A friend recently contacted the OTO to ask about us attending one of their services, and last night we went to their Gnostic Mass in Wellington.
The OTO - Ordo Templi Orientis (Order of Oriental Templars) - is an occultist brotherhood, kind of like the freemasons but more full-on, that was formed in Europe in the late 19th century. The group was taken over by Aleister Crowley in the 1910s, and he quickly impressed the group with his beliefs.
OTO adherents believe in Thelema, and study many writings - both ancient and written by Crowley - including Crowley’s Book of the Law. Their creed is:
“Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Love is the law, love under will”
Although the group nearly died out in the 40s and 50s, they’re now global. There are 5 Grand Lodges, and many smaller groups around the world - Lodges, Oases and Camps. Auckland has a Lodge, Wellington has a Oasis (Eschaton) and Christchurch has a Camp.
We met with the local head of the group in a pub a few days in advance of the Gnostic Mass, and had a chat - ostensibly to check that we were not going to be disruptive during the event.
Last night we turned up at 7:15pm - there were about a dozen attendees, and for about half of us it was our first time at an OTO event. We were walked through the participatory parts of the ceremony by the Deacon, learning the Step, the Hailing Sign and the Kneeling in Adoration.
We were then walked in to the building, past an upright coffin to our seats. We each had a run-sheet for the evening on our chairs.