Vol. I, Number 1, 1997 Vol.

XIII, Number 2, 2012

Content
Vol 1 #1, Nov 1997 EV "From the Grand Master: USGL history, about Agap, Mysteria Mystica Maxima Constitution, X succession" by Frater Sabazius X Announcement "From the Grand Treasurer General" by Vere Chappell, Frater Semper Lucem Quaero "OTO U.S. National Conference: A Review" by Robin, Frater E.t.m. "From the Electoral College" by Frater H.K. Vol 1 #2, Feb 1998 EV "From the Grand Master: USGL dues and finances" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Grand Secretary General" by Doug James, Frater IO Pan "The Frankist Ecstatics of the Eighteenth Century" by T Allen Greenfield "From the Initiation Secretaries" by Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke "Resolution from the Electoral College" Policy Announcement Vol 1 #3, May 1998 EV "From the Grand Master: OTO roots, Order of the Lion, Order of the Eagle" by Frater Sabazius X "Lon's Travelogue" [journal] by Lon Milo DuQuette Local Body Reports by Bubastis Lodge, Knights Templar Oasis "Important Notice to All Body Masters" "A Note From The Editor" Vol 1 #4, Aug 1998 EV "From the Grand Master: new P.O. box, trip to OTO Australia, cognitive biases, Gnostic Mass" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Grand Treasurer General" by Frater S.L.Q. "Notice" by Sr. Manibhadra "From the Grand Secretary General" by IO Pan

Vol 2 #1, Feb 1999 EV "From the Grand Master: OTO structure and history, E.G.C. function and history, miscellaneous announcements" by Frater Sabazius X "Personal Power" by Shedona Chevalier (Rynne M. Cowham), Soror M.P.B., Living Flame Camp Book Reviews: "The Shambhala Guide to Sufism," "Daily Life of the Egyptian Gods," "Comparative Mythology," Announcements Local Body Reports by Serpent In Balance Oasis, L.V.X. Lodge Vol 2 #2, May 1999 EV "From the Grand Master: electoral college, Thelemic politics" by Frater Sabazius X "My Tenure in the Electoral College" by Frater E.A.O.A. "Profile of the U.S. Electoral College" Vol 2 #3, Nov 1999 EV "From the Grand Master: Order of the Lion, Order of the Eagle, NOTOCON" by Frater Sabazius X "Tribute to a Soldier of Freedom" by Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke Announcement Book Reviews: "Paschal Beverly Randolph: A Nineteenth-Century Black American Spiritualist, Rosicrucian, and Sex Magician," "Inside a Magical Lodge: Group Ritual in the Western Tradition" Local Body Reports Vol 2 #4, Feb 2000 EV "From the Grand Master: oaths of secrecy" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Electoral College" Book Review: "Children in New Religions" "U.S.G.L. FAQ No. 1: E.G.C." "Thelemic Parenting Group"

Vol 3 #1, Nov 2000 EV "From the Grand Master: Order of the Lion, Order of the Eagle, sponsorship" by Frater Sabazius X "Report from the Electoral College" "Now for Something Completely Different" [reviews] by J.D. Lawrence Announcement Local Body Reports by Bubastis Oasis, Leaping Laughter Camp "From the Grand Tribunal" by James Nobles Vol 3 #2, Feb 2001 EV "From the Grand Master: examinations in modes of recognition, applying for a charter to initiate" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Electoral College" by Frater Solis Announcements Book Review: "Imaginary Muslims: The Uwaysi Sufis of Central Asia" Vol 3 #3, Jan 2002 EV "From the Electoral College" by Paul Hume Announcements "Veiling the Ineffable" by Frater Hrumachis Book Review: "The Templars And The Assassins: The Militia Of Heaven" Vol 4 #1, May 2002 EV "From the Grand Master: Thelema is a religion, OTO is religious, scientific religion, phallicism, The Devil tarot trump" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Electoral College" by Elizabeth McBryde

Vol 5 #1, May 2003 EV "From the Grand Master: changes in Agap, spring meetings report, website redesign" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Electoral College" by Douglas James Blake "Peter Davidson: Occultist" by T Allen Greenfield "In Memoriam: Anthony Martinez, Jennifer L. Moses, Michael Pfeiffer" "U.S. Grand Lodge Internet Updates" by Craig Berry Local Body Reports by William Blake Oasis, Psyche-Eros Chapter "Leadership Seminars" by Elizabeth McBryde "Of Wands and Words: Developing Essential and Efficient Lines of Communication with Those Who May Approach Our Sacred Order" by Fr. Hrumachis Vol 5 #2, Aug 2003 EV "From the Grand Master: NOTOCON, USGL Parliamentarian" by Frater Sabazius X "Policy Memorandums: Revision to Firearms Policy, Prohibition of Certain Categories of Ex-Members from Attending Official O.T.O. Events" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Grand Tribunal" by James Nobles "From the E.G.C. Secretary" by Bishop T Anna Rose "From the Electoral College" by Douglas James Blake "NOTOCON 2003 Report" by the Editor "Minerval on a Mission" by Sara Aronson "An Old Newbie at NOTOCON" by Craig Berry Local Body Reports by Sekhet Bast Ra Lodge, Hagia Sophia Chapter R+C "Note from the Editor" "In Memoriam: Tim Maroney"

Vol 5 #3 + #4, Oct 2003, Feb 2004 EV "From the Grand Master: centennial anniversary of Liber AL, Minerval Guide" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Grand Treasurer General" by Vere Chappell "From the Electoral College" by Douglas James Blake "From the Office of the Initiation Secretary" by XL BLMK "The Invitational Degrees: Desired Characteristics & Skills" by John Crow "Sexual Harassment: Approaches to a Repeated Problem" by Paul R. Hume & Sabazius "Hargrave Jennings, Phallicism and O.T.O. Prehistory", by T Allen Greenfield "Hypnotism" by Frater Diapason Book Review: "The Unknown God : W.T. Smith and the Thelemites" "Establish Thyself a Clerkhouse: The Kaaba Colloquium" by Soror Magdalena "In Memoriam: Sister Helen Parsons Smith, IX" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Grand Tribunal" by James Nobles VII Local Body Reports "From the Agap Archives: On Sponsorship" by Frater Sabazius X Vol 6 #1, May 2004 EV "From the Grand Master: general announcements, changes in E.G.C. policy, local body instructional standards committee" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Electoral College" by Douglas James Blake "From the Grand Tribunal" by James Nobles VII "Mentors Needed" by Elizabeth McBryde "The Pilgrimage" by Lita Luise Chappell "In Memoriam: Phyllis Evelina Seckler, IX", by Gregory Peters Local Body Report by Sr. Zephiniah Summerisle of Knights Templar Oasis "The Law of Eternal Return" by Keith Schuerholz

Vol 6 #2, Nov 2004 EV "From the Grand Master: general announcements, guilds" by Frater Sabazius X "Policy Memoranda" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Grand Treasurer General" by Vere Chappell "From the Volunteer Coordinator" by Frater Do "From the Electoral College" by Frater Dvgls Jms Blk "From the Quartermaster" by Frater V.V.N. "Passing Torches" by Frater Hrumachis Local Body Reports by Br. Rick Pearlstein of Nu Aeon Camp, Fr. Hrumachis of RPSTOVAL Camp Vol 6 #3, Feb 2005 EV "From the Grand Master: general announcements, a note on gossip" by Frater Sabazius X "Program Synopsis and Mission Statement" "Anna Mary Bonus Kingsford" by Paradoxos Alpha "From the Electoral College" by Frater Dvgls Jms Blk "NOTOCON 2005 EV" by Soror Hypatia

Vol 7 #1, May 2005 EV "From the Grand Master: new OTO offices, officer transitions, education committee formed" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Grand Tribunal" by James Nobles VII "From the International Treasurer General" by Vere Chappell "From the Electoral College" by Frater Dvgls Jms Blk "From the E.G.C. Secretary" by Tau Marie "From the Ombudsman" by Frater Hrumachis "The Vice of Kings: An Examination of Thelemic Compassion" by John L. Crow "The Path of Mediation Part 1" by Frater Hrumachis Local Body Reports by Frater Nemo of Tahuti Lodge, Soror Rosasophia of Xanadu Camp Obituaries Vol 7 #2, Aug 2005 EV "From the Grand Master: dues and finances" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Education Committee" "From the Grand Tribunal" by Brother Dathan Biberstein "From the Quartermaster" by Frater VVN "From the Electoral College" by Frater Dvgls Jms Blk "State Mandated Reporter Requirements" by Fraters Adinath Orobouros and Sabazius "The Path of Mediation Part 2" by Frater Hrumachis "The Triple Inequality" by Brother Craig Berry Local Body Reports by Knights Templar Oasis and Brother Wolfgang Agota of RPSTOVAL Camp

Vol 7 #3, Nov 2005 EV "From the Grand Master: funds and scholarships, conferences" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Education Committee" by Sister Kayla Block "From the Psychology Guild" by Brother David Shoemaker "From the Grand Tribunal Secretary" by Brother Dathan Biberstein "From the Electoral College" by Frater Dvgls Jms Blk Local Body Reports by Soror Ani of Thelesis Camp "On the Four Major Operations of the Microcosmic Star" by Aleister Crowley, transcribed by Kjetil Fjell and the Editor "The Tree" [artwork] by Sister Courie Elizabeth Bishop "And on the rulers turned I my back..." [artwork] by Brother Breck Outland "The Path of Mediation Part 3" by Frater Hrumachis "Interview with Frater Spiritus, U.K.G.L. G.S.G." by Frater Mnstr Crts Vol 7 #4, Feb 2006 EV "From the Grand Master: memorial piece for Brother Christopher J. Parker" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Education Committee" by Sister Kayla Block "From the Grand Tribunal Secretary" by Brother Dathan Biberstein "O.T.O. Women's Symposium" by Sister Kayla Block "From the Electoral College" by Frater Dvgls Jms Blk Local Body Reports by David Shoemaker of 418 Lodge, Fr. Azoth of Sekhet-Bast-Ra Oasis "The Path of Mediation Part 4" by Frater Hrumachis "On Compassion: a Reexamination" by Frater Ash "On the Nature of Service in the Order" by Frater Alandru

Vol 8 #1, May 2006 EV "From the Grand Master: USGL achievements, new standards for OTO, functions of certain OTO groups, future goals" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Grand Tribunal Secretary" by Dathan Biberstein Local Body Reports by NEMO of SET Triumphant Camp "From the Electoral College" by Frater Dvgls Jms Blk Obituaries "NOTOCON Request for Proposals" by Richard Kaczynski O.T.O. Women's Symposium Registration Information "Thresholds" [artwork] by Brother Breck Outland "Helios: or the Future Beyond Science" by 666, the Prophet of the New Aeon "The Path of Mediation Part 5" by Frater Hrumachis Vol 8 #2, Aug 2006 EV "From the Grand Master: general announcements" by Frater Sabazius X "S.G.I.G.s: Government, Service, and Management" by Frater Sabazius X "Problem Solving" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Grand Tribunal Secretary" by Dathan Biberstein "An Examination of Liber CI, Part 1" by Frater Ash "From the Electoral College" by Frater Dvgls Jms Blk Local Body Reports by Fr. Wolf of The Star & The Snake Camp, Sr. Hypatia of William Blake Oasis Obituaries Members-Only Bulletin - This section redacted for internet distribution.

Vol 8 #3, Nov 2006 EV "From the Grand Master: USGL library, general announcements" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Electoral College" by Frater Dvgls Jms Blk "From the Grand Tribunal Secretary" by Dathan Biberstein "The Revival of Tolerance" by Frater Ash "NOTOCON Update" by Soror Z. "An Examination of Liber CI, Part 2" by Frater Ash "SK 931 - An Introduction" by Soror Yalith Vol 8 #4, Feb 2007 EV "From the Grand Master: general announcements" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Secretary of the Grand Tribunal" by Dathan Biberstein "From the Electoral College" by Frater Dvgls Jms Blk "From the Education Committee" by Kayla Block "The Blood of the Sangraal" by Brother Greg Peters "Taproot" [artwork] by Brother Breck Outland "An Examination of Liber CI, Part 3" by Frater Ash Vol 9 #1, May 2007 EV "From the Grand Master: strategic planning, Man of Earth delegates, new Saint: Giordano Bruno" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Secretary of the Grand Tribunal" by Dathan Biberstein "From the Grand Treasurer General" Members-Only Bulletin - This section redacted for internet distribution. "From the Electoral College" by Frater Dvgls Jms Blk "NOTOCON Update" by Soror Z Local Body Report by Knights Templar Oasis "An Examination of Liber CI: Part 4" by Frater Ash

Vol 9 #2, August 2007 EV "From the Grand Master: general announcements, dispute resolution, local body membership, recruitment" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Secretary of the Grand Tribunal" by Dathan Biberstein "From the Treasurer General" by Frater S.L.Q. "From the Ombudsman" by Frater Harmateus Local Body Report by Frater Robin of Leaping Laughter Lodge "Kali" [artwork] by Sr. River Soma "From the Electoral College" by Frater Dvgls Jms Blk "From the Prison Ministry Corresponding Secretary" by Frater Daniel Akzinor "An Examination of Liber CI: Part 5" by Frater Ash Vol 9 #3 + #4, February 2008 EV "From the Grand Master: Kenneth Grant and the structure of the Order, Secret of the Sovereign Sanctuary, Gnostic Mass" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Grand Treasurer General" by Hank Hadeed "From the Electoral College" by Frater Dvgls Jms Blk "From the Initiator Training Coordinator" by Kim Knight "From the Education Committee" by Kayla Block "Cakes of Light and the Buzz about Beeswing" by Sister Beth Kimbell "On Hospitality" by Brother Jon Sewell Vol 10 #1, May 2008 EV "From the Grand Master: In Memoriam, general announcements" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Electoral College" by Frater Dvgls Jms Blk "Introduction to Pastoral Counseling" by David G. Shoemaker, Psy.D. "Strategic Planning for Local Bodies" by Craig Berry "The Thelemic Calendar" by Joseph Thiebes

Vol 10 #2 + #3, November 2008 EV "From the Grand Master: general announcements, expectations of Second Triad initiates" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Electoral College" by Frater Dvgls Jms Blk "From the Profess House Committee" by Soror Hypatia Local Body Report by Soror Amy of Thelesis Lodge Announcements "Thy Will Be Done: Planning Your Estate" by Frater S.L.Q. "The Wanderer" [artwork] by Breck Outland "Mystics, Mothers, and Magicians Symposium" by Anna Tsu Vol 10 #4, February 2009 EV "From the Grand Master: general announcements, International Headquarters publishing efforts, notes on promulgation" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Electoral College" by Frater Dvgls Jms Blk "From the Education Committee" by Kayla Block "NOTOCON Update" by Soror Melissa Announcements Local Body Reports by Sekhet Maat Lodge, Sekhet Bast Ra Oasis Vol 11 #1, Spring 2010 EV "From the Grand Master: general announcements, committee reports, E.G.C. policy revision" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Electoral College" by Frater Dvgls Jms Blk "NOTOCON Update" by Soror Shivani Publication Announcements "Baudelaire's Metaphysical Journey" by Bryan D. Adams Book Review: "Occult America: The Secret History of How Mysticism Shaped Our Nation" Local Body Report by Subtlety or Force Encampment Local Body Publications by Thelesis Lodge and Coph-Nia Oasis

Vol 11 #2, Summer 2010 EV "From the Grand Master: bad report and resignation, profess houses, Typhonian Order, bad report and resignation, general announcements" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Electoral College" by Dnn Bvchnn "The Wadjet" [artwork] "Representation in the Body Politic" by Brother Joseph Thiebes "NOTOCON Update" by Soror Shivani "In Consideration of Guests with Disabilities" by Soror Tara Local Body Publications by Subtlety or Force Encampment Book Reviews: "The Templars: The Dramatic History of the Knights Templar, the Most Powerful Military Order of the Crusades", "The Psychic Energy Codex: A Manual for Developing your Subtle Senses" "Agap Wants You!" by Frater Julianus Publication Announcement Vol 11 #3, Fall 2010 EV "From the Grand Master: general announcements" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Electoral College" by Dnn Bvchnn "NOTOCON Update" by Soror Shivani "A Few Words from your Editor" by Frater Julianus "To Guard the Camp" by Sister Anna Tsu "Thelema NOW! Podcast" by Sister Amy "Baby on Board" by Soror Ananyelka and Frater Julianus Book Review: "Lucid Dreaming" Publication Announcements

Vol 11 #4, Winter 2011 EV "From the Grand Master: Rites of Eleusis anniversary competition, E.G.C. bishop supervision reporting, upcoming events" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Electoral College" by Dnn Bvchnn "The Door" [artwork] "The Alchemical Wedding of Ra-Hoor-Khuit" [ritual] by Dionysos Thriambos "The Three Days of the Writing of the Book of the Law" [ritual] by Frater Julianus "A Blizzard in the Sahara" by Aleister Crowley Book Reviews: "Faith is My Armor: The Life of Swami Kriyananda," "Cooperative Communities: How to Start Them, and Why" Local Body Publication Report by Tahuti Lodge Publication Announcements Vol 12 #1, Spring 2011 EV "From the Editor" by Frater Julianus "From the Grand Master: the source of human rights, E.G.C. supervision and reporting, general announcements" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Electoral College" by Dnn Bvchnn "NOTOCON Update" by Soror Shivani "Kaaba Colloquium Update" by Sister Beth Kimbell "The Philosophy of Thelema" by IAO131 "Speech in the Silence" by Joseph Thiebes and IAO131 "Pastoral Counseling Workshop" "Ouarda Chapter Chili con Carnival" by Frater Kikhos ba-Midhbar Book Reviews: "The Plight of a Sorcerer," "666," "Crowley [also titled Chemical Wedding]" (DVD), "Dragon of Revelation" Publication Announcements

Vol 12 #2, Summer 2011 EV "From the Editor" by Frater Julianus "From the Grand Master: Rites of Eleusis anniversary competition, stategic planning, Man of Earth delegates" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Electoral College" by Dnn Bvchnn "NOTOCON Update" by Soror Shivani "Man of Earth Delegates" by IAO131 "The Great House of God" [artwork] by Richard Pence "The Principles of Promulgation" by IAO131 "TOTOCON" by Scarlet Woman Lodge "Kaaba Colloquium Report" by Beth Kimbell Book Reviews: "The Inner West: An Introduction to the Hidden Wisdom of the West," "The Mirror of Simple Souls" Publication Announcements Vol 12 #3, Fall 2011 EV "From the Editor" by Frater Julianus NOTOCON VIII Address by Frater Sabazius X "From the Electoral College" by Dnn Bvchnn Legal Guild information "Lodge Space" by the Electoral College "Manifest Thy Glory: A NOTOCON Scrapbook" by the following brethren: Frater o.d., Terry Murdock, Beth Kimbell "IAO" [poetry] by Soror ArXe "Books for Thelemic Children" compiled and introduced by Anna Tsu "A Jet-Fuelled Circus" by Frater MSNV Local Body Report: Tahuti Lodge, by Sister Katherine Palakovich Man of Earth Delegates information Publication Announcements

Vol 12 #4, Winter 2011 EV "From the Grand Master: A Brief Examination of The Comment" by Frater Sabazius X Man of Earth Delegates information "From the Electoral College" by Dnn Bvchnn "The Altar, the Chalice, and the Wand" by Frater AIShMLChMH Speech in the Silence podcast information Book Review: "The Red Book (Liber Novus)" by Carl Gustav Jung, reviewed by Dr. David Shoemaker Advanced Initiator Training information Publication Announcements Vol 13 #1, Spring 2012 EV "From the Editor" by Frater Julianus "From the Grand Master: Electoral College Transitions, First Aid / CPR Certification for Initiators, New Method of Selecting Man of Earth Delegates" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Electoral College" by Dnn Bvchnn Man of Earth Delegates contact information "Upon Burning the Book" by Terry Murdock The NOTOCON Proceedings books, ordering information "As Art Can Devise: Music for the Gnostic Mass" by Soror Freyja "The Ecstasy of Persephone" [artwork] by Sophia Vera Horodysky "Reflections on Massathon" by Frater Porphyrogenitos (Brother Sacha M.) "Visit Agap& on Facebook!" by Terry Murdock Publication Announcements

Vol 13 #2, Summer 2012 EV "From the Editor" by Frater Julianus "From the Grand Master: Annual Meetings, New Bishops, Man of Earth Delegate Selection Update, Mediation Training Modules, Prison Ministry" by Frater Sabazius X "From the Electoral College" by Dnn Bvchnn "A Note to the Clergy" by Frater FreeShadow, U.S. E.G.C. Secretary "O.T.O. Centennial and William Blake Lodge 20th Anniversary Celebration" by Brother Robert Brett Sherry "NOTOCON IX Update" by Anna Tsu, Onsite Chair "Centennial Interviews with Richard Kaczynski and James Wasserman" by Brothers Robert Brett Sherry and Terry Murdock "'Get Something Started!': An Excerpt from Forgotten Templars" by Richard Kaczynski "Book Review: James Wasserman's In the Center of the Fire" by Frater Julianus "Brother Richard Ravish, 1952-2012 EV" by Brother Robert Brett Sherry

THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE U.S. GRAND LODGE OF ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS

From the Grand Master

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

VOLUME I, ISSUE 1 1 November, 1997e.v. 3 in 0, 4 in 0, IVv e.n.

raternal salutations, Brothers and Sisters. It is my pleasure to present to you the first issue of Agape. When I was appointed by the Frater Superior to assume responsibility for the U.S. Grand Lodge as a corporate entity subordinate to OTO International Headquarters, I decided to drop the epithet Agape for our Grand Lodge. I did this for a number of reasons, but one of the more important ones was that I wanted to emphasize the fact that the U.S. Grand Lodge encompasses the entire country, and has no more precise physical location itself; which was, in my mind, implied by the possession of a specific name. The name Agape, though, is itself an important part of the heritage of our Grand Lodge, and this newsletter seemed the perfect opportunity to recover it. The first OTO Lodge in the US was named Agape, as was the first Lodge in North America. The first Grand Lodge in the USA was named Thelema, which has the same numeration as Agape. Agape is a Greek word meaning love. There are several other words for love in Greek: eros, philia, etc., but Agape is the word used long ago by the early Christians to mean the sort of love that is freely shared between brothers and sisters, the love which bonded them together in mystic union in the Body of Christ, to use their quaint terminology. It is the same love which is the First Matter of our Fraternity, the mortar which cements the Building Stones of the O.T.O. Temple. We hope it will prove to be an appropriate and auspicious name for our newsletter. One of the functions of this newsletter (but not the only function) will be to provide you with updates and clarifications on U.S. Grand Lodge policy matters. For reference, we recommend that you keep a copy of each issue in the binder that contains your U.S. Camp, Oasis and Lodge Masters Handbook. As most of you know, we only recently obtained Crowleys 1913 Constitution of the MMM, though we had long suspected that such a document existed. This document sheds considerable light on the constitutional development of the OTO. There are two 1906 OTO Constitutions in existence, one published in German and dated June 21, 1906, the other published in English and dated January 21, 1906. The two documents have little in common, but the English version is strikingly similar to the 1913 M M M Constitution, and appears to have used that document as a model. Based on printing style and quality, the English version would appear, in fact, to have been published considerably later than the German version, despite the earlier date. It would seem that Reuss revised the 1906 Constitution some time between 1912 and 1914, using the 1913 MMM

Constitution as a model, and back-dated it to January 1906. We do not know whether Crowley was the exclusive author of the 1913 MMM Constitution, or whether Crowley and Reuss collaborated on it. The discovery of the M MM Constitution clarified a few aspects of Liber 194 with respect to the Supreme Grand Council, the succession to the office of National Grand Master General, and a few other issues. The Bylaws of the US Grand Lodge have been revised accordingly. The most important changes are as follows: 1. The Executive and the Supreme Grand Council. Henceforth, the National Grand Master General, the Grand Treasurer General, and the Grand Secretary General compose a body called the Executive Council, or simply the Executive, which is the Board of Directors of the corporate entity. These three officers are ex officio members of the Supreme Grand Council, which consists of nine members appointed from among the Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the VIIO by the National Grand Master General. The Supreme Grand Council governs the Lover Triad, as the Electoral College governs the Man of Earth Triad. As the closest thing we have to an episcopal synod, the Supreme Grand Council will assume the responsibility of assisting qualified E.G.C. bishops to achieve ministerial status in their State. The Grand Secretary General and Grand Treasurer General, if they are not initiate members of the VIIO , become honorary members of the VII O upon taking their oath of office. O 2. X Succession. The XO has the responsibility to designate his or her successor, which designation is subject to veto by the Frater Superior (FS). In default of such a designation, the Executive is called upon to designate a successor, again subject to veto by the FS. The Frater Superior has 31 days to approve or veto the designation upon receiving proper notice from the XO or the Executive. If the FS vetos the designation, the X O, or the Executive, have 31 days to notify the FS of an alternate successor. If a successor has not been designated by either the outgoing X O or the Executive, and approved by the FS within 93 days after the office of XO

[ Contents ]
From the Grand Master ............................................... 1 Announcement ............................................................. 2 From the Grand Treasurer General ........................... 2 OTO U.S. National Conference: A Review .............. 3 From the Electoral College ....................................... 4 AgapJ ) Vol. I No. 1 < 1

National Grand Master General becomes vacant, the FS must designate a successor and formally appoint and install him or her within 31 days. The Deputy National Grand Master General assumes the administrative duties of the National Grand Master General until the new National Grand Master General takes office. 3. Lodge Bylaws. The following clause was added: Each Lodge has the right to conduct its own affairs according to its own Bylaws, provided that its acts and Bylaws are not contrary to the letter or the spirit of these Bylaws. The Bylaws of all Lodges must be submitted for approval to the Electoral College pursuant to section 5.03, and are null and void unless approved by both the Electoral College and the National Grand Master General. There has been one other significant change in recent months. Grand Lodge would like to thank Frater K.Z. for his exemplary service as our first G.S.G., and wish him well. We now welcome Frater Io Pan, formerly the Master of 93 Lodge, as our new Grand Secretary General, and wish him luck! Love is the law, love under will. Sabazius

This announcement is from the International Treasurer General on behalf of OTO International Headquarters and the U.S. Grand Lodge. After most of a decade at the same amounts, the dues and initiation fees schedule for OTO is going to change. As of January 1, 1998 e.v., the following dues and fees will apply to initiations and dues anniversaries on or after that date. Associate membership dues continue at $10.00 per year. Continuing balances, either credit or debit, in members accounts will be under the old dues rate schedule if dated before the first day of 1998 e.v. New O.T.O. Dues Schedule effective January 1, 1998 e.v.: Degree Dues Fees Minerval $ 36.00 $ 36.00 I 36.00 36.00 II 72.00 36.00 III 108.00 72.00 IV 144.00 100.00 P.I. 31.00 K.E.W. 20.00 V 180.00 120.00 K.R.E. 60.00 VI 216.00 120.00 G.I.C. 60.00 P.R.S. 60.00 VII 252.00 60.00 per subdegree VIII 288.00 210.00 IX 324.00 300.00 Dues for most partial degrees carry continuing renewal and anniversary dates from the most recent Roman numeral full degree initiation. E.g., there are no additional dues for P.I. or K.E.W., just continuation of IVth degree dues. The dues have been raised to $3 times the degree number, per 2  Vol. I No. 1 M AgapJ

&
Announcement

month. The fees have been adjusted more dynamically in an effort to cover the actual costs of the initiations. Although an initiating body can waive or decrease the fees, the dues are constant unless varied by direct resolution of the OTO International Supreme Council. Initiating OTO bodies may also add a surcharge, but such a surcharge should be optional for out of town candidates unless travel expenses for an initiator must be met. These new initiation fee amounts are intended to include additions to regalia for the candidate. Local initiators will be expected to provide such things as aprons and jewels to candidates out of these fees, when the ritual calls for investing the candidate with such regalia. Robes and swords are not necessarily included. OTO members will note that most of the degree annual dues have gone up considerably. Although the numerical base amounts for the highest degrees have apparently gone down, in practical terms they have not for most members of those degrees. The old practice was to limit dues over $150 annually to no more than $150 or 1.5% of taxable income; whichever was higher, up to the base amount for the degree. This meant that a very few members from VIIth through IXth paid substantially more than these new annual dues. However, owing to income adjustments, most members in those degrees paid between $150 and $200 per year. The 1.5% rule will cease when these new dues go into effect 1/1/98 e.v. Why these increases? Inflation since 1919 e.v., when Minerval dues were $5 per year, is such that these new dues amounts are still only a fraction of what they were in Crowleys day. Membership dues in other organizations frequently are three times as expensive in the 1990s as they were in the 1970s. Expenses for OTO publications, postage, phone, legal services and other central operations have been going up. Questions from initiators or local OTO groups on dues or fees can be emailed to the Treasurer General at: heidrick@well.com.

From The Grand Treasurer General

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Greetings! I am very excited to serve the U.S. membership of the O.T.O. in my new capacity as Grand Treasurer General of U.S. Grand Lodge. But first, I would like to thank my predecessor, Soror L.W.U., for her devoted service as G.T.G. before me, and for her continuing service as Assistant Treasurer. The task of accounting for the membership and operations of the U.S. O.T.O. is an enormous one, and so my duties are being phased in gradually over time. For this reason, until you officially hear otherwise, all U.S. G.T.G. transactions (dues payments, red books, etc.) should continue to be sent to the International Treasurer General at: Ordo Templi Orientis P.O. Box 430 Fairfax, CA 94978 In the meantime, I would like to hear from you. The office of the Grand Treasurer General not only serves the corporate and governing interests of the O.T.O., but also the local bodies and individual members. You can send e-mail to me at usgtg@dnai.com, call at (310) 216-5666, or write to me at: U.S. Grand Treasurer General Ordo Templi Orientis P.O. Box 45139 Los Angeles, CA 90045-0139

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If your local body publishes a newsletter or journal, please send it to me at this address (per Order policy on publications as given in the Magical Link). Also, we are in the process of streamlining our address tracking procedures for the Order. If you change your address, please send prompt notice to me at the above address. You should also send notice to the International Treasurer General at the Fairfax address, and notify your local body as well. (Note that the Electoral College must process local body address changes.) I look forward to working with you! Love is the law, love under will. Vere Chappell Frater Semper Lucem Quaero U.S. Grand Treasurer General

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The Official Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis Published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A., a California not-for-profit religious corporation with business offices at PO Box 10369, San Bernardino, CA 92423-0369. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organizaion with business offices at JAF Box 7666, NY, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at PO Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. )C=FA is distributed to all local bodies in the U.S.A., and is available as a downloadable file in color at the U.S. Grand Lodge website (http://otohq.org/oto/). Local body officers are requested to copy and distribute )C=FA to the members of their Camps, Oases, and Lodges. Copyright 1997 Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors. Executive Editor: Sabazius XO Contributing Editor: Baphemetis Continuity Production Editors: Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke Masthead Design: Sulis Editorial Address: PO Box 3203, Austin, TX 78764 maat@io.com U.S. Grand Lodge Officers
U.S. National Grand Master General: Sabazius XO O.T.O. U.S.A. P.O. Box 10369, San Bernardino, CA 92423-0369 U.S. Deputy National Grand Master General: Lon Milo DuQuette, c/o Grand Secretary General U.S. Grand Secretary General: Fr. Io Pan O.T.O. U.S.A., P.O. Box 5137, San Clemente, CA 92674-5137 (714) 492-0988 usgsg@primenet.com U.S. Grand Treasurer General: Fr. S.L.Q. O.T.O. U.S.A., P.O. Box 45139, Los Angeles, CA 90045-0139 usgtg@dnai.com (310) 216-5666 U.S. Executive Council, U.S. Supreme Grand Council, U.S. Grand Tribunal, O.T.O. U.S.A. Corporate Headquarters: P.O. Box 10369. San Bernardino, CA 92423-0369 U.S. Electoral College: Fr. H.K., President jprice1131@aol.com P.O. Box 520307, Salt Lake City, UT 84152-0307 Sr. Pagana, Secretary ec-oto@hotweird.com P.O. Box 180342, Dallas, TX 75218-0342 U.S. Grand Lodge Archivist: Fr. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S. Grand Lodge Initiation Secretary: Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke P.O. Box 720296, Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0296 otousis@telepath.com (405) 720-6349 U.S. Grand Lodge Quartermaster: Fr. M.J.V. P.O. Box 40110, Portland, OR 97240-0110 qmoto@prodigy.net

O.T.O. U.S. National Conference: A Review

Being a Minerval for just a few months I approached going to the National Conference with a certain amount of hesitation. I knew that this experience would likely shape my experience and perception of O.T.O. and my decision whether or not to go further with the Order. As we pulled into the Hilton, cars were streaming in from the Gnostic Mass, which we had arrived too late to attend, but which I heard later had been attended by 130 people. One of the first people I recognized was Lon Duquette in one of the arriving cars smiling from ear to ear, the very image of joviality. From that moment on as I began to meet the assembled Thelemites my apprehensions vanished in an endless stream of encounters with some of the most gracious and welcoming people I can recall meeting. After we checked into our room and cleaned up we descended to the Ball Room for the Opening Ceremonies and formal dinner. Accustomed to over a decade of pagan events I was at first a little put off by the idea of a black tie preferred dinner. This notion was swept away as I gazed around the room at the 150 or so smiling faces done up in their own renditions of their Sunday best. What better way to honor each other and ourselves than to dress in our finest apparel in a luxury Hotel? This was going to be something special and unique, possibly a once in a life time event. Here I was, surrounded by what might have been the largest gathering of O.T.O. members ever assembled. And I felt then that to be counted among this company could only be considered a great honor, and I was filled with pride at the thought of it. Though I might be only an honored guest for now, there was no doubt in my mind that I would go to the next step without hesitation. The fact during the entire weekend not once did the fact that I was a Minerval so much as come up made me feel even more welcome. The Opening Ceremonies commenced with a powerfully performed Star Ruby and a variety of dramatic rituals from a variety of sources some familiar, some not, but each performed with intensity and fervor that carried through the hall like electricity. You could have heard a pin drop in that room such was the attention being given to what was going on. The introduction speech by Soror Nebethetepet, Treasurer of Black Sun Oasis and the addresses by Frater H.K., President of the Electoral College and Grand Master General Sabazius were duly inspiring and the crowd literally leapt to their feet as Sabazius led a stirring Thelemic Will before we fell to a perfectly prepared dinner. After dinner we mingled over drinks and an endless string of stories, jokes and introductions. I would have not minded mingling until I had met every single person there, but alas the cash bar finally closed, perhaps for the best, and people slowly thinned out. The evening ended for me sitting among a crowd of Thelemites mingling with other hotel patrons who were there

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apparently attending some kind of golf convention, in the Hiltons Karoke bar. We sat sipping drinks and laughing at the sublime absurdity of this unlikely possibility. Somehow it was perfect. Saturdays lecture schedule had three concurrent lectures occurring simultaneously throughout the day and more than once I wished I could have been in two places at once. My head was still humming from the drinks and encounters of the night before, I sat in on a workshop led by Lon DuQuette titled The Paradox of Thelemic Leadership. Lon was in what appeared to be his usual good humor and entertained us with some of his observations on O.T.O. body leadership. Next I attended a Patrick Kings workshop on the Tarot. Patrick gave us a fascinating talk based on his own experiences in his studies of the Tarot. The talk was filled with insight into the structure of the Qabala and how it can be applied to virtually every creative act from reading the cards to writing a book or making a chair. My next stop was a panel discussion on the Direction of the O.T.O. led by Patrick, Vere Chappell, Allen Greenfield, Frater Z.A.X., and Content Knowles. Allen began by giving us his intuitive insights of where he saw O.T.O. being ten years from now, followed by the other panel members insights into such things as what it meant to be a member of a community of Thelemites, and our relationship to the neopagan and non esoteric populations. A question period followed including a memorable questioner asking why Frater Sabazius was sitting in the audience listening rather than instructing us with his vision of the future of O.T.O. The point, at least as I interpreted it was clear; and its implications a kind of initiation in and of itself for me. These panel members were representative of the rest of us there, each one very unique in their own personal ways. Senior representatives to be sure, but the point that clicked in my head was that _we_ were the future of the O.T.O. and the future of O.T.O. in many ways will be exactly what we make of it and ourselves when we return to our communities and respective O.T.O. bodies and continue to live our lives as Thelemites. After lunch the next event for me was entitled Meet the Electoral College led by the current EC President Frater H.K., former President Frater E.A.O.A., and Soror M.A.S. What followed was an honest and sometimes difficult discussion concerning the role of the EC, and how it participates in the important decisions about Charters and other matters. My appreciation of the difficulties of this important body was greatly enhanced. Here were the people who formed the front line in some of the most important decisions of the Order. Despite this responsibility I had every impression that the EC did its utmost to be fair, informed and impartial. After getting cleaned up I headed downstairs to meet my companions for dinner in the hotel restaurant. Sure that there could be nothing left to surprise me as I was sitting there listening to the wit and good humor from my dinner companions none other than Frater Sabazius pulled up a chair and joined us for dinner. Finally it was off to the Open Poetry reading. Im not sure if I can choose between the Frater Hrumachis rousing guitar version of Midnight Liber Resh, or Content and Matts Nekam Adonai as the highlight. Truly a memorable evening I wont soon forget. Sunday morning after breakfast I sat in on the first of a series of workshops on the Man of Earth Degree symbolism. A passionate group of initiators went over nearly every aspect of the Minerval Ritual greatly expanding my appreciation of the depth of symbolism present in this deceptively simple ceremony. Having to be at work on Monday morning we reluctantly said our good-byes and still more hellos and we set out back on the long 4  Vol. I No. 1 M AgapJ

journey home. The return trip seemed to fly by in half the time as we traded stories of our weekend, talked about the future of our Camp, discussed magick and finally on the last leg to stay awake and pass the time we sang every Beatles song we could remember, pulling into Minneapolis around 2AM. Our Magical Mystery Tour to Akron Ohio had came to an end. Robin, Frater E.t.m. Secretary Leaping Laughter Camp, Minneapolis, Minnesota

From the Electoral College

Greetings from the Electoral College, and a salute to the editorial staff of Agape, which with its debut issue marks another milestone in the development of the United States OTO. We are in a position to observe - and participate in! - the largest network of Thelemites that has ever existed; and for the most part, it is a group that operates in a truly Thelemic fashion, at least from my point of view. Of course, there are lapses; after all, every one of us is learning the meaning of the Law by trial and error as we go, and the error parts of that equation can certainly be dramatic. For my part, though, Im much more impressed, even surprised, by the overall success of the Grand Experiment. Back to the matter at hand, and an introduction: My name is Jeffrey Price, aka Fr. H.K., and at the present I am the president of the United States Electoral College. Serving on the College has been one of the most wonderful and rewarding experiences of my life, mostly because of the opportunity it has afforded me to travel the country and meet so many of you, to observe the variety of shapes and faces that the Order takes in different places, and to share in the enormous talent and diverse brilliance that are represented in our Holy Order. In the continuing course of this column, I hope to clarify the nature and function of the College. If you have any questions about the College, please write to me (Fr. H.K., U.S. OTO Electoral College, Box 520307, S.L.C., UT 84152-0307; e-mail: JPrice1131@aol.com); I will try to answer any questions of general interest in this column. (Questions of a more limited scope I will answer privately.) In addition, I will try to provide updates on policy changes as such occur, and when space permits, to offer (or inflict) snippets of my personal and demented philosophy for your general edification. Love is the law, love under will Fr. H.K.

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ATTENTION BODY MASTERS!

You will be receiving Annual Report forms in the mail by the end of the year. Don't forget to return them to the Electoral College by Feb. 15, 1998 e.v. For questions, contact the Secretary at: P.O. Box 180342 Dallas TX 75218-0342 e-mail: ec-oto@hotweird.com

THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE U.S. GRAND LODGE OF ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS

From the Grand Master

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

VOLUME I, ISSUE 2 1 February, 1998e.v. Q in K, R in A, IVv e.n.

From The Grand Secretary General

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

elcome to the second issue of Agape and the new common year of 1998 (Anno Ordinis 880). I hope that all of you had a glorious Southern Solstice, and that those of you so inclined had a joyful old-time Caesarmas. Anno IVvi promises to be an interesting year, as both Year of the Tiger and Year of the Lovers. The Quartermaster, with help from the new East Coast Assistant Quartermaster, has issued an impressive new catalog of supplies for U.S. initiators and local bodies. The revised degree study guides for the Man of Earth Triad are finally completed, and are included in the catalog. It is unclear at this point how the new dues schedule will affect U.S. Grand Lodge. USGL receives from International Headquarters (IHQ) a 50% dues concession on all dues collected within the U.S.A. from 0 - VII initiates. Costs for preparation and distribution of the Magical Link and Oriflamme, and costs for the management of the Crowley Estate (restoration and expansion of the archives, protection of the Crowley copyrights, and editing and publishing of Crowleys works) are borne by IHQ. USGLs principal financial obligation is to cover all costs of administering the Order within the U.S.A., including this newsletter and the Grand Lodge web site, Grand Lodge initiations and temple equipment, telephone expenses, copying and postage for official correspondence and documents such as charters, rituals, and handbooks, and expenses pertaining to official Grand Lodge governing body meetings. A significant proportion of these expenses are covered out of pocket by individual Grand Lodge officers, and reimbursed by the Grand Lodge treasury at a later date. After they have completed a year in office, the dues of Grand Lodge officers are suspended for the duration of their term in office (thanks to a recent policy decision by IHQ); but officers currently receive no other compensation for their considerable contributions of time and effort to the Order. Currently, the dues concession received from IHQ barely covers our operating costs. Future projects such as the establishment of official profess houses and the development and administration of instructional programs, such as for E.G.C. clergy, will require considerably more revenue; possibly more than even the new dues schedule will provide. There is, of course, a chance that the new dues schedule will result in less money for the Order. By the end of this new year, we should have a better idea of how Order finances will influence the future of our Grand Lodge. Love is the law, love under will. Sabazius

Peace, Tolerance, Truth, Salutation on All Points of Triangle; Respect to the Order. To All Whom it may Concern, Greetings and Health. I have been asked by the Grand Master General to fill the shoes left by Frater K.Z. to do his will and further his education. I would like to first thank Frater K.Z. for his service as Grand Secretary General and to the Order as a whole. I am learning my respective duties as they relate to the governing of the Order and the new United States Corporation daily. If I may be frank with my Brothers and Sisters, I took this job reluctantly. Being a schoolteacher, a husband, a dad of 2 wonderful grownup kids, a grandfather or 2 magical granddaughters (so far!), and Lodgemaster of the very active 93 Lodge, I felt I already had a full plate. I wasnt anxious to take on another big job. In short, I have a Life! I felt the Grand Master, Sabazius, wanted me to do this job for him. After 2 divinations, one by myself and another by a Sister in the Order whose divinatory prescience I have come to respect, I felt that the organizational skills I have acquired over the years, plus the call to rise to the occasion and serve left me no other choice! Dont you hate when that happens?! Divination is, indeed, a two-edged sword! Heres a little bit of background on myself. Im 46 years old. Ive been married to my lovely wife Karen for 15 years. I have a B.A. in Philosophy and an Elementary Teaching Credential. I love the O.T.O. and have served the Order for 20 years. (Hey, Beta! Wheres my gold watch!) I was initiated Minerval in the Order in 1978 by Lon DuQuette at Heru-Ra-Ha Lodge in Southern California. In 1980 I received both a charter to initiate to IIIO and a charter to open 93 Camp in Laguna Beach, California from Caliph and Supreme and Holy King Hymenaeus Alpha, warlord Grady McMurtry. We subsequently moved to San Clemente and had our charter upgraded to 93 Lodge. My wife, Soror Sa Ra and I have been performing the E.G.C. Mass regularly since Chinese

[ Contents ]
From the Grand Master ........................................................ 1 From The Grand Secretary General .................................... 1 The Frankist Ecstatics of the Eighteenth Century ............. 2 From the Initiation Secretaries ............................................ 4 Resolution from the Electoral College ................................. 4 Policy Announcement ............................................................ 4 AgapJ ) Vol. I No. 2 < 1

New Year 1983. (Thats longer than weve been married!) Together we have performed 70 Minervals, 49 IO, 24 IIO, 22 IIIO , 21 IVO, 21 P I , and 12 K EW initiations. We have also been performing the Rites of Eleusis for 18 years. I am currently initiated to VIO but have been bestowed an Honorary VIIO with position of Grand Secretary General. Initially, my duties are to serve the Supreme and Holy King, Sabazius, as his executive secretary. Hes a extraordinary guy, and he rolls his eyes when I use my Sicilian accent and call him Supreme and Holy King or your Holiness. I am honored to serve such a modest and intelligent man who is so dedicated to our Order. Presently, I am overwhelmed with organizing my office of the GSG. Thank the Gods for e-mail! Im also the keeper and mailer of our Rituals. For the present anything else pertaining to the Man of Earth Triad, ie. inquiries about Crowley, the O.T.O., and initiations, Im forwarding to the Electoral College. And hey, dont send ME your dues! Ill cash it and put it in my pocket. I need the money. (Just kidding!) Send your dues to the Grand TREASURER General. I find I dont know many of the answers to your questions. But, Im open to learn. My philosophy is delegate, delegate, delegate. Im looking for good help. Remember, before Enlightenment, chop wood and carry water. After Enlightenment, chop wood and carry water. My Brothers and Sisters: Its a level playing field and each of us is a STAR! As far as Im concerned, if you wish to push on to a higher degree in the Order, demonstrate SERVICE and pay your dues. By the way, I have a sometimes irreverent, provocative, and double entendre sense of humor. If youre not sure how to take my responses - dont be offended, just rattle my cage and ask for plain English. I really dont mean to offend. Im rather a bohemian kind of guy, thus the motto IO PAN! I dont think theres anything so common about common sense. Perception is Creative! Im a very slow learner with my Mercury retrograde in Virgo, but once I comprehend the nuts and bolts-boy can I teach them! Having 4 planets, Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus in Virgo, Im somewhat reclusive and will probably return your calls at another time. Regarding my own personal vision or dream for the Order; Id like to see the preceptories of the Templars, todays O.T.O., restored internationally to its original glory. Fantasy: Id love to live in one of those old stone preceptories with a temple, initiation quarters, a library, lots of personal space, and an ashram on the grounds. I would love to replace the current pedagogy of education in our country with a more Thelemic one. My oath requires me to execute the policies of the Supreme and Holy King, uphold the Sacred Principles of the Order, duly guard the security of the private affairs of the members of the Order, and endeavor to find and train a suitable successor. So Brothers and Sisters . . . Uncle IO Pan wants you! Love is the Law, Love under will. In the Bonds of the Order Doug James, Frater IO Pan U. S. Grand Secretary General

THE FRANKIST ECSTATICS OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY

Uno avulso non deficit alter. - Virgil

By T Allen Greenfield A century before the European Enlightenment produced the conditions in which modern European Judaism arose, the ghetto world of the Jews of Europe and Asia Minor was wracked by a messianic fervor virtually unknown today outside Judaic intellectual circles. The influence of the Qabalism of the late medieval period reached a final flowering in the works of Isaac Luria and other mystics of the 1600s. An outright messianic movement developed around the person of one Shabbetai Tzvi (1626-76 EV) and his prophet, Nathan of Gaza. This movement was shattered when, faced with martyrdom or conversion, the would-be messiah Tzvi chose conversion to Islam. Nathan became a Roman Catholic, and the movement largely collapsed, though some followed Tzvi into conversion, and there is down to the present time an Islamic sect in Turkey that follows Tzvis teachings. In recent years there has been some effort made among Jewish revisionist historians to more-or-less rehabilitate Shabbetai Tzvi as a kind of protoZionist leader. It is certainly true that the messianic movements collapse led in the 1700s to the development of the mystical-ecstatic Chassidic Judaism. Under the leadership of Israel Baal Shem Tov, this has been far more widely accepted as a legitimate Jewish religious trend. Scholars of the stature of the late existentialist Martin Buber have done much to establish the legitimacy of Chassidic thought and practice. It has nonetheless continued as a movement to have both a Qabalistic and messianic undertone, as witnessed by the messianic expectations centered on the Lubovicher Rebbe that reached a peak shortly before his recent death. At approximately the same time that Chassidic Judaism was developing, another trend which for many years was almost lost to history was bubbling up in the Ghettoes of Eastern Europe in the wake of the Tzvi messianic expectations. Indeed, most older English-language sources relegate this rather substantial movement to a footnote, usually couched in the most unflattering terms. This was a sect known as the Zoharists or Frankists, after Jacob Frank (1726-91 EV), originally named Jacob Leibowicz1. Like the Chassidim, the Zoharists were deeply steeped in Qabala and magick and ecstatic religious expression. Like the followers of Tzvi, they were also messianic. Unique to the Frankists was a doctrine of salvation through sexual ecstasy that had not characterized these other tendencies. Indeed, the Zoharists anticipated the sexual magick that emerged a century and more later under the influence of such luminaries as P.B. Randolph, Max Theon and, ultimately, Aleister Crowley. There is a bare chance, in fact, that the Zoharists may have influenced these later exponents of sexual spirituality. Frank was born in Galicia in Polish territory, traveled widely, and died in Offenbach, Germany on December 10, 1791 EV. He
1 The reader may be bewildered by the variation in names; Jacob Frank is variously referred to as Jacob Leibowicz, Jankiew Leibowicz and the more familiar Frank. His birthplace is sometimes given as Podolia, Berezanka or Korolowka. He is reported to have died in Offenbach. Patronized by the Archduchess Maria Theresa, he may indeed have been made a Baron. He was certainly a man of wealth and means to the end of his colorful life.

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traveled in the Balkans and got to know the followers of Tzvi, some of whom looked forward to the latters resurrection. About 1751 he proclaimed himself the Messiah and promulgated a Higher Torah based on the medieval Qabalistic writings of the Sefer Zohar (Book of Splendour). Frank maintained that certain elect individuals were above the conventional moral law. He even went so far as to engaged the staid Rabbinical Community of the time in a debate over the value of the ecstatic principles promulgated in the Zohar as opposed to the legalism of the Talmud, which the Zoharists considered blasphemous. Within five years the Rabbinical Judaism had denounced the Zoharists as heretics. The Frankists enjoyed some protection in Roman Catholic circles, ever hopeful of making conversions among the Jews. In a certain sense Franks critique of the Talmudic Judaism of his time resembled the friction between Jesus and the Pharisees of an earlier era. Frank, who felt that his sect was above restriction, was quick to exploit this protection, and proceeded to promise Baptism of his followers. He was himself baptized in Warsaw with the Polish King, Augustus III, acting as his godfather. But the Frankists continued to practice sexual orgiastic ecstasy as a spiritual sacrament, and soon ran afoul of the Holy Inquisition. Like Count Cagliostro a few years later, Baron Jacob Frank found himself imprisoned by the inquisitors in 1760 EV, at the fortress of Czestochowa. He languished there for 13 years until being freed by the Russian conquest. He relocated to Germany, which then became the seat of the Zoharist movement. It should be noted, and more than in passing, that Baron Franks sexual movement among the Jews coincided with the birth and flourishing of the so-called Hellfire Clubs of England and France, the Elect Cohens and later Martinists of France, and other communities with similar ideas and practices of sacred sexuality. Frank lived out his life in the luxury of the nobility, supported by his huge following. Most unusual for the time, Frank was succeeded, upon his death, by his daughter Eve2, who continued the Work of the sect until her own passing in 1816 EV. Be it noted that later in the 19th century another enigmatic Polish Jew, the son of Rabbi Judes Lion Bimstein of Warsaw, came to teach an almost identical sacred sexuality as the Grand Master of the Hermetic Brotherhood of Light. This man was one Louis Maximilian Bimstein, better known as Aia Aziz, and better still as Max Theon. Based in North Africa and France, Theon taught a fully Tantric approach to spirituality, according to Sri Aurobindo. He exercised a profound influence upon HB of L Frontal Chief Peter Davidson, who, in turn, was a profound influence upon Papus and other luminaries of the occult revival. Whether this represents a direct continuity from the Zoharists we may never know. Clearly, Jacob Frank, his daughter Eve and their followers deserve a special place in the history of Western Sexual Occultism comparable to that only now being fully recognized where P.B. Randolph, Peter Davidson and their circle are concerned. For further reading - MY PEOPLE by Abba Eban (Behrman-Random House, 1968) (section) False Messiahs pp. 232-238; THE LEGENDS OF THE BAAL SHEM (translated 1955) and TALES OF RABBI NACHMAN (translated 1956) by Martin Buber; THE HERMETIC BROTHERHOOD OF LUXOR by Godwin, Chanel & Deveney (Weiser, 1995) pp. 293-302; MIRRA THE OCCULTIST by Sujjata Nahar; MAGIC, MYSTICISM, AND HASIDISM by Gedalyah Nigal (1994); DEMYSTIFYING THE MYSTICAL by Chaim Dalfin (1995). Also see: FRANK, Jacob, (article) Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia
2 Franks daughter was variously called Eve or Eva, depending on source material. She became the object of a devotional subcult herself, with some followers keeping small statues of her in their homes.

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The Official Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis Published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A., a California not-for-profit religious corporation with business offices at PO Box 10369, San Bernardino, CA 92423-0369. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organizaion with business offices at JAF Box 7666, NY, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at PO Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. )C=FA is distributed to all local bodies in the U.S.A., and is available as a downloadable file in color at the U.S. Grand Lodge website (http://otohq.org/oto/). Local body officers are requested to copy and distribute )C=FA to the members of their Camps, Oases, and Lodges. Copyright 1997 Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors. Executive Editor: Sabazius XO Contributing Editor: Baphemetis Continuity Production Editors: Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke Masthead Design and Artwork Director: Sulis Editorial Address: PO Box 3203, Austin, TX 78764 content@babalon.com U.S. Grand Lodge Officers
U.S. National Grand Master General: Sabazius XO O.T.O. U.S.A. P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 U.S. Deputy National Grand Master General: Lon Milo DuQuette, c/o Grand Secretary General U.S. Grand Secretary General: Fr. Io Pan O.T.O. U.S.A., P.O. Box 5137, San Clemente, CA 92674-5137 usgsg@primenet.com (714) 492-0988 U.S. Grand Treasurer General: Fr. S.L.Q. O.T.O. U.S.A., P.O. Box 45139, Los Angeles, CA 90045-0139 (310) 216-5666 usgtg@dnai.com U.S. Executive Council, U.S. Supreme Grand Council, U.S. Grand Tribunal, O.T.O. U.S.A. Corporate Headquarters: P.O. Box 10369. San Bernardino, CA 92423-0369 U.S. Electoral College: Fr. H.K., President jprice1131@aol.com P.O. Box 520307, Salt Lake City, UT 84152-0307 ec-oto@hotweird.com Sr. Pagana, Secretary P.O. Box 180342, Dallas, TX 75218-0342 U.S. Grand Lodge Archivist: Fr. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S. Grand Lodge Initiation Secretary: Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke P.O. Box 720296, Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0296 otousis@telepath.com (405) 720-6349 U.S. Grand Lodge Quartermaster: Fr. M.J.V. P.O. Box 40110, Portland, OR 97240-0110 qmoto@prodigy.net

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(1994); Frank, Jacob, (article) Encyclopaedia Britannica (1995); Frank, Jacob (article) Websters New Biographical Dictionary (1983); FRANK, JACOB, (article) The Encyclopedia of Jewish Knowledge (Behrmans, 1938); Most general and especially Jewish references have either an article under Franks name, or some mention in an article on false messiahs or specifically Shabbetai Tzvi. Take note that there is a lot of nonsense in reference to the Zoharists, and many usually reliable sources will either repeat without variation the assertions of earlier sources, or fall into sectarian vilification. One would do well to sort through the many short references, and compare consistencies and inconsistencies.

From The Initiation Secretaries

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. With the beginning of the new vulgar year, the Thelemic one rapidly drawing to a close, and the newly proclaimed dues structure in place, now seems a good time to make a general reminder of procedures and what not. ATTENTION LOCAL BODY MASTERS, INITIATORS, AND LOCAL BODY OFFICERS: Application Forms: Remember to make sure that all applications forms you use are a version dated Spring IViv or later. The applications should be postmarked at least thirty (30) days prior to the proposed date of initiation (with the exception of a First Degree taken with in thirty days of the Minerval). All sponsors should print their civil name in the space provided and any name changes for either Candidate or Sponsors should be noted. Always make sure the portion of the applications marked for the Initiating body is completely filled in, failure to do so will guarantee a hold up and a query from this office. Also check that the candidates section of the form is properly filled out. Initiation Summary Reports and Certificates: Remember to report each initiation to this office within thirty (30) days of the initiation date. This report should consist of an Initiation Summary Report either accompanied by or quickly followed by a prepared Certificate for each Initiate. Copies of a suggested Initiation Summary Report format can be obtained from us either through electronic or conventional mail. We would like to wish everyone a most joyous holiday season with the coming Thelemic New Year. If you have any questions or concerns regarding initiation related topics well be happy to try to field your question or at least direct it to the proper office. We can be contacted at otousis@telepath.com, (405) 720-6349, or PO Box 720296, Oklahoma City, OK, 73172-0296. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke U.S. Initiation Secretaries 4  Vol. I No. 2 M AgapJ

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A Resolution of the Electoral College

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. At the Fall 1997 e.v. meeting of the Electoral College, the following Resolution was passed by a vote of 9/0/0: Resolution on National Conference (Stein/Schurholz) WHEREAS, the First National Meeting of Ordo Templi Orientis in Akron, Ohio, Anno Legis XCIII, Sun in Leo, Moon in Capricorn (14 to 16 August, 1997 e.v.) was a resounding success; and Whereas, this First National Meeting is derived from prior action and sponsorship of this Electoral College; and Whereas, the lives of the individual attendees have been greatly enriched; and Whereas, the advantages to the Order of having such national meetings have been clearly demonstrated; and Whereas, the success of this meeting resulted from the personal efforts and organizational abilities and contributions of Jennifer Schober, Daniel German, and Celia Leahu, in particular, and the support of brothers and sisters in the independent bodies of the Mid-West area in general; BE IT RESOLVED: that the Electoral College of the O.T.O. in the United States extend its appreciation to the above named brother and sisters of the O.T.O. May their efforts and success not go unrewarded or unrecognized, and may the Order as a whole become cognizant of them. Love is the law, love under will.

5
POLICY ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. local body officers are responsible for being familiar with the current laws of their State and local authorities pertaining to the legal drinking age and the circumstances under which minors may and may not consume alcohol. Such laws shall be considered applicable for all O.T.O. and E.G.C. events in the U.S. -Sb.

THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE U.S. GRAND LODGE OF ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS

From the Grand Master

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

VOLUME I, ISSUE 3 1 May, 1998e.v. 3 in *, 4 in ,, IVvi e.n.

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

s most probably realize, the Law of Thelema was not entirely the result of praeterhuman forces. Crowley, as a scholar and even in his role as Prophet, was strongly influenced by the lives, ideas and works of many men and women who came before him. The road to The Book of the Law was built over many, many years by many, many hands now long stilled. So it is with all the Great Principals of our Order, spiritual, philosophical, and practical. The roots of our Order extend deeply into history, well before the advent of the New Aeon and the birth of such men as Crowley, Reuss, Kellner, and Doinel. It is these roots which have provided, and continue to provide, food and water to the Scarlet Flower that grows in the enclosed garden of our Order; and we must know and appreciate those roots if we are to truly know and appreciate that Flower. With this in mind, I have decided to establish a program within the U.S. Grand Lodge which will formally recognize men and women of the past who have contributed in diverse but important ways to the development and advancement of the great principles of our Order. Men so recognized will receive an honor called the Order of the Lion; women will receive the Order of the Eagle. Nominees for these honors must be historical (as opposed to purely mythological) men and women, and must have died at least eleven years before award. Any member of U.S. Grand Lodge in good standing of at least Third Degree may submit a nomination to any Sovereign Grand Inspector General in the U.S. (directly or indirectly); but all such nominations must be accompanied by a thorough, wellresearched and documented essay defending the nomination. Such essays must be type-written or printed, must include a brief biographical profile of the nominee, and must clearly and eloquently demonstrate why the nominee should be considered for the Order of the Lion or the Order of the Eagle. Meritorious nominations will be forwarded to the Supreme Grand Council for further consideration. Notification of awards, along with selected nomination essays, will be published occasionally here in Agape. Love is the law, love under will. Sabazius

Last year I had the good fortune to attend the first O.T.O. National Conference in Akron, Ohio. To my surprise, the event was a profound and powerful personal experience. It was more than a convention. It was a reorientation of Stars. For many of us it was the first real opportunity to look beyond the solar systems of our local Lodges and Camps and see our place (and our potential place) in a greater Thelemic galaxy. Last week in England I caught a breathtaking glimpse of what I believe could be the macrocosmic manifestation of the Akron experience; a reorientation of Stars on a global scale. Ironically, the magnet that would draw Thelemites of all political and fraternal persuasions from all over the world was not a fraternal convention or a rock concert or a festival. It was the most civilized and innocuous of events...an art exhibition. THE ART OF ALEISTER CROWLEY ...AN OLD MASTER. For weeks prior to the event the chat-lines were buzzing with strutting and posturing amongst and between the various factions of the modern Thelemic movement. But as the date of the opening drew near, the rhetoric started to cool and pledges of tolerance were tentatively proffered. Pubs near the exhibition were suggested. Details of travel itineraries were exchanged. Before I left on April 8th I actually believe I sensed among a few adversarial corespondents a level of real anticipation to meet one another. I was not disappointed. The exhibition was marvelous and exceeded my every expectation. But even greater work was done each night when the gallery doors closed...in the pubs, restaurants, hotels and homes. I wish I could say that great peace treaties were signed and that everything that currently irritates the various facets of Thelemic organizations had been sorted out. But I cannot. I can say that for many of us there is now a face behind the name; an intelligent and sincere Thelemite behind the harsh and often thoughtless late-night e-mail assaults; and perhaps even a new and respected friend or two behind the demonized antagonist. Below are my diary notes.

[ Contents ]
From the Grand Master ........................................................ 1 Lons Travelogue ................................................................... 1 Local Body Reports ............................................................... 3 Important Notice To All Body Masters ............................... 4 A Note From The Editor ....................................................... 4 Agap ) Vol. I No. 3 < 1

Wednesday, April 8th 1998 E.V. First Day Feast of the Writing of the Book of the Law 1 P.M. PDT, Cheers Bar, Los Angeles International Airport My plane for London leaves in two hours. I just converted most of my money to pounds and have settled down with a Guinness to quietly read the First Chapter of Liber AL. Coincidentally, I recall that it was nine years ago to the day that Constance and I first feasted with our European Brothers and Sisters after officiating at Fifth Degree initiations in Aberderon, Wales. I wonder how many of the old Knights of Aberderon will be in London. Thursday, April 9th 1998 E.V. Second Day Feast of the Writing of the Book of the Law 12 P.M. GMT, London Heathrow Airport Read Second Chapter of Liber AL while standing in the passport queue. I am picked up at the airport by Clive Harper, the senior O.T.O. representative in Great Britain who drives me to his home in High Wycombe so I can shower and dress. It is perfect English holiday weather, bitter cold and rainy. 4:00 P.M., October Gallery, London My first glimpse of THE ART OF ALEISTER CROWLEY exhibition. The October Gallery is located on Old Gloucester Street not far from the British Museum and Atlantis Bookshop. It is the first public exhibition of Crowleys art since his one man show at the Porza Gallery in Berlin in 1931. It is nearly closing time when Clive and I arrive, but there are still 15 or 20 people viewing the exhibition. I meet the primary director of the show, Brother John Bonner of Shemesh Lodge, and several other local members. Everyone is extremely cheerful and relaxed, and appear very pleased at how the exhibition is being received since its opening on April 7th. Clive leaves me at the Gallery to run some errands giving me the opportunity to savor the show. The first thing that strikes me is the venue itself. In the past it had been a private boys school and still bears evidence of its Dickensian history. The words OBEY THEM WHO HAVE RULE OVER YOU is chiseled dourly upon the mantle of one of the austere fireplaces. Instead of covering up this admonition our English brethren have had the subtle wit to hang Crowleys famous self-portrait as The Great Beast, Logos of the Aeon directly above it. There are a total of fifty-four works of art, mostly ACs but a few by others, including portraits of Crowley by Lionel (Leon) EngersKennedy and Augustus John. There are also a dozen works by Freida Harris including a poignant pencil sketch of Crowley on his death-bed. Of the non-Crowley works, the most fascinating to me are eleven of Harris early drafts of the Thoth Tarot including two versions of the FOOL unmistakably sporting the cherubic face of Harpo Marx. The works are well lit and displayed more or less chronologically (moving deosil) on eight suspended panels and the two end walls. With the exception of May Morn I dont believe I have seen any Crowley works in color. He is fantastic. Especially the watercolor portraits of women and fantasy landscapes from his 1934-36 German period. Nevertheless, everybodys favorite seems to be Four Red Monks Carrying a Black Goat over the Snow to Nowhere, a 1923 Goyaesque little masterpiece in oil that has all the elements of divine terror and humor that you want from Crowley. 2  Vol. I No. 3 M Agap

At closing time Brother Bonner removes for safe keeping several items from a glass display case. The first is Crowleys much photographed Janus-headed bronze wand. It is a magnificent (and heavy) piece. As John removes it from the case I meet Thelemic recording artist Massimo Mantovani. John allows us to shamelessly pose for photographs with the wand. There is another wand in the case. This one is made of polished dark wood and has grotesque faces carved near the top. I believe there is a picture of Crowley holding it in Equinox III, 10. The last item in the case is Crowleys Baphomet seal ring. Unlike the Ankh af na Khonsu seal ring, this little beauty is a delicate cameo of the man-headedrooster-bodied-rams-head-butted thing with a mans leg coming out of its chest....oh, you know what I mean! 6:00 P.M., Atlantis Bookshop, London Not wishing to mar my image as a shameless self-promoter, my publisher, Samuel Weiser, and Airlift Distributors arranged for me to plug my new book, Angels, Demons, & Gods of the New Millennium, at Atlantis Bookshop. Since 1922 Atlantis has been Europes most famous occult bookshop. As such, it was most certainly frequented by Crowley and often served as one of the few outlets for his self-published works. Its about a ten minute walk from October Gallery. Outside the shop we meet brethren Shawn Kelley and Carrie Tilley from California and Hank Hadeed and Elizabeth McBryde from Portland, Oregon. We discover that other old friends are waiting at the Plough (a nearby pub). As the signing isnt scheduled until 6:30 we retire there. Sure enough, Arild Stromsvag (Knight of Aberderon) of Norway is holding court explaining how American beer is like making love in a canoe. Nodding his head in agreement is Swedish publisher and O.T.O. celeb Carl Abrahamsson and his lovely friend Benedicte and at least twenty others. Thank God Ive brought plenty of refills for my Crowley-headed Pez dispenser. 6:30 - 7:30 P.M., Atlantis Bookshop, London Signing goes very well. The tiny shop is packed with people and lots of books are sold and signed. Here I meet (and I might say cordially) several members of the various contending forces in the Thelemic world. Gerald Suster and his wife make an appearance. During the question and answer period Gerald asks if I think that Thelema is bigger than any one organization. (I, of course, answer Yes.) and his wife asks me how I keep my shirts so white and bright and free of wine stains. (I told her it was a new shirt.) My thanks to Caroline at Atlantis for a wonderful and ego boosting event. After my moment in the sun we adjourn for pizza where we talk much of Thelema and little of politics. Friday, April 10th 1998 E.V., (Good Friday) High Wycombe Third Day Feast of the Writing of the Book of the Law 7:30 A.M. Read Chapter Three in bed. Later in the morning we are off to the Hell Fire Club caves of Sir Francis Dashwood with American friends Shawn, Carrie, Hank and Elizabeth and our hosts; Clive and Deb Harper with their enthusiastic offspring Alex and Fiona. Indescribably cozy pub lunch in West Wycombe. 3:00 P.M. Clive and I set out for Hastings and the home of John Bonner and Sue (Soror Estella, Lodge Master of Shemesh Lodge) to meet with Hymenaeus Beta. 8:00 P.M. Friday to 4:30 A.M. Saturday, April 11th Hastings John and Sue welcome Clive and me to their lovely home overlooking the sea where we enjoy a delightful dinner and a full evening of degree work which I later dub The Battle of Hastings.

Saturday, April 11th 1998 E.V. (First day of Passover and Holy Saturday, the day Christ had the good sense to stay dead!) 1:00 P.M. London, October Gallery Meeting of the Areopagus. Soror Helena has arrived from the U.S. All of us are very tired. Mercifully, the agenda is routine and the meeting is relatively short. (Thanks to the Gods the days of the 15 hour meetings seem to be over.) 4:00 P.M. London, October Gallery Meeting of the various senior members and leaders of international bodies including old friend and Knight of Aberderon Oliver (from Slovenia), new friend Ranko (from Croatia). Sunday, April 12th 1998 E.V. 1:00 P.M. London, October Gallery Kenneth Angers lecture and slides of the Abbey of Thelema. Clive and I are to late to be admitted. The gallery was filled to standing room hours before the presentation. This has to be counted as the most well attended single event of the week. Anger, who in 1955 painstakingly stripped the whitewash from the walls of the old Abbey of Thelema to reveal the bizarre and beautiful artwork beneath, is resoundingly applauded for his heroic efforts. 5:00 P.M. London, Neals Yard, Covent Garden The icing on the cake. Gnostic Mass is celebrated by the members of Levanah Encampment. Beautiful ceremony. (Oh those English accents!) Fantastic venue and glorious energy. My diary doesnt end here. The days and nights that followed were packed with field-trips and fabulous food and drink with friends old and new from around the world. But Ill stop rubbing it in now. The real news to report is my perception of a tangible shift in Thelemic consciousness. I believe that each of us who allowed ourselves to become even for a moment a part of this new social paradigm can now add to our litany of claimed titles (real or imagined) the most honorable and optimistic appellation Ambassador. Love is the law, love under will. Lon Milo DuQuette, U.S. Deputy Grand Master General

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The Official Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis Published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A., a California not-for-profit religious corporation with business offices at P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organizaion with business offices at JAF Box 7666, NY, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at P.O. Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. )C=FA is distributed to all local bodies in the U.S.A., and is available as a downloadable file in color at the U.S. Grand Lodge website (http://otohq.org/oto/). Local body officers are requested to copy and distribute )C=FA to the members of their Camps, Oases, and Lodges. Copyright 1998ev Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors. Executive Editor: Sabazius XO Contributing Editor: Baphemetis Continuity Production Editors: Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke Artwork Director: Sulis Editorial Address: PO Box 3203, Austin, TX 78764 content@babalon.com U.S. Grand Lodge Officers
U.S. National Grand Master General: Sabazius XO O.T.O. U.S.A. P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. Deputy National Grand Master General: Lon Milo DuQuette, c/o Grand Secretary General U.S. Grand Secretary General: Fr. Io Pan O.T.O. U.S.A., P.O. Box 5137, San Clemente, CA 92674-5137 usgsg@primenet.com (714) 492-0988 U.S. Grand Treasurer General: Fr. S.L.Q. O.T.O. U.S.A., P.O. Box 45139, Los Angeles, CA 90045-0139 (310) 216-5666 usgtg@dnai.com U.S. Executive Council, U.S. Supreme Grand Council, Note New Address U.S. Grand Tribunal, // // O.T.O. U.S.A. Corporate Headquarters: P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. Electoral College: Fr. H.K., President jprice1131@aol.com P.O. Box 520307, Salt Lake City, UT 84152-0307 ec-oto@hotweird.com Sr. Pagana, Secretary P.O. Box 180342, Dallas, TX 75218-0342 U.S. Grand Lodge Archivist: Fr. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S. Grand Lodge Initiation Secretary: Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke P.O. Box 720296, Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0296 otousis@telepath.com (405) 720-6349 U.S. Grand Lodge Quartermaster: Fr. M.J.V. P.O. Box 40110, Portland, OR 97240-0110 qmoto@prodigy.net

The 32 page color catalogue Aleister Crowley: An Old Master is available from O.T.O., P.O. Box 684098, Austin, Texas 78768 $20 postpaid USA A high quality print of Crowleys self portrait as The Master Therion is $75 postpaid US from the same address.

