The governing bodies of O.T.O. include:
1. International Headquarters
* Presided over by the Outer Head of the Order XIIA° (OHOa€”also known as Frater Superior)
* Supreme Council
* Revolutionaries
2. The Sovereign Sanctuary of the Gnosis of the IXA°
3. The Secret Areopagus of the Illuminati of the VIIIA°
4. The Grand Tribunal of the VIA°
5. The National Grand Lodge
* Presided over by the National Grand Master XA°
* Executive Council
6. The Supreme Grand Council
7. The Electoral College
Ordo Templi Orientis - 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 (OHOa€”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 IXA°. 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 Areopogus
* act as representitives 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 VIIIA°. 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 VIA°). Their primary duty is to hear and abritrate disputes and complaints not resolved at the level of Chapters and Lodges.
Ordo Templi Orientis - 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 VIIA° appointed by the National Grand Master XA°. 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 VIIA° as to the affairs of the Initiate members of the Lovers Grade
3. The Electoral College consists of eleven members of the VA° 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). It also has California charitable corporation status.
The US Grand Lodge is the governing body of O.T.O. in the United States of America. The U.S. National Grand Master is Fr. Sabazius XA°, 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." [5]
The UK Grand Lodge is the governing body of O.T.O. in the United Kingdom. The U.K. National Grand Master is Fr. Hyperion XA°, who was appointed in 2005 (93 years after the last Grand Master for the UK, Aleister Crowley, was elevated to that office).
Ordo Templi Orientis - The Gnostic Catholic Church
The Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica, or Gnostic Catholic Church, is the ecclesiastical arm of O.T.O. It's central activity is the celebration of Liber XV, The Gnostic Mass. 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.
Ordo Templi Orientis - 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 are the next largest, and should be able to initiate through the IIIA°.
3. Lodges are the largest local body within the Man of Earth Grade, and are expected to celebrate the Gnostic Mass on a regular basis, work towards establishing a permanent temple, and have the ability to initiate through IVA°/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.
Books You Might Enjoy:
Paul Foster Case - The Life Power
Aleister Crowley - World Tragedy
Aleister Crowley - Temperance A Tract For The Times
Aleister Crowley - Rosa Coeli Rosa Mundi Rosa Inferni
Aleister Crowley - Liber 101 Ordo Templi Orientis An Open Letter