Three Kings Magic: Magi Lore and Christian Folk Rites on the Feast of Epiphany

By Adam J. Pearson (Frater S.C.F.V.)

1. Celebrating the Coming of the Three Kings: Introduction to Epiphany Magic on the Feast of the Adoration of the Magi

On January 6th, the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches celebrate the Feast of Epiphany or the Feast of the Adoration of the Magi, a day richly layered in lore, folk magical resonances, apocryphal tradition, and esoteric and exoteric practices  alike.  About this most sacred and magical of Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Feast Days, the traditional text of the Catholic Roman Rite reveals that

“In the East, the Church has long emphasized in her celebration of Epiphany the mystery of our Lord’s baptism, and by analogy our baptism.  This aspect is not neglected in Western Christendom, although in practice we have concentrated on the visit of the Magi.  Many years before the Latin Rite officially adopted the blessing of Epiphany water, diocesan rituals, notably in lower Italy, had contained such a blessing” (Fortescue, O’Connell, & Reid, 2009). 

As Dr. Alexander Cummins (2018), contemporary Wise Man and author of the fantastic Book of the Magi: Lore, Prayers, and Spellcraft of the Three Holy Kings – Folk Necromancy in Transmission has described in tremendous depth, the Biblical Magi enjoyed a widespread Medieval cultus, accrued rich lore and hagiographic depth via authors such as Pseudo-Bede and John of Hildesheim’s Historia Trium Regum or “History of the Three Kings,” and inspired a wide range of folk magical practices.  

One of the earliest depictions of the Adoration of the Magi is located on a Roman sarcophagus from the 4th century CE from the cemetery of St. Agnes in Rome.  This depiction represents the Magi as three, a dominant trend in Christian literature and art despite the Wise Men’s not being either named or numbered in the Bible and the existence of rival Orthodox accounts that conceive of up to 12 different Magi in Adoration of the newborn Christ (Cummins, 2018; Longenecker, 2017).  This Roman depiction portrays the Magi, often traditionally named as Caspar, Balthazar, and Melchior as identically dressed in Saturnine Phrygian caps and accompanied by camels, who have also interestingly accrued their own lore as having overheard the wisdom of the Magi and passed it on to their camel (Cummins, 2018):

The verses about the Magi in the New Testament are remarkably sparse, and yet packed with meaning when they do occur, as in Matthew 2:

“1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the East came to Jerusalem
2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (NIV, 2018).

While their number is indeterminate, their mission and its foundation are clear; they have interpreted astrological signs in the Heavens and come “from the East” to worship the new King that the coming of a new star has indicated.  Matthew 2:2 thus inaugurated the longstanding tradition, later lauded by prominent Renaissance figures such as  Marsilio Ficino in his Apologia, De Vita and De Stella Magorum, of both ascribing astrological wisdom to the “Wise Men” and of validating astrology as a manifestation of esoteric wisdom in the West (Buhler, 1990).  Indeed, the Magi had attentively recorded “the exact time,” vital for astrological analyses, when they had glimpsed the Messianic Star, as Matthew 2:7 makes clear when Herod finds out “the exact time the star had appeared” from the Wise Men.

The final verses relating to the Magi in Matthew 2 report that

11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route (NIV, 2018).

These few verses and the devotional engagement of generations of subsequent Christians produced a many-splendoured lore around the Magi as Patrons of travel and pilgrimage, masters of offerings and gift-giving, and, in the occult community, as great Magicians who could be worked with necromantically and be called upon in conjurations and charms (Cummins, 2018).  As their traditions developed, unique materia magica emerged under their aegis, which ranged from consecrated Epiphany Chalk used to inscribe protective symbols over doorways and thresholds to Epiphany Water used in house cleansings (Cummins, 2018).  As visitors to the first “home” of Christ, the Three Kings sympathetically acquired the power to facilitate the entry of Christ into the homes of the Christian faithful.  In folk occult circles, their Feast Day on January 6th acquired a reputation as a particular auspicious day for the consecration of magical implements, which even came to be required in some texts such as the Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses (Peterson, 2006).

Beyond traditions surrounding Epiphany Chalk and Water, other folk customs coalesced around the Kings as the mythos of the Magi unfolded.  One such custom involved children writing letters to the Magi (los Reyes Magos de Oriente, Los Tres Reyes Magos or simply Los Reyes Magos) with requests for gifts and leaving offerings of water and food out to the Magi and their camels in a manner reminiscent of Santa Claus traditions (Cummins, 2015). Also similar to the Santa Claus tradition, a hallowed tradition in Spain, Argentina, Mexico, Paraguay and Uruguay, involved having the children receive presents from the three “Reyes Magos” on the night of January 5 (Epiphany Eve) or morning of January 6, Epiphany proper.  A different, but related, custom in Manila, in the Philippines involved children leaving out shoes on Epiphany Eve in the hopes of receiving gifts of sweets or money from the gift-giving Magi.

The Three Kings as depicted in an Epiphany Parade in the Philippines.

