The 12th Day of Christmas, January 6th, is the Feast of the Three Magi. Traditionally it’s a time to bless our homes for the New Year.
In following a star to find the Baby Jesus, the three Kings became the most celebrated astrologers in Western culture. As the Magi who visit Christ’s first dwelling place they are said to lend their gifts to blessing homes. Here’s a traditional house blessing you can easily do yourself.
You’ll need a piece of chalk and a step ladder or someone who can reach the area above the door frame on the main entrance to your home. You can write on the inside or outside of your home. Write the following inscription above the door. 20 + C M B + 24
You can create your own prayer for peace and protection or use mine. Say aloud, “Bless this house and all who enter here. Wrap my home in the gifts of grace, peace and love.”
In the inscription, C M B stands for two things. The Magi are traditionally known as Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar so those letters are their initials. They may also represent the Latin phrase “Christus mansionem benedicat” which means “May Christ bless this house.”
The 12th Day of Christmas, January 6th, is the Feast of the Three Magi or Epiphany. Legend and song tell us the Wise Men brought frankincense, myrrh, and gold as gifts to the Baby Jesus. Ever wonder why they bring those three gifts?
Ancient Jewish mystical traditions place those items as symbols of three spheres on the Tree of Life. The colors of the wise men refer to the colors of the spheres that each man represents. Frankincense belongs to the white sphere, Chokmah, whose names means Wisdom and offers the gift of guiding future decisions. Myrrh goes with the black sphere, Binah, meaning understanding. Its gift is the ability to look backwards and comprehend what has happened. Gold symbolizes Tiphareth, the yellow sphere which balances the light and dark.
In giving those gifts, the Wise Men demonstrate that the Baby Jesus will know both the past and the future with the talent to be able to balance them in an eternal now.
However you celebrate the beginnings of the New Year, may you find your home refreshed and your soul full of peace. If you want to know more about cleaning or refreshing your home, check this out. If you’d like ideas about creating your own blessing for a room or a home, check this article out. May the gifts of prophecy, astrology and intention support you in reaching that peace.