... judging from the articles on this site on the Olympian gods, that is. Please note that some of these points make the facetious assumption that we are living in pagan antiquity.

1. Mercury is familiar.
   • We see symbols of Hermes or Mercury on floral delivery logos and
   • in the caduceus-symbol for the medical profession.
   • Mercury is the name of the innermost planet in our solar system.
2. Hermes/Mercury is fun-loving. When you read about Zeus, Poseidon, and Apollo, you don't necessarily see a lack of fun-loving -- if by fun-loving you mean mating with as many individuals as possible -- but Hermes wanted a bit more.
3. Hermes/Mercury contributed beauty to the world by inventing two musical instruments.
4. Hermes/Mercury is the ancestor of several other non-serious, fun-loving, mischievous types, most notably Autolycus, Pan, and Odysseus.
5. Hermes/Mercury, as god of commerce, makes the accumulation of wealth possible.
6. Hermes/Mercury is likable. Despite his shady doings the gods forgave him. He didn't rebel when his father sent him on tasks he didn't really want to do.
7. Hermes is a go-getter. When he wants something done, he figures out a way to do it.
8. Hermes helps us transition to death.

Read more about Hermes/Mercury.

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