"How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a weary world."
- Shakespeare
Hermes
Five minutes after birth, the first thing Hermes did was steal Apollo's favorite herd of cattle. Not a bad start for the patron god of thieves. He is also the laughing God, prone to tricks and pranks. He guides the dead to their final resting place, but can occasionally return them to the land of the living. He guides Persephone home every spring, and once gave Hercules a round trip. He is the messanger God, carrying a golden staff which puts men to sleep, and wonderful winged golden sandles, that allow him to fly faster than thought itself.
Sheperds worship him, calling on Him to guard their sheep. It is He who is credited with creating the lyre, and it is believed by some that He is the father of Pan. Prior to the Trojan War, it was He who guided Athena, Hera and Aphrodite to be judged by Paris, which set off decades of war.
He is the patron God of thieves, shepards, travelers and treaties. He is portrayed as a beautiful youth, occasionally as a babe next to Apollo, His favorite brother. He wears the travelers hat, winged sandles, and a snake entwined staff.
To flip through the pages of my BOS faster...
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Brightest of Blessings