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{{Short description|International secret society}}
{{otheruses4|the international organization ] in ]|the ]-based magical order|Ordo Templi Orientis (Typhonian)}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Ordo Templi Orientis
| image = OTOlogo.png
| size =
| caption = ] of Ordo Templi Orientis
| motto =
| formation = {{Start date and age|1895}}
| dissolved =
| headquarters =
| location =
| type = ]
| main_organ =
| leader_title = Outer Head of the Order
| leader_name = {{plainlist|
* ]
* (1895–1905)
* ]
* (1905–1923)
* ]
* (1925–1947)
* ]
* (1947–1962)
* ]
* (2014– )
}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.oto.org/}}
}}
{{Thelema|expand=Organizations}}


'''Ordo Templi Orientis''' ('''O.T.O.'''; {{Literal translation|Order of the Temple of the East|Order of Oriental Templars}}) is an ] ] and ] ] founded at the beginning of the 20th century. The origins of O.T.O. can be traced back to the German-speaking occultists ], ], Heinrich Klein, and ]. In its first incarnation, O.T.O. was intended to be modelled after and associated with European ]{{sfnp|Bogdan|Starr|2012|pp=10, 148–150}} and as such in its early years only Freemasons could seek admittance.
] of the Ordo Templi Orientis]]


Founder and first head of the Order Carl Kellner wanted to create an Academia Masonica wherein various rites of high-degree Freemasonry could be conferred within German-speaking countries.{{sfnp|Kaczynski|2010|page=}} During the course of his esoteric studies across the globe and from many traditions, Kellner believed that he had discovered a key which offered a clear explanation of all the complex symbolism of Freemasonry and of nature itself. Kellner intended that O.T.O. preserve and confer this key.
'''Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.)''' (''Order of the Temple of the East'', or the ''Order of Oriental Templars'') is an international ] and ] founded at the beginning of the ]. Originally it was intended to be tied to and modelled on ],<ref name="history">Sabazius X° and AMT IX°. ''''. Retrieved June 13, 2006.</ref> but under the leadship of ] was reorganized based on the Law of ] as its central religious and organizational principle. This Law—expressed as “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Love is the law, love under will.”—was established in ] with the writing down of '']'' by ]. Similar to many ], O.T.O. membership is based on an initiatory system with a series of degree ceremonies that use ] drama to establish fraternal bonds and impart spiritual and philosophical teachings.


After the death of Reuss, English writer and ] ] assumed control of the Order. Crowley had been inducted into O.T.O. by Reuss in the early 1910s. While maintaining many core elements of Freemasonry and the intentions of both Kellner and Reuss, O.T.O. was drastically changed by Crowley. The guiding philosophy of O.T.O. from this point on became Crowley's self-created occult system, ]. With this change O.T.O. ceased its bestowal of Masonic degrees and membership requirements.{{sfnp|Bogdan|Starr|2012|p=239}}
O.T.O. also includes the ] (EGC) or Gnostic Catholic Church, which is the ecclesiastical arm of the Order. Its central rite, which is public, is called Liber XV, or ].


After Crowley's death in 1947, four main branches of O.T.O. claimed exclusive descent from the original organization and primacy over the other ones. Courts have ruled that the organization incorporated by Crowley's student ] in 1979 is the legal continuation of the Order<ref name="gnosis">{{Cite book |last1=Hanegraaff |first1=Wouter J. |url=http://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/dictionary-of-gnosis-and-western-esotiricism/ordo-templi-orientis-DGWE_269?s.num=0 |title=Dictionary of Gnosis and Western Esotericism |last2=Faivre |first2=Antoine |last3=Broek |first3=Roelof van den |last4=Brach |first4=Jean-Pierre |date=2005 |publisher=Brill |isbn=9789004141872 |edition=Online |location=Leiden |access-date=11 August 2018}}</ref> and is the exclusive owner of the names, trademarks, copyrights and other assets of Crowley's O.T.O.<ref name=Maine/><ref name=Carboni/>
O.T.O. claims over 3000 members in 58 countries; about half of these are in the United States.


==History==
==Philosophy of O.T.O.==
{{Thelema}}
O.T.O. was described by Crowley as the "first of the great Old Æon orders to accept ]". O.T.O. originally borrowed ritual material from ],<ref name="king">King, Francis (1973). ''The Secret Rituals of the O.T.O.'' ] ISBN 0-87728-144-0</ref> and although some related symbolism and language is in use, the context has changed to Thelema and its tenets. "The Order offers esoteric instruction through dramatic ritual, guidance in a system of illuminated ethics, and fellowship among aspirants to the Great Work of realizing the divine in the human"<ref name="about">O.T.O. ''.</ref> O.T.O. has two core areas of ritual activity: initiation into the ], and the celebration of Liber XV, the ]. In addition, the Order organizes lectures, classes, social events, theatrical productions and artistic exhibitions; publishes books and journals; and provides instruction in Hermetic science, ], and ].


===Origins===
Crowley wrote in his ''Confessions'', "the O.T.O. is in possession of one supreme secret. The whole of its system directed towards communicating to its members, by progressively plain hints, this all-important instruction." Of the first set of initiations, "the main objects of the instruction two. It firstly necessary to explain the universe and the relations of human life therewith. Secondly, to instruct every man how best to adapt his life to the cosmos and to develop his faculties to the utmost advantage. I accordingly constructed a series of rituals, Minerval, Man, Magician, Master-Magician, Perfect Magician and Perfect Initiate, which should illustrate the course of human life in its largest philosophical aspect." The initiation rituals after the V° are such that "the candidate is instructed in the value of discretion, loyalty, independence, truthfulness, courage, self-control, indifference to circumstance, impartiality, scepticism, and other virtues, and at the same time assisted him to discover for himself the nature of secret, the proper object of its employment and the best means for insuring success for its use" (p.701).<ref name="confessions72">Crowley, Aleister. , ch. 72.</ref>
]
The early history of O.T.O. is difficult to trace reliably. It originated in ] between 1895 and 1906.<ref name="GClakre">], ], p. 61. Goodrick-Clarke touches on this topic as he gives some general remarks on the occultism of that time.</ref> Its apparent founder was Carl Kellner (1851–1905) (probably with the German spelling Karl),<ref name="GClakre" /> a wealthy Austrian industrialist, in 1895 (although nothing verifiable is known of the Order until 1904).<ref name="king2">{{harvp|King|1978|pp=78–81}}.</ref> Kellner wanted to establish an ''Academia Masonica'' within which high-grade Freemasonic degrees could be conferred in German-speaking nations.{{sfnp|Kaczynski|2010|page=}}
Theodor Reuss (1855–1923) collaborated with Kellner in creating O.T.O. and succeeded him as head of O.T.O. after Kellner's death. Under Reuss, charters were given to occult brotherhoods in France, Denmark, Switzerland, the United States, and Austria. There were ten degrees,<ref name="WTAKV1" /> of which the first five were Masonic.<ref name="WTAKV1" /><ref name="king2" />
In 1902, Reuss, along with Franz Hartmann and Henry Klein, purchased the right to perform the ] of Freemasonry from English Freemason ], the authority of which was confirmed in 1904 and again in 1905. Although these rites are considered to be irregular, they, along with the ] formed the core of the newly established Order.<ref> Footnotes 40–42,</ref> Kellner, Reuss, Hartmann, and Klein acquired authority to operate the rites of the ] from French occultist ] and a clandestine form of the ] deriving from Joseph Cerneau.{{sfnp|Kaczynski|2010|p=351}} From ], Reuss acquired a warrant to start a college of the ] in Germany.<ref name=gnosis/>


In 1902, Reuss began publishing a masonic journal, ''The Oriflamme'', as the organ of these collected rites.{{sfnp|Kaczynski|2010|p=351}} Reuss's rites aroused some degree of curiosity in the German-speaking Masonic milieu, as high degree Freemasonry had not been very widespread in Germany during the 1800s.<ref name=gnosis/> O.T.O. had several hundred members and affiliates at its peak, but by 1905 and after Kellner's death, Reuss began to lose his supporters.<ref name=gnosis/> He was attacked in Masonic periodicals for his alleged lack of Masonic regularity and credentials, and for the alleged homosexual elements in Reuss's initiations.<ref name=gnosis/> Reuss left Germany and moved to London in 1906, and lost control of most of the lodges previously belonging to the O.T.O. network.<ref name=gnosis/>
Of the entire system of O.T.O., Crowley wrote in ''Confessions'':
:It offers a rational basis for universal brotherhood and for universal religion. It puts forward a scientific statement which is a summary of all that is at present known about the universe by means of a simple, yet sublime symbolism, artistically arranged. It also enables each man to discover for himself his personal destiny, indicates the moral and intellectual qualities which he requires in order to fulfil it freely, and finally puts in his hands an unimaginably powerful weapon which he may use to develop in himself every faculty which he may need in his work (p.703).<ref name="confessions72" />


In 1908, Encausse invited to Reuss to an "International Masonic Conference", where he probably met ] and was introduced to his ] (E.G.C.), an off-shoot of ]'s ''Église Gnostique''.<ref name=gnosis/> Later O.T.O. documents would present the Order being linked to the E.G.C, and subsequently portray the E.G.C. of O.T.O. as being autonomous with respect to ]'s organization.<ref name=gnosis/>
==Initiation and teachings==
Membership in O.T.O. is based upon a system of initiation ceremonies (or ''degrees'') which use ritual drama to establish fraternal bonds between members as well as impart spiritual and philosophical teachings. They also serve an organizational function, in that certain degrees must be attained before taking on various forms of service in the Order (e.g. taking the degree of K.E.W. is a requirement for ordination as a priest in ]).


The ] of the higher O.T.O. degrees appears to be based on the writings of the American occultist ] (1825–1875), which were adopted by the ] (or of Light), another group with which Kellner had been in contact and whose teachings he said he had incorporated into O.T.O.{{sfnp|Kaczynski|2010|p=352}} Scholar Marco Pasi notes, however, that there is no evidence in support of this, and suggests that Reuss acquired sexual ideas and techniques from Yarker, who had in his possession certain unpublished writings by Randolph.<ref name=gnosis/>
There are thirteen numbered degrees and twelve un-numbered which are divided into three grades or "triads"—the Hermit, the Lover, and the Man of Earth. Admittance to each degree of O.T.O. involves an ] and the swearing of an ] which O.T.O claims is similar to those used in Freemasonry.<ref name="initiation">O.T.O. ''''.</ref><ref>💕 of Thelema (2005). ''''. Retrieved November 17, 2005.</ref> Advancement through the Man of Earth triad requires sponsorship from ranking members. Advancement into the degree of the Knight of the East and West and beyond requires one to be invited by ranking members.


