Note: The Paranormal Corner is made up of different people of many
faiths. Disrespecting the writers and their viewpoints will not be
tolerated.
I ask that all things be considered when reading this article and add
that if you do not like the subjects of this article, save yourself the
time by simply not reading it.
Every year in Miami, Fl a Parade is held on the 6th of January in honor
of Los Tres Reyes Magos (The Three Magi Kings). It is a tradition from a
much older Christian European tradition aligned with the original date
for Christmas and the Epiphany. But who were the Magi? Why is so little
spoken about them on Christmas? Why all the mystery? What reasons would
modern Christians have to fear their history when it so intricately fits
into the old and new testament? The Magi are perhaps the most enigmatic
and important people of the Bible with a religious tradition going back
since before the time of Christ. To know these things, one must open
mindedly search for the truth among not only the ancient records, but
the modern mages of today to know the whole story. The story of the Magi
is the mostly unexplored history of today's Magicians.
Tradition holds that the Magi were Pagan Kings of Persia (Iran), India,
and Babylonia (sometimes Arabia rather than Babylonia). Their names were
Gaspar, Balthazar, and Melchior. But there are all manner of
contradictory information on the Magi not only from religious tradition
but by secular and Biblical scholars alike. Some scholars believe they
all came from Persia and were Priests of the Medes. Some scholars even
claim much to the shock and disgust of Christians, that the Magi who
visited Christ were a secret sect created by the Prophet Daniel during
the time that Hebrews were enslaved in Persia.
His apprentice was a Pagan Prophet named Baalam in some sources, who
continued the lineage of Hebrew Polytheism (Paganism) inside the Persian
Polytheist lineage. It should also be noted that the word Magi from
Persian Magus once also was used for a Median tribe. (*) Whatsoever the
history, Magi were and are still real as even today there are Kurds who
claim to descend from the original Magi and the title is still used by
magical priests in other countries and in Pagan traditions including
solitary Pagans unaffiliated with lineages. Though tradition mentions
the names of only Three (possibly the leaders), they were most likely
attended to by larger groups of Priests and possibly Priestesses,
apprentices, scholars, philosophers, and many more including warriors.
The belief that there were only three Magi comes from their names being
revealed in tradition.
Possibly because they were very well known in their day and so when the
story of Yeshua would be read or told everyone knew who they were.
However their names were not revealed until later centuries though in
Folklore (the history of the people themselves carried by generations)
the same three names almost unchanged except for being translated,
appears over and over again.
Even in the Bible, the number of Magi is never mentioned. They were
Mages or Magicians (hence the term Magi), Masters of Witchcraft who knew
the Arts well and who were able to foretell things by looking into the
Stars (Astrology). The original translation of the word Magi originates
from the Indo-Persian 'Magh' which means powerful, wealthy, and gifted.
The reason behind this is simply because they were powerful or gifted in
the magical arts and also because they were so commanding politically
and culturally that they became their own class of Nobles. They were
slightly more powerful than regular nobles as they had the ability later
on to choose the King in power in Persia. However, modern Mages have
expressed to me that they were not exclusively Persian because a Mage
can be found in any religion under various names and in the Middle East,
at that time, they say the religious world was so interconnected that
Magi were found in different countries. Though Persia was obviously
where they were the most powerful, Babylonia was a close second. Baalam
recorded the legend of the Messiah from Daniel to pass it down to new
generations of Magi for them to prepare for the worship and discipleship
under Christ.
So for all we know there may have been Magi in the ranks of Yeshua's own
followers. Others argue the tradition is correct and that they all came
from three different countries. The sign of the Hebrew God sending down
the Messiah was seen by all three in their perspective countries (or
same country). But we know from history records that people in many
countries saw the phenomenon.
This phenomenon leads them to embark on a quest across the lands and
countries of the middle-east to find the Jewish Messiah (1). They would
have needed enough supplies to last them for many days to travel so far
and reach Yeshua. This journey may have taken several months. One thing
of note here is that scholars today will argue that they were not real
Kings; they may have been called Kings because they were Enlightened
Masters, living as Saints on Earth such as the Buddhas, Gurus or Saints
of the Sikhs and are today regarded by many as Ascended Masters in
Heavenly realms. Conversely, if Magi were already a more powerful class
of Nobles then the Magi being called Kings may have been a sign that
they were at the top of the hierarchy of their order. Scholars now
think they were Zoroastrians, the early forefathers of modern day
Gnosticism. Other scholars think they evolved from an off shoot of
Zoroastrianism. This would further explain why they were interested not only in meeting Yeshua but in worshipping him.
