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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 website
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.
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 (0º) through Fourth and Perfect Initiate (IVº and P.I.º) 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 (Vº) through Seventh (VIIº) degrees. The Hermit Triad consists of the Eighth (VIIIº) through Twelfth (XIIº) degrees. Initiation into degrees beyond IVº and P.I.º is by invitation only.
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