===Under Reuss' leadership===
The ultimate goal of initiation in O.T.O. is "to instruct the individual by allegory and symbol in the profound mysteries of Nature, and thereby to assist each to discover his or her own true Identity."<ref name="initiation"/> The entire system is as follows:
{{anchor|M∴M∴M∴|MMM|M.M.M.|Mysteria_Mystica_Maxima}}
Reuss met Aleister Crowley and in 1910 admitted him to the first three degrees of O.T.O. Two years later, Crowley was placed in charge of Great Britain and Ireland, and was advanced to the X° (tenth degree). The appointment included the opening of the British section of O.T.O., which was called the ''Mysteria Mystica Maxima'' or the M∴M∴M∴.<ref name="king2" /> Crowley then went to Berlin to obtain instructional manuscripts and the title of ''Supreme and Holy King of Ireland, ] and all the Britains within the Sanctuary of the Gnosis''.<ref name="king2" /> Within the year, Crowley had written the Manifesto of the M∴M∴M∴ which described its basic ten-degree system with Kellner's three degree ''Academia Masonica'' forming the seventh, eighth and ninth degrees.


In 1913, Crowley composed the Gnostic Mass while in Moscow, which he described as being the Order's "central ceremony of its public and private celebration".{{sfnp|Crowley|1979|loc=ch. 73}} In 1914, soon after World War I broke out, he moved to the United States. It was around this time that Crowley decided to integrate Thelema into the O.T.O. system, and in 1915 prepared revised rituals for use in the M∴M∴M∴.
*'''The Man of Earth Triad'''
**0°—Minerval
***Imparted the mysteries of attraction and conception.<ref name=king/>
**I°—Man & Brother
***Imparted the mysteries of birth.<ref name=king/>
**II°—Magician
***Imparted the mysteries of life.<ref name=king/>
**III°—Master Magician
***Imparted the mysteries of death.<ref name=king/>
**IV°—Perfect Magician & companion of the Holy Royal Arch of Enoch
**P.I.—Perfect Initiate, or Prince of Jerusalem


In 1917, Reuss wrote a ''Synopsis of Degrees'' of O.T.O. in which the third degree was listed as "Craft of Masonry" and listed the initiations involved as "], ], Master Mason" and elaborated on this with "Full instruction in Craft Masonry, including the Catechism of the first three degrees, and an explanation of all the various Masonic systems". The same document shows that the fourth degree of O.T.O. is also known as the ] of Enoch. It was summarized by Reuss as the Degree of "Scotch Masonry", equivalent to "Scotch Mason, Knight of St. Andrew, Royal Arch", and he described it as "Full instruction in the Scottish degrees of Ancient and Accepted Masonry".<ref name="king" />
*'''Outside all Triads'''
**Knight of the East & West


In 1919, Crowley attempted to work this Masonic-based O.T.O. in Detroit, Michigan. The result was that he was rebuffed by the Council of the Scottish Rite on the basis that O.T.O. rituals were too similar to orthodox Masonry.<ref>Kaczynski, Richard. ''Panic in Detroit: The Magician and the Motor City'' (2006)</ref> He described this in a 1930 letter to ]:
*'''The Lover Triad'''
**V°—
***Sovereign Prince Rose-Croix, and Knight of the Pelican & Eagle
***Knight of the Red Eagle, and Member of the Senate of Knight Hermetic Philosophers
**VI°—
***Illustrious Knight (Templar) of the Order of Kadosch, and Companion of the Holy Graal
***Grand Inquisitor Commander, and Member of the Grand Tribunal
***Prince of the Royal Secret
**VII°—
***Theoreticus, and Very Illustrious Sovereign Grand Inspector General
***Magus of Light, and Bishop of Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica
***Grandmaster of Light, and Inspector of Rites & Degrees
***Adoration of the phallus as the microcosmic counterpart to the sun is taught in this degree, including the creation of a personal 'chapel' which contains a sculpture of a phallus in silver, bronze, or another such substance.<ref name="viiviii">"De Nuptiis Secretis Deorum cum Hominibus, Liber (Of The Secret Marriages Of Gods With Men)" in King (1973)</ref>


{{blockquote|However, when it came to the considerations of the practical details of the rituals to be worked, the general Council of the Scottish Rite could not see its way to tolerate them, on the ground that the symbolism in some places touched too nearly that of the orthodox Masonry of the Lodges.<ref>Starr, Martin. ''''. Retrieved June 17, 2006.</ref>}}
*'''The Hermit Triad'''
**VIII°—
***Perfect Pontiff of the Illuminati
***Epopt of the Illuminati
***] or ] magical techniques were taught, referred as the ''Lesser Work of Sol''<ref name="viiviii"/><ref name="multiple">Magical Diaries of Aleister Crowley, page 241</ref>
**IX°—Initiate of the Sanctuary of the Gnosis
***] magical techniques were taught<ref name="multiple"/>
**X°—Rex Summus Sanctissimus
**XI°—Initiate of the Eleventh Degree (This degree is technical, and has no relation to the general plan of the Order)
***] techniques as sexual and magical<ref name="multiple"/>
**XII°—Frater Superior, and Outer Head of the Order


Crowley subsequently rewrote the initiation rituals of the first three degrees, and in doing so removed most of those rituals' ties to Masonry. He did not, however, rewrite the fourth degree ritual, which remains in its form and structure related to the various Royal Arch rituals of Masonry.
==Structure==


=== Under Crowley's leadership ===
The governing bodies of O.T.O. include:
Crowley wrote that Theodore Reuss suffered a stroke in the spring of 1920. In correspondence with one of Reuss' officers, Crowley expressed doubts about Reuss' competence to remain in office. Relations between Reuss and Crowley began to deteriorate, and the two exchanged angry letters in November 1921. Crowley informed Reuss that he was availing himself of Reuss' abdication from office and proclaiming himself Outer Head of the Order. Reuss died on October 28, 1923, without designating a successor, though Crowley wrote in later correspondence that Reuss had designated him. Crowley's biographer Lawrence Sutin, among others, casts doubt on this, though there is no evidence for or against it, and no other candidate stepped forward to refute Crowley by offering proof of succession. In 1925, during a tumultuous Conference of Grand Masters, Crowley was officially elected as Outer Head of the Order (or O.H.O.) by the remaining administrative heads of O.T.O.{{sfnp|Kaczynski|2002|p=332}}


During this period, O.T.O. members outside of the USA rarely came into contact with one another.: {{Cquote|quote=I am arranging to send you the official papers connected to the O.T.O. but the idea that you should meet other members first is quite impossible. Even after affiliation, you would not meet anyone unless it were necessary for you to work in cooperation with them. I am afraid you have still got the idea that the Great Work is a tea party. Contact with other students only means that you criticize their hats, and then their morals; and I am not going to encourage this. Your work is not anybody else’s, and undirected chatter is the worst poisonous element in a humane society.|author=Aleister Crowley in '']''}} Since the total membership of O.T.O. at that time was counted in the dozens rather than in hundreds or thousands, this may simply have been Crowley's attempt at disguising the low numbers.
#'''International Headquarters'''
#*Presided over by the '''Outer Head of the Order''' XII° (OHO—also known as Frater Superior)
#*'''Supreme Council'''
#*'''Revolutionaries'''
#The '''Sovereign Sanctuary of the Gnosis''' of the IX°
#The '''Secret Areopagus of the Illuminati''' of the VIII°
#The '''Grand Tribunal''' of the VI°
#The National '''Grand Lodge'''
#*Presided over by the '''National Grand Master''' X°
#*'''Executive Council'''
#The '''Supreme Grand Council'''
#The '''Electoral College '''


During World War II, the European branches of O.T.O. were either destroyed or driven underground. By the end of the war, the only surviving O.T.O. body was ] in California, although there were various initiates in different countries. Very few initiations were being performed. At this time, ], who had been Crowley's representative in Germany, migrated to the United States after being released from Nazi confinement. On March 14, 1942, Crowley appointed him as his successor as Outer Head of the Order,<ref name="koenig1">, by P.R. Koenig</ref> and Germer filled the office after the death of Crowley in 1947.
===International===


===After Crowley's death===
1. '''International Headquarters''' is the body that governs O.T.O. worldwide. As a ruling body, it is known as the International '''Supreme Council''', which consists of the '''Outer Head of the Order''' (OHO—also known as Frater Superior), the Secretary General, and the Treasurer General.
After Crowley's death, Germer attempted to keep O.T.O. running, with questionable success. Crowley had granted a charter to run an O.T.O. Camp in England to ], and Germer acknowledged Gardner as O.T.O.'s main representative in Europe. The two men met in 1948 in New York to discuss plans, but Gardner's continuing ill health led to Germer replacing him with Frederic Mellinger in 1951. Also in 1951, Germer granted a charter to run an O.T.O. Camp in England to ], who had briefly served as Crowley's secretary during the 1940s. Grant was to be expelled and his charter revoked in 1955 however, and from that time onwards O.T.O.'s representative in the UK was a IX° member, Noel Fitzgerald.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Orpheus |first=Rodney |year=2009 |title=Gerald Gardner & Ordo Templi Orientis |pages=14–18 |work=Pentacle Magazine |issue=30 |issn=1753-898X}}</ref>


Germer died in 1962 without naming a successor. It was not until 1969 that ] invoked his letter of emergency authorization from Crowley and became the Frater Superior of O.T.O. McMurtry did not claim the title of Outer Head of the Order, stating in 1974 that "There is at present no Outer Head of the Order for Aleister Crowley's Ordo Templi Orientis. The Outer Head of the Order is an international office (see p. 201, The Blue Equinox) and Aleister Crowley's Ordo Templi Orientis is not at this time established organizationally to fulfill the requirements of its Constitution in this respect."<ref>{{cite web |last=Koenig |first=Peter |url=http://www.parareligion.ch/minutes/minutes.htm |title=All we want is a 'Caliph' |website=The Ordo Templi Orientis Phenomenon |access-date=February 13, 2008}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=May 2024}} He began performing initiations in 1970. O.T.O. was incorporated under the laws of the State of California on March 26, 1979. The corporation attained federal tax exemption as a religious entity under IRS Code 501(c)3 in 1982. Grady McMurtry died in 1985.
2. The '''Sovereign Sanctuary of the Gnosis''' consists of members who have reached the IX°. Their prime duty is to study and practice the theurgy and thaumaturgy of the degree, consisting of the Supreme Secret of the Order. However, as a ruling body, they have the authority to
*ratify and overturn the rulings of the Areopagus
*act as representatives of the OHO and National Grand Masters when need arises
*fill the office of Revolutionary
*vote within the Secret Areopagus
*have some powers over the installation and removal of the OHO and National Grand Masters


McMurtry requested that members of the Sovereign Sanctuary of the Gnosis (i.e. the members of the Ninth Degree) elect the next Caliph, which they did in 1985. ] was elected,<ref name="transcript">{{cite web |last=Koenig |first=Peter |url=http://www.parareligion.ch/minutes/trans.htm |title=Minutes of the Special Ninth Degree Caliphate Election |website=The Ordo Templi Orientis Phenomenon |access-date=February 13, 2008}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=May 2024}} taking the name ''Hymenaeus Beta''. In the Fall 1995 issue of ''The Magical Link'', he is designated "Hymenaeus Beta X°"; in the Fall 1997 issue of ''The Magical Link'', he is designated "Hymenaeus Beta XI°"; by May 2005, he is designated "O.H.O. Hymenaeus Beta XII°" on the O.T.O. website.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://oto-usa.org/news.html |website=US Grand Lodge, OTO |title=OTO News |date=May 2, 2005 |access-date=February 13, 2008}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=May 2024}}
3. The '''Secret Areopagus of the Illuminati''' is a philosophical Governing Body comprised of those who have reached the VIII°. It has the authority to reverse the decisions of the Grand Tribunal.


