Three Kings granular resin incense

Gold, frankincense and myrrh: the three gifts laid before the infant Christ are the most famous incense offering in the Western world.

Origin & Traditional Use

Three Kings incense is a blended granular resin incense, burned on charcoal, made in the spirit of the Magi’s gifts. Blends of this kind come from the church tradition of censing altars, homes and people as a sign of prayer rising, and they are burned at home for blessing and a clean, resinous atmosphere.

Uses by Tradition

Folk Catholicism & Spiritism

• Epiphany house blessing: on or around 6 January, each room is censed and the year and the letters C+M+B are chalked above the front door.
• Saints’ altars: burned as an offering while praying a novena or lighting a vigil candle.
• Blessing objects: rosaries, medals and holy cards are passed through the smoke before they are given or worn.

Witchcraft & Folk Magick

• Consecration: smoke new tools, altar cloths and jewellery before first use.
• New home: burn in each room on moving day before any furniture comes in.

A Simple Working

• Light a charcoal tablet in a censer and let it glow evenly.
• Set a white candle in the middle of your table or altar.
• Drop a pinch of the incense on the coal.
• Carry the censer through the house, starting at the front door and moving clockwise.
• In each room, pray for peace and protection on everyone who lives there.
• Return to the candle, add one more pinch, and let both burn out.

Pairs Well With

• Charcoal tablets: the incense needs a lit coal.
• Blessing chalk: for marking the door at Epiphany.
• A white chime candle: for blessing and prayer.
• Holy water: the other half of a traditional house blessing.

Lore & History

The Gospel of Matthew does not say how many Magi came or name them; the number three comes from the three gifts, and the names Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar appear in Western tradition by the sixth century. In Germany and Austria, children dressed as the Kings still go house to house at Epiphany, singing, blessing doors and chalking ‘C+M+B’, also read as Christus mansionem benedicat, ‘may Christ bless this house’.

What You Receive

Three Kings granular resin incense, a blended granular incense for burning on charcoal. Available in 1/3 oz, 1 oz, 2 oz and 1 lb.