Local Body Reports

Bubastis Lodge, Dallas, TX Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. In the past year, Bubastis Lodge has regularly performed initiations in the Man of Earth Triad. Currently, we have twenty-two active members and several others that are inactive. The Lodge has been performing the Gnostic Mass regularly since 1989. Monthly business meetings are also held in order to keep everyone up to date on Lodge activities and to get input for future events In April, we began performing the Gnostic Mass on a weekly basis. In addition to the Mass, we performed the Invocation of Horus and celebrated

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Agap

Vol. I No. 3

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the three days of the writing of the Book of the Law by holding readings of the individual chapters. Following the reading of Chapter Three, we held the Gnostic Mass with a new Mass team. Soror Conscientia Clara debuted as Priestess, Frater Nur-I-Siyah performed the role of Priest and Frater Fdisk debuted as Deacon. This summer, Bubastis Lodge, Khonsu-Thoth Oasis, and Chango Camp will be hosting an EGC Gnostic Mass Conference. It will take place on August 14th and 15th at a scenic lakefront convention site. The focus of the event will be the performance of the Gnostic Mass. Speakers and subjects and currently being finalized, but the topics will include: the history of the Mass, the role of the Saints, a panel discussion on differing interpretations of the rubric of the Gnostic Mass, and the universal symbolism of the Mass. Proposed workshops include costuming design and building temple furniture. For further information, visit our EGC Conference website at <http://web2.airmail.net/otontex/>. We can also be reached at: Bubastis Lodge, P.O. Box 180342, Dallas, TX 75218-0342 Love is the law, love under will. Frater M.S., Secretary, Bubastis Lodge, OTO

Masonic Temple, where we performed the Gnostic Mass at Solstice, and our Equinox Ceremony. In general, Fr. Gallahad has proved as flexible and penetrating as water. When hes found a crevice, he flows in and fills it. Our Oasis takes pride in his humility, good nature, and demand for excellence. On March 28th, we performed IIO consecrations, and on April 25th we welcomed five new IO members to our growing roster. In short, the 93rd year was a prosperous one for The Knights Templar Oasis, and the 94th is off to a great start. Love is the law, love under will. Abrasax V, Master, KTO

Important Notice To All Body Masters

It is a requirement of the U.S. Electoral College that all Official Bodies must submit an Annual Report by February 15th of each year. This is an official notification that Annual Reports have not been received from the following O.T.O. Bodies: 418 Lodge Anaitis Camp Camp of the Sacred Drum IAO-Abraxas Oasis K.A.L. Camp Kali Lodge (suspended as of 4/4/98 ev) Khemennu Camp Magick Theater Camp Rosa Mundi Camp Starry Arch Camp Syntaxiss Camp (suspended as of 4/4/98 ev) Body masters must contact the Electoral College immediately to make arrangements to submit this report. Failure to do so may result in the closure of the above-listed bodies at the Summer meeting of the U.S. Electoral College. Contact: Soror Pagana Secretary, Electoral College P O Box 180342 Dallas, TX 75218-0342 ec-oto@hotweird.com

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Knights Templar Oasis, Cambridge, MA Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Winter Solstice was a very festive season at Knights Templar Oasis, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. First, we celebrated our bicoastal Gnostic Mass with a visit by Sr. Caitlin from Thelema Lodge in Oakland, CA. and Frater Aladdin from Tahuti Lodge in New York City. We performed the Mass in its classical form for initiates and guests at the Cambridge Masonic Temple. Two of our guests have since taken Minerval vows, and in general, the membership was in ecstasy. The following weekend, Sr. Caitlin did her magick again at KTOs private temple in Amesbury, MA. She is far and away the most charming and interesting foreign dignitary with whom weve had the honor to extend our northern hospitality. We look forward to her next venture eastward. KTO began its second series of classes at Arsenic and Old Lace, in Brookline, MA. This series encompasses Book 4, part II, and is a practical application of the Cabala to the process of Magick as defined and taught by Therion. These classes are taught by Fr. Gallahad and Abrasax. Fr. Abrasax was invited to produce The Rite of Saturn for Tahuti Lodges spring series. He created it with his Oasis in Boston, and brought it to NYC for the March 14th opening. On March 21st, KTO celebrated our first Ceremony of Achievement Recognition. This year, we recognized Fr. Parsaval, II O for his initiative and skill for erecting our web site, and Fr. A Ka Dua, 0O, for his expertise in expanding it. Also, Sr. E.C., IO , for her excellent artistic skills in creating the KTO logo, our outstanding t-shirts, and turning our little newsletter into a magazine; and Bradley Slate, IO, for his musical expertise which has transformed our rituals into vibrant performances. Lastly, Fr. Gallahad, I O , is recognized for skill and fealty beyond the expectations of his grade. He overcame the stigma under which our Order has suffered for many years, here in the North East Kingdom, to create an enduring relationship with the Cambridge 4  Vol. I No. 3 M Agap

A Note From The Editor

In order to make AGAPE as useful a publication as possible to our membership, we will be running a short list of Announcements in each future issue. If your Camp, Oasis, or Lodge is having an event that is open and of interest to initiates nationally, such as a retreat, festival, or conference, wed love to hear about it and pass on the info. Similarly, will also (perhaps less happily) notice the Greater Feasts of initiates. Please send all pertinent information to content@babalon.com or to AGAPE, P.O. Box 3203, Austin, Texas 78764-3203 Please be advised that your text may be edited for brevity, due to our space considerations. In addition, we will be running Local Body Reports as space allows - please contact the editor if you wish to submit a report.

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THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE U.S. GRAND LODGE OF ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS

From the Grand Master

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

VOLUME I, ISSUE 4 1 August, 1998e.v. 3 in -, 4 in 0, IVvi e.n.

uite a lot of mail is still being forwarded to me from the old San Bernardino P. O. Box address, which was closed about four months ago (unfortunately, the timing of the change resulted in that address being included as the U.S. Grand Lodge contact address in the latest Oriflamme). So before writing, please check the contact list included in the latest Agape or on the U.S. Grand Lodge web site for the current addresses of all the U.S. Grand Lodge executive officers and governing bodies. Changes of address within the U.S. should be sent to the U.S. Grand Treasurer General. Soror Helena and I were recently invited to attend a Gnostic Mass workshop held at a beautiful wilderness facility north of Sydney, Australia. Many thanks to Soror Shalimar, Frater Numa, and our Sisters and Brothers from Oceania Lodge, Darkwood Oasis, Alpha and Omega Oasis and Serpente et Astrum Camp, who received us with splendid hospitality. Despite the Mother of all Jet Lags and occasional culture clash over such things as spaghetti on toast for breakfast, we found the workshop to be a wonderfully interesting and stimulating experience. Fresh perspectives seem never to fail to bring fresh revelations about Liber XV. I always try to take away something new when ever I see the Mass celebrated by new faces, and I did not leave emptyhanded this time. In structuralizing (internally processing, describing, interpreting, and evaluating) any event (such as attending a Gnostic Mass), we all abstract from the raw data presented to us; i.e, we perceive only a fraction of the data available, and of that, we accept only a fraction for each level of our internal data processing. This limited data set is, of course, subject to ordinary error, but it is also subject to coloration by our individual psychological reactions to sights, smells, sounds and language. Once we have accepted this filtered and tinted data set into our minds, we process it by filling in the data gaps with assumptions based on our past experiences and our beliefs, thus creating associations and inferences about the event. Since the observer is always a participant, at some level, in the event being observed, the observers inferences about the event can return to influence the event itself. This is why the Gnostic Mass can seem so different when we participate in one at a new location, even when it is technically true to Liber XV. The performance of the Gnostic Mass will always be influenced by the inferences of the participants; and, since we are time-binding creatures, many of these inferences are passed down from one generation of participants to the next in a particular area.

Many (probably most) of us, when we first experience a Gnostic Mass which is very different from the Gnostic Masses we are used to, will react rather negatively. Because it was influenced by a different set of inferences than ours, and these inferences were based on a different abstracted data set and different assumptions, it will not convey the same meaning we are accustomed to, and it will, thus, seem strange or even wrong. If we are accustomed to interpreting the Gnostic Mass as an allegory of the sexual process, we may be uneasy with its interpretation as an allegory of the individuals path of initiation, or as an exposition of Qabalistic cosmology. If we are accustomed to experiencing the Gnostic Mass as a beautiful, solemn, and stately service, we may be uncomfortable with its presentation as a joyful, boisterous celebration. If we are accustomed to encountering the Priestess as a warm and accessible Venus, we may be troubled by her unveiling as a distant, icily alluring Artemis; or as a terrible, radiant Athena. This difficulty can be largely overcome by simply being aware of the structuralization process described above. When we travel to new locations as individuals, we should keep our minds open, and use the opportunity to broaden our perspective and learn something new. And, as we stage our local Masses, we should continually question our own assumptions, inferences and local traditions pertaining to the Mass. We should try to supplement our abstracted data set, actually rereading Liber XV occasionally; by listening, with an open mind, to the ideas of others; and by trying to approach the Mass with the eyes of a child, with the expectation that we will be shown something new every time. The Gnostic Mass is a Well which will never run dry, unless we stop it up with the debris of our own ideas and habits. Love is the law, love under will. Sabazius

[ Contents ]
From the Grand Master ........................................................... 1 From the Grand Treasurer General ....................................... 2 Notice....................................................................................... 3 From the Grand Secretary General ........................................ 4 Agap ) Vol. I No. 4 < 1

From The Grand Treasurer General

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Establish at thy Kaaba a clerk-house: all must be done well and with business way. (AL III:41) You may have heard that O.T.O. is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation (actually there are now two corporations, one for O.T.O. International and one for U.S. Grand Lodge, but for the sake of clarity I will treat them as one entity called O.T.O.). This particular legal standing, recognized by the federal and state governments, imparts to us many benefits; but it also limits us in certain ways. If we want to continue to receive the benefits of our tax-exempt status, we need to abide by the legal requirements and conditions of that status. In this article, I will detail some of those benefits, as well as the rules by which we must abide in order to enjoy them. Since much of the O.T.O. operates and interacts with the rest of the world on a local basis, every member should be aware of these requirements. In particular, local body masters must abide by these rules in order to maintain their body in good standing. First of all, O.T.O. is a non-profit corporation. We have designated it as such in our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. What this essentially means is that no individual shall personally profit from the activities of the corporation. All receipts in excess of expenses must be applied to the non-profit purposes of the corporation, namely, to support the fraternal and religious activities of the O.T.O. This important rule applies at the local level as well. It is important to keep funds collected for O.T.O. separate from your personal funds. Local bodies are strongly encouraged to establish a separate bank account in the name of the body. (Contact me for more information on how to do this.) Furthermore, do not borrow against O.T.O. funds or use them as collateral for a personal loan. When a local body closes for any reason, any money remaining must be sent to Grand Lodge. In addition to our non-profit status, we have been recognized as tax-exempt by the IRS under tax code section 501(c)3. For this purpose, we are classified as a religious organization by the IRS, and we are not required to pay taxes on our income. We dont even have to file tax returns. This important benefit also comes with conditions. One of these is that we cannot engage in any political lobbying. Again, this applies at all levels of the Order. Local body newsletters must not include endorsements for any political party or candidate, nor encourage voting a particular way on a particular ballot measure. You may encourage people to vote, but not how to vote. One of the greatest advantages of our classification as a religious organization by the IRS is that contributions to the O.T.O., whether made to Grand Lodge or to a local body, are taxdeductible. This applies to anyone who gives money to the Order, members and non-members alike. However, like everything else, there are specific conditions which govern this. The basic rule is that in order for a contribution to be tax-deductible, you must not have received any goods or services in exchange. Thus, money you pay for a feast is not deductible, since you received food in exchange. However, any additional contributions you make (either to the local body or to Grand Lodge directly) are generally deductible. These contributions do not have to be in the form of cash. For example, if you purchase a required piece of temple equipment and donate it to the Oasis, you may deduct the amount you paid for that equipment. In addition, your O.T.O. dues and fees may also be tax-deductible; consult a tax preparer to make sure. 2  Vol. I No. 4 M Agap

As all local body masters know, much of the cost of running a body comes out of the pocket of the master. For example, as master of L.V.X. Oasis I paid the bill for the Oasis phone line every month. Luckily, such expenses are tax-deductible, but only if paid from your own money and not reimbursed from body funds. Also, the item purchased must be for the sole use and benefit of the body; for example, you cannot deduct the cost of remodeling your house just because it is used by the local body, since you would personally benefit. Also, you cannot usually deduct the value of your time spent doing things for the Order (I wish!). In order to take advantage of the tax deduction, all contributions must be documented appropriately. In most cases this is as simple as obtaining a receipt from the local body for your contribution. However, if your contribution is $250 or more, the body must write a letter to you acknowledging your contribution. This letter should be on O.T.O. letterhead, and must state the amount of the contribution, and that no goods or services were provided to the donor in exchange for the donation. A copy of the letter should be sent to the Grand Treasurer General. This letter does not have to be filed with your tax return, but you may need to produce it if requested to do so by the IRS. Of course, all donations and expenses must be properly recorded in the financial records of the body as well, and reported to the G.T.G. on a regular basis. Please contact me to obtain forms that you can use for this purpose (or you may report in your own format as long as it conforms to standard accounting methods). If your body conducts a significant business enterprise on the side (e.g., sells goods such as T-shirts, incense, etc.) the income from this activity falls under these provisions as well. Please indicate the income and expenses associated with these activities separately and clearly in your financial reports; certain kinds of activities require additional reporting to the IRS. If you are a member or body master and have any for-profit business enterprise that you run personally, make sure it is clearly separated from your O.T.O. activity. Do not associate your business with the name of O.T.O. or your local body, so that the separation between the non-profit and profit ventures is very clear. Likewise, do not use the same e-mail address or web pages to conduct activities for your personal business and for O.T.O. Finally, keep in mind that I am not a tax lawyer, so all of the foregoing information should be regarded only as a general guide and not as specific advice for your situation. I cannot determine whether a particular contribution is tax-deductible for you; this responsibility rests with the individual taxpayer. For more information, I strongly encourage everyone to refer to IRS publication No. 526 on Charitable Contributions, or consult a qualified tax professional. Nonetheless, I welcome your feedback on this article or any other questions you might have. Refer to the box on page 3 of this newsletter for information on how to contact me. In other news, U.S. Grand Lodge recently sent out reminder statements to all members who owed Grand Lodge dues as of the end of April. If you think you might owe dues but did not get a statement, please let me knowwe may not have your current address. For those of you who have already responded, on behalf of Grand Lodge I convey to you our sincere thanks. Also please note that all U.S. dues renewal payments should be sent to the U.S. Grand Treasurer General at P.O. Box 45139, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Love is the law, love under will. Frater S.L.Q., United States Grand Treasurer General

Notice
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Brother Gary Hudson went on to his Greater Feast Sunday, July 12, 1998 e.v. His death was due to an accidental overdose of prescribed medication. Gary had been suffering from a debilitating back injury and general bad health for the last three years. He is survived by three children ages 14, 11 and 9. Gary Hudson was a devoted Thelemite for over twenty years and has done much to further the Law of Thelema here in Indianapolis and the Midwest region. He was a founding member of Porta Lucis Oasis and served as our ambassador for the group while it was open. He was a central figure in exposing the greater pagan community to the Gnostic Mass in Indianapolis. Being the Priest was one of the most satisfying experiences of his life. Gary always had time for anyone interested in Thelema and went out of his way on several occasions to be of service to other Thelemites and his community at large. He was the kind of brother who would give you the shirt off his back no questions asked. In the spirit of service Gary founded a free medical clinic here in Indianapolis that is still thriving today. He received his medical background in Viet Nam as an EMT. Gary has traveled widely in Asia and both North and South America. Everything Gary did was approached with an intense enthusiasm and passion. He was a loving father, a devoted brother and a good friend. He will not be forgotten. Unfortunately his children are now orphans as their mother passed away four years ago. These children are precocious and wise beyond their years. I have always looked upon them as children of the Order and have done whatever I could over the last few years to be of help and guidance to them and their father. Needless to say my concern for them is now greater than ever. The last few years of Garys life have been hard and painful. Gary had his problems and his children do not fully realize that his life was more fulfilling and active prior to his back injury. Therefore I would like to request from all of you to send cards and flowers to these children so that they will understand that their fathers life had joy and beauty in it. Gary was a Star in the company of Stars. He strove for something greater and knew good people. Even if they are too young to realize and understand this now I know when they are older this will mean a great deal to them. We will celebrate his Greater Feast Saturday, July 18, 1998 e. v. at IAO-ABRASAX Oasis in Bloomington, IN. The Hudson Family c/o E. Goodman 2332 East 66th St. Indianapolis, IN 46220 Love is the law, love under will. In truth and tolerance, Sr. Manibhadra

)/)20
The Official Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis Published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A., a California notfor-profit religious corporation with business offices atP.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organizaion with business offices at JAF Box 7666, NY, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at P.O. Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. )C=FAis distributed to all local bodies in the U.S.A., and is available as a downloadable file in color at the U.S. Grand Lodge website (http:/ /otohq.org/oto/). Local body officers are requested to copy and distribute )C=FA to the members of their Camps, Oases, and Lodges. Copyright 1998ev Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors. Executive Editor: Sabazius XO Contributing Editor: Baphemetis Continuity Production Editors: Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke Artwork Director: Sulis Editorial Address: PO Box 3203, Austin, TX 78764 content@babalon.com U.S. Grand Lodge Officers
U.S. National Grand Master General: Sabazius XO O.T.O. U.S.A. P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. Deputy National Grand Master General: Lon Milo DuQuette, c/o Grand Secretary General U.S. Grand Secretary General: Fr. Io Pan O.T.O. U.S.A., P.O. Box 5137, San Clemente, CA 92674-5137 usgsg@primenet.com (949) 492-0988 U.S. Grand Treasurer General: Fr. S.L.Q. O.T.O. U.S.A., P.O. Box 45139, Los Angeles, CA 90045-0139 (310) 216-5666 usgtg@dnai.com U.S. Executive Council, U.S. Supreme Grand Council, U.S. Grand Tribunal, O.T.O. U.S.A. Corporate Headquarters: P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. Electoral College: Fr. H.K., President jprice1131@aol.com P.O. Box 520307, Salt Lake City, UT 84152-0307 ec-oto@hotweird.com Sr. Pagana, Secretary P.O. Box 180342, Dallas, TX 75218-0342 U.S. Grand Lodge Archivist: Fr. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S. Grand Lodge Initiation Secretary: Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke P.O. Box 720296, Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0296 otousis@telepath.com (405) 720-6349 U.S. Grand Lodge Quartermaster: Fr. M.J.V. P.O. Box 40110, Portland, OR 97240-0110 qmoto@prodigy.net

Agap

Vol. I No. 4

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From The Grand Secretary General

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Peace, Tolerance, Truth, Salutation on All Points of Triangle; Respect to the Order. To All Whom it may Concern, Greetings and Health. The OTO is 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. I take these words to heart. In doing so I must share with you a current member strategy that dumbfounds me: soliciting involvement of the Grand Tribunal in adjudicating ill-tempered interactions between (and punishment of) fellow Initiates. In the last 4 months a local bodys treasury was stolen, 3 charters to initiate have been taken back, there have been 2 suspensions, and 3 have been put on order-wide bad report suspending further advancement indefinitely. This saddens me deeply. THE SOCIETY FOR CENTRES OF PESTILENCE an epistle from IO Pan Too quickly Initiates are forgetting oaths sworn with each initiation as they regard to pledges of devotion toward fellow Initiates. Now I detest Holy Book thumpers of all religions, but consider these words of our Prophet, inspirations for acting in accordance with True WILL: I.v41, I.v57, II.v59, II.v24. NowI, too, might very well call the local police if a brother or sister jumped up and down on my automobile, brandished a sword at me, or made me fear for my life. At the same time other Initiates knowledgeable of the Constitution of the Order are proclaiming that those who seek justice through the profane courts forfeit Duties of the Brethren according Liber 101. Consider this excerpt from the Seventh House: 25. Lawsuits between members of the Order are absolutely forbidden. . . 26. All disputes between Brethren should be referred firstly to the Master or Masters of their Lodge or Lodges . . . the dispute is to be referred (appealed) to the Grand Tribunal. . . 27. Refusal . . . to accept such decision shall entail expulsion from the Order. . . With Initiation we attempt to WILLfully control the chi - the life force. Losing control and assaulting another member is not acceptable. In proclaiming ourselves Magicians we must comprehend our own axis and invoke properly for results in accordance with our WILL. Most people run on auto-pilot. Initiators cannot afford the ill consequences of this when members safety is involved. If you are an Initiator for the Order is it really an act of WILL to injure another member, resulting in losing your charters and privileges? I think not. There is a cost for WILL and Liberty! We are in this Magical Order to learn to become strong enough to invoke, evoke, equilibrate, and wield the forces of our Selves. In a relationship, are you fully conscious when you invoke a lover - of their lust, their anger, their charm, their inspiration, their ire, their humor? Do you take ownership of the fruit of your invocation - whether successful or unexpectedly devastating? Are you prepared for the reward of Ra Hoor Khut for the ramifications of your invocation? The Order must have Initiators who can control their chi. We 4  Vol. I No. 4 M Agap

hope they will be role models for the Order. Initiators with good track records advance in the Order and become chartered to take on further trust. It saddens me when we have to take back Charters. The Order shouldnt exist to intervene and take sides in the relationships of lovers. We seek and encourage local Body Masters and Initiators who can equilibrate their light and dark chi to instill and fulfill the principles of the Order. If necessary, Initiators and Body Masters must become peace-negotiators between brothers and sisters in and around their local Body area. But why would anyone conjure the Grand Tribunal into your personal relationships or local Body business? The Grand Tribunal becomes involved to consider how the Principals of the Order are being represented. Obviously, when that isnt happening the Order has to become involved and take heed as to how it is being represented. In accordance with these great Principles, the Order may suspend or take back privileges previously chartered. The Grand Tribunal is concerned with each Initiates safety, and about misjudgment resulting in liability to the Order. Is it an act of of Will to carelessly overlook safety resulting injury during Initiation? We look to our Initiators and local Bodies to show success as your Proof. Do you really want a Sovereign Grand Inspector General sent by the Grand Tribunal investigating your local Body: talking with involved body officials and members, questioning the use of a perfect portion of proper precaution regarding safety regulations, asking about sobriety and use of any illegal substances during initiations, correct communication of our rituals, questions to determine whether or not the Order is liable financially for your error. An SGIG will ask frank questions in order to sort the covert trysts and local politics surrounding the situation. If the SGIG doesnt get the cooperation expected to sort out personality conflicts, or they feel that the principles of the Order are not being practiced, they are empowered to simply revoke charters, suspend initiators, or close local bodies. They can recommend expulsion of specific members from the Order to the Grand Tribunal. Be aware that an alert SGIG recognizes the fear in members eyes which results from worrying about repercussions from their leaders after ill-chosen words and the departure of the SGIG having made their judgement. It is the act of True WILL to control oneself no matter how close to the brink you get. Steady. Eye on the outcome. True Will is the presence of mind, in the face of disaster, to have the Zen-Thelemic wit to see your way safely through a nightmare, maintain balance, a smile, and sharp awareness of your adversaries. We give our power away when we buy into the others anger, stress, insanity, and baited provocation. Like the Zen-Taoist, we can either move in harmony with the blow and redirect it or respond head on. How can we can ever experience Life, Light, Liberty, and Love without personal ownership for our behavior and actions, and resolution of our own lifes issues by ourselves? To the extent that we live lives looking for the Order to put a roof over our heads, feed us, resolve our differences, punish our offenders, even render assistance to needy brothers and sisters, we give away our L, L, L, and L to others to provide for us as they will, when they will, and if they will. Let us revisit our oaths and burn into our hearts their fidelity and fraternity. Your comments and feedback are welcome at usgsg@primenet.com. Love is the law, Love under will. IO Pan, United States Grand Secretary General

THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE U.S. GRAND LODGE OF ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS

From the Grand Master

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

VOLUME II, NUMBER 1 1 February, 1999e.v. Q in K, R in E , IVvi e.n.

he relationships between O.T.O., MMM, and E.G.C. have undergone a number of twists and turns over the years, and can be confusing. Ive received a lot of questions on this topic, even from relatively senior members, so heres a summary. Ordo Templi Orientis was originally established around the turn of the century as an Order that would unify a variety of preexisting Masonic and esoteric organizations. The degrees of O.T.O. proper have always consisted of the Inner Circle degrees, VII and above. The degrees below VII were originally Masonic in nature, and were subject to considerable variation depending on the local jurisdiction. Crowleys British section of O.T.O. was called Mysteria Mystica Maxima, or M M M . Crowleys jurisdiction as X extended over all the degrees up to and including VII. For use within M M M , Crowley prepared his own, non-Masonic, rituals for these degrees. When Crowley later assumed the duties of O.H.O., his MM M degrees became the international standard. So, today, M M M no longer refers to a specific national section of the Order, but to the current system of degrees from Minerval through Seventh. The Seventh Degree is both the crown of the M M M and the beginning of O.T.O. proper (which is also known internally as the Fraternitas Lucis Hermeticae). In the U.S., it is these MM M degrees that are currently under the administrative jurisdiction of U.S. Grand Lodge; the degrees beyond VII are administered by International headquarters (as is Associate Membership, by the way). The name O.T.O. refers not only to the Inner Circle degrees of VII and above, but also to the overall system which includes both MMM and E.G.C. Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica, E.G.C., or the Gnostic Catholic Church, was one of the pre-existing non-Masonic organizations that Reuss incorporated into the O.T.O. scheme. Originally, it was a spin-off of a French esoteric Christian/Gnostic church, but it began its reorientation towards Thelema when Crowley wrote Liber XV, the Gnostic Mass, for it in 1913. Reuss, then Patriarch of the E.G.C., published a variant (but still decidedly Thelemic) version of Crowleys Gnostic Mass under E.G.C. auspices in 1917. Crowley, as O.H.O., conceptually integrated E.G.C. and O.T.O. by declaring that Liber XV, the Mass of the Gnostic Catholic Church, was also the central ceremony of O.T.O. This is why such pains have been taken in recent years to integrate the administrative structures of E.G.C. and O.T.O. However, E.G.C. has developed in its own right as a church by the inclusion of a selection of auxiliary rituals mentioned at the end of Liber XV, including rituals for baptism, confirmation, ordination, weddings, etc. Despite his references to them, Crowley never actually got around to composing these rituals, so they have been developed (based on Crowleys notes, where possible) during recent years. The E.G.C. is also O.T.O.s principal interface with the public, as most

newcomers first meet the Order face-to-face at a Gnostic Mass, and may even join the E.G.C. as lay members before taking the first of the MM M initiations. At this time, E.G.C. can be defined as that part of O.T.O. that administers the Gnostic Mass and its associated rituals, and M M M can be defined as that part of O.T.O. that administers the degrees of the Man of Earth and Lover Triads. Whereas the degrees of MM M are private to the initiates of those degrees, the rites of E.G.C. are of a more general and public nature. However, each system informs the other the Gnostic Mass will illuminate the special studies of the Initiate of every degree of M M M and O.T.O., from Minerval to X; but the Initiate of the Fifth Degree will have a very different perspective on the Gnostic Mass than will the Minerval; the Initiate of the Sixth Degree will have her own unique, initiated insights on the Mass, and so on. From a strictly E.G.C. perspective, the M M M degrees can be seen to function as a staged course of instruction for the ceremonial and administrative officers of the E.G.C. Miscellaneous Announcements: Congratulations and many thanks to Brother Steve A., who has completed eleven years of distinguished service on the U.S. Electoral College. Steve will be doubly missed, as he is now residing in Europe. Our best wishes go out to him and to Sister Judy. Kudos also to our Midwestern members, on the tenth anniversary of the chartering of their first official bodies, Aleister Crowley Camp and IAO Camp. May their long traditions of regional fellowship and impeccable Latin be examples to us all. In an experimental departure from my previous policy, I have decided to accept the recent offers of Brothers Erik F. II of Los Angeles and Nathan B. II of Berkeley to represent the Man of Earth Triad to my office as prescribed in Liber 194. I hope they enjoy pulling weeds. If you are a member of the Man of Earth Triad, and you would like to communicate with your representatives, you may e-mail Brother Erik at heirx11@aol.com or Brother Nathan at balaam93@hotmail.com. Attention Local Body Officers: A new, revised Camp, Oasis and Lodge Masters Handbook is now available in PDF format from the U.S. Initiation Secretary. Love is the law, love under will. Sabazius

[ Contents ]
From the Grand Master ........................................................... Personal Power ....................................................................... Book Reviews .......................................................................... Announcements ....................................................................... Local Body Reports ................................................................. Agap ) Vol. II No. 1 < 1 2 3 4 4 1

Personal Power
Shedona Chevalier (Rynne M. Cowham), Soror M.P.B., Living Flame Camp Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Recently a situation arose online which gave me pause to consider the nature, importance, and true meaning of personal power. It involved a list subscriber who took offense at an initiates impassioned and sometimes inflammatory manner of posting on a Thelemic e-mail list. The offended party believed that the other O.T.O. initiates on the list should openly censure this brother for his manner of self-expression. Unless and until we did, he determined to assume that all of us individually condoned this brothers behavior and collectively accepted it as representative of what O.T.O. considers a good product of our initiatory system and confraternity. I suggested he find a different route to reconcile himself with reality, and I was not alone in offering this suggestion. Apparently the disgruntled party failed to grasp one simple fact. There is a wide range of potential reasons why other O.T.O. members may opt not to censure a brother for his behavior, none of which necessarily have to do with condoning it. To assume there can be only one reason is to limit oneself and to restrict others. It constitutes a subtle way of saying punish this person, or else I will punish you by lumping you all together and thinking ill of you collectively. What is this but a subtle attempt to manipulate the free wills of others to dance to the naysayers tune? Prove to me that Im wrong when I say you are all just like person X from your group! This is the cry of the bigot, the paranoiac, the pigeonholer, the witchhunter. Why need we prove what is self-evident? The self-evident reality is that each member of O.T.O. is a Thelemite and an individual. Each feels his own feelings, thinks his own thoughts, holds his own opinions and perspective. Each is unique, whether within the role he takes member, body master, initiator, administrator or outside those roles. No single member of O.T.O. can ever be representative of all O.T.O. members, plain and simple. This is the beauty of our Thelemic collective. No two initiates are alike, nor should they be. When an initiate speaks his piece, he does not necessarily speak in any official capacity to represent the Order collectively. He speaks as an individual from his own heart and mind. The contents of said heart and mind are purely his responsibility, not that of the Order nor its constituency. There is a reason for the standard disclaimer language included in all local body publications, and it is to acknowledge this reality and enjoy the freedom it brings. At its best, I believe and have seen that our initiatory system assists in the growth and development of individual members, our progressive self-discovery and refinement of personal Will. True, we have certain policies established as functional guidelines for working as an organization composed of diverse wills when conducting official O.T.O. business. Beyond that, I am glad there is no effort to censor individual expression or attempt to conform it to some arbitrary guideline so that all members will properly represent O.T.O. twenty-four hours per day. O.T.O. is not the Thelemic Witnesses. Should we become like some old aeon institutions, requiring our members to smile at all times and never let em see you sweat, fall or exhibit human foibles, for you represent HORRRR-USSS wherever you go? Thelema would be thrown out the window at that point! If I choose to permit one persons diatribes to dictate my thinking about everyone and everything associated with that 2 % Vol. II No. 1 M Agap

person, I make another party responsible for my perceptions and feelings. What hand holds power, if not the hand that holds responsibility? If I issue an ultimatum stating that I will assume View X concerning persons of class Y unless or until they perform required exercise Z, I thereby push responsibility for View X onto said persons of class Y rather than accepting responsibility for my own views. In other words, I relinquish my personal power to others. Moreover, I insist they accept responsibility for realigning my internal reality-tunnel. Is that not my exclusive right, privilege, responsibility, and dare I say duty? I was, and am, a natural born Thelemite in terms of doing my will and not permitting another to say nay. This was my native tongue in childhood which has never changed. Concerning personal responsibility, however, I took longer to make my peace. I chose to commit myself to what I understand to be the principles of Thelema as a philosophy and a way of life. I chose to include the word Thelemite as a key component of my self-description. Within these choices, the need for further personal commitments confronted me. As a Thelemite I committed myself to the quest for personal responsibility as a necessary condition of personal freedom. Part of this internal commitment has meant, and continues to mean, re-evaluation of my perspective in interactions with others, particularly when others are rude, uncaring, abrasive, intrusive, or otherwise seek to interfere with my Will. Can I expect them to modify themselves to suit my needs or wants? Absolutely not. What if I ask them to do so? They might say no, or more to the point, get a life; quit whining. What if I try to subtly coerce them into believing they should? If successful, I may reap some short-term satisfaction from that effort. Yet in the long run, I would set myself up for false expectations, disappointment, and a lot of unhappy fallout when the delusion crumbles. Perhaps they would see through the attempt and simply refuse to play along. Worse, they might take it as a cue to retaliate with further abusiveness. Then where does my real power, my greatest power to affect a situation lie? Within myself. I have more power to change my own feelings, thoughts and perspectives than I will ever have to persuade another to change theirs. When I go to work on myself, I strip others of their power over me: their power to hurt me, to anger me, and most importantly, to compel me toward erroneous assumptions and comfortable, self-protective deceptions. Suddenly the limitations fall away. No longer am I confined to merely licking my wounds or lashing out in reactionary defensiveness. No longer am I restricted to externally-directed options for perception, perspective, emotion, reaction and response. A boundless range of possibilities becomes open to me. This is the glory of self-government at its best! Taste but a few serendipitous sips of success from it, and they are sufficient to keep anyone returning again and again to search out that spot within himself. No triumph of emotionally trouncing the adversary, no schadenfreude in stinging rancor disguised as wit, piercing its mark, can begin to compare to this joy. It is the joy of true, unconquerable freedom. This freedom is that of writing ones own life script from within. It is the ability to approach others as individuals and form clear personal assessments based on the genuine merits or flaws of the individual rather than assumptions based on associations. Freedom is grasping the limitless potential of real change from within the self, the highest power and pinnacle of mastery in life, the ability to craft and edit oneself in accordance with ones own will. This freedom alone can no other take from you. Love is the law, love under will.

Book Reviews
by JD Lawrence The Shambhala Guide to Sufism by Carl W. Ernst Shambhala, 1997 (264 pp., $15.00 pbk.) The title is somewhat misleading since it made me expect some kind of directory of Sufi groups and teachers. Actually this is an excellent and helpful summary of historical and contemporary Sufism. Ernst starts right out discussing the nature and history of Sufism and explains its mystical dimensions, the concept of Sufi sainthood, the functions of Sufi orders, as well as the place of poetry, music and dance. He also discusses the place of Sufism in the contemporary world, including why many Muslims say Sufism has nothing to do with Islam and why some Sufis prefer it that way. Naturally, this book is far too short to cover all aspect of Sufism in detail, and the author is very aware of his own limitations. I would highly recommend this book as a first step in the study of Sufism from both a practical and historical perspective. Daily Life of the Egyptian Gods by Dmitri Meeks and Christine Favard-Meeks, translated by G.M. Goshgarian. Cornell University Press, 1996 (249 pp., $17.95 pbk.) This book uses an interesting methodology: it treats the Egyptian Gods as an ethnic group subject to anthropological study, much as one might have studied the Egyptians themselves. The authors apparently decided on this approach after noting that most scholarship on Egyptian religion shed more light on the scholars biases than on the supposed subject, a phenomenon nicely described in the Introduction. The Meeks have therefore relied on surviving texts and inscriptions (one presumes a full participant-observer approach was beyond their means!) to describe the Gods, their origins, customs, and mode of life, as well as the human afterlife. Extensive reconstructions of Egyptian ritual are also included. This book thus forms an excellent detailed resource for students of Egyptian mythology and religion. Comparative Mythology by Jaan Puhvel. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1987 (302 pp., $18.95 pbk.) This book focuses primarily on the Indo-European cultures with some reference to the ancient Near-East. The author (whose somewhat irreverent style will delight most Thelemites) displays a comprehensive grasp of his subject as he traces common themes from Ireland to India. Using a combination of historical linguistics (some knowledge of the subject will help the reader here) and comparison of myths and epics he provides what might almost be a genealogy of archetypes in the IndoEuropean psyche, archetypes that are still very much alive. I was particularly struck by a kind of reverse-Euhemerism Puhvel often uses: rather than saying that the gods are simply mythologized mortals, he frequently reveals the mortals in various epics to be humanized gods. This pattern extends even to historical figures and makes one wonder how much of history, even modern history, is in fact a re-enactment of primal myth. I will note that Puhvel does not try to reduce everything to one pet theory, however. Due to the extensive cross-referencing of material between traditions the reader may wish to go through the book twice in order to catch all the connections. If you want to know more than the usual generalization that the Indo-Europeans worshipped a patriarchal sky-god, or want to flesh out 777, then this is definitely the book for you.

AGAPH
The Official Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis Published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A., a California not-for-profit religious corporation with business offices at P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organizaion with business offices at JAF Box 7666, NY, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at P.O. Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agape is distributed to all local bodies in the U.S.A., and is available as a downloadable file in color at the U.S. Grand Lodge website (http://otohq.org/oto/). Local body officers are requested to copy and distribute Agape to the members of their Camps, Oases, and Lodges. Copyright 1999ev Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors. Executive Editor: Sabazius XO Contributing Editor: Baphemetis Continuity Production Editors: Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke Artwork Director: Sulis Editorial Address: PO Box 3203, Austin, TX 78764 agape@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Lodge Officers U.S. National Grand Master General: Sabazius XO O.T.O. U.S.A. ngmg@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. Deputy National Grand Master General: Lon Milo DuQuette dngmg@oto-usa.org PO Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 U.S. Grand Secretary General: Fr. Io Pan O.T.O. U.S.A., P.O. Box 5137, San Clemente, CA 92674-5137 gsg@oto-usa.org (949) 492-0988 U.S. Grand Treasurer General: Fr. S.L.Q. O.T.O. U.S.A., P.O. Box 45139, Los Angeles, CA 90045-0139 (310) 216-5666 gtg@oto-usa.org U.S. Executive Council, U.S. Supreme Grand Council, grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Tribunal, O.T.O. U.S.A. Corporate Headquarters: P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. Electoral College: Fr. H.K., President jprice1131@aol.com P.O. Box 520307, Salt Lake City, UT 84152-0307 Sr. Pagana, Secretary electoral_college@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 180342, Dallas, TX 75218-0342 U.S. Grand Lodge Archivist: Fr. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S. Grand Lodge Initiation Secretary: Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke P.O. Box 720296, Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0296 initiation@oto-usa.org (405) 720-6349 U.S. Grand Lodge Quartermaster: Fr. M.J.V. P.O. Box 40110, Portland, OR 97240-0110 quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Lodge Webmaster: Craig Berry webmaster@oto-usa.org Agap ) Vol. II No. 1 < 3

Announcements
U.S. Grand Lodge has made available a limited supply of collectors edition volumes of The Equinox of the Gods from New Falcon publications available at discounted rates for Order members. Proceeds will go to benefit U.S. Grand Lodge. These special hardback limited collectors editions are beautifully bound in marbled paper with quarter leather; released as Equinox III No. 3 they will make a wonderful addition to any Thelemic library. $22.50 each (+ shipping ), for dues current initiate members. For more information and to confirm supply, please e-mail Frater Hrumachis at: Hermit@LVXoasis.org. Supplies are limited.

L.V.X. Lodge, Los Angeles, CA Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. A happy Solstice greeting to all. We have been extensively busy with the myriad of transitions which are occurring here at L.V.X. in Los Angeles. As of the Autumnal Equinox meeting of the U.S. Electoral College, L.V .X. has been officially raised to Lodge status. Many thanks and congratulations go out to all our membership for their continued efforts and participation in the growth of the body. Remember the Lodge is not a building, not a structure made with hands, not the Master or the officers, but all of the membership collectively working together. May we forge ever onward with Strength and Beauty bearing the banner of Thelema ever before us. With the departure of Past Master, Frater S.L.Q., to points south of the Orange Curtain, our Temple has moved and is now located in the North Hollywood/Studio City area. It is very well equipped and will serve as both initiation space and Mass temple, or for any particular Rites. Thank you again, my brother, for the years of devoted service to the establishment of L.V.X. and to the Order as a whole. Meanwhile, Soror Akasha and I, along with our Frater K.A., are currently in rehearsal for the Gnostic Mass, which we are hoping to get started early in the New Year. Keep your eyes on our on-line calendar of events for upcoming dates. Speaking of which.....if you havent seen it yet, our new website is up and is generating alot of response on the internet. Praises to our webmaster Frater A.N., and to Frater L.A. for helping us to establish the site at <http://www.LVXlodge.org/>. We encourage all of our brothers and sisters in cyberspace to come and visit, as well as contribute any art, rituals, scholarly works or other pertinent work that you feel would enhance the site. We are also pleased to welcome our new Lodge Treasurer, Soror Pelagia, who has already done an amazing job updating our financial procedures. A lot has happened through the Spring, Summer & Fall quarters. Our public classes and workshops continue to grow in popularity and attendance. The past two semesters have seen presentations by Soror SA RA, Lon Milo Duquette and Donald Michael Kraig as well as our own officers and initiates, and Thelemic Ritual workshops on the Star Ruby, Star Sapphire, Liber Reguli and The Mass of the Phoenix. We also saw the successful one year completion of an 11 operation series of the pathworkings of the Aurum Solis. Our Thelemic celebrations continued as well. The Second Annual So. Cal. OTO Night at Hollywoods Magic Castle was another huge hit. The Rite of Sol performed Ravens Flight in North Hollywood drew a large crowd and was very well received. First Night and Crowleymas feasts were incredibly sumptuous and well attended and our Autumnal Equinox celebration was our largest to date with over 70 people in attendance. We also just completed celebrating The Greater Feast of the Great Beast and Rite of Divine Birth where Soror Akasha and I announced our engagement to be married. Next year holds much in store as well, as L.V.X. hosts a Thelemic Book Study night. This roundtable discussion group will be geared toward delving deeper into specific Thelemic and magical texts, with group discussions focused on methodology and content, and will start with Magick In Theory and Practice. Besides this public venue, the Lodge will also be sponsoring an initiates only practical ceremonial working group. This special functioning group will meet once a month to discuss, plan and execute a series of magical operations for the advancement of both the individual members and the Lodge in the Magick of L.V.X.. Well, that about wraps it up. I look forward to continued contact with all our Brothers and Sisters throughout the country and around the globe and wish you all many blessings for the Solstice holidays and vulgar New Year. Love is the law, love under will. Yours in L.V.X., Frater Hrumachis, Master

The second National O.T.O. Conference will be held on the weekend of August 6-8, 1999 e.v. in Portland, Oregon. The theme of the conference is Fraternity; it will feature lectures, panels, and workshops by prominent Thelemic scholars, researchers, and practitioners. Please contact your local Body Masters after mid February to obtain details and registration information. If you have additional questions, contact hank@europa.com

Local Body Reports

Serpent In Balance Oasis, Orlando, FL Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Serpent In Balance Oasis was chartered on September 28th of 1996 e.v. We have been very busy with monthly Gnostic Masses, Enochian workings, Goetic workings, and Elemental Eucharist Rituals. In addition, we publish a semi-annual newsletter, The Scales, and of course, provide O.T.O. initiation. I am pleased to note that 31 initiations have been performed so far, from Minerval through IIO. Our next set of initiations is scheduled in Spring of 1999e.v. We wish to thank Soror Sulis and Frater Sharash for presiding at the first two Orlando initiation round-ups. The membership of Serpent In Balance Oasis comes from all over Florida. Our initiates hail from Miami, Lakeland, Ormond Beach, Naples, Clermont and Tampa. Initiates that reside in Miami have communicated to me their intent to apply for a Camp Charter and I hope to see a new Body there by Spring Equinox. I wholeheartedly support them and know that relations between the two bodies will continue to flourish with this new growth. I have recently relocated to Austin, Tx. So that the Oasis will continue in the Work, Soror Airel has been chosen as my successor pending approval by the Electoral College. She is working under my supervision in this transition and I have great confidence that Serpent in Balance will continue to grow under her guidance and care. The Oasis has had the opportunity to offer hospitality to several visiting Brothers and Sisters and delights in doing so. If you plan to be in the Central Florida area, please email us at Sri3m@hotmail.com or Insanvs@hotmail.com. Love is the law, love under will. Frater Insanvs, Master 4 % Vol. II No. 1 M Agap

THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE U.S. GRAND LODGE OF ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS

From the Electoral College President

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

VOLUME II, NUMBER 2 1 May, 1999e.v. Q in B, R in H, IVvii e.n.

he spring meeting of the Electoral College, which will be held April 24th in Northern California, will mark an important milestone in the history of the College: there will be eleven members of the College, as prescribed in the Constitution of the Order. Even more important, the new appointments will achieve the most complete geographical representation of the Order that has so far existed, including representatives from Southern California(2), Northern California, the Pacific Northwest, the Rocky Mountains, Texas, the Midwest, the South(2), Washington D.C., and New England. I would like to thank R.S.S. Sabazius for the wisdom of these newest appointments. This meeting also marks the end of the ninth year of my eleven-year term of service on the College. For more than half of that time, I have served as the president of the College. This has caused several of my brothers and sisters to question my sanity. The most frequently version consists of some variation on the question: Are you crazy? Why would you want to deal with so much politics? The word politics, it seems, has a very bad rap. Whether this is a reflection of our national political life, or perhaps on the track record of politics in the occult, Im not sure, but it is a misconception that deserves correction. Politics are, to use the dictionary definition, the art and science of government, but more broadly, it is the art and science of working with groups of people. Only hermits can successfully avoid politics. The high and far-reaching aspirations of our Holy Order cannot be realized without considerable politics, politics of the best order. Good politics, in a Thelemic sense, means the art of finding a mechanism whereby diverse stars with differing desires and abilities can each pursue their individual wills in harmony and cooperation. It means assigning clear-cut areas of decision making and responsibility, commensurate (hopefully) with the abilities of the individuals involved, and with enough diplomacy to avoid badly damaging any of the egos involved. At its highest, good politics based on Thelemic principles becomes a pure expression of love under will. Are such ideals realistically possible in an international organization of passionately individualistic eccentrics such as our Holy Order? The answer increasingly seems to be yes, as attested by the continued growth of the Order, both in numbers and in emotional and spiritual maturity. One can point, of course, to exceptions to this trend, some of them rather spectacular, even in the recent past; but I feel that these failures are becoming more and more the exception and not the rule. And I earnestly hope

that I am not kidding myself in attributing some of this success to the growth in effectiveness of the Electoral College. It has been my privilege during these nine years to work closely with some of the finest minds and hearts in the Order. (Three of those Frs. Stein, Lauer, and Abbot have become the first electors in history to have completed full eleven year terms.) During our terms of service, each of us have learned a tremendous amount about issues of politics, and each of us certainly has more to learn. But the work is ecstasy, and although some of my friends continue to think me more than a little nuts, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the Order in this capacity, and grateful for the beauty and wisdom of my fellow Electors. To the greater glory of Thelema! Love is the law, love under will Frater H.K.

My Tenure in the Electoral College

By Fr. E.A.O.A.
(Frater E.A.O.A. was a member of the Electoral College from 1987 through 1998, serving as President from summer 88 through spring 91. He is a member and past Master of Pyramid Lodge in Buffalo, NY. He has graciously allowed us to reprint his valedictory address to the EC, given at the conclusion of his 11 year term. As a long time member of the Order and an active participant in our government, his opinions on the subject are of particular note. - Ed.)
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Members of the U. S. Electoral College, Officers of U. S. Grand Lodge, Members of the O.T.O, Brothers and Sisters, and Friends: Thank you for this opportunity to share my experience in the Electoral College with you. This is my last meeting as a member. I have the privilege of completing my oath as member of this body for 11 years. I served as president for a few of them. In talking to you today I am reflecting upon many aspects of the Electoral College itself and its development; my tenure as a member of that body; my hopes, aspirations and recommendations for the future of the Electoral College; and for the role in governance of the Man of Earth Triad of the O.T.O. in the United States; and of the O.T.O.

[ Contents ]
From the Electoral College President .................................... My Tenure in the Electoral College ........................................ Profile of the U.S. Electoral College ....................................... Agap i Vol. II No. 2 K 1 1 4 1

itself. Much of what I say is personal interpretation of the events of the past eleven years, and summarizes my responses to them. My remarks reflect the philosophy I have applied in my decision making process as a member of the E.C. MEETINGS OF THE COLLEGE When I first began in 1987 physical meetings were held four times a year-at approximately the equinoxes and solstices. This was expensive of time and money-especially for me since I was then the only active member east of the Sierras at that time, and the meetings were held in California. That has changed somewhat. As president I instituted two physical meetings a year at the equinoces. Then solstice meetings were held by mail. The College instituted the policy of rotating the equinoctial meetings throughout the areas of the Order. This has proven very desirable. It allows the members of the College to meet more of the Man of Earth members at social functions coordinated to the meetings themselves. It familiarizes College members with local problems and situations. This rotation should be continued at the equinoces. Two physical meetings a year seem adequate at this stage, and at which policies and procedures can be clarified. The meetings at the solstices were then done by mail. And a satisfactory mechanism for handling routine matters has developed. In the last year, the experiment using IRC private channel may make possible improvement in the solstice meetings, and even allow for detailed discussion on policy and procedure. It appears to be another improvement. It may mean that more discussion of policy can take place at these IRC meetings. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COLLEGE According to the by-laws of the O.T.O., the Electoral College has four specific responsibilities. These are how I view them. 1) Appointment of independent body heads. To do this wisely and preferably requires familiarity of the applicants by at least one college member. Paperwork needs to be handed in and reviewed by the Officers before being finalized on the agenda. All pertinent data should be completed and affirmed by personal contact prior to the meeting. Deadlines should be enforced so this can be accomplished before the meeting, and individual members gather any pertinent information from members of the Order in their general area. 2) Establishment of independent bodies. Basically the same principles apply to new independent bodies and the upgrading of bodies, as is suggested in item 1). It is important that when the master of a body moves, that the needs of the membership be considered paramount when moving charters. Body masters who move may start new bodies, or affiliate with existing bodies in their new location. Independent bodies are units of the Order, not the personal fiefs of body masters, no matter how long that position has been held! Personally I feel that the Order can only grow by the incorporation of new leaders regularly, and that body masters should change at least every few years to allow new blood to be trained and advanced. 3) Approval of Fifth Degree advancement. A procedure has evolved which respects the individuality and privacy of the process (We dont need the situation where the vote was known to the candidate across country before the end of the meeting! Or having candidates trying to attend the meeting!). Rather than saying a person is rejected, it is better to leave 2

the issue as if the nomination had not been submitted. If the confidentiality of the meeting is maintained, the sensitivity of every applicant is protected. Each applicant should be considered on his/her own merit, and not ride the coattails of another! I have always specifically questioned the synchronous proposal of closely related candidates. I worry that it is a matter of one riding the coattails of the other. Here again, deadlines for submission of proposals should be clear and enforced, so that the necessary background checks and data can be confirmed, and lacunae filled in. The rituals follow the approval of the candidate and not vice versa. Though there has never been a conflict, I interpret the by-laws to say that the College must approve all nominations. Hence, should there be a conflict between the College and higher governing bodies or individuals, nominees can be deleted from the Colleges approved candidates, but none can be added. This would seem to be true for any Kingdom where an Electoral College exists. 4) Appointment of Revolutionary. This is a recent activation of a by-laws regulation. While the scope of available candidates is small, it is important to minimize conflicts of interests, or to have the person functioning in another major office within the Order. 5) Additionally, the Supreme and Holy King asks for recommendations for charters to initiate. While this is not a by-laws responsibility, the members of the College, collectively, should be very familiar with the Man of Earth members of the Order, especially those rising to positions of leadership and seeking initiation charters. It is a boon from the Supreme and Holy King, and a demonstration of his confidence in the EC. It is also a way of advising and protecting the King from making difficult appointments, and should be guarded jealously. However, the prerogative is his, independent of College recommendation. PRACTICAL OPERATION The College has succeeded well in developing policies and maintaining a high level of integrity and cooperation. When differences have occurred, it has always been as brothers fight ye. And mutual respect has resulted. The Electoral College is the first level governing body of the Order. It is important that it maintain good relationships with the Man of Earth triad membership, and retain its confidence as a meaningful body. The session at the National Convention in Ohio did much, I feel, to foster that confidence on the part of the membership. The College should function to encourage the expansion of the Order, and should assist cooperation among existing independent bodies. Now that we have a separate Nation in the United States, we operate as a College with clearly defined parameters. As the first, we probably will serve as a model for other nations as they are established. It is our responsibility to work as well, fairly and clearly as possible. As a body established by the by-laws, the operation and minutes of the meetings stand independently. The actions of the E.C., however, are subject to ratification by other higher bodies. This has rarely been a problem created by difference. All such differences have been worked out fraternally. There is no reason

k Vol. II No. 2 I Agap

that such mutual respect should not continue. At its meetings, the College now admit members of the Fifth Degree as guests, without voting privileges, providing they respect the confidentiality of the meeting. This brings the College to local area members of the Order, and provides better fraternal relations among them. The usual pattern has been to have a social affair open to all members of the Order after the meeting. Again, I feel this is salutary, and builds confidence in the College by those members. As the membership of the College has expanded nationwide, it becomes imperative that the agenda be sent out not less than three weeks before the meeting. This allows for members to get cheaper transportation, and also to decide the priority of the meeting relative to his/her other activities and responsibilities. ROLE OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS As Thelemites within the by-laws of the Order, we must each find our own role. These are my personal views as a retiring member of the Electoral College: The formal qualifications are set by the by-laws. As probably the oldest member of the College I strongly feel that one should not begin a term after the age of about 40. I feel that the College gives experience to its members, and they should return that experience in service to the Order for a long time after they have finished their term. The formal oath is for eleven years, without advancement. That should be maintained. The term is long, and at times I was ready to resign. However, the oath is as much to oneself as well as to the Order. It is a challenge and a duty assumed. The accomplishment is most satisfying. One the other hand, for those who have chosen to resign early from the College, the advancement part of the oath should be maintained. I have seen such members subsequently withdraw from the Order, and other signs of bad karma. The membership is probably best served by having staggered terms, and broad geographical representation. The functional importance of these are evident and explained above. The by-laws and oath imply that this is a Fifth Degree function, and should not be open to members of higher or lower degrees. THE O.T.O. IN THE UNITED STATES Since joining the Electoral College, the United States has been established as a separate kingdom under Sabazius. There have been, and will continue to be, adjustments as this first nation becomes established and operative. That includes the activity and policies of Sabazius. It will less influence the actions and policies of the Electoral College, since it has been operating under a national viewpoint. The Electoral College is the legislative body responsible for the Man of Earth Triad in the United States. Under the aegis of the Supreme and Holy King it operates to create harmony (a Fifth Degree function), equanimity and order. As members, our view point should encompass the good of the Man of Earth triad as a whole, rather than our regional or political agendas. Since joining the OTO in 1983, the Order has expanded is membership, its governance, its independent bodies and its outlook to a truly national (and international) scale. Then the Order had bodies primarily in California and New York. I had to go to New York City for my Minerval through Fourth Degree initiations. To California for the subsequent ones. Now Minerval through Third are available pretty much throughout the country. Fourth and Fifth Degree rituals have been done much more widely. There is still distinct difference in thought and approach between the eastern and western brethren.

AGAPH
The Official Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis Published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A., a California not-for-profit religious corporation with business offices at P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organizaion with business offices at JAF Box 7666, NY, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at P.O. Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agape is distributed to all local bodies in the U.S.A., and is available as a downloadable file in color at the U.S. Grand Lodge website (http://otohq.org/oto/). Local body officers are requested to copy and distribute Agape to the members of their Camps, Oases, and Lodges. Copyright 1999ev Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors. Executive Editor: Sabazius XO Contributing Editor: Baphemetis Continuity Production Editors: Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke Artwork Director: Sulis Editorial Address: PO Box 3203, Austin, TX 78764 agape@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Lodge Officers U.S. National Grand Master General: Sabazius XO ngmg@oto-usa.org O.T.O. U.S.A. P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. Deputy National Grand Master General: Lon Milo DuQuette dngmg@oto-usa.org PO Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 U.S. Grand Secretary General: Fr. Io Pan O.T.O. U.S.A., 638 Camino de Los Mares Suite C-240-495, San Clemente, CA 92673 (949) 492-0988 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Treasurer General: Fr. S.L.Q. O.T.O. U.S.A., P.O. Box 45139, Los Angeles, CA 90045-0139 gtg@oto-usa.org (310) 216-5666 U.S. Grand Tribunal: grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. Executive Council, U.S. Supreme Grand Council, O.T.O. U.S.A. Corporate Headquarters: P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. Electoral College: Fr. H.K., President jprice1131@aol.com P.O. Box 520307, Salt Lake City, UT 84152-0307 Sr. Pagana, Secretary electoral_college@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 180342, Dallas, TX 75218-0342 U.S. Grand Lodge Archivist: Fr. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S. Grand Lodge Initiation Secretary: Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke P.O. Box 720296, Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0296 initiation@oto-usa.org (405) 720-6349 U.S. Grand Lodge Quartermaster: Fr. M.J.V. P.O. Box 40110, Portland, OR 97240-0110 quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Lodge Webmaster: Craig Berry webmaster@oto-usa.org Agap i Vol. II No. 2 K 3

The use of emergency powers and regulations should be minimized. The Order is growing, but the regular rules should be followed, or changed accordingly. This makes for better harmony and understanding about the Order and its operations. Policies are operational guidelines, and the membership should expect to be made aware of the rules, and expect them to be followed. Changes in the by-laws and policies are necessary as the Order adapts to the times and to the place. But communication is the key to understanding and support. It is important that the by-laws and policies are well known, and administered as objectively as possible, without personal biases for or against individuals. Personally, I have tried to interpret the Law of Thelema, and contribute to the expansion of the Order when possible. Pyramid Lodge began as a camp in 1984, and has been active since. I was pleased to help in extending the OTO into the Upper Midwest area, westward from Buffalo into the Great Plains. The area has its distinctions, and has spread throughout the area from its first initiations in Cleveland in 1986. Members have achieved all degrees from Minerval to KRE. It is now represented on the Electoral College. The Middle Order members are now part of Obelisk R+C Chapter based in Buffalo. My other line has been my service to the EC, and helping it to evolve into the respected body that it now is. This is the part of my legacy that I pass down to you. GENERAL PRINCIPLES We have been very fortunate that Magick, Book 4, has brought together material for the understanding of magic, and initiation in a Thelemic context. While the O.T.O. is a social/ political order, initiation is certainly in the minds, and the goal, of many of its members. This book, together with Equinox III (10), form a firm foundation to achieve these. Since the OTO profits from the publication of these books, and they provide magical and philosophical guidance, the Order and the EC should encourage the use and practices within them as Thelemites. Above all, as Thelemites we need to reinforce our allegiance to the principles of the Book of the Law, and to study it, as expressed in our Minerval Oath. It is our charter of universal freedom. Within the Book of the Law IS the Law...Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law, and Love is the law, love under will and There is no law beyond do what thou wilt. These statements are subject to individual interpretation according to the Class A Commentthere is no other dogma. The nature of Will is key to the process. The balance between stability and change, between orthodox and heretic, between centralized power and individual power must be guarded and protected. Our rights at Thelemites are found in Liber OZ....Man has the right to.... Guard these jealously. Encourage these among the members of the OTO. Remember another statement from LiberAl: The word of sin is restriction. Love is the law, love under will.

Profile of the U.S. Electoral College Circa 1999ev

President: Jeffrey Price - Fr. Hyitem k-Elohim, Member of Horus Camp, Salt Lake City, UT. Joined the Order in 1977 and the EC in 1989. Secretary: Soror Pagana Member of Bubastis Lodge, Dallas, TX. Joined the Order in 1986 and the EC in 1996. Sitting Members: Soror S.A. Member of Tahuti Lodge, NYC, lives in Davie, FL. Joined the Order in 1985 and the EC in 1990. Frater Solis - Gerald del Campo Member of Queen of Heaven Camp, Portland, OR. Joined the Order 1977 and the EC in 1992. Soror MementoVivere (MV) - Lauri Lowe Member of LVX Lodge, Hollywood, CA. Joined the Order in 1987 and the EC in 1992. Frater Veritas No local body affiliation, Oakland, CA. Joined the Order in 1987 and the EC in 1994. Soror M.A.S. Affiliated with all bodies, lives in Indiana. Joined the Order in 1988 and the EC in 1997. Paul Hume Past Master and current member of William Blake Oasis, Silver Springs, MD. Joined the Order in 1991 and the EC in 1998. Frater Mercurius - Michael Kolson Member of Pyramid Lodge, Buffalo NY. Joined the Order in 1993 and the EC in 1999. New Members: Frater Melekh al-Astar Alostrael Oasis, Calera, AL. Joined the Order in 1988 and the EC in 1999. Christopher J Parker - Kallah Adonai. L.V.X. Lodge., LA, CA. Joined the Order in 1983 and the EC in 1999. Members Emeritus: These brothers have completed their eleven year term in full. Brother Steve A. Member of EC from 1987 - 1998. Brother Leroy David Lauer Joined the Order in 1978. Member of EC from 1985- 1996. Frater E.A.O.A. Member of EC from 1987 - 1998.

k Vol. II No. 2 I Agap

THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE U.S. GRAND LODGE OF ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS

From the Grand Master

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

VOLUME II, NUMBER 3 1 November, 1999e.v. Q in H, R in E, IVvii e.n.

of them ended up applying for Minerval initiation! Many thanks and kudos to our Brothers and Sisters in Portland who spent the last nine months planning and crafting this memorable affair. Scarlet Woman Lodge will be hosting a Kaaba Colloquium next spring, at which strategies and tactics for effective local body management and development will be explored in depth. It should be an excellent event, and I recommend that all local body officers, as well as those members who are interested in opening local bodies, try to attend. SGIGs and EC members would do well to attend also. Contact Scarlet Woman Lodge for more information.

his past April, the U.S. Supreme Grand Council awarded the first set of historical honors in accordance with the program I instituted last year (See Agape Vol. I, No. 3). It inducted Rose Edith Kelly, Dame Leila Waddell Bathurst, Mary dEesti Sturges, Leah Hirsig and Ida Craddock into the Order of the Eagle; and it inducted Sir Saint Edward Aleister Crowley XI, Sir Grady Louis McMurtry X, Sir Karl Germer X, Dr. Sir Theodor Reuss X, Sir Carl Kellner, Dr. Sir Franz Hartmann IX, and Dr. Paschal Beverly Randolph into the Order of the Lion. The SGC will consider additional nominations next spring. The second National Conference of the U.S. Grand Lodge of O.T.O. manifested over the weekend of August 7 and 8 at the Days Inn hotel and conference center in Portland, Oregon, with roughly 150 members in attendance, several from out of the country. The theme of the conference this year was fraternity. Most of the lectures and workshops this year tended to focus on the basic practical aspects of organizing and managing OTO local bodies, and on generally getting along with each other; though there was also a workshop on the Third Degree ritual and lectures on such topics as Ida Craddock (see above), the Rites of Eleusis, the use of sound and music in magical practice, the Atus of Thoth, and working with a Thelemic Rosary. The banquet Saturday night ended with a rather contagious session of belly dancing initiated by the Master of Horus Oasis people in formal attire getting up and belly dancing is quite a sight to see and on Sunday afternoon, the Conference closed with a Gnostic Mass attended by nearly all of the conference attendees, and at which Soror Helena and I were honored to serve as Priestess and Priest. A band of talented musicians provided incidental music and ambience, and we sang theAnthem to music specially composed by our Grand Organist and Electoral College President, Frater H.K. This worked surprisingly well despite the fact that only about 12 people attended a single brief rehearsal earlier the same day. Frater H.K.s music is truly wonderful sonorous, majestic, energetic, and easy to learn. I recommend that every local body with the slightest interest in adding music to their Masses give it a try. If youd like a copy of the sheet music for your local body, send an e-mail to me or to Frater H.K. our e-mail addresses can be found on page 3. A post-conference reception was thrown on Sunday night at the new Portland Thelemic Community Center. I noticed several members of the hotel catering staff there, and evidently a number

Whereas Frater Io Pan is currently serving by my appointment as the Very Illustrious Grand Secretary General of the U.S. Grand Lodge of the Antient Order of Oriental Templars; and Whereas Frater Io Pan has served our Order faithfully, with diligence, perseverance, and good humor, throughout his sojourn amongst us; and Whereas Frater Io Pan has endured our company for a period of no less than twenty years ; Now, therefore , I, Sabazius X , Grand Master of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, hereby, with great pleasure, bestow upon Frater Io Pan the illustrious, honorable, and highly symbolic

Order of the Gold Watch

Love is the law, love under will.

<o}~}

[ Contents ]
From the Grand Master ........................................................... Tribute to a Soldier of Freedom ............................................... Announcement ........................................................................ Book Reviews .......................................................................... Local Body Reports ................................................................. Agap Q Vol. II No. 3 . 1 2 2 2 3 1

Tribute to a Soldier of Freedom

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. On May 7th, 1999 e.v. Ebony Anpu VIO (Charles Reese) went into the ecstasy of the embrace of Nuit. Ebony had a long and distinguished career in our Order. He admitted frequently to us his love of OTO. He was born in Texas on September 6th, 1950 e.v. He originally intended to enter a career in music when he came to San Francisco Area, but instead he decided to devote his life to helping Grady McMurtry rebuild the Order. He helped put on some of the first Gnostic Masses at Thelema Lodge, served as the Grand Secretary General under Grady, helped put on the Rites of Eleusis, contributed to the OTO Newsletters, etc. Not only was he a devout student of Crowley, but he and others started and maintained Stellar Visions publications. Stellar Visions goal originally was to make available Crowley material that currently was not available in print. Ebony later married. This was something completely unexpected to us, but after meeting Liesl we then understood. Besides his devotion to studying Thelemic Texts, he was an expert in Ancient Egypt. He could read hieroglyphs better than many Americans can read English. He helped many of us with the basic understanding of the Egyptian rituals and texts. Many owe Ebony a large debt of thanks for his classes in Ancient Egypt. Not only was he an expert in Egypt but his skills as a magician were extraordinary. The energy and empowering that he did as a magician demonstrated what was possible and encouraged many of us to work harder. There were three Greater Feast celebrations for Ebony for those who wished to attend in the Bay Area. The first celebration was an ecstatic Gnostic Mass at Oz House on May 21 st. The second was another Gnostic Mass at Thelema Lodge on the 22nd. The third was a Memorial service at the Marin Masonic Lodge. Many attended the events. It was good to meet with old friends, make new ones, and finally meet Ebonys family even Bill Heidrick and the lovely Kathy came. Ebonys mother, Matti, flew from China to be at the celebrations. There were eleven speakers at his Memorial in Marin. Frater Superior Hymenaeus Beta said this about Ebony, He was one of the most loyal members of our Order, and he was also one of the most disobedient. Bill Heidrick pointed out that Ebony is not really gone, that everyone there was a part of Ebonys life and we still carry his spirit with us. We all admitted at times he was a pain in the ass, but we love him and he will always be one of our dearest friends in the Order. We raise our wineglasses to Nuit that she may keep you in the Light and ecstasy that you deserve. We will miss you but will never forget you, Ebony, our Friend and Brother. Love is the law, love under will. Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke

Announcements
At a meeting this spring, the Secret Areopagus of the Eighth Degree approved the Psychology Guild of Ordo Templi Orientis International, and the Guild was formally activated by the Sovereign Sanctuary this summer. The Guild will serve as a forum for discussion and dissemination of theory, research, and practice related to psychology and magick. Membership is limited to initiates of the First degree and above who meet the Guilds professional guidelines. For more information, please contact Bro. David Shoemaker at dshoemaker@earthlink.net, or by regular mail at P.O. Box 58, Carmichael, CA 95609.

Book Reviews
by JD Lawrence Paschal Beverly Randolph: A Nineteenth-Century Black American Spiritualist, Rosicrucian, and Sex Magician by John Patrick Deveney State University of New York Press, 1997 P.B. Randolph (1825-1875) is one of the most fascinating and complex figures in all of nineteenth century occultism. Until now he has also been one of the most obscure. Now Mr. Deveney has produced what is, at over 600 pages, surely the definitive biography and a major contribution to occult history in general. Even if you dont have much interest in Randolph himself, this is well worth the money just for showing how occult history /should/ be done. Randolph was certainly a genius, almost entirely selfeducated, and one of the best orators of his day. He was also part African-American, and thus subject (even in free States) to more social restrictions than most people today can imagine. Randolph had a love-hate relationship with his own ancestry; the only time he unequivocally identified himself as Black was during the Civil War, when he worked to educate freed slaves and opposed their repatriation to Africa. He was prickly, eccentric, inclined to paranoia, and had a lifelong habit of alienating the people he most needed. I suppose his friends were more saddened than surprised when he finally took his own life. On the occult front, Randolph was among those most responsible for the transformation of early (passive) Spiritualism into modern (active) Occultism and Magick. He declared that the spirits of the dead were only one small group in the whole range of spiritual beings, traveled extensively in the Middle East, and pioneered the use of drugs as a means to altered states of consciousness. Deveney goes to great lengths to place Randolphs work in context (indeed in places Randolph seems almost like a minor character in his own biography!) and traces the evolution of his ideas. This is no easy task since Randolph was one of those infuriating authors who revises his books extensively for each reprinting, either because his ideas changed or because he wanted a new angle on his publicity. Deveney provides a detailed bibliography of Randolphs writings that will be invaluable to scholars and collectors alike. Naturally, Randolph is most famous for being an early adept at sexual Magick. Deveney presents the full texts of his two most

Vol. II No. 3

q Agap

important works on the subject, which Randolph circulated only to private students: The Ansairetic Mystery and The Mysteries of Eulis. These are notable for the primacy they give to a womans experience of sex and were revolutionary in their day, though I suppose modern readers will find them rather tame. Randolph is often cited as a kind of grandfather to O.T.O., but frankly Im not so sure there was much direct influence. His ideas on sex were definitely adopted by the Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor and then supposedly they were passed on to O.T.O. via something called the Hermetic Brotherhood of Light. Unfortunately little is known about this group beyond their name and Deveney couldnt find any primary documentation, so this particular genealogy must remain speculative for the present. By way of contrast, Deveney devotes two whole chapters to Randolphs influence on the early Theosophical Society, and incidentally establishes that the early TS was very much devoted to practical Magick despite Blavatskys later opposition, making this book a crucial addition to Theosophical history beyond its other achievements.

AGAPH
The Official Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis Published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A., a California not-for-profit religious corporation with business offices at P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organizaion with business offices at JAF Box 7666, NY, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at P.O. Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agape is distributed to all local bodies in the U.S.A., and is available as a downloadable file in color at the U.S. Grand Lodge website (http://otohq.org/oto/). Local body officers are requested to copy and distribute Agape to the members of their Camps, Oases, and Lodges. Copyright 1999ev Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors. Executive Editor: Sabazius XO Contributing Editor: Baphemetis Continuity Production Editors: Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke Artwork Director: Sulis Editorial Address: PO Box 3203, Austin, TX 78764 agape@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Lodge Officers U.S. National Grand Master General: Sabazius XO ngmg@oto-usa.org O.T.O. U.S.A. P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. Deputy National Grand Master General: Lon Milo DuQuette dngmg@oto-usa.org PO Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 U.S. Grand Secretary General: Fr. Io Pan O.T.O. U.S.A., 638 Camino de Los Mares Suite C-240-495, San Clemente, CA 92673 (949) 492-0988 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Treasurer General: Fr. S.L.Q. O.T.O. U.S.A., P.O. Box 45139, Los Angeles, CA 90045-0139 gtg@oto-usa.org (310) 216-5666 U.S. Grand Tribunal: grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. Executive Council, U.S. Supreme Grand Council, O.T.O. U.S.A. Corporate Headquarters: P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. Electoral College: Fr. H.K., President jprice1131@aol.com P.O. Box 520307, Salt Lake City, UT 84152-0307 Sr. Pagana, Secretary electoral_college@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 180342, Dallas, TX 75218-0342 U.S. Grand Lodge Archivist: Fr. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S. Grand Lodge Initiation Secretary: Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke P.O. Box 720296, Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0296 initiation@oto-usa.org (405) 720-6349 U.S. Grand Lodge Quartermaster: Fr. A.M.D.e.N. P.O. Box 1373, Buffalo, NY 14213 quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Lodge Webmaster: Craig Berry webmaster@oto-usa.org Agap Q Vol. II No. 3 . 3

Inside a Magical Lodge: Group Ritual in the Western Tradition by John Michael Greer Llewellyn Publications, 1998 This is a fine book dealing with the theory and practice of the lodge system. Greer draws on his own experience in both Fraternal and Magical Orders to explain the whys and wherefores of lodge structure, as well as its benefits and drawbacks. Much of the book consists of detailed advice on creating a new lodge from scratch (Start your own Magical Order for Fun and (non-)Profit!) illustrated with the constitution and rituals of the fictional Order of the Athanor, including fly-on-the-wall account of a lodge meeting. Particular attention is given to deriving personal and practical rituals from the regular lodge ceremonies. Greer also gives some useful information on the major surviving Fraternal Orders and on the tricky subjects of incorporation and tax status. Obviously this book is aimed mostly at people not yet involved with any organized lodge system, but it does have something to offer those who are, which presumably includes most of those reading this review. Old hands in established bodies may already know most of this stuff but newer members should find this book useful and informative. People starting a new body in a remote area may well find it invaluable.

Local Body Reports

Netemet Ankh Netemet Camp, Braselton, GA Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law. Here in the formerly forgotten pocket of Appalachia, where we relocated from Berkeley eleven years ago, is Netemet Ankh Netemet Camp. Located on our acre and a half paradise is our outdoor Temple, playhouse and Sacred Grove. Starting late last winter in a flooded quagmire I and Brothers Greg Follas, Jon Barkley, and Rob Pritchard laid the foundation of our New Horus Temple. Working part-time and weekends all summer we have raised a Great Hall, where the advancing suburbs and shopping malls of Atlanta have marched out to greet us. In addition to Gnostic Masses and MOE initiations we have been performing a series of the Rites of Eleusis in our Sacred Grove. Careful astrological research revealed

to Sr. Thipiavon, the Mistress of the Rites, that this is the last time in the millennium that these Rites can be performed to conclude on a Full Moon, Monday. On the Day and the Hour of Saturn, the scythe bearing Frater Damion got us off to an impressive start of the marathon to come. Five days later I presided as Jupiter, the Father of the Gods. Oh for the Banquet of Jupiter to begin!, cried Sphynx, Typhon, Hermanubis, and Maenads. Continuing the Olympian grove theme by the light of a bonfire, we fought the War of Mars, up to the loudly resounding cry of There is no God but God! Luckily no one was hurt in the melee. I suspect my neighbors are still hiding in fear of the vehement wrath of Mars. When Sunday rolled around with a drenching monsoon our enchanted revel in the wooded grove ended. We were forced to gargantuan labors to open our New Horus Temple for its first public use. With feverish activity, even in the pouring rain, we finally got started. Fr. Jesus looked great hanging from the cross and Bez danced a pretty mean jig on his grave. By Friday we were glad to be indoors to enjoy Soror Vickis charming music. The cold night air however did not stop us from later setting a record number of Thelemites in a hot tub. As I write, with only Rob in Mercury and Lacreya as Luna remaining, Soror Thipiavon has already begun planning for the next series of the Rites. With attendance averaging in the mid twenties we are very pleased by the visits of the Equilibrium Camp, Lillith Camp and Alostrael Oasis members who have actively participated in our Rites. In other OTO business we are looking forward to the Electoral College Meeting and Reception to be held in Birmingham next week, another first for the Old South. We have scheduled marathon Man of Earth Initiations and the Grand Opening Mass at the New Horus Temple in November to follow up on the good energy of the Rites. Donald Correll, From Five Oaks in the Valley of the Mulberry Master of Netemet Ankh Netemet Camp OTO. Love is the law, love under will.