In 1996, Sabazius X° was appointed as National Grand Master General (G.M.G.) for the U.S. Grand Lodge. In 2005, Frater Hyperion X° was appointed the National G.M.G. of the newly formed UK Grand Lodge. Frater Shiva X° was appointed the G.M.G. of the Australia Grand Lodge in 2006. In 2014, Frater Abrasax X° was appointed the National G.M.G. of the newly formed Grand Lodge of Croatia, and Frater Phanes X° was appointed the National G.M.G. of the newly formed Grand Lodge of Italy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://oto.org/news0514.html |website=International Headquarters, OTO |title=IHQ News |date=May 17, 2014 |access-date=August 8, 2017}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=May 2024}} On October 14, 2014, these five National Grand Masters elected Hymenaeus Beta as "de jure" Outer Head of the Order.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-10-10 |title=Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.) News |url=http://oto.org/news1014.html |access-date=2017-11-09 |website=Ordo Templi Orientis International Headquarters}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=May 2024}}
4. The '''Grand Tribunal''' is composed of members of the degree of Grand Inquisitor Commander (a sub-degree of the VI°). Their primary duty is to hear and arbitrate disputes and complaints not resolved at the level of Chapters and Lodges.


===National=== ==Philosophy==
O.T.O. was described by Crowley as the "first of the great Old Æon orders to accept ]". O.T.O. originally borrowed ritual material from irregular Masonic organizations,<ref name="king">{{harvp|King|1973}}.</ref> and although some related symbolism and language remains in use, the context has changed to Thelema and its tenets.


{{blockquote|The Order offers esoteric instruction through dramatic ritual, guidance in a system of illuminated ethics, and fellowship among aspirants to the Great Work of realizing the divine in the human.<ref name="about">O.T.O. ''''.</ref>}}
1. At the national level, the highest body is the '''Grand Lodge''', which is ruled by the '''National Grand Master'''. Within the Grand Lodge is an '''Executive Council''', which consists of the Board of Directors, who are the National Grand Master, the Grand Secretary General, and the Grand Treasurer General.


O.T.O. has two core areas of ritual activity: initiation into the Mysteries, and the celebration of Liber XV, the Gnostic Mass. In addition, the Order organizes lectures, classes, social events, theatrical productions and artistic exhibitions, publishes books and journals, and provides instruction in Hermetic science, ], and ].
2. The '''Supreme Grand Council''' consists of members of the VII° appointed by the National Grand Master X°. They are charged with:
*the government of the whole of the Lovers Grade
*Hearing and deciding appeals of the decisions of the Electoral College
*Hearing reports of the Sovereign Grand Inspectors General VII° as to the affairs of the Initiate members of the Lovers Grade


Crowley wrote in his ''Confessions'':
3. The '''Electoral College''' consists of eleven members of the V° and is the first of the governing bodies. Its primary duty is to oversee the affairs of the Man of Earth Grade.


{{blockquote|... O.T.O. is in possession of one supreme secret. The whole of its system directed towards communicating to its members, by progressively plain hints, this all-important instruction.{{sfnp|Crowley|1979|loc=ch. 72|p=702}} }}
O.T.O. has a federally recognised tax-exempt status in the ] under ] section 501c(3). It also has ] charitable corporation status.


Of the first set of initiations, he wrote:
====Current Grand Lodges====
The '''US Grand Lodge''' is the governing body of O.T.O. in the ]. The U.S. National Grand Master is Fr. Sabazius X°, who was appointed in 1996.


{{blockquote|... the main objects of the instruction two. It firstly necessary to explain the universe and the relations of human life therewith.
According to their website, the Mission Statement of U.S.G.L. is as follows:


Secondly, to instruct every man how best to adapt his life to the cosmos and to develop his faculties to the utmost advantage. I accordingly constructed a series of rituals, Minerval, Man, Magician, Master-Magician, Perfect Magician and Perfect Initiate, which should illustrate the course of human life in its largest philosophical aspect.{{sfnp|Crowley|1979|loc=ch. 72|p=701}}}}
:"Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. is the U.S. Grand Lodge (National Section) of Ordo Templi Orientis, a hierarchical, religious membership organization. Our mission is to effect and promote the doctrines and practices of the philosophical and religious system known as Thelema, with particular emphasis on cultivating the ideals of individual liberty, self-discipline, self-knowledge, and universal brotherhood. To this end, we conduct sacramental and initiatory rites, offer guidance and instruction to our members, organize social events, and engage in educational and community service activities at locations throughout the United States."<ref name="mission">O.T.O. ''''.</ref>


The initiation rituals after the V° (fifth degree) are such that:
The '''UK Grand Lodge''' is the governing body of O.T.O. in the ]. The UK National Grand Master is Fr. Hyperion X°, who was appointed in 2005 (93 years after the last Grand Master for the UK, Aleister Crowley, was elevated to that office).


{{blockquote|the candidate is instructed in the value of discretion, loyalty, independence, truthfulness, courage, self-control, indifference to circumstance, impartiality, skepticism, and other virtues, and at the same time assisted him to discover for himself the nature of secret, the proper object of its employment and the best means for insuring success for its use.{{sfnp|Crowley|1979|loc=ch. 72|p=701}}}}
The '''Australian Grand Lodge''' is the governing body of O.T.O. in ] and its territories, chartered in April of ]. The A.G.L. National Grand Master is Fr. Shiva X°.


Of the entire system of O.T.O., Crowley wrote in ''Confessions'':
===The Gnostic Catholic Church===
{{main|Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica}}
The Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica, or Gnostic Catholic Church, is the ecclesiastical arm of O.T.O. Its central activity is the celebration of Liber XV, ]. In recent years, other rites have been written and approved for use within the church. These include Baptism, Confirmation (into the Laity), and Ordination (for Deacons, Priests & Priestesses, and Bishops), and Last Rites. There are also several "unofficial" rituals that are celebrated within the context of E.G.C., including Weddings, Visitation and Administration of the Virtues to the Sick, Exorcism, and Rites for Life and Greater Feasts.


{{blockquote|It offers a rational basis for universal brotherhood and for universal religion. It puts forward a scientific statement which is a summary of all that is at present known about the universe by means of a simple, yet sublime symbolism, artistically arranged. It also enables each man to discover for himself his personal destiny, indicates the moral and intellectual qualities which he requires in order to fulfill it freely, and finally puts in his hands an unimaginably powerful weapon that he may use to develop in himself every faculty which he may need in his work.{{sfnp|Crowley|1979|loc=ch. 72|p=703}}}}
===O.T.O. bodies===


==Initiation and teachings==
At the Man of Earth level, there are three levels of Local Body, which are Camps, Oases, and Lodges.
Membership in O.T.O. is based upon a system of initiation ceremonies (or ''degrees'') that use ritual drama to establish fraternal bonds between members as well as impart spiritual and philosophical teachings.


The degrees serve an organizational function, in that certain degrees must be attained before taking on various forms of service in the Order (e.g. taking the degree of K.E.W. is a requirement for ordination as a priest or priestess in ''Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica'').
1. '''Camps''' tend to be the smallest and are not required to perform intiations. They are encouraged to celebrate the Gnostic Mass.


There are thirteen numbered degrees and twelve un-numbered degrees which are divided into three grades or "triads"—the Hermit, the Lover, and the Man of Earth.
2. '''Oases''' are the next largest. Oases must be capable of initiating through the III° and are required to perform the Gnostic Mass six times yearly.


Admittance to each degree of O.T.O. involves an ] and the swearing of an ] which according to O.T.O is similar to those used in Freemasonry.<ref name="initiation">O.T.O. ''''.</ref><ref>💕 of Thelema (2005). '' {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121014123/http://fet.egnu.org/Oath |date=2008-11-21 }}''. Retrieved November 17, 2005.</ref>
3. '''Lodges''' are the largest local body within the Man of Earth Grade, and are expected to celebrate the Gnostic Mass on a regular basis, work towards establishing a permanent temple, and have the ability to initiate through IV°/P.I.


Advancement through the Man of Earth triad requires sponsorship from ranking members. Advancement into the degree of the Knight of the East and West and beyond requires one to be invited by ranking members.
4. '''Chapters of Rose Croix''' are bodies established by members of the Lover Grade. A Chapter is headed by a Most Wise Sovereign. They are generally charged with arranging social activities, such as plays, banquets, and dances. They also work to promote harmony among the members by tact and friendliness.


The ultimate goal of initiation in O.T.O. is "to instruct the individual by allegory and symbol in the profound mysteries of Nature, and thereby to assist each to discover his or her own true Identity".<ref name="initiation" />
5. '''Guilds''' are groups recognized by O.T.O. International designed to promote a profession, trade, science or craft. Subject to approval by the Areopogus, they make their own regulations and coordinate their own efforts. There are currently three Guilds: the Psychology Guild, the Translators' Guild, and the Information Technology Guild.


The entire system is as follows:
6. The term '''Sanctuary''' is sometimes used to indicate a group of initiates organized for E.G.C. activities. This designation currently reflects no formal chartering process or official standing within the Order.


=== Man of Earth triad ===
==History==
===Origins===
The early history of the O.T.O. is difficult to trace reliably. It originated in ] between 1895 and 1906.<ref name=GClakre>], ], p. 61. Goodrick-Clarke touches this topic as he gives some general remarks on the occultism of that time.</ref> Its apparent founder was ] (probably with the German spelling Karl)<ref name=GClakre>.</ref>, a wealthy German industrialist, in 1895 (although nothing is known of the Order until 1904).<ref name="king2">King, Francis. ''The Magical World of Aleister Crowley'', pp. 78&ndash;81</ref>


* 0°—Minerval
] (]-]) collaborated with Kellner in creating O.T.O., and succeeded him as head of the O.T.O. after Kellner's death. Under Reuss, charters were given to ] brotherhoods in ], ], ], the ] and ]. There were nine degrees, of which the first six were Masonic.<ref name="king2" />
* I°—Man & Brother
* II°—Magician
* III°—Master Magician
* IV°—Perfect Magician & Companion of the Holy Royal Arch of Enoch
**P.I.—Perfect Initiate, or Prince of Jerusalem


=== Outside all triads ===
In 1902, Reuss, along with ] and Henry Klein, purchased the right to perform the ] of Freemasonry (which is considered ] by most Masonic Grand Lodges and Grand Orients), the authority of which was confirmed in ] and again in 1905.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} These rites, along with the ] (also considered irregular), formed the core of the newly established Order.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}


* Knight of the East & West
===O.T.O. and Aleister Crowley===
Reuss met ] and in ] admitted him to the three degrees of O.T.O. Only two years later, Crowley was placed in charge of ] and ], and was advanced to the X°. The appointment included the opening of the ] section of the O.T.O. , which was called Mysteria Mystica Maxima.<ref name="king2" /> Crowley then went to ] to obtain the instructional manuscripts and also the title of ''Supreme and Holy King of Ireland, Iona and all the Britains within the Sanctuary of the Gnosis''.<ref name="king2"/> Within the year Crowley had written the Manifesto of the M∴M∴M∴ which described the basic ten-degree system with Kellner’s three degree Academia Masonica forming the VII°, VIII° and IX°.


