No Borders, All One Family: An Invocation of Hermes to Protect Immigrants
A spell to protect immigrants and refugees, especially those fleeing harm, and to encourage global fellowship and healing via the invocation and blessing of Hermes. This spell has been adapted from Magic for the Resistance: Rituals and Spells for Change (Llewellyn Worldwide).
Hermes is the god of travelers, roads, and borders (along with those who cross them). Travelers call upon him for protection during their journeys.
This should be considered an emergency working, especially in light of caged children, ICE raids, and continued scapegoating and maligning of refugees seeking escape from poverty and violence.
Although the phrase “no borders” is used in this ritual, it is not an appeal for a “no borders” immigration policy, but simply an affirmation that borders are arbitrary constructions and we are all one human family. As climate change, wars, and massive social inequality continue to create refugees around the world, artificial, human-drawn borders will become increasingly meaningless. We are all human beings on an imperiled planet, and we need to start acting like it.
This ritual is open-source and ecumenical, so feel free to call upon your preferred deity(s) and adjust the language accordingly. It can also be performed as a prayer if you lack the ritual components. Simply light any candle and recite the words with heartfelt intention. This is an ideal prayer for progressive Christians—simply substitute God or Jesus for Hermes, and supplement with a reading of Luke 10:30–37.
It should be noted that many individuals and groups are working more aggressive magic against ICE, operators of the Trump concentration camps, and the architects and perpetrators of racist, inhumane policies. I fully support those workings, and encourage those so inclined to join them. As members of the #MagicResistance, we should always dually focus our energies: protecting those who need it, while resisting and using all defensive magical and mundane means against the agents of violence and oppression.
Ideally perform during the waxing or full moon, but use whenever immigrants and refugees are coming under attack.
Components
- Printed photo or drawing of Earth from space
- Blue candle
- Statue or printed image of Hermes or Magician tarot card
Cut out the printed image or drawing of Earth so that it is a circle and place it on your altar between your elemental symbols. Place the blue candle on the center of the earth. Have the statue or image of Hermes or your Magician tarot card propped up and looking upon your ritual.
Do the Centering Ritual or your preferred method of creating sacred space.
Light the blue candle. Hold your arms in the orans position (arms extended to your sides, elbows bent, palms turned slightly upward; it should feel as if you are holding up a large, invisible ball).
Each time you repeat the refrain No borders, all one family, bring your hands to prayer posture, resting against your chest. Then return to the orans posture.
Begin
Say aloud:
Come unto me, Lord Hermes
Protector of travelers
Crosser of all boundaries
Bestow upon me your grace
And hear my prayer
May those fleeing persecution and danger
Be welcomed and protected
No borders, all one family
May families never be torn asunder
But united and made whole
No borders, all one family
May those suffering in cages
Be freed from their bondage
No borders, all one family
May those who spread hatred of immigrants
Recognize their kinship with all people
No borders, all one family
May boundaries dissolve
And borders disappear
No borders, all one family
May we all awaken to our common humanity
And accept our brothers and sisters with love and compassion
No borders, all one family
(Retain prayer position until the end of the spell.)
Lord Hermes, whose eyes are the sun and the moon
Please protect those traveling to foreign lands
And those suffering hardship in new lands
Open the hearts of the ignorant and bigoted
And awaken us all to love for our brothers and sisters
No matter where they were born
For thou art king of heaven and earth
And thy name and spirit rest upon the good
So mote it be!
(Stand silently, imagining a globe without borders, in which all humanity acknowledges our deep connection as one family.)
(Blow out the blue candle to end the ritual. Be sure to ground).
While you’re still feeling the leftover energy of the spell, make a donation (however small) to an immigrant rights or refugee support organization. One of my favorites is RAICES (donate here). If you desire, make it in the name of Hermes or the #MagicResistance.
Notes
- If done as a group, the leader should read the main passages while the others respond with the refrain No borders, all one family.
Michael M. Hughes is a writer, speaker, and magical thinker. The American Spectator said, “He may play footsie with the devil, but at least the man has a sense of humor.” His latest book is Magic for the Resistance: Rituals and Spells for Change (Llewellyn Worldwide). You can sign up for his newsletter, check out his YouTube channel, and follow him on Twitter and Facebook. The official Bind Trump group is also on Facebook, so if you’re looking for a group to work some magic with, that’s where you’ll find them.
