Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.): Crowley's Sexual Magic Order

Introduction: Do What Thou Wilt

The Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O., "Order of the Temple of the East") is the primary vehicle for Thelema—Aleister Crowley's magical and philosophical system based on the principle "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law." Founded in Germany in 1895, the O.T.O. was transformed by Crowley in 1912 into an order teaching sexual magic as the supreme secret of the IX° degree.

Today, the O.T.O. operates openly worldwide with thousands of members, public Gnostic Mass services, and a complete degree system. Yet it remains controversial: accused of Satanism by fundamentalists, dismissed as a sex cult by skeptics, and revered as a legitimate magical order by practitioners.

This is the eighth article in our Secret Societies series. We now explore the O.T.O.'s origins, Crowley's takeover, the degree system, the infamous sexual magic secrets, and what the order actually teaches and practices today.

Origins: Before Crowley (1895-1912)

The Founders

Carl Kellner (1851-1905):

• Austrian industrialist and occultist
• Studied yoga and tantra in India
• Learned sexual magic techniques from Eastern teachers
• Wanted to create Western order teaching these secrets

Theodor Reuss (1855-1923):

• German occultist, journalist, singer
• Freemason and member of various esoteric orders
• Collaborated with Kellner to found O.T.O.
• Became head after Kellner's death (1905)

Original O.T.O. (1895-1912)

Structure: Quasi-Masonic order with degrees

Teachings:

• Freemasonry
• Rosicrucianism
• Illuminati symbolism
• Sexual magic (highest degrees)

Goal: Synthesize Western occultism with Eastern tantra

Crowley Takes Over (1912)

The Meeting

1910: Theodor Reuss visits Crowley in London

Accusation: Reuss claims Crowley published O.T.O.'s supreme secret

Crowley's response: "I didn't know there was a secret!"

The secret: Sexual magic—using sexual energy for magical purposes

Crowley's realization: His writings (especially Book of Lies) had inadvertently revealed the technique

Crowley's Initiation and Rise

1910: Reuss initiates Crowley into O.T.O., grants him IX°

1912: Crowley becomes head of British O.T.O. (Mysteria Mystica Maxima)

1922: Reuss retires, Crowley becomes Outer Head of Order (O.H.O.)

Crowley's Transformation of O.T.O.

Integration with Thelema:

• Made The Book of the Law (1904) central scripture
• Rewrote rituals to reflect Thelemic philosophy
• Created Gnostic Mass as public ceremony
• Emphasized "Do what thou wilt" as supreme principle

Result: O.T.O. became vehicle for Thelema, not just sexual magic order

Thelema: The Philosophy

The Book of the Law (1904)

Origin story:

• Cairo, Egypt, April 1904
• Crowley's wife Rose entered trance
• Entity named Aiwass dictated text to Crowley
• Three chapters received over three days

Core teachings:

• "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law"
• "Love is the law, love under will"
• "Every man and every woman is a star"

Key Concepts

True Will:

• Not "do whatever you want" (ego desires)
• Your authentic purpose, cosmic destiny
• Discovering and fulfilling your True Will is the Great Work

The Aeon of Horus:

• New age replacing Christianity (Aeon of Osiris)
• Child god Horus represents new consciousness
• Individual sovereignty, not submission to external authority

The Law of Thelema:

• Replaces "Thou shalt not" with "Do what thou wilt"
• Ethics based on True Will, not external commandments
• Freedom with responsibility

The O.T.O. Degree System

Man of Earth Triad (0°-IV°)

0° Minerval:

• Introduction to O.T.O.
• Attend Minerval initiation
• Can attend Gnostic Mass

I° Initiate:

• First full degree
• Earth element
• Lesson: Dedication to the Work

II° Magician:

• Air element
• Lesson: Magical practice and study

III° Master Magician:

• Water element
• Lesson: Understanding and wisdom

IV° Perfect Magician (Companion of the Holy Royal Arch of Enoch):

• Fire element
• Lesson: Preparation for higher work

Lover Triad (V°-VI°)

V° Sovereign Prince Rose-Croix (Knight of the Pelican and Eagle):

• Rosicrucian mysteries
• Death and resurrection symbolism

VI° Illustrious Knight (Templar) of the Order of Kadosch:

• Templar mysteries
• Vengeance and justice themes

Hermit Triad (VII°-IX°)

VII° Very Illustrious Sovereign Grand Inspector General:

• Administrative degree
• Can run local bodies

VIII° Perfect Pontiff of the Illuminati:

• Teaching degree
• Can initiate others

IX° Initiate of the Sanctuary of the Gnosis:

