I invoked Hermes online Friday (2/24). To some, that may sound very strange as an online invocation may imply it would be extremely impersonal, and that others would not be able to connect with the Divine in a meaningful way. I assure you that this was not the case, and that there were many people who were touched by the experience.

The medium is called Second Life and part of the process I used involved creating an online character or avatar for the God to use. Through me, Hermes was able to pick out his entire appearance, including what he wished to wear, his hair style, his body shape, skin tone, and even the color of the winged shoes he wanted.

The God’s avatar was in a simulated world where other people could interact with him, and an area was set aside on this world and decorated in a way that he found appealing. The place he chose was a cave area with water off to a few sides. There was stone seating and torches lit for lights. Behind where Hermes asked his throne to be placed, a beam of light shone through, creating a streak of light.

Once the place was set and the time was drawing near, I began to prepare myself for the God’s presence. I showered and Hermes wanted me to use a fragrance called Celestial Smoke (I am not in the habit of wearing fragrances but Hermes wanted me to wear that particular scent that night). As soon as I put the oil on, I knew he was there. He had me write something out that he wanted to share as a message at the proper time in the gathering.

When I logged in the avatar, I was aware of what happened, but it was like sitting in the back seat during the experience. Hermes greeted people and spoke to any who wished it privately. While I know he spoke with many people that evening, I do not know any of the messages that he gave any of the people he spoke with. He did wish to lay his hands on each person’s head and give them a blessing to let them know that they were never alone.

I have heard of others who had invoked Hermes and they thought that his energy was always moving and almost frenetic. This was not the experience that I had with him at all. He was very down to earth (especially for a God so connected with Air)! He was also very open and accepting of each person and very loving in his dealing with each of them.

All of those that he spoke to, he would lay a hand on their head after speaking and give them a blessing of love and comfort. He wanted to let people know that they were never alone. He shared a message about communication for all the people who were gathered. His message was that we must be clear in our communication not just with our words but with our intent, and to speak and hear with our hearts.

His message was to find the intent in what other share with us, and if words are spoken in anger or we feel that they are meant to hurt us, we must look at these words with our hearts. Our hearts will see words that are fueled by others’ pain or fear, and we will recognize that is the place that they speak from. We will then be able to answer with compassion rather than reacting to the emotions behind the spoken words.

This was my first time invoking Hermes. I do not have a great deal of experience with the Greek pantheon, in general. However, I found this to be a very powerful experience for myself and for the others that attended the event. I believe that the people who spoke to the God that night received the messages that they needed to hear.

My parting note about this energy experience is to speak briefly about the internet. As Wiccans and pagans, we often speak about working between the worlds. The internet is just such a place. It has no physical existence, but nevertheless, it is there all around us everywhere, and no one can deny that it truly does, in fact, exist. If any may doubt the power or veracity of how energy can be carried on the internet, I would invite you to experience for yourself. Maybe I will meet you on Second Life. Blessed Be.