Gnostics believe that all religions were once one religion (originally a
spiritual science handed down to humanity by the Gods), and that in
this ancient faith, all Gods were worshiped and all magic was practiced.
They believe in supreme Gods known as the Godhead. They further
believed that Yahweh also known as Bythos the Creator of all other Gods
and creatures was one of the Highest Deities of the Godhead.
Zoroastrians identified this Deity as Ahura Mazda (The Wise Lord); the
same God as Yahweh or Allah in Muslim tradition.
If these are the forefathers of Gnosticism then they more than likely
held similar beliefs. Thus the Messiah was considered to be the Messiah
for all religious groups, not just the Jews but even for at least some
of the Pagans of the time. This is not surprising as Pagans in many
cultures had Messiahs that ranged from; Horus, Dionysus, Mithra, and
many others.
Even some Buddhists view Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha) as a type of
Messiah brought to free the world from Samsara. This new Messiah was
just the most recent in an already long established line of saviors.
Clearly, the story of the Hebrew Messiah was also well known to other
parts of the Middle East. Because they were Zoroastrian mages, they
would've been well educated about many Gods and magic and therefore knew
the Christ God was coming to Earth. All followers on both sides who
claim that Paganism and Christianity do not mix, must reevaluate in lieu
of this information and remember that God sent Pagan Mages and Priests
to bestow gifts and worship Christ as a newborn child. He then revealed
the signs in the sky to lead them to the newborn child.
Would Yahweh really send people he would view as 'ungodly' or
'blasphemous' to visit his son? To me, that just doesn't make any sense.
That's like God sending Devil Worshipers to give Yeshua gifts. He also
displayed signs that any Magician would recognize as mystical. That
confirms his support for Astrology. Nowhere in the Bible does Yahweh
ever say he does not approve of them.
The Magi's original trip was cut short when Yahweh entered their dreams
and warned them of King Herod's attempts at trying to Kill Yeshua as a
newborn. They stopped the journey in the home of Herod, the Roman
appointed King of Israel (2). This is a testament to their importance.
Either they were real Kings or they were Kings in their own right for
being Magicians and Enlightened Masters. Only someone of that level of
importance could have entered the Palace of Herod.
When they communicated with Herod that the Messiah would be born he
feared for his rule. The Messiah had to be of pure Royal blood according
to the Prophecy. Furthermore, a divinity sent by Yahweh himself would
already have more power than the Roman appointed ruler. Herod however
was crafty and he told them "When you find the Messiah, please inform me
of his whereabouts so that I may worship him along with you."
His ultimate plan was to murder the Messiah and prevent him from ever
being a threat. But when Yahweh warned them in dreams, of Herod's plot,
they split up and hid for two years so that Herod would not follow them
to Yeshua. Here we have a Dream Interpretation that God participated in.
If using Magic and Interpreting dreams is a 'sin' that would mean
Yahweh participated in a sin willingly. The fact that God did this is
proof sorcery is not a sin.
The idea that this activity might be a sin springs from Emperor
Constantine when he rewrote the Bible. But I digress. The Magi did not
find Yeshua until two years later when he was in his toddler years. When
Herod found out the Magi had vanished he flew into a rage and demanded
that every newborn male child in Jerusalem had to be killed. The
Archangel Gabrielle (Hebrew) or Jibriel (Arabic) warned Josef and Maryam
(3) of the slaughter and they moved away to a land called Nazareth.
There they stayed in Nazareth until the holy archangel told them to
return. Finally, when they did, the Magi found them. An important thing
to note is that scientists think the Star of Bethlehem phenomenon may
have happened more than once. There are even ancient records to prove
it. Could another such phenomenon created by Yahweh have led the Magi
Kings back to Yeshua? Perhaps someday we will know for sure.
Mystical Christians today have formed the Eternal Order of the Magi,
where they train and teach disciples for enlightenment. The idea of the
Magi and their pre- Gnostic teachings are passed down through initiation
and discipleship into the Order.
You can join the society if you are interested. In Europe, Cunning Folk
or Witches would advise people to draw the initials CBM near doors and
windows to keep out evil spirits as a warding amulet. These initials,
CBM represent the following; Caspar (the Anglicized name of Gaspar),
Balthazar, and Melchior. In NOLA Hoodoo this is done before or after New
Years to prevent bad spirits from entering. I can personally testify to
the great power that ensues by using and invoking their names in magic.
I have even called on the Magi in several of my magical workings and
when I took an apprentice for the first time; I realized my student had a
strong connection to the Magi when she prayed, but that is a story for
another Yule.