Worshipful Master of a Masonic Lodge, meaning that beginning in the year 2000 e.v., our Camp will have access to that Lodge as a Temple space, once a few staging details are worked out. This fall, the senior officers of the Camp will be working in conjunction with Sekhet-Bast-Ra Lodge of Oklahoma City to help them perform some Fourth Degree initiations (a first for us), as well as give us yet another chance to meet, feast, and work with brethren from all over, which is always a pleasure. Our Camps sporadic journal, Talons, has undergone a severe facelift, and the first issue of Volume II is ready for publication. This will also be the first issue made available to the general public through local esoteric bookstores. We also have completely updated our website (http:// www.sites.netscape.net/raherubehutet/), and will be including Talons online when the hard copies hit the stands. The rest is silence... Love is the law, love under will. Yours Fraternally, Frater Supra N Master of Ra-Heru-Behutet Camp

Saladin Camp, San Antonio, TX Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Saladin Camp has been promulgating the Law of Thelema by providing 26 initiations, from Minerval through IIIO, in the past 14 months, and by performing six Baptisms, two Confirmations, and three Deacon Ordinations since our Camp Master was ordained a Priest six months ago. We hold regular bi-monthly Gnostic Masses at our permanent temple location. We support the larger Thelemic community by co-sponsoring the Kaaba Colloquium in order to promote leadership skills in our region, by sending representatives to the Second National OTO conference, and by attending Scarlet Woman Lodges IO Pan Jam. Saladin Camp offers its membership regular discussion groups on Thelemic culture and Thelemic ritual, and presents a Kaballah workshop twice per month. We provide regular information and access to the local Thelemic community through a regular newsletter, a web site, <http://www.saladinoto.org> feasts and celebrations. We are looking forward to a prosperous upcoming year with new officers being inducted in September, a weekly Enochian workshop beginning in October, and an art exhibition slated for this November. Our members would also like to extend a very special thanks to our Camp Master, Fr. Sabao, for four years of tireless and thankless work to spring a paradise from out of a desert. We love you Brother. Love is the law, love under will. Jonathan Long, Secretary Saladin Camp, O.T.O.

Ra-Heru-Behutet Camp, Olathe, KS Cari Fratres et Sorores, Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Well, it looks as though things are going quite well here at Ra-Heru-Behutet Camp, operating in the Valley of Olathe, a southwestern Kansas City suburb. Our membership is currently greater than it ever has been, and with the recent transplanting of a member from Oklahoma City, we are now fully cable of performing independent initiations from Minerval through Third Degree, and preparations are currently underway to handle hosting initiations beyond that. Our Camp Master (who is also a freemason) has had the distinction in his mundane world of being elected and installed 4 . Vol. II No. 3 q Agap

THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE U.S. GRAND LODGE OF ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS

From the Grand Master

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

VOLUME II, NUMBER 4 1 February, 2000e.v. Q in K, R in I, IVvii e.n.

nitiation in occult societies, religious orders, and Masonic fraternities often involves the taking of an oath or pledge of secrecy. Usually, this oath is intended to protect the privacy of the members and the sanctity of the secret rites and mysteries of the society. The development of the internet over the last few years has radically improved communication between individuals and groups worldwide. This revolution in communications has led to considerable discussion of the desirability and practicality of such oaths of secrecy. The freedom of information has been touted by some as a human right, semantically equivalent to the freedom of speech, but functionally equivalent to the abolition of privacy. In such an atmosphere, it is inevitable that secrets will eventually leak out. Sometimes the genuine secrets are dragged naked and screaming from their sanctuaries into the public arena; other times only simulacra consisting of scraps of truth patched together with threads of speculation are held up to the public for sale as the Real Thing. The only way the public will know the difference is if it obtains verification from those who know the difference; i.e., from the initiates. There has always been considerable controversy over the need, advisability, and practicality of oaths of secrecy. Whether or not the secrets being protected have any real need to be protected, the oath of secrecy serves other, less obvious, functions. For example, it is one of the most fundamental aspects of the fraternal yoga that binds the members of an esoteric society. It is something they all hold in common, and it is the foundation of the fraternal trust they place in each other. By agreeing to keep something (anything) secret, a group sets that thing apart from the mundane world as a sacred mystery for the initiates. An oath of secrecy also serves as a very basic and practical exercise in self-discipline, especially in a society such as ours which places little value on the distinction between sacred and profane. Proficiency in keeping an oath of secrecy, even if it is a seemingly trivial or widely-known secret that is being kept, will further the ability of the practitioner to adhere to the terms of more difficult magical oaths as she progresses in her magical career. Thus, the oath of secrecy is a very important aspect of the fraternal bond between magicians, and of the development of the individual magicians powers. Magical oaths are nearly always phrased in absolute terms. They do not contain clauses like I shall keep this oath as long as everybody else keeps it, or ...as long as it doesnt interfere with my ability to make money, or ...as long as I am an active

member, and approve of all of the Societys policies and activities, or ...as long as it seems to make sense to me to do this. Magical oaths cannot be lifted, exempted, conditioned, waived or relieved by any power, event or circumstance; they can only be kept or broken. The dreadful traditional penalties sworn under by the members of many societies are usually symbolic (in modern times), and have, at the worst, only psychological and magical repercussions to the breaker of oaths. The society wronged by the oath breaker may rightly exclude him from further participation in its mysteries; but the principal casualty of a broken oath is not the society to which the oath was sworn, but the integrity of the initiate who swore the oath. He who breaks an oath has cheapened the value of his solemn word; and has abandoned the privileges of being considered a trustworthy person. Love is the law, love under will

Sabazius

From the Electoral College

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law At our bi-annual meeting this winter, the US Electoral College closed the following Camps: Aiwass Lodge in California Chango Camp in Lewisville, Texas Adonis Apophis Camp in Beaverton, Oregon Opened Gasparilla Camp in Tampa, Florida Status of IAO-Abraxas was changed from Oasis to Camp, and change of master approved. The new master of IAO-Abraxas Camp is David Melton. Our congratulations go out to David, and our thanks to Anita Kraft for her many years of service to the Order in her role of Master of IAO-Abraxas Oasis. Approved two invitations to the VO *** ***** ***
(Continued)

[ Contents ]
From the Grand Master ........................................................... From the Electoral College ..................................................... Book Review ............................................................................ U.S.G.L. FAQ No. 1: E.G.C. ...................................................... Thelemic Parenting Group ..................................................... Agap Q Vol. II No. 4 . 1 1 2 3 4 1

We are often asked questions about policy and procedures, and we thought that we would try to answer them in this forum in order to reach as many of you as possible: Q: What does the College look for when considering a Camp. A: We apply something we affectionately refer to as The Duck Test. This means that we expect you to be quacking like a duck when you apply. Q: What the hell is the Duck Test? A: It is a form of shamanic magic involving the consultation of the Great Duck Totem and assumption of the Astral Duck Form. Just kidding. We believe that our job is to recognize individuals for the work that they already do, and to empower them by providing the tools necessary to officially represent the Order. If you quack like a duck, then you must be a duck. If you are functioning like a local body, then you must be one. Q: Do you often turn down applications for Local Bodies? A: Not often, but we have. One of the main reasons we turn down an application is when we are promised to see Camp-like activities AFTER a Charter has been issued. Remember The Duck Test. Try to be quacking as loudly as possible before you apply. Perform the activities associated with the local body you are applying for as though you were already chartered, so that we will look at you and see a Camp that only needs official recognition. Q: Have you ever closed established bodies? A: Yes. Remember that once chartered, you will be representing the OTO. We expect to be represented accurately, professionally and in a business way. Also, keep in mind that local body master is a position of service to the Order. Here are some tips that will help you avoid most problems: 1. Send your annual reports. This is important. 2. If you move, you must notify us. If you change your phone number, you must notify us. If you can no longer remain in the position of Master, you must notify us. You may recommend a successor to us, but we must make the actual appointment. 3. Dont engage in illegal activity or in any other conduct that will bring shame to the OTO and its members. Remember: for many people, your Local Body will set the tone for how the individuals affiliated in your valley judge the rest of the organization. 4. Read and understand the USGL Body Master Handbook. 5. Play nice with other local bodies. Dont compete: cooperate. 6. Make your local body a place where your members can grow by offering them opportunity to assist in activities. 7. If you perform initiation rituals or the Gnostic Mass, follow the script. When you perform these rituals, you are representing the Order, not just your local body. Q: What is the number one reason that you would not recommend an applicants request for a Charter to Initiate? A: Again, these positions are service oriented. Also, we do not issue Charters to Initiate. Our Grand Master does this upon our recommendation, and just because we recommend some one, it does not mean that he will issue the Charter. You shouldnt take it personally if you are ever turned down, it often means that there is no need for an additional Charter in your area. Before applying for a Charter to Initiate, please make sure that you have assisted in all of the initiations from Minerval to Third Degree. Failure to have assisted in these initiations is the single most frequent reason for not recommending a Charter. Love is the law, love under will. 2 . Vol. II No. 4 q Agap

Book Review
By John Lawrence Children in New Religions edited by Susan J. Palmer and Charlotte E. Hardman Rutgers University Press, 1999 Responsible academic study of new religious movements (NRMs for short, what the media usually label cults) is still in its early stages. This book is important as addressing the serious issues surrounding children born into such movements. One would naturally expect that someone raised in a specific faith will have very different perceptions from those of an adult convert, especially when that faith is fundamentally at odds with mainstream society. The parents of these children, as well as the movements to which they belong, must deal with just this in their daily lives, even if they decide to make no special effort to pass on their beliefs and lifestyles to their second generation. If they do make such an effort, and historically this is usually the key to a movements continued existence, they must then decide how to go about it. The resulting systems will reflect the movements ideals and its concept of the family and the nature of childhood. The various articles herein deal with exactly these points in a wide variety of case studies ranging from Wicca to the Krishna Consciousness to communal Christian sects, both in the United States and abroad. The reader thus gets a comprehensive look at the various (and varying) strategies different movements have developed. The fact that most of these reports are the product of extensive participant-observer studies adds to their value. Several articles make the point that children cannot be considered as passive receptacles of doctrine but are active creators of meaning. Several articles deal with the relations between NRMs and society at large. As one would expect from prevalent stereotypes in the media and from anti-cult activists, not to mention recent history, this can be explosive. It becomes clear from the several cases cited that accusations of child abuse have become the standard weapon against NRMs, often using child custody battles as their basis. Simply put, the safety of our children is a very easy button for a manipulator to push, especially since many NRMs have very different ideas of what constitutes a childs best interests. Most of the articles in this section are written by legal scholars and they are actually somewhat heartening in showing how NRM parents have often fared well in the courts despite the extreme stress and expense involved. It would seem that a willingness to fight injustice and bring in all the expert testimony one can get pays off in the end. As far as Im aware this is the first book of its kind and one could hardly ask for a better. Well-researched, equipped with plenty of references, and reasonably objective, this is excellent reading for any parent involved in a non-mainstream religion. I would also recommend this to any officer of any new religious movement even if they personally do not have children: probably at least some of the members in your group do and you will find it helpful to understand their situations.

U.S.G.L. FAQ No. 1: E.G.C.

Q) How many confirmed members of EGC are there? A) The EGC does not keep a central membership roll at this time. It does record the ordination and current status of deacons, priestesses, priests, and bishops. Q) I recently was ordained a deacon. Who is responsible for reporting this info to Grand Lodge? A) Your ordaining officer, who is supposed to submit ordination reports to the GSG and the EGC Secy. He or she will, undoubtedly, greatly appreciate any assistance you can provide in assembling the required information; and such assistance will often expedite the process. Q) I was recently ordained a priestess. How do I apply for credentials to perform weddings and other services in my state of residence? A) Different states have different requirements for registration of clergy, and some states do not require registration. If you seek registration in your state, you must first contact the office of the Secretary of State (or whatever office in your state handles such matters), and find out what the requirements are. If you need a signature of a Church official, contact your supervising bishop or ordaining bishop. Grand Lodges policy is to provide formal, direct state registration assistance only to bishops who have applied for and received recognized ministerial status within OTO. Bishops are qualified to apply to Grand Lodge for ministerial status if they regularly provide public performances of the Gnostic Mass in accordance with O.T.O. policies, and provide religious services to their congregation on a weekly basis. Your supervising bishop may, at his or her discretion, provide you with assistance in obtaining registration in your state. Q) Is training a pre-requisite to ordination? And, if so, could you describe the training the Church offers? A) The Church hopes to provide formal, centralized clerical training in the future; but currently, all such training is left to the discretion of the bishops. Typically, a record of active participation in the Gnostic Mass is expected as a minimum. Many areas offer workshops and seminars on the Gnostic Mass; and the Grand Master has included much material intended to be of benefit to novice clergy on his website at <http://www.hermetic.com/ sabazius/>, including a recommended reading list. An EGC Manual, with Grand Lodges official policies regarding EGC matters, is available from the Initiation Secretary: initiation@otousa.org. Some priests and priestesses have been authorized by their bishops to provide training to novices on their behalf. Q) I live in a remote area. There is no local body, and I have not had the opportunity to participate in a Gnostic Mass as an officer. How can I obtain training and ordination? A) Ordination is for those who are in a position to serve a congregation. Work towards getting a group together in your area, and start studying and practicing Liber XV. Obtain a copy of the EGC Manual. Get in touch with local body officers and EGC clergy in your general area for assistance. Q) I am a KEW. Do I have a right to ordination as a priest, even though I have had no training and have not officered as a priest in the Gnostic Mass? A) Again, ordination is for those who are in a position to serve a congregation; it is not for those who desire an empty title. If you have no intention of serving a congregation as a priest or priestess, then you should not seek formal ordination. If you do wish to serve

AGAPH
The Official Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis Published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A., a California not-for-profit religious corporation with business offices at P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organizaion with business offices at JAF Box 7666, NY, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at P.O. Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agape is distributed to all local bodies in the U.S.A., and is available as a downloadable file in color at the U.S. Grand Lodge website (http://otohq.org/oto/). Local body officers are requested to copy and distribute Agape to the members of their Camps, Oases, and Lodges. Copyright 2000ev Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors. Executive Editor: Sabazius XO Contributing Editor: Baphemetis Continuity Production Editors: Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke Artwork Director: Sulis Editorial Address: PO Box 3203, Austin, TX 78764 agape@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Lodge Officers U.S. National Grand Master General: Sabazius XO ngmg@oto-usa.org O.T.O. U.S.A. P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. Deputy National Grand Master General: dngmg@oto-usa.org Lon Milo DuQuette PO Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 U.S. Grand Secretary General: Fr. Io Pan O.T.O. U.S.A., 638 Camino de Los Mares Suite C-240-495, San Clemente, CA 92673 gsg@oto-usa.org (949) 492-0988 U.S. Grand Treasurer General: Fr. S.L.Q. O.T.O. U.S.A., P.O. Box 45139, Los Angeles, CA 90045-0139 (310) 216-5666 http://www.oto-usa.org/treasury/ gtg@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Tribunal: grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 30666. Seattle, WA 98103-0666 U.S. Executive Council, U.S. Supreme Grand Council, O.T.O. U.S.A. Corporate Headquarters: P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. Electoral College: jprice1131@aol.com Fr. H.K., President P.O. Box 520307, Salt Lake City, UT 84152-0307 Sr. Pagana, Secretary electoral_college@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 180342, Dallas, TX 75218-0342 U.S. Grand Lodge Archivist: Fr. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S. Grand Lodge Initiation Secretary: Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke P.O. Box 720296, Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0296 (405) 720-6349 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Lodge Quartermaster: Fr. A.M.D.e.N. P.O. Box 1373, Buffalo, NY 14213 quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Lodge Webmaster: Craig Berry webmaster@oto-usa.org Agap Q Vol. II No. 4 . 3

Q)

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a congregation in the future, but have not had an opportunity to serve as an officer, then continue your studies and request ordination when the time is right. I am an ordained priestess. There is no bishop in my geographical area. Do I have the right or ability to ordain deacons and confirm members of EGC? Only if a bishop delegates authority to you to do these things under his or her supervision. Your ordaining bishop may be willing to give you this authority, even if he or she does not live in your area. If this is the case, you should report to your bishop on a regular basis by letter, telephone or email. I am an ordained Priest, and a member of a local body where Mass is performed. Can I have Mass at my house, on my own schedule, without informing or involving the local body? What if its a private Mass, for invited guests only? Local bodies are responsible for scheduling public Gnostic Masses. You may schedule your own private Gnostic Mass, for invited guests only. Such services should not be announced officially. I am a IO member of a Camp that would like to start doing Mass. None of us are even confirmed. Are we allowed to start practicing the Mass? Yes, you are encouraged to practice the Gnostic Mass, but you are advised to obtain a copy of the EGC Manual and to seek assistance and advice from an ordained, experienced officer. The general rule is that you may not perform public Gnostic Mass unless at least one of the three principal celebrating officers is a recognized priest, priestess or bishop. The exception to this rule is that, in developing areas, the Grand Master may grant special permission to novices who are under the direct or indirect supervision of a bishop to perform public Gnostic Mass I have been practicing the Mass at my local body. I would like to receive advice from someone who is more instructed and experienced and than I am. How can I apply to be under the supervision of a bishop? Who are the bishops? You may request the assignment of a bishop by contacting Grand Lodge. There are, at this time, not enough bishops in the U.S. to provide direct training and supervision of clergy in every region of the country, but some bishops are willing to offer indirect training and supervision by mail, telephone and email contact, as well as occasional long-distance travel. Typically, every member of VIIO and higher is an EGC bishop, and there are several recognized bishops of VO and VIO whose episcopal consecration occurred before August, 1996ev. I have recently been ordained. Will I receive a certificate or letter? Some bishops, at their pleasure, issue certificates and/or letters commemorating baptism, confirmation and ordination within EGC. Grand Lodge does not issue such certificates or letters at this time.
graphic by Ayah Dahbi

Thelemic Parenting Group

The Thelemic Parenting Group currently consists of an e-list of Order members who are interested in issues related to raising children within the thelemic tradition. We are discussing a variety of topics pertinent to the different aspects of thelema and parenting, and are in the process of creating events, activities and materials for those who are raising children, as well as for children themselves. Some feel that by attempting to teach we are in fact imposing our beliefs onto our children. Raising a child thelemically (which is what tends to happen when you are a Thelemite and have a child) and raising a child to be thelemic seem very different, but they do go hand in hand. By living according to the Law of Thelema ourselves, we are teaching by inference. Thelema itself can be embracing and tolerant of other philosophies, religions, and beliefs. We are already imparting to them, by our own example, valuable experiential knowledge of what it means to be a Thelemite. As adults, we sometimes feel isolated going about our daily lives surrounded by a mostly Judeo-Christian culture. As members of the O.T.O., we are joined together in the bonds of fraternity. Local thelemic communities provide us with a sense of belonging and fellowship we dont often find within society in general. It is reasonable to assume that our children may also experience this type of alienation from time to time. Other religious organizations have groups that are designed to help their children to better understand what their parents are involved in. While our communities are still too small to support local organizations of this magnitude, an annual retreat for our children is within our capabilities. A thelemic summer camp will give them the opportunity to socialize with other children from various types of thelemic families and to learn more about our culture in general. It will also provide them with an opportunity to identify and discuss problems that relate directly to being raised in a thelemic household. By offering events aimed towards children, we hope to make them feel welcome within our community. Crowley recognized the value of not excluding children from the Law of Thelema. Though he seemed to realize the importance of taking responsibility for our children, defining the child of a member as a child of the entire Order, he did not set up a precedent for an organization to specifically deal with this dynamic. As time has passed and our Order has increased in size, so has its resources and organizational skills. Perhaps now is the time to create a distinct place within in the structure of our Order to nurture this particular aspect of community. The TPG is in the process of organizing a National Thelemic Parenting Conference, which will be open to O.T.O. members and their children. It will include lectures, classes, informational materials, and round table discussions that will specifically address issues relating to thelema, child raising, and inclusion of our children within our community. There will be special events scheduled for both adults and children. We currently have some very talented individuals putting together a publication that will include articles, essays, rituals, and other related pieces. Members who are interested in participating in the Thelemic Parenting e-Group, summer camp project, or Parenting Conference may contact Sister Heather at (916)451-0706 or Anaitis156@aol.com.

Vol. II No. 4

q Agap

THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE U.S. GRAND LODGE OF ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS

From the Grand Master

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

VOLUME III, NUMBER 1 1 November, 2000e.v. Q in H, R in J, IVviii e.n.

his past April, the U.S. Supreme Grand inducted Helena Petrovna Blavatsky into the Order of the Eagle; and it inducted Franois Rabelais into the Order of the Lion. For information on these historical honors, please see Agape Vol. I, no. 3. As usual, the SGC will consider additional nominations next spring. The nomination of HPB was submitted by Brother Tim Maroney, who has recently edited, and prepared a lengthy biographical introduction for, an edition of HPBs Book of Dzyan (Chaosium).

999
On Sponsorship Every man and woman that is of full age, free, and of good report, has an indefeasible right to the III Liber LII. The above quote appears to ensure universal access to the Man of Earth degrees of our Order, but on closer examination, it includes a number of conditions. Men and women are not free if they are incapable of travelling to one of our Lodges to be initiated, or if they are incapable of voluntarily taking and keeping a binding oath to the Order. Men and women are not of full age if they are too young to participate in our Mysteries with the full legal rights of a citizen of their country. Men and woman are not of good report if the Order has determined that they are of bad report, or if they cannot find two members in good standing willing to vouch for them. Your sponsorship is your solemn attestation of an individuals good report. Therefore, before you sign your name in sponsorship of a candidate, it is your duty and responsibility to verify with the Master of your Oasis that Grand Lodge has not recorded the candidate as being of bad report. But further, as you may have read in Liber CI (Twelfth House), it is incumbent upon the honour of every Brother not to abuse [the privileges of membership], and the sponsors of any Brother who does so, as well as he himself, will be held strictly to account by the Grand Tribunal. Members who sponsor a candidate who then abuses the privileges of membership are partly answerable for his transgressions, and they partake of his dishonor. The Grand Tribunal can suspend, or even revoke, any members privileges of sponsorship if it determines that these privileges have been used recklessly. Therefore, it is your additional responsibility as sponsor to familiarize yourself with the background, character, sense of honor, and mental and emotional stability of the candidates you sponsor. Do not allow sympathy, personal affection, pressure from others, or idealism to cloud your judgment. When sponsoring candidates for full membership in our Order,

who are to become Men and Brothers, or Women and Sisters, consider whether they are truly worthy of your fraternal trust, and the fraternal trust of all your sworn Brothers and Sisters in the Order. Consider whether they are worthy to be admitted into our homes, our temples, and our lives; for once they are sworn to us, we are all sworn to them. When sponsoring candidates for higher degrees, consider whether they have taken their oaths and obligations seriously. Consider also whether they have comported themselves as befitting true Brothers and Sisters of their degree. If they have not yet learned the lessons of their own degree, how shall they learn the lessons of higher degrees? The candidate for Minerval, on the other hand, is a stranger, who is to become our welcome guest. It would be dereliction of our First Duty to admit a known thief or murderer or psychopath unquestioned and unguarded into our Camp; but it would be contrary to the law of hospitality to refuse a guest because we do not know him well enough to determine whether he will become a worthy Brother. The Grand Tribunal will be more lenient with the sponsors of a Minerval who violates the privileges of membership than with the sponsors of a Man and Brother who does the same, because the privileges of Minerval membership are not as extensive as those of full membership. Therefore, as a prospective sponsor, you should verify with the Master of your Oasis that your Minerval candidates have never been expelled from the Order or placed on bad report. You should carefully review their completed application forms, and you should communicate with them and do your best to assess their general character and mental stability; but the standards applied need not be so strict as those applicable to candidates for higher degrees. The duties of sponsorship, however, do not end with the placement of your signature on an application form. As a sponsor in our Order, you are not placed in the position of superior, or spiritual teacher, as is done in certain other societies. Nevertheless, your honor within the Order will be magnified or diminished according to the quality of the deeds of those you sponsor within their degree. Therefore, it is incumbent upon you as a sponsor to assist the initiates you sponsor in learning the catechisms and oaths of their degrees, to see that they are provided with Grand Lodges latest study materials, to encourage them to participate in the activities of their

[ Contents ]
From the Grand Master ........................................................... Report from the Electoral College .......................................... Now for Something Completely Different ............................... Announcement ........................................................................ Local Body Reports ........................................................ From the Grand Tribunal ........................................................ Agap ) Vol. III No. 1 < 1 2 2 3 3 4 1

Local Body, and to educate them by example in the Way of Fraternity. Love is the law, love under will.

Now for Something Completely Different

by J. D. Lawrence Mozart: The Complete Masonic Music VoxBox, 1991 It is fairly well known that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was an enthusiastic Freemason and composed a number of pieces for Lodge use. This 2 cd set collects all of these as well as several other works that have become masonic standards. All music on these discs are performed by the Vienna Volkoper conducted by Peter Maag, recorded in Vienna in 1966 as part of a festival commemorating Mozarts death. The only omission here is of course Mozarts masonic opera, The Magic Flute, which is a boxed set in its own right. Now, Im no musicologist so I wont attempt to discuss the artistic merits in any detail, lets just say that its Mozart so its got to be good. The performances are excellent. They have an intimate quality suitable for smaller spaces and show a wide range of moods suited to various occasions. There are several devotional pieces originally composed for Church services but adopted by Masons as appropriate for fraternal use. Other pieces were composed specifically for certain Degrees or to welcome members and officers into the Lodge. We also have Mozarts famous Masonic Funeral Music and Eine Kleine Freimaurer Kantate which was one of the last things he ever wrote. While this set is of course best suited to those interested in our masonic roots, any OTO body would find it an excellent investment as general background music for a variety of rituals. In any case these are some of the most personal works of a master of Western music and thus deserve anyones attention.

Sabazius

Report from the Electoral College

Spring/Summer 2000ev
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. At the Spring 2000 meeting of the Electoral College, the following actions were taken: Bodies that were closed: Ankh Forest Camp - Omaha, NE Nu Babalon Camp - Las Vegas, NV Akeru Camp - Tuxedo Park, NY Bodies that were opened: Ad Astra Camp - Arvada, CO None Camp - Salt Lake City, UT Blue Horizon Camp - Glendale, CA Bodies upgraded from Camp to Oasis: Heru-Behutet Oasis - Kansas City, MO Watchtower Oasis - Bon Aqua, TN Horus Oasis - Salt Lake City, UT Blue Equinox Oasis - Royal Oak, MI Changes in mastership: Thelesis Camp - Philadelphia, PA New master: Fr. A.L. 333 Scarlet Woman Lodge - Austin, TX New master: Fr. Paradoxos Alpha (M. Dionysus Rogers) RPSTOVAL Camp - Medford, OR New master: Fr. Omne Sum (Ken Johnson) Body relocations: Living Flame Camp relocated to Gaithersburg, MD At the Summer 2000 meeting of the Electoral College, the following actions were taken: Bodies that were closed: Collegium 93 Camp - Chicago, IL Bodies that were opened: Laughing Serpent Camp - Bayonne, NJ Croatoan Camp - Winston/Salem NC Changes in Mastership: L.V.X. Lodge - North Hollywood, CA New master: Fr. Ad Astra (Andrew Spitzer) Knights Templar Oasis - Cambridge, MA New master: Fr. Athanasius (Jason Newcomb) Coph Nia Lodge - Eugene, OR New master: (David Chandler) Bubastis Camp - Dallas, TX New master: Fr. Bluegod (Derick Benatar) Tahuti Lodge - NYC, NY New master: Fr. Puck (Peter Seals) Reclassifications: Sekhet-Maat Oasis - Advanced to Sekhet-Maat Lodge 2 % Love is the law, love under will. Vol. III No. 1 M Agap

The Complete Pegana by Lord Dunsany, edited by S.T. Joshi Chaosium, 1997 Beginning in 1904 an English gentleman, big game hunter and chess enthusiast created the holy books of a new mythology. No, Im not talking about Aleister Crowley. Edward John Moreton Drax Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany (1878-1957) was an AngloIrish nobleman and one of the great masters of modern fantasy. His huge output includes plays (he wrote for Yates Abbey Theatre and Broadway,) novels, autobiography and short stories. This book includes the entirety of his first two books, The Gods of Pegana and Time and the Gods along with a few later stories. In these Dunsany creates a Cosmos with greater and lesser dieties, heroes, prophets and men, all written in a style that makes this seem like a newly-discovered Scripture rather than a work of fiction. No one else writes like, or as well as Dunsany in his field, and it is ridiculous that he is nearly forgotten today. We are indeed fortunate that some of his works are now coming back into print. The only flaw here is the lack of Sidney Simes wonderful illustrations which graced the original editions. Now Dunsany was one of Crowleys favourite writers (AC even got him to do a story for the Equinox once) as well as a major influence on H.P. Lovecraft, but thats not why Im bringing him to your attention. Its simply that we are often told we should create our own mythology, and it is helpful to see how someone actually did it.

Announcement
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Greetings and Peace! We are very pleased and excited to announce that the Third National O.T.O. Conference (NOTOCON 2001) has been slated for the weekend of August 10, 11 and 12, 2001 e.v. in the Greater Los Angeles area. The theme of the Conference is The Divine. The Conference will feature many splendid events focusing on this theme. The Conference will commence on Friday morning with Man of Earth Degree initiatory workshops throughout the day. Saturday will feature lectures and workshops lead by an astute collection of speakers, some of whom you may have met at previous NOTOCONs at Akron, OH and Portland, OR. Workshops, classes and lectures will continue throughout Saturday and Sunday. The Conference will culminate on Sunday afternoon with the Liber XV Gnostic Mass, followed by a cocktail reception. Vendors presenting a variety of wares of interest to Thelemites will be on-site throughout the weekend. A website for general information has been established at: http://www.notocon.org More information will be made available through the website as the details develop. Information can be obtained by e-mail from: info@notocon.org This is a very special event for Ordo Templi Orientis initiates only, as attendees of previous NOTOCONs can attest to. The NOTOCONs are great opportunities to meet and network with other initiates and celebrate the spirit of Thelema with your Brothers and Sisters. Please come and show your support for your Fraternity! We look forward to seeing you there! Love is the law, love under will.

AGAPH
The Official Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis
Mysteria Mystica Maxima Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica

Local Body Reports

Bubastis Camp - Dallas, TX Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. A lot has been happening at Bubastis. First, we have yours truly, Frater Bluegod, for the new Campmaster. My thanks to all who offered their support and assistance during this time of transition. I also want to offer special thanks to the previous bodymasters of Bubastis for their continuing guidance and all the great work theyve done. Presently, Bubastis Camp is performing the Gnostic Mass on an almost weekly basis. When were not performing the Mass, were having celebrations and building a sense of community, with the occasional class thrown in for good measure. In the next couple of months were going to be performing the Gnostic Mass at a local pagan community center, something were all excited about. This should bring greater visibility to the local Body and contribute towards our growth in membership. Love is the law, love under will. Frater Bluegod Master, Bubastis Camp

Published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A., a California not-for-profit religious corporation with business offices at P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organizaion with business offices at JAF Box 7666, NY, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at P.O. Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agape is distributed to all local bodies in the U.S.A., and is available as a downloadable file in color at the U.S. Grand Lodge website (http://otohq.org/oto/). Local body officers are requested to copy and distribute Agape to the members of their Camps, Oases, and Lodges. Copyright 2000ev Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors. Executive Editor: Sabazius XO Contributing Editor: Baphemetis Continuity Production Editors: Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke Artwork Director: Sulis Editorial Address: PO Box 3203, Austin, TX 78764 agape@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Lodge Officers U.S. National Grand Master General: Sabazius XO O.T.O. U.S.A. ngmg@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. Deputy National Grand Master General: dngmg@oto-usa.org Lon Milo DuQuette PO Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 U.S. Grand Secretary General: Fr. Io Pan O.T.O. U.S.A., 638 Camino de Los Mares Suite C-240-495, San Clemente, CA 92673 (949) 492-0988 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Treasurer General: Fr. S.L.Q. O.T.O. U.S.A., P.O. Box 45139, Los Angeles, CA 90045-0139 (310) 216-5666 http://www.oto-usa.org/treasury/ gtg@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Tribunal: grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 30666. Seattle, WA 98103-0666 U.S. Executive Council, U.S. Supreme Grand Council, O.T.O. U.S.A. Corporate Headquarters: P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. Electoral College: Fr. H.K., President jprice1131@aol.com P.O. Box 520307, Salt Lake City, UT 84152-0307 electoral_college@oto-usa.org Sr. Pagana, Secretary P.O. Box 180342, Dallas, TX 75218-0342 U.S. Grand Lodge Archivist: Fr. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S. Grand Lodge Initiation Secretary: Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke P.O. Box 720296, Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0296 (405) 720-6349 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Lodge Quartermaster: Fr. A.M.D.e.N. P.O. Box 1373, Buffalo, NY 14213 quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Lodge Webmaster: Craig Berry webmaster@oto-usa.org Agap ) Vol. III No. 1 < 3

Leaping Laughter Camp - Minneapolis, MN Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Leaping Laughter Camp has kept active with regular performances of (0-3) MoE initiations and bi-monthly performances of Liber XV. I was appointed the new Campmaster several months ago, and am grateful to Brother Robin, previous acting Campmaster, for his help in the smooth transition to this post. Currently we are working towards the construction of improved temple equipment, as well as better communication with those persons outside the pale of the Order. Additionally, we have a monthly gathering which practices ceremonial magick, from Goetic evocation to skrying the 91st part of Earth from the 30th Aethyr. We also hold meetings that seek to familiarize and accentuate the symbolism of Liber XV and the MoE degrees. Leaping Laughter also produces a bi-annual publication called The Laughterful Caress. As always, we encourage you to visit our ever popular website at http:// www.leapinglaughter.org. Love is the law, love under will. Yours Fraternally, Frater AISh MLChMH

From The Grand Tribunal

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law The following is a brief overview of the nature and function of the U.S. Grand Tribunal. According to Liber 194, the Grand Tribunal decides all disputes and complaints which have not been composed by the Chapters of Rose-Croix or the Lodgemasters. Its verdicts are without appeal, unless a member of the Electoral College give sanction to take the case to the Areopagus of the VIII. According to the Bylaws of U.S. Grand Lodge, All disputes between members should be worked out among themselves. If that is not possible it should be referred to the Master(s) of their Lodge(s) or the Most Wise Sovereign(s) of their Chapter(s), as is appropriate to their degree of membership. If a resolution of the dispute is not arrived at in this manner, the dispute is to be referred to the Grand Tribunal, which may arbitrate thereon, and its decision is to be accepted as binding and final, subject to appeal by the Areopagus. According to Liber 101, Lawsuits between members of the Order are absolutely forbidden, on pain of immediate expulsion This prohibition is enforceable by the Grand Tribunal, and applies to full members of the Order, i.e., to initiates of the First Degree. The alternative to lawsuits between members is binding arbitration by the Grand Tribunal, and Members of the First and higher Degrees of O.T.O. U.S.A. agree to such binding arbitration (except where prohibited by law). However, the Grand Tribunal reserves the right to refuse certain disputes and types of disputes, and to refer them to the civil courts. Among the types of disputes that may be taken directly to the civil courts are the following: a. Family and domestic disputes (including divorce) b. Disputes where time is of the essence (Notice must be provided to the Grand Tribunal) 4 % Vol. III No. 1 M Agap

c. Disputes considered de minimis by the Grand Tribunal (Grand Tribunal clearance is required) d. Responses to pending litigation The Grand Tribunal has the power to impose bad report, to suspend or expel an individual from membership, and to suspend, revoke, limit, or condition specific membership privileges. The affected member has the right to review any charges filed against him or her, to submit a defense against any such charges, and to appeal the Grand Tribunals action to the Areopagus. Appeal to the Areopagus must be authorized by a member of the Electoral College, which authorization may be sought by writing to the Secretary of the Electoral College. The U.S. Grand Tribunal has jurisdiction over the membership up to and including the VII in the U.S.A. Members of higher degrees are subject to the International Grand Tribunal. None of the above should be interpreted as restricting the lawful right or ability of any member to file criminal charges against any person with the appropriate civil or military authorities. The U.S. Grand Tribunal is presided over by the Grand Master, who appoints Courts of Inquiry from among its membership to decide specific cases. Courts of Inquiry typically consist of three members of the Grand Tribunal, whose identities remain secret unless they individually decide to reveal their identities. Courts of Inquiry may conduct their own investigations, or they may rely on the report of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, Lodgemasters, members of the Electoral College, or other officers. Activities of the Grand Tribunal are coordinated and recorded by the Grand Tribunal Secretary. If you require additional information or assistance you can write c/o Secretary, U.S. Grand Tribunal PO Box 30666, Seattle, WA 98103-0666 or email at Grand_Tribunal @oto-usa.org. Love is the law, love under will In the Bonds of the Order, James Nobles, Secretary U.S. Grand Tribunal

Agape will publish articles on a broad range of topics of interest to the U.S. membership of Ordo Templi Orientis. Unsolicited submissions of articles for Agape should be directed to the Editor, preferably in a common electronic file format. Agape is freely distributed as an Adobe Acrobat file via the U.S. Grand Lodge World Wide Web site at http://otohq.org/oto/docs.html. Local O.T.O. bodies are licensed and encouraged to print, copy, and distribute paper copies of Agape to their members.

THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE U.S. GRAND LODGE OF ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS

From the Grand Master

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. New Policy on Examination of Candidates

VOLUME III, NUMBER 2 1 February, 2001e.v. Q in K, R in B, IVviii e.n.

ffective the Spring Equinox 2001, e.v., candidates for I, II, and III in the U.S. shall be required to pass an examination before they can be admitted to the Oasis for their initiation (this is already required for IV). The examination shall consist of a demonstration of all the official steps, signs, grips, pass-grips, words, pass-words, and catechisms of the degrees the candidate has taken previously, given according to the standard ritual dialog formulae, where applicable. This examination shall be pass/fail, it may be taken any time before the initiation, and it may be taken more than once, on several occasions or on the same occasion, with coaching provided before and after each examination as necessary. Scheduling of these examinations shall be at the convenience of the initiating local body. The examinations shall be administered by the local body master or the initiator, either of whom may delegate this duty to a subordinate officer if necessary. They may be given to each candidate individually, or in a group, at the discretion of the local body master and the initiator. If, after being given a reasonable amount of assistance and a reasonable number of opportunities, the candidate still cannot pass this examination by the time of his or her initiation, then the local body shall reschedule his or her initiation for a later time or date, regardless of the distance traveled by the candidate. Sponsors shall be expected to assist those they sponsor to learn and/or review the required information prior to the scheduled date of the initiation. Poor performance of a candidate in these examinations shall be considered to reflect poorly on the candidates sponsors. In addition, this policy should serve as an encouragement to all local bodies to hold (or continue to hold) regular degree symbolism and review classes. This policy shall not be interpreted as an opportunity to haze or humiliate candidates, but as a way of helping to ensure that candidates are properly prepared for their initiations. New Procedure for Applying for a Charter to Initiate All initiates of the III in good standing possess the power to perform MMM initiations; however, only those III initiates who have been issued a charter to initiate by the National Grand Master General of their Grand Lodge (or by the Frater Superior, if they do not live within the jurisdiction of a Grand Lodge) possess the authority to perform MMM initiations. This authority can be revoked at any time, and for any reason.

In the past, the U.S. Electoral College has, as a courtesy to the National Grand Master General, screened all the applications for initiation charters within the U.S. based on criteria developed by the Electoral College. These criteria consisted, primarily, on the applicants ability to demonstrate that he or she has served as a ritual officer in at least one 0, I, II and III initiation. The procedure for applying for a Charter to Initiate has now been substantially revised. The new procedure works as follows: 1. There is a new application form, which is available from the Initiation Secretary or from any local body master. The new form requires information about the applicant, the applicants signature to an agreement regarding ritual performance, confidentiality, and the prompt return of the charter and ritual scripts if and when recalled. It also requires the signatures of: a. An Oasis Master, Lodge Master, or member of the Electoral College, to the effect that issuance of an initiation charter to the applicant would result in a benefit to the Order in the Valley of ________; and b. An SGIG or other certified initiation trainer, to the effect that the applicant is fully qualified and prepared to perform 0 through III initiations. This certification will replace the currently-used criterion of providing the history of participation in initiation rituals as an initiatory officer, although a history of such participation will be a positive factor in obtaining this certification. Attendance at a regional initiator training workshop, or at a similar workshop given at a National Conference, will also be a positive factor in obtaining this certification. Initiator trainers will be certified according to another project now in the initial stages of implementation. Obtaining these additional signatures is the responsibility of the applicant.

[ Contents ]
From the Grand Master ........................................................... Report from the Electoral College .......................................... Announcements ....................................................................... Gnostic Mass Workshop ......................................................... Book Review ............................................................. Agap ) Vol. III No. 2 < 1 2 2 4 4 1

The application form will be submitted to the Initiation Secretary for preliminary screening. The Initiation Secretary will verify signatures, dues status, etc., and will solicit individual comments from the members of the Electoral College and from local body masters and senior members in the applicants area. These individuals will be given two weeks from notification to provide their comments via email or letter. 3. The Initiation Secretary will periodically forward a package of pre-screened applications to me, along with any comments from Electoral College members and local body masters. I will then respond to the Initiation Secretary regarding which applicants will be issued charters and which will not, and the Initiation Secretary will notify the applicants of the disposition of their applications. I will then prepare the charters and forward them to the GSG for packaging with ritual scripts and distribution to the successful applicants. All currently chartered initiators are requested to complete and sign one of the new forms and mail it to me at the Riverside P.O. Box for the record. For currently chartered initiators, the two additional signatures are not required; however, please include the date of issuance of your charter on the application form. Love is the law, love under will.

2.

The following bodies were closed Aleister Crowley Camp in Hammond, Indiana. Sancta Meretrix Camp in W. Lafayette, Indiana. Sacred Drum Camp in Idyllwild, California. Morrigan Camp in Baltimore, Maryland. Master Therion Camp, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Hodos Chamelionos Oasis, in Sacramento, California was closed at the request of the Master. Additionally certain other actions were taken regarding certain persons and a certain degree. Informational Addendum We are often asked questions about policy and procedures, and we thought that we would try to answer them in this forum in order to reach as of you as possible. A new initiate recently asked me these questions: Q. How often do you guys meet? A. Four times a year. Around the stations of the sun, give or take a couple of weeks. Two of these meetings take place online, the other two in person. Q. Are your dues waived while you are in the College? A. No. We pay dues just like everyone else. The only exceptions are the President and Secretary. Our travel expenses are, however, credited toward dues. Q. What is the time requirement for service in the EC? A. Eleven years. Q. Are you drafted into the College? A. No. Members of the Fifth Degree must volunteer for service.

Sabazius

Report from the Electoral College

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law At our bi-annual meeting this fall, the US Electoral College decided that we could close all U.S. Local Bodies, thereby wiping the slate clean and starting all over from scratch. (Gotcha!) New Bodies Sol Invictus Camp has been approved, and is now open for business in Fayetteville, Arkansas under the capable hands of Brother Brandon Williams (Frater Soli Invicto Comiti). The Following changes in status occurred in the following local bodies: Mastership of Thelesis Camp in Philadelphia, PA, has been transferred from Alfred Vitale to Frater Lux Ad Mundi. Mastership of IAO Abraxas Camp in Bloomington, IN, from David Melton to Paul Martens (Frater Helios). 2 % Vol. III No. 2 M Agap

Q. Are you guys nuts, or do you just enjoy pain? A. In my experience I have observed that the Electoral College appears to attract individuals deeply committed to the success of the Order. And yeswe are all a little crazy. Love is the law, love under will Prepared by Frater Solis, USGL EC

Announcements
National Conference Planning for NOTOCON2001 is well under way. The weekend of August 10 - 12 will find 200 members of our Holy Order in the enchanting seaport of Long Beach, California sharing in the many offerings of great speakers, a deluxe hotel, incredible food and drink, and most especially, the gift of fraternity. The conference will commence on Friday with an all-day MoE initiation workshop offered by a highly experienced selection of long standing initiators. Later that evening, come enjoy delectable foods and fine beverages while meeting and greeting

Brothers and Sisters from all regions of the US at a terrace reception in the warm Pacific Coastal evening breeze. The remainder of the weekend will be spent in constant exploration and discovery of the central theme of The Divine. Joining us will be many talented and interesting characters from all points, presenting their wisdom and views on such topics as Divine Grit: Karma Yoga & the O.T.O., Summoning the Sacred; Eros and The Divine; Anima Solis; Working with Deity and Archetypes; Tools of Divination: the Language of The Gods; Divine Pleasure: History and Archetype of The Sacred Prostitute; Classical Theurgy and Modern Occultism; There is No God But Man: The Human Body as God; The Tradition of the Godman; The Gnostic Catholic Rosary; The Gnostic Mass & The Supreme Secret; and a delightful glimpse into the tantalizingly dark and mischievously witty Divine Comedy. Two special workshops are offered on Saturday: an intimate luncheon, Divine Food, prepared at the cunning culinary hand of one of our sisters who is well-known for her gourmet training and awesome epicurean presentation (limit 30 - $40 fee). The afternoon will bring us The Wine that is Most Divine (limit 30 - ?? fee). Saturday evening will prove to be a feast for the most discerning palate, beginning with fine food at the Banquet of the Stars, preceded by an evening presentation of The Ship. The conference will culminate with the most sacred of all rituals, the Gnostic Catholic Mass, followed by a late afternoon closing reception. Conference fee $156. Hotel rooms $129.95 per night (single/double occupancy). The hotel offers its overnight guests a gym, sauna, jacuzzi, heated pool, room service, valet, town car and limo rentals, excellent public transportation access, and a quick walk to great restaurants and an active and diversified night life. NOTOCON is reserved for members 0+ in good standing. Initiation Seminar limited to those members currently holding charter to initiate or III and above who aspire to become initiators. For more detailed information, please visit: http://www.notocon.org Or contact: info@notocon.org voice mail: (949) 223-0156

AGAPH
The Official Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis
Mysteria Mystica Maxima Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica

Initiator Training Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Last November, a group of 13 SGIGs from all over the U.S. gathered in Southern California to discuss some persistent questions about the performance of the Man of Earth initiation rituals, and to discuss implementation of the initiator training program. A number of important issues regarding performance of the initiation rituals were resolved at that workshop. The results of the workshop will be disseminated at NOTOCON in August, and also at any upcoming regional initiator training/review workshops to be scheduled and conducted by the SGIGs who attended the workshop. In the mean time, initiators are encouraged to contact their local SGIG to arrange an appointment to review this important information. Love is the law, love under will.

Sabazius

Published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A., a California notfor-profit religious corporation with business offices at P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organizaion with business offices at JAF Box 7666, NY, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at P.O. Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agape is distributed to all local bodies in the U.S.A., and is available as a downloadable file in color at the U.S. Grand Lodge website (http:// otohq.org/oto/). Local body officers are requested to copy and distribute Agape to the members of their Camps, Oases, and Lodges. Copyright 2001ev Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors. Executive Editor: Sabazius XO Contributing Editor: Baphemetis Continuity Production Editors: Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke Artwork Director: Sulis Editorial Address: PO Box 3203, Austin, TX 78764 agape@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Lodge Officers U.S. National Grand Master General: Sabazius XO O.T.O. U.S.A., P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. Deputy National Grand Master General: Lon Milo DuQuette PO Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Secretary General: Fr. Io Pan O.T.O. U.S.A., 638 Camino de Los Mares, Suite C-240-495 San Clemente, CA 92673 (949) 492-0988 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Treasurer General: Fr. S.L.Q. O.T.O. U.S.A., P.O. Box 45139, Los Angeles, CA 90045-0139 (310) 216-5666 http://www.oto-usa.org/treasury/ gtg@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Tribunal: grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org O.T.O. U.S.A., P.O. Box 30666, Seattle, WA 98103-0666 U.S. Executive Council, U.S. Supreme Grand Council, O.T.O. U.S.A. Corporate Headquarters: P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. Electoral College: Fr. P. H., President ec_president@oto-usa.org Fr. Mercurius, Secretary electoral_college@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 1433, Buffalo, NY 14225 U.S. Grand Lodge Archivist: Fr. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S. Grand Lodge Initiation Secretary: Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke P.O. Box 720296, Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0296 (405) 720-6349 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Lodge Quartermaster: Fr. A.M.D.e.N. P.O. Box 1373, Buffalo, NY 14213 quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Lodge Webmaster: Craig Berry webmaster@oto-usa.org Secretary for Correspondence: T Allen Greenfield mailing address: 3399 Buford Hwy V10, Atlanta, GA 30329 bishop17@mindspring.com Agap ) Vol. III No. 2 < 3

Gnostic Mass Workshop

Oklahoma City, OK 31 Aug - 2 Sept, 00 e.v. Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. But ye, o my people, rise up & awake! Let the rituals be rightly performed with joy & beauty! The Gnostic Mass Workshop held in Oklahoma City over Labor Day weekend was hosted by Sekhet-Bast-Ra Lodge and co-sponsored by several neighboring bodies. There were some thirty-five attendees representing at least seven local bodies from throughout the south-central States. As our New Mexico caravan drove into OK City early Friday afternoon, the bank signs read 111oF, - a magical number of the Sun. Even those of us who are omen-challenged couldnt miss that one. The Sun had come to Earth, literally. The Mass is a lot like a symphony that reveals the full depth of its elegance and power only by passing through the hands of many different maestros, and so appropriately the weekend both opened and closed with Mass celebrations. Both were conducted with a simple dignity and grace, and I was reminded of how easy it is to get distracted with dramatics and to detract from the raw beauty and power of the ritual. Although it certainly embraces a wide range of style and preference, the Mass doesnt require a lot of embellishment and flourish to be most effective. Saturday morning featured Bishops Lon Milo and Constance J. DuQuettes tour de force. Over nearly a six hour period, they walked through the entire Mass script, commenting almost on a line by line basis. Tapping their rich background and experience, the DuQuettes provided a range of insightful - and sometimes surprising! - perspectives on the Mass, including concrete ideas for production (e.g., where might the Deacon aim crosses during the Collects?), some historical background on the EGC (including a fascinating account of apostolic succession maintained through the Wandering Episcopate), ritual interpretation (what does the instruction the PEOPLE communicate as did the Priest signify?), and magical exegesis (how do I make the sacred marriage work for me?). Their rapport with each other and with the audience, as well as their keen humor, made for a fast paced and entertaining day. Following the DuQuettes presentation, there were several additional brief contributions which, each in their own way, attest to the development of a genuine and unique fraternal culture. As a newly ordained Priest, I shared some preliminary reflections on the history and use of the Lance as a magical symbol. For example, the Latin word for lance suggests that it was designed to cleave, rend, or part armor (or veils) more than to pierce like the Sword. Frater Mark S. Stahls paper on Masonic symbolism in the Mass was eloquently presented by Frater Pat (both of Heru Behutet Oasis; Kansas City). Their presentation described a fascinating and understated area of our symbolic tradition. While the Masonic legacy in the MMM is clear, Frater Stahl argued convincingly that it also influenced the structure of the Mass ceremony. His numerous observations, for example, that both the Mass and Masonic Blue Lodge Temples have a three step dais in the East, describe an important and neglected hermeneutic connection. Frater Pat and Soror Emeraldstar concluded the days presentations with a very helpful sing-along practice of the elegant, but tricky, Mass Anthem. Follow the bouncing winged 4 % Vol. III No. 2 M Agap

globe! Throughout the weekend, even side conversations were deep and animated. The record-breaking heat and exhausted air conditioning seemed like minor distractions (kudos to SBR Lodge for keeping us all well-hydrated). But the best indicator of the quality of a workshop is its impact. Here in Santa Fe, weve already tweaked several details of our Mass based on what we drew from the workshop. And Im sure were not alone. Success is your proof. Love is the law, love under will. Frater Mark Z. Oldknow Soul of the Desert Camp Santa Fe, New Mexico USA

Book Review
by JD Lawrence Imaginary Muslims: The Uwaysi Sufis of Central Asia by Julian Baldick New York University Press, 1993. An Uwaysi Sufi is one who takes an absent or dead person as his spiritual instructor, something which violates all the normal procedures of Sufi initiation. The model for this is one Uways Qarani, a contemporary of Muhammad, who received instruction from the Prophet via telepathy. The Uwaysi tradition has been most prominent in Muslim Central Asia and is now enjoying something of a revival. Most of this book is actually a summary of Ahmad Uzganis History of the Uwaysis, being a collection of Sufi saints lives interlinked by a complex web of recurring themes. It is clear that much of the material is highly fictionalized and that Ahmad was more concerned with providing spiritual exemplars than with anything we would call real history. This does not, of course, make any of the material irrelevant. The book is noteworthy for the number of women saints depicted, and this section shows a definite influence from Christian sources. Baldick also detects the persistence of Shamanic initiation rites and Buddhist legends throughout the book, and the one section on actual practices near the end proves that the Uwaysis were certainly familiar with pranayama and perhaps the chakra system as well. To a Westerner, the most striking aspect is the similarity of Uwaysi Elders with the Secret Chiefs so beloved of occultists, and one would really like to know if Blavatsky ever encountered the Uwaysis on her travels.

THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE U.S. GRAND LODGE OF ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS

From the Electoral College

Dearest Brothers and Sisters, Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

VOLUME III, NUMBER 3 1 January, 2002e.v. Q in J, R in E, IVix e.n.

CHANGE IN STATUS In addition, the College changed the status of Horizon Lodge to Horizon Oasis, since the present Master has not yet attained the degree required for a Lodge Master. This in no way reflects upon the quality of the work done at Horizon, but is due to a specific requirement of the Bylaws of O.T.O. USA. NEW CHARTER The application to open Dove and Serpent Oasis in Georgia, as a coalition of Camps in the Metro Atlanta area, was approved. Br. John Crow is Master of the new Oasis. Equilibrium, Solveet-Coagula, Lilith, and Yggdrasil Camps were closed at the request of their respective Masters, upon approval of the new Oasis charter. The College wishes to note that the work of the Masters of these Camps, and of the other initiates of the Atlanta region, in preparing the presentation for this application, and in getting the infrastructure for Dove and Serpent Oasis ready, has been exemplary. We hope the entire Order that is in the United States will join us in wishing all the best to the new Oasis, and the initiates of Atlanta who have labored so hard in taking this next step in the growth of Ordo Templi Orientis in their region. OTHER INFORMATION The new revision to the Camp, Oasis, and Lodge Masters Handbook from US Grand Lodge, dated October 2001 e.v., has been issued and is now in effect. If you do not already have a copy, please obtain one from the Grand Secretary General or the Initiation Secretary. There are numerous important clarifications and changes in policy in this edition. Some have already been announced and others will become effective as of the publication of the updated Handbook. Once you have it, please read it carefully and make it your special friend. The Electoral College is at your disposal if you have any questions on policy, either existing regulations or new/changed ones. The Annual Report Form for 2001 is undergoing significant rewriting, and will be more detailed than it has been in previous

The Electoral College held its meeting for Autumn of 2001 e.v. in Salt Lake City, UT. The meeting was hosted by the members of Horus Oasis, and the College wishes to thank our brothers and sisters of Horus Oasis for their impeccable hospitality and the tremendous warmth with which we were greeted. The following actions concerning local Bodies were taken by the College at this meeting: CHANGE OF MASTER Confirmed Br. Ea Benyani Tinaubi as Master of Serpent in Balance Camp, in Clermont, Florida, since he has been devoted a Master Magician. This satisfies the degree requirements for a formal appointment as Master of a local Body. Br. EBT had been serving as acting Master prior to this review of his status. Confirmed Sr. Miria as Master of Vortex Camp, in Tacoma, Washington, upon receipt of requested paperwork from her and her predecessor. Sr. Miria has been serving as acting Master pending this review of the change of mastership process for Vortex Camp. Confirmed appointment of Br. Re-Harachte as acting Master of Serpentine Splendour Lodge, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The case will be reviewed at the Winter Meeting to discuss his confirmation as Master. The College wishes to formally recognize almost a decade of hard work as Master by Br. Andrew Cawthon, who brought the Body from its founding to its current function as a Lodge. Well done Brother Andrew! Approved Change of Mastership at Agartha Camp, in Seattle, Washington, from Br. Arktos to Sr. Fortitudo. Approved Change of Mastership at Heru-Behutet Oasis, in Kansas City, Missouri, from Br. Mark Stahl to Br. Pat Mathis. Approved Change of Mastership at Horizon Lodge, in Seattle, Washington, from Br. RKHVT to Sr. Onyieh Jewel. The College wishes to publicly recognize Br. RKHVTs hard work as Master for almost 10 years, and to thank him for the great service he has done for the Order and its members. The College wishes all the best to the new Masters, both those just stepping into the office and those who have been fulfilling the role of acting Master. Without your service to your Brothers and Sisters, the work of the Order would be seriously hindered.

[ Contents ]
From the Electoral College .................................................... Announcements ...................................................................... Veiling the Ineffable ............................................................... Book Review ............................................................. Agap ) Vol. III No. 3 < 1 2 3 4 1

years. It will be available in various media, both electronic and in hardcopy, by Jan. 1, 2002 e.v., and must be filed by Feb. 15, 2002 e.v. Note that starting in the coming year, there will be a $25 late fee for Annual Reports filed or postmarked later than Feb. 15. As always, failure to file a report is very serious, so please file early, and dont hesitate to contact the College if you have questions about the form. The Electoral College has found that expenses incurred in handling applications have increased over time. Costs formerly handled out of pocket, for copying, scanning, and other administrative necessities, have grown into a significant expense. Accordingly, all future applications for Camp, Oasis, or Lodge Charter must be accompanied by a $30 application fee. Applications for Change of Master are specifically exempted from this fee, since they represent necessary changes in staff to keep an existing Body in operation. These fees become effective as soon as the College implements revised application forms for Charters, which should be by 1 January 2002. In order to facilitate communications between Grand Lodge and the newer, less-experienced local Bodies, the College will be implementing a formal program of mentors for all local Bodies where the local Master is not a V. This will place each local Master in touch with a specific member of the College, or a nearby senior initiate of the Lover Triad, who will act as a mentor. The local Master can contact the mentor if he or she has any questions about policy, wants advice on some issue that has arisen, or needs an escalation to the College, or other Grand Lodge Governing Body. The mentor will be in touch proactively with the Master to check that the Body is running smoothly, to follow up on general policy announcements, to ensure that the local Body has the documentation that it needs, etc. The goal here is to have a personal, cooperative relationship between each Master and a representative of Grand Lodge, so that open communications become faster and more productive, potential problems may be headed off proactively, and problems that do crop up can be dealt with early, before they have a chance to spin out of control, as they so often have in the past. Details of this program will be published as we move forward with the implementation. The college urges any local Masters that previously have not had access to the electronic mailing list maintained by the Order for Bodymasters' use to reconsider subscribing to it at this time. It is the primary vehicle for discussions of policy, and announcements that are crucial to the work of each local Body. In closing, let me invite any initiate who has suggestions about how we can do our job better, or who has a specific concern that they feel should be brought to the Colleges attention, to write to either the President of the College (ec_president@otousa.org) or Secretary (electoral_college@oto-usa.org) at any time. The College exists both to adminster and to serve the workings of the Man of Earth grade. Our challenge and privilege is to help solve the problems and meet the needs of Man of Earth initiates within an Order context. Love is the law, love under will. Paul Hume President Electoral College OTO USA 2 % Vol. III No. 3 M Agap

Announcements
REVISED BYLAWS AND LOCAL BODY HANDBOOK Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The Bylaws of O.T.O. U.S.A. were amended in April, 2001 e.v. Current local Body Masters may request a copy of the amended Bylaws from the Initiation Secretary. A substantially revised version of the Camp, Oasis and Lodge Masters Handbook (COLMH) has been issued, dated October 2001 e.v. All local body masters who do not already have a copy of the revised COLMH should request a copy from the Initiation Secretary. Please review the revised document thoroughly. There are a number of significant changes therein. Questions on the new and revised policies set forth in the revised COLMH should be addressed to the Grand Secretary General, Grand Treasurer General, or the Initiation Secretary, according to the nature of the question. Love is the law, love under will. The U.S. Executive Council

REVISED APPLICATION FORMS AND RELEASE FORM Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The application forms for Minerval through P I have been revised, as of October 2001. The revised forms are effective immediately within the U.S., and revised master forms are available from the office of the Initiation Secretary. All applications for initiation must now be accompanied by an Informed Consent, Release and Indemnity form (Release Form), signed and dated by the applicant. Master copies of the Release Form are available from the Initiation Secretary, and may be modified to include the name of the local body in the appropriate place, but not otherwise. Henceforth, all applications received by the Initiation Secretary without a signed and dated Release Form will be rejected. In addition, a signed and dated Release Form is now required from all candidates for invitational degrees as well (KEW and up), whether or not the candidate has signed such a form previously. Signed and dated Release Forms for invitational degrees are to be submitted to the Initiation Secretary or to an Executive Officer prior to performance of the initiation ceremony. Local Bodies may also develop similar release forms for participation in official OTO events other than initiations, such as Rites of Eleusis, seasonal rituals, festivals, and field trips. A general template for such forms is available from the Initiation Secretary. All release forms should be approved in advance by an Executive Officer. Questions on the use of the Release Form should be submitted to the Grand Secretary General or the Initiation Secretary. Love is the law, love under will. The U.S. Executive Council

ATTENTION LOCAL BODY MASTERS AND INITIATORS Beginning 1 January the following will be strictly enforced: o o o o o All applications must be revision 2.1 dated Fall IVix. All applications must be accompanied by the Informed consent, Release and Indemnity statement. All applications must have all required information fields filled, such as complete initiating body info. All IV/PI applications must be accompanied by the completed and graded written test. Any request for a thirty-day waiver must be accompanied by the application and the Informed consent, Release and Indemnity statement. A scan or FAX will be sufficient, but the original must also be sent ASAP. Applications received which are postmarked less than thirty days prior to the proposed date of initiation must be accompanied by an explicit request for a thirty-day waiver. All applications must be signed and dated by the applicant. Any application not meeting the above criteria will be returned to the local Body without consideration. Applications will be valid for one year from the date the applicant signs and dates the form. If the initiation does not take place in that time a new application must be completed and submitted. Certificates will be required to be completed and submitted with the initiation summary report within thirty days after the initiation. Local Bodies classified as Camps must now coordinate all initiation activities through a nearby Oasis or Lodge and that Oasis or Lodge must handle all applications and certificates as well as initiation reporting to the IS and GTG.

AGAPH
The Official Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis
Mysteria Mystica Maxima Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica

o o o

Dont hesitate to contact the Initiation Secretary if you have any questions regarding new initiation procedures.

Veiling the Ineffable

Frater Hrumachis Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Traditionally, veils have been used for millennia throughout many cultures and in diverse ways. In Middle-eastern, Asian and Indian societies, veils have been utilized in order to cover, conceal and obscure. Within the strict confines of certain religious sects the mandatory use of veils by woman to protect and guard modesty from the wandering eyes of men is common practice. Within ancient Egyptian culture as well, the Goddess Isis is said to be concealed by a veil which no man hath ever lifted. This image is frequently displayed in many aspects of the Priestess card within the Tarot, thus ascribing to it the qualities of Luna, as well as the traditional qaballistic image of Malkuth known as Kallah, the bride, the image of the young veiled woman seated upon the throne. This archetype has further transitioned throughout the ages in its merging with the archetype of the Dark Goddess and, passing through the Aeon of the Slain God, can be witnessed in images of the virgin Mary as Madre Dei (Mother of God), which serves as the model for the veiled dress of Roman Catholic nuns of today.

Published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A., a California notfor-profit religious corporation with business offices at P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organizaion with business offices at JAF Box 7666, NY, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at P.O. Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agape is distributed to all local bodies in the U.S.A., and is available as a downloadable file in color at the U.S. Grand Lodge website (http:/ /otohq.org/oto/). Local body officers are requested to copy and distribute Agape to the members of their Camps, Oases, and Lodges. Copyright 2001ev Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors. Executive Editor: Sabazius XO Contributing Editor: Baphemetis Continuity Production Editors: Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke Artwork Director: Sulis Editorial Address: PO Box 3203, Austin, TX 78764 agape@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Lodge Officers U.S. National Grand Master General: Sabazius XO P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. Deputy National Grand Master General: Lon Milo DuQuette P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Secretary General: Fr. Hunahpu P.O. Box 720296, Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0296 (405) 720-6349 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Treasurer General: Fr. S.L.Q. P.O. Box 45139, Los Angeles, CA 90045-0139 (310) 216-5666 gtg@oto-usa.org http://www.oto-usa.org/treasury/ U.S. Grand Tribunal: grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 30666, Seattle, WA 98103-0666 U.S. Executive Council, U.S. Supreme Grand Council, O.T.O. U.S.A. Corporate Headquarters: P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. Electoral College: ec_president@oto-usa.org Paul Hume, President Fr. Mercurius, Secretary electoral_college@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 1433, Buffalo, NY 14225 U.S. Grand Lodge Archivist: Fr. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S. Grand Lodge Initiation Secretary: Sr. Ixel Balamke P.O. Box 720296, Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0296 (405) 720-6349 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Lodge Quartermaster: Fr. A.M.D.e.N. P.O. Box 1373, Buffalo, NY 14213 quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Lodge Webmaster: Craig Berry webmaster@oto-usa.org Secretary for Correspondence: T Allen Greenfield mailing address: 3399 Buford Hwy V10, Atlanta, GA 30329 bishop17@mindspring.com

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Vol. III No. 3

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Veils can represent therefore the concealment of mystery, that which appears upon the surface of nature; while beneath the superficialities of appearance lie deeper mysteries yet unfathomed. Besides concealing, veils also can give form to that which lies beneath them, thus making them a useful asset and tool to the practicing Magician. This form-giving aspect of veils can be ascribed to the function of Saturn as that which gives form, defines and creates boundaries and limitations. It is this Saturnian aspect of the sephirah Binah, upon the Tree of Life, which thus gives form to the unrestricted undifferentiated force of Chaos as it pours forth as primal Will from Chokmah, before it can descend through the Veil of the Abyss into the perceptible qualities and conditions which make up the remaining sephiroth of the Tree. And it is only through gaining Understanding through the proper use of Knowledge (Daath) that we may come to the Wisdom, that lies beyond that particular veil. Qaballistically, we come upon yet another veil, much sooner upon the Path of return; the Veil of Paroketh which we encounter and must draw aside before we are able to attain to that mystery known as the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel within the sephirah Tiphareth, where the uncovering of the True Will is first made fully known to us. Above the Tree, that which gave rise to the Tree itself is commonly known as the Three Veils of the Negative, explained as Ain (No-thing), Ain Soph (Limitlessness) and Ain Soph Aur (Limitless Light or L.V.X.). It is this limitless ineffable potential which first veils itself in the guise of light becoming the primal point which qaballists refer to as Kether, undifferentiated consciousness, the Crown of all existence. As a metaphor, veils can be used in a variety of ways in order to instruct and inform in the way of the Mysteries. The ancient Zoroastrian Magi of Persia frequently used the art of concealment and prestidigitation (literally fast hands) in order to veil and reveal deeper, more profound truths of the nature of reality. Within an initiatory context we too use certain veils to explain deeper truths, concealing them within apparent arcane images, which, when given proper attention through the application of meditation, can reveal their inner mysteries. This, more often than not, is done throughout a succession of unveilings, like the peels of an onion, unraveling successive layers and removing veils of form until the central mystery of Self is at last uncovered. And yet the deepest secret of all may lie within the fact that none can remove a veil for another. Each must be instructed in the methods of discerning and removing their own veils for themselves; as the mystery of each individual, though rooted in the common experience of existence, is unequivocally their own. Learn to seek out, and discover and uncover the secret of the veils of the mystery of your Self. Examine the very principles of the fabric of nature, which is described as the interplay of which things weave the dance of the Veil of Life upon the face of the Spirit, and in your own time, as in the mythical seven veiled dance of Inanna, when at last the final veil of life hath fallen, may there be granted unto you the accomplishment of your True Will. Yea, the accomplishment of your True Will. Love is the law, love under will.

Book Review
Christopher S. Hyatt, Ph.D. The Templars And The Assassins: The Militia Of Heaven by James Wasserman Inner Traditions, 2001. Jim Wasserman is uniquely qualified to offer this new and exciting book on the Knights Templar and the Assassins, which highlights the points of convergence between them. It is written from the point-of-view of a longtime member of our Holy Order. As O.T.O. claims derivation from the interaction between Christians and Muslims and beyond during the Crusades, this is an essential and necessary analytic history of our roots. Ostensible enemies during the Crusades, both the Templars and the Assassins as well as many others were destroyed and went into hiding, as heretics and demons some seven hundred years ago. This is not different in many ways to what happened to the Kabbalistic Jews who also had the way to the fundamental nature of man and God. Consider for the moment the earlier ideas of the devastating Golem. Legends assert that the Templars were infused with Assassin doctrines, which became the excuse for the accusations made against them by the Pope and the French King, who in essence was a true coward. The historical basis for such claims is carefully explored here (sometimes too carefully). Convincing evidence is provided to buttress the long held Occult theory that the interaction of these two groups gave birth and support to the Renaissance and the Western Mystery Tradition as Templar survivors carried the secret teachings into an Occult underground from which sprang both Rosicrucianism, modern Masonry and the disclosure of the essence of Kabbalah. The richness of the historical truths of the Assassins and Templars intertwine inexorably with their myths. While many authors have either uncritically repeated misinformation or invented their own fancies to embellish history, Mr. Wasserman has scrupulously sought to tell an accurate story based on scholarly sources that reads as far more fascinating than fiction. Often fiction is a reduction of fact and a disguise for the truth. This is a mature work whose historical accuracy lends credibility to its spiritual conclusions. This is a must read for anyone who has suffered either the tedium of the scholar or the fantasies of the lunatic fringe. Beyond this it is an example of how the truths of history are lost in the convenience of academic scholarship, that is, what fits the University model of truth. An excellent read, and an investment for your own mind.

