Ordo Templi Orientis

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Grand Lodge of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Peace, Tolerance, Truth:
Salutation on All Points of the Triangle;
Respect to the Order.
To all whom it may concern: Greeting and Health.

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

The letters O.T.O. stand for Ordo Templi Orientis, The Order of the Temple of the Orient, or, as it is sometimes rendered, The Order of the Oriental Templars.  It is an Outer Thelemic Order dedicated to the high purpose of securing the Liberty of the Individual and his or her advancement in Light, Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge and Power.  This is accomplished through Beauty, Courage and Wit, on the Foundation of Universal Brotherhood.

"Success is your proof; courage is your armour; go on, go on, in my strength; & ye shall turn not back for any!"
- Liber AL III:46

The Law of Thelema can ultimately be fulfilled only through the efforts of each individual.  Nevertheless, many worthy aspirants to the Great Work have a genuine need for information, guidance, fellowship or the opportunity to assist their fellow aspirants and serve humanity.  Such aspirants will find welcome in O.T.O.

The United Kingdom Grand Lodge is a duly chartered Grand Lodge and National Section of Ordo Templi Orientis.  All initiate members of O.T.O. who reside in the United Kingdom (including U.K. territories and dependencies) are members of the U.K. Grand Lodge.  Membership in the U.K. Grand Lodge of O.T.O. confers membership in O.T.O. (International).

The O.T.O. is the first of the Old Aeon orders to accept The Book of the Law, received by Aleister Crowley in 1904 e.v., with its message of a revolution in human thought, culture and religion, based upon a single supreme injunction: the Law of Thelema - Do what thou wilt.  This law is not to be interpreted as a licence to indulge one's every passing whim, but rather as a mandate to discover and accomplish one's True Will, leaving others to do the same in their own unique ways.  ""Every man and every woman is a star.""

The structure of the O.T.O., like that of Freemasonry and the ancient mystery schools, is based on a graded series of initiations, or degrees.  In these Degrees, the O.T.O. seeks to instruct the individual by allegory and symbol in the profound mysteries of existence, and thereby assist each to discover his or her own true nature.

The introductory Degrees of the O.T.O. progressively activate the psychic body of the Initiate.  Every man and woman of full age (18 years), free and of good report has an indefeasible right to the introductory degrees of the O.T.O.

The O.T.O. has active branches in countries around the world and issues several periodicals, journals and bulletins from International Headquarters, including The Equinox, The Oriflamme and The Magical Link.  Local bodies around the world also produce treasure troves of information.  The interested are invited to write to the Official Local Body nearest for further information on activities, functions, regional publications or Ecclesiastic ceremonies.

In early 1996, a new corporation was founded to carry on the work of the U.S. Grand Lodge of O.T.O, while the existing corporation reorganised itself as the International Headquarters of O.T.O.  On the 30th of March 1996 e.v., Sabazius Xo was appointed as National Grand Master General for the U.S. Grand Lodge.

On the 1st of May 2005 e.v., a United Kingdom Grand Lodge was established.  Acting O.H.O. Hymenaeus Beta XIIo ceremonially presented Frater Hyperion Xo to the Order at a celebratory Gnostic Mass at Conway Hall in Red Lion Square, London.  This happy event occurred 93 years to the month after the previous Xo for the U.K., Aleister Crowley, was elevated to that office.  It heralds a new phase in the development of OTO in Europe.

On 16th April 2006e.v., OTO Australia attained Grand Lodge status under the leadership of Frater Shiva Xo.   Most recently, on 17th May 2014e.v., OTO Croatia was granted Grand Lodge status under the leadership of Frater Abrasax Xo and OTO Italy was granted Grand Lodge status under the leadership of Frater Phanes Xo, bringing the total number of Grand Lodges to five. 

 

Love is the law, love under will.