Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Pagan
January 6 – Three Kings’ Day Feast

January 6 – Three Kings’ Day Feast

Last updated on: July 7, 2022 at 4:39 pm by Lilith Dorsey

January 6 – Three Kings’ Day Feast 2022-07-07T16:39:16-05:00 Lilith Dorsey

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Cultural appropriation is a very hot topic of late. People want to explore, understand, and enjoy other cultures. This, however, must be done respectfully. Pagans like to rightfully point out how history has shown that the Catholic Church and other organized religions have frequently appropriated traditional Pagan holidays and celebrations. The feast of the Three Kings is a celebration that many have, in a reversal of fortune, taken back from the Christians.

The religion of La Regla Lucumi, more commonly known as Santeria, has a long history of syncretism that is confusing to most. Some practitioners remain devout Catholics while carrying out their practices, and others just use the symbols of the religion. This is because that’s what their ancestors were required to do during colonialism and slavery. In my experience those in the tradition have little problem with the crossovers. These people salute the Ashe, or universal life force present in all things. St. Michael is saluted as a representation of Ogun, the Ashe of the warrior, a champion of the oppressed, and a soldier fighting evil… they are all viewed as the same. The feast of the Three Kings is no different, it is an opportunity for celebration and change.

Many communities around the globe celebrate the three kings, there is even a three day extravaganza at Disneyland. My hometown of New York City is no different and the celebration here is truly fitting for kings. The streets are lined with camels, sheep, and hundreds of school children wearing homemade crowns. The botanicas, or spiritual supply houses, in Spanish Harlem light candles, sell incense, and perform ceremonies for the Three Kings, or Wise Men ( Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar,) who finally made it to the Christ Child on January 6 to deliver their gifts. The sacred gifts were Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. In the Lucumi (Santeria) tradition the feast is a celebration of great fortune. Many people refer to the day as the Feast of the Epiphany, and it is a time for facilitating your own epiphanies. It is a salute to those pivotal moments in life when everything can change in an instant. You can speed this process along and celebrate by making Three Kings Oil.

Another wonderful way to celebrate is with food. On this day Food offerings are made of Kings’ Bread or Rosca de Reyes, tamales, spicy tortilla soup, and Mexican-style Hot Chocolate.

First attempt at pouring hot chocolate by christopher cornelius. Licensed under CC 2.0

Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipe

– This is a ritual recipe designed to brings profound blessings of fortune and speedy change. Drink it today and be sure to leave out a cup for your ancestors, including Abuelita.

Ingredients:

1 Vanilla bean

3 cups Milk

1 cup Light Cream

1/3 cup grated dark chocolate

1 tablespoon Sugar

4 cinnamon sticks

dash Chili powder

Warm milk and cream in a saucepan over very low heat. Add chocolate, vanilla bean, sugar, cinnamon sticks and chili powder. Stir frequently with a whisk as chocolate begins to melt. Cook for 10-15 minutes until all ingredients are combined. Remove from heat and cool for 10 minutes. Reheat before serving. Enjoy ! For more ritual recipes please be sure to check out my African-American Ritual Cookbook.

Many blessings to you this Three Kings Day !

About Lilith Dorsey

Lilith Dorsey M.A., hails from many magickal traditions, including Afro-Caribbean, Celtic, and Indigenous American spirituality. Their traditional education focused on Plant Science, Anthropology, and Film at the University of R.I, New York University, and the University of London, and their magickal training includes numerous initiations in Santeria also known as Lucumi, Haitian Vodoun, and New Orleans Voodoo. Lilith Dorsey is also a Voodoo Priestess and in that capacity has been doing successful magick since 1991 for patrons, is editor/publisher of Oshun-African Magickal Quarterly, filmmaker of the experimental documentary Bodies of Water :Voodoo Identity and Tranceformation,’ and choreographer/performer for jazz legend Dr. John’s “Night Tripper” Voodoo Show. They have long been committed to providing accurate and respectful information about the African Traditional Religions and are proud to be a published Black author of such titles as Voodoo and African Traditional Religion, 55 Ways to Connect to Goddess, The African-American Ritual Cookbook, Love Magic, the bestselling Orishas, Goddesses and Voodoo Queens and the award winning Water Magic. You can read more about the author here.

Previous Post

January 2, 2015

Letter of the Year for 2015 Released From Yoruba Association of Cuba

Next Post

January 8, 2015 4500 Year Old Egyptian Queen Khentkaus III Rediscovered

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Ancestors astrology Candomble Crystals Divination Entertainment Goddess Herbs Hoodoo Ifa Pagan Ritual Recipes Santeria Spells Uncategorized Vodou Voodoo Witchcraft

Select a Month May 2025 January 2025 September 2024 August 2024 April 2024 March 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 September 2023 June 2023 March 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 January 2022 November 2021 October 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

My walls crumbled after seven days of marching, shouting, and trumpet blasts. What city am I?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Bethel Jericho Ai Jerusalem