Vol. III No. 3

Agap

THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE U.S. GRAND LODGE OF ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS

From the Grand Master

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

VOLUME IV, NUMBER 1 1 May, 2002 e.v. Q in B, R in J, IVx e.n.

he relationship between science and religion is an important theme in Crowleys writings. He constantly referred to the system of the AA as Scientific Illuminism, and the motto he chose for his journal The Equinox was The method of science the aim of religion. Crowley frequently referred to Thelema as a religion (for numerous examples, see Bill Heidricks article From the Outbasket in the Thelema Lodge Calendar, November 1992 e.v.). He was also clear about the fundamentally religious nature of the O.T.O. system when, in his editorial in the Equinox III:1, he described O.T.O. as the first of the great religious Societies to accept the Law. However, In Chapter 31 of Magick Without Tears, he was equally clear that he had serious reservations regarding the generally anti-scientific and anti-magical character of most traditional religious systems, to the point where he doubted the usefulness of the term religion in reference to Thelema, at least without some kind of qualifier. He said, our system is a religion just so far as a religion means an enthusiastic putting-together of a series of doctrines, no one of which must in any way clash with Science or Magick. In his Constitutions of the Order of Thelemites, he provided us with the terminology we need, by declaring opposition to all superstitious religions, as obstacles to the establishment of scientific religion. Crowleys emphasis on science is often understood as referring to an application of the techniques of scientific inquiry to ones personal spiritual practices. However, his notion of scientific religion means more than this. Referring back to Magick Without Tears, we can infer that scientific religion is to be defined as an enthusiastic putting-together of a series of doctrines, no one of which must in any way clash with Science or Magick. We find a concrete example of this in Chapter 73 of Crowleys Confessions, where he describes his considerations in composing our Gnostic Mass: Human nature demands (in the case of most people) the satisfaction of the religious instinct, and, to very many, this may best be done by ceremonial means. I wished therefore to construct a ritual through which people might enter into ecstasy as they have always done under the influence of appropriate ritual. In recent years, there has been an increasing failure to attain this object, because the established cults shock their intellectual convictions and outrage their common sense. Thus their minds criticize their enthusiasm; they are unable to consummate the union of their individual

souls with the universal soul as a bridegroom would be to consummate his marriage if his love were constantly reminded that its assumptions were intellectually absurd. I resolved that my Ritual should celebrate the sublimity of the operation of universal forces without introducing disputable metaphysical theories. I would neither make nor imply any statement about nature which would not be endorsed by the most materialistic man of science. If we are to realize the principles of Crowleys concept of scientific religion, we must be capable of critically evaluating our own opinions, assumptions, doctrines, and paradigms regarding the natural world, in accordance with the practical principles of logic, and in the light of the best and most current scientific knowledge. This does not necessarily require the outright rejection of the value of revelation, of sacred writings, or of traditional rituals, practices, and symbol systems. It does require maintaining an open mind as to how we interpret these things, how we contextualize them, and what conclusions we draw from them. If a passage in a holy book appears to contradict a demonstrated fact of nature, then the passage may be false; but it may also have simply been incorrectly interpreted. If a religious or magical doctrine cannot be reconciled with the best and most current scientific knowledge, then it may be time for the basis of that doctrine to be reinterpreted. If a historically important interpretive document presents views that are no longer scientifically sound, then we need to ensure that the document is understood within its historical context. Matters of the Spirit lie generally outside the bounds of real scientific inquiry. The Holy Guardian Angel cannot be reliably photographed. We do not know the exact height and weight of the god Anubis, or of the demon IZNR. The visions of an entranced skryer are not necessarily repeatable by subsequent investigators. The psychologist and the physicist can give us no more certain data about gnosis than can the historian, or the mystic. Nevertheless, the mystic, the magician, and the priest have much to learn from the scientist. The doctrines of science can influence our understanding of spiritual phenomena, and if we are to realize the principles of scientific religion, this influence is to be greatly desired. However, one of the fundamental axioms of the scientific viewpoint is that

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From the Grand Master ........................................................ 1 From the Electoral College .................................................... 3 Agap ) Vol. IV No. 1 < 1

our understanding of nature is never absolute. Scientific knowledge is constantly changing, refining itself, occasionally reversing itself, as it grows. New ideas and doctrines replace old ideas and doctrines, as the overall database of knowledge grows larger and more accurate. The scientific explanation of a given phenomenon offered in 1920 can be as obsolete today as the theory of phlogiston was then. A single experiment can completely overturn a scientific doctrine. If we offer a scientific or natural explanation for a spiritual phenomenon, we must realize that such an explanation may need to be revised in the future. A high spiritual truth may be timeless and constant, but its explanation, interpretation, and application in the mundane world may require adjustment from time to time as more information comes available. For example, as noted by many authors on anthropology, religion, mythology, and occultism, the phallus has been worshipped in various cultures at various times as an emblem of the generative process and thus of earthly life and death, generation and regeneration, as well as an emblem of the pleasure and joy derived from the procreative act that forms such a fundamental aspect of our wills as incarnate beings. The epithet Lord of Life and Joy is an apt one for this image. But the image is not necessarily the thing itself. Korzybski put it best, the map is not the territory. The phallic image is a graphic depiction of the penis, the male organ of reproduction. The thing itself, though, in this case, is the concept of the Essence of Life, i.e., that which is truly at the core of the sexual generative process. Can we honestly say that the penis, that tube of flesh appended to the male physique, is itself the very Essence of Life and Death? The penis is merely a vehicle for the transmission of the semen, which (we have learned) is merely a vehicle for transmission of spermatozoa, which (we have learned quite recently) are merely vehicles for transmission of DNA which contains, in its nucleotide sequence, the coded information necessary for generation and regeneration the information that lies at the essential and irreducible core of the sexual generative process, and, therefore, represents the very Essence of Life itself. But there is the sperm, and there is also the egg; and both the sperm and the egg contain this essential coded information, that which is aptly symbolized by the image of the phallus. In fact, the essential information contained in both the sperm and the egg is incomplete, and thus somewhat less than truly essential, without the other. The DNA in human cells is contained in the nuclei of the cells, within a number of rod-like structures called chromosomes. The majority of the cells of the human body contain two complete sets of 23 chromosomes, one set from the father and one set from the mother. When these cells divide, the chromosomes of the parent cell replicate themselves and are distributed evenly between the two new daughter cells through a process called mitosis. Each daughter cell receives a full complement of 46 chromosomes. However (as everyone who has passed high school biology since the early 20th century should know), the sperm and the egg are produced through a different process, known as meiosis. In meiosis, there are four daughter cells rather than two, and each daughter cell receives only 23 chromosomes, half the normal complement one chromosome from each original pair of chromosomes. These four daughter cells are the gametes, the sperm and egg cells, which are incapable of further division because their chromosomes are unpaired. Their chromosomes must be 2 % Vol. IV No. 1 M Agap

paired with chromosomes from another gamete, in order to initiate the process of cell division that is the creation of a new incarnate being. If these cells do not unite with their complement within a relatively short period of time, they simply die. Before the processes of mitosis and meiosis were fully understood, there was a great deal of speculation and contention about which sex was responsible for carrying the true Essence of Life, and the various hypotheses proposed were influenced by religious, cultural, and even political concerns. The thinking on these matters from ancient times through the Renaissance (in Europe) fell generally into two major camps. One held that it was the male who carried the True Essence, the Seed of Life, and who planted this seed in the fertile soil of the womb of the female, where it was nourished and protected as it developed, on its own, into new Life. For these phallicists, only men possessed this Divine Spark of Life, and women did not. The ovists, for lack of a better term, held the opposite; that it was women who possessed the Seed of Life within their bodies, and that the function of men in the reproductive process was one of enabling or fertilization; of watering the soil so that the seed that resided therein might sprout and grow. During the 17th and 18th centuries, these primitive doctrines were refined into a scientific school of thought called preformationism, which held that living beings were essentially fully-formed prior to conception. This school of thought was divided into the two classical factions, the spermists and the ovists. The doctrine of spermist preformation is exemplified by the famous Homunculus image, drawn by Nicholas Hartsoecker in 1694, and supposedly based on an observation of Anton van Leeuwenhoek. The image shows a spermatozoon containing, within its head, a tiny, but fully-formed, human being, and the implication is that the sperm contains the complete, preformed essence of the unborn person; whereas the egg is merely an inert, nutritive, sheltering matrix. Crowley reproduced Hartsoeckers Homunculus on the Hermit Trump of the Thoth Tarot Deck. Opposed to the spermist preformationists were the ovist preformationists of the 18th century, led by Regnier de Graaf, who believed that it was the egg that contained the complete essence of the human being, and that the sperm was merely a triggering mechanism for development. The entire doctrine of preformationism, however, was completely discredited by the embryological observations of Caspar Wolff in the late 18th century. Any remaining controversy over whether the sperm or the egg was more important was finally settled in 1875 by Wilhelm Oskar Hertwig, who demonstrated that the fertilization process required the fusion of the nuclei of both cells. The processes of mitosis and meiosis were fairly well understood in a mechanical sense by the late 1890s (mitosis was understood first), but the structure and mode of replication of the DNA molecule was not understood until the 1950s. The extent of Crowleys understanding of these developments is uncertain, except, of course, that he died before the discovery of DNA. The Devil Trump of the Thoth Tarot deck contains an image that appears to be a diagram of either mitosis or meiosis, in the context of a larger, clearly phallic motif. The pattern of lines in the two orbs that form the testes of the phallic image closely resemble a textbook diagram of what is either the middle stage of mitosis in two adjacent cells, or a later stage of meiosis, where the two initial daughter cells are about to divide to form the four gametes. Crowley says nothing particularly enlightening about this diagram in the Book of Thoth, or in his notes on the Thoth

deck, or in his correspondence with Frieda Harris. Whether the ovist doctrine or the spermist/phallicist doctrine came first really doesnt matter to this discussion, nor does the question of whether Crowley subscribed to either doctrine; since both doctrines have been proven wrong. However, it should be noted that the phallicist doctrine has had much more of an impact on the underlying paradigms of our culture residue, Crowley might say, of the Aeon of Osiris. Note, for example, that the very word sperm means seed. Cultural paradigms, like spiritual traditions, can arise from, or be justified by, the scientific doctrines of a particular time period. Unfortunately, they can often persist long after those scientific doctrines have been discredited. Disputable metaphysical theories regarding the soul or divine spark aside, there is simply no longer a shred of scientific support for the doctrine that one sex or the other is the sole custodian of the Essence of Life. Or, that one sex possesses the Power of Generation while the other does not. And yet, even today, there are those (even some professed Thelemites) who persist in espousing this superstitious view. As advocates of Crowleys concept of scientific religion, we need to be prepared to discard scientific doctrines when they are rendered obsolete, even when such doctrines support our spiritual and social paradigms. We may continue to enjoy and revere our holy books, our historical writings, and our customary rites, because these things have historical, symbolic, spiritual, and even talismanic value to us. But we must not allow ourselves to be bound to interpretations, explanations, and applications of our symbols that are based on outmoded and discredited ideas about nature. The true significance of our great and living symbols extends much deeper than such shallow and transient notions. As I have said before, a true symbol is not merely a cipher. If we actively listen to them, our symbols will continue to speak to us the truth, to the extent that we have the capacity to comprehend it. Love is the law, love under will.

AGAPH
The Official Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis
Mysteria Mystica Maxima Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica

Sabazius

From the Electoral College

Most Dear Brothers and Sisters, Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Herewith is a summary of the Winter 2001 e.v. meeting of the Electoral College. First, let me note that I will be stepping down as President of the Electoral College at our Spring Meeting, in April. Br. Doug Blake will be succeeding me in the hot seat...er...Presidents chair, and I trust you will all join me in welcoming him to that position. By now the Annual Reports for 2001 e.v. have all been received, and the College wishes to especially thank Br. Gerald del Campo and Sr. Elizabeth McBryde for their hard work in preparing the report form for this year. We also wish to congratulate the local Bodies and their Masters for their efforts in delivering the reports on time. Almost every Body submitted a timely report this year. Thanks, kinfolk. The contents of the Annual Reports are being analyzed now and more information will be forthcoming as we collate this data. The College wishes to congratulate Fr. Hunahpu on his appointment as Grand Secretary General, and to thank Br. Doug

Published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A., a California notfor-profit religious corporation with business offices at P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organizaion with business offices at JAF Box 7666, NY, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at P.O. Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agape is distributed to all local bodies in the U.S.A., and is available as a downloadable file in color at the U.S. Grand Lodge website (http:// otohq.org/oto/). Local body officers are requested to copy and distribute Agape to the members of their Camps, Oases, and Lodges. Copyright 2002ev Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors. Executive Editor: Sabazius XO Contributing Editor: Baphemetis Continuity Production Editors: Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke Artwork Director: Sulis Editorial Address: PO Box 3203, Austin, TX 78764 agape@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Lodge Officers U.S. National Grand Master General: Sabazius XO P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. Deputy National Grand Master General: Lon Milo DuQuette P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Secretary General: Fr. Hunahpu P.O. Box 720296, Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0296 gsg@oto-usa.org (405) 720-6349 U.S. Grand Treasurer General: Fr. S.L.Q. P.O. Box 45139, Los Angeles, CA 90045-0139 (310) 216-5666 http://www.oto-usa.org/treasury/ gtg@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Tribunal: grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 30666, Seattle, WA 98103-0666 U.S. Executive Council, U.S. Supreme Grand Council, O.T.O. U.S.A. Corporate Headquarters: P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. Electoral College: Douglas James Blake, President ec_president@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 47056, Seattle, WA 98146 electoral_college@oto-usa.org Fr. Mercurius, Secretary P.O. Box 1433, Buffalo, NY 14225 U.S. Grand Lodge Archivist: Fr. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S. Grand Lodge Initiation Secretary: Sr. Ixel Balamke P.O. Box 720296, Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0296 (405) 720-6349 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Lodge Quartermaster: Fr. A.M.D.e.N. P.O. Box 1373, Buffalo, NY 14213 quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Lodge Webmaster: Craig Berry webmaster@oto-usa.org Secretary for Correspondence: T Allen Greenfield mailing address: 3399 Buford Hwy V10, Atlanta, GA 30329 bishop17@mindspring.com U.S Public Information Officer: Fr. Hrumachis P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 pio@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Lodge Librarian: Fr. K.Z. P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 librarian@oto-usa.org Agap ) Vol. IV No. 1 < 3

James for his years of outstanding service to the Order in that position. Regarding changes affecting local Bodies in the US: The College approved a change of mastership for Black Sun Oasis, in the Valley of Akron, OH. Fr. Demogorgon steps down as Master, and is succeeded by Br. J.O.. Since Brother J.O. is not the required degree for a Lodge Master, the Body has been changed to Black Sun Oasis. The College approved a change of mastership for Knights Templar Camp, in the Valley of Boston, MA. The College accepted the resignation of Br. J.N. as Master, since he is leaving the Boston area, and appointed Br. S.L. as Master. Since the College is concerned that the Body, which has undergone several changes of Master in recent years, is not presently able to perform all the functions expected of an Oasis, it has been changed to Knights Templar Camp. The College approved a change of mastership for Aum Ha Camp, in the Valley of Chicago, IL. Br. W.B. is succeeded by Br. H.A.. The College appointed Br. H.A. as acting Master at this time, pending the fulfillment of certain deficiencies in the paperwork requesting the change of master. The College accepted the resignation of Fr. Hunahpu as a co-Master of Sekhet-Bast-Ra Lodge in the Valley of Oklahoma City, OK, which was submitted upon his appointment as Grand Secretary General. It confirms the other co-Master, Sr. Ixel Balamke, as sole Master of the Lodge. The next meeting of the Electoral College will be in the Washington, DC area, on April 27, 2002 e.v.. Love is the law, love under will. Paul Hume President, Electoral College Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law When considering the state of the O.T.O., it must be clearly understood that the growth and health of the Order is primarily dependent upon the growth and health of the local Bodies. This Order would be little more than a piece of paper without them, as they provide the foundation for all our work. The various governing Bodies, including the Electoral College, can facilitate and direct growth, but they cannot create it. Consider for a moment what the O.T.O. would be without its strong local Bodies. Theyre where Gnostic masses and initiations are held, where first and lasting impressions of our Order are formed in the minds and hearts of initiates, where the next King or Queen will take Minerval initiation, where temples will manifest. Our first Grand Lodge building will likely be an office for our Executive. Temples of gold and ivory and marble are the purview of the local Bodies. The question of what it means to be a Lodge is one of the most pressing issues facing the College today. Because of the pioneering efforts of so many of you, the new standards for Bodies will be much higher than we could have imagined even five years ago. The name Lodge will mean something substantial indeed, something we can all take pride in, wherever we live. Lodges will offer O.T.O. activity in a meaningful and professional way in independent facilities. They will be a product of the combined efforts of many members, lasting well beyond the tenure of a 4 % Vol. IV No. 1 M Agap

particular Master, and no longer depending on the generosity of a few who open their homes and shoulder most of the burden. Were asking all Bodies to strive to become Lodges, which need to provide some concrete services, such as initiation through Fourth and P.I., regular celebrations of the Gnostic Mass, publishing and teaching, conducting Order affairs in a business like way, and operating dedicated temples, among other things. We need to ensure that Lodges fulfill these criteria, not because the EC likes it that way, or because bodies have to pay for the privilege of being Lodges, but because this is what it will take to move all of us to where we want to be. We are all in this together, and were counting on every local representative to help. It serves no purpose for anyone to have a name only or vanity Body. They make for a rather pathetic organization, and who wants to be part of that? The adversarial attitude weve seen between some local and governing Bodies has got to go, or this process will be slowed. Committed O.T.O. members should be more than willing to help the Order as a whole by making sure their Body reflects current standards and is the best the local membership can build. Moving Order activity away from homes is the most important challenge facing our current generation today. We encourage everyone to visit a non-residential O.T.O. temple to fully appreciate what it means to the community it serves. That sense of ownership simply cannot exist in a home. Separate facilities draw more members, make many of our tough policy questions vanish, and lend an air of seriousness to the Order. This is a hard step, and in some areas, it may not be feasible yet. Bodies in some parts of the country may not have a sufficient ratio of member population to property costs, though they have been doing wonderful, contributive work for years. Bodies in this situation can help the Order by moving as soon as realistically possible, and in the interim, ensuring that their current status is reflective of our overall direction. The work of building this Order is done in communities all over the country by hard working, dedicated members who make sure that initiations and masses are preformed regularly and beautifully, and that we are well represented in their Valley. The Order we see today was built on the local level, and the Order well see in the future will be built there as well. Were counting on you to continue this work. Take a look at your Body. Strive to move up to the next level by helping your Camp start to look like an Oasis. Why not aim to build the best Lodge in the country? Your Body depends on your efforts just as the Order depends on local Bodies for its health and growth. No matter what our degree or office, Man of Earth activity should remain a substantial part of our Order involvement. Members of the Lover and Hermit Triads can make enormous contributions by simply continuing to participate on the local level. If we are serious about the O.T.O., we need to make our corner the best it can be. Our rites should be awe-inspiring. The depth of our commitment to Thelema and the Order should manifest to its fullest potential. We want to be recognized as the serious, dedicated Thelemites we are, and the best place, perhaps the only place, to begin is within our local Body. Love is the law, love under will Elizabeth McBryde Electoral College

Agape
From the Grand Master
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

s you can tell, there have been some changes here at Agap. After five years of dedicated service as Contributing Editor and Production Editors, Soror Baphemetis Continuity, and Frater Hunahpu and Soror Ixel Balamke, have

May 1, 2003 e.v. Volume V, Number 1 L in # x in # IVxi e.n.

stepped down due to expanding responsibilities elsewhere. Brother John Crow has assumed the duties of editor. Layout will be performed by Sister Amanda C. Fisher, with assistance from Frater Ash.
Many thanks to Soror Baphemetis Continuity, Soror Ixel Balamke, and Frater Hunahpu, for a job exceptionally well done! With this issue, Agap is expanding its format from 4 pages to 8 pages, and is being distributed to all O.T.O. members within the United States rather than to local bodies only. Beginning next year, it will be returning to its original quarterly schedule. There will be plenty of room for new submissions. We will be expecting regular reports from all U.S. local bodies and governing bodies. of historical honors), please refer to Agap V.1 No.3. Back issues of Agap are available on-line here: www.oto-usa.org/docs.html. A list of inductees to date and a collection of essays about them may be found here: www.hermetic.com/ sabazius/lion_eagle.html.

D
Agap is the Official Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Other News
The U.S. Grand Lodge website has been completely redesigned, and has been transferred to a new domain name. See www.oto-usa.org. The Executive has appointed Sister Anita Kraft, Bishop T Anna Rose, to the position of E.G.C. Secretary for U.S. Grand Lodge. As such, she will be serving as an assistant to the Grand Secretary General and to the International E.G.C. Secretary. Sister Anita has been a member of the Order for ten years, and has a distinguished history of service as a priestess and bishop of E.G.C. She is a member of Onnophris Oasis in Indianapolis, Indiana, a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, a past master and chartered initiator. As U.S. E.G.C. Secretary, Sister Anita will be developing and maintaining a database of recorded E.G.C. ordinations, baptisms and confirmations in the U.S., and will be responsible for providing data, information, documents and guidance regarding E.G.C. operations, policies and procedures to the E.G.C. clergy and laity, as appropriate. All reports of ordinations, baptisms and confirmations within the U.S. should henceforth be sent by email to: egc@oto-usa.org or by mail to: E.G.C. Secretary, P.O. Box 182, Carmel, IN 46082-0182. Love is the law, love under will. Sabazius
Agap

Spring Meetings Report

A number of important developments took place at the Spring meetings of the Areopagus and Supreme Grand Council this year. Here are some highlights: 1. The Areopagus has approved bylaws for the U.S. Electoral College and U.S. Grand Tribunal, and template bylaws for U.S. Lodges. 2. The Areopagus has abolished Associate Membership as a class of O.T.O. membership, and has replaced it with a non-membership program called Corresponding Association. The new program will work essentially the same way as Associate Membership did, except that it wont be called membership. In lieu of dues, Corresponding Associates will sustain their association with O.T.O. by paying an annual contribution, which can be waived in cases of financial hardship. 3. Emma Hardinge Britten was inducted into the Order of the Eagle, on the strength of Bro. Allen Greenfields essay. Ive posted Bro. Greenfields essay on my website here: www.hermetic.com/sabazius/britten.htm. For those of you unfamiliar with the Order of the Lion and Order of the Eagle (USGLs program

Contents
1 From the Grand Master Sabazius 2 From the Electoral College Douglas James Blake Peter Davidson: Occultist T Allen Greenfield 4 A New Edition of Liber Legis In Memoriam Anthony Martinez Jennifer L. Moses Michael Pfeiffer 5 U.S. Grand Lodge Internet Updates Craig Berry Local Body Reports William Blake Oasis Psyche-Eros Chapter 6 Leadership Seminars Elizabeth McBryde Of Wands and Words: Developing Essential and Efficient Lines of Communication with Those Who May Approach Our Sacred Order Frater Hrumachis

May 2003 e.v.

From the Electoral College

Dear Sisters and Brothers, Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The Electoral College held its meeting for Spring 2003 e.v. in Austin, Texas, hosted by the members of Scarlet Woman Lodge. On behalf of the Electoral College, I would like to thank the members of Scarlet Woman Lodge for their warm hospitality and wonderful provision of accommodations and transportation. We extend special thanks to the local membership for making this event very enjoyable for both the E.C. and many other out of town visitors. The following actions concerning local bodies were taken by the College at this meeting:

Change of Master
Confirmed: Soror Magdalena (Sr. Cindy Weinstein) as Master of LVX Oasis (Los Angeles, CA). Transfer of Mastership of Laughing Serpent Camp (Bayonne, NJ), from Fr. V.I.A. (Bro. John Patrick Hanley) to Fr. Clavis (Bro. Daniel James Hanley). The College wishes to express its appreciation to the past and present Masters of each of these bodies. We wish you all the best in your new offices and endeavors.

A Note From the President

I would like to invite any initiate with suggestions as to how we can do our job better, or who has a specific concern that they feel should be brought

to the Colleges attention, to write to either the President of the College (ec_president@oto-usa.org) or the Secretary (electoral_college@oto-usa.org) at any time. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to strive to take effective measures bringing about better communication between the E.C. and the membership of local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed and I believe that communication as such is of benefit to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. Love is the law, love under will. Douglas James Blake President, Electoral College O.T.O. U.S.A. readers that the letters of all languages are very significant symbols which have the original Ten signs of the Zodiac for their origin...The letters S S and Z Z have always been interchangeable, and if we find the S S on Talismans, and other signs denoting evil or serpentine influences, upon others we find the double S S on the Sacramental or Communion Cups of the Church, indicating the presence of the Holy Ghost, or Pure Wisdom. Throughout his writing and teaching career, Peter Davidson would make it his business to take more or less standard conventional Christian religious terminology, and interpret it in a Gnostic and esoteric fashion. This was never more true than in his observations nearly twenty years later in Hidden Mysteries Unveiled. He wrote that The Male Principle was always symbolised in the Sacred Science of the Temple by the letter I...Upon a crowd of Egyptian monuments we see a crowned woman...symbolized by the oval, or letter O...The union of the two Principles was the Cross, the symbol of the Christian redemption, the X or IO, the union of the I and O, which embraced all other figures...In Egypt, at the moment of final and supreme Initiation, the Candidate was extended upon a TauT, the Ansated Cross...5 But, this had been a busy twenty years indeed for Peter Davidson. At some point in the 1870s he had been recruited into the Hermetic Brotherhood of Light, so closely associated earlier with such

Peter Davidson: Occultist

By T Allen Greenfield The Mysteries are as old as the world itself, and anyone who is well informed in the esoteric mythologies of various peoples, can trace them back to the very earliest ages, for underlying every ancient popular religion was the same primeval Hermetic Wisdom, one and identical, known and practiced by the Initiates of all countries. Peter Davidson, August, 1901 e.v. Authentically occult societies still exist, possessing the integral tradition; I call for witness one of the wisest of Western adepts, my Practical Master, Peter Davidson. Dr. Gerard Encausse Papus, 1891 e.v. Dr. Peter Davidson (1837-1915) was a native of Forres, Scotland, a stones throw from what was destined to become the much-discussed magical community of Findhorn in the 20th Century. He was in his life many things; a homeopathic physician and herbalist, a classical accomplished musician and author of a very successful book on the history of the violin, and subsequently a publisher. But his most outstanding contribution was to the world of occultism and occultist studies. Indeed, there is some prima facie evidence that the sexual gnosis so central to the teachings of the O.T.O. may have been transmitted through Dr. Davidson, perhaps through his close and lengthy association with Dr. Encausse. In specific, Davidson had long and profound association with Hargrave Jennings1 and with Max Theon2, both seminal thinkers in the magical arena, and was a major influence upon Dr. Encausse, who, in turn, is closely associated with Dr. Reuss and the early years of O.T.O. history. Exactly when and how Davidson became interested in occultism remains a minor mystery, but it appears to have begun relatively early in his life. Indeed, articles from various journals by Davidson survive among family members which date from the 1870s and already at that time evinces a rather sophisticated knowledge of things metaphysical. In an 1877 piece entitled Astro-Theosophical Fragments, Davidson opines that In olden times it was the ambition of the wellminded to be able to communicate with the Planetary and Tutelary Angels, and for this very purpose rituals were constructed... 3 In The Signs of the Zodiac, written the following year 4 we find him liberally peppering an essay on astrology with references to Gnosticism, Kaballah, and the kind of esoteric anthropology one might associate with Gerald Massey (and later, Aleister Crowley). He tells his
Agap

May 2003 e.v.

comparatively mysterious figures as the Polish Max Theon and the Egyptian Coptic teacher of Madame Blavatsky, Paulos Metamon. He may have been recruited by Max Theon who, in his turn, may have been tapped by none other than the great lion of 19th Century occultism, Dr. P.B. Randolph. Certainly, the decision to find a neophyte of the HB-of-L in Great Britain was made, according to Davidson, in 1870, the same year that Randolph took his similarly organized Brotherhood of Eulis into public in America. The subsequent history of the HB-of-L under Theon and Davidson drew heavily upon the secret sexual gnosis taught by Randolph. However this may be, as Godwin, Chanel & Deveney have it6 ...the primary result of the Order was to introduce occultists to the practical methods of P.B. Randolph. This phase of development begins by the late 1870s, and overlaps with the founding of the O.T.O. With Theon as Grand Master of the Exterior Circle, and Davidson as Grand Master of the Scottish Branch, after a false start or two, Peter Davidson began his veritable public career as an occultist in February of 1885 with publication of the first issue of The Occult Magazine. Billing itself as a monthly journal of psychical and philosophical research with an ever-present quote from Shelley on the masthead, A Chronicle of Strange, and Secret, and Forgotten Things, the journal contained bits and pieces on P.B. Randolph, Max Theon, John Yarker, Emma Britten, the legend of the Hermetic Brotherhood of Light, mysterious secret chiefs, the Kaballah, Rosicrucianism, and metaphysical miscellany. The following year the magazine, still under Davidsons editorship, began to promote a proposed utopian community, which eventually settled upon the now lost community of Loudsville, White County, Georgia, U.S.A. as its designated location. Davidson relocated his family to this rustic area, but continued to publish The Occult Magazine through his publisher in Glasgow until the end of 1886. Thereafter, Davidson acquired a gasoline-pulled printing press and began publishing under the name The Morning Star, always with the same quotation from Shelley from The Occult Magazine, and always with a publishers representative in Britain. The colony itself centered on Davidson and his (considerable) family, and Davidson became something of a

local celebrity. Such few historians as have given the matter attention seem to consider the colony a failure, but the author of the present essay found an ongoing impact in the area, even a hundred years later. Family members provided much information on Davidsons life, and members of the Davidson family continued to practice some of the HBof-Ls alternative healing techniques as late as the 1930s. One descendent we met with was operating an organic grocery and alternative health operation in Atlanta as late as the beginning of the 21st Century. Other relatives told us of tree grafting experiments performed successfully by Peter Davidson which were still producing exotic fruit in the 1990s. The journal of the Clan Davidson Society produced an article on Peter Davidson in 1993, and the White County Board of Commissioners readily provided us with a biography of their celebrated pioneer father, referring to him as a writer, translator and philosopher. The HB-of-L publication directly gave rise to the local newspaper, The Cleveland Courier, in 1897, which continued in print under Davidson family members until recent years. Davidsons emphasis in the magazine and various monographs such as the Mountain Musings series continued to be initiation and metaphysics. For many years Davidson continued his close association with Dr. Encausse and his Martinist Order, and the relationship with Theon became that of his American Representative, with The Morning Star increasingly devoted to Theons Cosmic Philosophy. Theon had relocated to Algeria (then an integral Department of France), and sketches of the Theon and Davidson utopian homesteads half a world apart show remarkable similarities. The association continued until a family tragedy put an end to Theons active work, and even beyond, almost to the time of Peter Davidsons death, in 1915. It has been rumored that Davidsons family made a bonfire of his papers after his death, but the present writer not only has found no evidence of this, but, to the contrary, found his descendents to have many letters, articles, copies of journals and related items. The last editor of The Cleveland Courier, still being published on the same hand-set press that produced Mountain Musings, The Morning Star and other metaphysical works, apparently has kept much material from that time under protective lock and key. Even the present
Agap

The Official Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis Mysteria Mystica Maxima Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica Executive Editor: Editor: Graphic Design: Editorial Address: Sabazius X John Crow Ash P.0. Box 7045 Marietta, GA 30065 agape@oto-usa.org

U. S G R A N D LO D G E O F F I C E R S
U.S. National Grand Master General: Sabazius X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. Deputy National Grand Master General:

Lon Milo DuQuette

P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Secretary General: Fr. Hunahpu P.O. Box 720296, Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0296 (405) 720-6349 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Treasurer General: Fr. S.L.Q. P.O. Box 45139, Los Angeles, CA 90045-0139 (310) 216-5666 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury/ U.S. Grand Tribunal P.O. Box 30666, Seattle, WA 98103-0666 grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org U.S. Executive Council, U.S. Supreme Grand Council, U.S. Corporate Headquarters P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032

Douglas James Blake, Pres. ec_president@oto-usa.org Fr. Mercurius, Secretary electoral_college@oto-usa.org

P.O. Box 1433, Buffalo, NY 14222 U.S.G.L. Initiation Secretary: Sr. Ixel Balamke P.O. Box 720296, Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0296 (405) 720-6349 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. Secretary: T Anna Rose P.O. Box 182, Carmel, IN 46082-0182 egc@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. Quartermaster: Fr. A.M.D.e.N. P.O. Box 1373, Buffalo, NY 14213 quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. Webmaster: Craig Berry webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. Librarian: Fr. K.Z. P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. Archivist: Fr. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 Secretary for Correspondence, Coordinator, O.T.O. Prison Ministry: T Allen Greenfield 3267 Buford Hwy, Ste. 720-109, Atlanta, GA 30329-1707 bishop17@mindspring.com U.S. Public Information Officer: Fr. Hrumachis P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 pio@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 47056, Seattle, WA 98146

U.S. Electoral College

W W W. OTO - U SA . O RG
Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A., a California not-for-profit religious corporation with business offices at P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business offices at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at P.O. Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download as a PDF file at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/docs.html Copyright 2003 Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

May 2003 e.v.

owners of the former Davidson home show an almost reverential regard for the former legendary resident. What may matter most is the link in the continuity of ideas from P.B. Randolph, through Peter Davidson and Papus, which somehow found its way into the core praxis and metaphysics of the O.T.O. from its earliest days down to the present time. While other organizations have some claim to various aspects of the HB-of-L legacy, the O.T.O., and the O.T.O. alone, can claim its inner core teachings as central to its present work. Seen in this light, Peter Davidson may be seen as one of the outstanding links in the chain of occult tradition so very suited to the present Aeon.

A New Edition of Liber Legis

U.S. Grand Lodge O.T.O. is proud to announce the publication of Liber AL vel Legis, The Book of the Law, in a new hard cover presentation format. The new edition is exclusively for O.T.O. members and has been designed with the O.T.O. initiations in mind. The new edition measures 4 1/4 wide, 5 9/16 long. It has a red faux leather cover with gold foil stamps on the front and spine, a front presentation page, and space in the back for noting ones advancement in the M.M.M. and E.G.C. In addition, it contains the best scans of the Liber AL manuscript available. Each copy is only $5.00 plus shipping. For information about how to order copies please contact your local body master or the U.S. Grand Secretary General. Those outside of U.S. Grand Lodge O.T.O., please contact the International O.T.O. Treasurer General or International O.T.O. Secretary General for ordering information.

Further Reading
Contemporary Books: The Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor by J. Godwin, C. Chanel & J. Deveney (Weiser, 1995). The Story of the Hermetic Brotherhood of Light by T Allen Greenfield (Looking Glass, 1997). Published Works of P.B. Randolph: Eulis, 1873 The best general introduction to his central teachings. Seership, Edition of 1930 Early editions of this book became basic teachings of the HB-of-L under Dr. Peter Davidson. Papers: The Mysteries of Eulis by P.B. Randolph a secret teaching of the HB-of-L and Brotherhood of Eulis. The Ansairetic Mystery; A New Revelation Concerning Sex by P.B. Randolph a secret teaching of the HB-of-L and Brotherhood of Eulis. Magazines & Monographs: Cosmic Publications Handbooks, No. VII. by Max Theon, (Peter Davidson, Monograph, issue of The Morning Star 1909). The Morning Star by Peter Davidson Editor, Volume X. No. 4, August, 1901. Mountain Musings, No III by Peter Davidson (Monograph, 1897). The Occult Magazine, Peter Davidson, Editor, 1885-86 The author wishes to mention the many, private and frequently unpublished papers, diagrams, etc. generously furnished to us by various living members of the Davidson family in Atlanta and Cleveland, GA. We wish also to gratefully note the assistance of Brother James Baker in our field research in and around the lost colony of Loudsville, GA. Footnotes
1

In Memoriam
Anthony Martinez
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Tony Martinez, also known as Frater Agapito, celebrated his Greater Feast on March 6, 2003 e.v. He was an enthusiastic member of Scarlet Woman Lodge and well-loved in the greater pagan community. His passing brings great sorrow to his friends and loved ones. He will be remembered for his generous smile and a laugh that was contagious to all. He lived life to the fullest. Tony considered himself a jack-of-all trades but in his heart was an artist, designing beautiful jewelry that brought smiles to many. He is survived by his wife, Sister Katari Martinez, and his golden puppies, Sasha and Hagrid. A memorial web site has been set-up to honor Tony: www.geocities.com/forkatari/ May your star shine ever brightly Agapito, for you shall be greatly missed. Love is the law, love under will. Katari Martinez Scarlet Woman Lodge, Austin, TX

our Order, Sister Jennifer L. Moses I. September 27, 2002, Sr. Jeni was found dead in her home in North Seattle. Her husband of 10 years (not a member of the Order) has been charged with second-degree murder in her death. At the request of her family, E.G.C. clergy performed the Greater Feast for Death ritual which was attended by family, friends and Sisters and Brothers of our Order from across the country. Soror Jeni is survived by her two young sons. Our Sisters memory is honored and cherished by many and she will be greatly missed. Trust funds are being set up for Sr. Jenis two sons. Anyone wishing to contribute may contact serenlamin@yahoo.com. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Dvgls Jms Blk Pres., Electoral College, O.T.O. U.S.A.

Michael Pfeiffer
Frater I.C.Y., 1964-2003. Futurist, Technologist, Science Fiction Author.

A letter from Jennings to Davidson dated 11 January 1884 is extant in possession of James Peter Davidson, a great grandson. In it Jennings refers to their long cordial association, invites Davidson to visit him when in London, and goes on to discuss his then-current work on phalicism, initiation, Rosicrucianism and Gnosticism. Davidson, from about 1870, had a life-long association with the mysterious Polish-born sage of the wholly Tantric doctrine known as The Cosmic Philosophy, and was eventually to be the exclusive publisher in the United States of the latter work. 17 July, 1877 29 July, 1878 Hidden Mysteries Unveiled, 1895 The Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor (Weiser, 1995) p. 61

Jennifer L. Moses
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. It is with great sorrow that I announce the passing of a friend and Sister in
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You left us too soon, Brother. We celebrate your passage and know that you have achieved the triumph of your True Will. You shall be missed. Bro. Tom Tetzlaff

May 2003 e.v.

U.S. Grand Lodge Internet Updates

It has been an active year for O.T.O. internet operations, and it seems likely that things will only get more interesting in the year to come. Here are a few of the highlights. In April 2003 e.v. version 2.0 of the U.S. Grand Lodge website (oto-usa.org) was launched. This was the first complete overhaul of the site since its creation in 1995, involving changes in content, design, and underlying technology. We have done our best to make the site useful for current and prospective members, researchers, and those in the general public wishing to understand our Order. Suggestions and problem reports are always welcome at webmaster@oto-usa.org. Please note that the previous primary domain for the site, otohq.org, is no longer officially supported. For now, it remains a synonym for oto-usa.org, but it will be shut down after a transition period. Therefore, if you have web pages that link to the U.S.G.L. site, please update them to link to the new address as soon as possible. Among the most important resources on the site are the lists of contacts, particularly those for local bodies. The process for maintaining these lists has been vastly simplified, and also more closely linked with the similar lists maintained for internal purposes by various governing bodies of O.T.O. This has two useful effects. First, it means that changes to contact information will appear on the site in a more timely fashion than previously. Second, it is now possible for local body officers to inform all relevant officers about changes to local body contact information by emailing a single address: bodyinfo@oto-usa.org. This applies to all local bodies, inside and outside the United States. U.S. local bodies will also report all such information on the Electoral Colleges Annual Report Form, which will in turn be used to update the online contact information. A policy document covering standards for U.S. local body websites can be found at: oto-usa.org/site_policy.html. All local body webmasters should read

this document and make sure that their sites comply with these simple rules. Finally, most of you are probably aware that O.T.O. currently depends quite heavily on Yahoo groups for our communication and coordination functions. These have proven extremely useful over the past several years, but we are beginning to outgrow them in many important ways. Therefore, an effort has begun to find replacements for Yahoo groups for both internal U.S. Grand Lodge and general Order use. I hope to have the former in operation by the Autumn Equinox, and the latter by Spring 2004 e.v. Craig Berry Internet Secretary, U.S. Grand Lodge

Local Body Reports

William Blake Oasis
Washington, DC William Blake Oasis, O.T.O. of the Washington, DC metropolitan area has been getting organized! We inventoried equipment, established a building fund, are researching forming an LLC, and have been renting public space since January 2003. We are moving along towards fulfilling Lodge requirements with regular Masses, classes and initiations. Most notably, 50 participants from around the region attended our special Enochian Workshop, High Tea and book signing with Lon Milo DuQuette in February 2003. In addition, a local member is presenting at notocon and we are considering a proposal for notocon 2005 as our next special event. We look forward to celebrating 11 years of being a chartered O.T.O. body in June 2003.

Psyche-Eros Chapter of Rose-Croix Portland, OR

Psyche-Eros Chapter, Portland, Oregon, is run by Frater Diapason, Most Wise Sovereign, and Soror Pneuma Agape, High Priestess, and has met monthly since its inception in early 2000 e.v. Because the fourteen members of the Chapter are spread across the length of the

state of Oregon (as well as one member in northern California), these monthly meetings are held alternately in the Valleys of Portland, Eugene, and Ashland. Meetings usually last from two to three hours, depending on the amount and nature of the business at hand. Apart from the usual and necessary mundane business, as well as enjoyable philosophical discussion, the work that the Chapter has undertaken includes the following: We have promoted and sponsored the performance of the Rites of Eleusis, providing directors with financial and logistical help. In addition, the members of the Committee make themselves available to the community to compose any disputes by tact and friendliness by offering advice, mediation, or perhaps just a willing ear, in a spirit of compassion and fraternal love. We have recently established a Committee of Four. Largely under the direction of Soror Amritarosa, the Committee produces Salon Samekh, a monthly arts workshop. Activities at the salon include such artistic pursuits as figure drawing, jam sessions, poetry writing, and workshops by local artists. These workshops have proven valuable in helping members of the community actively discover and explore the magical nature of Art, the artistic nature of Magick. The Chapter lends its support to the celebration of traditional and Thelemic holidays. In particular, we customarily sponsor the celebration of one of the days of the Writing of The Book of the Law, holding a feast and reading. We have also hosted a Thanksgiving feast for the past few years, enjoying fellowship over good food and drink. In addition, we sponsor an occasional lecture series, in which distinguished speakers are brought to Oregon to deliver talks on areas in which they are expert. Most recently, Br. Keith Scheurholz gave a polished lecture on the Goetia, followed by a talk the next day on Strategic Planning for Non-Profit Organizations. Thus do the members of PsycheEros Chapter of Rose-Croix seek to manifest beauty and harmony through service to the Order. For active Chapters have much to contribute to the development of the O.T.O., and we believe that this will increasingly be so in the future.

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Leadership Seminars
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The Electoral College is pleased to offer Kaaba Colloquium Thelemic Leadership Seminars. These are weekend-long presentational workshops for developing Thelemic leadership and skills within an O.T.O. context and are designed specifically to assist local body officers and those wishing to take on a more active leadership role within our Order. These dynamic workshop presentations are facilitated by past and present body masters, including Br. Kent Finne (Tahuti Lodge), Sr. Content Knowles (Scarlet Woman Lodge), Br. Merrill Ward (LXV), Br. Hank Hadeed (Sekhet-Maat), and Br. Dionysos Rogers (Scarlet Woman).

This fine assembly of Thelemic leaders covers a wide array of topics such as conflict resolution, building a local body from scratch, fundraising, outreach, financial management, and development and utilization of effective personnel skills in running your local body. Also offered are in-depth panel discussions with practical question and answer sessions. The presenters discuss the myriad challenges they personally faced as local body masters, and what they wish they had known going into the job, as well as sharing insights about what has worked best for them in the process. The workshop is heavily grounded in the actual experiences of these bodymasters working effectively on the frontlines.

These seminars is tiled at First degree, and are aimed at local body officers and aspiring officers. There will be an abbreviated oneday offering of the Kaaba Colloquium Thelemic Leadership Seminar at notocon 2003 on Friday, August 8 (registration in advance is required). If your local or regional area is interested in hosting a Kaaba Colloquium Leadership Seminar, please contact me at ec-emcbryde@oto-usa.org. It is our plan to offer the Kaaba Colloquium regionally each Spring and Fall in various areas of the country. Look for Kaaba in Fall 2003 in Los Angeles! Love is the law, love under will. Elizabeth McBryde Electoral College, O.T.O. U.S.A.

Of Wands and Words:

by Frater Hrumachis

Developing Essential and Efficient Lines of Communication with Those Who May Approach Our Sacred Order
In the beginning doth the Magus speak Truth, and send forth Illusions and Falsehood to enslave the soul. Yet therein in the Mystery of Redemption. Liber B vel Magi May Tahuti, the Master of all Magick, Lord of Communication, who wields his power by way of the Wand and the Word be duly invoked! Carate Fratres et Sorores,
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

Greetings and Peace to you all. The nature of first impressions is an incredibly weighty one. The Magician is a master of impressions and perhaps none is as important as the impression made upon the aspirant first approaching the precincts of our most Holy Order. These contacts typically take place directly at the local level and these worthy seekers are, more often than not, curious and earnest in their approach. Some may be well-studied and knowledgeable of our Order and customs while others may be ill-informed or have misconceptions or misunderstandings about our Order, the Prophet, or Thelema as a whole. They may not wholly understand what it is exactly they are seeking or they may

be misguided in their intentions. Others might be confused in their direction and are seeking guidance and assistance in their process of coming to an understanding of the knowledge of themselves and how our Order might assist them in the Way of their Going. With the advent of technology and an increased visibility and access to O.T.O. nationally and internationally, its easier than ever for interested parties to make direct contact with the Order. Initial contacts with such individuals therefore take on immense importance to us, both as members and representatives of our Order. How we effectively and efficiently handle these preliminary contacts is absolutely vital at both the local and national level. As Public Information Officer, I have actively worked to develop informational tools to support local bodies

by providing material, such as the Public Information Package, to assist them with answering several of the preliminary questions that many individuals approaching our Order often have. This, together with the new and improved U.S. Grand Lodge website crafted under the skilled and watchful eye of our Internet Secretary brother Craig Berry, provides some incredibly useful tools that can be successfully utilized at the local level to assist in this process. However, how individuals are dealt with personally at the local level will ultimately have the most dramatic impact on the person approaching the Order for the first time. This kind of personalized individual interaction and communication requires the utmost attention, thought and personal care on our parts. During my tenure as Secretary, and later Master of L.V.X. Lodge, one of my priorities was local body growth and attracting new members to the Order by providing open doors for new inquiries and by directly handling correspondence in relation to those inquiries. I recognized early on that this was where the future membership of the Order was going to come from; that indeed, these individuals were the very future of the Order. These efforts yielded some of the fastest local membership growth

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ever recorded in Order history and we saw a meteoric rise in the activity level in the greater L.A. area. In addition, it influenced and assisted local growth in a variety of other areas across the country from interested people who contacted me, usually via email, from the L.V.X. website, or through Brother Vere Chappells Thelema Homepage where I also handled all of the direct inquiries. I corresponded with people from around the country and the world who were interested and passionate about Magick, Crowley and Thelema, and in making contact with our Order. Many of these initial contacts later went on to become active and productive members, some of whom even founded local bodies in their own geographic regions. I have no doubt there are some of you reading this essay today who I was privileged to have met and forged lasting fraternal bonds with in this manner. Providing these open doors and effective avenues of contact and communication for potential new members thus becomes imperative, both in the growth of our local bodies and for the Order as a whole. How we efficiently utilize our language and focused attention in this regard is absolutely crucial. Thus our ability as Magicians and representatives of our Order depends on our ability to effectively wield the Wand of our collective Will as an Order, and to craft our Words with attention, artistry, and intention; ever mindful of the needs of these approaching aspirants. When I originally approached our Order in the early part of 1990 e.v., I made my initial inquiries through postal mail to the International Headquarters New York P.O. Box address. Not surprisingly, response time in those days was quite a bit slower than it is today, in most cases. Months later, having received no word, I was directed rather cautiously by our honored (and incognito) brother, the late Herman Slater, to a nearly hidden copy of the Magical Link on a bulletin board at the Magical Childe bookstore in New York City, through which I was finally able to make direct phone contact with our beloved Soror Helena. Our esteemed Sister was incredibly kind and patient, considering what I remember as my overly enthusiastic sputtering and ram-

blings. Her graciousness and hospitality were absolutely disarming. At the end of our conversation she personally invited me, a total stranger (and quite possibly a total lunatic) to her home to attend my first Gnostic Mass. Needless to say, I was quite overcome with joy and wonder at this new mystery which now lay open to me. Indeed, I was in no way disappointed. Upon arriving I was treated with overwhelming hospitality, as an honored and welcome guest in their home. Members of the local community took an active interest in getting to know me and my interests in Thelema and the Order. They eagerly answered my questions and made me feel welcomed and at ease. Then the Mass began; not only was I hookedI was home. The point of my little digression into nostalgia is to illuminate several issues. First is the necessity for local body officers and members of our Order to recognize the importance of responding promptly and efficiently to phone, letter, and email inquiries. Otherwise, we run the risk of potentially losing individuals who might prove to be valuable members of our Order. Secondly, we must recognize the virtue of hospitality and graciousness towards our new and potential guests. Finally, that it is though our effective ability to represent, clearly communicate, and articulate our understanding of the Order and its essential Thelemic principles to these individuals (without proselytizing) that we can have a direct influence on whether they chose to join with us in our Holy Work and become active and productive members of our Order. With the advent of electronic communication, the necessity of postal communication has fallen off dramatically to a mere trickle over the last several years. This, in and of itself, is a major advantage to us, and yet, at the same time, requires us to be even more attentive and timely in our responsiveness to new inquiries. In addition, we still need to be prepared to answer the occasional postal correspondence when they do happen to appear in our P.O. boxes. Having some pre-prepared material, such as the Public Information Package and general form-letter correspon-

dence, can be useful in this regard. It is also crucial for bodymasters and their secretaries to respond to any given correspondence promptly and with special attention paid to addressing the specific questions and concerns of the inquiring party in a personalized and professional manner. Further, we might need to adjust our intentions for any given individual correspondence. I have found that if I keep my focus on attempting to establish direct phone or face-to-face contact at the local level or provide the individual with contact information in their vicinity for doing so, it generally gets me and the inquiring party much further along in the process. However, again, this will depend on who were dealing with and what their particular intentions and needs are in their inquiry. Here are a few additional recommendations in this process you may wish to consider. Be sure to respond promptly to all inquiries with an appropriately tailored response providing related material on professionally printed local body or official O.T.O. letterhead. This does wonders for presenting your local body and the Order in a serious and professional light. Remember to have your letterhead approved by U.S. Grand Lodge before using it. Check with the G.S.G. if you have questions. It is helpful to create a standard response letter that can then be augmented and tailored to meet the needs of specific inquiries. Feel free to utilize the FAQ available from the P.I.O. or on the U.S. Grand Lodge homepage to formulate answers to general questions. There are also several Order-approved informational documents, such as the Public Information Package, that can be included with your post or as an email attachment. Should you, as a local body representative, receive inquiries that you cannot answer for any reason, take counsel with your local bodymaster or mentor or feel free to forward the post to an appropriate U.S. Grand Lodge officer. My office is always open and available to receive these types of inquiries or to answer any questions that might assist you directly in handling local correspondence. This is an aspect of my job that I take a great deal of satisfaction in doing, and I enjoy

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responding to these inquiries and assisting individuals in making direct contact with the Order at the local level. Generally when responding to posts and emails from individuals inquiring at the local level, if appropriate and the person expresses interest, you may wish to suggest phone contact and provide the number if your local body has a public contact number. I cannot speak highly enough of the value of having a designated local body phone line with an answering machine or phone company based message service for handling inquiries. Provide pertinent and current local body information and request contact information from the inquiring party and, once again (dare I fail to mention it enough) be sure to return their calls promptly. Try to respond to all inquiries within 48 hours, as this shows that you are interested, attentive and responsive. People are generally very receptive and appreciative to that kind of attention

and responsiveness. Common sense and courtesy are the general rule in these kinds of direct communications. Be forthcoming, casual, open and authentic. Take the time to really get to know them and their needs and interests. Hospitality and discretion are, once again, vitally important in this process. Should you determine, between you both, that attendance at a Mass or other local event is in order, provide them with an open invitation as well as appropriate and accurate information. The goal in this initial process is to establish personal contact in a face-to-face meeting between the approaching individual and the officers and membership of the local body. It may take some time, attention and diligent effort to get to this point. When this meeting should finally occur, make them feel warm and welcome as you would a respected guest in your own home. Treat them with due respect and be casual and forthcoming. There is no

need to be anything other than yourself; an open and authentic initiate, a committed and conscientious member and respected representative of our Order. Thus may we all continue to foster and develop a Thelemic environment that is not only inviting, but is joyously contagious. So may we create a context or container; a Sacred Vessel within which we can pour forth the blood of our labor, coalescing our collective Will, and from which we may transmute for ourselves and the world, the Stone of the Wise and the Elixir of Life, co-create a Lamp of Light to illumine the Way and open our Hearts in the bonds of fraternal Love, as we continue to forge this path of Liberty for all, through the Law of Thelema.

Love is the law, love under will. Frater Hrumachis Public Information Officer U.S. Grand Lodge

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Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. P.O. Box 7045 Marietta, GA 30065

Agape

Agape
From the Grand Master
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

OTOCON 2003 (of the Common Era) is completed, and, from my (admittedly biased) perspective, was a tremendous success. It was good to see some old friends again, as well as to meet many new ones.
working members of the NOTOCON 2003 team, the participating Local Bodies of the Northwest, and the NOTOCON presenters, for a job very, very well done! Now is the time to start thinking seriously about NOTOCON 2005 e.v. We have a standing
NOTOCON National Coordinating Committee that

August 1, 2003 e.v. Volume V, Number 2 L in ^ x in ) IVxi e.n.

This time, I was able to limit my official participation to giving the usual keynote address and serving in the Gnostic Mass. That, coupled with the unusually small number of problems requiring my attention, allowed me to actually attend some of the presentations and workshops. I was very impressed with the quality, professionalism, and content of the presentations I attended. The venue itself, McMenamins Edgefield Hotel, is a remarkable place, filled with fascinating artworks, and staffed by people who will actually have a conversation with you. Hopefully, those of you who were unable to attend have at least been able to view some photographs, if not, check with your Local Body Master. Congratulations, kudos, and enormous thanks to the hard-

exists to evaluate conference proposals and to provide information and support to local bodies interested in sponsoring U.S.G.L. National Conference events. If your local body is interested in the possibility of sponsoring NOTOCON in the future, or jointly sponsoring NOTOCON with one or more other local bodies in your region, please contact Sister Elizabeth (EC-McBryde@oto-usa.org), who is the chair of this committee.

Agap is the Official Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Contents
1 From the Grand Master by Sabazius 2 Policy Memorandums: Revision to Firearms Policy Prohibition of Certain Categories of Ex-Members from Attending Official O.T.O. Events 3 From the Grand Tribunal 4 From the E.G.C. Secretary 4 From the Electoral College 5 NOTOCON 2003 Report 5 Minerval on a Mission by Sara Aronson 6 An Old Newbie at NOTOCON by Craig Berry 7 Local Body Reports Sekhet Bast Ra Lodge Hagia Sophia Chapter R+C 7 Note from the Editor 7 In Memoriam Tim Maroney 8 New Psychology Guild Newsletter

U.S. Grand Lodge Parliamentarian

U.S. Grand Lodge has an official Parliamentarian, Soror Helena, who was appointed to this office by the Executive in November, 2001 e.v. in accordance with Section 3.04 of the Bylaws. Soror Helena has many years of parliamentary experience within the Order and in other organizations, and is a card-carrying member of the National Association of Parliamentarians. Soror Helena also serves as the official Parliamentarian for the International Headquarters of O.T.O. A Parliamentarian is a resource officer who provides information and expert counsel to the other officers of an organization regarding the conduct of meetings, the preparation of agendas and minutes, the preparation of bylaws and procedural guidelines, and, in general, the efficient and fair conduct of organizational business. The consulting services of the U.S. Grand Lodge Parliamentarian are available to all officers of local bodies and governing bodies within U.S. Grand Lodge. For more information, please write to Soror Helena at the contact address provided on page 3. Love is the law, love under will. Sabazius

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

Revision to Firearms Policy

U.S. Grand Lodges policy on firearms at official functions and events has been revised to bring it into conformance with current laws, and to accommodate the legitimate needs of members who hold licences to carry a concealed weapon for self-protection. Here is the old language, as set forth in the Camp, Oasis, and Lodge Masters Handbook and the Minerval Guide:
Firearms are prohibited at O.T.O. functions and events unless carried by a law enforcement officer or licensed security guard in the performance of his or her duty.

The revised language is as follows:

Firearms are prohibited within O.T.O. initiation facilities during initiation rituals, and Local Body Masters shall provide due notice of this prohibition to all attendees, in conformance with applicable laws. Firearms are also prohibited at all other O.T.O. functions and events except as provided for, and in strict compliance with, applicable federal, state and local laws and ordinances. For interpretation of applicable laws and ordinances pertaining to firearms, the location of any O.T.O. ritual, including the Gnostic Mass and other E.G.C. rituals, shall be considered a place of worship. Local Body Masters may, at their sole discretion, prohibit firearms at any O.T.O. event under their control, providing they give due notice in conformance with applicable laws.

State and local laws regarding licenses to carry firearms vary widely (the following website contains a comprehensive listing of state and federal gun laws: http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/ statelaws/22edition.htm), but they typically include provisions that: require the weapon to remain concealed; prohibit the consumption of alcohol and other intoxicants; require the weapon to remain under the direct control of its owner at all times; and prohibit weapons in churches and other places of worship. Report of failure to comply with all applicable laws will typically result in revocation of a license. Local body officers should familiarize themselves with the applicable laws, but the burden of proof of legal compli-

ance shall always be on the individual carrying the weapon. Failure to provide satisfactory evidence of legal compliance to a local body officer on request shall be grounds for ejection from the O.T.O. function or event, and also possibly for disciplinary action and reporting to the appropriate authorities. If any individual brandishes or unnecessarily displays a firearm at an O.T.O. event, or consumes alcohol while in known possession of a firearm, or exhibits signs of inebriation while in known possession of a firearm, or threatens to make violent use a firearm in his or her possession, or is discovered to be in possession of a firearm after due notice that firearms are prohibited at the event, then the Local Body Master shall immediately either eject that individual from the event or terminate the event; and shall file a report of the event with an Executive Officer within 48 hours. Local Body Masters shall require O.T.O. event attendees in possession of firearms to maintain direct control over their firearms at all times. If a firearm must be separated from its owner at an O.T.O. event, the firearm shall be securely locked within a vehicle, or within a NRA-approved, locked storage container, such that it is accessible only to the owner. Notwithstanding any of the above, Local Body Masters retain the responsibility to ensure the safety of all persons attending O.T.O. events under their control, and Local Body Masters have the authority to prohibit the presence of firearms at any such event at their sole discretion. In most states, this may be done by posting a notice prohibiting firearms at the event, or by verbally notifying all attendees in advance that firearms are prohibited at the event. Note that some states have specific requirements regarding the size and wording of posted notices.

from the general public, and, except with special permission, prohibit them from attending any official O.T.O. events, even semi-public events such as public performances of the Gnostic Mass. On February 24, 2003 e.v., the Executive adopted the following resolution:
Individuals who have been duly expelled from membership, or who have had their membership dissolved by the O.H.O., or who have resigned from membership under any of the following conditions: 1. while duly suspended from membership for cause, 2. while prohibited from attending official O.T.O. events, 3. during the course of a Grand Lodge investigation involving potential disciplinary action against them, or 4. after making a serious threat of violence against any person, shall be prohibited from attending any official O.T.O. events within the U.S.A. unless specifically authorized to do so by Executive resolution. Special, authorizing resolutions will be considered by the Executive on a case-by-case basis, and must be requested by a local body master or S.G.I.G. in a communication to the Grand Secretary General. The Grand Secretary General shall make a reasonable attempt to promptly notify the individual of the prohibition from attending official O.T.O. events. The Grand Treasurer General shall maintain a list of individuals prohibited from attending official O.T.O. events. This resolution shall not limit the power of the Grand Tribunal or the Executive to prohibit any individual from attending official O.T.O. events as deemed necessary by those bodies.

Prohibition of Certain Categories of Ex-Members from Attending Official O.T.O. Events

In the interest of promoting both the safety and security of O.T.O. members and the harmonious functioning of local bodies in the U.S., the Executive has decided to adopt a policy that would distinguish certain categories of ex-members

Cases involving resignation under conditions 2, 3, and 4 above will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Executive. Local body officers are encouraged to ask all newcomers about any previous involvement with O.T.O., and to direct any pertinent questions about listed individuals to the G.T.G. Any violations of the above policy by listed individuals should be promptly reported to the G.T.G. To protect individual privacy, Grand Lodge and local body officers should treat information about listed individuals as confidential, except for the single fact that they are not welcome at O.T.O. events. Requests submitted to the G.S.G. for special resolutions of the Executive authorizing listed individuals to attend

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one or more events should include sufficient information to permit the Executive to make an informed decision. The G.S.G. may respond to the initial request with a request for additional information or a statement from the listed individual. Requests for reinstatement will be considered separately, according to established procedures. Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, Sabazius X National Grand Master General

From the Grand Tribunal

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

Sponsorship
Liber CI, Twelfth House 74. The Order exercises its whole power to relieve its members of any constraint to which they may be subjected, attacking with vigour any person or persons who may endeavor to subject them to compulsion, and in all other ways aiding in the complete emancipation of the Brethren from aught that may seek to restrain them from doing That Which They Will. It is to be observed that these privileges being so vast, it is incumbent upon the honour of every Brother not to abuse them, and the sponsors of any Brother who does so, as well as he himself, will be held strictly to account by the Grand Tribunal. In the November, 2000 e.v. edition of Agap (vol. III, no. 1), the Grand Master wrote a detailed article on the duties of sponsorship. In this article he mapped out the responsibilities of sponsors and the task appointed to them. The U.S. Grand Tribunal is now instituting a policy whereby we will be tracking sponsors by database in our case files. When complaints are brought before U.S. regarding a member, we will contact the sponsors early in the investigation process. The sponsors will be expected to give an account of their sponsorship and assist with the investigation. They may also be called upon to

assist with resolution of any problems created by the member they sponsored. For example, if it is determined that the member had absconded with local body funds, and cannot be located, the sponsors may be called upon to help restore the stolen funds. A sponsorship database has been established and will be maintained. Members found to have exhibited a pattern of negligence in sponsorship may have their sponsorship privileges suspended; and, in especially serious cases, may be subjected to additional sanctions such as bad report or suspension. We understand that the behavior of individuals cannot always be predicted, and that people can change over time, but we do expect sponsors to exercise due diligence in their sponsorship. We urge all potential sponsors to familiarize themselves, to the extent possible, with the candidates background, character, sense of honor, and mental and emotional stability; and in the case of initiates, their history of fraternal interaction with their brothers and sisters, of keeping their oaths and obligations, etc. We understand that this is more difficult to do with candidates for Minerval than with initiates, and we will take this factor into account when evaluating someones history of sponsorship. Although little attention has been paid to sponsors in past disciplinary actions, we are now in a position to realize the provisions of Liber CI with respect to sponsorship. Sponsors take note.

The Official Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Mysteria Mystica Maxima Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica Executive Editor: Editor: Design & Layout: Editorial Address: Sabazius X John Crow Ash P.0. Box 7045 Marietta, GA 30065 agape@oto-usa.org

U. S . G R A N D LO D G E O F F I C E R S
U.S. National Grand Master General: Sabazius X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. Deputy National Grand Master General:

Lon Milo DuQuette

P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Secretary General: Fr. Hunahpu P.O. Box 720296, Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0296 (405) 720-6349 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Treasurer General: Fr. S.L.Q. P.O. Box 45139, Los Angeles, CA 90045-0139 (310) 216-5666 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury/ U.S. Grand Tribunal P.O. Box 30666, Seattle, WA 98103-0666 grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org U.S. Executive Council, U.S. Supreme Grand Council, U.S. Corporate Headquarters P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032

Douglas James Blake, Pres. ec_president@oto-usa.org Fr. Mercurius, Secretary electoral_college@oto-usa.org

P.O. Box 1433, Buffalo, NY 14222 U.S.G.L. Initiation Secretary: Sr. Ixel Balamke P.O. Box 720296, Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0296 (405) 720-6349 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. Secretary: T Anna Rose P.O. Box 182, Carmel, IN 46082-0182 egc@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. Parliamentarian: Sr. Helena P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 parliamentarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. Quartermaster: Fr. A.M.D.e.N. P.O. Box 1373, Buffalo, NY 14213 quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. Webmaster: Craig Berry webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. Librarian: Fr. K.Z. P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. Archivist: Fr. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 Secretary for Correspondence, Coordinator, O.T.O. Prison Ministry: T Allen Greenfield 3267 Buford Hwy, Ste. 720-109, Atlanta, GA 30329-1707 bishop17@mindspring.com U.S. Public Information Officer: Fr. Hrumachis P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 pio@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 47056, Seattle, WA 98146

U.S. Electoral College

Complaint Procedure & Conflict Resolution

In upcoming editions of Agap, we will put forth a series of articles spelling out the proper method of submitting a complaint to the Grand Tribunal, and most importantly, articles dealing with conflict resolution between members. We hope that these articles will be informative to the members and that in future situations, conflicts and complaints can be resolved at the local level. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, James Nobles, Secretary U.S. Grand Tribunal Ordo Templi Orientis
Agap

W W W. OTO - U SA . O RG
Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A., a California not-for-profit religious corporation with business offices at P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business offices at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at P.O. Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download as a PDF file at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/docs.html Copyright 2003 Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

August 2003 e.v.

Volume V, Number 2 August 1, 2003 e.v.

From the E.G.C. Secretary

All reporting of E.G.C. information is to be sent to the E.G.C. Secretary: EGC@OTO-usa.org or PO Box 182, Carmel, IN 46082-0182

A form for reporting this information is available from the E.G.C. Secretary.

Ministerial Status & Civil Registration

In some jurisdictions, civil registration may be required to perform certain religious functions such as weddings. The Supreme Grand Council will assist bishops with formal ministerial status to obtain any civil registrations within their jurisdiction that may be required to perform weddings and other ceremonies as may be regulated by state statute. Formal ministerial status within E.G.C. is available only to E.G.C. bishops. Bishops requesting formal ministerial status should send a letter to the E.G.C. Secretary requesting same, along with a detailed description of the applicable state requirements regarding civil registration of ministers and performance of religious functions and services. All requests for Ministerial status are forwarded to the Supreme Grand Council for their approval. In some jurisdictions, civil registration may be required to perform certain religious functions. Generally, civil registration is required only for the performance of weddings, but in some jurisdictions the performance of other

religious functions may require civil registration as well. Although formal ministerial status within E.G.C. is available only to E.G.C. bishops, bishops may assist priests and priestesses under their supervision to obtain any necessary civil registrations within their jurisdiction.

Recognition of Ordination
Bishops please report to the E.G.C. Secretary the civil name of any priest or priestess formally ordained. This reporting can be done via email. Priests and Priestesses should report the following information for recognition of ordination: Full Civil Name Magical Names or Mottoes Mailing Address Telephone Number Ecclesiastical Membership Class for which recognition is requested (i.e. Priest, Priestess or Deacon) Name and E.G.C. Rank of the person who administered the ordination Date of the ordination The Name of your Supervising Bishop Local Body where ordination performed Signature of the person ordained Signature of the ordaining officer.

Reporting of Baptisms & Confirmations

Baptisms and confirmations should be reported to the E.G.C. Secretary by the officer administering the ceremony. The following information is requested. Name of person baptized or confirmed Degree or rank of person baptized or confirmed, if applicable Name of person(s) performing baptism or confirmation Degree or rank of person(s) performing baptism or confirmation Local Body where baptism or confirmation was performed Date of baptism or confirmation All questions about reporting and other E.G.C. related information should be sent to Bishop T Anna Rose, E.G.C. Secretary, at EGC@OTO-usa.org

From the Electoral College

Dear Sisters and Brothers, Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The following actions concerning local Bodies were taken by the Electoral College at its Summer 2003 e.v. meeting:

appreciation to the past and present Masters of each of these Bodies. We wish you all the best in your new offices and endeavors.

Change of Status
Swirling Star Camp (Miami, FL) has become Swirling Star Oasis effective August 1st, 2003 e.v. Congratulations to the Officers, Members and Master of Swirling Star Oasis in this significant step forward. I would like to invite any initiate with suggestions as to how we can do our job better, or who has a specific concern that they feel should be brought to the Colleges attention, to write to either the President of the College (ec_president@OTO.org) or Secretary (electoral_college@OTO.org) at any time. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to strive to take
Agap

Change of Master
Transfer of Mastership of RPSTOVAL Camp (Ashland, OR) from Fr. Ken Johnson to Fr. OX. Transfer of Mastership of Horus Oasis (Salt Lake City, UT) from Fr. David Herrmann to Fr. Bill Howell. Transfer of Mastership of Scarlet Woman Lodge (Austin, TX) from Fr. M. Dionysos Rogers to Fr. Omega Kessler The College wishes to express its

effective measures bringing about better communication between the E.C. and the membership of local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed and I believe that communication as such is of benefit to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. On another note: It was announced in the previous issue of Agape that Trust funds are being set up for our departed Sr. Jeni Mosess two sons. Since that time, contact information for contributing to that fund has changed. Anyone wishing to contribute may contact tzaddi_93@yahoo.com or neffen@earthlink.net Love is the law, love under will. Douglas James Blake President, Electoral College O.T.O. USA

August 2003 e.v.

NOTOCON 2003
August 2003 celebrated the fourth biannual National Ordo Templi Orientis Conference, NOTOCON. The dedicated brothers and sisters of Portland, Oregon hosted the conference once more and it was a great success. Agap vol. 1, no. 1, featured a review of the 1997 NOTOCON by a Minerval Brother. Since a Minerval is relatively new to the order they are perfect for giving a fresh look at the event. We also wanted to expand this review by adding the perspective of a long-time member of the order who was attending the conference for the first time. We hope this will help those who were not able to attend to get a glimpse of what takes place when 200+ O.T.O. members converge for one weekend. Ed.

Minerval on a Mission
by Sara Aronson At this years NOTOCON, I was a Minerval on a mission. I traveled over two thousand miles, determined to experience everything the senses would allow. In a way, it was a reconnaissance mission, aimed to find out as much as possible about all the strange and magnificent people I had become involved with in the O.T.O. The theme for NOTOCON 2003 was Initiation, but for me, it was more reality than theme. This was the first time I understood that the Order is bigger than my local body; the first time I grasped my place in the international O.T.O. tribe. From around the U.S. and from places as far away as Australia and the Netherlands, people were drawn to this gathering in Oregon. When I arrived in Portland, I was awed to find people who I could immediately establish a connection with, and was greeted by people who, sight unseen, were offering me hospitality in their home. My initial evening there, Sekhet-Maat Lodge held an art show in a temple space unlike any I had ever seen before. It was the thriving manifestation of local members sustained love and devotion, a monument to what people in the Order can do and a hint of the temples of gold and ivory yet to come. But, even more awaited me at the conference venue, where lush grounds landscaped with richly colored flowers beckoned guests to take a stroll. The buildings, renovated in the 1990s from a closed down nursing home, were covered from the rafters to the baseboards with murals and folk art ranging in subject matter from kitty tarot card interpretations to Hindu-like deities wrapped around an exit sign. At this secluded country spot, hundreds of people who, anywhere else, would have been in a minority, gathered together in love under will. Other guests would call U.S. over to ask questions about the conference, their curiosity fueled by drinks from the Edgefields brewery. This doesnt look like any fraternity Ive ever seen before, one said to me. Another thought for a moment, commenting that our group seemed particularly cohesive and happy. We sat at white tables on immaculate green grass for opening remarks as laughter leaped from pockets of conversation. Festivities ebbed and flowed across the resort until the night gave way to the gentle radiance of dawn. Happy yet exhausted, I made my daily offerings to the gods of good hygiene and headed up the dewy hill to Blackberry Hall for morning devotionals. Loraia Ward (Soror Ashera) guided a Kundalini movement meditation, taking participants through an hourlong process of shaking, shimmying, and shivering every nerve
Agap

ending of our bodies awake after a night with too little sleep. Refreshed, I headed off to the first day of classes and lectures. Lon Milo DuQuette regaled U.S. with tales from his first days in the Order and his experiences with Grady McMurtry, punctuating each story with the mantra, Survival is the first and last ordeal of initiation. It was interesting to hear Lon, as well as other speakers, identify initiation as something that can happen outside of a formal ceremony, in aspects of so-called mundane life that one wouldnt necessarily be able to anticipate. Between listening to his accounts of the Grady days and attending Richard Kaczynskis presentation of his historical Crowley research, I gained a sense of heritage. I began to feel like a part of something that had existed before me, and, when watching the parents at the conference hold their children in their arms, I felt that this was a movement which would endure after me, as well. From Lons talk, I ventured to the vending room, where stained-glass lamens sat next to swords, shirts, books, CDs, videos, and other delightful Thelemic goodies. Then, it was time for Merrill Wards (Fr. Hrumachis) dazzling Ash Qadosh presentation, where he demonstrated a rousing fusion of ritual, performance art, and instruction exceptionally appropriate for the topic of initiation. When his spell ended, I watched with humor as the next presenters enacted a ceremony called the Novitiate Ritual, which Crowley had written before refining his vision into the current incarnation of the Minerval initiation. Listening to choruses of laughter during portions of the ritual, I gained a new appreciation for the sophistication of the Order I was involved with and the initiations it offers. That night, everyone gathered for the formal banquet in their various finery of suits, saris, kilts, and evening gowns. It was empowering to be part of all the initiates coming together in health and wealth, joy and well-being, to celebrate in our temporary little corner of Pacific Northwest paradise. I thought to myself, is this not what Agape stands for? Was I, in this beaming moment of fraternity, a part of Agape become manifest? Surrounded by people I regarded as friends and brethren, I realized that they were the embodiment of what Thelema signifies to me, a living meaning as evocative to me as any holy text. A common thread tied U.S. all together, weaving U.S. all into a great tapestry of the new Aeon. Yet, each one of U.S. brought our own nuances and expressed our joint ideals in unique ways. It was never as readily apparent to me as during

August 2003 e.v.

Sundays Gnostic Mass, when the two hundred voices which had merged together for the Creed, each, with their different accents and intonations, individually proclaimed, There is no part of me that is not of the Gods. As I heard similar ideas repeated by speakers and fellow attendees throughout the conference, I began to understand that these variations are reflections

of the shared mysteries that simultaneously bind U.S. together and set U.S. apart. Although, as a Minerval, I could not tell you what those mysteries are, I felt fortunate to be living in the middle of this amazing result of so much hard work and planning. NOTOCON was truly a glorious triumph for everyone who helped make it possible.