In addition, a custom of holding Parades or Cavalcades in the honour of the Kings flourished in nearly all Spanish cities, in some cities in Mexico, in Poland and elsewhere (Przybylska, 2015).  The celebratory energy of the Kings’ Epiphany additionally poured out in song in Catholic areas of the German-speaking world, where Sternsingers or “star singers” carried a star from door to door representing the one followed by the Biblical Magi while singing Christmas carols such as “Stern über Bethlehem” (Cummins, 2018). Interestingly, a similar costumed singing Magi tradition developed in the Philippines as well, as evident in the following image by photographer Sidney Snoeck:

Moreover, cakes also came to be associated with the Magi as sweets offered to groups of celebrants.  In Spain and Portugal, a ring-shaped cake (in Portuguese: bolo-rei) was served on Epiphany.  The cake contained a small figurine of one of the Magi or a small baby Jesus and a dry broad bean.  The finder of the figure was crowned with a cardboard or paper crown and given the responsibility of hosting the family celebration for Candlemas or Candelaria on February 2nd while the recipient of the bean was required to pay the value of the cake to the person who originally bought it (Cummins, 2018).  Mexican celebrants similarly developed a ring-shaped cake Rosca de Reyes (Kings Bagel or Thread) with figurines inside it.  Related traditions surrounding Epiphany cakes containing beans, King figurines, baby Jesus figurines, or crowns could be found in France, Belgium, Switzerland, and even New Orleans, Louisiana and southern Texas with Mardi Gras “King Cakes” (Poché, 2007). Such cakes took a circular form reminiscent of kingly crowns and might be enjoyed alongside a fine beverage like Jason Miller’s (2016) Three Wise Men  Cocktail:

“Three Wise Men Cocktail:
1 part Scotch Whisky (recommend a blended Scotch for Coctails. Johnnie Walker Red or Black. Green, Gold and Blue should never be mixed with anything else.
1 part Tennessee Whiskey (e.g., Jack Daniels).
1 part Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey (e.g., Jim Beam White or Black Label).

Serve either neat or on the rocks, according to taste. Variations include:

Three Wise Men Go Hunting Cocktail, which is the recipe above with the addition of Wild Turkey Bourbon.

The Three  Men and a Baby Cocktail: recipe above, add milk. (YUCK!)” (Miller, 2016).

How can contemporary Magicians, particularly those interested in folk Christian and Solomonic magic, benefit from the magical traditions linked to Epiphany and the Three Kings of the East?  In the remainder of this article, I will offer some ideas and ritual scripts for blessing Epiphany Chalk, consecrating Three Kings Water, doing House Cleansings, and doing protective Epiphany Door Chalkings, as well as some practical folk magical applications inspired by the Magi.  In so doing, we will touch on the Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses, the Heptameron, the Key of Solomon, and Reginald Scot’s Discoverie of Witchcraft as we symbolically tread in the footsteps of the camels of the Ancient Kings.

2. The Blessing of Epiphany Chalk

The following is my version of a ritual method for Blessing of Epiphany Chalk, which combines Key of Solomon methods with Daryl Moresco’s (2016) version of the Epiphany Chalk Blessing from the Order of Carmelites into a folk-Solomonic hybrid.  Keen readers will note that I have slightly modified the wording of the Carmelites’ version of the Blessing so that the resulting Chalk of Art is consecrated not only for house blessings but also for drawing magical figures.  The latter is a key instrumental technology within the grimoiric system of the The Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses, which call for a “Pentagon, or, the Omnipotent Five-Corners” to be drawn in chalk consecrated on the Day of Epiphany:

As the text itself explains:

“This mysterious figure must be written before the exorcism, in the open air, and in the ground, with consecrated [Epiphany] chalk or with the index finger of the right hand dipped in holy three-kings-water [Epiphany Water, see below], the same as it is written up on the paper, but each line must be thirteen feet in length.

The conjuror then kneels in the centre of the star, with un­covered head and with face turned toward Zion, and calls first in a loud voice, coming from the heart, the names of Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, thirteen times, and after calling these thirteen times, he must also then call the high and sacred name of Elohim 375 times with equal fervor and faith. But only as has already been stated in the Laws of Entrance, No. 10, in the first three days or nights of the new moon, or full moon, or when Saturn, Mars and Jupiter appear in the heavens” (Peterson, 2006).

Thus, to properly practice the 6th and 7th Books of Moses method, the Magician is required to have either Epiphany chalk or the Epiphany Three Kings Water, and even uses the names of the Magi to consecrate the protective Pentagram in which the Magician kneels to do the Operation.

My Method for Blessing the Chalk

Before the Church service, Exorcise the Chalk using this modified formula based on the Key of Solomon (Peterson, 2004):

The Exorcism of the Chalk

Hold your hand over the chalk and say:

“CAMIACH, CANTAC, EMIAL, MIAL, EMORE, BARCA, MARBAT, CACRAT, ZANDAC, VALAMACH;¹ by these most holy names, and the other names of angels which are written in the book ASSAMAIAN [The ‘Sepher Ha-Shamaiim,’ or ‘Book of the Heavens.’], I exorcise and conjure thee O Creature of Chalk that thou assist me in this operation, by God the true, God the holy, the God who hath created thee.”

[then say,

“O Angels and Names of the Most High ADONAY, ELOHY, AGLAY, AGLATHA: May you be our help, so that our speech may be fulfilled through you.  Almighty ADONAI, ARATHRON, ASHAI, ELOHIM, ELOHI, ELION, ASHER EHEIEH, SHADDAI, O God the Lord, immaculate, immutable, EMANUEL, MESSIACH, YOD, HE, VAU, HE, be my aid, so that this Chalk may have power and efficacy in all wherein I shall wish, and in all that I shall demand.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Suffumigate the chalk with consecrated incense and sprinkle it with a small amount of Holy Water, then bring it to Church on the Day of Epiphany (January 6th).  If you do not have any Holy Water at hand at this time, the chalk can also be sprinkled with Epiphany Water made on this same day according to the method given below.

Interior of Our Lady of Kazan Church, Irkutsk, a Russian Orthodox Church built between 1885 and 1892.

During or after the Church service on the Day of Epiphany, January 6th, quietly pray the following prayers over the chalk.  Although there is some flexibility with timing this ritual, as in the Magical Consecration by Mass, the optimal time to pray the prayers of blessing is during the moment of the transubstantiation of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ.  In any case, one way to proceed with the blessing of the Chalk is as follows:

The Blessing of the Chalk

Our help is the Name of the Lord:
The Maker of heaven and earth.
The Lord shall watch over our going out and our coming in,
As over our work in the magical Art:
From this time forth for evermore.

