WBL-OTO

We will have a special celebration and study of the Japanese “Tanabata” 七夕 Star Festival before beginning the Baltimore Reiki Share this evening. “Tanabata celebrates the meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi (represented by the stars Vega and Altair respectively). According to legend, the Milky Way separates these lovers, and they are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month. In present-day Japan, people generally celebrate this day by writing wishes, sometimes in the form of poetry, on tanzaku (短冊 tanzaku), small pieces of paper, and hanging them on bamboo. The bamboo and decorations are often set afloat on a river or burned after the festival, around midnight or on the next day.”

Reiki Master/Instructor Richard A. Davis will then lead a Reiki Share and give free Reiki Level 1 (Shoden 初伝 – “First Teaching”) Attunements (Reiju 霊授) to attendees. Anyone is welcome to come and receive a Reiki treatment, or practice giving Reiki to those who are willing to receive it.

Richard began studying Reiki in Florida in 2007, studied under and received attunements from Reiki Masters in Tokyo and Kyoto from 2008-2010, has visited several sacred sites of Reiki, Shinto, and Shingon Buddhism such as Mt. Kurama, Mt. Fuji, and Mt. Koya, and has taught and attuned hundreds of students to Reiki since 2010 in Tokyo, Texas, Florida, Maryland, Virginia, and DC. We will also study Reiki’s compatibility with such practices as Yoga, Asana, as Pranayama as they relate to one’s spiritual development. Our group’s study of Reiki will examine the influences of Mount Kurama, Esoteric Buddhism, and Japanese language and culture on the Reiki system, in addition to teaching techniques from both the Eastern and Western lineages that have been the most effective for Reiki treatments.

Whether you are a beginner or already attuned to the Master/Teaching level of Reiki, all paths and all practitioners are welcome to join our Baltimore Reiki Share and learn more about the Japanese view of Reiki, the cultural influences on the Sacred Symbols, and how these concepts are understood in the Japanese language. Attendees will also examine the connections Reiki has to the mythos and deities of Mount Kurama, and come to appreciate the full meaning of the Reiki Principles written by Usui Mikao through an in-depth study of their Japanese/English translation. Our primary aim is to cultivate a holistic sense of understanding that can be passed on and shared with all practitioners of Reiki.

5:00pm
Please arrive no earlier than 4:30pm and no later than 4:55pm.
Suggested Donation: $10 (No donation necessary to attend.)

We will be rehearsing the celebration of Liber XV, the Gnostic Mass. While this is not a degree-sensitive event, it is likely to be most of interest to those pursuing a role in the Gnostic Mass. There is no admission fee for the rehearsal, but we will happily accept snacks and beverages to share.

2:00pm
Please arrive no earlier than 1:30pm and no later than 1:55pm

We will be rehearsing the celebration of Liber XV, the Gnostic Mass. While this is not a degree-sensitive event, it is likely to be most of interest to those pursuing a role in the Gnostic Mass. There is no admission fee for the rehearsal, but we will happily accept snacks and beverages to share.

Please arrive no earlier than 1:30pm and no later than 1:55pm

We will have a special performance of the Gnostic Mass “to Nuit” this day in celebration of the Japanese “Tanabata” Star Festival, held annually on the 7^th Day of the 7^th Month (July 7^th).

“Tanabata celebrates the meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi (represented by the stars Vega and Altair respectively). According to legend, the Milky Way separates these lovers, and they are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month. In present-day Japan, people generally celebrate this day by writing wishes, sometimes in the form of poetry, on tanzaku (短冊 tanzaku), small pieces of paper, and hanging them on bamboo. The bamboo and decorations are often set afloat on a river or burned after the festival, around midnight or on the next day.”

Baptism and/or confirmation available today by advance request. Please email contact@williamblakeoto.org to request either sacrament.

Note: admission fee waived for first-time visitors. If this is your first time at a Gnostic Mass, it’s a good idea to read the ritual ahead of time, so you’ll have some idea of what to expect. You can also watch a video 93 Impressions of a Gnostic Mass, or a video of the full Gnostic Mass.

2:30pm
Please arrive no earlier than 2:00pm and no later than 2:25pm
$10 admission; free for dues-current WBL members.

Please note that this event takes place at Azul Nox Oasis in scenic Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Hopefully you’ve read the Minerval Guide regarding “Eligibility and Advancement” in OTO, but what does someone actually DO with themselves to get advanced to the Lover’s Triad? What kinds of projects, services, and activities have contributed to people reaching “the natural stopping place?” Three Infinite Stars Chapter members will spend 30 minutes each sharing their stories about what they think happened (because some of us still aren’t sure!) to get them advanced to Fifth Degree.

2:00pm-3:30pm at the Unitarian Church of Harrisburg

It’s madness I tell you! Pure and utter madness! Or just a wicked good time. Perhaps the closest you’ll come to attending bacchanalia, but with a modern sensibility. This ritual, wildly popular, and back by popular demand will invoke The God Who Comes. Dance, revel, drink flowing wine, and cry the names of Dionysos as you destroy the things which prevent success, happiness, and freedom within your life, and as we alchemically transform the bonds which enslave the spirit into the true symbol of freedom. If you’ve ever considered exploring dramatic ritual, this is a truly intense opportunity, if you’ve participated in rituals before, we’re sure you’ll find this one worth your time. Through dance, chanting, wine, and a bit of antinomian blasphemy we’ll breach the bounds of ecstasis. Wine and cakes will be served after the ritual. Your contributions of other treats are welcome!

Please arrive no earlier than 8:00pm and no later than 8:20pm
$20 admission; $5 for dues-current members; $5 additional discount for potluck contributions.

For several years William Blake Lodge has celebrated Redeeming the Redeemer, the first of three rituals in our Thelemic Rite of Dionysos. Several people have been yearning for further ways to connect to the God Who Comes, and so, like he does, we shall provide. For those interested in undergoing an initiation as a Flamen Dionyios here is your opportunity. Candidates will need to have a thin white robe which will be destroyed, and bring a large bottle of wine. Candidates will have to drink wine (grape juice can be available for those who can not have alcohol), eat fruit, and will be nude for part of the ritual. Please notify us if you are interested in participating as a candidate. Members and their guests who have been to previous Dionysos rituals are encouraged to attend even if they are not candidates for initiation; this is an initiation which occurs in front of and utilizes the Dionysian community.

Please arrive no earlier than 5:30pm and no later than 5:50pm.
Candidates: $15 admission; $5 for dues-current WBL members
Attendees: $5 admission; free for dues-current WBL members

William Blake Lodge will have a table set up at the Baltimore Pride Festival at Druid Hill, offering readings, stickers, photos with Rainbow Crowley, and more. Please save the date and plan to join the festivities!

Learn more about Baltimore Pride:

• Festival Map
• Festival Schedule

Over the time since the William Blake Lodge 25th Anniversary at which we conjured the Demon Doolas from the Book of the Offices of Spirits to provide our lodge with a familiar, we have worked well with Tobias, the demon familiar who was provided to us by Doolas. Tobias has been credited with helping us rebuild our environment and draw in truly excellent people. Tobias’s efforts are compensated with alcohol, incense, and a spirit home. For this ritual we will celebrate Tobias by bringing him into the temple and engaging him in a more freeform spirit ritual inspired by those supposed of the “other magicians” who practiced wilder more direct spirit magic than that of the learned conjurers. Join us for chanting, drinking, drumming and celebration. Bring alcohol to offer to Tobias or to share with your lodgemates.

Please arrive no earlier than 7:00pm and no later than 7:20pm.
$10 admission; free for dues-current WBL members.