Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Q): What does it cost to attend the festival?
A): The cost of attendance to the festival has always been $93.00 at the gate. Pre-registering for the festival gives a discount on admission.
Q): Where do festival profits go?
A): All proceeds from the festival go to the Amalantrah Foundation, Inc., a non-for-profit charitable organization to benefit Thelemic groups and projects worldwide. Donations are tax deductible.
This charity will fund Thelemic groups of all kinds.
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 18) 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 and the work of the Amalantrah Foundation, Inc. throughout the year. Join us at our official Yahoo Group to share photos, discuss past festivals, keep in touch with old friends, and help plan future festivals!
We also now have our own MySpace page!
Q): Who came up with this festival?
A): An O.T.O. First Degree, an E.G.C. Bishop, a Chaos Mage, and a 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 has always been $93.00 at the gate. Pre-registering 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 up to three years.
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:) Our Haven Nature Sanctuary has hot showers, limited electricity,
a sheltered stage, a shelter barn for weather emergencies, fresh
drinking water, a skinning dipping creek, port-o-lets, ice, firewood,
firepits, hiking trails, and over 175 acres of beautiful deciduous
forests and reclaimed fields.
Learn more about Our Haven here. (link opens in a new
window) You may view a map of Our Haven's grounds and amenities here.
Q:) What should I not bring to the festival?
A:)Our Haven Nature Sanctuary is a privately-run clothing-optional
festival ground that obeys all local ordnances and laws. Firearms,
illegal drugs, or alcoholic beverages not intended for personal
consumption are not permitted. Pets, other than service animals,
are not permitted. Our Haven Nature Sanctuary is open to all races,
genders, sexual orientations, and positive spiritual paths. Please do not bring firewood with you to the festival. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is working with campsites throughout Indiana to control the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer. Firewood will be available to purchase on site for use.
Q): What other festival rules are there?
A):
No hunting/fishing/foraging without prior approval of Our Haven
staff.
No minors (people under the age of 18) will be admitted to the
festival.
Keep your camp area cleared to trash and clutter. No cigarette
butts or other debris is to tossed on any part of the grounds.
Keep foodstuffs contained and sealed up to eliminate wildlife
raids (remember, you're in the woods). Plan to remove your own
trash from your campsite when you leave the festival. We strongly
encourage you to bring a majority of what will become trash in
paper form as this can be burned on site.
Be responsible for you own welfare and for the welfare of those
in your charge while at the festival. Our Haven and Babalon Rising
will not be held liable for personal loss or injuries while attending
the festival.
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. That said, we do encourage photography at this festival. Many fine examples from past festival are available to view in the "Past Festivals" section of this website, and in our Yahoo Group.
Q.): Is the entire festival clothing optional?
A.): Yes! Although there are designated clothing-optional areas of Our Haven year-round, 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
Our Haven 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. The quietest area to camp is the clothing optional area. We strongly suggest that you plan your campsite according to your sleeping habits. To get an idea of the layout of the land, you may view a map of Our Haven's grounds and amenities here.
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. You may view a map of Our Haven's grounds here to help you plan your campsite. 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.): Yes! Free Wi-fi internet access is available near the food vendor area.
Q.): Is there cell phone signal at the festival location?
A.): Usually not. Our Haven is located in a deeply rural area in a valley, and cell phones rarely work on the main field. Some cell phone service providers are more likely to have signal at the festival location than others, and occasionally cell phone signal is stronger in the High Pasture. The most reliable place for celluar phone service near Our Haven is at the turn off of North Hillham Road onto Spencer Hollow Road.
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 is available to purchase on-site at the festival. There are several nearby options for gas and groceries. Please view the map below for details.
View Larger Map
Q): Can I stay off-site for the festival?
A): Yes! There are many local
options for lodging near Our Haven, but please be aware that
you might miss out on many of the festival activities if you choose
to stay off-site.
Q.): Can I breastfeed at the festival?
A.): No, but there are many places to camp outside of the main gate of the festival and remain on the festival grounds. Children under age 18, including children being breastfed are not allowed beyond the gate. You may also choose to stay off-site. Many options are available here.
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.
Q.): What is the Token Game?
A.): Four starting chips are given to all attendees on entrance to the festival. The object of the game is to collect as many points of "Tokens" as possible by the close of the festival to win the prize. To earn a chip you must go up to another player and ask them for 'a token of their appreciation'. The asked player then may choose to give the asking player a Hug, Kiss, Feel, or Wild. The person asked performs a task associated with the color of a chip they have on them. They then give that chip to the person who asked them. As with anything all attendees have the right to not participate, and players do not always have to give a token when asked. Locations inappropriate for game play are during a workshop or ritual, bathrooms, showers, and other private areas.
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