Let us pray:

Loving God, bless this chalk which you have created, that it may be helpful to your people; and grant that through the invocation of your most Holy Name that we who use it in faith to trace holy figures in the Art of Magic or to write upon the door of our home the names of your holy ones, the Three Kings and Great Magi, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, may receive health of body and protection of soul for all who dwell in or visit our home and all who participate in our Operations of the magical Art; this we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen (Adapted from Moresco, 2016).

If you would like to go the extra mile and create your own Chalk containing materia magica from scratch, Conjureman Ali outlines a procedure for doing so in a detailed post entitled “Making Magical Chalk” (Ali, 2012).  Commenting on Ali’s method, Dr. Alexander Cummins (2018) offers some additional ideas as well as a simplified method of his own ingenious devising:

“These instructions include adding a pinch of herbal materia, and you should feel confident in employing your familiar plant allies that accord with the mysteries of this house and threshold blessing: to begin the year afresh, protected each time one journeys out of one’s home and purified each time one returns. I have used the Three Purifiers of the Grimorium Verum (that is, marjoram, mint, and rosemary) about which I have held forth at length in my article for the second Conjure Codex by Hadean Press. Other herbs of the Magi include hyssop, rue and anise. These could be added in very small dried quantities or even infused in Triple-Kings Water to be added to the dry chalk mix. One might also employ (sparingly!) frankincense and/or myrrh essential oil/s.

I will also say that, given the sheer time required to properly make chalk from scratch (especially the removal of the inner membrane, not to mention the grinding), I also have been known to use this quicker method:

Take three pieces of chalk and baptize them in the names of the Three Kings with holy water, with Three Kings Water being best. Grind them to dust with blessed salt. Add a small amount of infusion of rue, as well as frankincense and myrrh oils. Shape the wet mass into three sticks of new Three Kings chalk. Consecrate. Pray a Blessing of the Chalk” (Cummins, 2018).

As a relevant side note, consecrated Epiphany Chalk can be very useful for drawing Circles such as those used in the Heptameron system, which have to be modified by the day, hour and season, as in the following diagram from the grimoire (Peterson, 2018):

Moreover, for those who work with chalk markers using an approach like the Solomonic Candle Magic system of the aptly named Balthazar, blessing the chalk markers on the Day of Epiphany can be a wise and fruitful exercise.

3. The Blessing of Epiphany Water or Triple Kings Water

The following method for the blessing of Triple Kings Water is a rather lengthy ritual that I developed with the purpose of faithfully integrating the Roman Rite‘s official liturgical method for consecrating Epiphany Water with the consecration of Salt and Holy Water methods from the Key of Solomon (Fortescue, O’Connell, & Reid, 2009; Peterson, 2018).  Christian folk Magicians and Solomonic Magicians may find it pleasantly resonant with their other practices. 

For ease of use, I have also included the full versions of all relevant Psalms used in the method drawing on the Clavicula Salomonis’ Holy Water method in the ritual script below (Peterson, 2018).  In addition, in order to infuse the magical Rite, the versions of the Psalms I have included feature the original Hebrew Divine Names rather than the English translations thereof, drawing on the Names of God Bible.  For those who are interested, the rationale for this approach of using Divine Names in their original language has been discussed in more detail by Dr. Stephen Skinner (2013) in his Doctoral Thesis, in its adapted form in Techniques of Graeco Egyptian Magic, as well as in my Glitch Bottle interview with Mr. Alexander Eth.  

RITUAL OF THE BLESSING OF EPIPHANY WATER

Ritual Setup: 1. At the appointed time the celebrant, vested in white cope (if a bishop, the mitre is worn but removed during the prayers), and the deacon and subdeacon, vested in white dalmatic and tunic respectively, come before the altar. They are preceded by acolytes, who carry the processional cross and lighted candles (which are put in their proper place), and by the other clergy. A vessel of water and a container of salt are in readiness in the sanctuary.

[Adam’s Note: Adapt the setup as needed. At the very minimum, have a vessel of water, salt, a candle, and incense].

First the Litany of the Saints is sung, during which time all kneel.

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.	Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven, God the Son, Redeemer of the world, God the Holy Spirit, Holy Trinity, one God,	have mercy on us. have mercy on us. have mercy on us. have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Holy Mother of God, Holy Virgin of virgins, St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, All you Holy Angels and Archangels, St. John the Baptist, St. Joseph, All you Holy Patriarchs and Prophets,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Andrew, St. James, St. John, St. Thomas, St. James, St. Philip, St. Bartholomew, St. Matthew, St. Simon, St. Jude, St. Matthias, St. Barnabas, St. Luke, St. Mark, All you holy Apostles and Evangelists, All you holy Disciples of the Lord, All you holy Innocents,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
St. Stephen, St. Lawrence, St. Vincent, Sts. Fabian and Sebastian, Sts. John and Paul, Sts. Cosmas and Damian, All you holy Martyrs, Saints Cyprian and Justina,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.pray for us.
St. Sylvester, St. Gregory, St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, St. Jerome, St. Martin, St. Nicholas, All you holy Bishops and Confessors, All you holy Doctors,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
St. Anthony, St. Benedict, St. Bernard, St. Dominic, St. Francis, All you holy Priests and Levites, All you holy Monks and Hermits,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
St. Mary Magdalene, St. Agatha, St. Lucy, St. Agnes, St. Cecilia, St. Anastasia, St. Catherine, St. Clare, All you holy Virgins and Widows, All you holy Saints of God,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
Lord, be merciful, From all evil, From all sin, From your wrath, From a sudden and unprovided death, From the snares of the Devil, From anger, hatred, and all ill-will, From the spirits of uncleanness, From lightning and tempest, From the scourge of earthquake, From plague, famine, and war, From everlasting death,	Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people.
By the mystery of your holy Incarnation, By your Coming, By your Birth, By your Baptism and holy fasting, By your Cross and Passion, By your Death and Burial, By your holy Resurrection, By your wonderful Ascension, By the coming of the Holy Spirit, On the day of judgment,	Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people.
Be merciful to us sinners,	Lord, hear our prayer.
That you will spare us, That you will pardon us, That it may please you to bring us to true penance, Guide and protect your holy Church, Preserve in holy religion the Pope, and all those in holy Orders, Humble the enemies of holy Church, Give peace and unity to the whole Christian people, Bring back to the unity of the Church all those who are straying, and bring all unbelievers to the light of the Gospel, Strengthen and preserve us in your holy service, Raise our minds to desire the things of heaven, Reward all our benefactors with eternal blessings, Deliver our souls from eternal damnation, and the souls of our brethren, relatives, and benefactors, Give and preserve the fruits of the earth, Grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed, That it may please You to hear and heed us, Jesus, Son of the Living God,	Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer.Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer.Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer.Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer.Lord, hear our prayer.Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,	Spare us, O Lord! Graciously hear us, O Lord! Have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us, Lord Jesus, hear our prayer. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.	Christ, graciously hear us Lord Jesus, hear our prayer. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.

