Ordo Templi Orientis (O. Thelema is a philosophy of life based on the rule or law "Do what thou wilt Liber AL vel Legis is the central sacred text of Thelema, written by Aleister Crowley in Cairo, Egypt in the year 1904 Aleister Crowley, born Edward Alexander Crowley (ˈkroʊli (12 October 1875 – 1 December 1947 was a British Occultist Writer, mountaineer True Will is a term found within the mystical system of Thelema, adapted from the philosophy of François Rabelais in 1904 with Aleister Crowley 's writing The number 93 is of great significance in the religion of Thelema, adapted from the philosophy of François Rabelais by Aleister Crowley in 1904 Magick, in the broadest sense is any act designed to cause intentional change Within the modern system of Thelema, developed by Aleister Crowley in the first half of the 20th century Thelemic mysticism is a complex mystical path designed to Magnum opus (sometimes Opus magnum, plural magna opera) from the Latin meaning great work, refers to the best the greatest The term Holy Guardian Angel was possibly coined either by Abraham of Würzburg, a French Cabalist who wrote a book on Ceremonial magick during the 15th century Aleister Crowley wrote The Gnostic Mass — technically called Liber XV or "Book 15" — in 1913 while travelling in Moscow Aleister Crowley ( 1875 - 1947)—mystic occultist and mountaineer—was a highly prolific writer not only on the topic of Thelema and Magick Aleister Crowley, the founder of the religion of Thelema, designated his works as belonging to one of several classes The A∴A∴ (Latin Argenteum Astrum or Greek Άστρον Αργόν, "Astron Argon", both literally "Silver star" alternately Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica ( EGC) or the Gnostic Catholic Church, is the ecclesiastical arm of Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO an international fraternal Nuit (alternatively Nu Nut or Nuith is the speaker in the first Chapter of the Book of the Law, the sacred text of Thelema written or received in Hadit (sometimes Had) refers to the Thelemic version of an Egyptian god. Heru-ra-ha (literally " Horus sun-flesh" among other possible meanings is a composite deity within Thelema, a religion adapted from the philosophy of Babalon —also known as The Scarlet Woman The Great Mother or the Mother of Abominations—is a goddess found in the mystical system of Thelema, which was established Chaos (derived from the Ancient Greek, Chaos) typically refers to Unpredictability, and is the antithesis of Cosmos. Baphomet is a name of unestablished origin It first appeared in trial transcripts during the Inquisition of the Knights Templar in the early 1300s Choronzon (also known as 'Coronzon' or '333' is a Demon or Devil that originated in writing with the 16th century Occultists Edward Kelley Ankh-af-na-khonsu was a priest of the Egyptian god Mentu who lived in Thebes during the 25th and 26th dynasty (c Aiwass is the name of the being whom Aleister Crowley claimed dictated The Book of the Law, the central sacred text of Thelema, to him on April Maat or Mayet, thought to have been pronounced as *Muʔʕat (Muh-aht was the Ancient Egyptian concept of Truth, balance order— Law The Stèle of Revealing refers to an ancient Egyptian funerary artifact of Ankh-af-na-khonsu or Ankh-ef-en-Khons which played a role in the creation of the religion known Abrahadabra is a word that first publicly appeared in The Book of the Law, the central sacred text of Thelema. The unicursal hexagram is a Hexagram or six pointed star that can be traced or drawn Unicursally in one continuous line rather than two overlaid triangles Abramelin oil, also called Oil of Abramelin, is a ceremonial magical oil blended from aromatic plant materials T. O. ) (Order of the Temple of the East, or the Order of Oriental Templars) is an international fraternal and religious organization founded at the beginning of the 20th century. Religious activities generally need some infrastructure to be conducted The twentieth century of the Common Era began on Originally it was intended to be modelled after and associatied with Freemasonry,^[1] but under the leadership of Aleister Crowley was reorganized based on the Law of Thelema as its central religious principle. Aleister Crowley, born Edward Alexander Crowley (ˈkroʊli (12 October 1875 – 1 December 1947 was a British Occultist Writer, mountaineer Thelema is a philosophy of life based on the rule or law "Do what thou wilt This Law—expressed as “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law" ^[2] and "Love is the law, love under will” ^[3]—was established in 1904 with the dictation of The Book of the Law. Year 1904 ( MCMIV) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year starting on Liber AL vel Legis is the central sacred text of Thelema, written by Aleister Crowley in Cairo, Egypt in the year 1904 Similar to many secret societies, O. Secret society is a term used to describe a variety of organizations T. O. membership is based on an initiatory system with a series of degree ceremonies that use ritual drama to establish fraternal bonds and impart spiritual and philosophical teachings. A ritual is a set of actions often thought to have Symbolic value the performance of which is usually prescribed by a Religion or by the Traditions

