Hermes The Greek messenger god, known as Mercury in the Roman pantheon, represents wisdom, cunning, MAGIC, spiritual illumination, skill with words, and mischief. He is the initiator, the god of beginnings, and the god of travel, commerce, and sales. Wings on Hermes’s feet and helmet sped him on his way as the communica tor between the gods or between the gods and mortals. He is messenger to the gods in heaven and psychopomp of the souls of the dead to the underworld. His swift footededness makes him the god of speed and running and of athletics. Hermes is the gatekeeper, the patron of the traveler; his image often appeared at crossroads in ancient times. As a god of healing, Hermes carries a caduceus, the serpent- entwined staff that symbolizes the reconciliation of oppo- sites and is associated with doctors and medicine; he uses it as his magic wand.