C is for Caduceus

Symbol of balance, mastery and The Magician. Known as the staff of Hermes.

But whut does it mean?

In this entry I will write about the multilayered symbolism of the caduceus in Hermeticism. That sounds boring, and I can't promise it won't be. However, it is interesting to me, and magic geeks of any kind will likely appreciate it.

The symbolism and purpose of the caduceus in Hermeticism is all about achieving the facility and mastery that Hermes has. You know, Hermes. Greek god of, among other things, thieves, commerce, and communication. Messenger to the gods, and a psychopomp.

We're talking a level of mastery on par with that scene from Labyrinth, where the Goblin King juggles a crystal sphere. Yeah, that kind of skill. Except, you know, applied in other ways.

But wait

It might be a good idea to clarify somewhere how Hermetics perceives Hermes versus how he's seen in Greek mythology. Maybe. Clarity is good, always a goal I pursue.


For Further Reading

http://www.crystalinks.com/caduceus.html