O. T. O. also includes the Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica (EGC) or Gnostic Catholic Church, which is the ecclesiastical arm of the Order. Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica ( EGC) or the Gnostic Catholic Church, is the ecclesiastical arm of Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO an international fraternal Its central rite, which is public, is called Liber XV, or the Gnostic Mass. Aleister Crowley wrote The Gnostic Mass — technically called Liber XV or "Book 15" — in 1913 while travelling in Moscow

O. T. O. claims over 3000 members in 58 countries; about half of these are in the United States.

History

Origins

The early history of the O. T. O. is difficult to trace reliably. It originated in Germany or Austria between 1895 and 1906. This article gives an overview of esoteric movements in Germany and Austria between 1880 and 1945 presenting Theosophy, Anthroposophy ^[4] Its apparent founder was Carl Kellner (probably with the German spelling Karl)^[4], a wealthy German industrialist, in 1895 (although nothing is known of the Order until 1904). Carl Kellner (Renatus 1 September 1851 - June 7 1905) was a wealthy paper chemist and founder of the Ordo Templi Orientis. ^[5]

Theodor Reuss (1855-1923) collaborated with Kellner in creating O. Theodor Reuss ( June 28, 1855 - October 28, 1923) was an Anglo-German tantric Occultist Anarchist, police spy Year 1855 ( MDCCCLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common year Year 1923 ( MCMXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. T. O. , and succeeded him as head of the O. T. O. after Kellner's death. Under Reuss, charters were given to occult brotherhoods in France, Denmark, Switzerland, the U.S.A. and Austria. The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus (clandestine hidden secret referring to "knowledge of the hidden" This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. The Kingdom of Denmark ( ˈd̥ænmɑɡ̊ (archaic ˈd̥anmɑːɡ̊ commonly known as Denmark, is a country in the Scandinavian region of northern Europe Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Austria (Österreich ( officially the Republic of Austria (Republik Österreich There were nine degrees, of which the first six were Masonic. ^[5]

In 1902, Reuss, along with Franz Hartmann and Henry Klein, purchased the right to perform the Rite of Memphis and Mizraim of Freemasonry, the authority of which was confirmed in 1904 and again in 1905. Franz Hartmann (1838 - 1912 was a German physician theosophist Occultist, Geomancer, Astrologer, and author of esoteric works Among the Masonic Rites Memphis-Misraim has occupied a particular position since its origin Year 1904 ( MCMIV) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year starting on Although these rites are considered to be irregular, they, along with the Swedenborgian Rite formed the core of the newly established Order.

O. T. O. and Aleister Crowley

Reuss met Aleister Crowley and in 1910 admitted him to the three degrees of O. Aleister Crowley, born Edward Alexander Crowley (ˈkroʊli (12 October 1875 – 1 December 1947 was a British Occultist Writer, mountaineer Year 1910 ( MCMX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting T. O. Only two years later, Crowley was placed in charge of Great Britain and Ireland, and was advanced to the X°. See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world The appointment included the opening of the British section of the O. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom from 1 January 1801 until 12 April 1927 T. O. , which was called Mysteria Mystica Maxima. ^[5] Crowley then went to Berlin 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. Berlin is the capital city and one of sixteen states of Germany. ^[5] 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 seventh, eighth and ninth degree.

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. Year 1913 ( MCMXIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Aleister Crowley wrote The Gnostic Mass — technically called Liber XV or "Book 15" — in 1913 while travelling in Moscow Moscow (Москва́ romanised: Moskvá, IPA: see also other names) is the Capital and the largest city of ” In 1914, soon after World War I broke out, he moved to America. Year 1914 ( MCMXIV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All It was around this time that he decided to integrate Thelema into the O. Thelema is a philosophy of life based on the rule or law "Do what thou wilt T. O. system, and in 1915 had revised rituals prepared for use in his M∴M∴M∴

In 1917, Reuss wrote a Synopsis of Degrees of O. Year 1915 ( MCMXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Year 1917 ( MCMXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year 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. The term York Rite is a term most often used in the United States of America to refer to a collection of Masonic degrees that in most other countries are conferred separately 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. "^[6][7]

In 1919, Crowley attempted to work this Masonic based O. Year 1919 ( MCMXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common 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 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. Arnold Krumm-Heller (1876&ndash1949 was a German doctor, Occultist Rosicrucian, and founder of Fraternitas Rosicruciana Antiqua (FRA a traditional ^[8]

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.

