Mercurial Invocations

What Is an Invocation, really?

An invocation is a spoken or written call to a spiritual force, deity, archetype, or energy, asking it to be present, lend its power, or guide the practitioner.

It’s a way of opening a channel between the practitioner and the spiritual intelligence being invoked.

Unlike a prayer (petitioning a higher power), an invocation has a bit more to it.

It's interactive and empowering. You’re not just asking for stuff...

.... you’re calling in the presence or qualities of the being, often to embody, connect, or collaborate with it in magical or spiritual work.

And it's pretty fun too.

That helps.

Invocation Basics:

Invocations are often rhythmic, poetic, or structured to help create an energetic resonance, making the experience more powerful.

They generally include:

• Epithets (nicknames) of the deity

• A recap of some of their mythic exploits

• Praise for their awesomeness and domain of influence

EXAMPLES

Here are a few fun Mercury/Hermes invocations to try out:

(note: lots of these are for Hermes, who is technically a slightly different "version" of the same fundamental energy. One way to think about it is that he's different in his Greek expression in the way that you're a different person at work than you are at home: a different context that brings out different aspects of you.)

Traditional Orphic Hymn to Hermes

I call Hermes, God's envoy, the son of Queen May,\Almighty heart-bearer, Lord of the Gme

Wily wise messenger, O killer of Argos

Winged-footed philanthropist, lover of logos

\Prophet of athletes, who rejoices in fraud\Rearing up lies, you're the capitalist's god

But those same hands offer genuine peace,

Blameless, irreproachable machines of surcease.

Corcian luckbringer, blessed loquacious one,

Comrade of the worker and those under the gun,

Employing clever rhetoric, the fearsome weapon of speech,

Listen to your mystics as we pray and beseech

Give a good end to a life of good works,

Grant us memory, charisma, and eloquent words

Adapted Modern Orphic Hymn

Here's fun adaptation by Sara Mastros (an epic magician and scholar)

I sing of High Hermes, belov'd worker of wonder,

First of the Pleiades conceived when she dreamed of bright Thunder

All-powerful game-master, lord of the dead,

Code-cracking con-artist, jail-breaking the shibboleth,

killed peacock-eyed Argos when you bored him to death

Winged-sandaled human-friend, fast philanthropic prophet,

rejoicing in racers and instructing pick-pockets

You spin hermeneutics like you're spitting hot rhymes

You're e the father of fraud, rearing up lies

But that same trickster offers genuine peac

Blameless, irreproachable machine of surcease

Corycian luckbringer, blessed loquacious one,

comrade of the worker and those under the gun,

Employing clever rhetoric, venerable friend

Prafy for your initiates when our lifetimes end

Boast about our work and our charismatic rhymes,

Memorialize our memories for future lifetimes.

Neo-Orphic Hymn to HermesII.For Mercury

Hermes, approach, and sweet communion lend,

Lord of intellect, most keenly applied:

Increase of prudence and memory lend;

Make my knowledge and talents deified.

For you are like the “flying squads” of old—

Joining memory and foresight as one,

And harnessing reason enyoked with will.

With such tricks, you defeated Argus bold,

And wooed sacred cows away from the Sun.

Son of Maia, with wingéd feet you fly —

Observing markets and studying games;

Thou source of gain, by means both fair and sly;

Lover of all peoples, shaper of names —

physicians call your wisdom to their wards;

Bankers grow rich by your interested gaze;

While politicians speak sweet oration

When you assist them. Happy sing the bards

And alchemists, also, explain your praise—

For you put words to imagination.

Knowledge and intellect, like twining snakes

Circled ’round the staff of the well-trained mind,

Combined, speak wisdom in human phrases;

And thus, the quicksilver power awakes:

The skillful use of symbols men defined—

Inventor of tongues, we sing your praises!

Angel of Jove and pyschopomp of peace,

Bringer of celestial arts to earth,

Bless your converts with intellect’s increase,

Graceful speech, and true knowledge of our worth.

Short and Sweet Rhyming Invocation

Swift-footed god, with silver tongue,

Guide my words, both sharp and sung.

Trickster wise and messenger fleet,

Bless my mind, make speech complete.

Grant me wit and clever grace,

Let my words flow, quick in pace.

Mercury, lord of speed and trade,

Stand beside me, lend your aid!