“Grant us your favour, My Lord,  show us this day your star,  the one once you showed to the Magi. The star that led the Magi to Christ, may lead us to Christ’s mysteries.”  – De Stella Magorum

Adoration and Recognition - Adoration of the Magi (Wise Men) from the East. Shepherds visiting after the angelic announcement of Jesus's birth.

The Three Wise Men

Adoration of the Kings or Visitation of the Wise Men 

Epiphany

 also known as Theophany in Eastern Christian tradition,[5] is a Christian feast day commemorating the visit of the Magi, the baptism of Jesus, and the wedding at Cana.

The word Epiphany is from Koine Greek ἐπιφάνεια, epipháneia, meaning manifestation or appearance. It is derived from the verb φαίνειν, phainein, meaning 'to appear'.[26] In classical Greek it was used for the appearance of dawn, of an enemy in war, but especially of a manifestation of a deity to a worshipper (a theophany). In the Septuagint the word is used of a manifestation of the God of Israel (2 Maccabees 15:27).

Recognition by both the wise spiritual royalty, and by the simple shepherds

"The three mage-kings are being taught by the Christ-child or the Son of Light. Although they brought gifts of spiritual royalty, immortality and prophecy, these were merely reminders of the Blessed God-Child that presented itself before them, and in who's presence they were uplifted." - Mike Bais

The Gifts of the Magi

Balthazar’s Gift: Myrrh - Purification, Death, Sacrifice, Transformation

Melchior’s gift of gold is a tribute to a king; Gaspar’s frankincense is the offering of priest. It is Balthazar’s gift of myrrh that proclaims another central tenet of Christianity: the mystery of Jesus’ death and Resurrection.

it represents death, purification, and transformation due to its use in embalming, healing, and sacred rituals.

In ancient traditions, myrrh was associated with the divine feminine, the soul's journey, and spiritual cleansing, often linked to mourning and sacrifice.

Balthazar, one of the Magi, brought myrrh to the infant Jesus as a symbolic gift foreshadowing Jesus' suffering and death. In Christian mysticism, myrrh signifies the bitterness of the cross and the mortal nature of Christ’s humanity, complementing gold (divinity) and frankincense (worship). It was a prophetic offering, pointing to Jesus’ role as a sacrificial savior, as myrrh was used in burial rites (e.g., John 19:39). Esoterically, it may also suggest spiritual alchemy—the transformation of the soul through trials.

Balthazar’s choice reflects myrrh’s ancient value and its role in preparing the body and soul for divine passage, aligning with Jesus’ destiny.

Uses of Myrrh in the Ancient World (c. 1000–3000 years ago):

1. Embalming and Burial: Myrrh was critical in ancient Egyptian mummification, used to preserve bodies and mask decay odors. Hebrews and other cultures also anointed corpses with myrrh (e.g., Nicodemus used myrrh for Jesus’ burial, John 19:39).
2. Medicine: Valued for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties, myrrh treated wounds, infections, and digestive issues. It was used in salves, ointments, and oral remedies across Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece.
3. Incense and Rituals: Burned as incense in religious ceremonies, myrrh purified spaces and invoked divine presence. In Egyptian temples, it was offered to gods like Ra. Hebrews used it in sacred anointing oils (Exodus 30:23–25).
4. Perfume and Cosmetics: Myrrh’s aromatic resin was a luxury in perfumes, oils, and cosmetics, prized in Egypt, Persia, and Rome for personal adornment and seduction (e.g., Song of Solomon 1:13).
5. Trade and Wealth: As a rare commodity from regions like Arabia and East Africa, myrrh was a valuable trade item along the Incense Route, symbolizing wealth and status.
6. Sacrificial Offerings: In various cultures, myrrh was offered to deities, symbolizing devotion and the soul’s ascent through its rising smoke.

Symbolism and Correspondences:

• Death and Transition: Associated with mortality and the afterlife, myrrh symbolized the soul’s journey and preparation for divine realms, especially in funerary contexts.
• Purification: Its cleansing properties linked it to spiritual purification, clearing negative energies and consecrating sacred spaces.
• Sacrifice and Suffering: Myrrh’s bitter scent represented sacrifice, endurance, and the trials of transformation, as seen in its gift to Jesus, foreshadowing his crucifixion.
• Divine Feminine: In esoteric traditions, myrrh was tied to the goddess (e.g., Isis in Egypt), embodying nurturing, healing, and the mysteries of life and death.
• Mystical Union: Its use in anointing oils signified divine connection, bridging human and divine realms, often associated with priesthood and kingship.
• Planetary and Elemental Correspondences: In ancient astrology and alchemy, myrrh was linked to the Moon (intuition, feminine energy) or Saturn (death, discipline), and the element of water (emotion, purification).
• Healing and Rebirth: Myrrh’s medicinal role symbolized restoration and spiritual alchemy, transforming suffering into enlightenment.

Library of Light Edition 1.0 — Last revised: June 2026