These powerful spiritual beings who rule this time of year, The Magi,
are among the sacred Lords of Yule/Sol Invictus/Saturnalia/Christmas.
They are known for bestowing blessings upon the needy (4) , ensuring
that through the dark time of the year the dead can visit their loved
ones (5), and allowing those who must leave this realm to cross over.
The Day sacred to the Magi is January 6th, also known as the Festival of
the Three Kings, The Festival of the Magi, or the Festival of the three
Magi Kings is celebrated by Christian Witches and by the Cuban
Christian community (both by Catholics and non-Catholics) both in North
America and Cuba.; Christians Witches are also known as Mystical
Christians. In Miami, Florida, the Cuban people have a great Festival
with men dressed as the Magi Kings in the streets, reenacting the events
of the Magicians finding Yeshua. The festival in tradition does not end
until
January 11th.
Both 6 (Hexagram, Star of David) and 11 (The Master number) are
important numbers in numerology. The feast was clearly an important one
for many of the European Magoi. One wonders if they ever suspected the
prominent spiritual role they had in store for them 2000 years after
their deaths.
Notes:
(*)
I've come to suspect that many tribes started out not as nations or
tribes but as spiritual orders. The Gypsies, for instance, claim St.
Sara the Egyptian (or Sara La Kali who is a Gnostic Christian Saint and
Priestess) is their direct blood ancestor. The Gypsies started out as
Christian Hebrews and Egyptian Christian converts who followed Sara and
her mother Maryam of Magdala (Mary Magdalene) along with St. Marta and
St. Lazarus who Gnostic legend says came to France where they were
greeted by Pagan Shamans and became respected members of the community.
Centuries later the Jett people from Northern India and Pakistan came to
Europe to escape the war between Afghanistan and their own country.
They mixed with Shamans who by that time were descended of both
Europeans and Sara's people. Because she had come from Kemet or Egypt
they were later called Gypsies.
The most prominent genetic marker of all Gypsies is the one linking them
to the Jett people. Of course to be fair, Sara and her people were a
minority that was quickly absorbed by the French Pagan majority. Jett
refugees came in untold numbers, to Europe, based on the genetic
evidence from the Gypsies/Rome/Romany. They could actually really be
descendants of Egyptians and Hebrews as well. Quite simply, the Jett
gene is easier to prove because they absorbed the original two groups.
The point is, we saw how two religious groups merged into one tribe
which then merged with another group of people. The reason why some of
the Medes may have been called Magi could be due to the possibility that
they all started as Magicians who then formed a tribe and became a
Magician tribe like the original Gypsies (though many Gypsies of today
have turned their back on their Folk Faith and don't even want to be
called Gypsies instead preferring Rome).
(1)
The majority of the Jewish community does not believe Yeshua of Nazareth
was the Messiah. Although smaller groups known as Messianic Jews or
simply "Jews for Jesus" do acknowledge him as the Christ. They practice a
type of revival of Yeshua's original Judeo-Christian version of his
teachings; although some are more original to the source than others.
See Gnostic Christianity, Esoteric Christianity, and the Kabbalah.
(2)
The Romans had conquered Syria Palaestina, or Palestine as we call it
today, (there were many Kingdoms in this land including Israel, the
whole country was not Israel) they set up a brutal military occupation
(much like Palestine today) and brutalized the population. This
continued to the extent of performing mass executions of anyone deemed a
rebel. Herod, a noble, who saw his opportunity to seize control
appealed to Emperor Octavian, the first Emperor of Rome, convincing him
that under his leadership Israel would bow down to the Romans and to
their Emperor. Augustus Octavian agreed and placed Herod as the false
King. In reality St. Josef, Yeshua's human Father, was a direct
descendant of the Kings of Israel. He had the true claim with scrolls in
the Hebrew Libraries proving his Royal lineage.
Because he was St. Josef’s foster son (or real son if you do not believe
in his divinity) Yeshua would have had the true claim to the throne.
This lineage is the reason Herod wanted him dead. Herod wanted to
eliminate the competition. The initials I.N.R.I. are on the Cross of
Christ for this reason; The Romans put it on the cross. In Latin the
words of each initial are Iēsus Nazarēnus, Rēx Iūdaeōrum or "Yeshua of
Nazareth, King of the Jews."
(3)
In this post I am using the actual historical names of the figures and
places. Not the Anglicized or modern names; this is to avoid further
stealing the people and their significance from their culture. See,
Cultural Appropriation and Cultural Misappropriation.