After the invocation, the Celebrant rises and sings the following two invocations, the second in a higher key:

Holy Lord, we ask that you bless  this holy water of Epiphany.

We beg you to hear us.

That you bless  and sanctify  this sacred water of Epiphany.

We beg you to hear us.

After this the Celebrant chants the Pater Noster in English or in Latin as given here:

“Pater noster, qui es in caelis,
sanctificetur nomen tuum,
adveniat regnum tuum,
fiat voluntas tua,
sicut in caelo, et in terra.
Panem nostrum supersubstantialem da nobis hodie;
et dimitte nobis debita nostra,
sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris;
et ne inducas nos in tentationem;
sed libera nos a Malo. Amen.”

Then the following Psalms are sung:

Psalm 28

1 O Yahweh, I call to you.
O my rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me.
If you remain silent,
I will be like those who go into the pit.
2 Hear my prayer for mercy when I call to you for help,
when I lift my hands toward your most holy place.
3 Do not drag me away with wicked people,
with troublemakers who speak of peace with their neighbors
but have evil in their hearts.
4 Pay them back for what they have done,
for their evil deeds.
Pay them back for what their hands have done,
and give them what they deserve.
5 Yahweh will tear them down and never build them up again,
because they never consider what he has done
or what his hands have made.

6 Thank Yahweh!
He has heard my prayer for mercy!
7 Yahweh is my strength and my Magen.
My heart trusted him, so I received help.
My heart is triumphant; I give thanks to him with my song.
8 Yahweh is the strength of his people
and a fortress for the victory of his Messiah.
9 Save your people, and bless those who belong to you.
Be their Roeh, and carry them forever.

Celebrant: Glory be to the Father.

All: As it was in the beginning.

Psalm 45

For the choir director; according to shoshannim;[a] a maskil by Korah’s descendants; a love song.

1 My heart is overflowing with good news.
I will direct my song to the king.
My tongue is a pen for a skillful writer.

2 You are the most handsome of Adam’s descendants.
Grace is poured on your lips.
That is why Elohim has blessed you forever.
3 O warrior, strap your sword to your side
with your splendor and majesty.
4 Ride on victoriously in your majesty
for the cause of truth, humility, and righteousness.
Let your right hand teach you awe-inspiring things.
5 Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies.
Nations fall beneath you.
6 Your throne, O Elohim, is forever and ever.
The scepter in your kingdom is a scepter for justice.
7 You have loved what is right and hated what is wrong.
That is why Elohim, your Elohim, has anointed you,
rather than your companions, with the oil of joy.
8 All your robes are fragrant with myrrh, aloes, and cassia.
From ivory palaces the music of stringed instruments delights you.
9 The daughters of kings are among your noble ladies.
The queen takes her place at your right hand
and wears gold from Ophir.

10 Listen, daughter! Look closely!
Turn your ear toward me.
Forget your people, and forget your father’s house.
11 The king longs for your beauty.
He is your Lord.
Worship him.

12 The people of Tyre, the richest people,
want to win your favor with a gift.
13 The daughter of the king is glorious inside the palace.
Her dress is embroidered with gold.
14 Wearing a colorful gown, she is brought to the king.
Her bridesmaids follow her.
They will be brought to you.
15 With joy and delight they are brought in.
They enter the palace of the king.

16 Your sons will take the place of your father.
You will make them princes over the whole earth.

17 I will cause your name to be remembered throughout every generation.
That is why the nations will give thanks to you forever and ever.

Celebrant: Glory be to the Father.

All: As it was in the beginning.

Psalm 146

1 Hallelujah!

Praise Yahweh, my soul!
2 I want to praise Yahweh throughout my life.
I want to make music to praise my Elohim as long as I live.

3 Do not trust influential people,
mortals who cannot help you.
4         When they breathe their last breath, they return to the ground.
On that day their plans come to an end.
5 Blessed are those who receive help from the El of Jacob.
Their hope rests on Yahweh their Elohim,
6         who made heaven, earth,
the sea, and everything in them.
Yahweh remains faithful forever.
7 He brings about justice for those who are oppressed.
He gives food to those who are hungry.
Yahweh sets prisoners free.
8 Yahweh gives sight to blind people.
Yahweh straightens the backs of those who are bent over.
Yahweh loves righteous people.
9 Yahweh protects foreigners.
Yahweh gives relief to orphans and widows.
But he keeps wicked people from reaching their goal.
10 Yahweh rules as king forever.
Zion, your Elohim rules throughout every generation.

