Re: Deity of freedom/outlaws
Hermes, although being associated with thieves, played a more defensive role in that sort of interaction. Merchants prayed to Him for protection from thieves not vice versa. Not only that but His main sphere of influence, and arguably His most important, has nothing to do with trickery or thieves. Hermes is a psychopomp. He escorts the shades of the dead to Hades for judgement.
From the Hellenic pantheon, Dionysus would be the best and most obvious fit. Dozens of His epithets actually translate in to various words dealing with freedom and the expression of it. He's kind of like that wise cracking friend that always has a more simple, obvious opinion about any situation. Dionysus really cuts through all the fluff and pomp to show things for what they really are. Sometimes it can be scary, but after the shock of being exposed to a new view of reality dissipates freedom is left.
Another Hellenic deity you might want to look into is Diana. She had a sanctuary in Italy that could only be headed by a runaway slave who was given the title Rex Nemorensis (King of Nemi). Her temples were also one of the few places where slaves and criminals could seek asylum. In addition, many of Her myths concern Her protecting the oppressed or pursued. Like Dionysus, Diana has a rustic, primal aspect to Her as the goddess of wild places.
I think you'll appreciate this last one more, although I don't know many details. I seem to recall something about Freyr being associated with liberation and criminals. I want to say it was some story in the Eddas where a man murdered someone and was given asylum in a sacred grove. Also if I remember correctly, Freyr has a connection to the things and courts of Germanic tribes. He protects the accused while they're on trial.
Hermes, although being associated with thieves, played a more defensive role in that sort of interaction. Merchants prayed to Him for protection from thieves not vice versa. Not only that but His main sphere of influence, and arguably His most important, has nothing to do with trickery or thieves. Hermes is a psychopomp. He escorts the shades of the dead to Hades for judgement.
From the Hellenic pantheon, Dionysus would be the best and most obvious fit. Dozens of His epithets actually translate in to various words dealing with freedom and the expression of it. He's kind of like that wise cracking friend that always has a more simple, obvious opinion about any situation. Dionysus really cuts through all the fluff and pomp to show things for what they really are. Sometimes it can be scary, but after the shock of being exposed to a new view of reality dissipates freedom is left.
Another Hellenic deity you might want to look into is Diana. She had a sanctuary in Italy that could only be headed by a runaway slave who was given the title Rex Nemorensis (King of Nemi). Her temples were also one of the few places where slaves and criminals could seek asylum. In addition, many of Her myths concern Her protecting the oppressed or pursued. Like Dionysus, Diana has a rustic, primal aspect to Her as the goddess of wild places.
I think you'll appreciate this last one more, although I don't know many details. I seem to recall something about Freyr being associated with liberation and criminals. I want to say it was some story in the Eddas where a man murdered someone and was given asylum in a sacred grove. Also if I remember correctly, Freyr has a connection to the things and courts of Germanic tribes. He protects the accused while they're on trial.
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