An Old Newbie at NOTOCON

by Craig Berry I have been a member of O.T.O. since 1987, which puts me in a strange middle position in the Order seniority chain. In general, the Great Old Ones of O.T.O. are counted as those who were in the O.T.O. under Hymenaeus Alpha. I missed that period, but only by less than two years. Ive seen more of O.T.O. history first hand than most, but there are still quite a number of our founding stories that are as much received oral history to me as to the newest Minerval. This gives me an interesting perspective on the Order, intermediate between familiarity and wonder. Its a rather pleasant view. Although NOTOCON was held three times prior to Portland 2003, I never made it to any of them, not even the Long Beach 2001 event, practically in my back yard. Despite my best intentions and fondest hopes, fate always intervened, often at the last minute, and prevented me from attending. Therefore, in the months and weeks leading up to Portland, I found myself carefully avoiding too much hope, becoming too attached to the idea of being there with (as Im fond of saying) two hundred of my best friends. The hurt would be too great if I were once again prevented from being there, so I had to keep it at arms length. This detachment was made especially difficult by my deep involvement with preparations for the event. In the Fall of 2002, nearly a year before NOTOCON, I volunteered to run the website (www.NOTOCON.org) and to help build and operate its online registration system. Doing this job involved working very closely with both the site and national NOTOCON crews, most of whom I did not meet in the flesh until I arrived at the Edgefield. Modern technology can lead to some very surreal experiences; being gang-hugged by a group of beautiful women youve never seen before has to rank near the top of the list. As for my experiences at NOTOCON itself, words all but fail me. The presentations were brilliant and funny and insightful by turns, the dinner time talks witty and inspiring, the venue itself almost dreamlike, every surface covered with strange and wonderful art. Oh, and there seemed to be a tiny but welcoming bar in every building, and hidden in every corner of the grounds, and they have a wonderful microbrewery; that certainly didnt hurt my impression of the weekend. A few memories stand out as especially high points. The working of the obsolete Novitiate Ritual of the O.T.O. was an object lesson in how far off the path you can get just before everything suddenly comes together perfectly. (A particular prop from that ritual, nicknamed Moby, will someday assume a prominent place in the legends of our Order.) Sabaziuss Keynote Joke launched an entirely new field of pattern-joke development: A Hermit, a Lover, and a Man of Earth... Sitting on a hill at night, listening to my tribe drumming and dancing in the darkness below, is not something I will soon forget. And Lon DuQuettes relation of what it was like to bootstrap our Order from a handful of devoted survivors of the Crowley era to a worldwide organization of thousands was even more inspirational than it was funny, and thats saying something. Hearing eighty people snap out a razor-sharp round of O.T.O. applause in salute to Hymenaeus Alpha, when Ive seldom heard four people hit it that crisply, put a sizeable lump in my throat. But more than anything else, for me the entire weekend was about returning to the fountainhead, experiencing the lifeblood of our Order: its members. Both old friends I had not seen in a decade and new ones I happened to sit next to for a presentation radiated their happiness and energy. If I had to sum up my feelings in a single word, that word would be home. As many of you probably know, I am the webmaster for U.S. Grand Lodge; I end up doing a lot of other G.L. work as well. Nearly all of this work is conducted by email and phone, and a depressing amount of it is dry and often annoying. There is a karma-yoga satisfaction in doing this work well, but it can still drain my enthusiasm over time. Gradually, I have learned how to recognize when this is happening and what to do about itI find the time in my crammed schedule to do the root work of our Order, working on Masses and initiations and teaching classes at my local body. Invariably, I get the fire back very quickly; its like plugging into the wire that carries the current of our Order. The entire NOTOCON weekend had that effect on me, but by far the most energizing experience was the Gnostic Mass on Sunday afternoon. Beyond the beauty of the ceremony itself, beyond the spectacle of (finally!) seeing the Mass performed in a room large enough to house it comfortably, beyond even the soul-stirring sound of a congregation of two hundred roaring as one that Love is the law, love under will, the portion of the Mass that reduced me to elated tears was the Communion. I happened to be among the last to communicate, so I had plenty of time to sit, eyes closed, and listen as each person spoke the words There is no part of me that is not of the Gods. Its a simple enough sentence, yet every single voice said it distinctly; different accents, different emphases, different pacing and pitch, two hundred different ways to declare what we all share. The beautiful image of the tapestry of the O.T.O. from the conclusion of Liber CXCIV has never been made more manifest. I always know it in my head, but at that Mass, and at NOTOCON, my heart knew that the O.T.O. is my home. And that knowledge will carry me through many lonely journeys. I will not be missing NOTOCON again.

Agap

August 2003 e.v.

Local Body Reports

Sekhet Bast Ra Lodge Oklahoma City, OK
Sekhet Bast Ra was founded on August 11, 1984 and we getting ready to celebrate our twentieth year as an O.T.O. body. Originally started by Jeff Hunter, the body has had a number of successful mastership transfers. After Jeff, Scott & Lisa C. were joint masters, and then Lisa C. solely took the reigns when Brother Scott C. was appointed Grand Secretary General of U.S. Grand Lodge. Now the body is once more on the verge of mastership change. Tentatively Lisa C. will be transferring the body to Molly Ware pending E.C. approval. In the near twenty years of existence, the body has done much to further the Order in the Oklahoma area. The body has long offered numerous and varied classes, performed the Rite of Eleusis multiple times, offered the Gnostic Mass including a special Champagne New Years Mass, and preformed initiations from Minerval to 4th & PI. Currently the lodgewith 36 members, 15 very activeis offering classes in Qabalah, basic magick, ritual, and Goetia. The Gnostic Mass is performed bimonthly. The members are also becoming very involved with the local nature-based, metaphysical and esoteric community. SBR will be performing a public Gnostic Mass for the community celebration of the Autumnal Equinox on September 21, and two of the Lodge members hold positions on the Deep Root Community Center board. We hope to assist in promoting awareness,

education, and tolerance in and about our community, as well as establish an actual community center. In addition, we want to congratulate SBR member, Dann Buchanan on his appointment to the Electoral College earlier this year. Congratulations Dann! SBR has been a great, flourishing resource to the O.T.O. members in the Oklahoma area for the last 20 years and we look forward to another successful 20 years!

In Memoriam

Hagia Sophia Chapter R+C Atlanta, Georgia

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Hagia Sophia Chapter R+C had its first meeting in Atlanta since the Chapter had a new High Priestess appointed. Many members from both Georgia and Alabama met for a day of feasting, fraternity and Chapter business. At the meeting officers were selected for positions, the committee of four was established, the meeting schedule was determined and an outline of future activity was created. The next meeting will be held in the first part of September in Birmingham, Alabama. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Chapter members visited the bodymaster of Dove & Serpent Oasis at its recently acquired temple space. The Chapter looks forward to assisting the Man of Earth in the Southeast and helping the Order through the principles of beauty, harmony and love. Anyone wishing to contact the Chapter should email the Chapter Secretary, John Crow, at jcrow@thelema.nu. Love is the law, love under will.

Tim Maroney
Tim Maroney died suddenly on July 3, 2003 at his home in Berkeley, CA, of cardiopulmonary failure. He was 41 years old. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, he later did graduate studies in computer science at UNCChapel Hill. He worked as a software editor at Adobe Systems in San Jose, CA. For over two decades Tim explored and wrote about mystical traditions from a post-syncretic viewpoint. His USENET messages in the early 1980s were the precursor to mid-1990s debates about neo-Satanic spiritual schools, pagan history and Aleister Crowleys legacy. Some of Tims best writings focus on the limits of belief systems, gender debates in Thelemic circles, and the role of spiritual communities. Tim also contributed several essays to the late Gnosis Magazine. His first book was The Book of Dyzan (Chaosium Inc., 2000). Tims essay Introduction to Crowley will be published later this year in Richard Metzgers forthcoming occult anthology Disinformations Book of Lies. A member of O.T.O. for over two decades, Tim participated in activities in the Bay Area and Austin, Texas, before becoming the Deputy Master of Mons Abiegnus Oasis in Marin County, where he was an ordained and active priest of E.G.C. Survivors include his parents, John and Patricia Maroney of Chapel Hill; a brother, Kevin of Yonkers, N.Y.; a sister, Terry, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; a grandmother, Elita Crow of Homestead, Fla. and fiance, Kat Sanborn of Berkeley.

Note from the Editor

As Agap grows, we would like to offer more material written by the membership at large. If you have an idea for an essay, poem, ritual, etc. that you would like included, please contact the editor (see the colophon for contact info). We will not accept essays/articles that have already been published in other mediums, including local newsletters or on the web. Please note that inclusion is determined by a number of factors including content quality, space, and topic. Submission does not guarantee inclusion.

In addition, future issues will have a series of questions and answers with various Grand Lodge officers including the National Grand Master General, The Head of the Grand Tribunal, The President of the Electoral College, and other prominent members of the Order. If you have any questions you would like answered in Agap, please send them to the editor. Lastly, we request all local bodies and Chapters to submit local body reports. These reports are the best way to advertise what makes your body unique and to promote your significant accomplishments. Please submit your reports to the editor via mail or email.
Agap

August 2003 e.v.

New Psychology Guild Newsletter

The Psychology Guild of Ordo Templi Orientis has recently published the first edition of its journal, NESHAMAH. This journal includes a diverse collection of articles on such topics as Qabalistic Psychology, the Satanic Ritual Abuse controversy, and many others. Initial reaction to the journal, which had its premiere at NOTOCON 2003, was very enthusiastic. The journal may be ordered for $7 plus $1 shipping from Psychology Guild President David Shoemaker at the following address: P.O. Box 58, Carmichael, CA 95609.

Make checks or money orders payable to David Shoemaker, or use Paypal with the email address below. The O.T.O. Psychology Guild was founded approximately three years ago as an avenue for dissemination of research and discussion of topics related to magick, mysticism and psychology. Membership is open to O.T.O. members of First Degree and above who are psychological professionals or graduate students in such fields. Additional information and specifics regarding membership are available at their website: www.blueequinox.com/psychguild.htm, or by contacting Bro. Shoemaker at: dgsaa@winfirst.com.

Agap

August 2003 e.v.

Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. P.O. Box 7045 Marietta, GA 30065

Agape

From the Grand Master

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

October 1, 2003 EV & February 1, 2004 EV Volume V, Number 3 & 4 L in 7 x in * IVxii EN

he Vernal Equinox this year represents the centenary of the writing of the Book of the Law in Cairo. Using Crowleys Thelemic Chronometric System employing 22-year cycles, the 100th anniversary corresponds to Year

IVxii, the 13th year of the fth cycle. This year also represents another important anniversary for O.T.O.: twenty-two years ago, in 1982 of the common era (Anno IIIxii), O.T.O. achieved non-prot status.

In celebration of the centennial, O.T.O. members from all over the world will be converging on Egypt this April. A visit to the Egyptian Museum to see the Stele of Revealing is planned, followed by readings and rituals for the Three Days in a garden overlooking the Pyramids at Giza. Contingents from Australia, Europe, Israel, New Zealand, and the United States are expected. Further information is available online at http:// groups.yahoo.com/group/pilgrimage. Special events commemorating this occasion are also planned in the Chicago area by Aum Ha Encampment; in Portland, OR by Sekhet-Maat Lodge; in Las Vegas by Serpentine Splendour Lodge; in the Washington, D.C. area by William Blake Oasis; in Northern California by Mons Abiegnus Oasis; and in the Los Angeles area by Blue Horizon and LVX Oases. In addition, two of our lodges are celebrating their own 20 anniversath

nial editions of the Book of the Law. Both editions feature the full text of both the 1926 Tunis and 1938 London versions, a detailed bibliography and references, and high-quality reproductions of the original manuscript. See the announcement later in this issue for more information. The Minerval Guide is a reference document that is available free of additional charge to all O.T.O. members within U.S. Grand Lodge. It provides basic information about O.T.O. in general, and U.S. Grand Lodge in particular, including information on structure, policy, customs, and conventions. It is roughly parallel to the U.S. Camp, Oasis, and Lodge Masters Handbook, but intended for individual members rather than for local body ofcers. It is sent to each new member upon receipt of report of their initiation, and was distributed in 2002
EV

Agap is the Ofcial Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Contents
1 2 2 3 From the Grand Master Sabazius From the Grand Treasurer General Vere Chappel From the Electoral College Douglas James Blake From the Ofce of the Initiation Secretary XL BLMK The Ivitational Degrees: Desired Characteristics & Skills John Crow Sexual Harassment: Approaches to a Repeated Problem Paul R. Hume & Sabazius Hargrave Jennings, Phallicism and O.T.O. Prehistory T Allen Greeneld Liber AL Announcements

to all current members of

9

U.S. Grand Lodge. If you are an O.T.O. initiate member (Minerval or higher) in good standing within U.S. Grand Lodge, and have not yet received your copy of the Minerval Guide, please write to the Grand Treasurer General at the address provided herein.

ries this year: Sekhet-Bast-Ra Lodge in Oklahoma City, OK, and Coph-Nia Lodge in Eugene, OR. For more information on any of these events, please contact the respective local bodies directly. Contact information is available at our website: http: //oto-usa.org/bodies.html. Ordo Templi Orientis is also proud to announce the publication of two very special centen-

10 Hypnotism Frater Diapason 11 Book Review: The Unknown God Steven Ryan 12 Establish Thyself A Clerkhouse: The Kaaba Colloquium Soror Magdelena 13 In Memoriam 13 From the Grand Tribunal James Nobles 13 Local Body Reports 15 From the Agap Archives

Love is the law, love under will.

Sabazius

Agap

February 2004 ev

From the Grand Treasurer General

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. As Grand Lodges scal year came to a close at the end of February, I am happy to report another nancially successful year for the Order in the United States in 2003. Income from dues and donations soared by over 20%, resulting in record-breaking revenue for the year. This revenue helped to fund worthwhile new programs such as the Kaaba Colloquium Seminars and Grand Lodges own edition of Liber AL. Details will be available in the Grand Lodge nancial report released at the end of April. Any active member may examine this report (and those for past years as well) by e-mailing or writing to me at the address given elsewhere in this issue. In other news, we are nally nearing completion of our Federal Group Tax Exemption for local bodies. As part of this process, Oases and Lodges have been furnished with legal documents including Articles of Association and Bylaws. These documents establish formal legal identity for local bodies that allows them to open bank accounts, sign leases, obtain insurance, etc. in the bodys own

name, and confers other benets as well. This is an important milestone in the ongoing development of the Order in the United States. All members are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the bylaws for their local body in particular; check with your Oasis or Lodge Master for details. Finally, earlier this year the Areopagus authorized the expansion of the Grand Lodge Financial Committee as described in Liber 194: [The GTG] will appoint a committee to assist him and advise him in his work. This committee currently consists of representatives from the various governing bodies in the Lover Triad. I am now seeking volunteers from the general membership to serve on the committee, especially those with professional experience in the areas of accounting, insurance, investing, and other nance-related elds. Please e-mail me at gtg@oto-usa.org if you are interested. Congratulations, fellow soldiers, for helping to make last year a productive and protable one. Keep up the great work! Love is the law, love under will. Vere Chappell Grand Treasurer General College at its Winter 2003 EV Meeting: Transfer of Mastership of Blue Equinox Oasis (Royal Oak, MI) from Fr. Richard Kaczinsky to Sr. Shivani. Transfer of Mastership of Bubastis Camp (Dallas, TX) from Fr. Bluegod to Fr. Iamblichus. Transfer of Mastership of Vortex Camp (South Puget Sound, WA) to Sr. Brandy Williams. The College wishes to express its appreciation to the past and present Masters of each of these Bodies. We wish you all the best in your new ofces and endeavors. Status Change Blue Horizon (Glendale, CA) has changed from Camp to Oasis. Congratulations to the Master and ofcers of Blue Horizon Oasis in this advancement.
Continued on next page...

The Ofcial Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis Mysteria Mystica Maxima Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica Executive Editor: Editor: Graphic Design: Proofreading: Editorial Address: Sabazius X John Crow Amanda C. Fisher Dawn C. Davis P.0. Box 7045 Marietta, GA 30065 agape@oto-usa.org

U. S G R A N D LO D G E O F F I C E R S
U.S. National Grand Master General: Sabazius X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. Deputy National Grand Master General:

Lon Milo DuQuette

P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Secretary General: Fr. Hunahpu P.O. Box 720296, Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0296 (405) 720-6349 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Treasurer General: Fr. S.L.Q.
P.O. Box 45139, Los Angeles, CA 90045-0139 (310) 216-5666 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury/

James Nobles, Secretary grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org Fr. Aishmlchmh, Asst. Secretary as_gt@oto-usa.org

P.O. Box 17462 Minneapolis, MN 55417 P.O. Box 30666, Seattle, WA 98103-0666

U.S. Grand Tribunal

U.S. Executive Council, U.S. Supreme Grand Council, U.S. Corporate Headquarters P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032

Douglas James Blake, Pres. ec_president@oto-usa.org Dann Buchanan, Secretary electoral_college@oto-usa.org

5030 N. May Ave.,#252, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6010 U.S.G.L. Initiation Secretary: Sr. Ixel Balamke P.O. Box 720296, Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0296 (405) 720-6349 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. Secretary: T Anna Rose P.O. Box 182, Carmel, IN 46082-0182 egc@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 47056, Seattle, WA 98146

U.S. Electoral College

From the Electoral College

Dear Sisters and Brothers, Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. On behalf of the E.C. I would like to thank Camp of the Golden Lotus for their exceptional hospitality in hosting our Fall 2003 EV meetings. Change of Master Effective October 15, 2003 EV Mastership of Sekhet-Bast-Ra Lodge (Oklahoma City, OK) has been transferred to Sr. Molly Ware. The status of Sekhet-BastRa has been reclassied as Oasis; however, all activities will continue with the same level of excellence. The following actions concerning local Bodies were taken by the Electoral

U.S.G.L. Quartermaster: Fr. A.M.D.e.N. P.O. Box 1373, Buffalo, NY 14213 quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. Webmaster: Craig Berry webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. Librarian: Fr. K.Z. P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. Archivist: Fr. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 Secretary for Correspondence, Coordinator, O.T.O. Prison Ministry: T Allen Greeneld 3267 Buford Hwy, Ste. 720-109, Atlanta, GA 30329-1707 bishop17@mindspring.com U.S. Public Information Ofcer: Fr. Hrumachis P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 pio@oto-usa.org

W W W. OTO - U SA . O RG
Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A., a California not-for-prot religious corporation with business ofces at P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business ofces at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at P.O. Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download as a PDF le at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/docs.html Copyright 2004 Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

Volume V, Number 3 & 4 October 1 , 2003 & February 1 , 2004 ev

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E.C. Secretary Change Effective January 18, 2004 EV, Fr. Dann Buchanan is serving as the Secretary of the Electoral College. All correspondences should be sent to: Secretary, O.T.O. Electoral College, U.S.A. 5030 N. May Ave. #252, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6010 The E.C. Secretary email address, electoral_college@oto-usa.org, remains the same. I would like to invite any initiate with suggestions as to how we can do our job better, or who has a specic concern that they feel should be brought to the Colleges attention, to write to either the President of the College, ec_president@oto-usa.org or Secretary, electoral_college@oto-usa.org, at any time. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to strive to take effective measures bringing about better communication between the E.C. and the membership of local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed and I believe that communication as such is of benet to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. Love is the law, love under will. Douglas James Blake President, Electoral College O.T.O. U.S.A.

From the Ofce of the Initiation Secretary

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

The Psychology Guild Address Change

The Psychology Guild has a new mailing address effective immediately. O.T.O. Psychology Guild P.O. Box 661536 Sacramento, CA 95860-1536 The website and email contacts remain the same: www.blueequinox.com/psychguild.htm and dgsaa@winrst.com

First I want to say thank you to our local body masters and secretaries involved with initiation paper work. I have been receiving the Indemnity forms with the applications like clockwork. Im so thankful of you for responding and acting so fast to this policy! However, there are still many small errors that consume vast amounts of time researching for both local body and Grand Lodge ofcers. There have still been a number of errors concerning paperwork as of late. I thought it best to go over the points that have been problematic lately. Please review. 1. Please make sure that all paperwork is legible. If you cant read it, I probably cant either. Please do a quick read through to make sure the application is complete. Please do not leave any blanks. Put N/A in areas that are not applicable. 2. Please make sure that the sponsors and candidates print their civil names. There are no exceptions to this rule. 3. If you have changed your legal name or if you get married, etc., please let the G.T.G., the G.S.G., and the I.S. know. If you are involved with local body management, please inform the E.C. Secretary in addition. This also includes address changes. 4. Please send all changes of address to me by email if possible. Using email decreases the liklihood of typographic errors. Please use PGP to encyrpt your messages to ensure our privacy. 5. Please make sure that all the necessary information is lled out on the application including initiating body data. Without this data I cannot approve the application. Also, if the application is not complete, I will send it back to the local body. If youre not sure about the date, please put an estimated date that is the earliest the initiation might happen and is more than thirty-days away. This does not mean that you have to do the initiation on that date but you at least have the candidate approved for initiation when you do decide to have the initiation. If youre not sure of the initiator, list the Local Body Masters name as a contact with his/her phone number. You can email me when you decide to have a nalized initiation date and Initiator. 6. Always give me a phone number in the initiating body data area where I can reach the local body for the initiation. Even if you have to give me the local body masters number or the secretarys number, give me a number as a default until you decide on an initiator. This is extremely important! 7. Please send certicates with Initiation Summary Reports. If you send the certicates with the Initiation Summary Reports, you are less likely to forget the certicates. Also, please make note from now on I will warn you if you dont send me certicates. If you dont send certicates with the Initiation Summary Reports for a third time, I will notify the Electoral College. 8. When sending me paperwork, please always put the address of the local body on the envelope. I realize that most of this is common sense and that we are all very busy. However, if we work together to submit and keep our records up-to-date, then we will be able to effectively track and support our Brothers and Sisters and offer prompt application approval. As always I am available for questions via email and phone. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, XL BLMK

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The Invitational Degrees: Desired Characteristics & Skills

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. When advancing through the Man of Earth degrees, initiates often hear references to the invitational degrees of Knight of the East and West (K.E.W.) and higher. Members of these degrees devote themselves in various ways to the promulgation of Thelema, the Order in general, and to service to those within the Order. However, what is rarely spoken of is the attributes looked for in potential candidates for the invitational degrees. In a few places these qualities are made reference to, either directly or indirectly, but they are seldom clearly and independently stated as important attributes essential for growth and advancement in Ordo Templi Orientis. In high school and during my college years, I joined a number of organizations for a variety of reasons. One area they all had in common was a clearly stated criterion for abilities members were to have or were to gain during membership. Sometimes these were very practical skills such as nancial management or leadership training. Other times they were more subjective qualities like trustworthiness, loyalty, and honor. Objective skills are easy to test such as someones knowledge of the Qabalistic Tree of Life. However, the subjective characteristics are more difcult to judge and require a longer time to develop and demonstrate. Without a doubt, the subjective qualities listed below are difcult to acquire but are essential for the initiate to grow within and externally to the Order. An initiate looking to count themselves among the ranks of those within the invitational degrees should take a hard and truthful look at themselves. One should see where they t in the following list of attributes. Characteristics like self-control and virtue take time to cultivate and cannot be faked, at least not for long. Our initiatory system is a slow and deliberate process. We aim to help the individual grow within their own Body of Light. This cannot happen overnight. Even if a person took initiation the rst day they were eligible for each degree, it would take almost three years to complete the Man of Earth alone. However, in practice it almost always takes longer and should never be rushed. During the time spent within the Man of Earth is when initiates should cultivate and demonstrate their abilities and skills. The list below has been compiled from a number of public and semi-public sources. It lists in a clear and concise way the minimum characteristics an initiate should honestly compare themselves to, and determine where they have areas to improve upon. Only by unambiguously and directly expressing the qualities Grand Lodge looks for can we expect the future second and third triad initiates to know what characteristics are expected as well as having a clear list of qualities and attributes that Man of Earth initiates can expect from those who are in the invitational degrees. Always demonstrating and maintaining these qualities is very difcult. Nevertheless, no one ever said personal growth and service is easy. It is through the plain statement of what is expected that we can start demonstrating what is different
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about the second and third triad initiates and start to clearly instruct those who look on high of what is expected. There will be many times that any one person will fall short of expectations for we all are human and make mistakes. However, if we do not start stating what we strive for then we will never how far we need to go and how far we have come. Love is the law, love under will. John Crow (Frater 117)

Minimum Desired Characteristics and Skills for Knight of East and West:
1. 2. Good fraternal behavior Dedicated, active, helpful participation in local MMM & E.G.C. activities (to the extent possible) 3. Having made a sincere attempt to adhere to the terms of their initiatory oaths 4. Be familiar with the M.O.E. initiation rituals 5. Be familiar with the E.G.C. Gnostic Mass 6. Be able to demonstrate all the modes of recognition from Minerval through P.I. 7. Be conversant with Crowleys writings in general 8. Be conversant with the basics of theory and practice of Magick & Yoga 9. Be conversant with the principles of the Qabalah 10. Be conversant with at least one system of divination 11. Be conversant with the structure and operating principles of the Order as set forth in Liber 194, Liber 101, Liber 52, and the O.T.O. constitution of 1917

Minimum Desired Characteristics and Skills for Prince & Princess of Rose Croix:
1. Exemplify the qualities set forth in Liber LII: a. Devotion to the Order b. Intelligence in apprehending the nature of its teachings c. Zeal in spreading the principles of the Order so far as they understand them, though always with the discretion inseparable from the due guarding of the secrets d. Courage e. Honor f. Virtue 2. Knowledge 3. Leadership 4. Dependability 5. Harmony 6. Helpfulness 7. Self-Control 8. Knowledgeable of matters of the history, policies, and administrative & initiatory structure of the O.T.O. & E.G.C. 9. Knowledgeable of matters of the theory and practice of both Magick and Yoga 10. Knowledgeable of matters of the history and literature of Thelema 11. Good general knowledge of such elds as history, philosophy, comparative religion, and critical thinking
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Sexual Harassment: Approaches to a Reported Problem

by Paul R. Hume, President-Emeritus, U.S. Electoral College & Sabazius, U.S. National Grand Master General

The term sexual harassment originates in civil law. The governing statute is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Based on the subsequent case law, sexual harassment is specically dened by the U.S. E.E.O.C. as: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when submission to or rejection of this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individuals employment, unreasonably interferes with an individuals work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment. Cases involving sexual harassment outside the work place have led to expansions of the legal scope of sexual harassment, for example, in the case of schools, especially public schools, from the elementary to the university levels. The term sexual harassment has entered our common language, and outside of the legal context has come to refer to almost any form of sexual intrusion, intimidation, exploitation, or even minor assault that is either repeated after the harasser is asked to stop, or is so egregious that it is seen on its face to be an unacceptable intrusion on the targets privacy.

What is Not Harassment

It is not desirable or possible to spell out a list of what is and is not harassment, but there are some guidelines you might keep in mind. Quiet Admiration You may nd a member or guest attractive, on a number of planes. That admiration is yours to enjoy, but it isnt license to try and make the other person respond to your admiration. Courteous Query Politely asking someone out is not harassment, even if they turn you down. Repeated invitations in the face of refusal, especially if the other person has asked you to stop inviting them out, usually is. Mutual Delight Many members of the Order nd partners within the Order, and this is no surprise. Where people share passionate interests, it is natural to look for intimacy with these same people; to hope, perhaps, that you will nd a sexual partner who shares your own commitment to Thelema. The existence of a consensual sexual relationship among other adults that offends you is not harassment. Actually, it is not even your business. Any relationship between or among initiates that fullls their mutual delight is worthy of respect. No particular form of consensual sexual expression is particularly Thelemic or Unthelemic in itself: monogamy, serial monogamy, polyamory, hetero, gay, bi, auto, or nonsexual. Unlike Old Aeon values systems, the act is not classied in itself, but always in the context of the Will of the participants. As Crowley wrote in the Comment on Liber AL I, 41: To us, every woman is a star. She has therefore an absolute right to travel in her own orbit. There is no reason why she should not be the ideal hausfrau, if that chance to be her will. But society has no right to insist upon that standard. The systems of sexual mores that
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are violently and frequently attacked in Thelemic texts bounded the human sexual universe with rules: lock up the women, all the time or during their menses; you can have sex this way but not that way, on this day but not that day; it doesnt matter what you want or will, you must engage in sex with this person but never with that one, and so on ad nauseam. It seems to be a very different matter to say: If someone does not will to do something, dont do it to them. Liber OZ speaks of many rights, including the right to love as one wills. But these rights must include the imperial right not to do what one does not will. At the same time, excessive physical expression of sexual attraction during public events can impose on others. Dont leave a wet spot on the sofa where others may have to sit.

What is Harassment
Quid Pro Quo This is the most obvious form of harassment in the workplace, and was the initial target of Title VII. Give the boss sex or lose your job, forget about a raise or promotion, etc. There have been occasions within the Order where harassers have claimed or implied to potential candidates that unless they have sex with them, their standing in the Order will suffer. This is an egregious example of quid-pro-quo sexual harassment in an O.T.O. context, and will not be tolerated. Persons making such a claim are subject to strict sanctions by the Order. Exploiting Ritual Taking advantage of ritual to grope someone, to make irrelevant personal comments about their appearance, or to otherwise indulge in harassment under cover of participating in the ritual is a gross violation of pax templi and will not be tolerated. This is squared and cubed when the ritual involves physical contact, intimacy, ritual nudity or other vulnerability by an ofcer or candidate that someone exploits for their own pleasure. Persistent Intrusion The math isnt hard: after being refused once, dont keep pushing, even if the refusal was gentle. After being told unequivocally to cut it out, then cut it out. The clock doesnt start again at the

Incidents within the Order

The complaints dont come in in an endless stream. The severity and frequency of incidents compared to a decade ago are way down. But still the complaints come in. Some incidents are egregious. Some may be a misunderstanding. Some are clearly described and openly raised as issues. Some are never mentioned except in back channels, often years after the fact. Be all that as it may, it is clear that from time to time, people overstep their Brothers or Sisters sexual boundaries, and that this happens in an Order setting, and less frequently but more egregiously, in a ritual setting.

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next local event. If someone told you to keep your hands off at last weeks Mass, assume they want you to keep your hands off at this weeks business meeting, next weeks initiations, and the party at Brother Joes house next month.

Responsibility
Who has responsibility when it comes to resolving an incident of sexual harassment within the context of Ordo Templi Orientis? The Offender If you unwittingly bump into a stranger on the street, or tread on their foot, or otherwise intrude on them, you apologize and refrain from intruding on them further. This is common courtesy. If you unwittingly offend a Brother or Sister, or a visitor to the connes of the Order, why would you give them less courtesy than you would a stranger? Or if you let the stranger upon whose toe you have trodden make what he will of it, what makes you think you can treat a Brother or Sister in the same cavalier manner? If you thought you were just being friendly, or that your touch or irtation were welcome, and you are suddenly told to stop it, it is not the time to explain that it was harmless, or only meant in fun, or to tell the person who is telling you to take your hands off them that they are over-reacting. It is time to stop what you are doing to the person in question, and to apologize for intruding on them. The Person Offended Someone who feels that an action or statement imposes on them, especially sexually, should say so at the time, or as soon as circumstances permit. Circumstances alter cases. If someone gives you a well-meant but unwelcome hug, a polite Please dont hug mecant stand hugging seems reasonable. If someone grabs your ass and tries to kiss you without invitation, a loud Get your hands off me NOW is perfectly proper. One warning is all that should be needed, ever. If someone persists in touching you, irting with you, coming on to you, after you have told them to stop, it is entirely appropriate to complain to the local Master. Ideally, all of us are assertive enough

to tell someone that what they are doing is unwelcome, but people do freeze up. Targets of harassment may think they have to go along to t into the group, or to be truly Thelemic. This is not so, but if the target does not speak up until after the fact, it does not mitigate the offense signicantly. One S.G.I.G. remarked: Of course its desirable to be wellintrospected and assertive, willing to confront difcult issues with candor the moment they come up. But everyone isnt in that position all the time. Regardless, when these issues come up at O.T.O. bodies, not only is the (person who is offended) in a position to confront the problem, but so are the Body ofcers. If they are aware of it, they have an obligation to do so, since to be silent could be construed as giving tacit approval. Moreover, ideally, ofcers will inculcate an attitude of ultimate respect for each persons expression of their sexuality, period. The best way to do this is by example. We have far too many complaints to foist this off as the victims problem for allowing themselves to be manipulated or bullied. At the same time, O.T.O. is made up of free men and women who must indeed learn to be their own best defenders. I believe we shouldnt expect that people will necessarily come to us perfected, but are going through the degrees of initiation in order to work on themselves. I suggest we give them space to do so. Local Ofcers Dismissing or discounting reports of sexual harassment in your Body gives it tacit approval. In workplace incidents, this makes immediate managers AND the larger company liable in a lawsuit. Lets not nd out if the O.T.O. is similarly vulnerable. Regardless of the legal ramications, persistent sexual harassment means that the harassers are abusing the temple to gratify their particlar needs at the expense of other initiates or the non-initiate guests of the Order. Excuses like Oh, he always hits on every new woman who walks through the door or She likes to check out new guys laps for size and comfort dont cut it. The Orders hospitality requires that we extend the same courtesy in this regard to visitors, people who want to see if the Order is where they belong, that we do to initiates. The local Body
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and the Order as a whole will be viewed according to how we treat the traveller in our midst, the pilgrim whose progress we claim to honor and protect.

Solutions?
Respect Respect the boundaries others put on their bodies, as you expect them to respect yours. Do not presume to dictate to someone else what they must allow you to do to them. Before, during, and after ritual is a unique time and demands the respect of all magicians. Magicians are pursuing results which are subtle, often intangible even in terms of conscious thought, and this process can be derailed by unwelcome intrusion on their personal integrity. It is unconscionable to take advantage of our rituals, the initiations, the Mass, or other rituals mounted by local Bodies, to impose on another; it is beneath contempt to intrude on another magicians inner work in this manner. It is particularly egregious within the context of our Order to exploit a candidate for initiation, including passing covert remarks about their appearance. It is similarly egregious to try and impose on ofcers of the Mass, and particularly upon the priestess, during ritual. Courtesy and Authority As a fraternal organization, it would seem that the best way to address actual or potential conict is by honest communication. If someone does something to you that you dislike, tell them so, with the courtesy that a Brother or Sister deserves. If they persist, thus abusing the relationship the two of you enjoy within the Order, it is appropriate to turn to the Order for help in resolving the situation. Both of you will be required to show the courage that is expected of initiates in discussing the matter, and in facing any ofcial action which may follow. If you nd that you must make a formal complaint concerning sexual harassment within the Order, the appropriate channels are: 1) The master of the local body where the incident occurred, or of which you are a member. The master would be expected to try and determine the facts of the case and may

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take steps locally to prevent future incidents, or escalate the matter. 2) If you feel you cannot complain to the master, or if you feel that the local master has not acted appropriately, or if the local master wishes to escalate the complaint, then the matter should be reported to the Electoral College and the Grand Tribunal. A Sovereign Grand Inquisitor

General or other Grand Lodge ofcer will investigate the situation. As noted in the Camp, Oasis and Lodge Masters Handbook, Anonymous charges against O.T.O. members cannot be accepted and will not be considered by the Executive, the Grand Tribunal or the Electoral College. If an offended member feels he or she has a legitimate need for condentiality due to fear of violent re-

prisal or blackmail, the local body master should submit the complaint on behalf of the offended member with a cover letter conrming his or her judgment that the need for condentiality is legitimate. Current postal addresses for the Electoral College and Grand Tribunal can be found on the Grand Lodge website at http://oto-usa.org. The email addresses are electoral_college@oto-usa.org and grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org. munity of enthusiasts, and that with the exception of Bulwer-Lytton and possibly one or two others, they belonged to societies of modest membership, and spoke to a very modest segment of the public, both in Europe and America. Jennings was no exception but this should in no way delude us into underestimating his inuence. Of those who worked with him and those who only carefully read his works, he found a receptive and perceptive following of brilliant young occultists who both got what he was driving at and were moved to integrate this with their own ideas, both in his own lifetime and in the generation immediately following his own. Reading The Rosicrucians is a daunting task, but even today, the careful reader is well rewarded. Those who understood in his own time, Randolph and Davidson among them, became leaders of societies that can, in my judgment, be considered direct precursors of the O.T.O. Jennings considered re in the macrocosm (the Sun) and the phallus in the microcosm (seen perceptively as both the male and female organs of generation) as the primordial object of worship: the worshipers of the Sun, or Light, or Fire, whether in the Old or the New Worlds, worshiped not Sun, or Light, or Fire,otherwise they would have worshiped the Devil, he being all inconceivable Light; but rather they adored the Great Unknown God, in the last image that was possible to man of any thing the Fire The Linga, or pillar, or stone of memorial, in its material form, is the perpetuation of the idea of the male generative principle, as the physical means, in conjunction with the Yoni (Ioni) or discus, of the production of all visible things It is certainly true that Jennings was much inuenced by the linguistic associ-

HARGRAVE JENNINGS, PHALLICISM, AND O.T.O. PREHISTORY

By T Allen Greeneld The high-minded enthusiasms with regard to the great problems of society which still stirred evenhalf a century ago when Hargrave Jennings, Godfrey Higgins, Gerald Massey, Kenneth MacKenzie, John Yarker, Theodor Ruess, Wynn Wescott and others were seeking truth in its traditions and endeavouring to erect a temple of Concord in which men of all creeds and races might worship in amity. Aleister Crowley, Confessions Religion is to be found alone with its justication and explanation in the relations of the sexes. There and therein only. Hargrave Jennings, Phallicism Hargrave Jennings (1817-1890) was one of the principle leaders of the occult revival that arose in the middle years of the 19th Century in Europe, America, and elsewhere. Like his contemporaries, MacKenzie and Yarker, he was something of an organizer of secret societies and historian. As to the latter, his inuence may be assessed on the root thinking that was to eventually lead to the formation of the Ordo Templi Orientis, by mentioning that, as head of the Order of the Rose, he initiated Pascal Beverly Randolph (18251875) into the Rosicrucian Mysteries in 1861, and served as a mentor to Hermetic Brotherhood of Light Frontal Chief Peter Davidson (1842-1916). He was also a prolic writer on subjects loosely described as Rosicrucian as well as on broader archeological and social issues. His magnum opus, The Rosicrucians, Their Rites and Mysteries, was praised by Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton in his own time, and later came to be a signicant literary inuence on Aleister Crowley, who honored Jennings in Liber XV as a Gnostic Saint. The Rosicrucians is among the works recommended for reading by aspirants to the AA Yet, it must be remarked in candor, his midVictorian turgid style of writing and his equally Victorian round-about approach to virtually unmentionable subjects (unmentionable in his era in any case) ranging from Phallicism to menstruation, limited the circulation of his major works and limited even further any understanding of what he was driving at. In a letter to Davidson in 1884 he boasts gleefully, I perceive that you have read The Rosicrucianspossibly you have scanned the Second and Supplementaryvery greatly enlarged, and deeply delving, to apply such a term, Second Editionnow nearly exhausted;of which Two Thousand Copiesas also an equal number of the First Editionwere printed. One must say that, even allowing for the times in which Jennings lived, this could hardly be characterized as mass circulation. I see here reected once again evidence, as I have contended in various essays and books, that the 19th Century occult movement can be better understood in terms of connections and relationships. We must understand that it was, at its core, a rather small interlocked comAgap

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ation theories of anthropology of Gerald Massey, later pretty much eclipsed by the groundbreaking perceptions of Fraziers Golden Bough. He was also enamored of now archaic ideas concerning continuous Masonic traditions from ancient times. He nonetheless managed to work his way doggedly through to the principle which has so thoroughly inuenced New Aeon philosophythe signicance of the symbolism of the Sun in the Macrocosm and the Phallus in the microcosm. This was the age of Dickens, and the stirrings in Britain (to say nothing of America) of social reform movements and Jennings did not conne his work to occultism. In Childishness and Brutality of the Time, he wrote I have for a certain number of years concluded that our present age has become vastly too swift for that which, by a contradictory metaphor, may be called, safe-running. There are various reasons for this falling off. Principally among these causes are love of show, love of money, love of self. All these are good qualities in moderation; but, exaggerated and forced to an extreme they fail. Simply to list some of his works (he was also a multilingual translator) may give the reader some idea of the breadth and scope of his literary career. A fair bibliography is offered at the end of this essay. Diverse though his interests may have been, the theme of phallicism and sexuality in the roots of spirituality worldwide are his most recurrent theme. We see the foreshadowing of such works as Crowleys Liber LXVI in Jennings extensive discussion of the secret inner meaning of The Order of the Garter:

That the Order of the Garter is feminine, and that its origin is an apotheosis of the Rose and of a certain singular physiological fact connected with womans life, is proven in many wayssuch as the double garters, red and white; the twenty-six knights, representing the double thirteen lunations of the year, or their twenty-six mythic dark and light changes of night and day. But how is all this magic and sacred in the estimate of the Rosicrucians? an inquirer will very naturally ask. The answer to all this is very ample and satisfactory; but particulars must be left to the sagacity of the querist himself, because propriety does not admit of explanation. Victorian propriety more than Hargrave Jennings is more at fault here for any perceived obscurity in this discussion for what amounts to the magical properties of menstruation. It is, in fact, remarkable that his work is as explicit as it is. At times, it borders on the ribald to the discerning reader: alternately red and white, as in the Rose of the World: Rosamond, Rosa mundi. And here we will adduce, as our justication for this new reading of the origin of the Order of the Garter, the very motto of the princely order itself: Honi soit qui mal y pense! Yoni soit qui mal y pense! What this Yoni is, and the changes meant and apotheosized through it, the discreet reader will see on little reection. Jennings, Emma Britten and a few other writers and organizers of the period paved the way for the gnosis of sexual magick now more familiar to us from

P.B. Randolph, Peter Davidson, Max Theon and Theodor Ruess. Randolph refers to Jennings as the Grand Master of our Order. Davidsons Symbolical Notes to the First Degree draws heavily directly from Jennings and Britten. To whatever extent he may have inuenced Papus and Ruess, he may even have had a bit to do with suggesting the initials of that illustrious society which carries forward and seeks to perfect his seminal ideas in our own time. He offered the following illustration that he explains thus: In gure C, the union of g. 16 and g. 17 forms the cross. Fig. 18 is the mundane circle. Fig. 19 is the astronomical cross upon the mundane circle. The union of g. 18, g. 17, and g. 16, in this respective order, gives the crux-ansata, so continual in all the Egyptian sculptures, which mark or sign is also the symbol of the Planet Venus
SELECTED WORKS OF HARGRAVE JENNINGS Archaic Rock Inscriptions (1891) Childishness and Brutality of the Time Cultus Arborum: A Descriptive Account of Phallic Tree Worship with Illustrative Legends, Superstition, etc.; Exhibiting Its Origin and Development Amongst the Eastern and Western Nations of the World, from the Earliest to Modern Times (circa 1890) Fishes, Flowers, and Fire as Elements and Deities in the Phallic Faiths and Worship of the Ancient Religions of Greece, Babylon, Rome, India, etc., with Illustrative Myths and Legends (circa 1890) Indian Religions or Results of the Mysterious Buddhism Live Lights or Dead Lights: Altar or Table (1873) Masculine Cross (1891) My Marine Memorandum Book (August 23 1845) Mysteries of the Rosie Cross, or the History of that Curious Sect of the Middle Ages, known as the Rosicrucians, with Examples of their Pretensions and Claims (circa 1891) Nature Worship: An Account of Phallic Faiths and Practices Ancient and Modern (1891) Obelisk, The (1877) One of the Thirty: A Strange History Ophiolatreia: An Account of the Rites and Mysteries Connected With the Origin, Rise and Development of Serpent Worship Phallic Miscellanies: Facts and Phases of Ancient and Modern Sex Worship, as Explained Chiey in the Religion of India: an Appendix of Additional and Explanatory Matter to the Volumes Phallicism, and Nature Worship (1891) Phallic Objects, Monuments and Remains (1889) Phallicism: Celestial & Terrestrial; Heathen & Christian & Its Connection With the Rosicrucians & Gnostics & Its Foundation in Buddhism (Privately Printed 1889, Published 1891) Ship of Glass, The (September 19, 1846) The conscientious reader should take note that there has been some difference of opinion among bibliophiles concerning the so-called Nature Work and Mystical Series of several works published during the 1889-1891 period. This series, published at the end of the life of Hargrave Jennings, is almost certainly entirely the work of Jennings. Since some were published immediately after his death, it is possible he did not have editorial control of either the titles or the attribution of the works, but even this short essay should make it clear to the reader that his writing style, for better or worse, is truly unmistakable.

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Liber AL vel Legis, The Book of the Law: The Centennial Edition
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. To commemorate the momentous occasion of the centennial year of Aleister Crowleys reception of Liber AL vel Legis, Ordo Templi Orientis is proud to announce two very special editions of Liber AL vel Legis, The Book of the Law. The rst is a new hardcover trade edition published in conjunction with Red Wheel/Weiser. The second is a leatherbound edition, limited to 418 copies. Both are 160 pages, printed on heavy, acid-free paper, reproduced in red and black inks, with high quality versions of the AL manuscript and a detailed bibliography of the principal editions. In addition, the leather limited edition is numbered, bound in crushed Levant Moroccan goatskin, with handsewn binding, and gilt title blocking. The Red Wheel/Weiser hard cover edition can be obtained from better bookstores or online with a retail price of $17.95. The limited leather edition can only be obtained from Thelema Media LLC for $220.00. Thelema Media can be contacted at sales@thelemamedia.com or 866-467-4749 within the U.S. and 708-587-4147 outside the U.S. A special offer for O.T.O. members is available until June 21, 2004 EV: receive both editions for $156.00 plus shipping. Contact Thelema Media for more details. Love is the law, love under will.

Liber AL vel Legis, The Book of the Law: The O.T.O. U.S. Grand Lodge Presentation Edition
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The O.T.O. U.S. Grand Lodge Presentation Edition of Liber AL vel Legis, The Book of the Law are still available. The edition is exclusively for O.T.O. members and has been designed with the O.T.O. initiations in mind. It measures 4 1/4" wide, 5 9/16" long. It has a red faux leather cover with gold foil stamps on the front and spine, a front presentation page, and space in the back for noting ones advancement in the MMM and E.G.C. Each copy is only $5.00 plus shipping. For both individual and local bodies to obtain copies of the presentation edition, please call 800-99-MAGUS (62487) or visit http://www. magusbooks.com/main/otobotl.htm. To order you must be an active member of the O.T.O. Membership subject to verication. Love is the law, love under will.
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Hypnotism
By Frater Diapason Hypnosisthe word summons a number of stereotyped images and associationsa gold pocket watch swinging from a chain, an ominously soothing voice intoning look deep into my eyes, sleepiness, dwindling will power, faulty self-control, amnesia, a ood of vivid memories, an unleashing of primordial impulses, mindless obedience, reincarnation, Draculamagic.1 The term hypnotism has been in common use since the mid-19th century. Although its basic meaning simply denotes a method of trance induction, a survey of medical and popular usages of the word reveals a range of associated connotations that have varied considerably over time. Medical hypnotism has its root in the late 18th century studies of animal magnetism conducted by the Austrian physician, Franz Anton Mesmer. Inuenced by Renaissance theories of cosmology, human physiology, and natural philosophy, he claimed to be able to cure various nervous disorders by using magnets passed over patients bodies to manipulate subtle uids existing in the Universe and in the human body.2 Doctors originally linked the practice of mesmerism with occult philosophy and physiology. Toward the mid-19th century, however, their focus of interest shifted more to human neurology and psychology. The original term was replaced with the more scientic-sounding word hypnotism (from the Greek god of sleep, Hypnos) by James Braid in 1843. Subsequent adoption of the new name by the medical community signaled the beginning of a move toward a greater emphasis upon the behavior of subjects in the trance state, rather than upon the manipulation of forces by the mesmerist/hypnotist. (Although Braid is usually credited with coining the term, it was actually employed earlier in the 19th century by the French mesmerists dHenin de Cuvillers and Simon Mialle.)3 The shift toward psychology and an interest in trance state behavior eventually ushered in the so-called golden age of hypnotism during the 1880s and 1890s.4 In the early years of the 20th century, however, doctors began to debate whether or not the technique was sufciently effective as an anesthetic and as a treatment for disorders associated with the new eld of psychoanalysis to continue its use. Freuds abandonment of the practice as a viable psychological treatment, coupled with the introduction of chemical anesthetics for surgical procedures, led to a period of dormancy for medical hypnotism that lasted until the early 1920s.5 Alongside medical usages of the term, there were variant meanings ascribed to hypnotism by popular culture and the occult subculture. Perhaps the most typical image was that of the hypnotic subject under the complete and utter control of the hypnotist.6 This belief that hypnosis consists of one mind dominating another, with the hypnotists will replacing that of his subject, was due in part to an enthusiastic embrace of many of Mesmers most controversial ideas by the general public in Europe and the United States.7 Although the medical community had effectively discredited the supernatural aspects of his theories (such as subtle uids, planetary inuence, clairvoyance, telepathy, and action at a distance), the belief in such phenomena remained strong within the occult world and contributed to the popular image of the mesmerist as someone wielding strange powers over helpless, hysterical subjects. Indeed, the psychological characteristics of successful magnetizers came to be seen as opposite to the psychological characteristics of the patients they treated. Patients (who were frequently women) were seen as passive, fragile, and weak in both mind and body, whereas magnetizers (who were almost always men) came to be seen as strong, powerful, and intelligent.8 By the mid-19th century (when Braid rst introduced the new nomenclature), animal magnetism and mesmerism, already familiar for decades, had become very much the vogue in European salons.9 Practitioners of the art uniformly emphasized the strength of
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their own wills in overcoming those of their patients.10 And although Braid and his contemporaries had already begun to successfully reinterpret mesmerism along psychological rather than mechanistic/occult lines, his belief at the time that it was still the hypnotist who originally set these forces in motion within the patient did little to assuage the popularly entrenched image of the powerful, will-sapping mesmerist/hypnotist.11 The same can be said of the early pioneers of psychoanalysis in their initial embrace of hypnotism as a viable therapeutic technique. Freud considered the phenomenon to be similar to a distorted love relationship, where the patient, like a lover to the loved object, adopts a submissive, uncritical, compliant stance toward the hypnotist. 12 Ferenczi compared it to a parent-child relationship, with the child-patient carrying out the parent-hypnotists wishes unquestioningly.13 This conventional image was further reinforced within popular culture by various representations in literature. The quintessential depiction is perhaps in George Du Mauriers novel Trilby where the evil Svengali is described as putting a girl into a trance by waving his long ngers at her while intoning Et maintenant dors, ma mignonne.14 Similar portrayals can be found in Hawthorne, Dickens, Poe, Melville, and Henry James. In addition to literary depictions, the Svengali stereotype was also strengthened by the enormous popularity of stage hypnotists. Audience members were enthralled by the vision of their friends and neighbors barking like dogs and exhibiting other bizarre and uninhibited behaviors at the behest of the hypnotist. They typically walked away from performances with the perception that the hypnotists commands were irresistible.15 The following denition from H. P. Blavatskys Theosophical Glossary captures the essence of the prevailing view (most prominent occultists of the period, such as Aleister Crowley, would have been very familiar with Blavatskys writings): Hypnotism (Gr.) A name given by Dr. Braid to various processes by which one person of strong will-power plunges another of weaker mind into a kind of trance; once in such a state the latter will do anything suggested to him by the hypnotiser. Unless produced for benecial

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purposes, Occultists would call it black magic or Sorcery. It is the most dangerous of practices, morally and physically, as it interferes with the nerve uid and the nerves controlling the circulation in the capillary blood vessels.16 In short, when someone within popular and occult spheres used the term hypnotism during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they were, in all probability, referring to a phenomenon that closely resembled the mesmerist stereotype, and which relied on techniques and premises that emphasized the dominance of the hypnotists will over that of the patient/subject in inducing the so-called hypnotic trance state. From the 1920s forward, however, this image of the mesmerist/hypnotist began to lose its popular currency, largely due to the inuence of Milton Erikson, who began to revitalize interest in the psychotherapeutic application of hypnosis within the medical community and the public-at-large. In contrast to the view that the hypnotized subject was a passive automaton under the sway of an all-powerful hypnotist,17 Erikson and his successors asserted that therapeutic suggestion is not a process of programming the patient with the therapists point of view; rather, it involves an inner resynthesis of the patients behavior achieved by the patient himself or herself.18 Although numerous theoretical and clinical approaches within the eld have arisen since the emergence of the Eriksonian revitalization, they all generally share in an attempt to dispel the image of the passive automaton-subject. Consequently, although theories and techniques developed since the 1920s still retain some surface similarities to earlier approaches, they bear little resemblance to the mesmerist stereotype. Instead, they more closely adhere to the following denition: [H]ypnosis is that state of consciousness which occurs in the setting of willing participation in a hypnotic induction.19 Or, as the editors of a recent sourcebook on contemporary theoretic developments in the eld of hypnosis state in reference to passive automatons under the sway of powerful hypnotists: this rather extreme position is not en-

dorsed by any of the theorists whose ideas are represented in our book.20 In summary, although during its early history the term hypnotism was largely interpreted to connote a form of psychological enslavement, there are many other more recent applications of the trance induction method which do not rely upon or give credence to theories that necessitate the surrender of the sovereignty of the will of the hypnotic subject to that of the hypnotist. This is, of course, particularly relevant to Thelemites, who, when considering treatment options for various medical and psychological conditions, may be tempted to summarily reject hypnosis therapy because of earlier, but now largely outdated, assumptions about its purpose and methods of operation.
1 S.F. Kelly & R.J. Kelly. Hypnosis: understanding how it can work for you. (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1985) 3 2 G. Rosen. History of medical hypnosis: From animal magnetism to medical hypnosis. In J.M. Schneck, (Ed.), Hypnosis in modern medicine. (Springeld, IL: Charles C. Thomas, 1963) 4-5 3 M.A. Gravitz. Early theories of hypnosis: A clinical perspective. In S.J. Lynn & J.W. Rhue (Eds.), Theories of hypnosis: current models and perspectives. (New York: Guilford Press, 1991) 29 4 S.J. Lynn, & J.W. Rhue, Hypnosis theories: themes, variations, and research directions. In S.J. Lynn & J.W. Rhue (Eds.), Theories of hypnosis: current models and perspectives. (New York: Guilford Press, 1991) 606 5 M.A. Gravitz. Early theories of hypnosis: A clinical perspective. In S.J. Lynn & J.W. Rhue (Eds.), Theories of hypnosis: current models and perspectives. (New York: Guilford Press, 1991) 34-38 6 Kelly & Kelly, op.cit., 3 7 H.B. Gibson. Hypnosis: its nature and therapeutic uses. (New York: Taplinger, 1980) 12 8 N.P. Spanos & J.F. Chaves. History and historiography of hypnosis. In S.J. Lynn & J.W. Rhue (Eds.), Theories of hypnosis: current models and perspectives. (New York: Guilford Press, 1991) 54 9 J.P. Deveney, Paschal Beverly Randolph: A nineteenthcentury Black American spiritualist, rosicrucian, and sex magician. (Albany, NY: SUNY Press, 1997) 52 10 A. Meares. Theories of hypnosis. In J.M. Schneck (Ed.), Hypnosis in modern medicine. (Springeld, IL: Charles C. Thomas, 1963) 391 11 Gravitz, op.cit., 31 12 M. Brenman, & M. M. Gill. Hypnotherapy: a survey of the literature. (New York: International Universities Press, 1971)103. 13 Meares, op.cit., 397 14 Gibson, op.cit., 35 15 Kelly & Kelly, op.cit., 8 16 H.P.Blavatsky. Theosophical glossary. (London: Theosophy Publishing Society 1892) 147 17 Lynn & Rhue, op,.cit., 606 18 Gravitz, op.cit., 39 19 Kelly & Kelly, op.cit., 12 20 Lynn & Rhue, op.cit., 606

Book Review: The Unknown God: W.T. Smith and the Thelemites
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Firstly, the important items: Its a hardcover as bets this type of material. A substantial hardcover, with sewn signatures, and headbands. Footnotes that inform the reader immediately, rather than making him ip to the back of the book. Eight appendices, a list of works cited, and an index. A beautiful dust jacket with The Dweller on the Threshold on the cover by Arild Rosenkrantz, and a drawing of Wilfred T. Smith on the backcover by Jimmy Calhoun. Seventeen pages of photographs and illustrations, many never before published. Although missing a colophon; clearly, this is a publisher that appreciates its customers. This is the rst book to cover the followers of Aleister Crowley, and the O.T.O. in the United States during its early years. It is told through the life story of Wilfred T. Smith. Of whom, Crowley

The Unknown God : W.T. Smith and the Thelemites by Martin Starr 432 pgs ISBN: 093342907X List Price $49.95

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once wrote in a letter to C. S. Jones [Frater Achad] that he had been seeking his own St. Paul, but in Smith he had unknowingly found his St. Peter, a rock on which he could have built his church, if he had the will to do so. Martin P. Starr had been researching this book for fteen years, and had access to Smiths papers. He also interviewed all the major living witnesses to this time period. There were long delays in its publication, as new material became available, but it was well worth the wait. We see in this book the edgling attempts at starting the O.T.O in the United States. There were many times it could have easily gone extinct due to the interpersonal conicts, intrigue, and dramas in the lives of the key players. The fact that it still exists today is a testament to the sheer will of the people involved, and their belief in the system. Crowleys attempts to play people off of each other and to manage the O.T.O. from across the Atlantic is documented and preserved in the many letters from various archives. It is a fascinating story. In The Unknown God we read about life in the rst profess house, the rst public performances of the Gnostic Mass, the rst initiations and how they were read rather than performed in certain cases, and complete records of the early initiations. We see the intersections of the order with Freemasonry, Rosicrucionism, the G.B.G, the AA, and other orders. Detailed accounts of the work of Jane Wolfe, Jack Parsons, C.F. Russell, Louis Culling and many others complement the story. I walked two miles through the biggest snow storm of the year to get my copy, and would recommend that people buy it even if only to support this type of research. That The Unknown God is a captivating, well written and carefully documented book is all the more reason. Highly recommended. Love is the law, love under will. Steven Ryan Knights Templar Oasis

Establish Thyself a Clerkhouse: The Kaaba Colloquium

On the rst weekend of December 2003 EV, LVX Oasis had the unparalleled pleasure of hosting the Kaaba ColloquiumThelemic Leadership Seminar. This was an expanded version of that which was presented at NOTOCON 2003. Seven presenterssix highly successful past local body masters and one member of the Electoral Collegepooled their vast resources and knowledge in order to bring us what amounted to a primer for running a local body. Months ago, I began talking with Sister Eliza, chair of the Kaaba committee about hosting this event. I was at the time, and remain, a new body master with new ofcers charged with running LVX Oasis, a very active and comparatively old local body with a rich history. The prospect of hosting the Kaaba over those three days was daunting, and while I had access to some of the best minds and experience in the Order, I had a sense that there were questions I didnt even know to ask. If I was feeling that way then my ofcers must have been feeling the same and looking to me for leadership. So my rst goal was to nd a way to provide all of us with the guidance that we needed to lead LVX into its future. My second goal was to infuse the Oasis, currently in a slump, with new life; the phoenix had to rise again. I wanted to bring in and visibly show the community the people and organization that we were working within and the resources that we had to support us in our lofty goals and Work. I wanted to give the community a way to forge bonds with other local bodies in the area and stoke the res of service and fraternity. The Kaaba team of presenters exceeded all my goals. The opening ritual, penned by our absent Brother Dionysus, was moving and powerful and set the tone for the weekend. In the opening section, Brother Hank Hadeed, Master of

Sekhet-Maat, spoke on the importance of nance. Then Brother Vere Chappell (founding Master of LVX Oasis, mentor, and Grand Treasurer General) along with Sister Helena (Grand Lodge Parliamentarian) presented what amounted to volumes of information of the nuts and bolts of the legal structure along with bylaws and procedures. Sister Content Love Knowles gave us an in-depth discussion of what makes an effective body master as well as presenting numerous methods for fundraising that many of us never even considered. Sister Eliza McBryde provided us with a practical and invaluable template for looking at the skill sets within our local bodies and how to tap them. Brother Merrill Ward expounded on what is often the confusing path of mediation and its proper channels in our Order. Brother Kent Finne patiently and deftly led a question and answer session that could have lasted the weekend all by itself. It is impossible, within the connes of this short article, to even give a glimpse of all that was gained from this information-intense weekend. The Electoral College, which sponsors the Kaaba, and Sister Eliza did an exceptional job of enabling us to provide an event that will fuel the local community for a very long time to come. They were organized, professional, timely, and overall an enormous pleasure to work with. In encouraging anyone else to invite this event to your Valley I will also sayWe are magicians, and mystics, and seekers after a lofty vision. In order to accomplish the magic and mysticism, in order to truly see and accomplish our vision, we need to remember that we do our work here in the realm of manifestation. Manifestation has rules and limitations. To be able to master those rules and mold the limitations and infuse them with the light of the philosophers stone takes real live sweat, and muscle, and brains, and skills, and yes, even money. The Kaaba was an exercise in learning how to ground our dreams in reality and make them manifest here and now. Abrahadabra. Soror Magdalena Master, LVX Oasis

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In Memoriam

From the Grand Tribunal

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

your Bodymaster. Of course more serious complaints could be brought straight to the Grand Tribunal.

Grand Tribunal Assistant Secretary

I am pleased to announce that Fr. AISh MLChMH has been assisting me as Assistant Secretary for almost a year and he is currently maintaining the sponsorship database. Fr. A has been a member of the Order since 1990 EV and will also assist me in receiving and reviewing complaints and disputes. His email address is gt_as@oto-usa.org . Address all correspondences to him c/o: Grand Tribunal Assistant Secretary PO Box 17462 Minneapolis, MN 55417. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, James Nobles VII, Secretary U.S. Grand Tribunal Ordo Templi Orientis Gnostic Mass, as our priestess recovers from childbirth. Congratulations to Soror Ananyelka and Frater David. We have once again begun planning for Minervals Under the Stars to be held Memorial Day weekend. This fun-lled annual camping event is held at our 86 acre wooded initiation site in southern Indiana. The weekend includes Minerval initiations, an open discussion the following day, and celebration of the Gnostic Mass. Other classes, rituals, and discussions may be offered if there is interest. Contact the Oasis for more information.

Complaint Procedure
There has been a new policy enacted in regard to the proper method of ling a complaint to the Grand Tribunal. First and foremost, the problem should be attempted to be resolved between the interested parties. If this is not practical, the Bodymaster and/or Most Wise Sovereign and/or High Priestess should attempt to mediate the dispute. The sponsors from both sides could be brought in to assist at this point. If no resolution is possible then it may be brought to the Grand Tribunal. A signed statement from the Bodymaster indicating a failure to mediate the problem must be included with the complaint, or a statement indicating why you could not obtain mediation from the previously mentioned individuals. This form will be available from

Sister Helen Parsons Smith, IX Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Sister Helen Parsons Smith, IX, passed away in Northern California on Sunday, July 27, 2003 EV, at the age of 93. At her request, there was no service. She was cremated and her ashes were scattered over Lake Tahoe. Sister Helen took her Minerval and First Degrees in O.T.O. at Agape Lodge in Los Angeles on February 14, 1941 ev. At the time, she was married to Jack Parsons, but they divorced shortly thereafter. She became the principal Priestess at Agape Lodge and later married its founder, Bro. Wilfred T. Smith. Her Thelema Publishing issued ne editions of Liber AL, Liber XXI (Khing Kang King), Crowleys Shih Yi and Amrita, and other titles. She was one of the handful of surviving Agape Lodge members who helped Bro. Grady McMurtry to revive O.T.O. in the 1970s, and her participation was of inestimable value. I was privileged to have Sister Helen as a house-guest for several days in April, 1993 ev, and she was one of the ofcers at my VII initiation. She was a woman of strong character and strong opinions, and disagreements with various ofcers led to her withdrawal from active participation in O.T.O. during the last few years of her life. Nevertheless, her stamp was pressed rmly upon the modern O.T.O., and we are all in her eternal debt. She will be remembered as one of the guiding lights of the modern Thelemic movement. Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, Sabazius

Local Body Reports:

Onnophris Oasis, Indianapolis, Indiana
Onnophris Oasis and St. Roderick Borgia Sanctuary have continued our celebration of the Gnostic Mass on the rst and third Saturday of each month. In the past few months several people have been baptized and a few have expressed interest in conrmation. We welcome these individuals into the knowledge, fellowship, and sanctuary of our congregation. After the Deacon workshop we offered in October, several of our members have expressed an interest in serving the congregation. We are thankful for these new Deacons contribution to our community. In December, we held our annual Winter Solstice party. This event featured a buffet dinner prepared by our members, a gift exchange, and an opportunity for members to pledge their nancial support to the Oasis for the coming year. In the coming months we will be hosting classes and discussion groups instead of celebrating the

Sol Invictus Camp, Fayetteville, Arkansas

The past year has been dened by transformation of format for Sol Invictus Camp. Many of our members are now located an inconvenient distance away from our current location for us to hold regular events. The performance of the Gnostic Mass has slowed down to approximately once a month. With this in mind, weve changed our focus from quantity of events to quality of events and promotion. Frater Horus Narmer ar-

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ranged an interview with the local Community Access Television network regarding Ceremonial Magick and Thelema. In attendance were myself, Horus Narmer, Soror Kalyx, and Frater Tang Pau. The interview aired and became available on videotape in December of 2003. After this interview, we were all invited to prole magically inuential people. My prole was on Crowley, and is currently on the air in the local area. Horus Narmer will cover Harry Smith, Tang Pau will prole Austin Spare, and Kalyx will talk about Plotinus. Additionally, Ive been asked to perform in a lead role in an occult oriented lm. We are also planning on videotaping a performance of the Gnostic Mass to air on the local Community Access channel. Many other ideas are being generated in this realm, such as performances of the Rites of Eleusis. It is truly an exciting venture for us. Our networking with other groups has opened up avenues for larger scale events. Members of our local body performed a ceremony for a multi-trad Samhain Celebration and donated signicantly in time and money to the success of the Celebration. Soror Kalyx and I have both led workshops for the Universitys Student Pagan Association. On the weekend of November 15, 2003, Sol Invictus Camp and the University of Arkansas Student Pagan Organization sponsored a lecture and book signing by Ambrose Hawk, author of Exploring Skrying. Our largest event this Spring was a visit from Lon Milo Duquette, sponsored in conjunction with the Student Pagan Association. Included on the itinerary was a semi-private luncheon, Q&A session, and book signing with Lon at Cool Water, a lecture plugging his new book, Understanding the Aleister Crowley Thoth Tarot, an interview for the Community Access channel, and a book signing at Hastings. Much wining and dining permeated the entire event, and a good time was had by all. The proceeds from this event will go towards a new Temple space for the Camp, and a trust fund in honor of a friend and mover/shaker in the Pagan community who recently passed away. May she rest well, and her family be cared for.

We recently received a Charter to Initiate, and will soon be at work on that. On the agenda for the Camp this spring is our rst set of Minerval Initiations to be held on March 20, 2004. We will also open our local bodys bank account and apply for Oasis status. Also, on November 8, 2003 Frater Horus Narmer became a Master Magician. Congratulations! All in all, this spring appears to have been our most productive one in years. It is an exciting time for us and activity is on the upswing. Most certainly, with the coming of spring, new life has entered our body and enlivened it. Now whats left is to use it, and ride the wave into the next year. Carpe Diem!

Aum. Ha. Encampment, Chicago, Illinois

After a few years of coaxing our local body out of a long slumber, we are well on the way to having the Chicago O.T.O. on its feet. This is a major step in our history and one that everyone in our Valley has worked incredibly hard to achieve. All the pieces are in place for our next move; we are performing Mass monthly, holding classes and workshops several times a month, and in January we started performing initiations. Our rst set of initiations was performed in an Odd Fellows lodge. Other rent by the day venues are also used for ritual space. I must say, I long for the days of a dedicated Temple space for this work. The Odd Fellows have a very nice building on the northwest side of Chicago that have a huge main room, galley, separate dinning hall, and a very odd and distinctive odor that no amount of Abramelin incense seems to hide. Although we will not be able to work at the desired time of day at rst, as The Odd Fellows get to know us, this will change. It is wonderful to start this process of making Men of Earth in Chicago. To my knowledge, this was the rst set of initiations performed in Chicago by Chicago natives. The group of three First Degrees could not have been chosen any better. Their skills fall right in with what our organization requires. I love watching the magical process come together! On April 8, 9, and 10, Aum. Ha. will be commemorating the centennial of the
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writing of the Book of the Law. Chicago has traditionally looked forward to this feast as the main celebration on our annual calendar. Continuing with this tradition, Aum. Ha. Encampment will be hosting a domestic pilgrimage here in the city. NOTOCON4 red me up for doing something big and after shooting my mouth off there about how great our feast was going to be, I realized just how much work there was ahead of us. I think I was talking like a Texan! In August we started the planning for centennial feast. I think we had a great idea to celebrate; all we needed was permissionoh well! We have come up with some great alternative ideas for this celebration but need the input of a wider community. To this end we are asking the national local bodies for their suggestions and advice. We are hoping to draw a national attendance so we need to make it worthwhile to come all the way to Chicago. I love my religion!

Swirling Star Oasis, Miami, Florida

Aahh! I cant believe it. Here we are in the heart of S. Florida spreading the light of Gnosis for going on 5 years now! Swirling Star Oasis has been steadfastly performing MMM initiations, a monthly Mass, as well as various other projects including scoring music for ritual and assisting aspiring magicians up and out of the armchair. Of all of the topics I would like to include in our rst report I would have to humbly start off by acknowledging those whose assistance has been invaluable in our work. To those visible and invisible as well as the lofty chosen ones (you know who you are) who we are deeply indebted to for opening our hearts and minds to the omnipresent glory of the Great Work. Your guidance and support has taken us to heights we never would have imagined. Fr. SOLhADON and Sr. Gamma, my right and left hands respectively, I give you a Honk Honk. Fr. ISI (The Banisher) and Fr. ALKS have been invaluable soldiers of Thelema along with Fr. ExP (The Punisher) and Sr. JABA. Fr. Eliktos has stepped up to be our newly appointed Oasis Secretary without whom I could not do without, thank you for all your help bro! Fr. Qadah and Sr. Sombre Nuit have also been with us from the very beginning!

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I would also like to extend a special thank you to Tahuti Lodge; we have mad love for you though Fr. Roncelin!! Finally I would like to thank Grand Lodge and the Electoral College for their patience, support, and understanding on behalf of most of us bodymasters who de-

pend on their wisdom to guide us through what no handbook could possibly have prepared us for. This has only helped me to gain a greater understanding of our roles as a spiritual body of initiates as well as leaders of the new millennium. Next on our agenda includes work-

ing on extending and strengthening the boundaries of our Order by reaching out to the Latin Americas as well as the Caribbean Islands including the Bahamas/ Virgin Islands. Fr.ASiF

From the Agap Archives

[The following two essays were originally published as From the Grand Master in Agape vol. 3., no. 1. and vol. 1., no. 3. We feel that the messages are still very relevant and since these volumes of Agape were not distributed nationaly, we wanted to republish them for everyones benet.]

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

On Sponsorship
Every man and woman that is of full age, free, and of good report, has an indefeasible right to the III Liber LII The above quote appears to ensure universal access to the Man of Earth degrees of our Order, but on closer examination, it includes a number of conditions. Men and women are not free if they are incapable of travelling to one of our Lodges to be initiated, or if they are incapable of voluntarily taking and keeping a binding oath to the Order. Men and women are not of full age if they are too young to participate in our Mysteries with the full legal rights of a citizen of their country. Men and woman are not of good report if the Order has determined that they are of bad report, or if they cannot nd two members in good standing willing to vouch for them. Your sponsorship is your solemn attestation of an individuals good report. Therefore, before you sign your name in sponsorship of a candidate, it is your duty and responsibility to verify with the Master of your Oasis that Grand Lodge has not recorded the candidate as being of bad report. But further, as you may have read in Liber CI (Twelfth House), it is incumbent upon the honour of every Brother not to abuse [the privileges of membership], and the sponsors of any Brother who does so, as well as he himself, will be held strictly to account by the Grand Tribunal. Members who sponsor a candidate who then abuses the privileges of membership are partly answerable for his transgressions, and they partake of his dishonor. The Grand Tribunal can suspend, or even revoke, any members privileges of sponsorship if it determines that these privileges have been used recklessly. Therefore, it is your additional responsibility as sponsor to familiarize yourself with the background, character, sense of honor, and mental and emotional stability of the candidates you sponsor. Do not allow sympathy, personal affection, pressure from others, or idealism to cloud your judgment. When sponsoring candidates for full membership in our Order, who are to become Men and Brothers, or Women and Sisters, consider whether they are truly worthy of your fraternal trust, and the fraternal trust of all your sworn Brothers and Sisters in the Order. Consider whether they are worthy to be admitted into our homes, our temples, and our lives; for once they are sworn to us, we are all sworn to them. When sponsoring candidates for higher degrees, consider whether they have taken their oaths and obligations seriously. Consider also whether they have comported themselves as betting true Brothers and Sisters of their degree. If they have not yet learned the lessons of their own degree, how shall they

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. As most probably realize, the Law of Thelema was not entirely the result of praeterhuman forces. Crowley, as a scholar and even in his role as Prophet, was strongly inuenced by the lives, ideas and works of many men and women who came before him. The road to The Book of the Law was built over many, many years by many, many hands now long stilled. So it is with all the Great Principals of our Order, spiritual, philosophical, and practical. The roots of our Order extend deeply into history, well before the advent of the New Aeon and the birth of such men as Crowley, Reuss, Kellner, and Doinel. It is these roots which have provided, and continue to provide, food and water to the Scarlet Flower that grows in the enclosed garden of our Order; and we must know and appreciate those roots if we are to truly know and appreciate that Flower. With this in mind, I have decided to establish a program within the U.S. Grand Lodge which will formally recognize men and women of the past who have contributed in diverse but important ways to the development and advancement of the great principles of our Order. Men so recognized will receive an honor called the Order of the Lion; women will receive the Order of the Eagle. Nominees for these honors must be historical (as opposed to purely mythological) men and women, and must have died at least eleven years before award. Any member of U.S. Grand Lodge in good standing of at least Third Degree may submit a nomination to any Sovereign Grand Inspector General in the U.S. (directly or indirectly); but all such nominations must be accompanied by a thorough, wellresearched and documented essay defending the nomination. Such essays must be type-written or printed, must include a brief biographical prole of the nominee, and must clearly and eloquently demonstrate why the nominee should be considered for the Order of the Lion or the Order of the Eagle. Meritorious nominations will be forwarded to the Supreme Grand Council for further consideration. Notication of awards, along with selected nomination essays, will be published occasionally here in Agape. Love is the law, love under will. Sabazius

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learn the lessons of higher degrees? The candidate for Minerval, on the other hand, is a stranger, who is to become our welcome guest. It would be dereliction of our First Duty to admit a known thief or murderer or psychopath unquestioned and unguarded into our Camp; but it would be contrary to the law of hospitality to refuse a guest because we do not know him well enough to determine whether he will become a worthy Brother. The Grand Tribunal will be more lenient with the sponsors of a Minerval who violates the privileges of membership than with the sponsors of a Man and Brother who does the same, because the privileges of Minerval membership are not as extensive as those of full membership. Therefore, as a prospective sponsor, you should verify with the Master of your Oasis that your Minerval candidates have never been expelled from the Order or placed on bad report. You should carefully review their completed application forms, and you should communicate with them and do your best to assess their general character and mental stability; but the standards

applied need not be so strict as those applicable to candidates for higher degrees. The duties of sponsorship, however, do not end with the placement of your signature on an application form. As a sponsor in our Order, you are not placed in the position of superior, or spiritual teacher, as is done in certain other societies. Nevertheless, your honor within the Order will be magnied or diminished according to the quality of the deeds of those you sponsor within their degree. Therefore, it is incumbent upon you as a sponsor to assist the initiates you sponsor in learning the catechisms and oaths of their degrees, to see that they are provided with Grand Lodges latest study materials, to encourage them to participate in the activities of their Local Body, and to educate themby examplein the Way of Fraternity. Love is the law, love under will. Sabazius

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Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. P.O. Box 7045 Marietta, GA 30065

NONP R OF IT OR G . U.S . P OS TAG E PAID P E R MIT # 118 MAR IE T TA, G A

From the Grand Master

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

he office of U.S. E.G.C. Secretary has passed from Bishop T Anna Rose in Nebraska to Bishop T Marie (a.k.a. Soror Sulis) in Austin, who has, until recently, served as Assistant IHQ Treasurer General. Please see the new

May 1, 2004 EV Volume VI, Number 1 L in # x in ` IVxii EN

mailing address in the contact box in this issue (the email address, egc@otousa.org, remains the same). Wed like to thank T Anna Rose for getting this office off the ground, and we wish her well in her new career.

