Descriptions of Festival Events

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For 2023, we are proud and excited to host the following offerings:

Rituals

Star Ruby

From Thelemapedia

The Star Ruby is a ritual written by Aleister Crowley who described it as a “new and more elaborate version of the Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram.” It is still considered to be an official ritual of the A.'.A.'. The Star Ruby will be performed as the opening ceremony of the Babalon Rising festival, and it is recommend that attendees familiarize themselves with this ritual.

Liber Resh vel Helios

From Thelemapedia

Liber Resh vel Helios, by Aleister Crowley, comprises four daily adorations to the Sun, to be performed at dawn, noon, sunset, and midnight. The general object is to focus the conscious mind on the center of our solar system. We will be performing the four stations of Resh daily during the Babalon Rising festival, and recommend that attendees familiarize themselves with this short and powerful Thelemic ritual. 

Gnostic Mass

Local bodies and loose confederations of wandering ritualistic troubadours from all over the US have presented the Gnostic Mass at Babalon Rising. We are proud to host anywhere from 1-3 Gnostic Mass celebrations throughout the course of the festival.

From Thelemapedia

Aleister Crowley wrote The Gnostic Mass—technically called Liber XV or "Book 15"—in 1913 while travelling in Moscow. In many ways it is similar in structure to the Mass of the Roman Catholic Church. However, the comparison ends there, as the Gnostic Mass is a celebration of the principles of Thelema. The ceremony calls for five officers: a priest, a priestess, a deacon, and two acolytes, called “children”. The end of the ritual culminates in the consumation of the eucharist, which is a glass of wine and the host, called a Cake of Light, after which the congregant proclaims “There is no part of me that is not of the gods!”

It is the central rite of Ordo Templi Orientis and it's ecclesiastical arm, Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica. The Gnostic Mass will be performed at the Babalon Rising Festival by [presenter].

As for why Crowley wrote the Gnostic Mass, he explains in Confessions:

While dealing with this subject I may as well outline its scope completely. Human nature demands (in the case of most people) the satisfaction of the religious instinct, and, to very many, this may best be done by ceremonial means. I wished therefore to construct a ritual through which people might enter into ecstasy as they have always done under the influence of appropriate ritual. In recent years, there has been an increasing failure to attain this object, because the established cults shock their intellectual convictions and outrage their common sense. Thus their minds criticize their enthusiasm; they are unable to consummate the union of their individual souls with the universal soul as a bridegroom would be to consummate his marriage if his love were constantly reminded that its assumptions were intellectually absurd.

I resolved that my Ritual should celebrate the sublimity of the operation of universal forces without introducing disputable metaphysical theories. I would neither make nor imply any statement about nature which would not be endorsed by the most materialistic man of science. On the surface this may sound difficult; but in practice I found it perfectly simple to combine the most rigidly rational conceptions of phenomena with the most exalted and enthusiastic celebration of their sublimity.

Crowley published the text of the Gnostic Mass three times: in 1918 in a publication called The International, in 1919 in The Equinox (III:1), and in 1929 in Magick in Theory and Practice. It was privately performed while Crowley was at the Abbey of Thelema, and it's first public performance was March 19, 1933 by Wilfred T. Smith and Regina Kahl in Hollywood, California at the first Agape Lodge. 

Feast of the Beast

Annual Babalon Rising Ritual
The Feast of the Beast celebratory ritual takes place Saturday night at each Babalon Rising Festival. All guests of the festival are invited to join in the Feast of the Beast as is their Will. The purpose of the Feast of the Beast ritual is to usher in the New Aeon and align all participants with the 93 current through the creation of the "Magickal Child". Attendees are encouraged to dress in costume, either as god-forms or as their higher selves/true selves. Scarlet Women, Satyrs, Warriors of Thebes, Maenads, Black-Robed Mages, Skyclad Nymphs, and all and sundry revelers are more than welcome! After the formal portion of this ritual is complete, midnight Resh is proclaimed and an all-night revel begins. Games with prizes will be ongoing. Feasting areas will be available to all assembled. The Feast of Food tent will contain snacks and beverages. Revelers are encouraged to store any alcohol to be consumed Saturday night in this tent, in order to keep glass away from the main fire. Please donate to the Feast of Food tent as you will. The Feast of Flesh tent will contain areas for consensual massage, experimental touch, cuddling, BDSM, and private areas for more intimate contact. Potential hierodules, doms, subs, massage therapists, Heiros Gamos couples, snuggle bunnies, and other individuals interested in pushing the boundaries of physical ecstasy are encouraged to play in this safe, spiritual space. We hope that the Feast of the Beast is an experience that will not only be enjoyable to our guests, but will also assist each of the participants in the realization and achievement of their True Wills. The aims of the Feast of the Beast ritual are summed up in part by Liber LXXVII, included below.

LIBER OZ
Liber LXXVII
"the law of the strong:
this is our law and the joy of the world." AL. II. 2
"Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law." --AL. I. 40
"thou hast no right but to do thy will. Do that, and no other shall
say nay." --AL. I. 42-3
"Every man and every woman is a star." --AL. I. 3
There is no god but man.

1. Man has the right to live by his own law--

to live in the way that he wills to do:

to work as he will:

to play as he will:

to rest as he will:

to die when and how he will.

2. Man has the right to eat what he will:

to drink what he will:

to dwell where he will:

to move as he will on the face of the earth.

3. Man has the right to think what he will:

to speak what he will:

to write what he will:

to draw, paint, carve, etch, mould, build as he will:

to dress as he will.