Hallelujah!

Celebrant: Glory be to the Father.

All: As it was in the beginning.

***

The Celebrant then chants the following Exorcism [Note:  denotes performing the Sign of the Cross]

The Exorcism against Satan and the Apostate Spirits

In the name of our Lord Jesus  Christ and by His power, we cast you out, every unclean spirit, every devilish power, every assault of the infernal adversary, every legion, every diabolical group and sect; begone and stay far from the Church of God, from all who are made in the image of God and redeemed by the precious blood of the divine  Lamb. Never again dare, you cunning serpent, to deceive the human race, to persecute the Church of God, nor to strike the chosen of God and to sift them as  wheat. For it is the Most High God who commands you,   He to whom you heretofore in your great pride considered yourself equal; He who desires that all men might be saved and come to the knowledge of truth. God the Father  commands you. God the Son  commands you. God the Holy  Spirit commands you. The majesty of Christ, the eternal Word of God made flesh  commands you; He who for the salvation of our race, the race that was lost through your envy, humbled Himself and became obedient even unto death; He who built His Church upon a solid rock, and proclaimed that the gates of hell should never prevail against her, and that He would remain with her all days, even to the end of the world. The sacred mystery of the cross  commands you, as well as the power of all the mysteries of Christian faith. The exalted Virgin Mary, Mother of God  commands you, who in her lowliness crushed your proud head from the first moment of her Immaculate Conception. The faith of the holy apostles Peter and Paul and the other apostles  commands you. The blood of the martyrs and the devout intercession of all holy men and women commands you.

Therefore, accursed dragon and every diabolical legion, we adjure you by the living  God, by the true  God, by the holy  God, by the God who so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but shall have life everlasting; cease your deception of the human race and your giving them to drink of the poison of everlasting damnation; desist from harming the Church and fettering her freedom. Begone Satan, you father and teacher of lies and enemy of mankind. Give place to Christ in whom you found none of your works; give place to the one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church, which Christ Himself purchased with His blood. May you be brought low under God’s mighty hand. May you tremble and flee as we call upon the holy and awesome name of Jesus, before whom hell quakes, and to whom the virtues, powers, and dominations are subject; whom the cherubim and seraphim praise with unwearied voices, saying: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts!

Next, All Sing the following antiphon and canticle:

Antiphon

ALL: Today the Church is espoused to her heavenly bridegroom, for Christ washes her sins in the Jordan; the Magi hasten with gifts to the regal nuptials; and the guests are gladdened with water made wine, alleluia.

Recite the Canticle of Zachary from Luke 1.68-79:

Celebrant: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel! He has visited His people and brought about its redemption.

ALL: He has raised for us a stronghold of salvation in the house of David His servant,

Celebrant: And redeemed the promise He had made through the mouth of His holy prophets of old–

ALL: To grant salvation from our foes and from the hand of all that hate us;

Celebrant: To deal in mercy with our fathers and be mindful of His holy covenant,

ALL: Of the oath he had sworn to our father Abraham, that He would enable us–

Celebrant: Rescued from the clutches of our foes–to worship Him without fear,

ALL: In holiness and observance of the Law, in His presence, all our days.

Celebrant: And you, my little one, will be hailed ‘Prophet of the Most High’; for the Lord’s precursor you will be to prepare His ways;

ALL: You are to impart to His people knowledge of salvation through forgiveness of their sins.

Celebrant: Thanks be to the merciful heart of our God! A dawning Light from on high will visit us

ALL: To shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadowland of death, and guide our feet into the path of peace.”

Celebrant: Glory be to the Father.

ALL: As it was in the beginning.

At the end of the canticle the antiphon given above is repeated.

Antiphon

ALL: Today the Church is espoused to her heavenly bridegroom, for Christ washes her sins in the Jordan; the Magi hasten with gifts to the regal nuptials; and the guests are gladdened with water made wine, alleluia.

Then the Celebrant sings:

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

All: May He also be with you.

Celebrant: Let us pray. God, who on this day revealed your only-begotten Son to all nations by the guidance of a star, grant that we who now know you by faith may finally behold you in your heavenly majesty; through Christ our Lord.

ALL: Amen.

Next the Celebrant blesses the water:

Celebrant: Our help is in the name of the Lord.

ALL: Who made heaven and earth.

From here on the exorcism of salt and the prayer that follows it as well as the Psalms used to consecrate the Water.

From the Key of Solomon

Say these words over the salt:–

The Blessing of the Father Almighty be upon this Creature of Salt, and let all malignity and hindrance be cast forth hence from, and let all good enter herein, for without Thee man cannot live, wherefore I bless thee and invoke thee, that thou mayest aid me.

Then say:

TZABAOTHI MESSIACH, EMANUEL, ELOHIM GIBOR, YOD HE VAU HE; O God, Who art the Truth and the Life, deign to bless and sanctify this Creature of Salt, to serve unto us for help, protection, and assistance in this Art, experiment, and operation, and may it be a succour unto us.

Then say over the water:

I exorcise thee, O Creature of Water, by Him Who hath created thee and gathered thee together into one place so that the dry land appeared, that thou uncover all the deceits of the Enemy, and that thou cast out from thee all the impurities and uncleannesses of the Spirits of the World of Phantasm, so they may harm me not, through the virtue of God Almighty Who liveth and reigneth unto the Ages of the Ages. Amen.

Prayer, say:

EL strong and wonderful, I bless thee, I adore thee, I glorify thee, I invoke thee, I render thee thanks for this water, so that this water may be able to cast from away all impurity and concupiscence of heart, through thee, O holy ADONAI; and may I accomplish all things through thee who livest and reignest unto the ages of the ages. Amen.