=== Lover's triad ===
In ], Crowley composed ] while in ], which he described as being the Order’s “central ceremony of its public and private celebration.” In ], soon after ] broke out, he moved to America. It was around this time that he decided to integrate ] into the O.T.O. system, and in ] had revised rituals prepared for use in his M∴M∴M∴


* V°—
In ], Reuss wrote a ''Synopsis of Degrees'' of O.T.O. in which the 3° was listed as "Craft of Masonry" and listed the initiations involved as "], ], ]" and elaborated on this with "Full instruction in Craft Masonry, including the Catechism of the first three degrees, and an explanation of all the various Masonic systems." The same document shows that the 4° of O.T.O. is also known as the ] of Enoch. It was summarized by Reuss as the Degree of "Scotch Masonry", equivalent to "Scotch Mason, Knight of St. Andrew, Royal Arch", and he described it as "Full instruction in the Scottish degrees of Ancient and Accepted Masonry."<ref name="king" /><ref>💕 of Thelema. ''''. Retrieved June 17, 2006.</ref>
** Sovereign Prince Rose-Croix, and Knight of the Pelican & Eagle
**Knight of the Red Eagle, and Member of the Senate of Knight Hermetic Philosophers
* VI°—
** Illustrious Knight (Templar) of the Order of Kadosch, and Companion of the Holy Graal
**Grand Inquisitor Commander, and Member of the Grand Tribunal
**Prince of the Royal Secret
* VII°—
** Theoreticus, and Very Illustrious Sovereign Grand Inspector General
**Magus of Light, and Bishop of ''Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica''
**Grandmaster of Light, and Inspector of Rites & Degrees


=== Hermit's triad ===
In ], Crowley attempted to work this Masonic based O.T.O. in Detroit, Michigan. The result was that he was rebuffed by the Council of the Scottish rite on the basis that the O.T.O rituals were too similar to orthodox Masonry. He described this in a 1930 letter to ]:
:However, when it came to the considerations of the practical details of the rituals to be worked, the general Council of the Scottish Rite could not see its way to tolerate them, on the ground that the symbolism in some places touched too nearly that of the orthodox Masonry of the Lodges.<ref>Starr, Martin. ''''. Retrieved June 17, 2006.</ref>
Crowley subsequently rewrote the initiation rituals of the first three degrees, and in doing so removed most of those rituals' ties to Masonry. He did not, however, rewrite the fourth degree ritual, which remains in its form and structure related to the various Royal Arch rituals of Masonry.


* VIII°—
Crowley wrote that Theodor Reuss suffered a stroke in the spring of ]. In correspondence with one of his officers, Crowley expressed doubts about Reuss's competence to remain in office. Relations between Reuss and Crowley had begun to deteriorate—the two exchanged angry letters in November of ]. Crowley informed Reuss that he was availing himself of Reuss's abdication from office and proclaiming himself the Outer Head of the Order. Reuss died on October 28, ]. Crowley claimed in later correspondence that Reuss had designated him as his successor. Lawrence Sutin, among others, casts doubt on this claim, although there is no evidence for or against it, and no other candidate stepped forward to refute Crowley by offering proof of succession. In ], during the tumultuous Conference of Grand Masters, Crowley was officially elected as OHO by the remaining administrative heads (X°) of O.T.O.<ref>Kaczynski (2002), p.332)</ref>
** Perfect Pontiff of the Illuminati
**Epopt of the Illuminati
* IX°—Initiate of the Sanctuary of the Gnosis
* X°—Rex Summus Sanctissimus
* XI°—Initiate of the Eleventh Degree (This degree is technical, and has no relation to the general plan of the Order)
* XII°—Frater Superior, and Outer Head of the Order


==Structure==
During WWII, the European branches of O.T.O. were either destroyed or driven underground. By the end of the war, the only surviving O.T.O. body was Agapé Lodge in California, although there were various initiates in different countries. Very few initiations were being performed. At this time, ], who had been Crowley’s representative in Germany, came over to America after being released from Nazi confinement. In ], Crowley appointed him as his successor as OHO, the office he filled after the death of Crowley in ].
The governing bodies of O.T.O. include:
#International Headquarters
#*Presided over by the Outer Head of the Order XII° (O.H.O.—also known as Frater Superior)
#*Supreme Council
#*Revolutionaries
#Sovereign Sanctuary of the Gnosis of the IX°
#Secret Areopagus of the Illuminati of the VIII°
#Grand Tribunal of the VI°
#National Grand Lodge
#*Presided over by the National Grand Master X°
#*Executive Council
#Supreme Grand Council
#Electoral College


===O.T.O. after Crowley=== ===International===
# The International Headquarters is the body that governs O.T.O. worldwide. As a ruling body, it is known as the International Supreme Council, which consists of the Outer Head of the Order (O.H.O.—also known as Frater Superior), the Secretary-General, and the Treasurer General.
# The Sovereign Sanctuary of the Gnosis consists of members who have reached the IX°. Their prime duty is to study and practice the theurgy and thaumaturgy of the degree, consisting of the Supreme Secret of the Order. However, as a ruling body, they have the authority to
#*ratify and overturn the rulings of the Areopagus
#*act as representatives of the O.H.O. and National Grand Masters when need arises
#*fill the office of Revolutionary
#*vote within the Secret Areopagus
#*have some powers over the installation and removal of the O.H.O. and National Grand Masters
# The Secret Areopagus of the Illuminati is a philosophical Governing Body composed of those who have reached the VIII°. It has the authority to reverse the decisions of the Grand Tribunal.
# The Grand Tribunal is composed of members of the degree of Grand Inquisitor Commander (a sub-degree of the VI°). Their primary duty is to hear and arbitrate disputes and complaints not resolved at the level of Chapters and Lodges.


===National===
Under Germer, O.T.O. activity dropped to near extinction. He died in ] without naming a successor. It was not until 1969 that anyone stepped into the void when ] invoked his emergency authorization from Crowley and assumed the title of Caliph. He began performing initiations in ]. O.T.O. was incorporated under the laws of the State of California on March 26, ]. The corporation attained Federal Tax exemption as a religious entity under IRS Code 501(c)3 in ]. Grady McMurtry died in ], having successfully saved the O.T.O. from extinction.
# At the national level, the highest body is the Grand Lodge, which is ruled by the National Grand Master. Within the Grand Lodge is an Executive Council, which consists of the Board of Directors, who are the National Grand Master, the Grand Secretary General, and the Grand Treasurer General.
# The Supreme Grand Council consists of members of the VII° appointed by the National Grand Master X°. They are charged with:
#*the government of the whole of the Lovers Triad
#*Hearing and deciding appeals of the decisions of the Electoral College
#*Hearing reports of the Sovereign Grand Inspectors General VII° as to the affairs of the Initiate members of the Lovers Triad
# The Electoral College consists of eleven members of the V° and is the first of the governing bodies. Its primary duty is to oversee the affairs of the Man of Earth Triad.


O.T.O. has a federally recognized tax-exempt status in the United States under ] section 501c(3). It also has California charitable corporation status.
McMurtry requested that members of the Sovereign Sanctuary (members of the Ninth Degree) elect the next Outer Head of the Order, which they did in 1985. ] was elected to become the next OHO, taking the name ''Hymenaeus Beta'', and he continues in that office today. In ], Sabazius X° (]) was appointed as National Grand Master General for the U.S. Grand Lodge. In 2005, Fr. Hyperion X° was appointed the National GMG of the newly formed UK Grand Lodge. Fr. Shiva X° was appointed the GMG of Australia Grand Lodge in 2006.


====Grand Lodges====
==Questions of legitimacy==
The US Grand Lodge is the governing body of O.T.O. in the United States. The U.S. National Grand Master is Sabazius X°, who was appointed in 1996.


According to its website, the Mission Statement of U.S.G.L. is as follows:
Several competing factions currently claim to be the legitimate heirs to Aleister Crowley. After McMurtry revived O.T.O. in California, three others came forward to claim the title of Outer Head of the Order. Hermann Metzger had been a member of the early Swiss O.T.O. under Reuss. However, his claims were ignored by everyone outside of his country and he never pressed the issue. He died in ].
{{blockquote|Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. is the U.S. Grand Lodge (National Section) of Ordo Templi Orientis, a hierarchical, religious membership organization. Our mission is to effect and promote the doctrines and practices of the philosophical and religious system known as Thelema, with particular emphasis on cultivating the ideals of individual liberty, self-discipline, self-knowledge, and universal brotherhood. To this end, we conduct sacramental and initiatory rites, offer guidance and instruction to our members, organize social events, and engage in educational and community service activities at locations throughout the United States.<ref name="mission">O.T.O. .</ref>}}


As of Feb 28, 2014, US Grand Lodge had 1,508 members in 62 local bodies.<ref>{{Citation |title=usgl_annual_report_IVxxi.pdf |url=http://oto-usa.org/static/usgl_annual_report_IVxxi.pdf |access-date=2014-06-04}}</ref> The UK Grand Lodge is the governing body of O.T.O. in the United Kingdom. The UK National Grand Master is Frater Hyperion X°, who was appointed in 2005 (93 years after the last Grand Master for the UK, Aleister Crowley, was elevated to that office). The Australian Grand Lodge is the governing body of O.T.O. in Australia and its territories were chartered in April 2006. The A.G.L. National Grand Master is Frater Shiva X°. The Croatian Grand Lodge is the governing body of O.T.O. in Croatia and its territories, chartered in May 2014. The C.G.L. National Grand Master is Frater Abrasax X°. The Italian Grand Lodge is the governing body of O.T.O. in Italy and its territories, chartered in May 2014. The I.G.L. National Grand Master is Frater Phanes X°.
The other two were ] (b.1924) and ] (1931-1987). Grant had been expelled from O.T.O. in ] by Germer.<ref>, by P.R. Koenig</ref> Grant later claimed that Germer was never the legitimate OHO, making the expulsion void. He went on to declare himself OHO of Ordo Templi Orientis; his organization is generally known as the ] to distinguish it from the California corporation.