(4)
Santa Claus is really a mixed concept. There is no such thing as just
one Yule Lord. Different people expect different beings to arrive to
them on this time of year. Some believe it is the Magi and others still
think it is La Befana (The Giver of Gifts) their friend who was a Roman
Hedge witch. In China they have their own version of a spiritual being
that looks upon the sinners and the virtuous and reports what they have
done to the Divine Emperor for either rewards or punishments. The Norse
Heathens who worship the Aesir (Heavenly Gods) and Vanir (Earthly Gods)
believe Odin and Thor are the ones who comes forth baring gifts to the
faithful. For Christians, it is St. Nicholas of Myra (Bari) who does
this. For Greek worshipers of the Theoi (Gods) it is Poseidon.
Sometimes the Magi or someone else will be the one to bestow the Gifts.
Also, the 'gifts' are not to be taken literally. The Yule Lords bestow
gifts spiritually. For a witch it may be magic, for a poor family it may
be prosperity, for a lonely person it may be love, and for a sickly
person it may be health. The Yule Lords, including Nicholas never really
gave physical gifts. That tradition of receiving physical gifts comes
from giving a person a gift of cloths on Yule to ward off the Yule Cat: a
Demonic Black Cat as big as a horse in some stories that preys on the
poor. It's a Demonic familiar of a Hag (demon witch) named Frau Percha.
The act of having a physical gift brings prosperity which wards it off.
It also comes from a group of Nuns from France who in the 1100's were
inspired by the story of St. Nicholas and the destitute daughters, and
chose the 6th night of December (coinciding with Pagan celebrations
still celebrated on this day) to feed the poor by leaving them food in
their used stockings. These are things humans do, not spirits. These are
the origins of the Christmas stockings still used today.
(5)
The Dark Time of Year, starts from October and does not truly end till
February. Modern peoples of the world think that the Veil closes after
Samhain (Halloween). This is far from the truth. Samhain is where it
truly begins. The Interdimensional doorways do not close until the
festival of Imbolg in February. The Dead remain with us until then and
scores of other worldly creatures remain on Earth until then as well.
These remaining creatures range from Faeries, Angels, and even Demons to
name but a few. This includes Human souls and the occasional alternate
universe creature; not a spirit but an entity such as an animal that
does not truly belong in this Universe. There are even stories of people
from our world venturing off into other worlds through these unseen
boundaries. Sometimes they come back with a hell of a story to tell and
other times they simply vanish never to return. This is the time of year
ruled by the Winter Court or Dark Faeries.
Read also "Why ghosts haunt England at Christmas but steer clear of America" at
http://theconversation.com/why-ghosts-haunt-england-at-christmas-but-steer-clear-of-america-34629
Bibliography:
Indiana University, “Star of Bethlehem may have been planets Jupiter and Venus”
Article distributed by Indiana University News Room, http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/1203.html Published, December 16, 2003
Pravmir.com - Orthodoxy and the World, “Feasts. Calendar; The Magi”
Article distributed by Pravmir.com - Orthodox Christianity and the World, http://www.pravmir.com/printer_145.html Published, December 31, 2006
D.M. Murdock/Acharya S, “The Star in the East and Three Kings”
Article distributed by Stellar House Publishing, http://www.stellarhousepublishing.com/star-east-three-kings.html Published, January, 2015
Original Christmas Gift, “The Magi”
Article distributed by OriginalChristmasGift.com, http://www.originalchristmasgift.com/gpage.html
Jeanne K. Hanson, “The Star of Bethlehem: The History, Mystery, and Beauty of the Christmas Star”
Book distributed by Jeanne K. Hudson, Published by: Hearst Books Published, October 1, 1994
Bishop Katia, “Mages – The Magi in the Bible”
Article distributed Katia, Published by: Katia’s Esoteric Christianity Blog; Inner Christian Teachings and Mysteries, http://www.northernway.org/weblog/?p=868 Published, October 5, 2013
Bishop Katia, “Day of the Magi, January 6 has Esoteric Meaning”
Article distributed Katia, Published by: Katia’s Esoteric Christianity Blog; Inner Christian Teachings and Mysteries, http://www.northernway.org/weblog/?p=7 Published, January 4, 2007
CBS Miami, “Three Kings Parade”
Articles distributed CBS Miami, Published by: CBS Miami, http://miami.cbslocal.com/tag/three-kings-parade/
"History of the Medes, (Magi and Enchanters of Old)”
Article distributed taroscopes.com, Published by: taroscopes.com, http://www.taroscopes.com/miscellanous-pages/medes.html
Chuck Missler, “Who Were the Magi?”
Article distributed Chuck Missler, Published by: L. Dolphin/Koinonia House Ministries http://www.ldolphin.org/magi.html Published, November 1999
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