After this cast the Salt into the vessel wherein is the Water, and say the following Psalms over the Water to complete its transformation into Holy Water:

Psalm 102

O YHVH, hear my prayer,
and let my cry for help come to you.
2 Do not hide your face from me when I am in trouble.
Turn your ear toward me.
Answer me quickly when I call.
3 My days disappear like smoke.
My bones burn like hot coals.
4 My heart is beaten down and withered like grass
because I have forgotten about eating.
5 I am nothing but skin and bones
because of my loud groans.
6 I am like a desert owl,
like an owl living in the ruins.
7 I lie awake.
I am like a lonely bird on a rooftop.
8 All day long my enemies insult me.
Those who ridicule me use my name as a curse.
9 I eat ashes like bread
and my tears are mixed with my drink
10 because of your hostility and anger,
because you have picked me up and thrown me away.
11 My days are like a shadow that is getting longer,
and I wither away like grass.

12 But you, O YHVH, remain forever.
You are remembered throughout every generation.
13 You will rise and have compassion on Zion,
because it is time to grant a favor to it.
Indeed, the appointed time has come.
14 Your servants value Zion’s stones,
and they pity its rubble.
15 The nations will fear YHVH’s name.
All the kings of the earth will fear your glory.
16 When YHVH builds Zion,
he will appear in his glory.
17 He will turn his attention to the prayers
of those who have been abandoned.
He will not despise their prayers.
18 This will be written down for a future generation
so that a people yet to be created may praise Yah:
19 “YHVH looked down from his holy place high above.
From heaven he looked at the earth.
20 He heard the groans of the prisoners
and set free those who were condemned to death.
21 YHVH’s name is announced in Zion
and his praise in Jerusalem
22 when nations and kingdoms gather
to worship YHVH.”

23 He has weakened my strength along the way.
He has reduced the number of my days.
24 I said, “My El, don’t take me now in the middle of my life.
Your years continue on throughout every generation.
25 Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth.
Even the heavens are the works of your hands.
26 They will come to an end, but you will still go on.
They will all wear out like clothing.
You will change them like clothes,
and they will be thrown away.
27 But you remain the same, and your life will never end.
28 The children of your servants will go on living here.
Their descendants will be secure in your presence.”

Psalm 54

O Elohim, save me by your name,
and defend me with your might.
2 O Elohim, hear my prayer,
and open your ears to the words from my mouth.

3 Strangers have attacked me.
Ruthless people seek my life.
They do not think about Elohim.[a] Selah

4 Elohim is my helper!
Adonay is the provider for my life.
5 My enemies spy on me.
Pay them back with evil.
Destroy them with your truth!

6 I will make a sacrifice to you along with a freewill offering.
I will give thanks to your good name, O YHVH.
7 Your name rescues me from every trouble.
My eyes will gloat over my enemies.

Psalm 6

O YHVH, do not punish me in your anger
or discipline me in your rage.
2 Have pity on me, O YHVH, because I am weak.
Heal me, O YHVH, because my bones shake with terror.
3 My soul has been deeply shaken with terror.
But you, O YHVH, how long . . . ?

4 Come back, O YHVH.
Rescue me.
Save me because of your mercy!
5 In death, no one remembers you.
In the grave, who praises you?

6 I am worn out from my groaning.
My eyes flood my bed every night.
I soak my couch with tears.
7 My eyes blur from grief.
They fail because of my enemies.

8 Get away from me, all you troublemakers,
because YHVH has heard the sound of my crying.
9         YHVH has heard my plea for mercy.
YHVH accepts my prayer.
10 All my enemies will be put to shame and deeply shaken with terror.
In a moment they will retreat and be put to shame.

Psalm 51

1 Have pity on me, O Elohim, in keeping with your mercy.
In keeping with your unlimited compassion, wipe out my rebellious acts.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my guilt,
and cleanse me from my sin.
3         I admit that I am rebellious.
My sin is always in front of me.
4 I have sinned against you, especially you.
I have done what you consider evil.
So you hand down justice when you speak,
and you are blameless when you judge.

5 Indeed, I was born guilty.
I was a sinner when my mother conceived me.
6 Yet, you desire truth and sincerity.
Deep down inside me you teach me wisdom.
7 Purify me from sin with hyssop, and I will be clean.
Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear sounds of joy and gladness.
Let the bones that you have broken dance.
9 Hide your face from my sins,
and wipe out all that I have done wrong.

10 Create a clean heart in me, O Elohim,
and renew a faithful spirit within me.
11 Do not force me away from your presence,
and do not take Ruach Qodesh from me.
12 Restore the joy of your salvation to me,
and provide me with a spirit of willing obedience.

13 Then I will teach your ways to those who are rebellious,
and sinners will return to you.
14 Rescue me from the guilt of murder,
O Elohim, my savior.
Let my tongue sing joyfully about your righteousness!
15 O Adonay, open my lips,
and my mouth will tell about your praise.
16 You are not happy with any sacrifice.
Otherwise, I would offer one to you.
You are not pleased with burnt offerings.
17 The sacrifice pleasing to Elohim is a broken spirit.
O Elohim, you do not despise a broken and sorrowful heart.
18 Favor Zion with your goodness.
Rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit—
with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings.
Young bulls will be offered on your altar.

Psalm 67

May Elohim have pity on us and bless us!
May he smile on us. Selah
2 Then your ways will be known on earth,
your salvation throughout all nations.

3 Let everyone give thanks to you, O Elohim.
Let everyone give thanks to you.
4 Let the nations be glad and sing joyfully
because you judge everyone with justice
and guide the nations on the earth. Selah
5 Let the people give thanks to you, O Elohim.
Let all the people give thanks to you.
6 The earth has yielded its harvest.
May Elohim, our Elohim, bless us.
7 May Elohim bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth worship him.

