Mercuralia!
Today is not just Mercuries day because it is Wednesday It is Mercuralia, the sacred feast!
At at his hour which falls on his day of the week, which falls on his day of the year you can raise a glass to the god of intelligence, speed, speech, commerce, and of course thievery!
“Glorious Mercury, grandson of Atlas, be present here today as You were once
upon Arcadia’s hill, a Pleiad’s son by Jove. Arbiter in peace and in arms among
the Gods of the heavens above and on earth, traveler on winged feet, You who
enjoys the lyre and who takes pleasure in whoever glistens with the wrestler’s
ointment, You who has taught eloquent speech in all tongues, for You on the
Ides of May, the Fathers once dedicated a sacred shrine near the Circus and
named this day ever after to be Your feast day.” ~ Ovid Fasti 5.663-70
“Mercurius, by Atlas born to Maia, God who fashioned our uncivilized ancestors
into cultured men of urbane speech and athletic bearing, to You I sing,
Messenger of the Gods and of mighty Jove, inventor of the curved lyre, it
pleases You to compose secret jokes and play pranks skillfully. Gladly You
restore pious souls to their proper places and by the golden staff confine the
trivial quarrel. Dear are You to the Gods above and below.” ~ Horace Carmina
1.10.1-8; 20-24
Hail Mercury!
