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"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." --from the United States Grand Lodge web site
Being a hierarchical organization doesn't mean that those of higher degrees dictate lifestyles, etc. to those of lower degrees. It does mean that there is an administrative structure to the Order, and those in certain offices decide on policy for the organization. Authority is not conferred by Initiatory Degrees, but rather by service in capacities such as being a Local Body Master or a Grand Lodge Officer. Such roles are not in place to provide power to despots, but rather to ensure the smooth operation of the Local Bodies and the Order in general. We are a Fraternal organization of free-thinking individuals, not a cult.
What OTO is All About--Our Mission Statement, Program Synopsis, Vision Statement, and Values Statement.
A Brief History
Ordo Templi Orientis has operated as a completely independent order since the early 1900s. It was founded as an Order of Masonry that combined the accumulated wisdom of the Scottish, Memphis, Mizriam, and Swedenborgian Rites of Masonry, as well as other types of Masonry, underneath structure. It has held a constitution since 1906.
Aleister Crowley was made the head of the British chapter of the order in 1912. Crowley reworked the initiations of his section of O.T.O. to conform with Thelemic ideas, and published the Thelemic Manifesto of the OTO in 1919. He served as the Outer Head of the Order from 1922 until his death in 1947.
Ordo Templi Orientis is no longer considered a Masonic organization, though we share a certain degree of ceremony and custom. Masonry was founded as, among other things, a brotherhood of men who would rule themselves as a group instead of being ruled by feudal and papal concerns. Ordo Templi Orientis, though its initiations and other teachings, instructs the individual in the principals of self-governance, while still acknowledging universal brother-and-sisterhood. Initiation and membership is open to free men and women of good report, who are at least 18 years of age.
Degree Structure
The Degrees of O.T.O. are divided into three groups, called Triads. The first, the Man of Earth (M.o.E.) Triad, consists of the Minerval (0*) through Fourth and Perfect Initiate (IV* and P.I.*) and encompasses the primary body of O.T.O. initiates. Initiation to the degrees of the M.o.E. is open to all free men and women of good report, that are at least 18 years of age. The K.E.W. degree (Knight of the East and West) is outside of the Triads, and serves as a bridge between the M.o.E. and the Lover's Triad. The Lover's Triad consists of the Fifth (V*) through Seventh (VII*) degrees. The Hermit Triad consists of the Eighth (VIII*) through Twelfth (XII*) degrees. Initiation into degrees beyond IV* and P.I.* is by invitation only.
Dues and Fees
The operational costs of O.T.O. are met by dues and fees collected from initiate members of the Order. For a current list of the dues and fees required for each degree, please see the USGL webpage. These funds are used to offset the cost of initiation, and to keep the Order functioning. No one within the Order receives a paycheck for his or her services; all work done on behalf of the Order, including that of the highest government, is on a volunteer basis.
Local body dues for Sol Invictus Oasis are $20, due on the 15th of each month. This money is used to build, maintain, and improve equipment, to provide funds for Holy Day feasts, and to offset the cost of materials necessary to the performance of E.G.C. and O.T.O. ceremonies. In the event that local dues place an undue burden upon our membership, we also have a hardship program in place whereby arrangements can be made with the Bodymaster for labor or trade credits.
Links
USGL The governing Body of Ordo Templi Orientis in the United States
History of the O.T.O. History of the Order from its beginnings to the present day. Thorough, yet concise enough to be easily readable.
Membership Information How to join Ordo Templi Orientis, requirements, dues structure, etc.
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