Blood on Her Petals: My Discovery of Babalon & Worship of the Red Goddess

    

    In my previous post, I gave a short introduction to the goddess Babalon, primarily her history and attributes. Now, I'd like to present a working guide to her worship for those who feel called to (or by) the Holy Whore. If you have not read my previous post, please do, as it is good to have a basic understanding of the goddess prior to her active worship, as with most things. Note that this is not comprehensive, but merely a beginner's guide. It is important, however, that you are not simply reaching out to her from a place of intrigue, but of genuine desire and/or need (more on that below). 

    I intentionally use the word "worship" rather than "work with" or "venerate", as Babalon demands your all. She is not a goddess to be called upon once then forgotten about. Once you acknowledge her, she is there to stay, and the only options you have are to accept or deny the Love she offers to you. She demands of her followers every ounce of blood from our bodies be poured into her cup (know I do not mean this literally, mostly), and that our hearts and loins be opened and accepting of her essence, as hers is for us. 

    My personal journey to the goddess began with a revelation in myself. Already an established and knowledgeable witch, I sought the art of working magic through my body: learning how to use my flesh through dance, sex, breath, movement, tears, etc., to successfully cast spells. I wanted to learn how to rely on my own body as the tool and conduit for my work, rather than outside sources to facilitate my will (though said sources will always be irreplaceable in our craft). This quickly led me to Babalon, as she is the Goddess of the Flesh, a forgotten goddess of my Baptist upbringing reemerging in a new and necessary light, in all her beauty and terror. I realized that she'd been with me always, waiting for the time in which I would discover her. I dedicated myself to her fully, and she not only taught me all that I previously sought, but she awakened in me a formerly buried potential and continues to inspire me day by day. I now call her Mother, for she issued within me a rebirth long awaited, and I owe her all. 

    My devotion to her began with a small shrine upon the wall by my bed: a hanging shelf draped with red velvet, sitting upon it a glass filled with tart cherry juice and drops of my blood, a red candle anointed with rose oil sat in a golden holder, and a statue of the Virgin Mary blasphemed and painted in scarlet and purple colors and baptized with kisses for the Great Whore. Below the altar hung a small icon of a bull skull, calling back to the Great Beast which Babalon rides upon (her consort, Satan). As my devotion grew, the goddess became incorporated into my main altar, where I now pray to her daily. 

    However, despite a nicely decorated and thought-out shrine, it wasn't just a pretty place I'd made for the goddess that got her attention, but earnest prayer and desire. I needed her in my life, and it was this desire that moved her from the shadows and into the light. That's not to say it isn't helpful, or even necessary, to have a physical place set aside for the goddess. Altars and shrines are tools: they are in-between places that allow for better connection with spirits and the Other, and a place where our prayers and gifts can be better received by said spirits. However, as I stated, Babalon is a goddess of the flesh. You can have the most beautiful altar in the world dedicated unto her, but so long as you lack the love required to invoke her, she will be silent unto you. Love must be given in order for it to be received. 

    So how exactly does one go about worshipping the Goddess of Apocalypse, or rather, beginning her worship? I've already stated the first and most important components: genuine desire, a heart which holds the capacity for Love, a willingness to see, and a willingness to bleed. If these things are already possessed, here is a practicum for a basic altar setup and "calling out" to the Red Goddess. 

 You will need:

+ A red candle 

+ A cup or glass filled with red wine or grape juice (or some other crimson juice of the earth)

+ Supplies for bloodletting (I recommend a diabetic lancet and sterilizing tools)

+ Something to represent the goddess (this can be as simple or elaborate as you like: a picture of her sigil (just look up "Sigil of Babalon"), a statue or icon, or even just a rose)

Instructions:

1.) Begin by setting up the altar space. It can be on a table, the floor, or anywhere you like, so long as the surface itself is clean and free of clutter or debris. If you have it on hand, it would be helpful to clean the area with rose water, rose cologne, or rose tea. Roses (specifically red roses) are the sacred flower of Babalon. If you don't have any of this on hand, it will serve to simply clean the area as usual. Regarding the altar itself, the icon should be placed in the very center, with the candle and glass placed on either side of it. 

2.) Breathe deeply and steady yourself. When you are in a calm state, light the candle with these words (utilized by Jack Parsons and L. Ron Hubbard in the Babalon Working), "Flame is our lady, flame is her hair, I am flame". After this is done, extract blood from your finger using the bloodletting supplies. If you are an individual who experiences menstruation, you may collect the blood and utilize it rather than piercing your flesh (this is best, however the piercing of the flesh will be required if you do not menstruate, as Babalon requires blood). Pour this blood into the wine filled cup, with a statement of offering to the goddess. 

3.) This is the most important and personal part of the process. It is here where you will offer up your prayers, devotions, and pleas to the goddess. Allow the words to come from your heart, be it a place of pain or joy. If no words come forth, simply sit in silence, and allow yourself to call to her with more than words. If you are having trouble for any reason, here is a prayer of my own creation you may utilize to help. It is a heretical version of the Catholic "Hail, Holy Queen" prayer, dedicated unto Babalon. 

"Hail, Great Goddess, mother of witches, our Love, our Blood, and our Death. 

To you do we cry, the abominations of the world, 

to you do we send our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of piety. 

Turn then, most fearsome queen, your eyes of Love toward us, 

and destroy those who would deny you, 

wielding your blood-filled cup against them. 

O wrathful, O loving, O mighty Babalon."

4.) When all is done, give praise to the goddess and extinguish the candle. The wine in her cup should be replaced as this ritual is performed, which should be frequent. Do not simply repeat these actions monotonously, however, but rather allow yourself to be inspired in your acts of worship. 

    This is the most basic beginning of the worship of Babalon, but truly it is personal to the practitioner. Once you call out and accept her Love, your devotion will deepen and become much clearer. She will show you what she desires, and instruct you in the proper ways to go about your work with her. For now, it is most important to open your heart to the goddess, which can be easier said than done, hence the simplicity of this act. As I stated, it is not a comprehensive guide, but the beginning of a much larger work. This small ritual is meant as an introduction that should be relatively available to anyone, to welcome the goddess into you and begin your devotions. I hope this guide has been helpful, and wish anyone who reaches out to the Great Babalon a prosperous and meaningful relationship with Our Lady of the Abyss. 

    I had meant to include some helpful sources in the last post regarding both the history and nature of Babalon as well as the praxis of her worship. So below are a few sources which I have found to be very helpful in this. 

Sources:

The Book of Revelations (specifically chapter 17)

"The Red Goddess" by Peter Grey  

Literally any work by Dr. Manon Hedenborg White. She's a Doctor of Religious Studies and a devotee of Babalon, and can be found @dr_scarletwoman on Instagram. I highly recommend checking out her published essays and studies, available online. Below is a link to an interview she did with Dr. Angela Puca on her YouTube channel, "Angela's Symposium":

https://youtu.be/prV5f9jC1oA?si=SCLq06ijqTIiM0A4 

(Note: this post obviously discusses practices such as willful bloodletting. If you have a medical condition preventing you from doing this, please utilize common sense. I am not responsible for any adverse effects as a result of these or your actions. Legally, I must state this is for educational purposes only.)