A secretive organization known for its complex rituals and ties to Thelema, a religious philosophy propagated by Aleister Crowley.
Religion: Occultism
Founder: Carl Kellner and Theodor Reuss
Founded: 1904
Location: International
Other Names: Order of the Temple of the East, Order of Oriental Templars
Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.), translating as ‘Order of the Temple of the East’ or ‘Order of Oriental Templars’, is an enigmatic society that merges the mystical, occult practices with ceremonial magic, and is rooted deeply in Thelemic principles. Founded at the dawn of the 20th century by a cadre of German-speaking occultists—Carl Kellner, Theodor Reuss, Heinrich Klein, and Franz Hartmann—the organization sought to harmonize various high-degree Masonic rites under one umbrella, emphasizing the esoteric and hermetic aspects of these traditions.
O.T.O.’s early history is intertwined with European Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism, and a variety of other esoteric traditions. The inception of O.T.O. was inspired by Kellner’s ambition to establish an Academia Masonica, a forum where high-grade Masonic teachings could be conferred within the German-speaking regions. This ambition was intertwined with the efforts to unveil a universal key that purportedly explained the symbols of Freemasonry and the natural world. The initial phase saw the organization welcoming only Freemasons, with its structure and teachings closely mirroring European Freemasonry.
The leadership baton was passed to Theodor Reuss after Kellner’s demise. Under Reuss, the organization’s scope broadened, issuing charters across Europe and the United States, and incorporating esoteric Christian, Gnostic, and Thelemic elements into its doctrine. However, The most significant transformation of the O.T.O. occurred when Aleister Crowley became the head of the organization in 1922. Crowley introduced the religious philosophy of Thelema, which he had developed, into the core teachings of the Order. Thelema’s central tenet, “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Love is the law, love under will,” became the guiding principle of the O.T.O. This embrace of thelemic doctrine marked a pivot away from the movement’s Masonic origins.
The O.T.O. is structured similarly to Masonic lodges, with a series of degrees or initiations. These degrees are divided into three triads: the Hermit, the Lover, and the Man of Earth. Each degree is associated with a set of teachings and practices that are designed to guide members on their spiritual journey. The practices within the O.T.O. include ceremonial magic, ritual practices, and the celebration of the Gnostic Mass, which is the central ritual of the Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica (E.G.C.), the ecclesiastical arm of the Order. This Mass symbolizes the spiritual journey of the individual and is a celebration of the Thelemic mysteries.
After Crowley’s death, the O.T.O. experienced fragmentation, with multiple branches claiming legitimacy. However, the lineage established by Crowley’s student Grady McMurtry in 1979 is widely recognized as the legitimate heir, holding rights to Crowley’s works and the O.T.O.’s intellectual property.
Ordo Templi Orientis today functions under the aegis of this lineage, with the U.S. Grand Lodge being a prominent and active branch. The organization offers initiations through its two main rites: Mysteria Mystica Maxima (M∴M∴M∴), the initiatory arm, and Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica (E.G.C.), the ecclesiastical arm that administers Thelemic sacraments including the Gnostic Mass. Public events, including the Gnostic Mass, serve as introductions to the Order’s symbolic and philosophical underpinnings, inviting those interested in its teachings to explore further.
image via Serpent Flame