===Gnostic Catholic Church===
Motta was never initiated into O.T.O. at all, but claimed that Germer’s wife, Sasha, told him that Karl’s last words stated that Motta was "the follower." He sued for ownership of Crowley’s copyrights, which were denied to him by the U.S. District Court in Maine. Motta died in 1987, although various small groups calling themselves Society O.T.O. (S.O.T.O.) continue to exist (Society O.T.O. of David Bersson in the USA and Societas O.T.O. of ] in Spain). Both of these groups are quite different in structure and teachings from McMurtry's revived Ordo Templi Orientis, which remains organized largely as it was under Crowley.
{{Main article|Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica}}
Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica, also called the "Gnostic Catholic Church", is the ecclesiastical arm of O.T.O. Its central activity is the celebration of '']''. In recent years, other rites have been written and approved for use within the church. These include baptism, confirmation (into the laity), and ordination (for deacons, priests, priestesses, and bishops), and last rites.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}


===Court cases=== ===Bodies===
At the Man of Earth level, there are three levels of Local Body, which are Camps, Oases, and Lodges.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}
#Camps tend to be the smallest and are not required to perform initiations. They are encouraged to celebrate the Gnostic Mass.
#Oases must be capable of initiating through the III° and are required to perform the Gnostic Mass six times yearly.
#Lodges are expected to celebrate the Gnostic Mass on a regular basis, work towards establishing a permanent temple, and have the ability to initiate through IV°/P.I.
#Chapters of Rose Croix are bodies established by members of the Lover Grade. A Chapter is headed by a Most Wise Sovereign. They are generally charged with arranging social activities, such as plays, banquets, and dances. They also work to promote harmony among the members through tact and friendliness.
#Guilds are groups recognized by O.T.O. International designed to promote a profession, trade, science, or craft. Subject to approval by the Areopagus, they make their own regulations and coordinate their own efforts. There are currently three Guilds: the Psychology Guild, the Translators' Guild, and the Information Technology Guild.
#The term sanctuary is sometimes used to indicate a group of initiates organized for E.G.C. activities. This designation currently reflects no formal chartering process or official standing within the Order.


==Questions of legitimacy==
The O.T.O. as revived by McMurtry has won two court cases regarding its legitimacy as the continuation of the O.T.O. of Aleister Crowley:
After Crowley's death, several different organizations put themselves forward as legitimate continuations of Ordo Templi Orientis, both before and after McMurtry revived O.T.O. in California.
# 1976: the Superior Court in Calaveras County, California recognizes Grady McMurtry as the authorized representative of O.T.O.
# 1985: in the 9th Federal District Court in San Francisco, McMurtry is found to be the legitimate head of O.T.O. within the United States, and that O.T.O. under McMurtry is the continuation of the O.T.O. of Aleister Crowley, and the exclusive owner of the names, trademarks, copyrights and other assets of O.T.O. This decision is appealed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and upheld. The Supreme Court declined to hear a final appeal. After the case, the Caliphate-OTO purchased the Crowley copyrights from the official receiver, even though the US court decision declared that they were the rightful owners.


Although Karl Germer expelled ] from O.T.O. in 1955,{{sfnm|1a1=Starr|1y=2003|1pp=324&ndash;325|2a1=Kaczynski|2y=2010|2p=556|3a1=Bogdan|3y=2013|3p=196|4a1=Bogdan|4y=2015|4p=3}} Grant presented himself as Outer Head of Ordo Templi Orientis in a series of influential books.{{sfnp|Grant|1973}} His organization is now known as the ].
The following case is also significant in the Order's history, though it does not have as much bearing on the issue of legitimacy:
# 2002: The United Kingdom High Court, in Ordo Templi Orientis v. ], Anthony Naylor and ], finds that O.T.O. as revived by McMurtry is the sole owner of the copyrights for all of the works of Aleister Crowley. In its particulars of claim, O.T.O. had pled two mutually-exclusive routes to ownership of the copyrights:
#* (a) through Crowley's will as the named beneficiary O.T.O., a route to title that had been affirmed in U.S. Federal Court but had never been tested under English law, and
#* (b) the "bankruptcy route," on which theory O.T.O. acquired title to the copyrights from its 1991 from the UK Crown Official Receiver in Bankruptcy.


] (1931–1987), wrote that his O.T.O. membership was conferred personally by Karl Germer.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Motta |first=M. |title=O.T.O. News |editor1-last=Crowley |editor1-first=A. |editor2-last=Motta |editor2-first=M. |year=1987 |journal=The Oriflamme |volume=VI |number=5 |place=Rio de Janeiro |publisher=Society Ordo Templi Orientis in Brasil |pages=293–295}}</ref> United States First Circuit Court of Appeals found that was initiated into O.T.O. by Germer in California in 1955 or 1956.<ref name=Maine>{{cite web |title=Marcelo R. Motta and The Society Ordo Templi Orientis in America v. Samuel Weiser, Inc. |url=http://www.parareligion.ch/dplanet/html/maine.htm |date=September 24, 1984 |publisher=United States District Court: Maine District}}</ref> Motta asserted that Germer's wife Sasha had told him that Germer's last words had designated Motta as "the follower". He unsuccessfully sued for ownership of the Crowley copyrights in the U.S. District Court in Maine.<ref name=Maine />
:The Chancery Master agreed that these two routes were largely mutually exclusive; if Crowley's copyrights were not an asset in his undischarged bankruptcy, then O.T.O. bought nothing, and could only claim through the will, under which the copyrights would have to pass; but if the rights were an asset in bankruptcy, then Crowley had lacked any power to make O.T.O. a bequest of them in his will. The court examined the bankruptcy aspect first, finding that O.T.O. acquired good title. The copyrights were thus Crown property between 1935 and 1991, making dozens of books—even many of O.T.O.'s own editions—unauthorized. Had the "will route" been tried, it would have given O.T.O. an opportunity to gain recognition in UK court as the legitimate continuation of Crowley's O.T.O., since that is a precondition to being found the rightful beneficiary of his will. Thus, the issue of the organization's legitimacy did arise at trial, since it was pled into court, but it was not ruled upon. While there is no way to know whether, had it been tested, it would have been confirmed or denied, the O.T.O. made thorough legal preparations for this aspect of their case as detailed in their "Particulars of Claim". However, even O.T.O. would agree that it would be misleading to cite this case as affirming the organization's historical legitimacy, since that issue went untried.


===Court cases===
In Australia in 2005, the O.T.O. began a defamation case against the site GaiaGuys for material put up on their website that directly accused the O.T.O., particularly in Australia, of participating in acts of child abuse and sacrifice. The court found in favour of the O.T.O.<ref>Boswell, Alex. in ''Lawyers Weekly'', 6 December 2006</ref>
In Australia in 2005, O.T.O. began a defamation case against the site GaiaGuys for material put up on their website that directly accused O.T.O., particularly in Australia, of participating in acts of child abuse and sacrifice. The court found in favour of O.T.O.<ref>Boswell, Alex. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070711150703/http://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/articles/32/0c047b32.asp |date=2007-07-11 }} in ''Lawyers Weekly'', 6 December 2006</ref>


In June 2008, O.T.O. won a trademark case on appeal in the UK: "OTO", "O.T.O." "Ordo Templi Orientis" and the OTO Lamen were confirmed to be trademarks of the order.<ref name=Carboni>{{Citation |last=Carboni |first=Anna |title=In the matter of trade mark applications nos. 2322346A & 2322346B In the name of Ordo Templi Orientis and in the matter of consolidated oppositions nos. 92269 & 92270 thereto by Starfire Publishing Limited |date=2008-06-06 |url=https://www.ipo.gov.uk/tm/t-decisionmaking/t-challenge/t-challenge-decision-results/o15708.pdf |publisher=Intellectual Property Office (UK)}}</ref>
==Criticisms==

*] and O.T.O. are frequently labeled as "evil." Several ] churches consider O.T.O. to be ], although O.T.O. members contend that the tenets of Thelema do not include Satan or his worship.
*According to some, such as P. R. Koenig, Aleister Crowley and his system are misogynistic:
*:"Crowley saw no use in the vaginal fluids nor did he think that women are divine, therefore he could not imagine lesbian sexmagick. He believed that '' 'man is the guardian of the Life of God; woman but a temporary expedient; a shrine indeed for the God, but not the God.' '' ==> Women exist for the use of men. His ideal female: '' 'robust, vigorous, eager, sensible, hot and healthy.' ''<ref>Crowley, Aleister. ''De Arte Magica''</ref> That is to say, his interest was in the woman's body and he wanted no spiritual or intellectual participation from her."<ref>P. R. Koenig, P. R. (2000). ''''</ref>
*There are those, including occultists and Thelemites of other organizations, such as members of Grant's ], who do not agree that O.T.O. as revived by McMurtry is the sole legitimate continuation of the Order as headed by Aleister Crowley as found by U.S. courts. Those who hold such views tend to refer to the O.T.O. as revived by McMurtry as the "Caliphate" O.T.O. (based on McMurtry's title of ] given to him by Crowley) so as to distinguish it from other organizations that use the name "Ordo Templi Orientis". Other organizations that use the O.T.O. name and consider themselves to be legitimate continuations of O.T.O., are O.T.O. Foundation, Albion O.T.O., The Parzival XI° O.T.O. Foundation.
*In ] an ex-member of the O.T.O., writing under the pseudonym "Satyr", released ''The Black Lodge of Santa Cruz'' on the web.<ref>Satyr (2002). '''' (PDF).</ref> This was a detailed account of his membership in the O.T.O.
*In February ], a long-time high-ranking member and occult author, ], called for the resignation of upper management and stepped down from all managerial duties in protest. He continues to be a critic of the current head of the Order.<ref>Greenfield, T. Allen (2006). ''''</ref> This position appears to be supported by the transcript of the election of ] as "Caliph".<ref>http://user.cyberlink.ch/~koenig/minutes/trans.htm</ref>

==Notable members==

The following individuals are commonly believed to be current or former members of Ordo Templi Orientis. Members of the Order may choose to conceal or reveal their membership as they will, and non-members could falsely claim membership. The organization does not routinely confirm or deny membership of individuals.

