The feast of Epiphany honors the Magi and is also known as the “The Adoration of the Magi” or “The Manifestation of God” ending the twelve days of Christmas as calculated in traditional times. This is the celebration of the Three Kings, Three Wise Men or Three Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar that followed the star to Bethlehem and brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Christ child.

January 6 was the original date celebrating the birth of Christ in the early Christian traditions and is still recognized and celebrated by the Eastern Christian Church. However, in the fourth century, the Western Christian Church adopted December 25 as the date of the Feast of Christ’s birth giving rise to the tradition of the “12 Days of Christmas.” The following quote gives an interesting view of how this time was celebrated…

On the evening before Three Kings, traditionally there were prayers, blessed dried herbs would be burnt and their aromatic smell would fill the house. Doorways would be sprinkled with holy water and the master of the house would write with chalk C + M + B and the year above the house and barn door and say: “Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar, behütet uns auch für dieses Jahr, vor Feuer und vor Wassergefahr.” (“CMB, protect us again this year from the dangers of fire and water.”) C + M + B has traditionally been translated with Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, however, according to the Church it stands for “Christus Mansionem Benedictat” (Christ bless this home). This website is not longer available http://www.serve.com/shea/germusa/3kings.htm

It is also interesting to note that the Magi were trained in the astrological mysteries of As Above, So Below and that is how they knew it was time to find the Light that had birthed into the world.

All who are drawn to the As Above, So Below mysteries at this time – in whatever ways – are the returning Magi from ancient times here to assist with the Turning of the Great Wheel of Time.

Also Magi is the root word for magic, imagine, and imagination. When we use our imagination to imagine Peace and Joy to all we are engaging the magic of the Magi.

Some of this information was on Wilson’s Almanac website but that website is no longer available. 

This website has more http://www.crystalinks.com/magi.html