Thanks are also due to Brother Gerald del Campo, who has completed his 11-year term on the Electoral College, and is currently enjoying a muchdeserved rest by moving to another city. Brother Geralds seat on the College has been taken by Brother David Herrmann of Salt Lake City. The Supreme Grand Council is pleased to announce the chartering of Sekmet Chapter R+C in the Valley of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Congratulations and best wishes to our extreme southeastern contingent of the Lover Triad. The U.S. E.G.C. Manual is undergoing a substantial revision to reect recent policy renements. The revised version will hopefully be available before the next issue of Agap is published. One of the changes will be a formalization of the supervisory role of E.G.C. bishops over both novices and ordained priests and priestesses. Also, novice status is to become a matter of formal record. If you are an E.G.C. bishop or auxiliary bishop, and you have not already done so, please provide a list of the novices and clergy you are actively supervising to the E.G.C. Secretary at this time. If you are a novice, or an ordained E.G.C. priestess, priest or deacon, and you have not already done so, please report the name of your supervising bishop to the E.G.C. Secretary at this time. We are in the process of setting up a standing committee at the Grand Lodge level to do research, discuss, and make recommendations on local body instructional materials and classes. One of the objectives will be to eventually develop instructional standards and guidance materials, in order to provide a more uniform, high-quality level of local body classwork on various topical elds pertinent to our system,

such as Qabalah, divination systems, Yoga, ritual construction, history, philosophy, etc. In preparing its recommendations and guidance materials, the committee will endeavor to consult with recognized academic authorities where available and as appropriate. There will be subcommittees for each topical eld of instruction. We are currently looking for members in good standing of at least K.E.W. who have either professional experience in teaching and curriculum development, or who have achieved signicant peer recognition for expertise in any potential topical eld of instruction to serve on the committee. Please forward any recommendations to the Grand Secretary General for consideration. Thanks largely to the efforts of our webmaster, Frater Ehubi, U.S. Grand Lodge has obtained a dedicated web server, and the oto-usa.org domain has been successfully transferred thereto. The new arrangement will provide a great deal of exibility to implement new web-based services, which are actively being investigated. Keep an eye on otousa.org for new developments. Also, please take note that the old domain name, otohq.org, has been retired and is no longer functional. If any of you have links from your website to the U.S.G.L. page, please check your links to make sure they point to the new domain, oto-usa.org. As everyone already knows, this is an election year. Regardless of your personal political views, I encourage you all to register to vote. You will never be listened to unless you can be heard, and you will never be heard unless you speak up. Love is the law, love under will. Sabazius

Agap is the Ofcial Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Contents
1 From the Grand Master Sabazius 2 From the Electoral College Douglas James Blake 3 From the Grand Tribunal James Nobles 3 Mentors Needed Elizabeth McBryde 4 The Pilgrimage Lita Luise Chappell 6 In Memoriam 6 Local Body Reports 7 The Law of Eternal Return Keith Schuerholz

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From the Electoral College

Dear Sisters and Brothers, Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. On behalf of the Electoral College I would like to extend our heart felt gratitude to the Sorores et Fratres in the valley of Portland Oregon, particularly the ofcers and members of Sekhet-Maat Lodge, for their abundant hospitality in hosting our Spring 2004 EV meeting. The following actions concerning local Bodies were taken by the Electoral College at its Spring 2004 EV meeting:

Other Announcements
The Spring 2004 EV Meeting of the Electoral College also happened to be the Valedictory Meeting for Very Excellent and Perfect Prince and Reverend Senior Gerald del Campo. In other words, Br. Gerald has completed his eleven year term of duty on the E.C. On behalf of the College, I would like to thank and congratulate Br. Gerald for his years of devoted service and completion of a major commitment to our Order. On behalf of the College I would also like to welcome Very Excellent and Perfect Prince and Reverend Senior David Herrmann, Past Master of Horus Oasis (Salt Lake City, Utah) who was ceremonially seated as an Elector and began his eleven year term at the Colleges Spring Meeting in Portland.

The Ofcial Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Mysteria Mystica Maxima Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica Executive Editor: Editor: Graphic Design: Proofreading: Editorial Address: Sabazius X John Crow Fr. Ash Dawn C. Davis P.0. Box 7045 Marietta, GA 30065 agape@oto-usa.org

U. S G R A N D LO D G E O F F I C E R S
U.S. National Grand Master General: Sabazius X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. Deputy National Grand Master General:

Lon Milo DuQuette

P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Secretary General: Fr. Hunahpu P.O. Box 720296, Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0296 (405) 720-6349 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. Grand Treasurer General: Fr. S.L.Q.
P.O. Box 45139, Los Angeles, CA 90045-0139 (310) 216-5666 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury/ James Nobles, Secretary grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 30666, Seattle, WA 98103-0666 Fr. Aishmlchmh, Asst. Secretary as_gt@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 17462 Minneapolis, MN 55417

Closures
Serpent in Balance Camp (Lake Mary, FL) and Domina Nostra Astrorum Encampment (Lansing, MI) have both been closed for noncompliance with various requirements of local body criteria. Queen of Heaven Lodge (Portland, OR) has been closed at the request of the Master effectively merging its talent and resources with Sekhet-Maat Lodge (Portland, OR).

U.S. Grand Tribunal

E.C. Suggestion Box

I would like to invite any initiates with suggestions as to how we can do our job better, or who have specic concerns or questions regarding the operation of the Electoral College, to write to either the President of the College (ec_president@oto-usa.org) or Secretary (electoral_college@oto-usa.org) at any time. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to take effective measures bringing about better communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed and I believe that communication as such is of benet to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All regular mail correspondence with the Electoral College Secretary should be sent to the following address:
Secretary, O.T.O. Electoral College, U.S.A. 5030 N. May Ave. #252 Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6010

U.S. Executive Council, U.S. Supreme Grand Council, U.S. Corporate Headquarters P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032

Douglas James Blake, Pres. ec_president@oto-usa.org Dann Buchanan, Secretary electoral_college@oto-usa.org

5030 N. May Ave.,#252, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6010 U.S.G.L. Initiation Secretary: Sr. Ixel Balamke P.O. Box 720296, Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0296 (405) 720-6349 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. Secretary: T Marie P.O. Box 201750, Austin, TX 78720-1750 egc@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. Quartermaster: Fr. A.M.D.e.N. P.O. Box 1373, Buffalo, NY 14213 quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. Webmaster: Craig Berry webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. Librarian: Fr. K.Z. P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. Archivist: Fr. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 Secretary for Correspondence, Coordinator, O.T.O. Prison Ministry: T Allen Greeneld 3267 Buford Hwy, Ste. 720-109, Atlanta, GA 30329-1707 bishop17@mindspring.com U.S. Public Information Ofcer: Fr. Hrumachis P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 pio@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 47056, Seattle, WA 98146

U.S. Electoral College

Change of Master
Transfer of Mastership of Sekhet-Maat Lodge (Portland, OR) from Br. Hank Hadeed to Br. Mick Taylor effective April 25th, 2004 EV. Transfer of Mastership of Thelema Lodge (Oakland, CA) from Br. John Brunie to Br. Michael Sanborn effective April 18th, 2004 EV. Transfer of Mastership of 418 Lodge (Sacramento, CA) from Sr. Phyllis Seckler to Br. David Shoemaker effective April 18th, 2004 EV. The College wishes to express its appreciation to the past and present Masters of each of these Bodies. We wish you all the best in your new ofces and endeavors.

W W W. OTO - U SA . O RG
Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A., a California not-for-prot religious corporation with business ofces at P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business ofces at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at P.O. Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download as a PDF le at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/docs.html Copyright 2004 Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

Love is the law, love under will. Douglas James Blake President, Electoral College O.T.O. U.S.A.

New Charter
Congratulations to Br. Rick Perlstein on being granted a new charter as Master of Nu Aeon Camp (Tampa, FL).

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From the Grand Tribunal

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. I have been receiving an inordinate amount of complaints that have not gone through the proper submission procedures. This is demonstrative of the lack of understanding of the appropriate time and way to submit complaints to the Grand Tribunal. To clarify, I have a brief outline of the steps that should be taken: 1) Try and work out the problem amongst yourselves. The majority of complaints should be solved in an unofcial manner. It is not in the best interest of the membership, the local body, Grand Lodge, or the Order in general for minor complaints and situations of hurt feelings to be elevated to an ofcial level. 2) Enlist an outside arbitrator. Obvious choices are the local Bodymaster or a local Rose-Croix Committee of Four member. Sponsors can and should also be brought in to assist. In almost every case, unless serious offences occur or Order policy is broken, issues should be able to be resolved at this level. 3) If all of this fails, submit the complaint to the Grand Tribunal for evaluation along with the signed statement

from the Bodymaster stating that the situation could not be resolved or a letter explaining why you could not obtain the Bodymasters approval. As stated in earlier communiqus, very serious complaints can be submitted directly to the Grand Tribunal. However, if the offences are found not to merit Grand Tribunal intervention, they will be referred back to the local ofcers or dimissed.

The Fourth Power of the Sphinx

We are beginning to implement a process whereby if a complaint is submitted to the Grand Tribunal, the submitting person(s) and other Order members involved will be required to keep silent about the nature of the complaint. This is to ensure the condentiality of all the parties involved. Failure to maintain silence during investigations could result in the complaint being dismissed or other punitive measures being instituted against the offending parties. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, James Nobles VII, Secretary U.S. Grand Tribunal Ordo Templi Orientis 2. Communicate all policy changes or updates issuing from Grand Lodge to the body master in a timely manner if called upon to do so 3. Report any serious or potentially serious problems to the appropriate Grand Lodge ofcer 4. Act as a resource for the body master by a) communicating policy and answering related questions, b) offering assistance of a practical nature when possible, c) acting as a personal resource for the body master by lending a sympathetic ear, and offering advice in a non-intrusive manner 5. Submit a report on the status of the local body to the EC each Equinox If you are of the degree K.R.E. (or higher), have the aforementioned experience, meet the the other criteria listed and would like to assist us in the work of maximizing the success of O.T.O. local bodies, please send a brief statement regarding your qualications along with your civil name, city and state of residence, phone number, and email address to ec-emcbryde@oto-usa.org. Thank you for your consideration. Love is the law, love under will. Elizabeth McBryde Mentor Secretary Electoral College

Mentors Needed
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law. As part of our ongoing commitment to providing the best possible resources to the members of the Man of Earth Triad, the Electoral College has implemented a Mentor Program whose function is to assist local body masters with some of the obstacles which are encountered while running an O.T.O. body. We will be extending this program to also include camps in formation, groups that have not yet been chartered but are working toward receiving a charter. We are seeking new mentors to assist with this aspect of the program, as well as mentors to work with existing bodies.

The Criteria for Mentors

1. Be of the degree K.R.E. or above 2. Have experience with the internal workings of a local body 3. Be well versed in and respect Order policy 4. Have a general positive outlook on the Order as a whole 5. Have ongoing email access to receive updates from Grand Lodge and to communicate with the local body master and participate in the announcement-only mentors e-list 6. Be willing to meet the responsibilities listed below

Responsibilities of Mentors
1. Stay in close touch with the local body, visiting if possible, and establish an ongoing phone and/or email relationship with the Master
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The Pilgrimage
By Lita Luise Chappell Traveling to any sacred site brings great anticipation for the expected. To the world traveler, however, matching pictures to a place is never quite enough. The place must be more than just experienced. An explorer who feels the urge to know a sacred truth more deeply becomes more than just a traveler. By virtue of their longing and commitment to make the journey and by the desire to more deeply take in that sacred knowledge, they become a pilgrim. So it was for nineteen O.T.O. members, by going to Egypt to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of a new Aeon. For Brother Vere and myself, we wanted to discover the environment in which Crowley found himself at that time; to take our sacred Book of the Law and read it in the country of its birth, and to witness for ourselves the Stel of Revealing from which Rose and Aleister drew inspiration. The only specic plan for all of us was to meet at noon on each of the three successive days, April 8, 9 and 10, to celebrate The Three Days of the Writing of the Book of the Law. Aside from that, we each strove to do and see as much as we possibly could, experiencing those things that would more closely give us insight or enhance our Thelemic perspectives. On the morning of April 8, whoever was in Egypt for the event was to meet in the lobby of the Mena House Oboroi, a beautiful 5Star hotel located right across from the Giza Pyramids. By noon, the following people had gathered in the hotel foyer: Brother Dionysos and Sister Valerie from Amsterdam, Netherlands; Sister Rhonda and Brother Gordon from Vancouver, Canada; Sister Annette, Brother Brent and Brother Daniel from Australia; Sister Xenia, Brother Alexey and Brother Nadav from Israel; Brother Peter, Brother Zacharias and Sister Kristina from Sweden; Sister Mary, Brother Jason, Soror Ashera, Frater Hrumachis, Brother Vere and myself from the US; nineteen people from six different countries and four continents. A perfect grassy spot on the garden grounds had been found with the Great Pyramid standing in witness, stately across the plateau, while we sat quite comfortably in a big circle under the shade of several palm trees. We began by going around the circle introducing ourselves. Most gave their legal name, their magical name, what country they were from, what body they
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were from and if they served the body in any ofcer position. Most attendees were body masters, secretaries or treasurers. Frater Hrumachis set up a small central altar and incense was lit. He also began by doing an invocation for this special occasion. Then we began the reading by going around the circle, each reciting a verse from the First Chapter until it was completed. It was such a wonderful feeling to be sitting there sharing in the momentous occasion with brethren from around the world. I could see in each ones face the same enthrallment. Right afterward, we got the idea to call Hymenaes Beta and have him join us in our revelry. Brother Vere called him with his cell phone and of course we woke him up, as he was half way around the world in another time zone. Nonetheless, he seemed amenable to the occasion so we all called out 93! into the phone. After Brother Vere signed off, we all did midday Resh and then lined up for group photos. Excited to get to know one another better, we all walked several blocks to a nearby restaurant for lunch. After lunch we all split up to go exploring Cairo, but we all agreed to meet later that evening at a downtown restaurant for dinner. After a delicious dinner we walked around a bit as the town comes more alive after dark. Admittedly the temptation was too great. We each spent time at a nearby pastry shop lling up small trays of assorted Baklava and cakes to take to a local Ahwa (outdoor coffee house) to lounge and feast again. We gathered in a colorful tent like structure along the street. Some also partook of the local shisha (tobacco smoked in a water pipe) with one of two tobaccos, one soaked in molasses and the other soaked in apple. Something surely, we thought, Crowley must have also indulged in. On the second sacred day at noon, we reassembled for our second day of the reading of The Book of the Law. We gathered once again in the same grassy area; however, today the call to prayer was even louder and longer as Fridays are to the Moslem what Sundays are to Christians and prayer is delivered more fervently. So as not to delay our noon reading window, we decided to move further around the back of the hotel to a more private and quieter place, which ended up
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being just as pleasant if not more so. We began as before with a brief invocation by Frater Hrumachis, incense, and then the reading commenced going around the circle. After the reading we agreed to call Sabazius. He did not answer his phone, as it was in the middle of the night for him, but we did leave a message on his recorder with our 93 greeting. We followed the reading with passing around a book for everyone to list their names and emails, in order to more easily share our comments and pictures of the entire event. We followed that by performing midday Resh and again going out to a local restaurant to feast. That evening we all met at the Oasis Hotel, where Soror Ashera had arranged to have a dinner and belly dancing show in the hotels nightclub for the entire group. We had a great dinner and entertainment began with a singing duo, and later featured an Egyptian Dancer Sozi. At one point Sozi came into the audience to our table, pulling Brother Peter up to dance with her. He began to dance with so much jubilation of arms swinging and feet kicking up, that he literally stole the show. He received a wild applause from everyone in the house. For our third day of the reading of The Book of the Law, we once again found our familiar spot on the grassy grounds of the Mena House. Frater Hrumachis again performed an opening invocation, incense was lit and we began with the reading of the Third Chapter, going around the circle until it too was completed. It had all seemed too short. We passed around our individual Books of the Law to have everyone sign one anothers, to commemorate the occasion. Even within the short time that we had met, we could sense such a strong bond between us all. Many had tears in their eyes as we shared hugs. Midday Resh was performed and we all went to lunch again. After that most everyone decided to reassemble down-

town at the Cairo Museum to once again look upon the Stel of Revealing. Brother Gordon and Sister Rhonda had done some research upon arriving earlier in Egypt, to learn that the Stel of Revealing had been discovered in a cache in the village of Gournah, where it had been moved from its original location in a hillside tomb near the Temple of Hatshepsut, which lies just south of the Valley of the Kings. It was the intention of our group to be able to get into the glass case where it was on display and be able to look at its reverse side. However, the director of that section of the museum was on vacation so it was not allowed. This last day for many on the pilgrimage still held a surprise, for everyone was about to be shown something we didnt even know still existedthe cofn of Ankh-af-na-khonsu! Sister Xenia had been the one to nd it in a side hall of the Egyptian Museum. Sure enough, there was a nameplate with his name and the date said it was from the XXVI Dynasty, the same as the Stel. The color was very good on the outside, the lacquerlike nish giving it a golden-orange color. Time and its transport had created chips off of the colorfully painted plaster and cracks had developed, but the overall effect was impressive. What a wonder to behold a painting of what once resembled the look of this unique individual. Finally, a face to go with his mysterious words! The trip for everyone had nally come to an end though too soon. Deep friendships had been formed. A taste for mystery had been rewarded. We had not only seen the Stel of Revealing, we had seen the Priest of the Princes last resting place. The sacred truths that we had wanted to be sure of had been conrmed. And like most pilgrims who answer to the call of spiritual yearning, the holiness and the mystery had found its way within us, and we would never be the same again.

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In Memoriam
Phyllis Evelina Seckler, IX

Agape Lodge in Hollywood, California. She was also a long time initiate of AA under Jane Wolfe. Phyllis founded the College of Thelema, an educational organization, to help students come to know and do their True Will. She also published the Thelemic journal In the Continuum, which in its regular run of 20 years offered many original essays and poetry as well scarce Crowley material. Phyllis is also credited with helping, along with her ex-husband and past Grand Master General Grady L. McMurtry (Hymenaeus Alpha) to lay the foundations of the modern O.T.O. Active up until her death with many aspects of O.T.O. government, Phyllis could always be counted on for

ville, California, Phyllis tended a beautiful garden at her house in the Oroville hills. I have had the privilege of being a close student of hers since 1991, and visiting her often in Oroville, where I was able to cut several wands over the years from her almond trees, as well as cutting yarrow stalks for I Ching castings. In the winter she would often send me out to grab the lush oranges ripening on the trees. During summer visits we would sit on the patio for hours after lunch, sipping gewrztraminer after a hearty toast to Nuit, and then listening to countless wonderful stories about the early O.T.O., as well as discussions about astrology (one of her passions). Throughout it all, there was always much laughter and a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. Phyllis will be remembered as one of the early pioneers of O.T.O. and Thelema, and we all owe her a great debt of gratitude. She lives on in the hearts of her friends and students, as well as in the legacy she has left behind to us all. She has also threatened to reincarnate in about 20-30 years to nish her work, so keep an eye out Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, Gregory Peters

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Sister Phyllis Evelina Seckler, IX, known to initiates and friends alike as Soror Meral, died in her sleep after a brief illness and related complications at 4:34pm pdt on May 31st in Oroville, California. She was 86 years old. With friends and family at her bedside, she died with the verses of Liber AL being read softly to her, as she had always wanted. In accordance with her wishes, there was no service and her body was cremated. A student of Jane Wolfe (Soror Estai), Phyllis took her Minerval in 1939 at

having an opinion (and a strong one!). Phyllis served on the Electoral College for many years, as well as the Areopagus. She was one of the original elector IXths under the formative McMurtry era and, after Helen Parsons Smith, was the oldest living member of O.T.O. In her civil life Phyllis was an educator, with a Master of Arts from UCLA. She taught art at Livermore High School from 1955 until her retirement. Married three times, she is survived by her son and two daughters from her rst husband, Paul Seckler. Eventually settling down in Oro-

Local Body Report:

Knights Templar Oasis Boston, Massachusetts
Knights Templar Oasis (K.T.O.) is thrilled to be entering into its 15th year as a resource to the New England Thelemic community. Under the direction of our Oasis Master, Frater Hassan, K.T.O. has continually grown in number and dedication. Since his chartering as an initiator, we have regularly performed the bulk of the Man of Earth Initiations and are performing the III in-house and unassisted for the rst time in ve years. Rumor has it that he will embark upon producing the equipment necessary for IV and PI, as well.
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Local Body Report Continued With the guidance of our transplanted brother, Frater Hesperos, in his role as Gnostic Mass Coordinator, we are now performing monthly masses and no longer counting strictly on the good will of our Brethren to travel to Boston. His devotion to the advancement of Light, Life, Love, and Liberty in our Valley has been an inspiration to the community. Frater Hesperos and two of our novice clergy, Soror Ardras and Frater Lux In Tenebris, became the rst all-K.T.O. team to perform the Mass publicly in at least six years. Their hard work and perseverance are to be commended. Through the work of new resident Priest, Frater Hippokleides, we have been able to offer

baptisms and conrmations on a regular basis, as well. Let praise be heaped upon them all! We have continued to offer weekly magick classes and at least one ritual per season, as well as celebrations of all Thelemic holidays. This year, we have been using space on an as needed basis at The Witch Village in Salem, MA, which has allowed us to reach an even wider community and are working on expanding our Outreach in both Boston and Salem. In August, we will be celebrating our 5th Annual Liber OZ Festival, which is a weekend camping trip devoted to the celebration of the Rights of Man. The Festival is two-fold, in that we have scheduled

Minerval Initiations on Friday Night (August 20th) and the Ofcial Celebration on Saturday, August 21st. The ofcial event is open to O.T.O. Initiates and their Invited Guests (no children or pets, please). Events to be included are the Gnostic Mass (under the stars!), the Rite of Luna, a group ritual for any and all to participate in, a Thelemic puppet show and more. Contact oz-fest@kto.org for more information and look for information with your local body in the coming weeks. To summarize, Knights Templar Oasis is excited to be doing our part to service the Thelemic community in New England. Soror Zephiniah Summerisle

The Law of Eternal Return

By Keith Schuerholz Nietzsche posited an encounter with an entity who informs us that every aspect of our lives as been lived before, in an innite number of times stretching backwards into the past, and will be lived again, in the same innite number of times stretching into the future. There is no after life or reincarnation. We are going to live the exact same life we have lived now, and will continue to repeat it endlessly into the future, just as we have lived it an innite number of times stretching back into the past. Nietzsche asks us to consider how we would regard the entity informing us of this: as an angel or as a demon? In the unconscious, we can explore this idea as an intimation of a sort of personal, cosmic dj vu. We can observe, in our own lives, the return of cycles and the aspects of our life that conform to this eternal return of the same. Vistas open up for us when we seek to observe the endless cycle of endless but nite lived experiences, stretching out into innity in both directions in time. Knowing that we will be doomed, or blessed, to endlessly repeat the same actions and relive the same experiences, elevates our knowledge of the present to the eternal. Each moment we experience will become an eternal moment, since that moment will arise an innite number of times, and has arisen and been

experienced before, an innite, endless number of times in the past. Each passion and emotion, all our affection, is limited by what actions we take and what we choose to do in the one, but immortal, life we have. We wont have any second chances in some other life. The only moments and experiences we haveforeverare the ones we have now, while alive. No matter what we do, what we have done is all we will ever have, and all we have had. There is no progress for us outside of what we have already experienced. Whatever actions we take, whatever values we actualize in life, are all we have forever. Our will, and the central part of our being, can only nd expression in our lived experiences. The trivial aspects of our existence can assume monstrous proportions when we consider that they are just as eternal as every other aspect of our lives, especially those peak experiences we would want to exalt. All our negative experiences, no matter how awful, traumatic, and disguring, will have to be undergone again there is no escape from them. If we have suffered before, we will have to suffer again. It takes courage to look back and examine painful experiences and acknowledge that each one of them will have to be experienced anew, without foreknowledge, without change, and each will have the exact same effect over and over again without respite. Those that are willing to accept the law of eternal return will have the authority to consciously stamp every part of their lives with the aspect of the innite. This sort
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of power is what comes when one forsakes all kinds of hopes and wishes for progress beyond lived experience, and turns the force of the eternal to the moment. Those who gnash their teeth and bitterly lament the message of the entity who informs us of the limitations of the cycles of our eternal life, might be seen as being part of the Black School. Those who embrace the idea of reliving every aspect of their lives again and again without any change at all, accepting the bad and the good moments with equanimity might be seen as members of the White school. Those who refrain from any value judgment at all, and who react neither positively or negatively to the laweven though they accept itmight be seen as belonging to the Yellow school. The actions of the magician are understood to be eternal, and eternally the same. Understanding the law of eternal return means we can apprehend all actions as magically eternalsince these actions will be with us for eternity. The magician performs his magick in the eternal momentand that moment and that action is eternally and innitely the same. Our identities go from appearing to us to be merely transient to absolutely eternal when we recognize the limitation of our lives as well as the way that very limitation and limited, but coherent identity, also must exist forever. Every part of ourselves is immortal, because we will return to it, and experience it, an innite number of times. We can see and experience ourselves as immortal, but only by accepting ourselves as exactly what we are and have experienced.

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Agape
Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. P.O. Box 7045 Marietta, GA 30065

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NONP R OF IT OR G . U.S . P OS TAG E PAID P E R MIT # 118 MAR IE T TA, G A

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Agap is the Official Organ of the U. S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Volume VI, Number 2

From the Grand Master

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Id like to thank Brother John Crow for his service as editor of Agap. Brother John has decided to step down from the editor position, and Frater HydraLVX has agreed to take his place. Welcome brother, and good luck. Id also like to thank Frater A.M.D.E.N. for his service of Quartermaster, and welcome Frater V.V.N. of Denver, who has agreed to take on this demanding office. Please see the contacts bar (and the U.S.G.L. website) for his contact information. Frater A.M.D.E.N., our Quartermaster Emeritus, will be continuing to serve in the newly created position of Procurement Officer, where he will continue to research various sources of equipment and supplies. We also recently created the office of Volunteer Coordinator, whose duties will include matching volunteers to needed jobs within U.S. Grand Lodge. Brother James McLaughlin of Austin has agreed to step into this role. If youd like to volunteer your services to U.S. Grand Lodge, or if you are a Grand Lodge Officer or member of a Governing Body, and you need some assistance with something pertaining to your official duties, please write to Brother James. The development of the Education Committee is proceeding apace (there is still time to submit nominations); and the Psychology Guild has recently formed a committee to establish a program of workshops on pastoral counseling for E.G.C. Clergy and Local Body Officers. Congratulations to Sekhet-Bast-Ra in Oklahoma City, and Coph-Nia Lodge in Eugene, Oregon, on their 20 th anniversaries, and to Tahuti Lodge in New York on its 25th anniversary; and many thanks to Sekhet-Bast-Ra for their awesome hospitality. trade, science, or profession form themselves into a Guild, make their own laws, and prosecute their own good, in all matters pertaining to their labour and means of livelihood. Each Guild chooses the [person] most eminent in it to represent it before the Areopagus of the Eighth Degree... Note that the guilds themselves choose their own representative. Liber 194 says that government of O.T.O. combines monarchy with democracy. Some of you may have read this passage and wondered just where this democracy comes into play. Here, I believe, is your answer. Although the guilds can be used as a resource by O.T.O. management for their various projects, it would be a mistake to look at the guilds as being established solely to serve the officers and administrative hierarchy of O.T.O.the guilds are intended to serve the membership. Every O.T.O. member working in a lawful occupation should eventually be able to belong to at least one guild.

B
Guilds

q IN H R IN C ANNO IV:XII November 1, 2004 EV

According to such documents as Liber 101, Liber 161 , Frater Ramakas O.T.O. Prospectus, and the 1917 Constitution, one of the Orders principal objectives is mutual aid and support in the professional advancement of its members. One of the most potentially effective mechanisms the Order may use to realize this objective is the system of guilds described in Liber 194: Before the face of the Areopagus stands an independent Parliament of the Guilds. Within the Order, irrespective of grade, the members of each craft,

Contents
From the Grand Master, Frater Sabazius ............................................... 1 Policy Memoranda, Frater Sabazius ..................................................... 3 From the Grand Treasurer General, Brother Vere Chappell ........................ 4 From the Volunteer Coordinator, Frater Do ........................................... 4 From the Electoral College, Frater Dvgls Jms Blk .................................... 5 From the Quartermaster, Frater V.V.N. ................................................. 5 Passing Torches, Frater Hrumachis ...................................................... 6 Local Body Reports ......................................................................... 7

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So far, O.T.O. members have successfully established the following three guilds:
The Translators Guild Contact: aion@snafu.de Website: tguild.oto.de The Psychology Guild Contact: dgsaa@winfirst.com YahooGroup: groups.yahoo.com/group/ psychology-guild-oto The Information Technology Guild Contact: webmaster@oto-itg.org Website: www.oto-itg.org

The following guilds (to my knowledge) are currently under development:

A medical & health sciences guild Contact: ec-awhite@oto-usa.org An artisans guild Contact: pelagia@neptune.net YahooGroup: groups.yahoo.com/group/ oto-artisans A music industry guild Contact: rodney@hells.org A graphic and visual arts guild Contact: laughingserpent@tahuti.org A financial services guild Contact: rbdevelopment93@yahoo.com YahooGroup: groups.yahoo.com/group/ oto_fin_guild

A culinary arts guild Contact: sandy@ashami.com A guild for educators Contact: libanus93@comcast.net YahooGroup: groups.yahoo.com/group/ thelemic_educators A legal professions guild Contact: cloud_jaguar@earthlink.net

The following crafts, trades, and professions appear to be particularly ripe for guild formation at this time:
library sciences construction real estate and property management retail

The Official Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Executive Editor: Editor: Proofreading: Editorial Address:

Mysteria Mystica Maxima

Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica

Sabazius X Fr. HydraLVX Dawn C. Davis P.O. Box 15037 Portland, OR 97293-5037 agape@oto-usa.org

U.S. GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

U.S. NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: SABAZIUS X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. DEPUTY NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: LON MILO DUQ UETTE P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND SECRETARY GENERAL: FR. HUNAHPU P.O. Box 720296, Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0296 405.720.6349 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND TREASURER GENERAL: FR. S.L.Q. P.O. Box 45139, Los Angeles, CA 90045-0139 310.216.5666 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury U.S. G RAND TRIBUNAL JAMES NOBLES, SECRETARY grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 30666, Seattle, WA 98103-0666 F R. AISHMLCHMH, A SST. SECRETARY as_gt@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 17462, Minneapolis, MN 55417 U.S. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, U.S. SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL, U.S. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. ELECTORAL COLLEGE DOUGLAS JAMES BLAKE, PRESIDENT ec_president@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 47056, Seattle, WA 98146 DANN BUCHANAN, SECRETARY electoral_college@oto-usa.org 5030 N. May Ave., #252, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6010 U.S.G.L. INITIATION SECRETARY: SR. IXEL BALAMKE P.O. Box 720296, Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0296 405.720.6349 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. SECRETARY: T MARIE P.O. Box 201750, Austin, TX 78720-1750 egc@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PARLIAMENTARIAN: SR. HELENA P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 parliamentarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. QUARTERMASTER: FR. V.V.N. quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. WEBMASTER: CRAIG BERRY webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LIBRARIAN : FR . K.Z. P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ARCHIVIST: FR. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S.G.L. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: JAMES MC LAUGHLIN volunteers@oto-usa.org SECRETARY FOR CORRESPONDENCE & COORDINATOR, O.T.O. PRISON MINISTRY: T ALLEN GREENFIELD 3267 Buford Hwy., Ste. 720-109, Atlanta, GA 30329-1707 prison_ministry@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER: FR. HRUMACHIS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 pio@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ASSISTANT S ECRETARY FOR NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION: FR. HYDRALVX P.O. Box 15037, Portland, OR 97293-5037 agape@oto-usa.org WWW.OTO-USA.ORG

Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A., a California not-for-profit religious corporation with business offices at P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business offices at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at P .O. Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download in PDF format at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/docs.html Copyright 2004 EV Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

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If you are interested in helping to implement this important aspect of our Order, do not wait for Grand Lodge to come to you. The Guilds need to come directly from the membership. Based on my experience, I suggest pursuing guild formation following these steps: First, get together with some other Order members who work in the same general field as you do, and start an informal professional interest group. Create a YahooGroup for it, or an email list, or some other means of group communication. Let the G.S.G. or myself know that youre doing this. I will publish occasional announcements about new guilds and guilds-information here in Agap. Next, as a group, discuss how you think a guild might work for your field. Talk to some of the people who are already participating in guilds for ideas, and talk to people involved

in existing professional interest organizations in your field. Consider the scope of the guildwhich occupations should be included, and which should best be left for inclusion in other guilds. Avoid a scope that is too vague or broad; remember that people can belong to more than one guild. Consider potential membership criteria, and potential levels of membership. Consider the activities the guild might engage in to further the professional development of the members. Avoid any appearance of offering some kind of professional certification or validation to individual guild members based on their guild membership, or their O.T.O. membership. Also, consider the proposed name for the guild, as well as a few alternatives. Once your group has settled on some basic concepts, write to our Parliamentarian (see contacts listed on opposite page) for assistance in developing your guilds bylaws and submitting them to the Areopagus for approval. Love is the law, love under will. Sabazius

Policy Memoranda
ATTENTION ASPIRING & CHARTERED INITIATORS: Please read the following.

On Ritual Memorization
In Confessions , Crowley states the following regarding the initiation rituals of MTMTMT Another essential point was to reduce the unwieldly mass of material to a compact and coherent system. I thought that everything worth preserving could and should be presented in not more than a dozen ceremonies, and that it should be brought well within the capacity of any officer to learn by heart his part during the leisure time at his disposal, in a month at most. Clearly, it was Crowleys intent that the initiation rituals be memorized. Many, perhaps the majority, of local bodies already perform their ritual initiations largely without the use of scripts in Temple. However, heretofore, our official policy has been to strongly recommend this practice, rather than to require it. This new policy makes the practice

mandatory within the U.S. for the degree of Minerval. Similar policies will be phased in for the remaining degrees of the Man of Earth Triad, with allowances made for the reading of certain, specific passages, in the coming months.
EV ,

The new policy, effective January 1, 2005 for all U.S. local bodies is as follows: Initiatory officers in the Degree of Minerval shall memorize their parts in advance. Ritual scripts are prohibited within open Temple for the Minerval Degree, with the exception that one copy may be held by a prompter who is not otherwise a ritual officer.

c. Despite what is printed on the cover of the ritual manuals, chartered initiators may make copies of the ritual manuals and lend them to U.S. members who are studying to serve as initiatory officers. The chartered initiator is responsible for maintaining control of all such copies and ensuring that secondary copies are not made. Copies must be returned to the chartered initiator when not in active use for the above purpose.

On Charter Requirements
The following policy is effective immediately, from the date of this newsletter forward. All applications for Charter to Initiate must be accompanied by a photocopy of a current C.P.R. and First Aid card, issued by either the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association.

Notes: a. This policy does not apply to rehearsals or practice sessions. b. Rehearsals, which have always been recommended, will become essential under this new policy. Regular ritual practice sessions, with discussion of basic symbolism as described in the study guides, are also highly recommended.

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From the Grand Treasurer General

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. After over a year of preparation, I am happy to announce that we have filed our application for group exemption with the I.R.S. Once approved, oases, lodges, and chapters will have official recognition of tax-exempt status from the federal government. At that time I will send information to the covered bodies detailing some of the benefits of the group exemption and explaining the rules they must follow to meet the requirements for ongoing qualification. Also, a reminder to all local bodies that perform initiations: please be sure to give a copy of the Minerval Guide to all new Minervals after their initiation, and to any other active member upon request. The guide may be obtained from the files area of the bodymasters Yahoo!Group. If you are an active member of O.T.O. and do not yet have a Minerval Guide, please check with your local body or contact me to obtain one. In other news, I have appointed the following volunteers to the Grand Lodge Finance Committee: Richard Beaver, Soror Shivani, Danielle George, Chris Grabarkiewctz, Briana Blondie Marshall, and Chris Sangiovanni-Williams. Each one has a solid professional background in a finance related field. I look forward to the contributions they bring to the expanded committees mission of recommending and implementing long-term goals for the Order s financial maturity and security. Finally, as some of you may have already heard, I will be stepping down from the position of Grand Treasurer General early next year, in preparation for future responsibilities within I.H.Q. Hank Hadeed has been designated as my successor to the office of G.T.G. Brother Hank and I have been working together over the past several months to prepare for the transition, which is already underway. I have great confidence in Hanks abilities and expect him to be fully capable of handling the responsibilities of this challenging job. I have greatly appreciated the opportunity given to me by Sabazius to serve the Order as GTG over the past seven years. The challenges and frustrations that I sometimes faced were more than offset by the satisfaction of having helped to make a difference during this exciting period in the history of the O.T.O. Although I will begin focusing more of my time and energy on I.H.Q., I will continue to offer my services to Grand Lodge as a Bishop and S.G.I.G. wherever I may be needed. Love is the law, love under will. Vere Chappell

From the Volunteer Coordinator

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. I have been offered the opportunity to serve as Volunteer Coordinator for our U.S. Grand Lodge. This is a newly formed office with the intent of assisting our U.S. Grand Lodge officers. The following will explain the mission and the techniques to be used for successful accomplishment: The primary function of the Volunteer Coordinator (VC) is twofold: to find suitable jobs for volunteers to perform, and to find suitable volunteers to perform jobs that need to be performed. The VC shall accept job requests from Grand Lodge officers and Governing Bodies, and shall periodically poll them regarding jobs they need to be performed by volunteers. The VC shall solicit and accept applications from members in good standing who wish to volunteer to serve Grand Lodge. The VC shall maintain suitably detailed databases of jobs and volunteers, and shall endeavor to match volunteers with suitable jobs. The VC shall report potential matches to the officer or Governing Body that submitted the job request, providing sufficient information for the officer or Governing Body to make an informed decision regarding appointment of the volunteer. I can be reached via the email link posted on our U.S. Grand Lodge government page: http://oto-usa.org/govt.html I look forward to this opportunity for service and to the results this position has the potential for yielding. Love is the law, love under will. James McLaughlin (Frater Do)

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From the Electoral College

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The following actions concerning local Bodies were taken by the Electoral College at its Summer 2004 EV meeting:

Closures
None.

Hosting E.C. Meetings

Local bodies that are interested in hosting meetings of the Electoral College are encouraged to write the president of the collegesee p. 2 for contact information.

Website Update
On behalf of the Electoral College, I am pleased to announce that the official E.C. Website is up and running at: http://ec.oto-usa.org/ Thanks to Sr. Ariana White and Br. Craig Berry. Bodymasters seeking up-to-date forms for the Annual Report , Change of Mastership Application, Application for Oasis status, Application for Lodge status, or closure forms will find them (exclusively) at the following URL: http://ec.oto-usa.org/ECservices.html Bodymasters not already in possession of the username and password (distributed on 8.18.04 EV) will be granted them upon request (see E.C. contact information on p. 2). All other previous versions of these forms are now obsolete and should not be used. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Frater Dvgls Jms Blk

Change of Master
Transfer of Mastership of Ad Astra Camp (Denver, CO) from Br. Skott Holck to Br. Nathan Diarmid Hammer, (Acting Master confirmed as Master) effective 6.27.04 EV. Transfer of Mastership of HeruBehutet Oasis (Kansas City, MO) to Br. Wes Warlop (Acting Master confirmed as Master) effective 6.27.04 EV. The college wishes to express its appreciation to the past and present masters of these two bodies. We wish you all the best in your new offices and endeavors.

Communication with the E.C.

I would like to invite any initiates with suggestions as to how we can do our job better, or who have specific concerns or questions regarding the operation of the Electoral College, to write to either the President or Secretary of the E.C. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to take effective measures bringing about better communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed and I believe that communication as such is of benefit to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All regular mail correspondence with the Electoral College Secretary should be sent to the following address: 5030 N. May Ave., #252 Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6010

New Charters
None.

From the Quartermaster

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Greetings from the Quartermasters Office. I would like to thank the Executive for giving me the opportunity to serve the Order in a greater capacity, and to extend appreciation to Frater A.M.D.E.N. for his years of service, for providing valuable information and making this a smooth transition. In August, I attended Sekhet Bast Ra Lodges 20th Anniversary and was deeply inspired by a speech given by our Supreme and Holy King. One of the things that impressed me was his desire to form a variety of Guilds so that we may draw upon our internal resources. With that direction in mind, I would like to begin to utilize our own resources for the manufacture of our regalia, rather than continuing to use outside vendors. So, if you have a design for items that you are using for your local body, please contact me and let me know if you are interested in providing your services to the Order at large. I am particularly looking for jewelers with knowledge and experience in lost wax casting. Agap 5 In addition, I would like to announce that you will see some changes, including the standardization of regalia. I am currently working on a website with photographs of available items. This site will be password protected, with pricing and lead times for each item. After the transition of the office of Quartermaster is complete, I should be able to guarantee a maximum of one-week turn around for most items that a local body might need. It is my hope to create a fundraising organization within O.T.O. via the office of Quartermaster, and to provide you with quality merchandise at very reasonable prices. My office is open to ideas and suggestions. Please let me know how I may serve you. Love is the law, love under will. Frater V. V. N.

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Passing Torches
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Traditionally, the Dadouchos was the torchbearer in ancient Greece that lead the nightly processions in the Eleusinian mysteries, illuminating the way of the initiates to the precincts of the sacred Temple. This title was also used by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn to designate their consecrating, or firebearing, officer. Similarly, in the Olympian tradition, the infamous games were preceeded by the lighting of the sacred fires to honor the Olympian hierarchy in their noble and sublime stature. These sacred fires were generally kindled by a torch ignited solely by the focussed rays of the sun, sacred to Apollo. This particular tradition is carried on even to this day, as witnessed in this summers Olympic games, which return to the city of Athens and have just commenced as I begin to revise this essay. This flame is kindled in Athens, the city of Wisdom and Truth, sacred to Athena (the Greek Minerva), and carried around the globe by runners from the various countries and cultures that make up the diversity of our world, which unites us in one common goal: the celebration of life and the excellence therein. Just so, the same type of tradition exists within our sacred Order. That of passing the torch to a suitable successor in terms of mastership and stewardship of a particular local body, and even that of the Order itself. As far as the Ordo Templi Orientis as a whole is concerned, this tradition of guardianship of the Order passed from Karl Kellner through Theodor Ruess to Aleister Crowley and thence to Karl Germer. Subsequently, Germer failed to name a successor before his death, as had been the tradition within the Order up until that time. Fortunately for the Order, as it exists today, Crowley had the foresight to look toward the future and he recognized Grady McMurtry as a likely successor to Germer, as witnessed in what have come to be known as the Caliphate Letters, which were later utilized by the Order in its reestablishment when the California courts recognized Grady as the legitimate successor and Outer Head of the Order of the O.T.O. This chain of succession has come to be known as the Caliphate. The word caliph is an Arabic term, which means the one who follows or comes after. It was a term used in the Muslim faith and was applied to the successors of their prophet and our saint, Mohammed, in the stewardship of the Islamic religion. The term, caliph, has been subsequently used by our Order to designate the followers of To Mega Therion as the prophet of Thelema. At the level of our local bodies of the O.T.O., one of the primary duties of a bodymaster, besides the day-to-day operations of running the body, is to designate and begin preparing a suitable successor to take up the helm of leadership once they themselves move on from that distinguished position of service. For it must be remembered, as it is clearly stated in Liber 194, with us Government is Service, and nothing else. Traditionally, in the Los Angeles area, where I served as master of L.V.X. Oasis, then Lodge, from 1997 to 2000 EV, the mantle of mastership had traditionally passed from bodymaster to secretary with relative consistency over the years. This is likely due to the large amount of direct interaction with body operations that the secretary generally has. This may, however, be a specifically local phenomenon. Today, many local bodies have adopted the office of deputy bodymaster, designed to specify and begin training a particular individual within the local body in order to prepare them for taking on the helm of leadership when this natural transition takes place within the growth process of any local body. As our Order and our local bodies grow and mature, this process of transition of mastership, the passing of the torch of stewardship from one master to the next in seamless succession, must also develop and mature. As structuralization and organization are primary tenets of our Order, the development of this particular position of service seems natural, but will require a specific focus of attention from local body masters in order to foster this development. For myself, serving as a local body master was an honor. And it was my privilege to have had the opportunity to be of service in the capacity of Master of L.V.X. Lodge and to have become a part of that august lineage of brothers and sisters who have taken on the mantle of leadership at the local level. And I salute each of my august brothers and sisters who either presently, or in the past, have taken on this role of leadership as well as all those who will assume that role in the years ahead. I look forward with much anticipation to the growth and flowering of our Order as we grow ever stronger in the Work. May our Order and our leadership continue to shine brightly as a beacon within the darkness and serve as a torch or lantern of L.V.X. to assist in guiding and kindling the light within those pilgrims who will come to find the New Aeon of Thelema. Love is the law. Love under will. Frater Hrumachis

Agap Volume 6, Number 3 sumbission deadline: q in J R in F Dies Saturnii Anno IV:xii Saturday, January 1, 2005 EV
Please send your local body reports and governing body reports to:

agape@oto-usa.org
We will also accept other kinds of work, including essays, art and photography. Submission guidelines are coming soon. For more information contact agape@oto-usa.org.

Agap

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Local Body Reports

Nu Aeon Camp: Land OLakes, Florida
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. When I was planning the formation of Nu Aeon Camp, I was sure that I was going to have to start with people who were just starting their paths in our beloved Order. As it turns out, I was fortunate to find quite a few people from the local bodies that were no longer active in this part of Florida. I found a group of hard working Thelemites who strongly desired to establish a Thelemic current here in Central Florida, and we have accomplished much in the first three months of our charter. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Nu Aeon Camp Deputy Master, Frater Nemo, we have constructed all of the mass temple equipment, celebrated our first public mass, and performed two baptisms on July 18th, 2004 EV. Our warmest thanks to Nu Aeons Mentor and her team for performing this mass and doing such a great job for us. On July 31st, we performed our first round of initiations, consisting of one First Degree and two Minerval initiations, and it was a big success. We had a great party afterwards, and much joy was shared by all. I want to thank the Master of Swirling Star Oasis, Fr. Illia, for coming all the way from Miami to do these initiations for us, and for all the help that he and the rest of Swirling Star Oasis have given us during our formation. Without their assistance and counsel, we would not have been able to accomplish what we have. We have also started an ongoing study of Book 4, held a Thelemic Bowling Night in Lakeland, a Gnostic Mass workshop, and our first monthly business meeting. We have a few Meet & Greet events planned in both the Orlando and Tampa areas. Our plans are to continue celebratring the Gnostic Mass on a monthly basis. Many members have shown interest in doing other things such as Enochian and Goetic workshops, and other studies. There are exciting things happening for Nu Aeon Camp and we invite any and all of our Brethren who may be planning on visiting Florida for their vacations to stop by and visit us while youre here. Love is the law, love under will. Brother Rick Pearlstein

RPSTOVAL Camp: Ashland, Oregon

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Greetings and Peace from RPSTOVAL Camp, located in the Rogue Valley in beautiful southern Oregon. We are a relatively small local body, but we have been experiencing activity and growth over the past year. Since the summer of 2003 EV, we have seen a great deal of transition and transformation. We had a change of mastership last summer, which went very smoothly, with the helm of stewardship passing from our Frater O.S. to Frater OX. With that change came the appointment of myself, Frater Hrumachis, as secretary and Soror Ashera as treasurer for the body. Last summer a number of our local members representing our valley attended and presented at NOTOCON in Portland. In autumn 2003 EV, we performed four Minerval initiations (under the auspices of Coph Nia Lodge), increasing our ranks by nearly 50 percent. Our ongoing Magick In Theory & Practice Study Group meets every two weeks at the Rogue Valley Metaphysical Library in Ashland and continues to serve as our primary vehicle for attracting new members. We started out with four regularly attending participants and has now grown to over 15 active in the group. In January, RPSTOVAL Camp also hosted the Introduction to Ceremonial Magick presentation which brought over 70 new people and generated a great deal of interest in the Camp. In the spring we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Equinox of the Gods with a performance of the Invocation of Horus by our Soror Hypatia and Frater L.S.D. at their beautiful woodland home in the wilds of Merlin, Oregon. After which, Frater Hrumachis and Soror Ashera headed off to Egypt to celebrate

the Three Days of the Writing of the Book of the Law with brethren from around the world, while Frater OX and Soror Magdelene hosted Beltane festivities with members of Coph Nia Lodge at local Squaw Lake. This past July we performed four more Minerval initiations with Frater OX picking up initiatory duties having recently received his charter to initiate from the Grand Master, and in August, we performed our first set of I initiations in some time. Our celebrations of the Gnostic Mass have continued on a quarterly basis and we have performed six baptisms and two confirmations for our congregation over the course of the past year. We have also been honored by the return of our founding member, Frater Solis and Soror A.N. along with their daughter who moved back to our valley earlier this year. Our esteemed brother recently finished his 11 year tenure on the Electoral College and we are proud and thrilled to have both he and Soror A.N. back among us. The Camp is pleased to be cosponsoring a presentation by Frater Solis this November entitled, An Introduction to New Aeon Magick & Qabalah. In December, Soror Ashera and I are expecting the birth of our first child, joyously conceived while we were in Egypt in the spring. May that hour be auspicious, and the gate of life open in peace and in well-being, so that she that beareth children may rejoice, and the babe catch life with both hands. All joy, all peace and bright blessings to our Most Holy Order and to all of our brothers and sister in the bonds of Thelema. May this Year of the Hanged Man continue to bring fruitful and flowing transformation for us all. Love is the law, love under will. Frater Hrumachis 7 q IN H IV:XII EN

Agap

Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A. P. O. Box 15037 Portland, OR 97293-5037

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND, OR PERMIT #2804

Agap is the Official Organ of the U. S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Volume VI, Number 3

From the Grand Master

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. As part of our ongoing strategic planning effort, we have developed two brief, descriptive documents intended to summarize the general program of U.S. Grand Lodge and its overall mission. Our Program Synopsis and Mission Statement are published elsewhere in this issue, and may also be found on the U.S. Grand Lodge website. A general meeting of E.G.C. Bishops and Auxiliary Bishops was convened on the weekend of October 16-17, 2004 EV in Portland, Oregon. The following took place: The recent changes to the U.S. E.G.C. Manual were reviewed, including the definition of public and private celebration of the Gnostic Mass; firsttime attendee dispensation for communion; and the policy on Priestess re-robing. The E.G.C. Secretary provided a report on the status of the E.G.C. Database, the future availability of centrally-generated E.G.C. certificates, and ideas for a series of E.G.C. pages for novices and ordained clergy linked from the U.S.G.L. website. Episcopal supervision of novices and ordained clergy was discussed at length. Supervising bishops must have significant experience with Liber XV, and must be very familiar with current E.G.C. policies. Supervising bishops are responsible for general quality control, for training novices in E.G.C. policies and standards, and for assuring that ordained clergy have access to the resources they need. General criteria for Gnostic Mass performance and temple furnishings were also discussed. Please contact an E.G.C. Bishop or Auxiliary Bishop for details.

q IN K R IN H ANNO IV:XII February 1, 2005 EV

The Supreme Grand Council has inducted Dr. Anna Mary Bonus Kingsford into the Order of the Eagle, on the strength of Frater Paradoxos Alphas essay, which is included in this issue of Agap. Ive also posted his essay on my website here: www.hermetic.com/sabazius/kingsford.htm For those of you unfamiliar with the Order of the Lion and Order of the Eagle (U.S.G.L.s program of historical honors), please refer to Agap V. 1 No. 3. Back issues of Agap are avalilable on-line here: oto-usa.org/docs.htm A list of inductees to date and a collection of essays about them may be found here: www.hermetic.com/sabazius/lion_eagle.html Gossip appears to be an inevitable byproduct of group interaction. It appears to be especially tempting in electronic forums, for some reason. Perhaps it's the sense of physical isolation, or the convenience, or perhaps it's the ease with which certain people can be included in the discussion, while certain others are excluded. Some seem to regard gossip as a form of personal therapy, while others do it in a purported attempt to seek advice on personal matters from, seemingly, as many people as possible. Regardless, spreading rumors about your brothers and sisters, whether done maliciously or just idly or carelessly, is damaging to the spirit of fraternity we are trying to cultivate.

Contents
From the Grand Master, Sabazius ........................................................ 1 Program Synopsis and Mission Statement .............................................. 3 Anna Mary Bonus Kingsford, Paradoxos Alpha ......................................... 4 From the Electoral College, Frater Dvgls Jms Blk .................................... 6 NOTOCON 2005 EV, Soror Hypatia ......................................................... 7 1 q IN K IV:XII EN

Agap

When the topic of others not present comes up in conversationin an uncomplimentary wayplease stop and think for a moment. Are you passing on first-hand knowledge, or unconfirmed rumors? If there's doubt, have you given your brother or sister the benefit of that doubt, or have you assumed the worst? If you have a complaint about something someone did or said, have you taken your complaint to someone who

can do something about it, such as the person in question, or perhaps an appropriate mediator? Can you state a valid reason for discussing the matter, whatever it is, in such a forum? What positive result do you hope to achieve, that could not be better achieved some other way? It can take a lot of effort to overcome the tendency to gossip, but putting forth that effort feeds the fraternal spirit. Please do your part. A happy and prosperous vulgar new year to all.

Love is the law, love under will. Sabazius

The Official Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Executive Editor: Editor: Proofreading: Editorial Address:

Mysteria Mystica Maxima

Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica

Sabazius X Fr. HydraLVX Dawn C. Davis P.O. Box 15037 Portland, OR 97293-5037 agape@oto-usa.org

U.S. GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

U.S. NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: SABAZIUS X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. DEPUTY NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: LON MILO DUQ UETTE P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND SECRETARY GENERAL: FR. HUNAHPU PO Box 47988, Minneapolis, MN 55447 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND TREASURER GENERAL: FR. S.L.Q. P.O. Box 45139, Los Angeles, CA 90045-0139 310.216.5666 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury ASSISTANT GRAND TREASURER GENERAL: HANK HADEED hank@hanaela.com U.S. G RAND TRIBUNAL JAMES NOBLES, SECRETARY grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 30666, Seattle, WA 98103-0666 F R. AISHMLCHMH, ASSISTANT SECRETARY gt_as@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 17462, Minneapolis, MN 55417 U.S. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, U.S. SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL, U.S. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. ELECTORAL COLLEGE DOUGLAS JAMES BLAKE, PRESIDENT ec_president@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 47056, Seattle, WA 98146 DANN BUCHANAN, SECRETARY electoral_college@oto-usa.org 5030 N. May Ave., #252, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6010 U.S.G.L. INITIATION SECRETARY: SR. IXEL BALAMKE PO Box 47988, Minneapolis, MN 55447 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. SECRETARY: T MARIE P.O. Box 201750, Austin, TX 78720-1750 egc@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PARLIAMENTARIAN: SR. HELENA P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 parliamentarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. QUARTERMASTER: FR. V.V.N. quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. WEBMASTER: CRAIG BERRY webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LIBRARIAN : FR . K.Z. P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ARCHIVIST: FR. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S.G.L. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: JAMES MC LAUGHLIN volunteers@oto-usa.org SECRETARY FOR CORRESPONDENCE : T ALLEN GREENFIELD 3267 Buford Hwy., Ste. 720-109, Atlanta, GA 30329-1707 correspondence@oto-usa.org COORDINATOR, O.T.O. PRISON MINISTRY: DANIEL L. AKZINOR PO Box 90372, Portland, OR 97290-0372 prison_ministry@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER: FR. HRUMACHIS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 pio@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ASSISTANT S ECRETARY FOR NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION: FR. HYDRALVX P.O. Box 15037, Portland, OR 97293-5037 agape@oto-usa.org WWW.OTO-USA.ORG

Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A., a California not-for-profit religious corporation with business offices at P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business offices at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at P .O. Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download in PDF format at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/docs.html Copyright 2005 EV Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

Agap

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U.S. Grand Lodge Program Synopsis

1. To create, maintain, and promote a structured society of men and women within the United States of America, who are united by their acceptance of the Law of Thelema, by a common interest in Magick, Yoga, and Hermetic Science, by the common experience of ceremonial initiation and sacramental ritual, by common pledges of fidelity, cooperation, and mutual aid, and by certain common ideals, namely: individual liberty; self-discipline; self-knowledge; universal brotherhood; and opposition to tyranny, superstition, and oppression. 2. To manage and govern this society in substantial conformance with the principles set forth in the writings of Aleister Crowley and other historical leaders of Ordo Templi Orientis, with the approval and under the authorization of the International Headquarters of Ordo Templi Orientis, and in such a way as to ensure its continued survival and promote its continual growth and advancement. 3. To provide certain benefits to the members of this society, including, but not limited to: participation in sacramental rituals; social community and entertainment; pastoral guidance and mediation of disputes; instruction in Hermetic Science, Yoga, and Magick; and opportunities for creative expression, community service, and development of beneficial social and professional relationships. 4. To preserve and advance the principles and practices of the religious, philosophical, and magical system of Thelema, and to promote the principles of individual liberty and universal brotherhood. 5. To conserve and manage books, documents, and other properties of historical or practical value which it may possess. 6. To establish physical centers of activity for the society in diverse locations throughout the United States of America.

U.S. Grand Lodge Mission Statement

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.

Agap

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Anna Mary Bonus Kingsford

Esotericist, Visionary, Hermetic Mystic Inductee of the Order of the Eagle, Anno IVxii
Anna Kingsford (ne Bonus, 1846-1888 EV) was prominent among mystics and theosophists in the 1880s. Politically active throughout her adult life, she was a feminist, vegetarian, and most especially an anti-vivisectionist. To bolster her authority in the cause of anti-vivisectionism, she pursued and achieved a medical degree through the university in Paris. She lectured on political, social, and religious topics, coming to style herself as an esoteric Christian. Although she was an adult convert to Roman Catholicism, taking the name Mary at confirmation, she was never a member of any parish, and was not active within the church. Her doctrines were often rooted in visionary experience, and her principal collaborator in mysticism was Edward Maitland, a lapsed Anglican with Spiritualist leanings, who was many years her senior. Together, Kingsford and Maitland elaborated the teachings of what they called the new Gospel of Interpretation through a series of lectures and a resultant book: The Perfect Way: or, The Finding of Christ. Kingsford served a term as President of the London body of the Theosophical Society. Subsequently, she was the founder and head of the Hermetic Society, which was an instrumental forerunner of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. S.L. Mathers dedicated The Kabbalah Unveiled to Kingsford and Maitland, and W.W. Westcott eulogized her as indeed illuminated by the Sun of Light in a Golden Dawn history lecture. Both Mathers and Westcott had been lecturers in Kingsfords Hermetic Society. Kingsfords doctrines regarding the role of active will in mysticism and the undesirability of passive mediumship may well have influenced the composition of the original Golden Dawn Neophyte obligation, in which the candidate swore, I will not suffer myself to be hypnotized, or mesmerized, nor will I place myself in such a passive state that any uninitiated person, power, or being may cause me to lose control of my thoughts, words or actions. Aleister Crowley was very much aware of Kingsfords influence and importance to the occultism of his period. In his introduction to the first volume of Book Four, he wrote that Kingsford had done ... more in the religious world than any other person had done for generations. She, and she alone, made Theosophy possible, and without Theosophy the world-wide interest in similar matters would never have been aroused. This interest is to the Law of Thelema what the preaching of John the Baptist was to Christianity. Similarly, in General Principles of Astrology, he observed that Kingsford was disposed of an initiating force sufficient to transfigure the thought of half the world. [...] She was doubtless the head of the battering-ram that broke in the gates of the materialist philosophy of the Victorian Age. Crowley particularly pointed to Kingsfords writings as providing an example of Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel. The text in question was The Vision of Adonai included in her book Clothed with the Sun. Maitland assembled that book from Kingsfords writings that were received through mystic inspiration and not to be changed in so much as a single word. It stands as an obvious predecessor to and influence upon the Holy Books of Thelema in both form and content. In The Vision of Adonai, she wrote: In the midst stands Deity erect, His right hand raised aloft, and from Him pours the light of light. Forth from His right hand streams the universe, projected by the omnipotent repulsion of his will. Back to His left, which is depressed and set backwards, returns the universe, drawn by the attraction of His love. Repulsion and attraction, will and love, right and left, these are the forces, centrifugal and centripetal, male and female, whereby God creates and redeems.

Agap

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Kingsford distinguished between the man Jesus and the historically repeatable phenomenon of Christs or fully realized adepts. Her doctrines emphasized a set of archangels, which were identical with deities of Hellenic paganism, and were set in presidency over the planets. Along with her talk of attaining to the condition of Christ, it is clear from other indications that Kingsford nursed messianic aspirations. Kingsford and Maitland developed an idea of historical Apocalypse, which treated 1881 EV as the beginning of the Age of Michael and a new spiritual regime, according to the calculations of Trithemius. Despite the protestations of modesty by Maitland in his Preface to Clothed with the Sun, it seems that Kingsford did view herself in some sense as the woman clothed with the sun from the twelfth chapter of the final book of the Bible, just as Crowley would later identify himself with the Great Beast of the thirteenth. In the sixth appendix of The Perfect Way, Kingsford explained various points of apocalyptic symbolism, including the Abomination of Desolation and the precession of the equinoxes. Kingsfords other ideas about the Aeon Jesus and the feminine component of deity were transmitted through her friend Lady Caithness to influence Jules Doinel, founder and first patriarch of the glise Gnostique which was an antecedent rite of the Thelemic Gnostic Catholic Church in O.T.O. Not the least of Kingsfords accomplishments was her infusion of a self-conscious feminism into the occultist organizations

of the late nineteenth century, with a pronounced influence on the founders of the Golden Dawn. She was an important player in setting the precedents that led modern occultism to encourage the equal participation of women with men in such organizations as the Golden Dawn and the O.T.O. Indeed, one might fairly say that Kingsfords work led quite directly to the fact that the Order of the Eagle now exists to recognize women who have contributed to the principles and work of O.T.O. A woman of high and intense energies, Kingsfords health was never robust. While struggling with her final illness, she wrote in her diary, I had hoped to have been one of the pioneers of the new awakening of the world. I had thought to have helped in the overthrow of the idolatrous altars and the purging of the temple; and now I must die just as the day of battle dawns and the sound of the chariot wheels is heard. Is it, perhaps, all premature? Have we thought the time nearer than it really is? Must I go, and sleep, and come again before the hour sounds? It is only fitting that we, who have heard the hour being sounded in the Equinox of the Gods, should recognize Doctor Anna Mary Bonus Kingsford as one who knowingly girded herself and others for what would reveal itself as the Aeon of Horus. So mote it be. Paradoxos Alpha

Principal Published Works of Anna Kingsford

Addresses and Essays on Vegetarianism Astrology Theologized: The Spiritual Hermeneutic of Astrology and Holy Writ (editor) Clothed with the Sun The Credo of Christianity and other Addresses and Essays on Esoteric Christianity Dreams and Dream Stories Health, Beauty and the Toilet The Perfect Way: or, The Finding of Christ The Perfect Way in Diet The Virgin of the World of Hermes Trismegistus (editor)

Biographical Sources (abridged list)

Butler, Alison. Magical Beginnings: The Intellectual Origins of the Victorian Occult Revival. Limina 9, 2003. pp. 78-95. Godwin, Joscelyn. The Theosophical Enlightenment. Albany: SUNY, 1994. Greer, Mary K. Women of the Golden Dawn: Rebels and Priestesses. Rochester: Park Street, 1995. Maitland, Edward. Anna Kingsford: Her Life, Letters, Diary and Work. (3rd edition) London: Watkins, 1913. Washington, Peter. Madame Blavatskys Baboon. New York: Schocken, 1995.

Agap Volume 7, Number 1 sumbission deadline: q in A R in J Dies Veneris Anno IV:xiii Saturday, April 1, 2005 EV
Please send your local body reports and governing body reports to:

agape@oto-usa.org
We will also accept other kinds of work, including essays, art and photography. Submission guidelines are available at www.oto-usa.org/agape. For more information contact agape@oto-usa.org.

Agap

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From the Electoral College

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The following actions concerning local Bodies were taken by the Electoral College at its Autumn 2004 EV meeting:

Apotheosis Camp in Channelview, Texas was closed at the request of Master Rita Vasak, after nearly 15 years of activity. Apotheosis was originally chartered in 1989 EV in Ashby Massachusetts, and relocated to Texas when Rita moved there in 1991 EV. The members of Apotheosis took pride in promoting Thelema within the local occult community, by teaching classes and becoming involved in festivals and conferences. The college would like to express its gratitude to Rita and the Members of Apotheosis Camp, for their years of dedicated service to the Order.

Closures
Apotheosis Camp (Houston, TX) closed at the request of the Master effective October 24, 2004 EV.

Communication with the E.C.

I would like to invite any initiates with suggestions as to how we can do our job better, or who have specific concerns or questions regarding the operation of the Electoral College, to write to either the President or Secretary of the E.C. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to take effective measures bringing about better communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed. I believe that communication is of benefit to the entire Order in our mutual goals, and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All regular mail correspondence with the Electoral College Secretary should be sent to the following address: 5030 N. May Ave., #252 Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6010

Change of Master
Transfer of mastership of Thelema Lodge (Oakland, CA) from Michael Sanborn to S. John Banner effective effective October 24, 2004 EV. Transfer of mastership of Horus Oasis (Salt Lake City, UT) to Pamela Offret effective October 24, 2004 EV. The College wishes to express its appreciation to the past and present Masters of these bodies. We wish you all the best in your new offices and endeavors.

Change in Body Status

Hoor-Par-Kraat camp is now chartered as Hoor-Par-Kraat Oasis (Ogden, UT) with Christopher George as Master effective October 24, 2004 EV. Ad Astra Camp is now chartered as Ad Astra Oasis (Denver, CO) with Diarmid Hammer as Master effective October 24, 2004 EV. The college wishes to express its appreciation to the past and present Masters of these two bodies. We wish you all the best in your new offices and endeavors.

Website
The official E.C. website can be found at: ec.oto-usa.org

Forms
Bodymasters seeking up-to-date forms for the Annual Report, Change of Mastership Application, Application for Oasis status, Application for Lodge status, or closure forms will find them (exclusively) at the following URL: ec.oto-usa.org/ECservices.htm Bodymasters not already in possession of the username and password (distributed on August 18, 20004 EV) will be granted them upon request (see E.C. contact information on p. 2). All other previous versions of these forms are now obsolete and should not be used.

New Charters
None.

Hosting E.C. Meetings

Local bodies that are interested in hosting meetings of the Electoral College are encouraged to write the president of the collegesee p. 2 for contact information.

Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Frater Dvgls Jms Blk

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NOTOCON 2005 EV
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. William Blake Oasis, with the assistance of Tahuti Lodge, Black Sun Oasis, Knights Templar Oasis, and Thelesis Camp is proud to be hosting the 2005 EV National O.T.O. Conference: Heretics and Kings taking place August 12-14, 2005 EV. The conference is to be held in Reston, VA, only 20 miles away from Washington, DC. It is our hope that you extend your stay to enjoy the wealth of culture and history that the DC area offers. Even if you are not into American heritage, there are still plenty of interesting things to see and do. We are all very excited to welcome our Brothers and Sisters to this first ever NOTOCON on the East Coast. Among the events to be presented are: a reception, the traditional Saturday night formal dinner, a Gnostic Mass fashion show, a Gnostic Mass for initiates of III and above (with initiate steps and signs), and the Gnostic Mass for everyone. Naturally, there will also be a daily schedule of classes, lectures and workshops presented by some of the Orders most noteworthy dignitaries, scholars and speakers. Prior to NOTOCON, on Friday morning, we will offer a IV / P.I. symbolism workshop. This is a supplemental event for an additional registration fee. Most importantly, there will be plenty of opportunity for comradeship and fraternity. The on-site committee has tried to keep the conference affordable and convenient, in spite of the DC area being one of the most expensive in the country. We did our best and negotiated a $79 per night room rate for NOTOCON; there are limited rooms available at that price, so please book early. The registration fee is $171 per person. Conveniently, free shuttle service is available from Dulles International Airport to the hotel. The hotel will also shuttle people for free to Reston Town Center where one can find shopping, restaurants and food of a variety in quality and cost to accommodate different budgets. The hotel also has two restaurants on-site with good food. Honestly, I am a bit nervous about attendance, so I would really appreciate it if you would please help us out by registering earlythen perhaps I will not have torn out all my hair by August! We had originally priced the registration fee at $165.00 and added a service fee for on-line payments, but due to a misunderstanding regarding PayPal policy, we have had to increase the registration fee to $171 for all attendees to absorb the added cost. We are very apologetic for the oversight and will still honor the check registrations of $165.00 that have been submitted prior to January 13, 2005 EV. When reading the above, you may have asked, fashion show? Yes, we will hold a fashion show to encourage members to show their Mass robes. We want to inspire Mass teams, and Bodies getting started, by giving them an opportunity to see the depth of design, creativity and detail that goes into ritual garb. This is not a beauty contest or competition. We will take optional photographs of the vestments shown, for posterity and outreach. If you have sewing patterns or can recommend vendors that you use, we will have a table where you can share that information. There will be a place in the registration form where you can indicate your interest. In order to plan ahead, Id love to have advance commitment from about 25 people to participate. Please contact me as soon as possible through the NOTOCON website. Show your enthusiasm and break out your ritual duds! Some people have asked me about NOTOCON vending and the rumors are true. Yes, O.T.O.friendly outside vendors are welcome, however they cannot attend the workshops and other events. We are interested in your recommendations of any businesses which you feel would add to the overall experience. We also invite O.T.O. Bodies and O.T.O. Initiate members vending their own wares to vend at NOTOCON. Vendor applications, fee schedules, etc. are on the website (see below for address). Registration, contact information, and much more can be found at: www.notocon.org The website has links to local attractions, hotel info (they even have golf), public transit, FAQs and more. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at: onsite@notocon.org We hope to see you there!

Love is the law, love under will. Soror Hypatia Master, William Blake Oasis

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Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A. P. O. Box 15037 Portland, OR 97293-5037

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND, OR PERMIT #2804

Agap is the Ocial Organ of the U. S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

From the Grand Master

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Transition: Grand Treasurer General In accordance with the prophesy (see our November 2004 issue), Brother Vere Chappell, our Grand Treasurer General since April 1997 , has moved on from his position as U.S.G.L. G.T.G. and is now serving as the Treasurer General (T.G.) for I.H.Q. In assuming the oce of T.G., Brother Vere replaces Brother Bill Heidrick, who, aer 26 years of service as G.T.G. and T.G., has retired from active service in those roles. Brother Hank Hadeed has stepped up to replace Brother Vere as U.S. G.T.G. We wish Brothers Bill and Vere the best, and oer a warm welcome to Brother Hank. Hanks contact information as the new G.T.G. may be found in the contacts box on p. 2. New Ofce: U.S.G.L. Ombudsman We have created and filled a new position within U.S. Grand Lodge: the Ombudsman. The purpose of the Ombudsman is to serve as an official liaison between the general membership of O.T.O. within the United States and the various governing and administrative bodies of the U.S. Grand Lodge of O.T.O.; and to facilitate communication between members, ocers, and governing and administrative bodies, especially towards the resolution of problems. The ocial duties of the Ombudsman are as follows: 1. To receive and answer requests from members for information regarding which ocer, governing body, or administrative body may be contacted to address a specic problem or need. To receive complaints from members regarding the job performance of local or national O.T.O. ocers, or regarding problems associated with local or national O.T.O. policies, and, when other avenues of mediation are unavailable or unsatisfactory, regarding the conduct of other individual members. 3. To p e r f o r m t r i a g e r e g a r d i n g complaints received, and to act on said complaints in the most appropriate manner, from among the following options: A. Respond to the complainant with clarifying information. B. Request additional information from the complainant. C. If necessary, discretely request additional information from other individuals, without commencing an intensive investigation. D. Refer the complainant to the appropriate officer, governing body, and/or administrative body. Continued

Volume VII, Number 1 q B R K A IV: May 1, 2005

Transition: Grand Tribunal Secretary After having served for five years as Secretary of the U.S. Grand Tribunal, Brother James Nobles has recently stepped down from that oce to be of service to the Order in another capacity. In his place I have appointed Brother Dathan Biberstein. All Grand Tribunal correspondence should be sent to Brother Dathan at the address on p. 2. The email address remains the same: grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org Many thanks to Br. Jim, and good luck to Br. Dathan.