{{Multicol}}
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*Gerald del Campo (resigned)
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
{{multicol-break}}
*Bill Heidrick
*]
<!-- L. Ron Hubbard was NOT a member, please don't add him. See talk page. -->
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*Charles Reese
<!-- Israel Regardie was offered IX° Honorary membership but he refused it and was thus never a member. See http://www.hermeticgoldendawn.org/Documents/Bios/regardie.htm -->
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
{{multicol-end}}


==See also== ==See also==
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* ] * ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
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* ]
* ]
* ]
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==Notes== == References ==
=== Citations ===
{{reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|40em}}


==References== === Works cited ===
{{refbegin|40em|indent=yes}}
* Crowley, Aleister (1979). ''The Confessions of Aleister Crowley.'' London; Boston : ].
* {{cite book |editor1-first=Henrik |editor1-last=Bogdan |editor2-first=Martin P. |editor2-last=Starr |title=Aleister Crowley and Western Esotericism |year=2012 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-986309-9 }}
* 💕 of Thelema (2005). ''''. Retrieved November 17, 2005.
* {{cite encyclopedia |contribution=Reception of Occultism in India: The Case of the Holy Order of Krishna |last=Bogdan |first=Henrik |title=Occultism in a Global Perspective |publisher=Acumen |location=Durham |pages=177–201 |editor1-last = Bogdan |editor1-first = Henrik |editor2-last = Djurdjevic |editor2-first = Gordan |year=2013 |isbn=978-1-84465-716-2 }}
* Kaczynski, Richard. (2002). ''Perdurabo, The Life of Aleister Crowley''. Tempe, AZ : ].
*{{cite encyclopedia |contribution=Introduction |last=Bogdan |first=Henrik |year=2015 |title=Kenneth Grant: A Bibliography |editor-last = Bogdan |editor-first = Henrik |edition=second |publisher=Starfire |location=London |isbn=978-1-906073-30-5 |pages=1–11 }}
* King, Francis (1973). ''The Secret Rituals of the O.T.O.'' ] ISBN 0-87728-144-0
* {{cite book |last=Crowley |first=Aleister |author-link=Aleister Crowley |title=] |year=1979 |place=London; Boston |publisher=Routledge & Kegan Paul |isbn=0-7100-0175-4}}
* King, Francis (1978). ''The Magical World of Aleister Crowley.'' Coward, McCann & Geoghegan. ISBN 0-698-10884-1
* {{cite book |last=Grant |first=Kenneth |author-link=Kenneth Grant |title=Aleister Crowley & the Hidden God |publisher=Muller |year=1973 |isbn=978-0-584-10011-2}}
* del Campo, Gerald. (1994). ''New Aeon Magick: Thelema Without Tears''. St. Paul, Minnesota : ].
* {{cite book |last=Kaczynski |first=Richard |author-link=Richard Kaczynski |year=2002 |title=Perdurabo: The Life of Aleister Crowley |publisher=] |isbn=1-56184-170-6}}
* Satyr (2002). . Retrieved April 7, 2005.
* {{Cite book |last=Kaczynski |first=Richard |url=https://archive.org/details/dowhatthouwiltli0000suti |url-access=registration |title=Perdurabo: The Life of Aleister Crowley |edition=2nd |publisher=North Atlantic Books |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-312-25243-4 |location=Berkeley, California}}
* Thelemapedia (2005). ''''. Retrieved January 11, 2005.
* {{cite book |last=King |first=Francis |author-link=Francis X. King |year=1973 |title=The Secret Rituals of the O.T.O. |publisher=] |isbn=0-87728-144-0}}
* {{cite book |last=King |first=Francis |year=1978 |title=The Magical World of Aleister Crowley |publisher=Coward, McCann & Geoghegan |isbn=0-698-10884-1}}
* {{cite book |last=Starr |first=Martin P. |title=The Unknown God: W. T. Smith and the Thelemites |publisher=Teitan Press |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-933429-07-9 |location=Bolingbrook, IL}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin|40em|indent=yes}}
* {{cite book |editor1-first=Hymenaeus |editor1-last=Beta |editor-link=William Breeze |year=1990 |title=]: Vol. III, No. 10 |place=York Beach |publisher=] |isbn=978-0-87728-719-3 |ref=none}}
* {{cite book |last=Evans |first=Dave |year=2007 |title=Aleister Crowley and the 20th Century Synthesis of Magick |publisher=Hidden Press |edition=2nd rev. |isbn=978-0-9555237-2-4 |ref=none}}
* {{cite book |chapter-url=https://www.academia.edu/9385533 |via=Academia.edu |chapter=The Ordo Templi Orientis |first=Christian |last=Giudice |editor-first=Christopher |editor-last=Partridge |title=The Occult World |publisher=Routledge |year=2014 |ref=none}} An academic history of O.T.O.
* {{cite journal |last=Hedenborg-White |first=M. |year=2013 |title=To Him the Winged Secret Flame, To Her the Stooping Starlight: The Social Construction of Gender in Contemporary Ordo Templi Orientis |journal=Pomegranate |volume=15 |number=1–2 |pages=102–121 |doi=10.1558/pome.v15i1-2.102 |ref=none}}
* {{cite book |last=Readdy |first=Keith |year=2018 |title=One Truth and One Spirit: Aleister Crowley's Spiritual Legacy |publisher=Ibis Press |isbn=978-0892541843 |ref=none}}
{{refend}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{Commons category}}
===O.T.O.===
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{{OTO}}
===Other organizations===
{{Thelema series}}

{{Magic and Witchcraft in the British Isles}}
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{{Authority control}}
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===Reference sites===
* - a project of
*
* , with an Emphasis on Marin County, CA
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===Critical links===
* by Sovereign Grand Inspector General Bishop T. Allen Greenfield
*
* comprehensive background information about O.T.O.


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Latest revision as of 08:04, 12 December 2024

International secret society
Ordo Templi Orientis
Lamen of Ordo Templi Orientis
Formation1895; 129 years ago (1895)
TypeMagical organization
Outer Head of the Order
Websitewww.oto.org
Part of a series on
Thelema
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Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.; lit. 'Order of the Temple of the East' or 'Order of Oriental Templars') is an occult secret society and hermetic magical organization founded at the beginning of the 20th century. The origins of O.T.O. can be traced back to the German-speaking occultists Carl Kellner, Theodor Reuss, Heinrich Klein, and Franz Hartmann. In its first incarnation, O.T.O. was intended to be modelled after and associated with European Freemasonry and as such in its early years only Freemasons could seek admittance.

Founder and first head of the Order Carl Kellner wanted to create an Academia Masonica wherein various rites of high-degree Freemasonry could be conferred within German-speaking countries. During the course of his esoteric studies across the globe and from many traditions, Kellner believed that he had discovered a key which offered a clear explanation of all the complex symbolism of Freemasonry and of nature itself. Kellner intended that O.T.O. preserve and confer this key.

After the death of Reuss, English writer and occultist Aleister Crowley assumed control of the Order. Crowley had been inducted into O.T.O. by Reuss in the early 1910s. While maintaining many core elements of Freemasonry and the intentions of both Kellner and Reuss, O.T.O. was drastically changed by Crowley. The guiding philosophy of O.T.O. from this point on became Crowley's self-created occult system, Thelema. With this change O.T.O. ceased its bestowal of Masonic degrees and membership requirements.

After Crowley's death in 1947, four main branches of O.T.O. claimed exclusive descent from the original organization and primacy over the other ones. Courts have ruled that the organization incorporated by Crowley's student Grady McMurtry in 1979 is the legal continuation of the Order and is the exclusive owner of the names, trademarks, copyrights and other assets of Crowley's O.T.O.

History

Origins

Organisation of O.T.O., the diagram (from 1926) in German shows the organization's original structure.

The early history of O.T.O. is difficult to trace reliably. It originated in Germany or Austria between 1895 and 1906. Its apparent founder was Carl Kellner (1851–1905) (probably with the German spelling Karl), a wealthy Austrian industrialist, in 1895 (although nothing verifiable is known of the Order until 1904). Kellner wanted to establish an Academia Masonica within which high-grade Freemasonic degrees could be conferred in German-speaking nations.

Theodor Reuss (1855–1923) collaborated with Kellner in creating O.T.O. and succeeded him as head of O.T.O. after Kellner's death. Under Reuss, charters were given to occult brotherhoods in France, Denmark, Switzerland, the United States, and Austria. There were ten degrees, of which the first five were Masonic.

In 1902, Reuss, along with Franz Hartmann and Henry Klein, purchased the right to perform the Rite of Memphis and Mizraim of Freemasonry from English Freemason John Yarker, the authority of which was confirmed in 1904 and again in 1905. Although these rites are considered to be irregular, they, along with the Swedenborg Rite formed the core of the newly established Order. Kellner, Reuss, Hartmann, and Klein acquired authority to operate the rites of the Martinist Order from French occultist Gérard Encausse and a clandestine form of the Scottish Rite deriving from Joseph Cerneau. From William Wynn Westcott, Reuss acquired a warrant to start a college of the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia in Germany.

In 1902, Reuss began publishing a masonic journal, The Oriflamme, as the organ of these collected rites. Reuss's rites aroused some degree of curiosity in the German-speaking Masonic milieu, as high degree Freemasonry had not been very widespread in Germany during the 1800s. O.T.O. had several hundred members and affiliates at its peak, but by 1905 and after Kellner's death, Reuss began to lose his supporters. He was attacked in Masonic periodicals for his alleged lack of Masonic regularity and credentials, and for the alleged homosexual elements in Reuss's initiations. Reuss left Germany and moved to London in 1906, and lost control of most of the lodges previously belonging to the O.T.O. network.

In 1908, Encausse invited to Reuss to an "International Masonic Conference", where he probably met Joanny Bricaud and was introduced to his Gnostic Catholic Church (E.G.C.), an off-shoot of Jules Doinel's Église Gnostique. Later O.T.O. documents would present the Order being linked to the E.G.C, and subsequently portray the E.G.C. of O.T.O. as being autonomous with respect to Bricaud's organization.

The sex magic of the higher O.T.O. degrees appears to be based on the writings of the American occultist Paschal Beverly Randolph (1825–1875), which were adopted by the Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor (or of Light), another group with which Kellner had been in contact and whose teachings he said he had incorporated into O.T.O. Scholar Marco Pasi notes, however, that there is no evidence in support of this, and suggests that Reuss acquired sexual ideas and techniques from Yarker, who had in his possession certain unpublished writings by Randolph.

Under Reuss' leadership

Reuss met Aleister Crowley and in 1910 admitted him to the first three degrees of O.T.O. Two years later, Crowley was placed in charge of Great Britain and Ireland, and was advanced to the X° (tenth degree). The appointment included the opening of the British section of O.T.O., which was called the Mysteria Mystica Maxima or the M∴M∴M∴. Crowley then went to Berlin to obtain instructional manuscripts and the title of Supreme and Holy King of Ireland, Iona and all the Britains within the Sanctuary of the Gnosis. Within the year, Crowley had written the Manifesto of the M∴M∴M∴ which described its basic ten-degree system with Kellner's three degree Academia Masonica forming the seventh, eighth and ninth degrees.

In 1913, Crowley composed the Gnostic Mass while in Moscow, which he described as being the Order's "central ceremony of its public and private celebration". In 1914, soon after World War I broke out, he moved to the United States. It was around this time that Crowley decided to integrate Thelema into the O.T.O. system, and in 1915 prepared revised rituals for use in the M∴M∴M∴.

