The Gifts of the magi Tarot Reading

Dec 25

“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11

My favorite part of the nativity story has always been about the three magi, their use of astrology to follow the “star of Bethlehem”, but I was always intrigued by the choice of their gifts. Inspired by this story, I decided to create a little tarot spread to honor my favorite Christmas characters, but specifically, their symbolic gifts of Gold (Kingship), Frankincense (Divinity), and Myrrh (Suffering/Death), each a symbolic foreshadowing of what was to come for little baby Jesus.

With the permission of one of my clients, I am sharing their reading of this tarot spread.

The Adoration of the Kings by Jan Gossaert

The Magi’s Gifts Tarot Reading: A tarot reading identifying your inner gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

“When they opened their treasures…”

This reading explores the inner gifts you already possess, the ones that help you live wisely, stay connected, and move through the challenges in life with in a meaningful way.

(With the permission of a client, I am sharing the first reading I did of this spread. I would encourage you to pull cards for yourself to explore.)

Gold: Your Sovereignty

This is about your worth and agency. Where are you ready to lead life more consciously?

3 of Wands: Paul sails towards Syracuse. After the shipwreck on Malta, Paul the Apostle continues on and sails toward Syracuse, stopping there for three days. While danger has passed, the mission isn't finished. Paul isn't fighting a storm anymore, but moving forward with intention for what lies ahead. For this client, it’s about trusting their position and aligning with that sovereignty.

Gold here isn’t dominance or control, it’s quiet confidence and governance of one's own momentum. "I know who I am."

Frankincense: Your Divinity

This is about your divine purpose and inner alignment. What helps you feel connected to something larger than yourself?

Strength: St. George and the dragon. St. George doesn't defeat the dragon with hatred or berserker rage, but with a calm and composed demeanor, which contrasts the myth of a dragon which is chaotic, scary, and untamed. As the Frankincense gift for this client, this isn't about destroying the dragon, but consecrating it. This is a holy act that demonstrates spiritual mastery, courage, and alignment with one's divinity.

This is emotional regulation. Compassion towards oneself. "I am steady and sanctified and can face challenges aligned with something greater than my fear."

Myrrh: Your Humanity

This is about the reality of being human and the suffering that comes with that. How can you find compassion and honor your suffering as a human, and the wisdom that comes with it?

The World: The four Evangelists. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, all witnesses of the suffering and miracle in the incarnation of Jesus. This gift acknowledges the suffering in our humanity, and The World card reframes how one might experience suffering. While the World card indicates a completion or achievement, it's made more meaningful through the lived experience. For the client, the experienced pain isn't about failure but completion, and that completion is an initiation is as such where the client cannot return to who they once were. There is an ache in becoming something new, and this card acknowledges that.

"I don't ignore life's pain; I live it. I learn from it, and I become whole from it. “

The Four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John.

How These Gifts Work Together

This is about integrating these gifts into practical application. What wisdom is gained when these gifts are honored?

Judgement: This is the perfect integration card for this spread. It resolves the reading like a sort of activation button. It's about being called. Judgement encourage one to return an answer. In this case, the client already knows where they're going. What they are learning now is how to carry themselves there and honoring what had to happen for this next chapter of life to be possible.