Crowley wrote that Theodor Reuss suffered a stroke in the spring of 1920. Year 1920 ( MCMXX) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display 1920 of the Gregorian calendar 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 1921. Year 1921 ( MCMXXI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1921 calendar of the Gregorian calendar 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, 1923. Year 1923 ( MCMXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. 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 1925, during the tumultuous Conference of Grand Masters, Crowley was officially elected as OHO by the remaining administrative heads of O. Year 1925 ( MCMXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. T. O. ^[9]

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, Karl Germer, who had been Crowley’s representative in Germany, came over to America after being released from Nazi confinement. Karl Germer ( 22 January, 1885 - 25 October. 1962 was the Outer Head of the Order (OHO of Ordo Templi Orientis from 1947 until his death in In 1942, Crowley appointed him as his successor as OHO, the office he filled after the death of Crowley in 1947. Year 1942 ( MCMXLII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1947 ( MCMXLVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

O. T. O. after Crowley

Under Germer, O. T. O. activity dropped to near extinction. He died in 1962 without naming a successor. Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. It was not until 1969 that anyone stepped into the void when Grady McMurtry invoked his emergency authorization from Crowley and assumed the title of Caliph (X°). Grady Louis McMurtry ( October 18, 1918 – July 12, 1985) was a student of Aleister Crowley and an adherent of Thelema. Grady did not claim the title of OHO, stating in 1974 that "There is at present no Outer Head of the Order for Aleister Crowley's Ordo Templi Orientis. Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. 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. "^[10] He began performing initiations in 1970. Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. O. T. O. was incorporated under the laws of the State of California on March 26, 1979. Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) The corporation attained Federal Tax exemption as a religious entity under IRS Code 501(c)3 in 1982. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) Grady McMurtry died in 1985, having successfully saved the O. Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) T. O. from extinction.

McMurtry requested that members of the Sovereign Sanctuary (members of the Ninth Degree) elect the next Caliph, which they did in 1985. William Breeze was elected to become the next Caliph (X°),^[11] taking the name Hymenaeus Beta X°. William Breeze is an American musician and Occultist best known as a member of Coil and as the current international leader of Ordo Templi Orientis

Sometime between 1995 and 2005 Breeze apparently assumed the title of OHO. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. 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. ^[12] In 1996, Sabazius X° (David Scriven) was appointed as National Grand Master General for the U. Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) S. Grand Lodge. In 2005, Fr. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. 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. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.

Philosophy of O. T. O.

O. T. O. was described by Crowley as the "first of the great Old Æon orders to accept The Book of the Law". Liber AL vel Legis is the central sacred text of Thelema, written by Aleister Crowley in Cairo, Egypt in the year 1904 O. T. O. originally borrowed ritual material from irregular Masonic organizations,^[6] and although some related symbolism and language is in use, the context has changed to Thelema and its tenets. See also Freemasonry This article deals with organization in Craft or Blue Lodge Freemasonry. "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"^[13] O. T. O. has two core areas of ritual activity: initiation into the Mysteries, and the celebration of Liber XV, the Gnostic Mass. Mystery Religions, Sacred Mysteries or simply Mysteries, were "religious cults of the Graeco-Roman Aleister Crowley wrote The Gnostic Mass — technically called Liber XV or "Book 15" — in 1913 while travelling in Moscow 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. Yoga ( Sanskrit: योग, IAST: yóga, joːgə refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India, to the Magick, in the broadest sense is any act designed to cause intentional change

Crowley wrote in his Confessions, "the O. T. O. is in possession of one supreme secret. The whole of its system [is] 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 [are] two. It [is] firstly necessary to explain the universe and the relations of human life therewith. Secondly, to instruct every man [and woman] how best to adapt his [or her] 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 [the supreme] secret, the proper object of its employment and the best means for insuring success for its use" (p. 701). ^[14]

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). ^[14]

Initiation and teachings

Lamen of the Ordo Templi Orientis

Membership in O. Lamen is a general term for a magical Pendant worn around the neck so that it hangs upon the breast over the heart 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 Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica). Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica ( EGC) or the Gnostic Catholic Church, is the ecclesiastical arm of Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO an international fraternal

