some believe the two snakes represent death and rebirth. Hermes is eternally the messenger between two realms.

Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and one of the visible planets in the sky. There is also an asteroid named Hermes. It was first discovered in 1937 and then rediscovered in 2003. Between these two dates, it was not observed in the sky.

Hermes (Mercury) in astrology

The following attributes are associated with Hermes (Mercury) in astrology:

• Learning, communication, and movement
• Mindset
• The mentality behind our everyday activities
• It adopts the qualities of the zodiac sign in which it is placed in the natal chart
• As an archetype that can move between realms without consequence, it represents travel

Hermes the asteroid reflects the more human side of the god in astrology:

• The trickster
• Strong commercial acumen
• A skilled negotiator

The Hermes archetype in psychology

• The messenger:
  People with this archetype feel at home in diplomacy, media, and commerce. Business deals, connections, and making money are important to them.
• The trickster:
  Often admired for his talent in getting what he wants, rather than being condemned for it. He can manifest as the attractive sociopath who feels no remorse when cheating to achieve his desires. However, this aspect does not have to be lived negatively.
• The rivalry of the younger brother:
  He immediately recognizes the painful reality that he has nothing. At the beginning, he starts with nothing, but by the end, he achieves a great deal. He learns to escape limitations through the power of words.
• Guide of the travelers:
  He is the god who both set boundaries and crossed them. This archetype emerges in the in-between spaces of psychological transitions.
• The alchemist:
  He seeks transformation through experience.
• The savior of children:
  This archetype helps the hidden child within a depressed adult and represents the child that lives within all of us.

How the Hermes archetype manifests across life stages

Childhood and early years

He matures very quickly, active, creative, and often dishonest. He starts talking, walking, and exploring the world early. With endless curiosity, he asks thousands of questions and touches everything around him. Learning comes easily, and he enjoys school—until he is expected to sit silently. He invents excuses and creates his own stories, which can lead to lying. He may feel that one of his tasks is to make his mother’s life better.

Adolescence and young adulthood

Further development depends heavily on the quality of the formative years. He questions the rules that define success and focuses primarily on achieving what matters to him. He tests the limits of the world around him and may leave university to pursue innovative business ideas. A successful Hermes is talented, lucky, and adaptable—though he may also choose a criminal path.

Adulthood and professional life

He is rarely a specialist in just one field. He dislikes rigid structures and written procedures. His fast-thinking mind constantly searches for shortcuts and alternative solutions. Opportunistic by nature, he quickly evaluates people and ideas and seizes opportunities as they arise. He has many friends but prefers independence.

He may suddenly appear in a woman’s life—friendly, helpful, and charming. His words mesmerize, yet commitment is difficult for him, as he disappears as quickly as he arrived. He gets excited about new adventures, whether a project, a journey, or a competition. Relationships often follow a pattern of coming and going. For him, a new woman represents unexplored territory full of promise. He thrives best with women who have realistic expectations, and it is possible that he remains a bachelor.

The mature Hermes archetype, however, becomes devoted to both work and relationships. Only marriages between two independent souls truly succeed with him. As a father, he tends not to set firm boundaries, which may lead his children to overstep limits. As a result, they may feel less prepared for the structured worlds of school and work.