Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Q): What does it cost to attend the festival?
A): The cost of attendance to the festival is $111.00 at the
gate. Pre-registering for the festival or arranging for a work-barter
gives a discount on admission.
Q): Where do festival profits go?
A): All proceeds from the festival go to support future Babalon Rising Festivals.
Q): What is the purpose of this festival?
A): The Babalon Rising festival was created as a way for Thelemites
of different organizations and philosophies to come together in
brotherhood to celebrate the New Aeon and to discuss and practice
magick, ritual, and the 93 Current.
Q.): Why is the festival adults-only?
A.): The festival has several elements that the organizers felt
were inappropriate for minors (those under the age of 21) to be
around, both for their safety, and the legal protection of the
festival. Some of these include: drinking, sexually-themed rituals,
and occultism. The organizers hope that, as the festival is adults-only,
it will provide an environment condusive to magicians for doing
their Will.
Q): Is there an online forum or discussion group for the festival?
A): Yes! We love keeping in touch with people interested in the Babalon
Rising Festival throughout the year. Join us at our official Facebook Group to share photos, discuss past festivals, keep in touch with old friends, and help plan future festivals!
Q): Who came up with this festival?
A): An O.T.O. First Degree, an E.G.C. Bishop, a Chaos Mage, and a Gardnerian Wiccan
were having a late-night dinner at Steak-n-Shake... it sounds
like the start of a bad joke, but it was the beginning of the
Babalon Rising festival, proving once again that the Law is for
All!
Q): What is Thelema?
A): That is a difficult and thorny question! Here is a brief answer, along with some links for further exploration.
Thelema,
Θελημα in Greek, means Will. Thelema is the name of the philosophical
school and religious matrix established in 1904 with the writing of Liber AL vel Legis (The Book of the Law) by Aleister Crowley (1875-1947). The Law of Thelema is summed up in two phrases from the Book:
- “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law” (AL I:40) and
- “Love is the law, love under will” (AL I:57).
Those
who follow the path of Thelema are called Thelemites. Thelema
emphasizes individualism, and the uniqueness of each person's True
Will, which is generally defined as the innermost Nature or proper life
course of the individual. As a result, it is very difficult to make
blanket statements about its nature, or the natures of its adherents.
Even the label of "religion" sometimes fits Thelema awkwardly. Thelema
is more accurately defined for some Thelemites as a philosophy and a
way of life.
The process of discovering one's True
Will is referred to as the Great Work. The techniques used to
accomplish this difficult task fall under the general term Magick, and
traditionally include practices such as yoga, invocational ritual,
astral body work, and contact with the higher self. In Thelema it is up
to the individual to find the doorway to his or her own inner self. The
Book of the Law states that we are all divine creatures: “Every man and
every woman is a star” (AL I:5). As such, Thelemites are encouraged to
discover their own divinity, as well as their personal sense of right
and wrong, based on both rational thinking and through the Great Work.
Further Reading on Thelema
Registration Questions
Q): What does it cost to attend the festival?
A): The cost of attendance to the festival is $111.00 at the gate.
Pre-registering or arranging for a work-barter for the festival gives a
discount on admission.
Q): Can I arrive early or stay late?
A): Yes! Our festival is packed with events from morning until well
after midnight on all four days. To make sure that you don't miss a
moment, we've added the Wednesday before and the Monday after the
festival as free complimentary camping days. Although no official
Babalon Rising workshops, rituals, or events are scheduled on these
days, you or your group are welcome to come out early to set up on
Wednesday, and to stay as late as you want on Monday to recover from
the festival. These set-up and tear-down days are completely free and
are included in the cost of your admission.
Q.): Are refunds given if I pre-register but can't attend?
A.): No, there are no refunds given for the festival at this time for
any reason. If you pre-register and find that you cannot attend, you
will be offered a free admission to next year's festival. Your
complimentary admission is good for only one year, and you must have
proof of registration from the previous year. Q.): Why did the ticket price increase in 2019?
A.): The Babalon Rising Festival kept the same registration rates from 2006
to 2018, but we just can't keep bringing you the event you
want
and need on 2006 entry fees. The biggest factor is
infrastructure. If you were part of the "Escape from Bogalon" in 2018,
you were probably one of hundreds of our beloved and loyal attendees
who were forced to leave sodden bedding and bags of water-logged trash
behind for festival and Midian staff to remove. It was costly and
gross, but it taught us that we have grown beyond our "pack
out
your trash" policy. The community isn't doing it, and we don't have the
staff or money to do it. So ... The inflation is being used
almost
entirely on maintenance (a roll-off dumpster for trash removal and a
few more potties) to make life a little more comfortable at camp. (You
can still get your private potty if you hate sharing with strangers.
