Wednesday

Wednesday is the day of the messenger. The Romans gave it to Mercury, the Germanic peoples to Woden or Odin, and Hindu astrology to Budha, the planet Mercury. The qualities that go with it are speech, travel, writing, trade and cleverness.

Mercury, Woden and Hermes

In the Western magical scheme Wednesday is ruled by Mercury, and by extension by Hermes, whose Egyptian counterpart Thoth was the god of writing, and the Hermetic tradition of alchemy and ceremonial magic is named for him. Correspondences include quicksilver, the colours yellow and orange, and the practice of divination, study, contracts and travel. English Wednesday comes from Woden's day, a Germanic god of wisdom, poetry, magic and the dead whom the Romans likened to Mercury as a guide of souls. Odin is said in Norse sources to have hung on a tree for the knowledge of the runes.

Budhvar, Ganesha and Vitthal

In India Wednesday is Budhvar, ruled by the planet Budha, who stands for learning and speech. Many Hindus observe it for Ganesha, who removes obstacles and is invoked before any new venture, and in Maharashtra for Vitthal. Devotees may wear green, which is the colour of Budha, and offer green gram and durva grass. Business families often begin accounts on Wednesday.

Born on a Wednesday

The Akan name for a boy born on Wednesday is Kwaku, and for a girl Akua. The Burmese system splits Wednesday in two: those born in the morning take the tusked elephant, and those born after noon the tuskless elephant, so that Rahu, the planet of eclipses, can have a place of his own. In Thailand the colour is green. The English rhyme says Wednesday's child is full of woe, a line that has no traditional explanation.

Also part of it, and being written: Wednesday (The day and its names.), Mercury (The Roman god.), Odin (The Germanic Woden.), Budha (Mercury in Hindu astrology.), Ganesha (The Hindu deity honoured on Wednesdays.), Burmese zodiac (The eight weekday animals.).