In 1917, Reuss wrote a Synopsis of Degrees of O.T.O. in which the third degree was listed as "Craft of Masonry" and listed the initiations involved as "Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, Master Mason" and elaborated on this with "Full instruction in Craft Masonry, including the Catechism of the first three degrees, and an explanation of all the various Masonic systems". The same document shows that the fourth degree of O.T.O. is also known as the Holy Royal Arch of Enoch. It was summarized by Reuss as the Degree of "Scotch Masonry", equivalent to "Scotch Mason, Knight of St. Andrew, Royal Arch", and he described it as "Full instruction in the Scottish degrees of Ancient and Accepted Masonry".

In 1919, Crowley attempted to work this Masonic-based O.T.O. in Detroit, Michigan. The result was that he was rebuffed by the Council of the Scottish Rite on the basis that O.T.O. rituals were too similar to orthodox Masonry. He described this in a 1930 letter to Arnold Krumm-Heller:

However, when it came to the considerations of the practical details of the rituals to be worked, the general Council of the Scottish Rite could not see its way to tolerate them, on the ground that the symbolism in some places touched too nearly that of the orthodox Masonry of the Lodges.

Crowley subsequently rewrote the initiation rituals of the first three degrees, and in doing so removed most of those rituals' ties to Masonry. He did not, however, rewrite the fourth degree ritual, which remains in its form and structure related to the various Royal Arch rituals of Masonry.

Under Crowley's leadership

Crowley wrote that Theodore Reuss suffered a stroke in the spring of 1920. In correspondence with one of Reuss' officers, Crowley expressed doubts about Reuss' competence to remain in office. Relations between Reuss and Crowley began to deteriorate, and the two exchanged angry letters in November 1921. Crowley informed Reuss that he was availing himself of Reuss' abdication from office and proclaiming himself Outer Head of the Order. Reuss died on October 28, 1923, without designating a successor, though Crowley wrote in later correspondence that Reuss had designated him. Crowley's biographer Lawrence Sutin, among others, casts doubt on this, though there is no evidence for or against it, and no other candidate stepped forward to refute Crowley by offering proof of succession. In 1925, during a tumultuous Conference of Grand Masters, Crowley was officially elected as Outer Head of the Order (or O.H.O.) by the remaining administrative heads of O.T.O.

During this period, O.T.O. members outside of the USA rarely came into contact with one another.:

I am arranging to send you the official papers connected to the O.T.O. but the idea that you should meet other members first is quite impossible. Even after affiliation, you would not meet anyone unless it were necessary for you to work in cooperation with them. I am afraid you have still got the idea that the Great Work is a tea party. Contact with other students only means that you criticize their hats, and then their morals; and I am not going to encourage this. Your work is not anybody else’s, and undirected chatter is the worst poisonous element in a humane society.

— Aleister Crowley in Magick Without Tears

Since the total membership of O.T.O. at that time was counted in the dozens rather than in hundreds or thousands, this may simply have been Crowley's attempt at disguising the low numbers.

During World War II, the European branches of O.T.O. were either destroyed or driven underground. By the end of the war, the only surviving O.T.O. body was Agapé Lodge in California, although there were various initiates in different countries. Very few initiations were being performed. At this time, Karl Germer, who had been Crowley's representative in Germany, migrated to the United States after being released from Nazi confinement. On March 14, 1942, Crowley appointed him as his successor as Outer Head of the Order, and Germer filled the office after the death of Crowley in 1947.

After Crowley's death

After Crowley's death, Germer attempted to keep O.T.O. running, with questionable success. Crowley had granted a charter to run an O.T.O. Camp in England to Gerald Gardner, and Germer acknowledged Gardner as O.T.O.'s main representative in Europe. The two men met in 1948 in New York to discuss plans, but Gardner's continuing ill health led to Germer replacing him with Frederic Mellinger in 1951. Also in 1951, Germer granted a charter to run an O.T.O. Camp in England to Kenneth Grant, who had briefly served as Crowley's secretary during the 1940s. Grant was to be expelled and his charter revoked in 1955 however, and from that time onwards O.T.O.'s representative in the UK was a IX° member, Noel Fitzgerald.

Germer died in 1962 without naming a successor. It was not until 1969 that Grady McMurtry invoked his letter of emergency authorization from Crowley and became the Frater Superior of O.T.O. McMurtry did not claim the title of Outer Head of the Order, stating in 1974 that "There is at present no Outer Head of the Order for Aleister Crowley's Ordo Templi Orientis. The Outer Head of the Order is an international office (see p. 201, The Blue Equinox) and Aleister Crowley's Ordo Templi Orientis is not at this time established organizationally to fulfill the requirements of its Constitution in this respect." He began performing initiations in 1970. O.T.O. was incorporated under the laws of the State of California on March 26, 1979. The corporation attained federal tax exemption as a religious entity under IRS Code 501(c)3 in 1982. Grady McMurtry died in 1985.

McMurtry requested that members of the Sovereign Sanctuary of the Gnosis (i.e. the members of the Ninth Degree) elect the next Caliph, which they did in 1985. William Breeze was elected, taking the name Hymenaeus Beta. In the Fall 1995 issue of The Magical Link, he is designated "Hymenaeus Beta X°"; in the Fall 1997 issue of The Magical Link, he is designated "Hymenaeus Beta XI°"; by May 2005, he is designated "O.H.O. Hymenaeus Beta XII°" on the O.T.O. website.

In 1996, Sabazius X° was appointed as National Grand Master General (G.M.G.) for the U.S. Grand Lodge. In 2005, Frater Hyperion X° was appointed the National G.M.G. of the newly formed UK Grand Lodge. Frater Shiva X° was appointed the G.M.G. of the Australia Grand Lodge in 2006. In 2014, Frater Abrasax X° was appointed the National G.M.G. of the newly formed Grand Lodge of Croatia, and Frater Phanes X° was appointed the National G.M.G. of the newly formed Grand Lodge of Italy. On October 14, 2014, these five National Grand Masters elected Hymenaeus Beta as "de jure" Outer Head of the Order.

Philosophy

O.T.O. was described by Crowley as the "first of the great Old Æon orders to accept The Book of the Law". O.T.O. originally borrowed ritual material from irregular Masonic organizations, and although some related symbolism and language remains in use, the context has changed to Thelema and its tenets.

The Order offers esoteric instruction through dramatic ritual, guidance in a system of illuminated ethics, and fellowship among aspirants to the Great Work of realizing the divine in the human.

O.T.O. has two core areas of ritual activity: initiation into the Mysteries, and the celebration of Liber XV, the Gnostic Mass. In addition, the Order organizes lectures, classes, social events, theatrical productions and artistic exhibitions, publishes books and journals, and provides instruction in Hermetic science, yoga, and magick.

Crowley wrote in his Confessions:

... O.T.O. is in possession of one supreme secret. The whole of its system directed towards communicating to its members, by progressively plain hints, this all-important instruction.

Of the first set of initiations, he wrote:

... the main objects of the instruction two. It firstly necessary to explain the universe and the relations of human life therewith. Secondly, to instruct every man how best to adapt his life to the cosmos and to develop his faculties to the utmost advantage. I accordingly constructed a series of rituals, Minerval, Man, Magician, Master-Magician, Perfect Magician and Perfect Initiate, which should illustrate the course of human life in its largest philosophical aspect.

The initiation rituals after the V° (fifth degree) are such that:

the candidate is instructed in the value of discretion, loyalty, independence, truthfulness, courage, self-control, indifference to circumstance, impartiality, skepticism, and other virtues, and at the same time assisted him to discover for himself the nature of secret, the proper object of its employment and the best means for insuring success for its use.

Of the entire system of O.T.O., Crowley wrote in Confessions:

It offers a rational basis for universal brotherhood and for universal religion. It puts forward a scientific statement which is a summary of all that is at present known about the universe by means of a simple, yet sublime symbolism, artistically arranged. It also enables each man to discover for himself his personal destiny, indicates the moral and intellectual qualities which he requires in order to fulfill it freely, and finally puts in his hands an unimaginably powerful weapon that he may use to develop in himself every faculty which he may need in his work.

Initiation and teachings

Membership in O.T.O. is based upon a system of initiation ceremonies (or degrees) that use ritual drama to establish fraternal bonds between members as well as impart spiritual and philosophical teachings.

The degrees serve an organizational function, in that certain degrees must be attained before taking on various forms of service in the Order (e.g. taking the degree of K.E.W. is a requirement for ordination as a priest or priestess in Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica).

There are thirteen numbered degrees and twelve un-numbered degrees which are divided into three grades or "triads"—the Hermit, the Lover, and the Man of Earth.

Admittance to each degree of O.T.O. involves an initiation and the swearing of an oath which according to O.T.O is similar to those used in Freemasonry.

Advancement through the Man of Earth triad requires sponsorship from ranking members. Advancement into the degree of the Knight of the East and West and beyond requires one to be invited by ranking members.

The ultimate goal of initiation in O.T.O. is "to instruct the individual by allegory and symbol in the profound mysteries of Nature, and thereby to assist each to discover his or her own true Identity".

The entire system is as follows:

Man of Earth triad

  • 0°—Minerval
  • I°—Man & Brother
  • II°—Magician
  • III°—Master Magician
  • IV°—Perfect Magician & Companion of the Holy Royal Arch of Enoch
    • P.I.—Perfect Initiate, or Prince of Jerusalem

Outside all triads

  • Knight of the East & West

Lover's triad

  • V°—
    • Sovereign Prince Rose-Croix, and Knight of the Pelican & Eagle
    • Knight of the Red Eagle, and Member of the Senate of Knight Hermetic Philosophers
  • VI°—
    • Illustrious Knight (Templar) of the Order of Kadosch, and Companion of the Holy Graal
    • Grand Inquisitor Commander, and Member of the Grand Tribunal
    • Prince of the Royal Secret
  • VII°—
    • Theoreticus, and Very Illustrious Sovereign Grand Inspector General
    • Magus of Light, and Bishop of Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica
    • Grandmaster of Light, and Inspector of Rites & Degrees

Hermit's triad

  • VIII°—
    • Perfect Pontiff of the Illuminati
    • Epopt of the Illuminati
  • IX°—Initiate of the Sanctuary of the Gnosis
  • X°—Rex Summus Sanctissimus
  • XI°—Initiate of the Eleventh Degree (This degree is technical, and has no relation to the general plan of the Order)
  • XII°—Frater Superior, and Outer Head of the Order

Structure

The governing bodies of O.T.O. include:

  1. International Headquarters
    • Presided over by the Outer Head of the Order XII° (O.H.O.—also known as Frater Superior)
    • Supreme Council
    • Revolutionaries
  2. Sovereign Sanctuary of the Gnosis of the IX°
  3. Secret Areopagus of the Illuminati of the VIII°
  4. Grand Tribunal of the VI°
  5. National Grand Lodge
    • Presided over by the National Grand Master X°
    • Executive Council
  6. Supreme Grand Council
  7. Electoral College

International

  1. The International Headquarters is the body that governs O.T.O. worldwide. As a ruling body, it is known as the International Supreme Council, which consists of the Outer Head of the Order (O.H.O.—also known as Frater Superior), the Secretary-General, and the Treasurer General.
  2. The Sovereign Sanctuary of the Gnosis consists of members who have reached the IX°. Their prime duty is to study and practice the theurgy and thaumaturgy of the degree, consisting of the Supreme Secret of the Order. However, as a ruling body, they have the authority to
    • ratify and overturn the rulings of the Areopagus
    • act as representatives of the O.H.O. and National Grand Masters when need arises
    • fill the office of Revolutionary
    • vote within the Secret Areopagus
    • have some powers over the installation and removal of the O.H.O. and National Grand Masters
  3. The Secret Areopagus of the Illuminati is a philosophical Governing Body composed of those who have reached the VIII°. It has the authority to reverse the decisions of the Grand Tribunal.
  4. The Grand Tribunal is composed of members of the degree of Grand Inquisitor Commander (a sub-degree of the VI°). Their primary duty is to hear and arbitrate disputes and complaints not resolved at the level of Chapters and Lodges.