At the end of the blessing the priest sprinkles the people with the blessed water.

Lastly the “Te Deum” is sung, given here from the Book of Common Prayer:

We praise thee, O God: we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee: the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud: the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim: continually do cry,
Holy, Holy, Holy: Lord God of Hosts;
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty : of thy glory.
The glorious company of the Apostles: praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets: praise thee.
The noble army of Martyrs: praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world: doth acknowledge thee;
The Father: of an infinite Majesty;
Thine honourable, true: and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost: the Comforter.
Thou art the King of Glory: O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son: of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man: thou didst not abhor the Virgin’s womb.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death:
thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God: in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come: to be our Judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants:
whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy Saints: in glory everlasting.

O Lord, save thy people: and bless thine heritage.
Govern them: and lift them up for ever.
Day by day: we magnify thee;
And we worship thy Name : ever world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord: to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us: have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us: as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted: let me never be confounded.

Celebrant: Eternal God and Father,
by whose power we are created and by whose love we are redeemed:
guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,
that we may give ourselves to your service,
and live this day in love to one another and to you;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

Celebrant: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

ALL: Peace be with you. Amen.

4. The Three Magi House Chalking Ritual

The following is adapted from the versions used by the Order of Carmelites (2016). Have the Head of the Household pick up a piece of consecrated Epiphany Chalk.

Pray as follows:
The Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar followed the star of God’s Son who Incarnated into human form over two thousand years ago. May the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit bless our home and remain with us throughout the new year and may the Holy Spirit be present and aid us in all of our workings both mundane and magical. Amen.

Using the blessed Chalk, trace at the top of your doorway to your home–and potentially other key doorways, such as the door leading into a dedicated Temple room for Magicians–with a pattern such as this,:

20 † C † M † B † 19

[The numbers refer to the calendar year (20 and 19, for instance, for the year 2019). The crosses stand for Christ.  The letters have a two-fold significance: C, M, and B are the initials for the traditional names of the Magi (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar), but they are also an abbreviation of the Latin blessing Christus mansionem benedicat, which means, May Christ bless this house.”]

After tracing the letters and numbers, pray the following:

Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of your love; empower us with success in all of our workings of the magical Art in accordance with your Will; and grant that we may manifest your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, O Father Adonai, Son Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen

5. The Epiphany House Cleansing Ritual

Consecrate Epiphany Water on the Day of Epiphany.  Take up a Solomonic Aspergillum or other Aspergillum.

Recite the following prayer from Reginald Scot’s Discoverie of Withchcraft (1584):

“O Lord show us thy mercy, and we shall be saved. Lord hear our prayer, and let our cry come unto thee. Let us pray.

O Lord God Almighty, as thou warnedst by thine angel, the Three Kings of Cologne, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, when they came with worshipful presents towards Bethlehem: Caspar brought myrrh; Melchior, incense; Balthazar, gold; worshiping the high king of all the world, Jesus God’s Son of heaven, the second person in the Trinity, being borne of the Holy and clean Virgin S. Marie, Queen of Heaven, Empress of Hell, and Ladie of all the world: at that time the holy angel Gabriel warned the aforesaid Three Kings, that they should take another way Home, for dread of peril, that Herod the King by his ordinance would have destroyed these three noble Kings, that meekly sought out our Lord and Saviour. As wittily and truly as these three kings turned for dread, and took another way: so wisely and so truely, O Lord GOD, of thy mightiful mercy, bless us now at this time, for thy blessed passion save us, and keep us all together from all evil; and may thy holy Angels defend us. Amen.”

Then pray the traditional Catholic liturgical house blessing prayer:

O God, our True Light and Savior, You have deigned to be baptized in the Jordan by John the Baptist to renew all men by the cleansing water of regeneration (Tit. 3:5) and to enter under the roof of Zacchaeus, bringing salvation to him and his house (Lk. 19:9), now, You, O Lord, protect also all those who dwell in this house from all harm and injury; grant them Jordan’s blessing, purification of soul and body, and good health; and hear all their supplications, which are for their salvation and life eternal.

For blessed are You, O Lord, together with Your Eternal Father and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.

Now, walk about the house, sprinkling Epiphany Water in each room while saying

“May this space be blessed with the Gifts of the Three Kings Caspar, Balthazar, and Melchior and in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.”

6. Other Magical Ideas for Celebrating Epiphany and the Three Kings

a. Blessing and Reconsecrating Tools and Magica

The Epiphany Mass is an incredibly auspicious time to reconsecrate and bless magical tools and materia using the technique of Consecration by Mass.  During Epiphany Mass, I have performed cryptoconsecratio on most of my key Solomonic tools from the Wand to the Aspergillum, and Bell of Art, prayed Epiphany blessings over magical Rings, Pentacles, and other magical tools such as my Cyprianic rosary and scapular, and divinatory tools such as my Tarot cards and amethyst Runes.  I have also benefited from the Epiphany Mass as an optimal time in which to bless herbs, spices, and other materia magica.  Backpacks and suitcases facilitated the carriage of multiple tools and materia into the Church at once for this purpose, although sometimes drawing a suspicious eye from less esoterically-inclined churchgoers.

b. Reciting Charms and Crafting Three Kings Talismans

As a final practical option for the magical celebration of Epiphany, here are a final set of magical rites that draw on the Three Kings and are very much in the spirit of the Feast of the Adoration of the Magi. The first is a talismanic method from Dr. Cummins.  This sleek approach is followed by a triplicity–one for each King–of ideas for Magi-inspired rites drawn from Scot’s Discoverie of Withcraft (1584).

