Adolf Hiremi-Hirschl
• Malerei, 1898,
Wikimedia
As a metal, Mercury symbolizes the unconscious due to its versatile and dynamic nature, with an explicitly dual character, representing, on the one hand, a lower being, devil, or monster. In another sense, it embodies the "philosophical child."
Kirlо, "Dictionary of Symbols"
You think it was out of mercy that I was locked in the bottle for so long? No, it was a punishment; I am the mighty Mercury, and whoever sets me free, I must break their neck.
Grimm Brothers' fairytale "The Spirit in the Bottle"
Trickster.
When Jung first encountered the image of Trickster, he involuntarily recalled the tradition of the carnival with the complete abolition of the hierarchical order and the medieval ritual, in which the devil appears as an "imitator of God". In T. Jung found a striking resemblance to the alchemical figures of Mercury, with his love for mischievous jokes and evil pranks, the ability to change the form of a dual nature (half-animal-half-deity), the desire to constantly flaunt deprivation and torment along with approaching the figure of the Savior. Turning out to be a completely negative hero, Trickster nevertheless - despite his stupidity or thanks to it - achieves what others cannot achieve with any concentrated effort.
"A Critical of Jungian Analysis" by L. Samuels, B. Shorter, F. Plaut
On Christmas night, people go out for fern seeds; during this time, you can demand anything you want - and the devil will be forced to bring what is desired.
Filix herba, palmes Mercurii - fern, the branch of Mercury
Veps Mythology.
Yu. Vinokurova
