O.T.O.F.

A Brief History of the O.T.O.F

The O.T.O. (Ordo Templi Orientis, or Order of the Temple of the East) has a long, varied and somewhat bizarre history, which has on occasion been compared to that of the Fronts for the Liberation of Palestine in Monty Python's 'Life of Brian'!

It was established in Germany around the turn of the 1900's, originally as an 'Academica Masonica' to preserve, simplify and synthesise what was worth while from a vast number of Masonic and other 'Mystery' Traditions, which were felt to have become corrupted, and the significance of their inner teachings lost to all but a few of their members. Intertwined with this were teachings from Tantric Yoga concerned with certain 'Secret' techniques of Practical Magick. From the outset the O.T.O. was open to both men and women who fulfilled the necessary requirements for membership.

Aleister Crowley was appointed to the Tenth degree of the

O.T.O. for, 'Ireland, Iona and all the Britains' in 1912, and eventually re-structured it's Constitution and Initiation rites, bringing them into alignment with 'The Book of the Law'. These rites were adopted by the Order primarily in the English speaking world. Upon the death of Crowley the leadership of the O.T.O. was passed on to a man called Karl Germer, who died without naming a successor. From that time there have been numerous claimants to the Title of O.H.O. or Outer Head of the Order, with varying degrees of Legitimacy. None of which are undisputed. The O.T.O. Foundation was born from a Swiss Lineage of O.T.O. which had lain dormant for many years, and was activated in 1996 in response to the corruption and inefficiency of existing O.T.O. Groups.

The Joint International Heads of this lineage, Sr. Phoenix and Fr. Prospero, vowed to govern it for a period of five years, if it proved viable they would nominate a successor and stand down, if not they would 'bury it.' After five years of extraordinary activity the Foundation was established in several countries world-wide, and deemed to be moving in the right direction. According to their original obligation Sr. Phoenix and Fr. Prospero nominated a successor, Fr. Praeses, who was installed in office over the Feast for the Three days of the Writing of the Book of the Law in 2001ev.

Such is a very brief account of the forces which have brought us hither, we do not Claim to be the 'one and only' O.T.O. rather we will get on with the work of building up the Order, and doing it's work, and allow the testament of history to be our judge. In our opinion and experience we have done more to establish the O.T.O.

according to it's constitution, than any previous manifestation, including that under Crowley.

More importantly the Order internationally is currently involved in a root and branch review of all aspects of t