Hermes was connected with all sorts of humble forms of divination in antiquity. According to the 4th Homeric Hymn Apollo would not grant his brother a share of Delphi’s famed oracular prophecy, but instead gave him the bee-maidens “who know how to speak the truth” to divine with, and Zeus commanded that “glorious Hermes should be lord over all birds of omen and grim-eyed lions, and boars with gleaming tusks, and over dogs and all flocks that the wide earth nourishes” (568a-573) whose movements could predict the future if men were inclined to learn the art of interpretation from him. Hermes was also sought to grant prophetic dreams (Odyssey 7.137), presided over divination by knuckle-bones, dice, or pebbles (Apollodoros 3.115) and kledones or omens derived from overheard conversations. (Pausanias 7.22.2).

In keeping with this spirit modern Hellenic polytheists have come up with a very simple form of divination which is especially appropriate for Hermes since he is also the god of commerce and the inventor of money (Suidas s.v. Hermes). While it is fairly primitive and can’t expound on the complexities of a given situation, it can be quite helpful in a pinch, especially when you need decisive answers. And when used properly you can actually manage to tease out a good deal of information from it.

Basically, the system works like this. First you should pray to Hermes in your customary manner and ask him to grant you insight on the given issue. You may either choose to speak your question aloud or do so silently, as I haven’t noticed a difference one way or the other. Then take out three coins. Ideally they should all be of the same value, so that each factor is given equal importance, but if you only have mixed coins in your pocket that will do. Three coins is best, that way your answer won’t come out a stale-mate as might happen with four, an otherwise preferred Hermetic number, and you will also have enough information to consider the question properly. Using only one coin limits the effectiveness of the oracle, although in a pinch that works too.

Toss the coins and note how they land.

* Three heads indicates a definitive YES.
* Three tails indicates a definitive NO.
* Two heads and one tail indicates a generally favorable outcome, though there may be some minor conflict involved; there may also be some contingency you’re not aware of and should look into more; or consent is only grudgingly offered, and while it will likely come about, it perhaps should not.
* Two tails and one head indicates a generally unfavorable outcome, one which has a chance of being salvaged though it will require a great deal of effort to do so; too little is known about a situation to provide a definitive answer; you should examine your motives and see why you’re still clinging to this hope even when you know that it won’t be.

There are other ways that you can interpret the fall of coins, especially in the context of your question, and as with most forms of divination you should allow your intuition to guide you.

This form can be very useful when you are trying to gain a diagnostic understanding of things. One question can lead into others as you pare down all of the probabilities. However, as with all forms of divination once you have received a clear answer you should stop asking, as to continue is considered very bad form and potentially insulting to the divinity.

It is also important to understand when to consult the oracle. It’s okay to use it when faced with a situation where you cannot possibly determine which of two options is the best, or when you are trying to ascertain information you have no other way of obtaining, or you need a quick goad to spur your thoughts into motion. However, when you already know what the outcome is going to be, or you are using it as a crutch so that you don’t ever have to make a decision for yourself - then you have a problem. It is also important to understand that the information you receive holds true only for yourself. If you want to know what another person is thinking just come out and ask them! Don’t try to weasel your way into their thoughts or hold them accountable for what comes out during the oracle. If you do that Hermes just might lead you astray in order to prove a point.

Although you can use any change in your pocket for this – especially if you’re on the fly and in need of quick assistance – I’ve found that reserving three coins for special use as your divinatory tool can be very effective, especially if these coins are of foreign extraction, since Hermes is the god of travelers. If you use such a miscellany of coins it’s okay if they don’t all have the same face value, provided they do have both a discernable head and tail.

After you have finished your consultation you should thank Hermes for his guidance, and abide by what comes out. If you continuously disregard his advice he will eventually stop offering it.