National

  1. At the national level, the highest body is the Grand Lodge, which is ruled by the National Grand Master. Within the Grand Lodge is an Executive Council, which consists of the Board of Directors, who are the National Grand Master, the Grand Secretary General, and the Grand Treasurer General.
  2. The Supreme Grand Council consists of members of the VII° appointed by the National Grand Master X°. They are charged with:
    • the government of the whole of the Lovers Triad
    • Hearing and deciding appeals of the decisions of the Electoral College
    • Hearing reports of the Sovereign Grand Inspectors General VII° as to the affairs of the Initiate members of the Lovers Triad
  3. The Electoral College consists of eleven members of the V° and is the first of the governing bodies. Its primary duty is to oversee the affairs of the Man of Earth Triad.

O.T.O. has a federally recognized tax-exempt status in the United States under IRS section 501c(3). It also has California charitable corporation status.

Grand Lodges

The US Grand Lodge is the governing body of O.T.O. in the United States. The U.S. National Grand Master is Sabazius X°, who was appointed in 1996.

According to its website, the Mission Statement of U.S.G.L. is as follows:

Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. is the U.S. Grand Lodge (National Section) of Ordo Templi Orientis, a hierarchical, religious membership organization. Our mission is to effect and promote the doctrines and practices of the philosophical and religious system known as Thelema, with particular emphasis on cultivating the ideals of individual liberty, self-discipline, self-knowledge, and universal brotherhood. To this end, we conduct sacramental and initiatory rites, offer guidance and instruction to our members, organize social events, and engage in educational and community service activities at locations throughout the United States.

As of Feb 28, 2014, US Grand Lodge had 1,508 members in 62 local bodies. The UK Grand Lodge is the governing body of O.T.O. in the United Kingdom. The UK National Grand Master is Frater Hyperion X°, who was appointed in 2005 (93 years after the last Grand Master for the UK, Aleister Crowley, was elevated to that office). The Australian Grand Lodge is the governing body of O.T.O. in Australia and its territories were chartered in April 2006. The A.G.L. National Grand Master is Frater Shiva X°. The Croatian Grand Lodge is the governing body of O.T.O. in Croatia and its territories, chartered in May 2014. The C.G.L. National Grand Master is Frater Abrasax X°. The Italian Grand Lodge is the governing body of O.T.O. in Italy and its territories, chartered in May 2014. The I.G.L. National Grand Master is Frater Phanes X°.

Gnostic Catholic Church

Main article: Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica

Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica, also called the "Gnostic Catholic Church", is the ecclesiastical arm of O.T.O. Its central activity is the celebration of Liber XV, The Gnostic Mass. In recent years, other rites have been written and approved for use within the church. These include baptism, confirmation (into the laity), and ordination (for deacons, priests, priestesses, and bishops), and last rites.

Bodies

At the Man of Earth level, there are three levels of Local Body, which are Camps, Oases, and Lodges.

  1. Camps tend to be the smallest and are not required to perform initiations. They are encouraged to celebrate the Gnostic Mass.
  2. Oases must be capable of initiating through the III° and are required to perform the Gnostic Mass six times yearly.
  3. Lodges are expected to celebrate the Gnostic Mass on a regular basis, work towards establishing a permanent temple, and have the ability to initiate through IV°/P.I.
  4. Chapters of Rose Croix are bodies established by members of the Lover Grade. A Chapter is headed by a Most Wise Sovereign. They are generally charged with arranging social activities, such as plays, banquets, and dances. They also work to promote harmony among the members through tact and friendliness.
  5. Guilds are groups recognized by O.T.O. International designed to promote a profession, trade, science, or craft. Subject to approval by the Areopagus, they make their own regulations and coordinate their own efforts. There are currently three Guilds: the Psychology Guild, the Translators' Guild, and the Information Technology Guild.
  6. The term sanctuary is sometimes used to indicate a group of initiates organized for E.G.C. activities. This designation currently reflects no formal chartering process or official standing within the Order.

Questions of legitimacy

After Crowley's death, several different organizations put themselves forward as legitimate continuations of Ordo Templi Orientis, both before and after McMurtry revived O.T.O. in California.

Although Karl Germer expelled Kenneth Grant from O.T.O. in 1955, Grant presented himself as Outer Head of Ordo Templi Orientis in a series of influential books. His organization is now known as the Typhonian Order.

Marcelo Ramos Motta (1931–1987), wrote that his O.T.O. membership was conferred personally by Karl Germer. United States First Circuit Court of Appeals found that was initiated into O.T.O. by Germer in California in 1955 or 1956. Motta asserted that Germer's wife Sasha had told him that Germer's last words had designated Motta as "the follower". He unsuccessfully sued for ownership of the Crowley copyrights in the U.S. District Court in Maine.

Court cases

In Australia in 2005, O.T.O. began a defamation case against the site GaiaGuys for material put up on their website that directly accused O.T.O., particularly in Australia, of participating in acts of child abuse and sacrifice. The court found in favour of O.T.O.

In June 2008, O.T.O. won a trademark case on appeal in the UK: "OTO", "O.T.O." "Ordo Templi Orientis" and the OTO Lamen were confirmed to be trademarks of the order.

See also

References

Citations

  1. Bogdan & Starr (2012), pp. 10, 148–150.
  2. ^ Kaczynski (2010), p. 350.
  3. Bogdan & Starr (2012), p. 239.
  4. ^ Hanegraaff, Wouter J.; Faivre, Antoine; Broek, Roelof van den; Brach, Jean-Pierre (2005). Dictionary of Gnosis and Western Esotericism (Online ed.). Leiden: Brill. ISBN 9789004141872. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  5. ^ "Marcelo R. Motta and The Society Ordo Templi Orientis in America v. Samuel Weiser, Inc". United States District Court: Maine District. September 24, 1984.
  6. ^ Carboni, Anna (2008-06-06), In the matter of trade mark applications nos. 2322346A & 2322346B In the name of Ordo Templi Orientis and in the matter of consolidated oppositions nos. 92269 & 92270 thereto by Starfire Publishing Limited (PDF), Intellectual Property Office (UK)
  7. ^ Kully, Max (1926). Die Wahrheit über die Theo-Anthroposophie als eine Kultur-Verfallserscheinung [The truth about theo-anthroposophy as a phenomenon of cultural decay] (in German). Basel: Basler Volksblatt. p. 269.
  8. ^ Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke, The Occult Roots of Nazism, p. 61. Goodrick-Clarke touches on this topic as he gives some general remarks on the occultism of that time.
  9. ^ King (1978), pp. 78–81.
  10. Chaos Out of Order/Decline and revival: the rebirth of the Rite Footnotes 40–42,
  11. ^ Kaczynski (2010), p. 351.
  12. Kaczynski (2010), p. 352.
  13. Crowley (1979), ch. 73.
  14. ^ King (1973).
  15. Kaczynski, Richard. Panic in Detroit: The Magician and the Motor City (2006)
  16. Starr, Martin. Aleister Crowley: Freemason!. Retrieved June 17, 2006.
  17. Kaczynski (2002), p. 332.
  18. Kenneth Grant and the Typhonian Ordo Templi Orientis, by P.R. Koenig
  19. Orpheus, Rodney (2009). "Gerald Gardner & Ordo Templi Orientis". Pentacle Magazine. No. 30. pp. 14–18. ISSN 1753-898X.
  20. Koenig, Peter. "All we want is a 'Caliph'". The Ordo Templi Orientis Phenomenon. Retrieved February 13, 2008.
  21. Koenig, Peter. "Minutes of the Special Ninth Degree Caliphate Election". The Ordo Templi Orientis Phenomenon. Retrieved February 13, 2008.
  22. "OTO News". US Grand Lodge, OTO. May 2, 2005. Retrieved February 13, 2008.
  23. "IHQ News". International Headquarters, OTO. May 17, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
  24. "Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.) News". Ordo Templi Orientis International Headquarters. 2014-10-10. Retrieved 2017-11-09.
  25. O.T.O. About OTO.
  26. Crowley (1979), p. 702, ch. 72.
  27. ^ Crowley (1979), p. 701, ch. 72.
  28. Crowley (1979), p. 703, ch. 72.
  29. ^ O.T.O. Initiation.
  30. 💕 of Thelema (2005). Oath Archived 2008-11-21 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 17, 2005.
  31. O.T.O. US Grand Lodge Program Synopsis and Mission Statement.
  32. usgl_annual_report_IVxxi.pdf (PDF), retrieved 2014-06-04
  33. Starr 2003, pp. 324–325; Kaczynski 2010, p. 556; Bogdan 2013, p. 196; Bogdan 2015, p. 3.
  34. Grant (1973).
  35. Motta, M. (1987). Crowley, A.; Motta, M. (eds.). "O.T.O. News". The Oriflamme. VI (5). Rio de Janeiro: Society Ordo Templi Orientis in Brasil: 293–295.
  36. Boswell, Alex. Pro bono effort muzzles religion slur Archived 2007-07-11 at the Wayback Machine in Lawyers Weekly, 6 December 2006

Works cited

Further reading

  • Beta, Hymenaeus, ed. (1990). The Equinox: Vol. III, No. 10. York Beach: Samuel Weiser. ISBN 978-0-87728-719-3.
  • Evans, Dave (2007). Aleister Crowley and the 20th Century Synthesis of Magick (2nd rev. ed.). Hidden Press. ISBN 978-0-9555237-2-4.
  • Giudice, Christian (2014). "The Ordo Templi Orientis". In Partridge, Christopher (ed.). The Occult World. Routledge – via Academia.edu. An academic history of O.T.O.
  • Hedenborg-White, M. (2013). "To Him the Winged Secret Flame, To Her the Stooping Starlight: The Social Construction of Gender in Contemporary Ordo Templi Orientis". Pomegranate. 15 (1–2): 102–121. doi:10.1558/pome.v15i1-2.102.
  • Readdy, Keith (2018). One Truth and One Spirit: Aleister Crowley's Spiritual Legacy. Ibis Press. ISBN 978-0892541843.

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