Today, Monday, May 9, the planet Mercury is making a rare transit across the face of the Sun. It would be easy to let such an event go by, because, afterall, a transit is not easy to see the way an eclipse is, and scientists learned a long time ago all the most exciting things about Mercury that a motion like this reveals. But for the storyteller, this is a great opportunity to visit the charming world of magic, music, the mischief of secrets and the power of promises.
The closest planet to the Sun bears the Roman name “Mercury” which to the Greeks was Hermes.
Hermes was born at dawn, he played the lyre by mid-day, and stole the cattle of Apollo by evening. The old peasant Battus witnessed the theft, so Hermes held him to a vow of secrecy. Hermes then disguised himself and tested the old man’s resolve, and when Battus finally broke down and revealed what he knew, Hermes turned him to stone.
The lesson here was clear, if you witnessed the activity of Hermes and talked about it, then you risked being turned to stone!
Hermes was the messenger of Zeus and herald of the gods. To him was ascribed the introduction of embassies to sue for peace. He is described as a robber and cattle driver, the prince of tricksters, the thief at the gates, and even as the bringer of dreams..
It’s easy to understand why our planet Mercury was associated by the ancients with this god: as the closest planet to the Sun, Mercury is also the smallest and fastest. And every year, Mercury makes three great loops as it speeds around the Sun, from morning sky to evening sky and back again, appearing to regularly retrace its steps and move backward as well~it’s a dance full of wit and charm and mischief!.
And when Mercury makes a transit like today, it’s inscribing all those secrets into the Sun, so even if you don’t go out to watch, it’s best practice to keep all your promises and reveal no secrets at this time!