2.

Contents
From the Grand Master, Sabazius ......................................................... 1 From the Grand Tribunal, James Nobles VII ........................................... 3 From the International Treasurer General, Vere Chappell............................ 4 From the Electoral College, Frater Dvgls Jms Blk ...................................... 4 From the E.G.C. Secretary, Tau Marie .................................................... 5 From the Ombudsman, Frater Hrumachis ................................................ 5 The Vice of Kings, John L. Crow ........................................................... 6 The Path of Mediation Part 1, Frater Hrumachis ....................................... 8 Local Body Reports .......................................................................... 9 Obituaries .................................................................................... 11 1 q B IV:

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From the Grand Master Continued E. Forward the complaint, with recommendations and with any additional information deemed necessary, to the appropriate officer, governing body, and/or administrative body. Complaints may be forwarded without information identifying the complainant if the Ombudsman deems this to be necessary and appropriate. 4. To maintain a condential record of complaints received, actions taken, and how resolution was achieved in each case. Said record shall be accessible to the Executive and the S.C., and to other governing bodies with the permission of the Executive. 5. To make known the existence and function of the oce of Ombudsman to the membership of O.T.O. within the United States by all practical means.

The oce of Ombudsman is not intended to engage in intensive investigations, or otherwise perform functions normally assigned to other ocers or governing bodies, without specic authorization from the National Grand Master General. The person lling the oce of Ombudsman must be a member of O.T.O. in good standing of at least the degree of G.I.C., and must be a member of the Grand Tribunal. The Executive has appointed Frater Hrumachis as U.S. Grand Lodge Ombudsman. His contact information can be found on the list of Grand Lodge ocers in the contacts box, below.

The Ocial Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Executive Editor: Editor & Layout: Assistant Editor: Editorial Address:

Mysteria Mystica Maxima

Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica

Sabazius X Joseph Thiebes Dawn C. Davis P.O. Box 15037 Portland, OR 97293-5037 agape@oto-usa.org

U.S. GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

U.S. NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: SABAZIUS X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. DEPUTY NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: LON MILO DUQUETTE P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND SECRETARY GENERAL: FR. HUNAHPU PO Box 47988, Minneapolis, MN 55447 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND TREASURER GENERAL: HANK HADEED 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. #444, Portland, OR 97214-5246 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury DATHAN U.S. GRAND TRIBUNAL BIBERSTEIN, SECRETARY grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 17462, Minneapolis, MN 55417 U.S.G.L. OMBUDSMAN: FR. HRUMACHIS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 541-488-1257 ombudsman@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. QUARTERMASTER: FR. V.V.N. quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. WEBMASTER: CRAIG BERRY webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LIBRARIAN: FR. K.Z. P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ARCHIVIST: FR. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S.G.L. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: JAMES MCLAUGHLIN volunteers@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY: ARIANA WHITE PO Box 3993, Eugene, OR 97403 publications@oto-usa.org SECRETARY FOR CORRESPONDENCE: T ALLEN GREENFIELD 3267 Buford Hwy., Ste. 720-109, Atlanta, GA 30329-1707 correspondence@oto-usa.org COORDINATOR, O.T.O. PRISON MINISTRY: DANIEL L. AKZINOR PO Box 90372, Portland, OR 97290-0372 prison_ministry@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER: FR. HRUMACHIS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 pio@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION: JOSEPH THIEBES P.O. Box 15037, Portland, OR 97293-5037 agape@oto-usa.org

U.S. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, U.S. SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL, U.S. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. ELECTORAL COLLEGE DOUGLAS JAMES BLAKE, PRESIDENT ec_president@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 47056, Seattle, WA 98146 DANN BUCHANAN, SECRETARY electoral_college@oto-usa.org 5030 N. May Ave., #252, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6010 U.S.G.L. INITIATION SECRETARY: SR. IXEL BALAMKE PO Box 47988, Minneapolis, MN 55447 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. SECRETARY: TAU MARIE P.O. Box 201750, Austin, TX 78720-1750 egc@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PARLIAMENTARIAN: SR. HELENA P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 parliamentarian@oto-usa.org

WWW.OTO-USA.ORG
Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A., a California not-for-prot religious corporation with business ofces at P .O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business ofces at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at P .O. Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download in PDF format at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/docs.html Copyright 2005 EV Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

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Please feel free to get in touch with him if you are having trouble geing your questions answered, your problems addressed, or if you dont know who to approach with your problem or question.

2. 3.

To c o lle c t and o rganize s aid publications. To scan the paper copies submied by local bodies into readable electronic format. To distribute the received local body publications on CD-ROM on a quarterly basis to the Grand Master, Grand Secretary General, Grand Treasurer General, Librarian, Treasurer General, Secretary General and other U.S.G.L. or I.H.Q. ocers as instructed. To work with local bodies to ensure their compliance with policies of local body publication submission. To make known the existence and function of the office to the local bodies and their ocers. To send all hard copies and records pertaining to the office to the U.S.G.L. archivist annually and upon termination of oce.

For electronic submissions, links, and updates to web publications: publications@oto-usa.org

4.

Formation of Education Committee In Agape Vol. V, No. 1, I mentioned that we were seing up a standing commiee at the Grand Lodge level to research, discuss, and make recommendations on local body instructional materials and classes; one of the long-term goals of which will be to develop instructional standards and guidance materials for local body use. The Education Commiee has been formed, and the Executive has, so far, appointed the following to the members: Frater A.A.V., Brother M. Dionysos Rogers, Brother Randall B., Sister Sabrina Caine, Brother Vere Chappell, Brother Christopher George, Sister Lisa Coffin, Brother Richard Kaczynski, Sister Kayla Block, and Soror Helena. The three members of the Executive (The G.S.G., the G.T.G., and I) are also members ex ocio, and I will serve as the rst Chair. Sister Kayla Block has been appointed Secretary, and may be contacted at education@oto-usa.org. New nominations for membership will continue to be accepted indenitely. Love is the law, love under will. Sabazius

Formalization of Ofce: Local Body Publications Secretary Although we have been informally (and, unfortunately, not very eectively) implementing a similar oce for some time, we have recently formalized the office of the U.S. Grand Lodge Local Body Publications Secretary, an Assistant Secretary of USGL under the Grand Secretary General. The Local Body Publications Secretary will manage a central clearinghouse for local body publications, distributing copies to the various U.S.G.L. and I.H.Q. ocers as necessary. Local bodies who submit copies of their local publications to the Local Body Publications Secretary will no longer be required to directly send multiple copies of their publications out to a constantly changing list of U.S.G.L. and I.H.Q. ocers. The official duties of the Local Body Publications Secretary are as follows: 1. To receive publication submissions from local bodies whether they be in electronic or paper form.

5.

6.

7.

The Local Body Publications Secretary shall serve for a term of two years, renewable by the Grand Secretary General. The Executive has appointed Sister Ariana White as U.S. Grand Lodge Local Body Publications Secretary. For hard-copy and CD submissions, please send only one copy of your newsleer or journal to: OTO Publications PO Box 3993 Eugene, OR 97403

From the Grand Tribunal

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. On March 20, 2005 , aer 5 years of service to U.S. Grand Lodge as Secretary of the Grand Tribunal, I formally stepped down to be of service to the Grand Master in another capacity. In my tenure, I have seen the Grand Tribunal grow into an eective judicial body in service to the Order as envisioned by the Constitution. In the years that I have served, I have seen many complaints cross my desk. In most instances, they were mediated and/or referred to other agencies and did not require further action. In other cases, especially serious complaints, some members had their membership restricted, were suspended or in the worst cases, they were expelled. Last year alone, there were two expulsions, three suspensions, three membership restrictions, and two members resigned while under investigation. Seeing members resign while under investigation is disheartening. I have seen members, when confronted with a Grand Tribunal investigation, resign before the investigation was concluded. As has been stated many times in the past, a Grand Tribunal investigation does not presuppose guilt. If the Court of Inquiry nds for the accused, the maer is dropped and no further action is taken. If the Court of Inquiry nds against the accused, s/he can request a trial (especially if it aects their membership status). The Grand Master has appointed Brother Dathan Biberstein to take over my duties and become the new Secretary of the U.S. Grand Tribunal. Brother Biberstein has been an Order member since 1990 , and has served as my assistant for the past three years. I know he will do a great job. All Grand Tribunal correspondences should go to him at the address listed on p. 2. In closing, I would like to say that this year marks my 23rd year in Ordo Templi Orientis, and the last 5 were the most enjoyable. Thank you all for allowing me to be of service. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, James Nobles VII

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From the International Treasurer General

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. I am pleased to announce that Hank Hadeed is now the new U.S. Grand Treasurer General. We have recently completed the transition process, and Hank is now receiving dues payments, initiation reports, local body nancial reports, and all other G.T.G. paperwork. Therefore, eective immediately, please send all treasury-related correspondence directly to him at the address listed on p. 2. The old Los Angeles G.T.G. address will continue to function for several months, though I will forward most mail that I receive there to Hank for processing. Also note that the G.T.G. e-mail address will now go to Hank instead of me. If you wish to reach me directly, please use the contact information below. On May 1st, I succeeded Bill Heidrick as Treasurer General for O.T.O. International Headquarters. I look forward to the challenges and rewards of this new position, and the opportunity to build upon the solid foundation created by Brother Bills crucial work in establishing the modern O.T.O. My new contact information for I.H.Q. treasury-related business is: Treasurer General Ordo Templi Orientis 24881 Alicia Parkway #E-529 Laguna Hills, CA 92653 E-mail: tg@oto.org Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Vere Chappell

From the Electoral College

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The following actions concerning local Bodies were taken by the Electoral College at its Winter 2005 meeting: Closures None. Change of Master None. Change in Body Status None. New Charters Brother Jerey Evere Hardee has been granted charter as Master of Lapis Lazuli Camp (Phoenix, AZ) eective January 15th, 2005 . The College wishes to express its congratulations to the members, ocers and Master of this new O.T.O. body. Hosting E.C. Meetings Local bodies that are interested in hosting meetings of the Electoral College are encouraged to write the president of the collegesee p. 2 for contact information. Upcoming E.C. Meetings The Summer 2005 meeting is scheduled for Saturday, July 16th via electronic medium. The Autumn 2005 meeting will take place Saturday, October 22nd, at Horizon Oasis (Seale, WA). Dues current members in good standing of V and above are welcome to aend and observe the in person Electoral College Meetings. We request that those planning to aend contact the Master of the hosting Body so that adequate arrangements may be made. Communication with the E.C. I would like to invite any initiates with suggestions about how we can do our job beer, or who have specic concerns or questions regarding the operation of the Electoral College, to write to either the President or Secretary of the E.C. For contact information, please see p. 2. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to take eective measures bringing about beer communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed. I believe that communication is of benet to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All postal mail correspondence with the Electoral College Secretary should be sent to the following address: 5030 N. May Ave., #252 Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6010 Website The ocial E.C. website can be found at: ec.oto-usa.org Forms Bodymasters seeking up-to-date forms for the Annual Report, Change of Mastership Application, Application for Oasis Status, Application for Lodge Status, or closure forms will nd them (exclusively) at the following URL: ec.oto-usa.org/ECservices.htm Bodymasters not already in possession of the username and password (distributed on August 18, 2004 ) will be granted them upon request (see E.C. contact information on p. 2). All other previous versions of these forms are now obsolete and should not be used. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Frater Dvgls Jms Blk Agap 4 q B IV:

From the E.G.C. Secretary

To all novice and ordained E.G.C. clergy Greeting of Earth and Heaven! Due to the tremendous growth in the Church over the last decade, the necessity of geing everyone on the same page has become imperative. As previously reported, we held an Episcopal Meeting in Portland last October, hosted by the talented folk at Sekhet-Maat Lodge. Packed into one room was the collective experience of over 200 years in performing the Mass. This august assembly went over the Mass, identifying the lines between personal style, local custom, and mandatory requirement. Clergy members should contact their supervising bishop for more information, and keep their eyes open for upcoming workshops. Also in the news is the release of the newly revised E.G.C. Manual. Members of the clergy need to be familiar with this document, which governs the E.G.C. within the O.T.O. Notable changes are the new denition of public and private masses, and clarication of the duties and privileges of the clergy. If you are a novice or ordained member of the clergy and need a copy, please contact me at: egc@oto-usa.org Thanks to all who have sent me their E.G.C. ceremony information in our data drive to collect records of past E.G.C. ceremonies. We are still far from nished; if you have any information on E.G.C. ceremonies performed prior to 2004 , send it on in. Ordained clergy, please also remember that the privilege of performing deacon ordinations must be delegated to you on a case-by-case basis by the deacons supervising bishop. We now have beautiful ocial E.G.C. certicates, which will be issued from my oce upon receipt of a ceremony report. These certicatess not only show that a ceremony was performed, they also certify that the person performing the ceremony is a duly recognized ocer of the E.G.C. entitled to perform the ceremony, and that the ceremony has been entered into the ocial Church records. The cert will be sent to the presiding ocer for distribution unless otherwise requested. Any bishops who are using alternative certicates should send me a copy to keep on file. Any certicates online should be removed to avoid inappropriate usage. Id like to thank my colleagues for their support during this rst year in oce; your assistance and input has been invaluable. I look forward to another successful year promulgating the Law. Thelema/Agap Tau Marie

Please note the following new reporting requirements. The Presiding Officer at all baptisms, confirmations and ordinations must report them to the E.G.C. Secretary within 45 days of the event. Reports may be sent to the e-mail address above, and should include: Type of ceremony Date of ceremony Candidate civil name Candidate baptismal name Presiding ocer Place of ceremony

From the Ombudsman

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. It is with great honor that I step into yet another role (as if I didnt have enough going on already) and accept the oce of U.S.G.L. Ombudsman. It will take me a lile time to get fully up to speed in this new position. I appreciate your patience and consideration in this regard while I am formulating eective procedures for assisting in the process of resolution. I want the entirety of the general membership to know that I will be very accessible to them in this oce, and feel it is important for there to be both formal and informal ways of approaching the Ombudsmans office for assistance. Much of what I will be doing will be purely informational, guiding and assisting members in contacting the right governing bodies or ocers, and helping members to navigate through our Orders system of government if and when problems arise. I will be able to handle informal requests for assistance and information immediately, and will be available via e-mail or through the condential phone message line listed on p. 2, and on the U.S. Grand Lodge website. Please pass this information along to your local body membership. Please bear with me as this oce grows organically and is developed in vivo. Look over the Grand Master Sabazius article in this issue for a more detailed description of the duties of my oce and how I may be of service to you as a member. If you have any general questions about the functions of my office, or how I might be able to assist you, I invite you 5 to contact me at your convenience. Your questions and feedback will help me to serve you beer. E-mail and phone inquiries will be the most effective way to contact me for the present, and will undoubtedly get the most prompt response. Requests for assistance will be processed in the order received. Please be assured that I will do everything I am able to assist you. Hopefully, you will never have need of it. If you do need it, however, please feel free and do not hesitate to call on me. I look forward to being of continued service to the Order and its membership in this new capacity. Love is the law, love under will. Frater Hrumachis

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The Vice of Kings: An Examination of Thelemic Compassion

This also is compassion: an end to the sickness of earth. A rooting-out of the weeds: a watering of the owers. Liber Tzaddi vel Hamus Hermeticus sub gura XC1 Compassion is a very evocative subject within Thelema. Liber AL vel Legis states, in chapter II, verse 21: Compassion is the vice of kings: stamp down the wretched & the weak: this is the law of the strong: this is our law and the joy of the world. This kind of statement cannot be more divergent from His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, who said, compassion, the aitude thatis one of the foundations of Buddhism.2 Master Hsing Yun3 writes that compassion is, the Buddha nature and it is ultimate reality. Compassion is truth in its purest form.4 Does this mean that Thelemites are to be cruel or show no empathy; that Buddhism is all about helping everyone and empathizing with all? I will aempt to show that both of these statements are incorrect because of a fundamental misunderstanding of compassion in the context that Buddhism uses it and in relation, the compassion to what Liber AL refers. When most people think of compassion, a connotation of empathy, sympathy, concern, and kindness come to mind. These connotations, however, are very limited and completely based in emotion. They are, as a result, as transient as anger, love, or other emotions. When Buddhism refers to compassion, it means compassion which is not based so much on emotion, but a deep understanding of the connectedness of humanity. All those who have taken an interest, whether immediate or remote, in Buddhism have been struck by the armation that compassion, the very foundation of conduct, is not based in any way on what we call feeling. Even if we cant help it, it does no practical good to be moved to tears over our misfortunes or the misery of others. Buddhist compassion has nothing to do with this or that particular case. It is based on a very precise sense of our belonging to the totality of the world. Venerable texts tell us that it [compassion] is without cause, without heat, without passion, untiring, immovable. As Jacques Bacot remarked as early as 1925, It is completely objective, cold, and bound up with a metaphysical concept. It is not spontaneous, but the result of long meditationsIt embraces all the beings caught up by their passions in the cycle of rebirths. It is universal, whereas ours is particular.5 Compassion in the Buddhist context postulates that we are all connectedin essence, one being. To show loving-kindness to others is, therefore, to show it to oneself. It is with this worldview that Buddhists are encouraged to see the world through the eyes of others, to put others before the self, and to act with universal positive regard for everyone, even ones enemies. You may ask: what does this have to do with Thelema and Liber AL? The answer is that when Crowley received the text of Liber AL in 1904 , he was a Buddhist. He writes in Confessions: The fact of the maer was that I resented The Book of the Law with my whole soul. For one thing it knocked my Buddhism completely on the head.6 Crowley was very aware of the deeper, Buddhist meaning of compassion; he had studied the Buddhist scriptures very thoroughly.7 Later upon accepting The Book of the Law and commenting on it, he used this knowledge of Buddhism when referring to compassion. He writes: Compassion, the noblest virtue of the Buddha, is damned outright by Aiwass. To suer with some other being is clearly to cease to be oneself, to wander from ones Way. It always implies error, no Point-of-View being the same as any other; and in Kingsleaders and rulers of mensuch error is a vice. For it leads straight to the most foolish Rule ever laid down: Do unto others as you would that they should do unto you.8 Crowley was discussing Buddhist compassion, as described above. Buddhism sees everyone as ultimately one being, where one sees from anothers point of view and can identify with others. Thelema asserts that we all are individual and it is impossible to see from anothers point of view or identify with anotheras Crowley wrote, This thesis concerning compassion is of the most palmary importance in the ethics of Thelema. It is necessary that we stop, once and for all, this ignorant meddling with other peoples business. Each individual must be le to follow his own path.9 This has far reaching implications. What about empathy? What about helping others? Do we simply let all who are in need ounder or rise on their own? Crowley comments on the weak and wretched as not real beings and they cannot be helped or mended.10 Does this mean that to oer assistance

1. Aleister Crowley, Liber Tzaddi vel Hamus Hermeticus sub gura XC, in Gems from the Equinox (Scosdale: New Falcon, 1992), p. 661. 2. His Holiness the Dalai Lama & Jean-Claude Carriere, Violence & Compassion: Dialogues on Life Today (New York: Doubleday, 2001), p. 81. 3. Master Hsing Yun is a Chinese Buddhist Monk and the fortyeighth patriarch in the Linji school of Chan (Zen) Buddhism. He is the founder of Fo Kuang Shan monastery and the Buddhas Light International Association. 4. Master Hsing Yun, Being Good: Buddhist Ethics for Everyday Life (New York/Tokyo: Weatherhill, 1998), p. 123. 5. Dalai Lama & Carriere, 45.

6. Aleister Crowley, The Confessions of Aleister Crowley, ed. John Symonds & Kenneth Grant (New York & London: Arkana, , 1989), 403. 7. Ibid., 273. 8. Aleister Crowley, Magical and Philosophical Commentaries on The Book of the Law, ed. John Symonds & Kenneth Grant (Montreal: 93 Publishing, 1974), 323. 9. Aleister Crowley, The Law is for All: The Authorized Popular Commentary to The Book of the Law, ed. Louis Wilkinson & Hymenaeus Beta (Tempe, AZ: New Falcon, 1996), 36-37. 10. Crowley, Commentaries, 323.

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to anyone is not Thelemic? How does a Thelemite know when to help someone? How does a Thelemite know if someone is a king or a wretch? Again we turn to Buddhism and their denition of compassion, as Buddhism has a similar problem. Even though Buddhists see everyone as ultimately one being, they are hesitant to let their feelings control their actions or compassion. To deal with this issue, Buddhism combines compassion with wisdom, panna. Buddhist monk and author Walpola Rahula writes: According to Buddhism for a man to be perfect there are two qualities that he should develop equally: compassion (karuna) on one side, and wisdom (panna) on the other. Here compassion represents love, charity, kindness, tolerance and such noble qualities on the emotional side, or qualities of the heart, while wisdom would stand for the intellectual side or qualities of the mind. If one only develops the emotional neglecting the intellectual, one may become a good-hearted fool; while to develop only the intellectual side neglecting the emotional may turn one into a hard-hearted intellect without feeling for others. Therefore, to be perfect one has to develop both equally. That is the aim of the Buddhist way of life; in it wisdom and compassion are inseparably linked together.11 For the Buddhist, compassion is guided by the intellect or wisdom. This Buddhist wisdom manifests in individuals as the motivation for action. Why does one act in a particular way? What is the motivation for this action? Similarly, Thelemites can use this way of thinking; using wisdom as the dierentiator, a measure by which to judge action. While Thelemites are not using compassion as a motivator, they still may be inclined to help another star and king. Before doing so, they should examine their motivation, and use wisdom to determine the implications of the actions. Is the cause to make oneself feel beer about oneself? If so then the motivation is pity, and that is a poor motivation. Crowley notes, Even love and pity for the fallen is an identication with itand therefore a contamination.12 Instead they should only oer assistance if the person is in temporary need and the help will enable them to sustain themselves. This still does not explain how one knows when to help and when not to. This is determined, each individually, according
11. Walpola Rahula, What the Buddha Taught, (New York: Grove Press, 1959), 46. 12. Crowley, Commentaries, 215.

to ones will and understanding. The theory is that every man and woman has each denite aributes whose tendency, considered in due relation to environment, indicate a proper course of action in each case. To pursue this course of action is to do ones true will.13 Some may complain that this is vague and not much usebut is it really? Should there be codied rules of conduct? Should there be a set of ethics composed and enforced? Crowley did not think there should be. He stated, There is no need to develop the ethics of Thelema in detail, for everything springs with absolute logic from the singular principle, Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.14 It seems to me that this means one should think about the situation, and use reason and logic. One should do ones will and not meddle in the maers of others. Lastly, should one assist others, it should be an investment in the assisted and not because you feel pity for them. Much of this view is summarized in Liber Nu: Let the Aspirant beware of the slightest exercise of his will against another being. Thus, lying is a beer posture than siing or standing, as it opposes less resistance to gravitation. Yet his rst duty is to the force nearest and most potent; e.g. he may rise to greet a friendLet the Aspirant exercise his will without the least consideration for any other being. This direction cannot be understood, much less accomplished, until the previous practice has been perfected Let the Aspirant comprehend that these two practices are identical.15 With all this in mind, one can start to see the folly of acting solely based on emotions, the folly of compassion, and seeing others as self. Instead, one should fully manifest oneself based on ones course, and not be distracted by trying to inuence the courses of others. Let the Aspirant, bearing him as a great King, root out and destroy without pity all things in himself and his surroundings which are weak, dirty, or diseased, or otherwise unworthy. And let him be exceeding proud and joyous.16 Thelema and Buddhism have very dierent takes on compassion. Crowley correctly noted that in Thelema identifying with others, i.e. compassion, is simply damned outright. John L. Crow

13. Crowley, Confessions, 400. 14. Ibid. 15. Crowley, Liber Nu, in Gems from the Equinox, 141. 16. Crowley, Liber Had, in Gems from the Equinox, 151.

Agap Volume 7, Number 2 sumbission deadline: q in D R in B Dies Veneris Anno IV:xiii Friday, July 1, 2005 EV
Please send your local body reports and governing body reports to:

agape@oto-usa.org
We will also accept other kinds of work, including essays, art and photography. Submission guidelines are available at www.oto-usa.org/agape.html. For more information contact agape@oto-usa.org.

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The Path of Mediation, Part 1

Establishing and Modeling a Critical Path toward efcient Mediation and Dispute Resolution within Our Holy Order. It is with much respect and honor that I approach the subject of dispute resolution and the specic topic of what I refer to as the Path of Mediation within our Holy Order. It has come to my aention, over time and through experience that many within the Order are unclear or uncertain about the appropriate steps to take, and the resources available to them, for eectively dealing with problems or disputes with other members of our Order, when, in the common course of events, they do happen from time to time. Such are the reasons for this presentation; to foster the joy and enrichment of fraternity through a greater understanding of the processes and structure of our Order. And it is my sincerest wish that what I am about to present will assist in some small way in making your journey among us more ecient and eective. As initiates, we have several very notable documents from which to draw in order to assist us in these eorts. Most notably are our foundational documents such as our Constitution, Liber CI and Liber CXCIV, as well as the C.O.L.M. Handbook, the U.S. Grand Lodge bylaws, the Minerval Guide and our initiation rituals themselves, just to name a few. Pax Templi In examining the path of mediation and the steps available to us in dispute resolution within the structure of our Order, it is perhaps best for us to rst address the issue known as Pax Templi. Simply stated it means Peace within the Temple. It is the ability to work together in harmony and fraternity with our brothers and sisters and to not allow personal issues to eect the peace within the precincts of the Temple, even when we may be in disagreement or conict with our brothers and sisters. Sounds simple, right? Well, it isnt always, and it requires a great deal of tact and friendliness as well as a high degree of maturity and self-responsibility on the part of everyone concerned in order to be able to continually and eectively manifest it. It requires a heightened sense of awareness and the disciplined development of the distinct ability to allow our mental Equilibrium to be above disturbance by material events as so eloquently stated in Liber Librae. As initiates we have a greater responsibility to our brothers and sisters and the Order as a whole, and it is developing and maintaining the Pax Templi that becomes our chief concern in this regard. There should rarely be anything that arises which disturbs or disrupts it. An example of this idea is clearly articulated in Liber CI: An open leer to those who may wish to join the Order, Seventh House (Libra) paragraph 32: Public enemies of the country of any Brother shall be treated as such while in the eld, and slain or captured as the ocer of the Brother may command. But within the precincts of the Lodge all such divisions are to be forgoen absolutely; and as children of One Father the enemies of the hour before and the hour aer are to dwell in peace, amity, and fraternity. If such a condition would apply to an enemy of the state, someone we might kill or capture in bale, then what of the brother or sister who we may be merely having some kind of personal issues or disputes with? Step One: Personal Responsibility Ultimately, I believe, we must rst look to ourselves for the answer to this question. And this is exactly where we begin on this Path of Mediation. We begin with ourselves; for in a very real sense it is within ourselves that the real issues and their resolutions lie. There is an old adage that states, When you are pointing a nger at someone else, there are three ngers pointing back at you. When we are experiencing a problem with another brother or sister we should take the time and eort to rst examine our own actions and aitudes. This is the rst critical step upon the path of mediation, and this step is three-fold: self examination, self-analysis, and self-responsibility. We must rst look at ourselves and examine what exactly is at the root or cause of the dispute or conict. What is it, really, that is bothering us or that has created a tension or upset? What is the real core issue? Once that is clearly determined we then can state that core of the issue, clearly, in what I refer to as an I or My based statement. Such as, I am having a problem with Sister X because or My issue with Brother Y is Doing this allows us to begin to take ownership of our part in the issue. It is also important to express how a conict or dispute makes us feel. What are the feelings that come as a result of this dispute or conict that are motivating our particular reactions? We can then include these in an I based statement. I am having a problem with Brother X. When Brother X does this (particular action) it makes me feel angry, hurt, scared, mad, etc. It is important to articulate and even write down the exact nature of the upset and how it makes us feel. And to recognize and own these feelings while not trying to bury, stu or disown them. It is also important for us to stay out of what I call the story surrounding the given situation for the present in this process. Our story of what happened oen deludes or conates the facts of a maer based on the feelings it brings up in us. For the present, we just want to look at the facts and distinguish the feelings. Once this self-examination has been accomplished and the issues and feelings surrounding them have been clearly determined and articulated, we need to then analyze the issue, again from our own personal perspective. Why is this an issue for me? What about this issue is causing a problem for me? On a deeper level, What is the lesson within this conict for me? What is the lesson in regards to my personal path as an initiate? What is it, in this other brother or sister, that is mirroring myself and my own actions? What might I be projecting on to this brother or sister that I am disowning in myself? Again, writing these things out and answering them with rigorous honesty will bring out salient points of the issue for yourself, which you can then clearly articulate to the other person in the conict in the next step of the process. Finally, within this first step we must look for our selfresponsibility in the issue by asking, How am I a cause in the maer? What role or responsibility do I take in the dispute or conict? This is likely the most dicult aspect of the rst steprecognizing what part we play in the conict and taking responsibility for it without being defensive of our position or 8 q B IV:

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denying that role, without painting ourselves into the role of the victim or giving our power away in the situation, or once again going into our story of the issue. Example: I loan Brother X $100 because hes short on rent. He promises to pay me back in a week once he gets his paycheck. A week goes by and I dont hear from Brother X. I call him and he doesnt answer or return my messages for another week, even aer I leave a message explaining I need my money back. When I nally do run into Brother X at an O.T.O. event the next week, he says hes sorry makes an excuse and says he can only give me $20 tonight because hes short and hell try to get the money back to me as soon as possible. This really upsets me, and I want to tell him so right then and there in front of everybody. A fairly cut and dried scenario, right? Lets look at it from the point of the rst step. What is the core issue and how can we take ownership of it? First, state the issue clearly. I am having a problem with Brother X. He borrowed $100 from me and promised to pay me back in a week. He has not paid me back as he promised. That is the basic issue and the facts of the maer. I feel as if Brother X has been avoiding me and it makes me angry that he has not been true to his word and has not paid me back on time. Those are the general feelings involved in the issue. There may be more, but again we need to be careful about going into our story and placing blame. Such as, Brother X is a liar. He said he would pay me back the $100 I so graciously

loaned him and now he is avoiding me. Hes a lazy slacker and a thief and I cant believe he would rip me o like that! Thats a story; and a rather impolite, somewhat slanderous, and highly reactive story at that. We need to be able to clearly separate out our story while still giving credence to the emotions that may arise around a particular issue. Well talk a bit more about that in the second step. Heres an example of taking ownership of our cause in the maer. I loaned Brother X $100. I trusted Brother Xs word that he would pay me back. I realized there was a possibility that he could not pay me back. I wanted to help my Brother X. Thats ownership. Thats your part in the maer expressed without going into your story. Brother X also has a responsibility for his part in the maer as well, but well tackle that in the next step. Taking the time, energy and effort to look at ourselves, rigorously, in this way may not be easy. However, it is a necessary and vital part of the process in maintaining Pax Templi. No one ever said that becoming a part of a magical fraternity was going to be easy. Once we have thoroughly completed the three aspects of step one, we will have clearly determined what the core of the problem is, how it eects us directly and makes us feel, and what our role or cause in the maer is, at which point we can then really begin to move on to step two with clearer knowledge and understanding of the issues before us. Frater Hrumachis Next issue: Responsibility toward our Brothers and Sisters, the second step on the path of mediation.

Local Body Reports

TAHUTI Lodge Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law On the evening of September 18, 2004 , TAHUTI Lodge, in the valley of New York City, celebrated its 25th Anniversary. Not only is a Lodges 25th a rare event in the Order; it is a once in a lifetime occurrence. This milestone gave me, and others I am sure, pause to reect on the history and contributions that a single body can make to the entire Order and to so many individual members. My personal experience with TAHUTI Lodge began in late 1993 . The Lodge was a mature body oering weekly celebrations of the Gnostic Mass, weekly workshops, and every month there was a ritual, feast, or initiations being performed. A rich mix of local members with frequent outof-town guests was the order of the day. Within this community there has always been ample opportunity for the motivated to be mentored in the performance of the Gnostic Mass, participation in initiations, and performance of dramatic rituals. It was apparent to me in 1994 that this environment was designed and managed with a goal in mind. It was then I rst heard the phrase, TAHUTI Lodge was designed to be a Lodge of Lodge Masters.a bold management philosophy. Success is your proof. Today I can look around at the leadership of the Ordo Templi Orientis at the international, national, and local level and see that success. Some alumni have 9 assumed greater responsibility than others. Some serve in ocial capacities; others simply pass along whatever talents, skills, and knowledge they have gleaned from those who went before them to those who come after them. The success of TAHUTI Lodge extends across continents and over seas. I am proud of whatever small part I have in this tradition. I can only imagine the joy of the founder and the Lodge Masters since who have continued to cultivate this eld of initiates into a harvest of thoughtful sovereign leaders. Men and women who understand another phrase I was exposed to at the Lodge: Power with us is service. Continued q B IV:

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Local Body Reports Continued What do ceremonial magicians gather together for? To do ritual! That was the theme on September 18th. Aer all the aendees were robed, anointed by Soror Stella, and stationed in the Temple, Frater Puck opened with a banishing. Frater Roncelin then led us all through a Thelemic Middle Pillar. Frater Aanhsha performed a trio of rituals ending with Liber V vel Reguli. At this point the Temple was warm, all of the aendees energy had been directed and manipulated, the shells had verily been banished unto their habitations. This was the moment several of us had traveled from Florida for, the moment the lovely Soror Sophia had traveled from California for, the moment members from across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania had traveled to witness. A veil was drawn aside and an Adept, the founder of TAHUTI Lodge, came forth. He advanced and stood in the center of a circle of initiates. Wisdom crowned, Ibis-headed, skin of aming orange, bearing the Wand of Double Power and the Rose and Cross of Light and Life. The Adept invoked Tahuti by Liber Israfel. Isis appeared from behind another veil. Her beauty, radiance, and stature compliment and enhance the God she faces. The Lection was delivered. My diary marks the phrase Tahuti uered to me. The journey, the fellowship, and the ritual are recorded as a success. I witnessed Tahuti appear in the new permanent space where initiates are able to carry out their Great Work in the Valley of New York City for a 26th consecutive year. This year was introduced with a very well aended Gnostic Mass performed at midnight. As a former member and guest at the Silver Anniversary, I would like to thank all the former and current ocers and members of TAHUTI Lodge for their warm hospitality and honest fraternity. This anniversary reminded me of the strong and beautiful tradition we are responsible for passing on to those that will stand on our shoulders and be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of TAHUTI Lodge. Love is the law, love under will. Frater Nemo President, acknowledging our last annual report and encouraging us to seek Oasis status. Working toward that status by having an Initiator, team, and furniture was one of the goals we set for ourselves in 2004 . Our website has been updated in several areas. We added some pictures to the Gnostic Mass Journal pages at: www.xanaduoto.com/Masspage.html Some other changes have recently been made to these pages, but keep an eye out for more. We are always updating and adding pictures and information about our temple and ritual garb. We also added a few more titles to the Crowley Restoration Project in our Library section at: www.xanaduoto.com/library.html Again, thanks to O.T.O. for giving us permission to publish these on the web. On July 27, 2004 we held initiations, thanks to the assistance of our dear friend and E.C. Mentor, Br. P.H. We initiated two Minerval, one First Degree, and two Third Degree candidates. Our Camp Master received his Initiation Charter shortly aer this round of initiations, and Xanadu Camp O.T.O. now has an Initiator in its ranks. The authority to do initiations here in the Reading, Pennsylvania area is very important to us. In the past, we have had to travel far and wide to receive initiations, oen to New York City, where the wonderful folks at TAHUTI Lodge reside, or to the spectacular shores of the west coast. Now initiations can be held in our very own community. A special thanks to Bishop T Roncelin for making his way down here for our Gnostic Mass Workshop on November 20. Events commenced with a short description on the Mass and a practice run-through with our team. We learned a tremendous amount from T Roncelin. A few people were baptized and/ or confirmed, and our Deacon-in-training, Soror Blasphomet, was ordained. The workshop culminated with the performance of the Mass. Thanks to everyone who has donated funds to the Camp for new supplies, events, etc., and to our treasurer, who is doing a great job keeping records and geing everything led on time. So thats where we currently stand as an O.T.O. body. We plan to submit an application for Oasis status soon. As everyone here knows, it takes hard work, and we have much more to do, but since everyone seems to be having fun with this (thus willing to give it their all) our Camp Master has agreed its now time to apply to the next level. We look forward to being an active and growing part of our own local Pagan & Magickal community, as well as helping other bodies in the O.T.O. in any way we can. Love is the law, love under will. Soror Rosasophia

Xanadu Camp Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law This is our rst submission to either Agap or The Magical Link, so it seemed to us to be long overdue. We hope everyone had a great 100th year anniversary. We held our centennial anniversary celebration of Liber Al vel Legis on three consecutive days early in April. Our Annual Report was filed in the beginning of 2004 . This gave us a chance to look at where we stood as an O.T.O. body and where we are going. In March we received a leer from the Electoral College

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Obituaries

The Requiem Mass, held on March 17 at Sekhet-Maat Lodge in Portland, Oregon, was a beautiful, enriching, and enlightening pagent: Lodgemaster Mick Taylor as Priest, Sister Dawn Davis as Priestess, and Frater Arun as Deacon. Besides these three visible ocers and the Children, there were six others in aendance. Several of Donalds letters and pieces of artwork were displayed at the Greater Feast that followed the Requiem Mass. Baqi had visited Oregon in 2002 , and aended the Winter Solstice Ritual at Sekhet-Maat Lodge. In that ceremony, everyone drew from the central cauldron a stone upon which was painted symbols to designate one of the 78 Tarot cards. Baqi drew the Ace of Swords. As we went through the material that Donald willed to me, we found his copy of Liber AL. Inserted in the book was an Ace of SpadesI took this as a sign, and passed the book along to its rightful owner, Baqi. A few days later, Baqi discovered this handwrien note: Donald Ray Wallace = 111 b. 9/3/1957 2:21 PM CDT 38N 88W d. 3/10/2005 12:15 PM Frater la - pgv~ar 671-31 Jon Wilton Brother Jon Wilton, III, an associate of Leaping Laughter Oasis, celebrated his Greater Feast on April 3, 2005 at his home in Sioux City, Iowa. The cause of physical death was complications from diabetes. Jon was born May 2, 1975 in Edina, Minnesota, one of three children born to Paul and Eva Wilton. Aer his parents divorce, he stayed with his father who seled in Sioux City. Brother Jon was initiated Minerval and I at Leaping Laughter Oasis in 2001 and attained III in 2004 . Despite his physical separation from the Oasis, he was active in both studying the Law of Thelema and establishing new bodies in the Midwest. He was a founding member of the Chara Sophia Thelema Study Group in Nebraska and was working towards establishing a Study Group in his home town of Sioux City. Jon was a taooed, pierced rocker who never went to college, but who could quote Crowley, Heidegger and Jung. He was a talented singer and songwriter. Aside from his music, he had no xed career but always did what was necessary to practice the Law. For Jon, there was no such thing as moderation. He lived large, loved large, and was large in his devotion to the Law. We remember Jon as a passionate man in all aspects of his life. May that passion be transferred to those of us who had the pleasure of knowing him during the time he spent among us. A song by Brother Jon may be downloaded at: homepage.mac.com/phornepax/jonwilton.mp4 Stephen Charest Frater Patroabo

John Scott Jackson Jr. Frater Haifa May 20, 1981 - January 15, 2005 Some people come into our lives and quietly stay. Others stay for a while, leaving footprints in our hearts, and we are never the same. Frater Haifa had just begun his journey with us when he passed away. His bright and willing spirit and lust for knowledge were a joy. Horizon Oasis is glad to have known him. May he be granted the accomplishment of his Will. Soror Tiamat

Donald Ray Wallace The request came from Indiana State Prisons Death Row. It was longtime Corresponding Associate of O.T.O. Donald Ray Wallaces wish that I travel to Indiana to visit on his last day, spend the nal hours with him as spiritual advisor, perform Ecclesia Gnostica Catholicas Last Rites, and witness his execution. I met with T Pelagius to apprise him of the situation; shortly thereaer, U.S.G.M.G. Sabazius X offered his blessing. Unfortunately, the prison ocials were not as understanding as our Grand Master wasDonald spent his last hours alone, and entered into the consciousness of the continuity of existence via lethal injection without the benet of E.G.C. clergy. Baqi Ali (a Su with whom Donald had corresponded for the last two years) and I were allowed to spend eight uninterrupted hours in a large holding cell with Donald earlier that last day. Although I could not take religious items to that visit, with Baqi as a witness, I performed an ad-lib version of the Last Rites. An important part of the ceremony was Donalds awless recital from memory of Liber AL, including The Tunis Comment . This was Baqis first exposure to Liber AL. Under any circumstances, that is a life-altering event; this setting was perhaps unique, perhaps even initiatory. That evening, Baqi was allowed to observe the execution, and to sit with and support Donalds two sisters, brothers-in-law, aorney, and a Buddhist Priestesshis closest companions. Each of us was unequivocally transformed by our nearness to Doanld.

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Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A. P. O. Box 15037 Portland, OR 97293-5037

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND, OR PERMIT #2804

Agap is the Ocial Organ of the U. S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

From the Grand Master

All Brethren shall be exceedingly punctual in the payment of Lodge Dues. This is to take precedence of all other calls upon the purse. Liber 101 (DutiesSecond House) Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The dues collected from members by U.S. Grand Lodge are based on the schedule of fees and annual subscriptions published on page 246 of The Equinox, Vol. III, No. 1, adjusted by I.H.Q. to bring them roughly into the present day. These dues are minimal; and are intended only to cover the operating expenses of Grand Lodge and I.H.Q. They were never intended to cover the expenses incurred by local bodies in developing the Order regionally and locally. In fact, they have intentionally been kept low in order to accommodate the payment of local dues. Local bodies require the active nancial support of their membersespecially if they are going to be able to move out of members personal homes into dedicated temple spaces and remain there. Doing so will: help to ensure the privacy of ocers and members; create a clear separation between O.T.O. events and private events; help to aract new members; give local bodies greater exibility with respect to event scheduling; help the Order to progress toward its long-term goal of establishing Profess Houses; and, perhaps most importantly, help local bodies establish an identity independent of their current leadership and allow them to maintain continuity through the inevitable transitions of their ocers. Agap For years, we have permied local bodies to develop their own reasonable schedules of local dues as appropriate (subject to the approval of the G.T.G.) to cover their operating expenses and development needs. At this time, we are strongly encouraging all active oases and lodges1 to do so (making proper fraternal allowances, of course, for cases of genuine nancial hardship). We are also, at this time, strongly encouraging every member of the Order within the U.S., regardless of degree, to become a local dues-paying member of an oasis or lodge, preferably one in their general vicinity (members may also, of course, contribute to the development of camps). Doing so is an important fraternal duty of all O.T.O. members, as indicated by the above quote, and is also a practical necessity for developing our lodges into institutions we can be truly proud of. Fund-raising events can be useful for providing supplemental income for special projectsbut they cannot be relied upon to pay the rent. For many years, our oases and lodges have primarily relied on the eorts and nancial support of relatively small groups of core supportersthe result being the placement of an unduly high nancial burden on a relatively small number of members. If allor even a substantial proportionof the members within the valley of each oasis or lodge were to contribute their share, the nancial burden would be spread much more evenly and fairly. Love is the law, love under will. Sabazius

Volume VII, Number 2 q E R C A IV: August 1, 2005

1. Camps are currently not required to have bank accounts or legal entity status. They are, of course, encouraged to advance towards achieving the stability required for establishing Oasis status.

Contents
From the Grand Master, Fr. Sabazius ..................................................... 1 From the Education Committee ........................................................... 2 From the Grand Tribunal, Br. Dathan Biberstein........................................ 3 From the Quartermaster, Fr. VVN......................................................... 3 From the Electoral College, Fr. Dvgls Jms Blk .......................................... 4 Liber AL: The U.S.G.L. Presentation Edition ............................................ 5 State Mandated Reporter Requirements, Frs. Adinath Orobouros and Sabazius .. 6 The Path of Mediation Part 2, Fr. Hrumachis ........................................... 8 The Triple Inequality, Br. Craig Berry ...................................................10 Local Body Reports .........................................................................11 1 q E IV:

From the U.S.G.L. Education Committee

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The Education Commiee is intended to develop instructional standards and guidance materials in order to provide a more uniform, high-quality level of local body class work. We have been gathering course materials from various local bodies, in order to evaluate where we are in order to start to move forward on curriculum development. We still need your help. Please send any course material or outlines to: education@oto-usa.org or USGL Education Commiee PO Box 26744 Las Vegas, NV 89126 Love is the law, love under will.

The Ocial Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Executive Editor: Editor & Layout: Assistant Editor: Proofreading: Production Assistant: Editorial Address:

Mysteria Mystica Maxima

Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica

Sabazius X Joseph Thiebes Dawn C. Davis Frater Zir Star Fredericks P.O. Box 15037 Portland, OR 97293-5037

U.S. GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

U.S. NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: SABAZIUS X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. DEPUTY NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: LON MILO DUQUETTE P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND SECRETARY GENERAL: FR. HUNAHPU PO Box 47988, Minneapolis, MN 55447 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND TREASURER GENERAL: HANK HADEED 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. #444, Portland, OR 97214-5246 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury DATHAN U.S. GRAND TRIBUNAL BIBERSTEIN, SECRETARY grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 17462, Minneapolis, MN 55417 U.S.G.L. OMBUDSMAN: FR. HRUMACHIS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 541-488-1257 ombudsman@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. QUARTERMASTER: FR. V.V.N. quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. WEBMASTER: CRAIG BERRY webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LIBRARIAN: FR. K.Z. P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ARCHIVIST: FR. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S.G.L. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: JAMES MCLAUGHLIN volunteers@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY: ARIANA WHITE PO Box 3993, Eugene, OR 97403 publications@oto-usa.org SECRETARY FOR CORRESPONDENCE: T ALLEN GREENFIELD 3267 Buford Hwy., Ste. 720-109, Atlanta, GA 30329-1707 correspondence@oto-usa.org COORDINATOR, O.T.O. PRISON MINISTRY: DANIEL L. AKZINOR P.O. Box 66319, Portland, OR 97290-6319 prison_ministry@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER: FR. HRUMACHIS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 pio@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION: JOSEPH THIEBES P.O. Box 15037, Portland, OR 97293-5037 agape@oto-usa.org

U.S. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, U.S. SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL, U.S. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. ELECTORAL COLLEGE DOUGLAS JAMES BLAKE, PRESIDENT ec_president@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 47056, Seattle, WA 98146 DANN BUCHANAN, SECRETARY electoral_college@oto-usa.org 5030 N. May Ave., #252, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6010 U.S.G.L. INITIATION SECRETARY: SR. IXEL BALAMKE PO Box 47988, Minneapolis, MN 55447 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. SECRETARY: TAU MARIE P.O. Box 201750, Austin, TX 78720-1750 egc@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PARLIAMENTARIAN: SR. HELENA P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 parliamentarian@oto-usa.org

WWW.OTO-USA.ORG
Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A., a California not-for-prot religious corporation with business ofces at P .O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business ofces at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at P .O. Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download in PDF format at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/docs.html Copyright 2005 EV Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

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From the Grand Tribunal

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Id like to thank Brother James Nobles for providing me with the opportunity to serve in the capacity of Assistant Secretary of the Grand Tribunal for the last three years. While serving in this capacity, I was responsible for ling paperwork and organizing e-mail; the composition, delivery and reception of a substantial amount of correspondence; overseeing the occasional Court of Inquiry; taking minutes of our annual meetings; and now and then serving as a sounding board for an idea or two. Early on, Brother James made it clear to me that I would be the person best suited to follow him when the time came for him to step down. I usually downplayed any such suggestion as it was quite plain to me that the G.T. was doing very well in his term. To put this into perspective, prior to Brother James tenure, there were no established G.T. Bylaws, Standing Rules (which outline the procedure for handling complaints), complaint tracking forms, etc. One could even conceivably conclude that there wasnt much of a G.T. at all prior to Brother James involvement. In any event, I am honored that Brother James has recommended me to the oce of Secretary of the G.T. He will continue to advise me in my transition, but will be shiing his focus to new and more challenging responsibilities within the Order. I wish him the best in these endeavors. I would also like to thank the Ombudsman, Frater Hrumachis, for his assistance in a few maers which, as a result of his eorts, did not escalate to direct G.T. involvement. This is very encouraging for a relatively new U.S.G.L. Oce. Finally, it is my duty to notify the membership at large of the following: [names redacted for internet distribution] are no longer members of Ordo Templi Orientis. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Dathan Biberstein, Secretary U.S. Grand Tribunal

From the Quartermaster

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. I am pleased to announce the unveiling of the new Ordo Templi Orientis Quartermaster website. I am very excited to provide this service. The website is structured to support the protection of degree sensitive material. Each local body will be issued two loginsone for the body master and one for an appointed representative who is III or above. In addition, logins will be issued to chartered initiators. To obtain a login, you may contact me directly via email, or use the form on the website to request your login information. The web site is located at: qm.oto-usa.org The website includes the convenience of paying for your order via PayPal. You may also send funds with your order via postal service to: Quartermaster O.T.O. U.S.A. P.O. Box 1532 Wheat Ridge, CO 80034-1532 I receive many requests for pricing and availability and it is dicult to keep track of these correspondences accurately. Therefore, your order will not be processed until I receive funds accompanied by your original order. This may be accomplished two ways: 1) a check with your original order via postal service, or 2) your order placed with funds secured via Paypal on the website. I am happy to say that we have many items readily available; however, some items have a lead time of 30 days, and in some circumstances even more time is necessary. If you have questions about how long particular items may take, please contact me right away, so that we can accommodate your needs. When your local body has initiations planned, please, get in touch with the quartermaster oce to secure your order as soon as you possibly can. Any body planning an initiation knows, at the very least, thirty days in advance whether or not supplies are needed. Most of us, including myself, work full time. If you place your order a few days before your initiation date, it will not allow sucient time to ship your order. When I originally accepted the quartermaster position, I put out a call for talented members of O.T.O. to contribute by working with me to provide our brothers and sisters with the best possible regalia and initiation equipment. Our Supreme and Holy King requested that we give our members the rst opportunity to contribute their skills for the benet of the O.T.O. To reiterate that request: if you can contribute to the eorts of the quartermaster oce, please contact me at: quartermaster@oto-usa.org Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Frater VVN U.S.G.L. Quartermaster

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From the Electoral College

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The Electoral College wishes to thank the members, ocers, and the Master of Dove and Serpent Oasis for their warm hospitality in hosting our last meeting in Atlanta, GA.

The following actions concerning local Bodies were taken by the Electoral College at its Spring meeting, April 16, 2005 : Closure Ophis Nikator Camp (Norfolk, VA) closed at the request of the Master, eective April 16th, 2005 . Suspension The Charter of Soul of the Desert Oasis (Santa Fe, NM) was suspended without prejudice, pending submission of closure form, eective April 16th, 2005 . Change of Master None. Change of Body Status Xanadu Camp (Reading, PA) has been chartered Xanadu Oasis, with Daryl Lee Emplit as Master, eective April 16th, 2005 . Congratulations to the Brethren of Xanadu Oasis on their advancement. New Charters None.

Hosting E.C. Meetings Local bodies that are interested in hosting the Spring and Autumn meetings of the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C.see p. 2 for contact information. Upcoming E.C. Meetings The Autumn, 2005 meeting will take place Saturday, October 22nd, at Horizon Oasis (Seale, WA). Attending E.C. Meetings Dues current members in good standing of V and above are welcome to aend and observe the in person Electoral College Meetings. We request that those planning to aend contact the Master of the hosting body so that adequate arrangements can be made. Communication with the E.C. I would like to invite any initiates with suggestions about how we can do our job beer, or who have specic concerns or questions regarding the operation of the Electoral College, to write to either the President or Secretary of the E.C. For contact information, please see p. 2. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to take eective measures bringing about beer communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed. I believe that communication is of benet to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All postal mail correspondence with the Electoral College Secretary should be sent to the address listed on p. 2. Website The ocial E.C. website can be found at: ec.oto-usa.org Forms Bodymasters seeking up-to-date forms for the Annual Report, Change of Mastership Application, Application for Oasis Status, Application for Lodge Status, or closure forms will nd them (exclusively) at: ec.oto-usa.org/ECservices.htm Bodymasters not already in possession of the username and password (distributed on August 18, 2004 ) will be granted them upon request (see E.C. contact information on p. 2). All other previous versions of these forms are now obsolete and should not be used. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Frater Dvgls Jms Blk

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Liber AL vel Legis: The Book of the Law

The U.S. Grand Lodge Presentation Edition Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The O.T.O. U.S. Grand Lodge Presentation Edition of Liber AL vel Legis: The Book of the Law are still available. This edition is exclusively for O.T.O. members and has been designed with the O.T.O. initiations in mind. It measures 4 1/4 wide, 5 9/16 long. It has a red faux leather cover with gold foil stamps on the front and spine, a front presentation page, and space in the back for noting ones advancement in the MTMTMT and E.G.C. Each copy is only $5.00 plus shipping. To obtain copies of the presentation edition, individuals and local bodies may contact Magus Books at: 800-99-MAGUS (800-996-2487) or visit: www.magusbooks.com/main/otobotl.htm To order, you must be an active member of the O.T.O. Membership subject to verication. Love is the law, love under will.

Agap Volume 7, Number 3 submission deadline: q in G R in F Dies Saturnii Anno IV:xiii Saturday, October 1, 2005 EV
Please send your local body reports and governing body reports to:

agape@oto-usa.org
We will also accept other kinds of work, including essays, art and photography. Submission guidelines are available at www.oto-usa.org/agape.html. For more information contact agape@oto-usa.org.

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State Mandated Reporter Requirements and E.G.C. Clergy

An unfortunate reality of society is the existence and pervasiveness of child abuse. From a Thelemic standpoint, the essence of such crimes is the egregious violation of the right of children to grow up and thrive in environments that are free of physical, mental and sexual harm.1 The seriousness of the problem of child abuse therefore cannot be overestimated within the context of the general welfare of the race. The National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information estimated in 2003 that nationwide the rate of victimization equals 12.4 children per 1000. 2 The federal government has enacted definitions and requirements pertaining to child abuse, which operate as the foundation for the various state laws concerning the reporting of incidents of such abuse. Specifically, the Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), (42 U.S.C.A. 5106g), as amended by the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003 , defines child abuse and neglect as, at minimum: Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or An act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm. In an effort to address the problem of the growing population of abused children and the documented concern that only a small percentage of abuse incidents are actually reported, 3 all states (and the District of Columbia and U.S. territories) have enacted laws which require specified categories of individuals to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to the authorities as designated within each states reporting statutes. Individuals falling within such categories required to report abuse are called mandated reporters. Generally, mandated reporters are granted immunity from civil and criminal liability for compliance with child abuse reporting laws, while failure to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect by such mandated reporters are treated as misdemeanors which are punishable by fines and/or imprisonment (which can include $1,000 in fines and penalties, or up to a year in jail). Approximately twenty-five of the fifty states have designated clergy among the classes of mandated reporters, while eighteen other states place the mandated reporter obligation on all of its citizens. Our Order currently has camps, oases and/or lodges in twenty-three states, of which all but four (New York, Ohio, Virginia and Washington) either impose the obligation of mandated reporting on clergy as a separate classification or as part of the general requirement applicable to all residents. Accordingly, it is incumbent on the clergy of the Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica (E.G.C.), the ecclesiastical branch of Ordo Templi Orientis, to be aware of these requirements, because of the civil and criminal penalties which can attach if such clergy becomes reasonably and objectively aware of an instance of child abuse (discussed below), and fails to make a timely report to the appropriate civil authorities. Who is clergy in E.G.C.? Since local laws pertaining to mandated reporters allow each recognized religious organization to identify for itself what constitutes its clergy, those individuals having the responsibility of serving as official representatives of E.G.C. within O.T.O., i.e., ordained priests and priestesses and all bishops and auxiliary bishops within E.G.C., should consider themselves clergy of the E.G.C. for purposes of being mandated reporters within those states which deem clergy as a separate classication of mandated reporter.4 Many states recognize a clergypenitent communication privilege, which would otherwise operate as an exception to the mandated reporting requirements applicable to clergy. However, within E.G.C. and O.T.O. such a privilege is not relevant, because the nature of the functions of E.G.C. clergy are largely ceremonial, and do not encompass an article of faith or a doctrine which compels any sort of Thelemic penance by way of a person confessing to a Priest or Priestess of the E.G.C. (unlike in the Roman Catholic Church with respect to a member of that church and the sacrament of confession, for example). Therefore, if a member of E.G.C. clergy were to become aware of, or reasonably suspects, the existence of child abuse (even if that information was volunteered by a Thelemite, O.T.O. initiate, E.G.C. lay member or any other person), that Priest, Priestess or Bishop would be in a more tenable position with the authorities by complying with the mandated reporting requirements of his or her state, rather than failing to report by way of appeal to a privilege arising from a penitential communication which does not exist within E.G.C. practice or Thelemic theology.

1. See Crowley, Duty, section C.1. 2. Child Maltreatment 2003, publication of Childrens Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 3. See e.g., Hearing on Child Abuse Reporting before the Assembly Commission on Criminal Justice (1977-1978 Reg. Sess.) Nov. 21, 1978.

4. Currently: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, IL, LA, MA, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, ND, NH, NM, NV, OR, PA, SC, VT, WI, WV.

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by Frater Adinath Orobouros and Sabazius, National Grand Master General

What is child abuse for purposes of the mandated reporting laws? Pursuant to CAPTA, each state is responsible for defining child abuse for purposes of local reporting r e q u i r e m e n t s . W h i l e e a c h s t a t e s denition tends to vary somewhat, all such definitions generally recognize four principal categories of child abuse, namely neglect , physical abuse , sexual abuse and emotional abuse. Neglect is failure to provide for a childs basic needs. Neglect may be: Physical (e.g., failure to provide necessary food or shelter, or lack of appropriate supervision); Medical (e.g., failure to provide necessary medical or mental health treatment); Educational (e.g., failure to educate a child or aend to special education needs); or Emotional (e.g., inattention to a child's emotional needs, failure to provide psychological care, or permiing the child to use alcohol or other drugs). Circumstances such as poverty may factor into whether neglect objectively exists, but it is not ordinarily the role of clergy as a mandated reporter to ascertain and evaluate whether such economic or social circumstances might be a mitigating factor with regard to child abuse in deciding to report. Physical Abuse is physical injury (ranging from minor bruises to severe fractures or death) as a result of punching, beating, kicking, biting, shaking, throwing, stabbing, choking, slapping or hitting, (with a hand, stick, strap, or other object), burning, or otherwise harming a child. Such injury is considered abuse regardless of whether the caretaker or other perpetrator intended to hurt the child. Sexual Abuse includes activities by a parent, caretaker or other perpetrator such as fondling a childs genitals, penetration, incest, rape, sodomy, indecent exposure, 5 and exploitation through prostitution or the production of pornographic materials. Emotional Abuse is a paern of behavior t h a t i m p a i r s a c h i l d s e m o t i o n a l development or sense of self-worth. This may include constant criticism, threats, or rejection, as well as withholding love, support, or guidance. Emotional abuse is almost always present when other forms are identied. Signs of such abuse may range from such as physical signs of injury, broken bones in infants, etc., to unexplained withdrawal or shrinking away from adults or extremely precocious sexual knowledge or behavior. The crux of the issue is whether there is direct observation or reasonable suspicion of child abuse. Reasonable suspicion is oen fact-determinative, but given the general immunity from liability for compliance with reporting laws by clergy (and the burden of proof to establish a malicious intent to le a patently fraudulent report on the part of a mandated reporter), it would appear that erring on the side of caution and prudence favoring the safety and welfare of a child is merited.

How does clergy comply? E.G.C. clergy, as defined, should be cognizant of child abuse wherever and whenever it occurs, although the mandated reporter laws do not require a member of the clergy to act as an investigator or police ocer in obtaining information about child abuse. However, if, for example, a Priest or Priestess of E.G.C. were to directly witness an act of child abuse at an O.T.O.-related function (whether or not it was ocial), or if a reliable source reported child abuse to a member of E.G.C. clergy, then the E.G.C. clergy in question would be legally bound to report that incident to the proper authorities. In addition, E.G.C. clergy should report the incident to their supervising Bishop. Since the mandated reporter laws impose the liability of reporting on the individual clergy member (or on each individual in those states where all persons are deemed mandated reporters) and not on the religious organization of which they are aliated as a whole, each member of E.G.C. clergy previously identied should familiarize themselves with the applicable laws of the state within which they are located. Such resources are readily available online, and can be accessed at: nccanch.acf.hhs.gov/general/legal/ statutes/search/index.cfm Some states provide for online training and certication of mandated reporters relative to their obligations under the law and how to identify signs of child abuse. For example, in California, the California Institute on Human Services at Sonoma State University offers online training modules focused on child abuse mandated reporting at: www.sonoma.edu/cihs/mr/docs/ trainclergy.html This discussion is provided not as legal opinion or advice but as an overview only. Compliance with laws in the various jurisdictions is the responsibility of the individual in question. Frater Adinath Orobouros, an attorney licensed to practice in California, is a member of Blue Horizon Oasis and a lay member of Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica. q E IV:

5. One issue which arises within the context of our Order is the central ritual of the E.G.C., namely, the Gnostic Mass as set forth in Liber XV, which provides for the priestess to have divested herself completely of her robe at a certain point during the Ceremony Of the Opening of the Veil. While the case law concerning ritual nudity and local prohibitions against indecent exposure is at yet unclear, it does appear that prohibitions against such exposure examine whether the action in question occurs 1) in a public or semi-public seing and 2) involves a lewd intent, neither of which are elements of a celebration of Liber XV. Nevertheless, until the courts categorically rule that discrete ritual nudity in a private religious seing cannot be restricted by local anti-nudity ordinances, it remains unseled whether a performance of the Gnostic Mass in the presence of children could implicate liability to the priestess or the Order, meaning that common sense and discretion should be employed if a performance of the Gnostic Mass includes minor children in aendance. Agap 7

The Path of Mediation, Part 2

Establishing and Modeling a Critical Path toward efcient Mediation and Dispute Resolution within Our Holy Order Step Two: Responsibility Toward our Brothers and Sisters In the next step upon the Path of Mediation, aer clearly analyzing our part in the maer (see The Path of Mediation, Part 1 in Agape, Vol. 7, No. 1), we bring our issues directly to the aention of the brother or sister with whom we are having a problem. Having rst fullled the three-part process of self-examination, analysis and responsibility, we can now approach our brother or sister rationally, non-reactively and with discretion. A rational, non-reactive, and discrete approach does not require that we repress our emotions surrounding the issue. In fact, it is important to convey our feelings in a direct, forthright and eective manner. The key is to express our feelings about our issue, with precision, accuracy, tact and friendliness; in a way that will get through to the other person; and in a manner which they will listen to, hear, and understand the core issue we are having with them and how it is making us feel. This approach is called emotional literacythe ability to express our thoughts and feelings on a maer of conict, in such a way that the other person can understand what we are expressing, without having to take a defensive posture. Emotional literacy is about acting passionately and thinking rationally, while being Thyself, to paraphrase Liber Librae. If we bury our emotions around an issue, it will only fester, and likely come out later in the form of deep resentments. We need, however, to handle our initial interactions with our brothers and sisters extremely tactfully. Reactive Consciousness Most individuals have a tendency, when faced with challenge or conict, to either go into a defensive mode (by rationalizing, defending or denying), or to take a self-righteous oensive stance (by aempting to prove that we are right, the other person is wrong, and that the other person should be punished or shamed). This tendency is one of the most important things to recognize at this stage in this process. Neither of these positionsdefensive or oensivegets us what we really want; in fact, these stances tend to only escalate tensions and create further division. These states of being are commonly called, reactive states of consciousness. They are very oen deeply rooted in our subconscious mind, originating from the way we were raised, the decisions we have made as adults, and our worldview that these experiences have formed over time. Agap One of the best ways of dealing with our reactive consciousness is to put up gatekeepers. Read Liber Jugorum to learn the method of controlling thoughts, words and actions. Its a means to prevent us from just robotically blurting or acting out the rst thought that rises into consciousness when an emotionally charged issue comes up. When bringing our concerns to our brothers and sisters, it is important to take some time, perhaps create a bit of distance, and generally remember to breathe when issues of real conict arise. (Remember that Pranayama folks!) Avoiding these reactive states of consciousness is part of taking self-responsibility, as was described in the rst part of this series. In this step, however, it is our goal to communicate responsibly and directly with our brothers and sisters. Putting our Cards on the Table Our best approach to communicate, in any situation of this kind, is to have a face to face, private, sit-down conversation with the brother or sister involved, and to calmly put all our cards on the table with them. This kind of approach involves rationally and clearly discussing the issue we have with them, or just having a conversation about the root of the conict, while incorporating emotional literacy into the process. E-mail & LiveJournal are generally not the best venues for this kind of interaction. These mediums, more oen than not, have a way of ltering out the kind of fraternal exchange and subtle nuances of spoken language that we use when we are communicating face to face. I have seen more conicts escalate in e-mail, and through other web-based modes of communication, than I care to mention. It is important, when using these mediums, to be extremely prudent about hiing that send buon. One advantage to e-mail, perhaps, is that it allows us to get our thoughts and ideas clearly worked out and articulated over time. There are also situations which call for maintaining a record of our communications. For the purposes of Step Two, however, nothing works beer than a face to face, casual meeting on mutual ground, where the two parties involved can interact in the spirit of fraternity, with the mutual goal of voicing their concerns in a mature, honest and straight-forward manner. I sincerely believe that most problems and conicts can be resolved easily at the personal level, if we take the time and make the eort to approach our brothers and sisters in this manner. Deep Listening Deep Listening is the essential component of relating responsibly to our brothers and sisters. This is an active process, in which each person shares their thoughts and feelings openly while the other just listens aentively, and actively; not commenting, making excuses, or defending their actions. The listener simply listens, intently and openly, to what is being said. Again, developing a non-reactive way of being facilitates this process. In most circumstances when another is speaking, we have an active monologue or commentary going on in our minds. We usually want to interrupt to clarify our side of the issue. That is not how this process works. There will be time for sharing later. Once the first person has said everything they need to, the other can respond, while the rst actively listens in the same manner. The point is for each person to express themselves completely and fully, so that each may put all their cards on the table, neither withholding nor being interrupted. This again requires emotional literacy, self-accountability, and taking responsibility for our concerns. Deep Listening can also be utilized in group conferences or mediation sessions facilitated by a local body master. These sessions can include the sponsors of the concerned parties, and/or members of the Commiee of Four. Future installments in this series will address facilitated mediation sessions in more depth. The First & Second Level Steps one and two represent what I refer to as the First Level of mediation. This is the personal level. Relating and attempting resolution on the personal level is the most direct and effective way of dealing with problems and conicts that arise between members; handling issues directly, one-onone, mutually and equitably as brothers and sisters. It involves addressing and taking responsibility for our own thoughts, feelings and actions while cultivating mutual respect and honesty. When mediation and resolution cannot be eected at the personal level, we move on to Step Three: the Local Body Master, which takes us to the Second Level, which I refer to as the local level of mediation. Read more about this in the next issue of Agap. Frater Hrumachis Next issue: The Local Level: Steps Three, Four and Five.

q E IV:

Level One: the Personal Level

STEP 1. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
See Agap Vol. 7, No. 1

STEP 2. RESPONSIBILITY TO OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS

Reactive Consciousness 1. Avoid defensive or oensive stances. 2. Learn to control thought. Avoid blurting out. 3. Remember to breathe! Put All Your Cards on the Table 1. Cultivate emotional literacy. 2. Consider the venue carefully. 3. Make time for face-to-face communications. Deep Listening 1. Listen aentively without interrupting. 2. Work on stilling internal dialog. 3. Take turns to express issues honestly and fully. 4. Can be eectively utilized in conference.

Self Evaluation 1. What are the real core issues? 2. Dene issue with I or my based statements. 3. Distinguish the facts and the feelings from story. 4. Journal all of this out. Self Analysis 1. Why is this an issue for me? 2. What is the lesson in this conict for me? 3. What might I be disowning or projecting? Self Responsibility 1. How am I a cause in the maer? 2. What role or responsibility do I take in this conict? 3. How can I take ownership of my part in the maer?

Level Two: the Local Level

STEP 3. LOCAL BODY MASTER

STEP 4. SPONSOR ASSISTANCE

STEP 5. NOTICE & BAD REPORT

Level Three: the Regional Level

STEP 6. ROSE+CROIX CHAPTER

Level Four: the National Level

STEP 8. ELECTORAL COLLEGE

STEP 7. COMMITTEE OF FOUR

STEP 9. GRAND TRIBUNAL

STEP 10. APPEAL

Level Five: the International Level

STEP 11. AREOPAGUS

Agap

q E IV:

The Triple Inequality

A key aspect of my magical work is the establishment of what I call the triple inequality, which is: Crowley Thelema O.T.O. That is, none of these three things are the same.1 This may seem self-evident; aer all, the rst is a particular person, the second a philosophy or religion and its body of works and practice, and the third an initiatory fraternal organization. On its face, the proposition that any pair of these could be equal is absurd. It is just as clear, however, that the three are tightly linked. Aleister Crowley founded Thelema and reoriented the O.T.O. toward Thelema. Whats more, the O.T.O. has, as members, some large fraction of the worlds Thelemites. Its impossible to say how large a fraction that might be, since the denition of Thelemite is imprecise, and there is no way to know how many Thelemites are unaliated with any organization. However, I would guess that at least 10% of the worlds self-identied Thelemites are members of O.T.O., and would be willing to believe a gure as high as 50%. Further, Crowley is identied as the Logos of the Aeon of Thelema; a sacred document of Thelema sets his writings as the sole permied source of authoritative commentary on that Law.2 Much of The Book of the Law appears to be intended as instruction to Crowley personally (though this is of course a maer of opinion). Maers become still more complex when one recognizes that, while the O.T.O. existed before Crowley became its leader, he very rmly put his stamp on it. Nearly all of our founding documents were wrien by him, as was the Gnostic Mass and much of the material in our initiations. The most important change he made was transforming the O.T.O. into an engine for the promulgation of the Law of Thelema. While its earlier purposes remained intact, they became intertwined with this new one to the extent that the distinctions are easy to miss. In the above knot of inuences arises the damaging confusion which the triple inequality aempts to resolve. People routinely and without apparent reservation make statements like the following: 1. The Law is for all, so its not right to put barriers on degree advancement. 2. The O.T.O. should have a more stringent teaching curriculum; aer all, Crowley insisted that his students study a great deal. 3. Crowley slept with all his female followers, so Thelemic women should give themselves freely.3 Put so baldly (and in the context of this essay), these probably seem laughable. They are, however, taken from personal experience dismayingly frequent personal experience. The triple inequality serves as a means to look more critically at such statements, as follows: The Law is for all, so its not right to put barriers on degree advancement. Obviously, this conates Thelema with the O.T.O.; the implicit position is that one cannot be a Thelemite without being a member of (and advancing in) O.T.O. Needless to say, this is entirely wrong. O.T.O. is a particular fraternal order which embraces Thelema, but it is not itself 1. Notational pedants will object that my formulation of this expression would allow Crowley and the O.T.O. to be equal; I chose visual simplicity over adding Crowley at the end. 2. The Comment in Liber AL vel Legis: The Book of the Law. 3. Crowley didnt actually do this, but that is a separate topic for another essay. Agap 10

by Craig Berry (T Ce Acatl) Thelema. One can be a perfect Thelemite without joining or advancing in the Order; two of the best Thelemites Ive known chose to remain in the Minerval degree indenitely, just for example. Perhaps more importantly, identifying Thelema with O.T.O. limits the scope of both. Thelema happens inside each individual, though its results then reect outward. Expecting Thelema to manifest as the O.T.O. is like expecting love to manifest as a potion. It makes a nice fairy tale, but it is not how things work. O.T.O. is a vehicle or context which might work to further you along your own path (while your work contributes to the Orders own ends), but it is not Thelema. Still more importantly, O.T.O. includes many elements which have nothing whatsoever to do with Thelema per se; the entire pre-Crowley collection of initiatory secrets and instructions is still there, the heart and pillar of the O.T.O. Focusing only on the Thelemic aspects of O.T.O., one can easily miss a great deal of its power and beauty. The O.T.O. should have a more stringent teaching curriculum; aer all, Crowley insisted that his students study a great deal. This confuses Crowleys own methods with those of O.T.O. Crowley utilized a number of educational strategies with his students at dierent phases of his career, some more successful, some less. But he and Reuss did not choose to enshrine these in the blueprint for O.T.O. Instead, our founding documents are largely silent on the topic of teaching and vague even when they do broach it. Thus, we are le to work out this problem on our own, as modern stewards of the O.T.O. Our decisions about how best to proceed need not be unduly inuenced by how Crowley treated his studentsor governed other orders, for that maer. Crowley slept with all his female followers, so Thelemic women should give themselves freely. This is perhaps the most pernicious, though it is usually encountered in less obviously manipulative forms. I think of this sort of error as the Tommy syndrome, aer The Whos rock opera. The basic idea can be expressed as the following false syllogism: 1. Crowley did X. 2. Crowley became a Magus. 3. Therefore, if I do X, I will become a Magus. Just as Tommy has the sadly comic image of blindfolded acolytes playing pinball and waiting for enlightenment to arrive, Thelema has those who get hooked on heroin, sleep with anything that moves, abandon their families, sponge o their friends, and wait to become Magi. This is the most dangerous misunderstanding of the three, as it involves failures of discrimination and balance. As a Thelemite, it is essential to pay aention to what Crowley has to tell us, but it is equally essential to view his advice in the context of ones own life and situation. Most especially, it is critical to take a scientic and ruthlessly detached aitude toward evaluating the results of ones work. If you are playing pinball or shooting up heroin and your world is falling apart around your ears, it might be time to try another path; what worked for Tommy or Crowley might be poisonous to you. The Method of Science, the Aim of Religion isnt just a catchy sloganit is the secret to avoiding the most terrible of magical disasters. Science is not the key to innite wisdom; it is the guard against innite folly. I hope this essay has provided some insight into what I mean by the triple inequality, and why I consider it to be so crucial. Perhaps I will live long enough to see all three sides of this triangle of error weakened; though I doubt very much they will be destroyed, so long as Crowley is remembered, Thelema practiced, and the O.T.O. extant.

