Mythic Correspondence

Correspondence between magi can be a significant component of Hermetic culture. Magi may exchange knowledge through correspondence, as described in this Saga Rule, or may write messages to each other for a variety of reasons. Over the centuries, magi have adopted a variety of classical and pseudo-classical standards for such correspondence, especially where salutations and closings are concerned.

Salutation
Hermetic salutations, like those of the classical world, are typically addressed in the third person, as if the letter is a messenger delivering a message to the reader. The typical format is the name of the sender, the name of the recipient, and a brief phrase expressing a degree of politeness. Some examples:

Concentius Raineri salutem dicit	"Concentius says greetings to Rainer"
	(note that the recipients name is in the dative case, which distinguishes the sender from the recipient)
Concentius Raineri S.D.	as above, with initials standing in for the common phrase

Concentius Raineri salutem	"Concentius greetings to Rainer"
	(dicit is dropped, being understood by context)

Califactius Elpidio salutem plurimam dicit	"Califactius says many greetings to Elpidius"
Califactius Elpidio S.P.D.	as above, with initials standing in for the common phrase

- various phrases may be substituted for salutem in the accusative case:

Auspecius Occultei bonam fortunam	"Auspecius says good fortune to Occultes"

Verticius Konradi excusationes	"Verticius says apologies to Konrad"

Salutations were often followed by or combined with a wish for good health:

si vales, bene est, ego valeo	"if you are well, that is good, I am well"
S.V.B.E.E.V	as above, with initials standing in for the common phrase

Closing
Authors typically close Hermetic correspondence in a pseudo-classical fashion. Unlike typical modern correspondence, the author's name is not included in the closing, but the date written is usually included. Some specific lineages or Mystae may include a motto.

vale	"be well"

Deo volente	"God willing" (this letter will reach you)

petesse	"strive"