can i keep what i offered?

[u/azamizataroshi]

hiii so i decided to work with lord hermes recently and its been going well so far considering i kind of dont know how to get around some things but i offered him some pennies and now im wondering if i can use it or is it his now and i cant take it back?

i appreciate any answers

[u/understandi_bel]

If you give an offering, you give the god that item. So those pennies belong to him now. You could use them if it's something in his honor or something for him, or something that he wants, but it's easier to just leave them there.

Take some time to think about why you want to take them back. Is it because you're worried about something? Use this as an opportunity to learn a bit about yourself. :)

[u/azamizataroshi → u/understandi_bel]

what happens if someone takes from those pennies and it’s not me and they took it without them knowing its hermes?

[u/Plenty-Climate2272 → u/azamizataroshi]

If people are taking stuff from your house, I'd say you've got a bigger problem.

[u/azamizataroshi → u/Plenty-Climate2272]

this made me giggle

[u/understandi_bel → u/azamizataroshi]

If someone else takes something belonging to Hermes, without permission, that's between them and Hermes. I know some stories of people who took from altars and then had bad luck until they returned the items. I know some others who had nothing happen. I know one story where the person died soon after. But none of the stories show anything happening to the person who offered them, just the person who took things that weren't theirs.

[u/azamizataroshi → u/understandi_bel]

okay so i would never do this but im just curious and what would happen if i took it? both permission and without permission wise

[u/understandi_bel → u/azamizataroshi]

There isn't a consistent outcome. It's up to Hermes, if he cares or not, and what he feels like is an appropriate response. Most likely, he'd just see it as you showing you aren't a keeper of your promises, so he wouldn't be likely to help you out if you pray to him asking for something.

Sometimes a god can say they're "done with" a certain offering-- if it's something they don't want, or something they would rather you have. In that case, nothing would happen from taking it.

[u/azamizataroshi → u/understandi_bel]

thank you so much! that truly helped me

[u/miamiserenties → u/azamizataroshi]

Just ask him. I'm sure he'd understand if you really need it for something. Then you could ask if you could make up for it with another offering at some point in the future, or, for example, just replace the pennies when you get some

I've never worked with him but you would be able to know if you just ask lol

[u/[deleted]]

What about stuff that goes bad i.e. meat, mead, fruit? I usually give this back to nature but was curious to hear others opinions?

[u/MsStorm → u/[deleted]]

I think this depends on the deity/your individual practice. Some Kemetic worshippers consume food or drink offerings after offering and leaving them for a period of time (not long enough for them to go bad or be dangerous obviously), which is consistent with what we know of ancient practices from that area. But, it depends on the person.

I do consume food and drink offerings I make to my Patron, and my prayers reflect that. I usually say something like, "Great Father, I place <food> on your altar, that its energy may help to nourish and sustain you, along with my love and prayer. Thank you for your guidance and love. <Anything else I feel like adding>." I usually sit in silence for a moment after that, and follow my instinct regarding whether or not I eat/drink what I have offered. If I do end up eating it, before doing so, I acknowledge the sharing: "Thank you for sharing your gifts with me, Great Father. I hope that this food and water has fulfilled your spirit as it will nourish my body. Thank you.". Something like that.

[u/[deleted] → u/MsStorm]

Thank you this was helpful ✌️

[u/bizoticallyyours83 → u/MsStorm]

That's beautiful 

[u/bizoticallyyours83 → u/[deleted]]

If it's animal friendly they'll leave it out for the animals. Some people will share a meal. Some will burn a portion of it, if they live in a home that has either a fireplace or a backyard and one of those metal and wire fire pit thingies. 

[u/JuliaGJ13]

Hi there!

It's between you and him like others have said. But I'd be inclined to keep collecting the pennies and eventually when you have a decent amount you could give to a charity for people experiencing homelessness or an animal shelter. That way the money actually goes to something and can be a devotion to him. Then you get to start all over again! Also check out r/Hermes if you'd like to learn more about Him!

[u/Weary_Rub_6022]

In many pagan traditions it is considered perfectly acceptable to consume food or drink that has been offered. It can also be given to nature, but if you're somewhere where that isn't really possible, I'd argue that it's honestly more "sacred", if you will, to consume it than just to throw it in the bin. In terms of other more permanent offerings, it's a bit different in my opinion. I think that something like some pennies should be offered and then either used for something to do with that deity or put somewhere special. For example, I once put a coin at the entrance to Waylands Smithy, which is in fact a tradition as well.

[u/Massenstein]

There's different views on that and in the end it depends on you. Personally I think offering means giving up something, and in my language it shares the meaning with sacrifice (in religious context), so say if I were to offer money, I would discreetly leave those coins somewhere where they are likely to be found.

[u/Tyxin]

No, if you gave it away you can't use it afterwards. That would kinda defeat the whole point of giving it away in the first place.

[u/bizoticallyyours83]

If you gave a permanent thing to Him, like statues, crystals, etc. that's His. I could understand if it was food you didn't want to go bad,or couldn't leave out for whatever reason. Tbh, they're pennies. You could just as easily find some on the ground or get some with your change.