• The sexual magic degree
• Supreme secret of O.T.O.
• Techniques taught orally, not written

Beyond IX°

• X°: National head (e.g., U.S. Grand Lodge)
• XI°: Honorary degree for exceptional service
• XII°: Outer Head of Order (O.H.O.) - supreme leader

The IX° Secret: Sexual Magic

What Is It? (General Principles)

Core idea: Sexual energy is the most powerful force available to humans; it can be directed for magical purposes

Three main techniques (corresponding to orientations):

• Autoerotic: Solo practice
• Heteroerotic: Male-female partnership
• Homoerotic: Same-sex partnership

Method (simplified):

1. Formulate magical intention
2. Raise sexual energy through arousal
3. At climax, direct energy toward intention
4. Use resulting "elixir" in ritual (details vary)

Note: Specific techniques are oath-bound secrets of IX°

Why the Secrecy?

• Taboo: Sex and spirituality combined = shocking to many
• Misuse: Powerful technique could be abused
• Preparation: Requires magical training to use effectively
• Tradition: Mystery school model of progressive revelation

Controversy

Critics say:

• It's just an excuse for orgies
• Exploitative of women
• Satanic or demonic

Practitioners say:

• It's a legitimate magical technique with ancient roots (tantra)
• Requires consent and ethical practice
• Not about hedonism but spiritual transformation

The Gnostic Mass

What It Is

Full name: Liber XV, Ecclesiae Gnosticae Catholicae Canon Missae

Written by: Aleister Crowley (1913)

Purpose: Public celebration of Thelemic principles

Structure

Officers:

• Priest: Represents solar/masculine principle
• Priestess: Represents lunar/feminine principle
• Deacon: Mediator, guide
• Children: Assistants

Ritual elements:

• Procession and purification
• Reading from The Book of the Law
• Consecration of Cake of Light and wine
• Symbolic union of Priest and Priestess
• Communion (participants consume Cake and wine)

Symbolism: Sexual union as sacrament, creation of new life/consciousness

Where to Attend

• O.T.O. local bodies hold public Gnostic Masses
• Open to anyone (don't need to be member)
• Schedules posted on O.T.O. websites

O.T.O. Today

Current Structure

Outer Head of Order (O.H.O.): Hymenaeus Beta (William Breeze) since 1985

U.S. Grand Lodge: Largest national body

Local bodies:

• Oases: Small groups
• Lodges: Larger, can initiate through IV°
• Chapters: Can initiate through VII°

Membership

• Estimated 3,000-5,000 members worldwide
• Concentrated in US, UK, Australia, Europe
• Growing slowly but steadily

Activities

• Gnostic Mass (weekly or monthly)
• Initiations
• Classes and study groups
• Social events
• Publishing (Crowley's works)

How to Join

Requirements

• 18+ years old
• Accept The Book of the Law as central text
• No other requirements (any religion, background, orientation)

Process

1. Attend Gnostic Mass or other public events
2. Meet members, learn about O.T.O.
3. Apply for Minerval initiation
4. If accepted, receive 0° initiation
5. Progress through degrees (years between each)

Costs

• Annual dues (varies by country, ~$100-200/year)
• Initiation fees (covering ritual costs)
• No fees for advancement (based on merit and time)

O.T.O. vs. A∴A∴

Two Different Orders

O.T.O. (Ordo Templi Orientis):

• Fraternal/social order
• Group work, community
• Degrees conferred through initiation
• Teaches Thelema through ritual and fellowship

A∴A∴ (Astrum Argentum, "Silver Star"):

• Magical training order
• Individual work, one-on-one teacher-student
• Grades earned through demonstrated attainment
• Rigorous curriculum (meditation, ritual, study)

Relationship: Complementary, not competing. Many do both.

Conclusion: Do What Thou Wilt

The O.T.O. is Aleister Crowley's most enduring legacy—a living order teaching Thelema through ritual, community, and (at the highest level) sexual magic. Whether you see it as a legitimate magical tradition or a controversial fringe group depends on your perspective. But it's neither a Satanic cult nor a simple sex club—it's a complex esoteric order with a coherent philosophy and serious practitioners.

In the next article, we will explore Modern Elite Societies: Skull & Bones, Bohemian Grove, Bilderberg. We will examine the real secret societies of the powerful—not magical orders, but networks of political and economic elites—and separate fact from conspiracy theory.

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Love is the law, love under will.

For Crowley, who dared to teach the forbidden. For Thelema, the law of liberty. For the Great Work. 93 93/93.