To begin, Dr. Alexander Cummins has developed an elegant and tradition-grounded method to craft an Epiphany Talisman:

“A Gift of Adoration

Finally, I present this devotional charm which developed from both my research into the history, folklore and cultus of the Three Holy Kings, and my own practice, supported and verified by divination and spiritwork.

            A Bag of the Adoration

On Epiphany, take a white silk bag and place inside gold, frankincense and myrrh. As you place these items in the bag, declare: as the Magi adored the Christ Child, so are these gifts given to the glory of Son known by the Star in the East. Pray. Invoke and cross + CASPAR + BALZATHAR + MELCHIOR + Tie it shut and hang three king charms from the knot. Smoke it in Three Kings incense and feed it Three Kings oil. You now have a talismanic representation of the authority of the Anointed One as well as a Star to call the Magi.

The king charms mentioned can be crown charms, or could be elaborately carved king figurines, or even small Christmas tree decorations of the kings. For various reasons I prefer using king chess-piece charms. Three Kings incenses and oils can be found at many botanicas – and you should of course be supporting your good local folk magic shops!

The essential features of the bag are of course the Three Gifts: I recommend you do your own research into as many significances of gold, frankincense, and myrrh as you can find. Scriptural, pre-Christian, historical, economic, cultural, magical, medical, mythic, environmental. Consider the research itself a devotional journey – an ongoing unfolding pilgrimage with no fixed destination, but a continual set of footnotes left following your Star of inspiration and promise of Light in the Darkness” (Cummins, 2018).

Henry Siddons Mowbray, The Magi via Dr. Alexander Cummins (2018).

Finally, Reginald Scot in his Discoverie of Witchcraft (1584), while trying to attack the folk magical methods of his contemporaries, humorously and helpfully did a splendid job of faithfully preserving a set of spells that employ the Three Kings and can be fruitfully performed on the Day of Epiphany.

First, here is a Magi-inspired Charm Against the Falling Evil:

“This insuing is another counterfet charme of theirs, whereby the falling evill is presentlie remedied.

Gaspar fert myrrham, thus Melchior, Balthasar aurum,
Hæc tria qui secum portabit nomina regum,
Solvitur à morbo Christi pietate caduco.

Gasper with his myrh beganne
/ these presents to unfold, 
Then Melchior brought in frankincense,
/ and Balthasar brought in gold.
Now he that of these holie kings
/ the names about shall beare,
The falling yll by grace of Christ
/ shall never need to feare.

This is as true a copie of the holie writing, that was brought downe from heaven by an angell to S. Leo pope of Rome; & he did bid him take it to king Charles, when he went to the battell at Roncevall. And the angell said, that what man or woman beareth this writing about them with good devotion, and saith everie daie three Pater nosters, three Aves, and one Creede, shall not that daie be overcome of his enimies, either bodilie or ghostlie; neither shalbe robbed or slaine of theeves, pestilence, thunder, or lightening; neither shall be hurt with fier or water, nor combred with spirits, neither shall have displeasure of lords or ladies: he shall not be condemned with false witnesse, nor taken with fairies, or anie maner of axes, nor yet with the falling evill.

Also, if a woman be in travell, laie this writing upo hir bellie, she shall have easie deliverance, and the child right shape and christendome, and the mother purification of holy church, and all through vertue of these holie names of Jesus Christ following:

+ Jesus + Christus + Messias + Soter + Emmanuel + Sabbaoth + Adonai + Unigenitus + Majestas + Paracletus + Salvator noster + Agiros iskiros + Agios + Adanatos + Gasper + Melchior + & Balthasar + Matthæus + Marcus + Lucas + Johannes” (Scot, 1584).

Second, here is a Three Kings-infused Spell Against the Biting of a Mad Dog: 

“Put a silver ring on the finger, within the which these words are graven + Habay + habar + hebar + & saie to the person bitten with a mad dog, I am thy saviour, loose not thy life: and then pricke him in the nose thrise, that at each time he bleed. ◊ Otherwise: Take pilles made of the skull of one that is hanged. ◊ Otherwise: Write upon a peece of bread, Irioni, khiriora, esser, khuder, feres; and let it be eaten by the partie bitten. ◊ Otherwise:

O rex gloriæ Jesu Christe, veni cum pace: In nomine patris max, in nomine filii max, in nomine spiritus sancti prax: Gasper, Melchior, Balthasar + prax + max + Deus I max + (Scot, 1584).

“Mad Dog” by Mike Savad (2011).

Third, see Reginald Scot’s Discoverie of Witchcraft (1584), Book 15, CHAPTER XIII. An experiment of Bealphares for some ideas of how to integrate the names of the Three Kings into Conjurations and Invocations of Spirits.

As a final suggestion I obtained from Joseph Clinton Ragan (2019) drawing on Dr. Alexander Cummins’ (2018) work, very fine gold foil can ground down with frankincense and myrrh on the Day of Epiphany to create “Three Kings Incense.”  Joseph recommends singing “We Three Kings” while grinding the incense for an additional layer of folk Christian consecration.

7. Conclusion

Calling upon and conjuring by the great Magicians of the past has an ancient tradition in magic that stretches back through the Hellenistic period’s Papyri Graecae Magicae (PGM) invocations of Solomon, Moses, Aaron, and others back into dynastic Egypt (Skinner, 2013).  Contemporary Christian folk Magicians, Solomonic Magicians, and practitioners of other magical streams can draw on these examples, but also stand to benefit from the powerful traditions of the Three Kings Caspar, Balthazar, and Melchior.  The Rites of Epiphany presented in this article are merely a few out of many possible applications of the powers of the Magi to contemporary magical practice.  In working them, we stand on the giants who came before us, but also stand side-by-side with the Kings, gazing up at the Heavens as if guided and inspired by the same Holy Star.

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