Triarchia — Festival of the Three Kings

Athenian Calendar Date: 13 Pyanepsion
Honouring: Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades
Origin: Modern festival by the SoTC.

What is Triarchia?

Triarchia is a festival that honours the three kings: Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. This is a day to celebrate their brotherhood and ruling of the realms!

This festival focuses on:

  • The Three Kings.
  • Zeus, as King of the Gods and Sky.
  • Poseidon, as King of the Sea.
  • Hades, the Unseen One, as King of the Underworld.
  • Sovereignty and Rulership.
  • Leadership.
  • Elements from all the realms or kings.

Offerings to the Kings

  • Zeus
    • Honey
    • Water and wine mixed
    • Olive oil
    • Grains
    • Cakes (such as small honey cakes)
    • Bread
    • Red meat
    • Fruit
    • Incense
    • Oak
  • Poseidon
    • Honey
    • Water and wine mixed
    • Sea water
    • Bread
    • Incense
    • Fish
    • Pine
    • Seaweed
    • Votive horses
  • Hades
    • Milk and honey
    • Olive oil
    • Wine
    • Barley grains
    • Pomegranate
    • Cakes (such as small honey cakes)
    • Bread
    • Plants and herbs associated with the underworld (e.g. asphodel, cypress, mint)
    • Candles or torches
    • Incense
    • Coins

As Hades is a chthonic deity, offerings should be buried, burnt, or poured into the ground. Note: Poisonous plants should not be burnt.

Ways to Celebrate Triarchia

  • Write and recite hymns to the Three Kings.
  • Leave offerings and pour libations for the kings.
  • Meditate with the kings.
  • Write and do a ritual including all of the kings.
  • Research about them.
  • Reflect on their place in your practice or if you want to include them more, if you don’t already.
  • Connect with the sky, sea (or water), or earth.
  • Have a group celebration where participants can share their experiences with the kings.
  • Do one devotional act for each king.

Celebrating Triarchia at the Sanctuary of the Crossroads

For Triarchia 2025, the Sanctuary will be hosting a range of activities including:

Zeus:

  • Share a goal or vow that you’re working towards.
  • Share a time you achieved a goal and how you felt.
  • Pick an epithet of Zeus’ and reflect on what this epithet means to you and how you may connect with it better.

Poseidon:

  • Share an experience that reminds you of the chaotic nature of the sea.
  • Drawing what reminds you of Poseidon.
  • Pick an epithet of Poseidon’s and reflect on what this epithet means to you and how you may connect with it better.

Hades:

  • Share a message in the gratitude chat to remember an ancestor or spirit.
  • Share a memory with an ancestor or spirit.
  • Do an activity that you used to do with someone who has passed to remember them.
  • Pick an epithet of Hades’ and reflect on what this epithet means to you and how you may connect with it better.

You can join us on Discord to RSVP for this event and attend.

© Sanctuary of the Crossroads 2026