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 initiation and the swearing of an oath which O. Initiation is a Rite of passage Ceremony marking entrance or acceptance into a group or society An oath (from Anglo-Saxon āð, also called plight) is either a Promise or a Statement of Fact calling T. O claims is similar to those used in Freemasonry. ^[15][16] 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. "^[15] The entire system is as follows:

• The Man of Earth Triad
  • 0°—Minerval
    • Imparted the mysteries of attraction and conception. ^[6]
  • I°—Man & Brother
    • Imparted the mysteries of birth. ^[6]
  • II°—Magician
    • Imparted the mysteries of life. ^[6]
  • III°—Master Magician
    • Imparted the mysteries of death. ^[6]
  • 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

• 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. ^[17]

• The Hermit Triad
  • VIII°—
    • Perfect Pontiff of the Illuminati
    • Epopt of the Illuminati
    • Masturbatory or autosexual magical techniques were taught, referred as the Lesser Work of Sol^[17][18]
  • IX°—Initiate of the Sanctuary of the Gnosis
    • Heterosexual magical techniques were taught^[18]
  • 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)
    • Anal intercourse techniques as sexual and magical^[18]
  • XII°—Frater Superior, and Outer Head of the Order

Structure

The governing bodies of O. Masturbation refers to Sexual stimulation especially of one's own genitals ( self masturbation) and often to the point of Orgasm, which Autosexuality refers to Sexual orientation and sexual behavior of attraction or romance that one holds exclusively and expresses towards oneself Heterosexuality refers to sexual behavior with or attraction to people of the opposite sex or to a heterosexual orientation Anal sex most often refers to the sex act involving insertion of the Penis into the Rectum. T. O. include:

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

International

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.

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

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.

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 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

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.

O. T. O. has a federally recognised tax-exempt status in the USA under IRS section 501c(3). The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The It also has California charitable corporation status. California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean.

Current Grand Lodges

The US Grand Lodge is the governing body of O. T. O. in the United States of America. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The U. S. National Grand Master is Fr. Sabazius X°, who was appointed in 1996.

According to their 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. ^[19]

The UK Grand Lodge is the governing body of O. T. O. in the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located 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).

The Australian Grand Lodge is the governing body of O. T. O. in Australia and its territories, chartered in April of 2006. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The A. G. L. National Grand Master is Fr. Shiva X°.

The Gnostic Catholic Church

Main article: Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica

The Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica, or Gnostic Catholic Church, is the ecclesiastical arm of O. Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica ( EGC) or the Gnostic Catholic Church, is the ecclesiastical arm of Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO an international fraternal T. O. Its central activity is the celebration of Liber XV, The Gnostic Mass. Aleister Crowley wrote The Gnostic Mass — technically called Liber XV or "Book 15" — in 1913 while travelling in Moscow 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.

O. T. O. 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 intiations. 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 by 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 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.
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

Several competing factions currently claim to be legitimate heirs to Aleister Crowley. Both before and after McMurtry revived O. T. O. in California, others came forward with various claims of succession. Dave Evans writes that Crowley had appointed Karl Germer "head of the O. T. O. in America"^[20] or X° of America, and writes of Kenneth Grant (b. Kenneth Grant (born 1924 is a British Occultist and head of the Magical order which he calls Ordo Templi Orientis but which is commonly referred to as 1924) that "Crowley bequeathed him the command of the O. T. O. "^[21]

Kenneth Grant asserted this command in 1951, stating "I am authorized to operate the O. T. O. in England",^[22] thus specifically claiming only Crowley's title as X° of "Ireland, Iona, and All the Britains". Germer responded by expelling Grant from O. T. O. in 1955,^[23] an action which would not be legitimate if Germer were X° of America rather than OHO, as Grant later asserted. Year 1955 ( MCMLV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar) Grant went on to declare himself OHO of Ordo Templi Orientis. His organization is generally known as the Typhonian Ordo Templi Orientis to distinguish it from the California corporation. Ordo Templi Orientis ( OTO) is an Occult society in the United Kingdom interested in Magick and Typhonian concepts

Hermann Metzger, another claimant, 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 1990. Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar)

Marcelo Ramos Motta (1931-1987), a third claimant, was never initiated into O. Marcelo Ramos Motta ( June 27, 1931 – August 26, 1987) was a Thelemic writer in Brazil, member of A∴A∴. 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 Gabriel López de Rojas 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.

Court cases

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:

• 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.

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. John Symonds, Anthony Naylor and Mandrake Press, finds that O. John Symonds (b March 12 1914, Battersea, London - d October 21 2006) was an English novelist biographer playwright The Mandrake Press was a British Small press founded by Edward Goldston and P 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.

