Re: [tied] Hermes etymology & anthropomorphic maps

I agree with the "Fire-god-messenger-trickster" traits of Hermes, like Loki,
Prometheus (also known as Ithax <*idh-), and maybe Lug.
I think The Fire-God is son of the Sky-Father (Agni son of Dyaus; Hermes son
of Zeus). There are two symbolic oppositions:
Fire-God x Wind-God = "the smart, agile one", x "the violent, strong, dumb
one" cf. Loki x Thorr
Fire-God x Storm-God = "the trickster manhood-helper" x "the authoritary,
powerful king of gods" cf. Prometheus x Zeus.; Loki x Odinn; Agni x Indra

Ganesha have similarities with Asklepios (mouse, protector, son of
Rudra/Apollon).

----- Original Message -----
From: Glen Gordon <glengordon01@...>
To: <cybalist@egroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2000 6:50 AM
Subject: [tied] Hermes etymology & anthropomorphic maps


>
> Arkugal:
> >HERMES is, in the first place, a Deity of the Ways. That's why he is
> >also connected with the spirit, the voyage for the Other World, the
> >culture, the commerce, the thieves.
>
> It would seem that Hermes is derived from the polymorphic fire god
*XegWnis
> (or should it be *Lukis < *leuk- "to shine"?) who frequently gets himself
> into mischief -> Celtic Lugh/Lleu, Norse Loki & Indic Agni.
>
> This neither-good-nor-bad fire deity pertains to all of the three realms
and
> functions, especially to all three _functions_. To illustrate, fire is
> equally usable by priests for offerings, usable by farmers for agriculture
> and usable by warriors for destruction. Hence, he is a "deity of the ways"
> or "traveler" of sorts, a messenger quick as fire, voyaging from one realm
> to the next, a friend and foe of all functions.
>
> Strangely, this three-realm/function symbolism is also associated with
> *Manus, the first man in reference to his three heroic labours,
representing
> each caste/realm, or to the three-headed serpent that he must slay to
regain
> his cattle... No I'm not confused. Greek Heracles had _12_ labours, yes,
but
> this is a later quadruplicative indulgence on the original theme attested
in
> Celtic myth. The "friend-and-foe-of-all-realms" quality shared by both
> *Manus and *XegWnis/*Lukis would help explain the Celtic versions of the
> myth where the two mythic individuals have been merged.
>
> ... Just one mystery to puzzle over yet: I can't quite figure out who
> *XegWnis' mommy and daddy were. It really doesn't look like poor ol'
Little
> Fire had a father, or at the very least his father wasn't in the picture,
> and he seems to be originally born to a virgin goddess, a goddess
pertaining
> to the seasons, moon, fertility, something of that sort. Greek: Maia has
> Hermes. Celtic: Arianrhod has Lleu. Indic: Parvati has Ganesha. I see a
> pattern here. Don't you?
>
> As for the etymology of Hermes, some link the name Hermes to /herma/,
> stone-heaps that were a common way of marking geographical areas for the
> ancient pedestrian traveller. Of course, there is also Etruscan /Turms/ to
> ponder on as well.
>
> - gLeN
>
>
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