4. Man has the right to love as he will:--

"take your fill and will of love as ye will,

when, where, and with whom ye will." --AL. I. 51

5. Man has the right to kill those who would thwart these rights.

"the slaves shall serve." --AL. II. 58 "Love is the law, love under will." --AL. I. 57

Goetic Community Protection Ritual

Re DuVernay

In this ritual, we will call upon 3 different goetic demons, and ask them to protect our community. Originally performed at the Fall 2021 OEM Sabbat, this popular ritual requires a hand mirror, a scarf, and a cup or glass for each participant. You may bring your own if you prefer, or use one that Re provides. 

Honoring the Divine Bimbo

Clair Hartshorne

An exercise in reconnection and reclamation

Although its true etymology takes it back much further, the term “Bimbo” has been used as a slur for women since the 1920’s. It carries several negative connotations for women even to this day. In recent years however an awareness of internalized misogyny has caused several women to attempt to reclaim the word much like the word “slut”. 

To be taken seriously in a world which regularly seeks to diminish and dismiss women, many of us have taken the rejection of this idea to the extreme and will make a point to degrade or hate on this type of femininity. Hating on the color pink, or primping, or other women who we see as vacuous has caused a scar inside which I believe we should seek to heal.

The Divine Bimbo is divine feminine energy as pink, soft, and kind. Without need to prove oneself as strong or sharp it is simple relishing in the beauty of life and everything cute and fun. The ideals given to us in Disney Princess and Barbie movies aren’t inherently bad they just didn’t serve us in our pursuit to overcome patriarchal dominance. In order to embrace femininity fully we should take the time to forgive and love the Divine Bimbo that we see in ourselves and in others.

The class I will be leading will have two parts. The first will be discussion over our ideas on the word “Bimbo” and how we can honor the Divine Bimbo in ourselves and others. The second part will be more hands on where we will create an altar piece for ourselves by cleaning, brushing, and creating pink satin robes for abused and neglected dolls I have collected. If you have old dolls of your own you would like to use I highly encourage you to. Also anything you would like to decorate the dolls with you should bring.

This will be a ladies only ritual but will be inclusive of all women and femmes. To be clear, all feminine presenting people and trans-women will be welcome. 

Scarlet Temple

Scarlet Harlots 

Approach the Scarlet Temple and be embraced by an aspect of  Babalon. Scarlet Harlots in myraid manifestations wait inside, ready to engage with you. Bring a gift to gain access. Babalon accepts all. Come and receive Babalon's blessing through direct contact. Seek her wisdom and blessings in your life. Come with an open heart and an open mind.  The Great Mystery has many forms and many faces -- some of tender touch and some of firm words; some of thoughtful conversations and comforts; some of intense emotional exchange. 

When you  petition the Goddess, you will be lead to the first available Priestex.  

NOTE: If you wish  to serve as a vessel of Babalon for this temple service, please write to laureleiblack@gmail.com 

Performances/Entertainment

TBA

Lectures/Workshops/Demos

Illumi-Naughty Nightie Party

BR Org Team

On Wednesday night, the set-up pre-fest night, BR is hosting an Illumi-Naughty Nightie Party. Hoping to see some Babalonian baby-dolls, Thelemic teddies, Solomonic smoking jackets, kabbalistic kaftans, or whatever deliciously magickal boudoir attire you might have/create. We'll mix it together with some dance music and celebrate the start of another amazing BR.  

Goetic Witchcraft: How "Low" Can You Go?

Laurelei Black

"Goetia" derives from a Greek word meaning witchcraft or sorcery. It is a low (earthy, worldly) magick by nature. Its practice today, though, largely looks like other forms of "high magick." In her (recently revised and expanded) book The Witches' Key tot he Legion: A Guide to Solomonic Sorcery, Laurelei dives into a goetic practice that is inspired by Traditional Witchcraft with its natural, Shamanic, "low" roots. Join her for discussion of how and why to strip away the artifices from your art where the 72 spirits of the Legion are concerned. 

Pushing the Envelope: Boundaries, Will, and Consent at  Babalon Rising

BR Org Team

Aka: "Intro to Babalon Rising Festival;" "Aka: "All First-Timers Should Attend." Babalon Rising gives both fledgling and experienced Magicians the opportunity to explore their own boundaries -- magickally, spiritually, energetically, and sexually. Join Laurelei and other BR-veterans in an open, candid group discussion about respecting and working with both your own boundaries and those of other attendees in a conscious and conscientious Will-based environment.  If you are new the festival, it is HIGHLY recommended that you come to this workshop. (If you are a returning attendee, it is also highly recommended.) 

Priestess-Princess:  Women and the Royal Arts of Theurgy and Thaumaturgy

Laurelei Black

Magick has sometimes been called the “Royal Art,” largely due to the propensity in the Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern world (and later in Early Modern Europe) for practices like theurgy and thaumaturgy to be reserved only for members of the royal house -- or their designees. Women have taken an active part in these arts, though history and folklore have more readily recorded their gifts and contributions as something different than their fathers and brothers -- usually as poetry, witchcraft, and even prostitution. Join Laurelei Black for a look behind the veil that has shrouded the power and impact of these mighty women of magick.

Will the "Real" Priests and Priestexes Please Stand Up?

Laurelei Black and Friends

The Babalon Rising Festival is  fortunate to  be attended by many mighty magicians, and  yet one of the things that  organizers routinely  hear from prospective presenters is "I'm 'sort of' a Priestess of Babalon" -- or some other qualification or diminution of their role and service in relation to Babalon (or another Godform). This year, Laurelei Black is hosting a round-table discussion  with folks who would like to explore the questions, triumphs, struggles, training, service, and recognition they have experienced in relation to representing and/or serving the Divine.