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.

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. ^[24]

Criticisms

Aleister Crowley and O. Aleister Crowley, born Edward Alexander Crowley (ˈkroʊli (12 October 1875 – 1 December 1947 was a British Occultist Writer, mountaineer T. O. are frequently labeled as "evil. " Several Christian churches consider O. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings T. O. to be Satanic, although O. For other uses of the word see Satanism (disambiguation. Satanism can refer to a number of belief systems depending on the user and context T. O. members contend that the tenets of Thelema do not include Satan or his worship.

According to 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. ' ^[25] That is to say, his interest was in the woman's body and he wanted no spiritual or intellectual participation from her. "^[26]

There are those, including occultists and Thelemites of other organizations, such as members of Grant's Ordo Templi Orientis, who do not agree that O. Ordo Templi Orientis ( OTO) is an Occult society in the United Kingdom interested in Magick and Typhonian concepts 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 Caliph given to him by Crowley) so as to distinguish it from other organizations that use the name "Ordo Templi Orientis". The Caliph is the Head of state in a Caliphate, and the title for the leader of the Islamic Ummah, an Islamic community ruled by the Shari'ah 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 2002 an ex-member of the O. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. T. O. , writing under the pseudonym "Satyr", released The Black Lodge of Santa Cruz on the web. ^[27] This was a detailed account of his membership in the O. T. O.

In February 2006, a long-time high-ranking member and occult author, T. Allen Greenfield, called for the resignation of upper management and stepped down from all managerial duties in protest. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Allen H Greenfield (born 1946 also known by his ecclesiastical name Tau Sir Hasirim, is an American Occultist UFOlogist, Writer, editor He continues to be a critic of the current head of the Order, William Breeze, who he insists is only the acting Outer Head of the Order. William Breeze is an American musician and Occultist best known as a member of Coil and as the current international leader of Ordo Templi Orientis ^[28] This position appears to be supported by the transcript of the election of Breeze as "Caliph". ^[11]

See also

Notes

References

• Crowley, Aleister (1979). The Confessions of Aleister Crowley. London; Boston : Routledge & Kegan Paul. Routledge is a publisher of non-fiction academic books and journals
• Evans, Dave (2007). Aleister Crowley and the 20th Century Synthesis of Magick. Hidden Press, Second Revised Edition. ISBN 978-0-9555237-2-4
• Free Encyclopedia of Thelema (2005). Oath. Retrieved November 17, 2005.
• Kaczynski, Richard. (2002). Perdurabo, The Life of Aleister Crowley. New Falcon Publications ISBN 1-56184-170-6
• King, Francis (1973). The Secret Rituals of the O. T. O. Samuel Weiser, Inc. ISBN 0-87728-144-0
• King, Francis (1978). Red Wheel Weiser Conari, also known in different periods in its history as RedWheel/Weiser LLC and Samuel Weiser Inc The Magical World of Aleister Crowley. Coward, McCann & Geoghegan. ISBN 0-698-10884-1
• del Campo, Gerald. (1994). New Aeon Magick: Thelema Without Tears. St. Paul, Minnesota : Llewellyn Publications. Llewellyn Worldwide (formerly Llewellyn Publications is a New Age publisher, currently based in Woodbury Minnesota, a suburb of St
• Satyr (2002). The Black Lodge of Santa Cruz. Retrieved April 7, 2005.
• Thelemapedia (2005). Ordo Templi Orientis. Retrieved January 11, 2005.

External links

O. T. O.

• U.S. Grand Lodge, O.T.O.
• U.K. Grand Lodge, O.T.O.
• Australia Grand Lodge, O.T.O.
• The Canadian O.T.O.
• The Norwegian O.T.O
• The German O.T.O
• The Swedish O.T.O

Other organizations

• The Typhonian O.T.O.
• Societas O.T.O.
• O.T.O Foundation

Reference sites

• Free Encyclopedia of Thelema - a project of Ecclesia Gnostica Universalis
• Thelemapedia, the Encyclopedia of Thelema & Magick
• Survey of O.T.O. History, with an Emphasis on Marin County, CA
• The Invisible Basilica of Sabazius X°

Critical links

• A Statement Regarding the Ordo Templi Orientis by Sovereign Grand Inspector General Bishop T. Allen Greenfield
• Graph of O.T.O. membership 1988–2005
• The Ordo Templi Orientis Phenomenon comprehensive background information about O. T. O.