Ceremony of Lodge Formation

This is the ceremony for the formal inauguration of a new lodge. In line with the plans of the 133rd Grand Master it is intended that a new lodge can be formed in any location, particularly in a bar. It is possible to perform this ceremony at work or anywhere else. However, it is important to bear in mind that this ceremony is a bacchanalia so don’t try this when it is necessary to return to work, drive home or do anything remotely sensible for at least the rest of the day.

Before starting the ceremony try having something to eat as the ceremony involves drinking a lot of toasts and generally consuming copious amounts of alcohol.

A Master/Priestess of the Lodge always calls a new lodge into existence. However, throughout this ceremony we refer to the Master of the Lodge for the sake of simplicity. The Master of the Lodge should call the members of his new lodge together to perform this ceremony and he should have decided which titles are going to be bestowed to lodge members before the ceremony commences.

Throughout the ceremony various drinks will be needed as specified in the text below. Where the ceremony is performed in any drinking establishment it is appropriate to get them from the bar as and when they are needed. (Performing the ceremony while sitting at the bar is the perfect solution.) If you are performing this at home or in some other location you will need to ensure you have all the drinks to hand before you start. Elsewhere during the ceremony there are general toasts which are described as TWYFT. This stands for Toast With Your Favourite Tipple and any drink can be used for this purpose.

You will probably find it useful to print this page and you will also need a print of the official Logo, which should be displayed in a convenient location or just placed in the centre of the table depending on your circumstances.

1 - Purification

Start the ceremony with the purification. This is traditionally done with a glass of Pure Polish Spirit but this can easily be substituted for pure vodka.
  • The Master of the Lodge rings a bell or glass to bring those present to order.
  • Holding the purification spirit aloft the Master of the Lodge says:
    "I charge this spirit with the power of purification so that it will cleanse the sacred temple of the body."
  • Master of the Lodge dips a swizzle stick (or some suitable stirrer) in the spirit and flicks it in the direction of the four compass points.
  • Master of the Lodge hands the glass of purification spirit to each person saying:
    "Drink and be purified."
    Each person then sips the purification spirit and passes it on.

2 - Call Bacchus

For this you will need a container of the Bacchus cocktail which is listed in the Potions section on The Order's page. If the Bacchus cocktail is not available it can be substituted with any brandy based cocktail or pure brandy if that is all that is available.

  • Master of the Lodge rings bell or glass, faces official Booze Bibbing Order of Bacchus logo, and says:
    "We beseech you Bacchus, oh mighty one, to attend us here and bless our works, by infusing this sacrament with your presence."
  • Master of the Lodge charges the glasses of all present with the Bacchus cocktail.
  • Tippler (designate) says:
    "Enter our bodies, oh Lord of the Gates of Matter."
  • Imbiber (designate) says:
    "Empower us, oh Child of the Forces of Time."
  • Master of the Lodge raises his cocktail and calls the first toast:
    "All hail Bacchus!"
  • All present raise their cocktail and toast:
    "Hail Bacchus!"

 3 - Announce address from the Master of the Lodge.

4 - The Address by Master of the Lodge and award of titles:

  • Master of the Lodge calls toast:
    "All hail Bacchus," followed by response
    "Hail Bacchus," from all present. (TWYFT)
  • Speech by Master of the Lodge (Feel free to make up your own speech but it might go something like this):
    "It has not gone unnoticed that the hard work, sterling effort and devotion shown to the order by some of those amongst us merits special recognition. Therefore, tonight, it is intended that special titles be bestowed upon those individuals.
    Brother/sister (insert name of individual) I charge your glass     (TWYFT) and bestow upon you the title of Imbiber."
  • Newly appointed Imbiber calls toast:
    "All hail Bacchus,"
    followed by response
    "Hail Bacchus,"
    from all present.
  • Master of the Lodge continues:
    "Brother/sister (insert name of individual) we charge your chalice and bestow upon you the title of Tippler."
  • Newly appointed Tippler calls toast:
    "All hail Bacchus,"
    followed by response
    "Hail Bacchus," from all present.
  • Continue in the same format bestowing tiles as the Master of the Lodge sees fit.
  • The Master of the Lodge calls toast to conclude the award of titles:
    "All hail Bacchus," followed by response
    "Hail Bacchus," from all present. (TWYFT)

5 - Bacchanalia

  • This should generally be a party including any party pieces, songs, bawdy behaviour, poems, etc. as appropriate.
  • As often as possible, such as every time a fresh drink is poured or at the introduction of a party piece the standard toast:
    "All hail Bacchus," followed by response
    "Hail Bacchus," from all present (TWYFT).

6 - End

When the Master of the Lodge sees fit, or when you run out of alcohol, he calls the ceremony to an end with a final speech if he is still capable of stringing two words together.