Make your private privvy payment on the Registration page.)
Location Questions
Q): What should I bring to this festival?
A:) Other than an open mind, and a magical spirit, we reccommend
you bring supplies for a weekend of primitive camping, including
a tent, a sleeping bag, sunscreen, spare clothes (but remember that the festival is
clothing optional!), a camp chair (for workshop seating) and snacks (a
food vendor is available on-site for most of the festival). We have
created a suggested festival packing list available
for download here.
Q): What amenites do the festival grounds
have?
A:)Midian has hot showers, limited electricity,
a sheltered stage, fresh
drinking water, port-o-lets, ice, firewood,
firepits, & hiking trails.
Q:) What should I not bring to the festival?
A: Firearms, illegal drugs, or alcoholic beverages not intended for personal consumption are not permitted.
Q): What other festival rules are there?
A): Please review Midian's rules of conduct here. We reserve the right to reject and/or revoke registration to any participant at our sole discretion.
Q:) Is photography permitted?
A:) No filming (camcorders, video equipment) is allowed during the festival. Photography is permitted only if prior
permission is requested of anyone whose photo you may be taking. This
includes individuals in the background area of your shot. Failure to
comply with these rules will cause security staff to enforce
destruction of all film or digital files on your camera device, and may
result is removal from the festival. You also need the permission of
everyone in the shot before before posting to social media. (These are
two different consents!) That said, we do encourage photography at this
festival.
Q.): Is the entire festival clothing optional?
A.): Yes! The entire Babalon Rising festival is clothing optional in
all areas beyond the main gate. However, we do reccommend that you plan
you clothing, or lack thereof, with the weather in mind! The festival
may become hot, wet, or chilly.
Q): Where is the best place to camp at the festival?
A): Camping is permitted in nearly any suitable location throughout the
site except for those areas specifically designated for vendors or
where your campsite would be an obvious obstruction (in the middle of
the road, or right in front of the main stage would likely be a bad
idea). If you require electricity, you will also be limited to a few
campsites with power hookups. Please let the staff know if this is the
case. Also please keep in mind that not all attendees of the festival will keep the same hours as you! The
most active areas in the daytime are the workshop areas, the vendor's
area, and the food area. The most active areas at night are the main
fire and the stage. We strongly suggest that you plan your campsite according to your sleeping habits.
Q.): Will my campsite have a firepit?
A.): If you arrive early to the festival (Wednesday or Thursday) there
is a very good chance that you will have access to a firepit at your
campsite. Many firepits are located in the camping fields at the
festival location. If you are arriving to the festival later (Friday or
Saturday) you may still have access to the firepits, but may need to
share with other later arrivals.
Q.): Is there internet service at the festival location?
A.): There is currently no reliable internet service at Midian beyond what your own mobile provider may offer.
Q.): Is there cell phone signal at the festival location?
A.): Some carriers, including AT&T, have limited signal at Midian.
Most providers do not carry cell signal at Midian.
Q): What is the weather like at the
festival?
A): Weather is notoriously unpredictable in Southern Indiana, but the
average temperature for mid-June is high of 83° and low of 60° with
some precipitation. Past experience has taught us that you should plan
for all types of weather: hot & dry, hot & wet, cold & dry,
and cold & wet. Be sure that your tent/shelter is waterproofed, and
dress in layers. Bring an extra towel! For the most accurate forecast
and local conditions, please see our weather magnet below.
Q): Where can I buy supplies near the festival?
A): Ice and firewood are available to purchase on-site at the festival.
There are several nearby options for gas and groceries.
Q): Can I stay off-site for the festival?
A): Yes! Bedford, Indiana is less than 15 minutes from Midian's gate, and offers several hotel options.
Q.): Can I breastfeed at the festival?
A.): No, children under age 21, including children being breastfed are
not allowed beyond the gate during Babalon Rising. You may choose to
stay off-site or camp in the parking area.
Festival Events Questions
Q): Who will be presenting at this festival?
A): Lots of people, maybe even you! Check out
this year's presenters for the complete listing. You can view the past presenter's
list here.
Q.): What is the Feast of the Beast?
A.): The Feast of the Beast is an all-night group-participation ritual
and celebration that the organizers of Babalon Rising hope to make an
annual event. The Feast of the Beast will take place Saturday night,
into Sunday morning. All festival-goers are welcome to attend. Although
much of the ritual is a surprise, and ANYONE at the festival is welcome
to attend and partipate, we encourage those individuals who would like
to participate fully in the ritual to dress in their favorite ritual
gear, or as their favorite God-form! For more information on the Feast
of the Beast, click here.
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