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Local Body Reports

Knights Templar Oasis Salem, Massachusetts Liber OZ Festival September 10-11, 2005 Salem, MA Knights Templar Oasis (K.T.O.) invites any and all O.T.O. initiates and their chaperoned guests to join us for our 6th annual celebration of the Rights of Man. OZ Festival is an overnight camping trip for Thelemic adults to celebrate and explore their Freedom and Will in an accepting environment. With great company and a fantastic feast, you cannot go wrong. Previous years have included group rituals, a pig roast, the Rite of Luna, the Gnostic Mass under the stars, ritual taooing, and more. Each year we have picked a new God or Goddess to coordinate our activities around, as follows: 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Pan & Lilith Dionysus The All Goddess Mithras Nuit This year we have chosen Lucifer, the Light Bringer. Rain or shine, He shall be exalted! Minerval initiations will be held by K.T.O. the night before. Please contact us if you desire to aend the initiation, so that we can send you more information. Come join us in our festivities and aunt your freedom. For more information or to volunteer, contact: oz-fest@kto.org Local hospitality and transportation can be arranged by contacting our Feast and Hospitality Coordinator at: seneschal@kto.org Register: by August 15th .................................... $60 per person by September 2nd ............................... $70 per person

Mention this article and receive $5 o your admission price. All registration must be done, and payments made, by September 2nd; there is no onsite registration. No children or pets, please.

RPSTOVAL Camp

Ashland, Oregon The potency of one hour of silence before dueling is never to be underestimated. A fencer afraid to lose almost always loses. A fencer with a love for the win tends to win oen. A fencer who focuses on scoring hit aer hit, in a timeless spiral of moment to moment realities, tends to win ceaselessly. Once dualities are abolished and the lust of result is vanquished by virtue of prior meditation, time and space on the fencing piste (the strip where duels occur) feels morphed and of no consequence. The focus ceases to be enmeshed in the concerns or mechanics of causality. Consciousness without typical thought comes and goes like the tide. Good technique in fencing is also aained by paring away fear of failure and that which is superuous. Mysticism and the path of the warrior have walked hand in hand for centuries. It is therefore no surprise that the martial arts have oen aracted those who delve into the various schools of esoteric philosophy. Whether victory or defeat for this duelist, one thing is for certain: my application of Thelemic practices to fencing will continue. I hope to discover more depths in applying illuminism to the art of the blade, and inspire others to join me in this work. Fay ce que vouldras, Brother Wolfgang Agota

What is that on your Glove? The six rayed star, I replied. This kind of exchange was common at my Classical Fencing Tournament last winter. When asked how I achieved my victories, I replied, a bit of mushin, bit of dhyana and some personal power. A myriad of careful questions followed the curious looks that people gave me. My local body, RPSTOVAL Camp, has lately undertaken the study and practice of yoga. Our bimonthly meetings, along with my own daily disciplines, led me to the cultivation of, and striving for, single pointedness, an appropriate subject of meditation for a swordsman. Always working to apply occult practices to what I do in the realm of Malkuth, I utilized raja yoga in my long days series of fencing bouts. Meditating upon the ame of a candle is not so dierent from meditating on the tip of a foil and pe blade. Pranayama practice led me to a practical understanding of the wisdom of breath, referred to in Liber Israfel. This was essential to the mind-body regulation of my cardiovascular and muscular systems, which I applied through the entire tournament. Relating fencing to our yoga studies and practices, and examining the evidence of my experience, I have developed the following maxims:

Brother Wolfgang is a member of Sword & Mask Salle de Arm in Ashland, Oregon. He recently won the gold medal at the Russ Heggen Memorial Foil Tournament in Salem, Oregon, and currently studies under classical/modern fencing Maestro John McDougall. Agap 11 q E IV:

Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A. P. O. Box 15037 Portland, OR 97293-5037

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND, OR PERMIT #2804

Agap is the Ocial Organ of the U. S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

From the Grand Master

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Katherine P. Stout Memorial Fund and Scholarship Brother Bruce R. has created and endowed a special scholarship fund for O.T.O. members. Full-time college students who are U.S. O.T.O. members in good standing of the rst degree or higher may apply. Scholarships of $200.00 to $500.00 are available. This fund is independently managed and is not aliated with O.T.O. U.S.A. Please see the following site for more information: members.cox.net/kpsmf/ Many thanks to Brother Bruce for this generous gi to our membership. Conferences Many thanks to Soror Hypatia, the members of William Blake Oasis, the NOTOCON 2005 Commiee, the U.S.G.L. Conference Committee (formerly named the NOTOCON Committee), the speakers, Knights Templar Oasis, Black Sun Oasis, and everyone who participated in making our h National O.T.O. Conference a great success! Due to the continued success of NOTOCON, the U.S.G.L. Conference Committee is now considering additional conferences, possibly including regional conferences or special-interest conferences. The commiee is currently considering an O.T.O. Womens Conference, to be held tentatively in the fall of 2006 . More information will be released soon. Relief Fund for Displaced Gulf Coast Members A number of our Brothers and Sisters were displaced by Hurricane Katrina and the ooding that followed. Many of you have already contributed in various ways to the relief eort, but much remains to be done before their lives can return to normal. If you are so inclined, you may still contribute to the private fund started by Brother Brandon Williams to help out the displaced Gulf Coast O.T.O. members. To contribute, please send a donation payable to: Alombrados Relief Fund c/o Brandon Williams 1155 W. 6th St. PMB C-11 Fayeeville, AR 72701 PayPal contributions may be sent to: corvus120@yahoo.com Note: these donations do not go to O.T.O. or an O.T.O. local body, and are not tax-deductible. Love is the law, love under will. Sabazius

Volume VII, Number 3 q h R G A IV: November 1, 2005

Contents
From the Grand Master, Fr. Sabazius ..................................................... 1 From the Education Committee, Sr. Kayla Block ....................................... 2 From the Psychology Guild, Br. David Shoemaker ..................................... 3 From the Grand Tribunal Secretary, Br. Dathan Biberstein ........................... 3 From the Electoral College, Fr. Dvgls Jms Blk .......................................... 4 Local Body Reports .......................................................................... 5 On the Four Major Operations of the Microcosmic Star, Aleister Crowley ......... 6 The Tree, Sr. Courie Elizabeth Bishop .................................................... 7 And on the rulers turned I my back... Br. Breck Outland ........................... 7 The Path of Mediation Part 3, Fr. Hrumachis ........................................... 8 Interview with Fr. Spiritus, U.K.G.L. G.S.G., Fr. Mnstr Crts .........................10 Liber AL: The U.S.G.L. Presentation Edition ...........................................11 1 q h IV:

Agap

From the U.S.G.L. Education Committee

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The Education Commiee is pleased to announce that we have formed ve subcommiees and assigned subcommiee chairs to each of the following areas of inquiry: Ceremonial Magick (Brother Gregory Peters); Divination (Sister Kayla Block); History and Philosophy (Sister Sabrina Caine); Qabalah (Brother Richard Kaczynski) and Yoga (Sister Nancy Wasserman). We are currently working on annotated bibliographies in all subject maers. In addition, some of the subcommiees are beginning to work on curriculum development. We are still accepting coursework and bibliographic contributions from the membership. In addition, we are collecting a list of traveling lecturers with strong expertise in a particular subject maer. Traveling lecturers can be used by local bodies as a method of fundraising and as a way to bring in expertise in areas where there are no local experts. If you would like to join the Education Commiee or contribute to it, please contact education@oto-usa.org. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Kayla Block, Secretary

The Ocial Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Executive Editor: Editor & Layout: Assistant Editor: Proofreading: Production Assistant: Editorial Address:

Mysteria Mystica Maxima

Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica

Sabazius X Br. Joseph Thiebes Sr. Dawn C. Davis Fr. Zir Sr. Star Fredericks P.O. Box 15037 Portland, OR 97293-5037

U.S. GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

U.S. NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: SABAZIUS X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. DEPUTY NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: LON MILO DUQUETTE P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND SECRETARY GENERAL: FR. HUNAHPU PO Box 47988, Minneapolis, MN 55447 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND TREASURER GENERAL: HANK HADEED 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. #444, Portland, OR 97214-5246 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury DATHAN U.S. GRAND TRIBUNAL BIBERSTEIN, SECRETARY grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 17462, Minneapolis, MN 55417 U.S.G.L. OMBUDSMAN: FR. HRUMACHIS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 541-488-1257 ombudsman@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. QUARTERMASTER: FR. V.V.N. quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. WEBMASTER: CRAIG BERRY webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LIBRARIAN: FR. K.Z. P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ARCHIVIST: FR. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S.G.L. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: JAMES MCLAUGHLIN volunteers@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY: ARIANA WHITE PO Box 3993, Eugene, OR 97403 publications@oto-usa.org SECRETARY FOR CORRESPONDENCE: T ALLEN GREENFIELD 3267 Buford Hwy., Ste. 720-109, Atlanta, GA 30329-1707 correspondence@oto-usa.org COORDINATOR, O.T.O. PRISON MINISTRY: DANIEL L. AKZINOR P.O. Box 66319, Portland, OR 97290-6319 prison_ministry@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER: FR. HRUMACHIS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 pio@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION: JOSEPH THIEBES P.O. Box 15037, Portland, OR 97293-5037 agape@oto-usa.org

U.S. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, U.S. SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL, U.S. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. ELECTORAL COLLEGE DOUGLAS JAMES BLAKE, PRESIDENT ec_president@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 47056, Seattle, WA 98146 DANN BUCHANAN, SECRETARY electoral_college@oto-usa.org 5030 N. May Ave., #252, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6010 U.S.G.L. INITIATION SECRETARY: SR. IXEL BALAMKE PO Box 47988, Minneapolis, MN 55447 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. SECRETARY: TAU MARIE P.O. Box 201750, Austin, TX 78720-1750 egc@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PARLIAMENTARIAN: SR. HELENA P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 parliamentarian@oto-usa.org

WWW.OTO-USA.ORG
Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A., a California not-for-prot religious corporation with business ofces at P .O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business ofces at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at P .O. Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download in PDF format at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/docs.html Copyright 2005 EV Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

Agap

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From the Psychology Guild

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The Psychology Guild of Ordo Templi Orientis is pleased to announce that we are initiating a series of Pastoral Counseling Workshops to be held at various locations around the U.S. over the coming months and years. This workshop was developed at the request of U.S.G.L. to address the need for training in pastoral care, mediation, community referrals, and crisis management in our growing O.T.O./E.G.C. communities. Clinically-trained members of the Psychology Guild will provide this workshop, which will cover the above topics and many others. After a successful beta-test in Sacramento in July, we have begun scheduling workshops around the country. The workshop is open to ordained E.G.C. priests, priestesses, bishops and auxiliary bishops, as well as local body masters. Select E.G.C. novices may attend upon recommendation by their supervising bishop. U.S. Grand Lodge strongly recommends all qualified members to attend a workshop in your area. If your local body is interested in hosting a Pastoral Counseling Workshop, or for further information about the workshop or the Guild, please contact Brother David Shoemaker at: master@418oto.org Love is the law, love under will.

From the Grand Tribunal Secretary

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. According to Aleister Crowley, The third operation in any magical ceremony is the oath or proclamation.1 The purpose of the ritual is spoken aloud and fortied by a recapitulation of what one has sworn to accomplish. The result of this vow is that the magician willingly binds him or herself to a specic course of actionHe swears solemnly that he will perform itthat nothing shall prevent him from performing it.2 Signicantly, this operation amounts to the foundation of all Work in Magick, as it is an armation of the Will. An Oath binds the Magician for ever.3 Within the fraternal and initiatory surroundings of the O.T.O. these bonds are frequently evoked and strengthened through shared asseveration and (where applicable) engagement; these in turn take root and extend beyond the initiates fraternal environs. Additionally, with increased oaths come increased responsibility to oneself and the Order: his actions aect not only what he calleth himself, but also the whole universe.4 For example, we are informed in Liber CXCIV that initiation beyond the Vth degree involves renunciation [a giving up] of the sternest kind and that an initiate of the VIth degree takes an oath to enforce the decisions of authority. An eect of these oaths is to further link the universal destiny of the Initiate with the Order. Whereas the O.T.O. doesnt interpret your oaths within O.T.O. for you, a number of its policies are informed by a straightforward interpretation of certain of them. In such instances, accountability applies equally to yourself as well as to the Religious Order you are a member of. As the Prophet notes in respect to the number of AMTh or Truth, it is a thousand times beer to die than to break the least tile of a magical oath.5 As an individual, independent, shining gloriously,6 you are at liberty to choose what course of conduct is proper for you. However, once this has been determined, let him stick to it, avoiding opportunism.7 Thus bind thyself, and thou shalt be forever free.8 Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Dathan Biberstein, Secretary

1. Book IV Part III, Ch. XVI. 2. Ibid. 3. Ibid. 4. Liber Libr sub gvra XXX. Agap 3

5. Liber LVIII, An Article on the Qabalah. 6. E.G.C. Baptism Ritual 7. Book IV Part I, Chapter III 8. Liber III vel Jugorum q h IV:

From the Electoral College

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The following actions concerning local Bodies were taken by the Electoral College at its Summer meeting, July 23, 2005 : Closure Soul of the Desert Oasis (Santa Fe, NM) was closed eective July 23rd, 2005 . Change of Master Mastership of Tahuti Lodge (New York City, NY) has passed from Br. Peter Seals to Br. Leo Vasquez eective July 23rd, 2005 . Br. James McLaughlin has been conrmed as Master of Scarlet Woman Lodge (Austin, TX.) eective July 23rd, 2005 . Sr. Isha Martin-Hammer has been conrmed as Master of Ad Astra Oasis (Denver, CO) eective July 23rd, 2005 . Change of Body Status Leaping Laughter Oasis (Minneapolis, MN) has been re-chartered as Leaping Laughter Lodge with Br. Robin Bohumil as Master eective July 23rd, 2005 . New Charters None.

Hosting E.C. Meetings Local bodies that are interested in hosting the Spring and Autumn meetings of the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C.see p. 2 for contact information. Upcoming E.C. Meetings The Winter meeting is scheduled for Saturday, January 14th 2006 . (via electronic medium). The Spring 2006 meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 15th, 2006 . at Hoor-Paar-Kraat Oasis (Ogden, UT). Attending E.C. Meetings Dues current members in good standing of V and above are welcome to aend and observe the in person Electoral College Meetings. We request that those planning to aend contact the Master of the hosting body so that adequate arrangements can be made. Communication with the E.C. I would like to invite any initiates with suggestions about how we can do our job beer, or who have specic concerns or questions regarding the operation of the Electoral College, to write to either the President or Secretary of the E.C. For contact information, please see p. 2. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to take eective measures bringing about beer communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed. I believe that communication is of benet to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All postal mail correspondence with the Electoral College Secretary should be sent to the address listed on p. 2. Website The ocial E.C. website can be found at: ec.oto-usa.org Forms Bodymasters seeking up-to-date forms for the Annual Report, Change of Mastership Application, Application for Oasis Status, Application for Lodge Status, or closure forms will nd them (exclusively) at: ec.oto-usa.org/ECservices.htm Bodymasters not already in possession of the username and password (distributed on August 18, 2004 ) will be granted them upon request (see E.C. contact information on p. 2). All other previous versions of these forms are now obsolete and should not be used.

Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Frater Dvgls Jms Blk

Agap

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Local Body Reports

Thelesis Camp Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law. Thelesis Camp is at an exciting period of considerable growth and activity. In the last year we have made a number of changes which have facilitated our expansion. I am proud to be able to share it with the brethren. In August of 2004 our Camp Master, Frater Nefer Khabs, received his initation charter. Since then, Thelesis has performed eight Minerval and three First Degree initiations. We recently had our third round of Minerval inititions this year and will soon be doing First, Second and Third degree initiations. These initiations, plus a number of initiates relocating to our valley, have increased our membership to its largest size ever. In addition to his duties as initiator, our Camp Master takes part in regular monthly performances of the Gnostic Mass as Priest, as a novice under the tutelage of Frater Roncelin. Sister M.L. was ordained Deacon last Spring. She performs this role at most of our Masses, while dedicating additional time to training other Camp members in this role. We hold regular Mass practice to train all interested members to eventually serve in the ritual or to simply gain a beer understanding of the Mass and its symbolism. Sister Amy Beth continues her duties as Treasurer and is now our main priestess. Sister M.L., the rst Camp member to serve as priestess, will also be returning to active duty. We have a second Mass team currently in training. Besides all this, Thelesis Camp hosts lectures, socials and oen eld trips on a regular monthly basis. Our lectures cover a wide range of topics including banishing rituals, hoodoo, thelemic lms, mythology, Enochian magick and martial arts. Our home, the valley of Philadelphia, boasts many locations with mystical signficance to explore; we recently took a tour to the Cave of Kelpius where mystics held rituals in the 17th Century when selers rst came to our shores. This past Spring, Bishop Roncelin honored us by performing E.G.C. baptisms, conrmations and the previously mentioned deacon ordination. We are looking forward to his return this November when he will perform more baptisms and confirmations and offer a lecture on the symbolism of the Mass. This same weekend well also have the honor of hosting a lecture by the esteemed author Brother Richard Kaczynski. We offer congratulations to our dear Sister Hypatia, Oasis Master of William Blake, for her excellent work organizing NOTOCON 5. Five of our members were privileged to aend and had a wonderful time. Sister Amy Beth and her consort were given the honor of producing all the publications for NOTOCON 5 including Missals for the two performances of the Gnostic Mass, the program, badges and folders. They carried out this task beautifully. In order to better administer our increased membership and ambitious schedule of programs, the Camp has installed three new camp ocers: Librarian Brother Richard Behrens, Webmaster Frater Proventus and Assistant Master Soror Ani. Brother Richard is currently cataloging and organizing our camp library, which consists of several hundred volumes. He is also compiling a library of .pdf les which will be available via our recently updated website. Frater Proventus has totally redone the Camps website, rendering it aesthetically aractive, easy to navigate and wonderfully functional. Please visit the site at: www.thelesis.org Our site has information about our Camp, our calendar of activities, articles, rituals and other .pdf les, a random Liber AL quote generator, and language study tools. Please keep returning to it as we continue to improve the site. Lastly, I am personally honored and privileged to serve as Assistant Camp Master. It is a pleasure to be able to work with the Thelesis ocers and its membership. I am happy to be a part of the Camp during this exciting time. We have many exciting events in our future. We will be celebrating our 10th anniversary on the Spring Equinox of 2006 . We will have a special weekend which will include our ritualized Descent of Innana ceremony. Shortly thereaer we plan to welcome our esteemed Soror Magdelena, Oasis Master of LVX Oasis, who will be conducting a workshop and ritual of Babalon. We also have more intiations planned including Minervals, Firsts and Thirds. In order to accommodate our current and future growth, we have begun our search for a dedicated temple and meeting space. Lastly, we have recently applied for our Oasis charter and are awaiting what we hope will be good news. Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally yours, Soror Ani Assistant Camp Master [Ed. note: Thelesis Camp was re-chartered as an Oasis eective Oct. 22, 2005 . This will be reected in next issues Electoral College Report.]

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On the Four Major Operations of the Microcosmic Star

transcribed and annotated by by Kjetil Fjell and the Editor [What follows is an excerpt from a leer by Aleister Crowley to his magical son, Charles Stansfeld Jones, dated 15 February, 1917 In this leer, Crowley writes concerning sodomy and sexual magick. He later eshed these ideas out in chapters (106-108) of Liber Aleph. Chapter concerns the four lesser operations of the microcosmic star (referred to briey by Crowley, below, as the normal arrows). Chapter concerns the four major operations of the microcosmic star, where he obliquely refers to sodomy. In chapter , he writes generally concerning the microcosmic star. This excerpt makes explicit Crowleys references to sodomy in chapter , and goes into further depth concerning these formulae. KF & JT] ... But theres this to notice: The normal arrows [g. 1], as in our 418 Qabalah, are on the circle1 (put the circle in if you like),2 & dont touch 9. Again [g. 2], Son & Mother only connect with Shin through making connection with Father & Daughter respectively; and the [s of 9 are those of reciprocal lines. These are more symmetrical than the [cecg]3 formula, and also explain why we employ that very remarkable phrase used above (by the Rev. P.D. Carey).4 The tendency of all cg work is to form e & L; in other words, you get a material phenomenon, & all the tendency of nature is to insist on this. Whereas with other work the only tendency can be to 9. This may be the Black Cross between the tablets of course, if it goes wrong. But there is apology in nature also, in this way, that the penalty of error in cg is corruption of the body; whereas in eg or Lc the only trouble is the serious spiritual one of nervous breakdown for lack of balance, just as much as in meditation itself. The Qabalah too is a witness: vide 104 = The Star and remiing5 (But Tzaddi is not the Star: then what is it?). Then vide 410,6 415.7 See, too, 409 & note the ufa8 in 777 as if the Spirit of the Elohim of lives were formulated by eg.9

g v e
Figure 1.

Figure 2.

I nd lile of Lc to correspond;10 I think the Hebrews wouldnt tell women. Or the priestesses may have had a Qabalah of their own, which is lost.11 However on the main principle, note that the Jews used a method similar to eg but with a c when doing a magical operation such as graing a tree. Its important, somehow, to make sure that no expected result can occur; rather as in Medicine12 or P[er] V[as]13 one must close the lower exit beyond doubt or danger.

1. This arrangement constitutes the lesser operations of the microcosmic star, which Crowley writes about in Liber Aleph, chapter (106). 2. Crowleys parenthetical note was originally next to the gure. 3. Originally as follows.

6. 410 = ved , holy. Ibid. 7. 415 = ved c, the Holy One, Sodomite. Ibid. 8. 409 = ufa, One; and vd c, Holy Ones. Ibid. 9. Crowley elaborates this formula in his commentary to Liber 418, There is another, even more important, aribution of [The Lovers, also known as The Brothers]. The Bowman is the Father (g of cecg) and the Man, the Son (e). The Equinox IV:2, p.221. 10. Crowley continues regarding The Lovers (cf. note 8), The Women are Isis and Nephtys (c and L). 11. Crowley later developed such a Qabalah in chapter 107 of Liber Aleph: [The Work of c with L] is a Work Magical of the Nature of Musick, and it draweth down the Fire of the HIGHER by Seduction or Bewitchment. Shall I say Enchantment? Shall I say Incantation? It is Song. See also Crowleys notes regarding the formula of ALIM in Liber ABA, part III, chapter IV. 12. The Universal Medicine, also known as the Elixir of Life. According to Crowley (e.g. in chapter 82 of his Confessions), the IX of O.T.O. teaches a formula appropriate for the preparation of this Universal Medicine. 13. Latin: through the vessel. Crowley oen denoted his XI workings as Per Vas Nefandum, which is to say, through the unmentionable vessel.

c e c

4. This was a pseudonym Crowley used when writing Peri Tes Paiderasteias, an essay accompanying his satire of erotic su poetry, Bagh-i-Muaar, from which the quote is taken. In this essay, Rev. Carey suggests a hypothetical question, Why, in short, (quoth Mr. Moses Monometallist) loving women as you do, sir, do you go to boys and men? Is it only for variety? If not, in what does the charm consist? The remarkable phrase appears in Careys answer. He writes, I will enumerate the conditions, and that cheerfully, since it will incidentally enable me to justify that very remarkable phrase used above, the spirituality of Sodomy. The Scented Garden of Abdullah the Satirist of Shiraz, p. 25. 5. The number of gds , tzaddi, the Hebrew letter that was aributed by the Golden Dawn to the Atu, The Star. 104 is also the number of fleo, remiing; and the number of mdo, Sodom. Sepher Sephiroth Agap 6

q h IV:

The Tree Colored pencil & watercolor on paper 9x10 by Sister Courie Elizabeth Bishop of Leaping Laughter Lodge www.ickr.com/photos/soft_star/39696865/

And on the rulers turned I my back, when I saw what they now call ruling: to trafc and bargain for powerwith the rabble! Friedrich Nietzsche Graphite pencil and india ink on paper 22x25 by Brother Breck Outland of Bubastis Camp www.retinaburn.com

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The Path of Mediation, Part 3

Establishing and Modeling a Critical Path toward efcient Mediation and Dispute Resolution within Our Holy Order Step Three: the body mastermediation at the local level Liber 101, Seventh House (Libra), paragraph 26 states clearly: All disputes between Brethren should be referred rstly to the Master or Masters of their Lodge or Lodges in conference; if a composition be not arrived at in this manner, the dispute is to be referred to the Grand Tribunal, which will arbitrate thereon, and its decision is to be accepted as nal. This seems prey clear, but lets look at the rst half of this statement a bit more closely before addressing the second. The next, or third step in the Path of Mediation becomes taking the issue in conference to the local body master. So, aer we have aempted resolution of a maer at the personal level we are next instructed to bring it to the aention of the local body master, or in the case when the dispute is between members of dierent bodies, the two body masters together in conference with the members concerned. This is where, once again, a facilitated process of mediation, utilizing the elements that we have discussed previously, can now come into play. The body master may choose to speak to each individual privately before arranging a group conference. The body master may choose to conrm that the members in question or the member with the particular issue, has aempted resolution at the personal level. If not, the body master may choose to counsel the members and suggest going back to the rst and second steps, as the members in question may not have attempted resolution pro-actively enough at these levels. The local body master may also choose to request that the two parties write out the nature and circumstances of the dispute and submit it in advance of the group conference so they can be beer informed and apprised of both sides of the issue and the concerns involved. Body masters have numerous options and resources available to them in any given circumstance to assist in the process of mediation. They can make determinations, if necessary, of limiting a member s aendance at certain events, for example, or even having a member or members take a break from aendance to allow for a cooling o period if tensions between members are high. I like to refer to this as a call to corners as in boxing. If the body master is uncertain about how to proceed in a given circumstance they can turn to their Electoral College appointed mentor for advice and counsel. Or they may seek informal advice and counsel from other local body masters or possibly a Grand Lodge representative with whom they are familiar. Yet it is important to distinguish between seeking counsel from these senior members and trying to get them to resolve the dispute for you. Step Four: the sponsors role Within this process as well, the local body master may choose, if appropriate and necessary, to call in the sponsors of a member or members to assist in the mediation process or to help in handling personal disputes or conicts. This would be considered as step four within the process. As it states clearly in the Liber 101, Twelh House, it is incumbent upon the honour of every Brother(or Sister) not to abuse [the privileges of membership], and the sponsors of any Brother (or Sister) who does so, as well as he himself, will be held strictly to account by the Grand Tribunal. Part of this accountability referred to in Liber 101 can and may also apply to sponsors within the mediation process at both the local and national levels, if and when appropriate. Usually, it would be hoped, the sponsor has a reasonable familiarity with the member and may be able to assist by providing counsel, if necessary and appropriate, in assisting in the mediation or resolution process. Again, at the local level, it is the prerogative of the local body master or masters to utilize this resource if and as necessary. Well speak to the idea of sponsor involvement a bit more when we address the ninth step, that of the Grand Tribunal. Step Five: notice and bad report escalating the matter from the local to the national level Yet another resource available to body masters in the process is that of potentially puing a member on notice of pending bad report, though we would hope, this is only utilized if and when absolutely necessary. And it is therefore important that we briefly mention and look at notice and bad report in order to clearly understand what they are and how they might be used appropriately in this process. Puing a member on notice is a step a local body master can take when and if they are nding a members conduct or behavior to be either abusive or disruptive to the pax templi of the local body. The C.O.L.M. Handbook states, A member may be placed on notice for unruly, disruptive, or abusive behavior at O.T.O. events, for minor incidents of slander or defamation, for harassment of other members, for minor property damage, failure to repay local debts or otherwise honor reasonable local obligations, and other relatively minor oenses of local concern. Oen within a case of conict or dispute resolution a brother or sister may act out inappropriately in a given situation. Notice, when utilized correctly, gives the local body master an opportunity to notify the member about conduct that they determine is causing problems and offer reasonable methods of solution or remedies for the member to adjust their behavior, while at the same time potentially limiting the interaction between the member and those with whom the member has a dispute, or with the local body as a whole. We could likely devote an entire presentation to this subject alone, so, for the present we will just make mention of it as an option to local body masters. The local body master, aer counseling and giving the member an opportunity to then moderate their conduct would then submit a leer of notice to the member in question, to the members sponsors, and to the Electoral College, either directly through the E.C. Secretary or via their E.C. appointed mentor. Formal bad report, on the other hand, is an official sanction of membership privileges taken at the national level. Bad report can only be declared by a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, by the Grand Tribunal, or by the Executive, and this is only done by submiing a formal complaint or petition to an S.G.I.G., the G.T. or the Executive in writing. In both cases copies of the complaints are also required to be submied to the member in question, so that they have an opportunity q h IV:

Agap

to respond to that complaint. Once again, these actions exist as options or resources that body masters and individual members have available to them, but should be utilized only with the utmost discretion and when absolutely deemed necessary. Although notice and bad report could be considered as the h step in the Path of Mediation, both of these eectively escalate the maer from the second, or local level, to the national level. So real consideration needs to take place on behalf of the local body master before either of these steps are considered. Keeping the matter at the local level The key in these situations is to eectively manage the mediation process, and when at all possible, to keep the maer contained at the local level to be sure that it has a chance to be effectively mediated and resolved at that level before proceeding on to further steps upon the path. It is important for everyone involved in the maer not to skip steps in the process by going to a higher source or authority within Grand Lodge with a maer that could be eectively dealt with at a lower level, as has been the case on far too many occasion in the past. This kind of political side-stepping or step skipping makes the entire process ineective and, in my estimation, actually weakens the Orders function and undermines what the Prophet intended in puing these structures so painstakingly in place. So, be sure that if you are involved in the mediation process, you are not skipping steps in this manner. Feel free to seek counsel from those you know, but be sure you are really dealing with the maer directly at the appropriate level. All too oen I have seen brothers or sisters aempt to try to go above the head of the person who could most eectively mediate or resolve a problem by approaching a Grand Lodge officer for a matter that should have likely been handled by a local body ocer or at the personal level. Be at pains to avoid doing this.

Level One: the Personal Level

STEP 1. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
See Agap Vol. 7, No. 1

STEP 2. RESPONSIBILITY

TO OUR

BROTHERS

AND

SISTERS

See Agap Vol. 7, No. 2

Level Two: the Local Level

STEP 3. LOCAL BODY MASTER
1. Mediation occurs in conference between members and local master or masters. Masters can make determinations about the mediation process. Many options are available through the mediation process, including private meetings with each party, having each party write out their thoughts and concerns, or calling to corners.

STEP 4. SPONSOR ASSISTANCE

1. Masters may involve sponsors in conference. Sponsors can be held to account by the Grand Tribunal.

2.

STEP 5. NOTICE & BAD REPORT

1. A member who is disruptive of pax templi may be put on notice, temporarily limiting that members access to events, etc. Bad report escalates the maer to the national level.

3.

2.

2.

Level Three: the Regional Level

STEP 6. ROSE+CROIX CHAPTER

Level Four: the National Level

STEP 8. ELECTORAL COLLEGE

STEP 7. COMMITTEE

OF

FOUR

STEP 9. GRAND TRIBUNAL

STEP 10. APPEAL

Level Five: the International Level

STEP 11. AREOPAGUS

According to the previous clause of Liber 101 it is stated that if the dispute cannot be mediated by the body master at the local level it should then be referred directly to the Grand Tribunal for arbitration. This may be true and eective for a number of dierent types of cases, however there still remain several valuable steps that are

available to us on the Path of Mediation before arriving at this point. This takes us to step six, which involves the Chapters of Rose Croix and eectively takes us into the third or regional level. Frater Hrumachis Next issue: the Regional and National Levels: Steps Six, Seven and Eight.

Agap Volume 7, Number 4 submission deadline: q in J R in J Dies Solis Anno IV:xiii Sunday, January 1, 2006 EV
Please send your local body reports and governing body reports to:

agape@oto-usa.org
We will also accept other kinds of work, including essays, art and photography. Submission guidelines are available at www.oto-usa.org/agape.html. For more information contact agape@oto-usa.org.

Agap

q h IV:

Interview with Frater Spiritus, U.K.G.L. G.S.G

by Fr. Mnstr Crts Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Some of my work for the Order involves communicating with our brothers and sisters outside of U.S. Grand Lodge. For several years, I have been working with Frater Spiritus in his capacity as Initiation Secretary for England. Now that U.K. Grand Lodge has formed, Frater Spiritus has assumed the position of Grand Secretary General. This interview will give us an insider perspective on the formation of the Orders newest Grand Lodge. closely as we could with the local bodies, encouraging the body heads to provide reports for inclusion in our U.K. publication, The Winged Globe. The most important thing for us was to work as if we were a Grand Lodge, rather than simply wait for it to happen. For instance, before the formation of the Electoral College earlier this year, recommendations for Advancement to the Fih Degree were made by the F.S.R., reecting the opinions of those members of the U.K. brethren who were at least [Knight of the Red Eagle]. So while we did not formally have an Electoral College, we did what we could to operate in such a manner. Similarly, we did not have a Grand Tribunal, but had members of the [Grand Inquisitor Commander] degree who were able to operate as such should the need arise. One of the nicest synchronicities about the establishment of the U.K. Grand Lodge is that it happened 93 years to the month aer the ascension of Baphomet to the same position. I believe this augurs well for the future of the Order in the U.K. MC: What criteria did the English O.T.O. have to meet in order to become a Grand Lodge? S: Basically, we worked extremely hard to establish the roles and criteria set out in the Blue Equinox, the International By-Laws and in Liber 194, Intimation with Reference to the Constitution of the Order. We populated the higher Degrees with people most suited to the demands and needs of such oces and it was not until these positions, especially amongst the Lover Triad, were lled that we could seriously consider ourselves ready for the next step. We now have a Supreme Grand Council, an Electoral College and are as autonomous as the U.S.G.L. in terms of reporting and recording initiations into our Holy Order. Of course, theres still a long way to go until we can feel really comfortable with our new status, but things are certainly all moving in the right direction. MC: What is U.K.G.L.s vision for the future? What role will U.K.G.L. play in relation to the rest of the Order in Europe? S: The most important thing for us is to keep the momentum going. We have all worked very hard to get where we are, and I believe that by sharing the load, and delegating some of the work that the National Ocers have been leading for some years to other people is a great step forward. The main aim is to build membership within the Order so that we can promulgate the Law of Thelema far and wide. We all know from the Minerval Pledge Form that this is a serious and secret order, pledged to the high purpose of securing the Liberty of the Individual and his advancement in Light, Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge and Power through Beauty, Courage and Wit, on the Foundation of Universal Brotherhood. I certainly cant make it any clearer than that. We now need to work even harder to understand what each of these terms mean, and how we can bring that vision into reality. (continued next page) 10 q h IV:

MC: Frater Spiritus, tell us a bit about your background with the O.T.O. How long have you been a member? What positions have you held? S: I took my Minerval Degree back in August, 1995 at Shemesh Oasis, as was. In the lile over 10 years I have been with the Order, I have held a variety of positions. I started o as the Shemesh Lodge Secretary before picking up more national responsibility a couple of years later. From 1998 I have been the National Secretary for the U.K., working with you in my Initiation Secretary capacity (recently transferred to Fr. O.B.) and also closely with the Supreme Council, tracking back dues, reporting initiations and the like. For several years I also held the position of Querent Secretary, interacting with potential new Minerval candidates; and during that time we had over 500 enquiries that were dealt with. Fortunately, for the past year that role has been admirably handled by Frater Aleph in the U.K., for which I am very grateful. Most recently of course, I became the Grand Secretary General following the establishment of the U.K. Grand Lodge. As far as Local Body work, I was an active member of Shemesh Lodge for several years. I was the Master of Kokab Camp in Hampshire for around four years, before moving to head up AMeTh Lodge in London. Since February 2004 , rst under Hymenaeus Beta, then by the authority delegated to Fr. Hyperion X, weve conducted 59 initiations, so as you can see, its been prey busy! MC: Many U.S.G.L. members are not familiar with the initial O.T.O. organizational forms. For example, the Frater Superiors Representative (F.S.R.) is the central point of contact in a developing nation. Can you tell us about the early organization of the Order in the U.K.? S: The Order has been active in the U.K. for over 25 years now, thanks to the personal efforts of the more senior members both here and overseas. For some time, Fr. Alverda was the F.S.R. for the U.K. National Section. Aer some early false starts and the usual political and personal intrigues, we moved to a consolidated structure prey much as described above, with most of the day-to-day paperwork and administration being carried out by Fr. Caliburn, the F.S.R. for the U.K., and myself, assisted on the nancial side by Fr. Alverda our National Treasurer. We worked as

Agap

When it comes to our role within Europe, the rst thing to note is that the U.K. covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, plus British Crown Dependencies. For members within these borders, initiations up to and including Seventh Degree are conducted under the auspices of Hyperion X. As the Grand Lodge of the United Kingdom, we will have a similar role to play as does U.S.G.L. with respect to our brethren in Europe, oering cordial fraternal relations to all members and providing assistance where appropriate. We are, of course, much closer geographically to the Continent and will continue to work with the F.S.R.s of other national sections, sharing our higher degree initiation schedules with them for instance and accommodating any overseas candidates. Historically we have functioned as individual countries, rather than under a concerted European banner, and I would expect that to certainly continue. MC: Are there any customs that the O.T.O. has in England that dier from the U.S.? S: I am sure that there are some things that we all do slightly dierently. I aended Certied Initiator Training when I was at NOTOCON 2003 and was pleased to see that our initiations are given in the same way. There are the occasional local traditions that creep in, but I actually saw more amongst the U.S. folk than I recognized from our shores.

I hope that there will always be dierences, or perhaps local avour, between national sections, grand lodge or otherwise. At this point in time no U.K. Chartered Body has a permanent, dedicated space, unlike several of the bodies under U.S.G.L. Also, earlier this calendar year Fr. Sabazius noted that in the U.S.G.L., the Minerval ritual should be performed o book and from memory. We do not have such requirements in the U.K. right now, but both of the above examples are certainly aspirational and something that I would encourage the U.K. members and Bodies to aim at. We have a rich and varied cultural heritage and I hope to see the Order in the U.K. develop in a way that embraces these diverse roots.

I would like to thank Frater Spiritus for taking the time to be interviewed. I hope that O.T.O. initiates in the United States nd value in his experiences with the O.T.O. in England. The founding of U.K.G.L. underscores the fact that the O.T.O. is an international Order. Our brothers and sisters abroad have a lot that they can teach us as individuals and as an organization. I encourage all O.T.O. initiates to learn more about how the Order operates around the world. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Mnstr Crts International Initiation Secretary

Liber AL vel Legis: The Book of the Law

The U.S. Grand Lodge Presentation Edition Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The O.T.O. U.S. Grand Lodge Presentation Edition of Liber AL vel Legis: The Book of the Law are still available. This edition is exclusively for O.T.O. members and has been designed with the O.T.O. initiations in mind. It measures 4 1/4 wide, 5 9/16 long. It has a red faux leather cover with gold foil stamps on the front and spine, a front presentation page, and space in the back for noting ones advancement in the MTMTMT and E.G.C. Each copy is only $5.00 plus shipping. To obtain copies of the presentation edition, individuals and local bodies may contact Magus Books at: 800-99-MAGUS (800-996-2487) or visit: www.magusbooks.com/main/otobotl.htm To order, you must be an active member of the O.T.O. Membership subject to verication. Love is the law, love under will. Agap 11 q h IV:

Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A. P. O. Box 15037 Portland, OR 97293-5037

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND, OR PERMIT #2804

Agap is the Ocial Organ of the U. S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Volume VII, Number 4

From the Grand Master

In Memoriam: Brother Christopher J. Parker Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. On November 29, 2005 , my friend and Brother Christopher J. Parker died in Glendale, California of lung cancer, at the age of 40. Chris was hospitalized for severe pain in early September, and was subsequently diagnosed with cancer and began treatment. In late October, Chris decided to forego further treatment, and, at his request, Soror Helena performed his Last Rites per Liber 106. In accordance with his wishes, Chriss remains were cremated, and the urn bearing his ashes was placed upon the altar at the Requiem Mass celebrated in his honor on December 10th at Blue Horizon Oasis. Other memorial services were held at various locations around the country. Chris took his Minerval in 1983 at OX Chapter, which would later become Baphomet Lodge (Oases were termed Chapters back then). He was an officer at my Minerval and First Degree initiations at Baphomet Lodge in Los Angeles in 1986 , and his personal enthusiasm, energy, kindness, and humor were signicant contributing factors to my decision and Soror Helenas to pursue active involvement in the Order. He took his V at Babalon Chapter in Los Angeles in 1990 , but in the early 90s, he withdrew from active participation in the Order as he wrestled with some dicult personal issues involving addiction and family-related maers. He emerged from this dark period around 1997 , and resumed active Order involvementwith a vengeance. Chris quickly became one of the pillars of the Southern California O.T.O. community. He was involved in most of the major Order-related activities at the various Southern California O.T.O. bodies, particularly at Blue Horizon and LVX Oases; and he frequently used his own experiences to help his Brothers and Sisters. I appointed him to the Electoral College in the Spring of 1999 , where he served with distinction. He had preferred the role of Deacon in the Gnostic Mass for most of his early O.T.O. career, but he was ordained an E.G.C. Priest on December 4, 2001 , and masterfully celebrated that role many times thereaer. Chriss energy, enthusiasm, helpfulness, straightforward honesty, and devotion to the Law of Thelema were truly exemplary; and his gregarious personality, sincere spirituality, and quick wit endeared him to nearly everyone he met. By the time he died, he had forged many, many friendships. His family and the hospital staff were amazed by the number of people who came to visit him in the hospital during his nal days. I, and many others, celebrate his life; and we will miss him. May there be granted the accomplishment of his Will. Love is the law, love under will. Sabazius

q K R L A IV: February 1, 2006

Contents
From the Grand Master, Fr. Sabazius ..................................................... 1 From the Education Committee, Sr. Kayla Block ....................................... 2 From the Grand Tribunal Secretary, Br. Dathan Biberstein ........................... 3 O.T.O. Womens Symposium, Sr. Kayla Block ........................................... 3 From the Electoral College, Fr. Dvgls Jms Blk .......................................... 4 Local Body Reports .......................................................................... 5 The Path of Mediation Part 4, Fr. Hrumachis ........................................... 6 On Compassion: a Reexamination, Fr. Ash ............................................... 8 On The Nature of Service in the Order, Fr. Alandru.................................... 8 Liber AL: The U.S.G.L. Presentation Edition ...........................................11 1 q K IV:

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From the U.S.G.L. Education Committee

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The rst deliverables from the Education Commiee are under review and include the following material: History of Pan; Introduction to Qabalistic Psychology; Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram; Systems of K.&C. of the H.G.A.; and some modules of a larger Astrology course. The release process has not yet been dened but further updates will be announced within the next quarter. Your help is still needed. Course material, outlines, and annotated bibliographies are welcome. Interested initiates of at least the K.E.W. degree may still apply to join the commiee. Contact education@oto-usa.org for more information or to submit material. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Kayla Block, Commiee Secretary

The Ocial Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Mysteria Mystica Maxima

Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica

Executive Editor: Editor & Layout: Assistant Editor: Proofreading: Production Assistant: Editorial Address:

Sabazius X Br. Joseph Thiebes Sr. Dawn C. Davis Fr. Zir Sr. Star Fredericks P.O. Box 15037 Portland, OR 97293-5037

U.S. GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

U.S. NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: SABAZIUS X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. DEPUTY NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: LON MILO DUQUETTE P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND SECRETARY GENERAL: FR. HUNAHPU PO Box 47988, Minneapolis, MN 55447 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND TREASURER GENERAL: HANK HADEED 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. #444, Portland, OR 97214-5246 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury DATHAN U.S. GRAND TRIBUNAL BIBERSTEIN, SECRETARY grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 17462, Minneapolis, MN 55417 U.S.G.L. OMBUDSMAN: FR. HRUMACHIS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 541-488-1257 ombudsman@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. QUARTERMASTER: FR. V.V.N. quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. WEBMASTER: CRAIG BERRY webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LIBRARIAN: FR. K.Z. P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ARCHIVIST: FR. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S.G.L. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: JAMES MCLAUGHLIN volunteers@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY: ARIANA WHITE PO Box 3993, Eugene, OR 97403 publications@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. SECRETARY FOR CORRESPONDENCE: T ALLEN GREENFIELD 3267 Buford Hwy., Ste. 720-109, Atlanta, GA 30329-1707 correspondence@oto-usa.org COORDINATOR, O.T.O. PRISON MINISTRY: DANIEL L. AKZINOR P.O. Box 66319, Portland, OR 97290-6319 prison_ministry@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER: FR. HRUMACHIS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 pio@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION: JOSEPH THIEBES P.O. Box 15037, Portland, OR 97293-5037 agape@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. EDUCATION COMMITTEE SECRETARY: KAYLA BLOCK education@oto-usa.org

U.S. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, U.S. SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL, U.S. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. ELECTORAL COLLEGE DOUGLAS JAMES BLAKE, PRESIDENT ec_president@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 47056, Seattle, WA 98146 DANN BUCHANAN, SECRETARY electoral_college@oto-usa.org 5030 N. May Ave., #252, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6010 U.S.G.L. INITIATION SECRETARY: SR. IXEL BALAMKE PO Box 47988, Minneapolis, MN 55447 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. SECRETARY: TAU MARIE P.O. Box 201750, Austin, TX 78720-1750 egc@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PARLIAMENTARIAN: SR. HELENA P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 parliamentarian@oto-usa.org

WWW.OTO-USA.ORG
Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A., a California not-for-prot religious corporation with business ofces at P .O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business ofces at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at P .O. Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download in PDF format at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/docs.html Copyright 2006 EV Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

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Attention:

Every O.T.O. member within U.S. Grand Lodge should have received a copy of the Minerval Guide, a pamphlet explaining a number of basic issues of O.T.O. membership. If you have not received one, please request one from your local body master, or from the U.S. Grand Secretary General.

From the Grand Tribunal Secretary

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Within the Grand Tribunal, remedies are applied with suspension, expulsion, etc. However, while the remedial processes of suspension, expulsion, bad report and curtailment of privileges are clearly spelled out, these are not the only options available to the G.T. With this in mind, a committee has been formed to develop consistent guidelines for the use of additional alternativesparticularly, the utilization of leers of reprimand (admonition), counseling (instruction), etc. For example, if the G.T. receives a complaint of slander (employing the G.T. Complaint Tracking form), instead of moving immediately towards a remedy of expulsion, we may instead decide to send a leer of caution to the member, addressing the oense and recommending that certain specic steps be taken to ameliorate it. Additionally, a leer of counseling may be utilized to both inform and warn a member regarding poor sponsorship decisions. Tangentially, similar remedies may possibly prove useful for Masters of local bodies. Lastly, this documentation may further assist in providing a measurement of a members willingness to resolve a complaint. For example, leers that are received via certied mail by a member and are le unanswered may serve as a marker when applying another remedy. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Dathan Biberstein, Secretary

O.T.O. Womens Symposium

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. I am pleased to announce the rst O.T.O. Womens Symposium (O.T.O.W.S.) which will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 29-30, 2006 at the Gold Coast Casino. Please note this is a date change from a prior announcement. O.T.O.W.S. aendance is open to all initiate members (women and men) in good standing of O.T.O. Speakers may, however, limit aendance of their presentation by gender. All aendees must pre-register. Registration will open in January 2006 . The registration URL will be announced at: oto-usa.org For more information, e-mail: otows@notocon.org Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Kayla Block, On-Site Coordinator O.T.O. Womens Symposium, 2006

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From the Electoral College

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The College wishes to express its deep and profound loss at the celebration of the greater feast of Brother Chris Parker. The College would like to recognize his steadfast dedication and tireless service to ourselves, our Work, the Order, and to the Law that we serve. He is a brother, a compatriot, and a friend. We wish him well. The following actions concerning local Bodies were taken by the Electoral College at its Summer meeting, October 22, 2005 : Closure None. Change of Master Mastership of RPSTOVAL Camp (Ashland, OR) has passed from Frater Ox to Soror Ashera. Mastership of Thelema Lodge (Oakland, CA) has passed from Brother S. John Banner to Frater Luciias Peripsol. Mastership of Hoor-Paar-Kraat Oasis (Ogden, UT) has passed from Frater Peredur to Sister Danielle George. Mastership of Horus Oasis (Salt Lake City, UT) has passed from Sister Pamela Oret to Frater LEGIO. Frater Eparisteros has been granted charter as Master of Abrahadabra Camp (Portland, ME). Hosting E.C. Meetings Local bodies that are interested in hosting the Spring and Autumn meetings of the Electoral College (as well as Summer meetings in even numbered years) are encouraged to write the President of the E.C.see p. 2 for contact information. Upcoming E.C. Meetings The Spring 2006 meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 15th, 2006 at Hoor-Paar-Kraat Oasis (Ogden, UT). The Summer 2006 meeting is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, July 22nd 2006 at Blue Horizon Oasis (Glendale, CA). The Fall 2006 meeting is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, October 14th 2006 at Serpentine Splendour Lodge (Las Vegas, NV). Attending E.C. Meetings Dues current members in good standing of V and above are welcome to aend and observe the in-person Electoral College Meetings. We request that those planning to aend contact the Master of the hosting body so that adequate arrangements can be made. Communication with the E.C. I would like to invite any initiates with suggestions about how we can do our job beer, or who have specic concerns or Bodymasters not already in possession of the username and password (distributed on August 18, 2004 ) will be granted them upon request (see E.C. contact information on p. 2). Change of Body Status Thelesis Camp (Philadelphia, PA) has made Thelesis Oasis with Brother [name redacted for internet distribution] as Master. New Charters Frater Indigo has been granted charter as Master of Starry Bayou Camp (Houston, TX).

questions regarding the operation of the Electoral College, to write to either the President or Secretary of the E.C. For contact information, please see p. 2. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to take eective measures bringing about beer communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed. I believe that communication is of benet to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All postal mail correspondence with the Electoral College Secretary should be sent to the address listed on p. 2. Website The ocial E.C. website can be found at: ec.oto-usa.org Forms Bodymasters seeking up-to-date forms for the Annual Report, Change of Mastership Application, Application for Oasis Status, Application for Lodge Status, or closure forms will nd them (exclusively) at: ec.oto-usa.org/ecservices.htm

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Local Body Reports

418 Lodge Sacramento, California Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law. We are pleased to announce that the premiere volume of CHETH, the annual journal of 418 Lodge, O.T.O., is now available. This volume includes essays on Tetragrammaton as a formula of Initiation, the Gnostic Mass, and much more. Featured contributors include Dr. Richard Kaczynski, Dr. David Shoemaker, and Frater Hrumachis. In addition, we have included poetry and art by Soror Meral (to whom the volume is dedicated) and a few of our Lodge members. The cover price is $10, plus $2.00 shipping for each copy ordered. Dues-current members of 418 Lodge, as well as representatives of O.T.O. local bodies wishing to add a copy of CHETH to their local libraries, qualify for a discounted rate of $8.00 per copy. Please specify your purchasing status in the comments eld of your PayPal payment. Immediate PayPal ordering is coming soon on the 418 Lodge website (www.418oto.org). Meanwhile, you may send your PayPal payments to: info@418oto.org Alternately, you may send a check or money order, payable to: 418 Lodge, O.T.O. PO Box 661536 Sacramento, CA 95866-1536 Be sure to give us your full shipping address. We think you will be very pleased with this beautifullyproduced, limited edition journal. (Perfect-bound, 70 pages, color cover with b/w art inside.) We are accepting submissions for future volumes. Submission guidelines follow. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, David Shoemaker Master, 418 Lodge CHETH Editor-in-Chief CHETH Submission Guidelines CHETH is an Annual Journal of Contemporary Thelemic Thought. It is the aim of the journal to publish original content on the cutting edge of the Thelemic community. CHETH is published by 418 Lodge of the Ordo Templi Orientis. Unsolicited manuscripts are welcome, and there is an open submissions schedule. The publication goes into production in the late spring; thus, to be published in a given year, articles should be submied by the end of March. Submissions and questions may be sent to our postal address (see above) or via e-mail to: master@418oto.org webmaster@418oto.org Articles should be approximately 2,500 words, though shorter articles will be accepted. We will publish 8-10 articles per issue. Articles should show excellence in either research or theory, and must be original pieces, unless submitting a histortical manuscript with permissions. In addition, short ction, poetry, and illustrative graphic shorts are encouraged. Do not be afraid to submit your writing. All words are Sacred. Also we are looking for black & white illustrations (raster images, minimum 300dpi), and other printable images relevant to the general content and community. The page dimension is 6x9, so try to submit your art to perspective (horizontal pieces are acceptable). Again these must be original pieces, or historical pieces with permissions.

Sekhet-Bast-Ra Oasis

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Our website is constantly updated with the latest improvements that include links for merchandise, donations and dues, and the coolest virtual tour of our new space that you can see without actually visiting us. (Please let us know when we can expect to see you in person!) Special thanks go to our late Brother David Knouse and his sister, Julia V., for donating some of his extensive library to our Temple. We also wish to thank Brother Lon Milo DuQuee for aending our public grand opening at the beginning of November, 2005 with a book signing event. We wish to invite all O.T.O. members to stop by and visit us whenever you are able.
You can nd us at the following address: Sekhet Bast Ra Oasis 2714 N. Penn Oklahoma City, OK 73107 To contact us via phone or e-mail: 405-816-5175 info@sekhetbastra.org Visit our website at: www.sekhetbastra.org Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, Dr. Ben Sanders Frater Azoth Secretary, Sekhet Bast Ra Oasis

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Greetings from the Heartland of America. Sekhet Bast Ra Oasis, in the valley of Oklahoma City, is pleased to announce the opening of our new separate Temple space. It is a very beautiful place, put together by the generous donations of time, money, sweat, blood, tears, equipment, books and lots of love from all of our local body members and many that are not so local. We now have open public hours which include a day for the celebration of a public Gnostic Mass. We host various classes for members and the public on topics including Tarot, the Gnostic Mass, the Rites of Eleusis, magick, and others as they are instituted. This will be a wonderful place to hold initiations, knowledge lectures and conferences. Agap

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The Path of Mediation, Part 4

Step Six: the responsibility of the Rose Croix Chapterthe Regional Level If a local body is fortunate enough to have a regional Chapter of the Rose Croix in their vicinity, the local body master may, if they have been unable to assist in eectively resolving the maer at hand, choose to refer the maer to the Most Wise Sovereign and/or High Priestess of the Chapter. The members of the Chapters of Rose Croix are mandated to promote beauty and harmony within the ranks of our Order, which can be an invaluable resource to body masters and individual members in this process. The members of the V therefore have a greater obligation to the general membership, and the Order as a whole, in fostering harmony through their actions. Body masters, if they are not members of a Chapter themselves, would do well to familiarize themselves with local members of the Rose Croix in their area, including the ocers and the Chapters Commiee of Four. Step Seven: the Committee of Four Liber 194, paragraph 8 states: In this degree the Most Wise Sovereign of each Chapter will appoint a commiee of four persons, two men and two women, to arrange for all social gatherings, banquets, dances, the performance of plays, and similar pleasures. They will also endeavour to promote harmony among the Brethren in all possible ways, and to compose any disputes by tact and friendliness without formal appeal being made to any more authoritative tribunal. The above excerpt clearly shows that we have yet another resource available to us upon the Path of Mediation in the Commiee of Four, which represents the Seventh Step in the Path. The Commiee of Four, though explicitly referred to in Liber 194, is a resource that is just beginning to develop in our Order. Psyche-Eros Chapter, based in Portland, Oregon, has a standing Commiee of Four which is charged with informal dispute resolution. Essentially, the four members, two men and two women, are known to the general membership; if a brother or sister is having a problem, the local body master can refer them on request. The local body master can also informally approach a member of the commiee as a neutral party, in condence for advice and counsel without escalating the maer any further. From my experience on this commiee, this has proved immensely useful in clarifying questions for the general membership as well as resolving disputes in their earliest stages of development. The reason this has been successful is primarily that members know that the commiee is available to them as a resource. The commiee is specically charged with promoting harmony and composing disputes by tact and friendliness. There are Commiees of Four being established within various Chapters around the country. This resource will become more widely available to the membership nationwide, as Chapters begin to mature and develop. Level Four: the National Level

Frater Hrumachis

If a dispute or conict cannot be mediated or resolved at the regional level through the Rose Croix Chapter or its Commiee of Four, the maer should be referred back to the local body master, as stated previously in Liber 101 [see The Path of Mediation, Part 3 in Agap VII:3]. The local body master should then instruct and possibly assist the member(s) to formulate and le a leer of grievance, outlining the maer of the dispute and completing the Complaint Tracking Form for submission to the Grand Tribunal via the G.T. Secretary. A copy of the leer should also be sent to the other member in question (as well as their sponsors) so that they may formulate and submit responses to any accusations, or le a statement of grievance themselves, as necessary. This action brings the maer to the fourth level, which is the national level. In a case where the complaint specically involves a local body master or local body ocer, the individual member should le a signed and dated complaint in writing to the Secretary of the Electoral College and the Executive and/or a responsible Sovereign Grand Inspector General in the region for review and consideration. Step Eight: the role of the Electoral College The E.C. generally deals with issues concerning local bodies and the actions of body masters or ocers specically, as these maers fall directly under their purview. The Grand Tribunal, on the other hand, generally deals with disputes or conicts between individual members of the Order. So it is very important, at this stage of the process, to get really clear on how these governing bodies function and where to address problems or grievances. Again, we can refer directly to the Minerval Guide or the Camp, Oasis, Lodge Masters Handbook for clarication. Recognize that the E.C. would only become involved in a maer that concerned problems with a local body master or possibly another local body ocer, not in disputes between individual members. For convenience, we will refer to the E.C. as the Eighth Step, though this would only apply in the specic instances mentioned. The Role of the Sovereign Grand Inspectors General The Sovereign Grand Inspectors General also play an interesting, important and vital role in this entire process. Liber 194, paragraph 19 states: All members of the Seventh Degree travel as Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the Order, and report, on their own initiative, to the Supreme and Most Holy King, as to the condition of all Lodges, and Chapters; to the Supreme Council, on all aairs of the Second Triad; and to the Electoral College, on those of the Third. Essentially, they serve as the eyes and ears of the Supreme and Holy King and are his direct representatives. They therefore do not represent a specic step on the Path of Mediation, but in a very real sense can serve as an eective guide upon it, by taking action on their own initiative, or by referring members to the appropriate ocer or governing body that can assist them. The

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Establishing and modeling a critical path toward efcient mediation and dispute resolution in our Holy Order role of the S.G.I.G. may therefore vary at each level and at each step upon the Path. So it is important that we recognize the important role of the S.G.I.G., and that it is incumbent upon us not to abuse their oce in the process by trying to use them to skip a step in the Path by appealing to their authority. Just so, it is important for the Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, when approached by individual members with a particular problem, to check in with that member to see where they are upon the Path of Meditation, and if they see a member inadvertently or intentionally skipping a step, to refer that member back to the appropriate ocer or governing body who can best handle the maer at the appropriate level. In terms of dealing with specic maers concerning the Man of Earth triad, an S.G.I.G. would be an appropriate governing ocer to approach if there is a specic grievance or problem with a local body master, in which case the S.G.I.G. would report the maer to the S.H.K. as well as the E.C. for review. In the case of issues within the Lover triad, they would refer the maer to the Supreme Grand Council. Soverign Grand Inspectors General are also charged with the duty to report on the condition of all Lodges and Chapters to the S.H.K. If there is a maer that is potentially adversely affecting a local body, the S.G.I.G. may, at the request of the S.H.K., intervene and mediate; or may aempt to resolve the maer at any particular level. Consider this, and remember that this is the prerogative of the S.H.K. to authorize an S.G.I.G. to take action. Next issue: the Ninth Step: formal appeal to the Grand Tribunal, dispute resolution and binding arbitration; the Tenth Step: the appeals process; and the Eleventh Step: the Areopagus

Level One: the Personal Level

STEP 1. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
See Agap Vol. 7, No. 1

STEP 2. RESPONSIBILITY

TO OUR BROTHERS AND See Agap Vol. 7, No. 2

SISTERS

Level Two: the Local Level

See Agap Vol. 7, No. 3

STEP 4. SPONSOR ASSISTANCE

STEP 3. LOCAL BODY MASTER

STEP 5. NOTICE & BAD REPORT

Level Three: the Regional Level

STEP 6. ROSE+CROIX CHAPTER
1. 2. Chapters are mandated to promote harmony and beauty. Masters may refer maers to the Most Wise Sovereign and/or High Priestess of a chapter.
1. 2.

STEP 7. COMMITTEE

OF

FOUR

Four chapter members, two men and two women, make up this commiee. Commiees of Four compose disputes and promote harmony with tact and friendliness.

Level Four: the National Level

STEP 8. ELECTORAL COLLEGE

The E.C. becomes involved primarily in maers concerning local body ocers.

STEP 9. GRAND TRIBUNAL

STEP 10. APPEAL

Level Five: the International Level

STEP 11. AREOPAGUS

Agap Volume 8, Number 1 submission deadline: q in A R in B Dies Saturnii Anno IV:xiii Saturday, April 1, 2006 EV
Please send your local body reports and governing body reports to:

agape@oto-usa.org
We will also accept other kinds of work, including essays, art and photography. Submission guidelines are available at www.oto-usa.org/agape.html. For more information contact agape@oto-usa.org.

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On Compassion: a Reexamination
A compelling essay about compassion and its importance within both Thelema and Buddhism appeared in a recent issue of Agap [The Vice of Kings by John Crow, Vol. 7, No. 1]. In this writers opinion, he did a good job of briey explaining how compassion ts within Buddhism, and how this is so relevant to Thelema since Aleister Crowley was a practicioner of that spiritual path at the time of the reception of Liber AL. Crowleys understanding of Buddhist compassion is evident in his numerous references to (and admonitions against) the concept of losing ones self in the course of becoming a compassionate Bodhisava. Brother Crows well-wrien essay, however, did not tell the whole story. Buddhism certainly colored Crowleys ideas regarding compassion, but that was not the only lter he used to interpret The Book of the Law. Crowley was not immune to outside inuences, and there were two other frames that made compassion such poison for him: Christianity and Social Darwinism. Crowley was raised in a strict Christian home, and his parents were devout members of a fundamentalist sect called the Plymouth Brethren. Because the Bible was young Crowleys only reading material, he knew it well and would certainly have understood the way it presented compassion. In the Old Testament, compassion is oen equated with the divine

by Frater Ash

In the New Testament, compassion is presented in a dierent manneras an act of self-sacrice, symbolized by the crucixion of Jesus on the Cross. The apostle John said it best when he wrote, Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this worlds good, and seeth his brother have need, and shueth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? (1 John 3:16-17). Crowley had great disdain for this particular notion of compassion. He writes, We have a sentimental idea of selfsacrice, the kind which is most esteemed by the vulgar and is the essence of popular Christianity. It is the sacrice of the strong to the weak, (The Confessions of Aleister Crowley, Ch. 49more on this quote later) and Now in practice, in everyday life, this unselshness is always cropping up. Not only do you insult your brother King by your noble self-sacrice, but you are almost bound to interfere with his True Will. Charity always means that the loy soul who bestows it is really, deep down, trying to enslave the recipient of his beastly bounty! (MWT, Ch. 46). Here he is dening compassion in strictly Christian terms, as an act of charity and noble self-sacrice (akin to the false superiority of the O.T. description), both of which are really shams used to interfere with True Will and to enslave the needyi.e. to convert them to Christianity (the work

. . . [Crowley] recognized both fear and guilt as intrinsic aspects of [Christianity], and reasonably drew the conclusion that these must equally motivate Christian compassion.

mercy and forgiveness of Jehovah. For example, we read in 2 Chronicles 30:9For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall nd compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him. In 1 Kings 8:49-50 we read Then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause, And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them. This concept of mercy was anathema to Crowleys Thelemic sensitivites. He expresses this clearly in Magic Without Tears (Ch. 46)The word compassion . . . implies that you are a ne fellow, and the other so much dirt; that is, you insult him by pity for his misfortunes. But Every man and every woman is a star.; so dont you do it! You should treat everybody as a King of the same order as yourself. Here he describes the O.T. version of compassion, which presumes a station of superiority and which ignores every persons inherent right to Kingly respectan aitude he rightfully disparages. The lesson in this case is simple: do not presume yourself to be of higher rank to those in need, nor oer help out of a condescending pity.

of missionaries and the Salvation Army come to mind. These types of Christian charity organizations were very popular in Crowleys day, and some were a legitimate response to the more horrible manifestions of the industrial revolution, such as child labor and rampant urban poverty). When Crowley used his Christian lter to examine compassion, he also drew upon the various aspects of that old aeon religion that he found most distasteful. For example, he recognized both fear and guilt as intrinsic aspects of that faith, and reasonably drew the conclusion that these must equally motivate Christian compassion. He reects this belief in MWT (Ch. 46) Let me insist that pity is nearly always an impostor. It is the psychic consolation for fear, the pitiful man really is a pitiful man! for he is such a coward that he dare not face his fear, even in imagination! In the same chapter he notes, [Pity] is the twin of moral responsibility, of the sense of guilt or sin. It is here that we nd the basis of suering for the Christianthat sin is the ultimate source of miserya concept that Thelema uerly rejects. The third major lter that Crowley used to frame compassion was a theory called Social Darwinism. This was a very popular theory amongst the wealthy in Europe and America from the mid-1800s until about the 1940s . The idea is that natural selection, which works on a biological level, also works on a 8 q K IV:

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social level. Survival and evolution were seen as a vicious bale wherein the weakest members were selected out, thereby advancing the entire species. With the rise of industrialism and urbanism came an increase in poverty and terrible living conditions. As society tried to correct for these side eects, a new wave of public welfare and charity eorts came into play. Social Darwinists began to say that these eorts were holding back the race, since the strong (i.e. the wealthy) were squandering their rightful resources on those that nature would otherwise select out (i.e. the poor). This theory was used to justify everything from free-market capitalism, to racism, to genocide. Here are a few examples from Crowley that illustrate the inuence of both Christianty and Social Darwinism: We have a sentimental idea of self-sacrice, the kind which is most esteemed by the vulgar and is the essence of popular Christianity. It is the sacrice of the strong to the weak. This is wholly against the principles of evolution. . . . There is here a conict between private and public morality. We should not protect the weak and the vicious from the results of their inferiority. By doing so, we perpetuate the elements of dissolution in our own social body. We should rather aid nature by subjecting every newcomer to the most rigorous tests of his tness to deal with his environment. The human race grew in stature and intelligence as long as the individual prowess achieved security, so that the strongest and cleverest people were able to reproduce their kind in the best conditions. But when security became general through the operation of altruism the most degenerate of the people were oen the ospring of the strongest. Confessions (Ch. 49): Evolution demands exceptional individuals, er to their environment than their fellows. Species prosper by imitating ecient eccentrics. Mediocrity, self-styled morality, protects the unfit, but prevents progress, discourages adaptability, and assures the ruin of the race.(On the Education of Children, in The Revival of Magick.) The reader will nd it only too easy to think of a hundred cases where the error of untness, the violation of what we may call biological law in its widest philosophical sense, threatens the well-being and even the very existance of the individual. (The Method of Thelema, in The Revival of Magick.)

This idea that the weak (i.e. those who need assistance from others) are somehow biologically inferior is, however, a concept that has been long proven wrong. The fantasy of raw individualism has been replaced by the knowledge that humans are highly interdependent, requiring cooperation at every level to succeed. Problems like poverty are far more influenced by social forces (e.g. discrimination, education, economics, etc.) and a lack of social support systems (e.g. a healthy family or other supportive group) rather than any inherent aws in the individual. Moreover, there is no scientic evidence that groups evolve as do individuals. In fact, this theory was nally put to rest in 1966 when George Williams published Adaptation and Natural Selection, where he showed that any selection happening on a group level would be trumped by individual adaptations. There is also the problem of altrusism, found not only in human society but in many other species. The observation of altruism was a sticky point for evolution, since it seemed to go against the very mechanism of natural selection. The riddle was nally answered in 1964 by William Hamilton and then again in 1971 by Robert Trivers. These reserchers developed the ideas of inclusive tness (dealing with kin) and reciprocal altruism (dealing with non-kin), respectively. Their work nally explained why altruism is such an eective evolutionary tool and why the idea behind Social Darwinismthat altruism holds back the race to assist the naturally inferioris a scientically incorrect interpretation of Darwins theory. To summerize what we have so far, Crowley had three primary lters that colored his understanding of compassion: Buddhism wherein compassion might be seen as over-identication with others (leading to the neglect of ones own True Will) Christianitywherein compassion is either the mercy of God (leading to undue moral superiority) or self-sacrice as symbolized by the Crucixion (which is possibly insincere, since its root is more likely fear, guilt, or the desire to convert the recipient). Social Darwinismwherein compassion is a modern, articial tool used to support the inherently weak at the cost of the strong, thereby holding back the advancement of the race. Continued on next page

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 Continued from previous page We know that Thelema does not identify with Buddhism or Christianity, and Social Darwinism has been shown to be an unscientic idea that was used primarily (by others) to justify racism, economic exploitation, and sometimes genocide. So, the question becomes: with these three frames out of the way, is it possible to dene compassion in strictly Thelemic terms? In other words, is there a Thelemic compassion? I believe that the answer is yes. Science shows us that the drive to help others in need is a product of natural selection, not morality or religion, and as such is a part of human nature. Since this drive exists, our duty as Thelemites is to channel it in a way congruent with the current Aeon. We can do this by understanding what suering is. To the Buddhist, suering is founded in aachment to the illusion of existence. For the Christian, suering is ultimately a result of sin. From a Thelemic point of view, I suggest that suering results from restrictions on the ability to learn and manifest ones True Will. Thelemic compassion, then, is the drive to help others by removing either social or individual barriers that restrict the free expression of Will. As Crowley wrote in DutyThe distress of another may be relieved; but always with the positive and noble idea of making manifest the perfection of the Universe. hatred. True Will has no truck with these poisons, and ghting them is a true act of compassionfor why else ght them but to eliminate the suering they bring? To be clear, this essay does not call for a mandate of compassionate acts for Thelemites in the vein of Good Works of the Roman Catholic Church. Nor does it suggest when or how one might go about being compassionate. That is a matter between you and your Holy Guardian Angel. I have tried to show, rather, how our natural drive to relieve suering in others can manifest in responsible ways, without contradiction to Thelemic principles. Crowley wrote in his Commentaries, It is necessary that we stop, once for all, this ignorant meddling with other peoples business. Each individual must be le free to follow his own path. While he was discussing Americas penchant for cultural imperialism here, I reference it to point out that we all ignorantly meddle in peoples lives every day, and oen in ways that end up restricting freedom of Will (via economics, law, war, pollution, et cetera). The way we spend our money, the politicians we vote for, the products we usethese aect people; no one can avoid it. We are all interconnected, and Thelemic responsibility insists that we aid those who are aicted with

[The] sentimental idea of self-sacrice . . . is the sacrice of the strong to the weak. This is wholly against the principles of evolution. Aleister Crowley in Confessions
Within this model of Thelemic compassion, the object is not to force others to become what we want, since we do not know or care what ones Will might actually be. It is not motivated by selfish rewards or social mandates. Thelemic compassion arises out of the interplay of ones own Love and Will, and never guilt or fear. Thelemic compassion can comfort, but it does not coddle. When necessary, it has the strength to inict more pain before suering can be relieved. It seeks to remove barriers to self-suciency, not to create dependency. It promotes a view of self with others (i.e. Universal Brotherhood), not self as others. It is practical, not sentimental. It is, in eect, a bale against tyranny, superstition, and oppression! It is not the impoverished, minority, disabled, helpless, or ignorant that hold back the human race; it is poverty, discrimination, intolerance, abuse, and ignorance that does. They are our true enemies, along with their eldersgreed, fear, and undue barriers to learning and manifesting Will. As Crowey wrote in his Confessions (Ch.87), The main ethical principle is that each human being has his own denite object in life. He has every right to fulll this purpose, and none to do anything else. It is the business of the community to help each of its members to achieve this aim. Compassion is the natural drive to relieve suering in others, which is oen caused by external forces, such as poverty, illness, and isolation. This drive is biological, not Christian, Buddhist, or otherwise. Our duty as Thelemites, therefore, is to act upon that drive in mindful ways that are informed by Thelemic principles. I end with words of wisdom from the Master: When you can [help others] as it should be done, without embarrassment, false shame, with your whole heart in your wordsdo it simply, to sum upyou will nd yourself way up on the road to that royal republic which is the ideal of human society. (MWT, Ch. 46.)

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On The Nature of Service in the Order

The Man of Earth takes no share in the Government of the Order; for he is not yet called upon to give his life to it in service; and with us Government is Service, and nothing else. (Liber CXCIV: An Intimation with Reference to the Constitution of the Order.) On reading the above, the casual reader may think, Well, what a relief. With these words, he might believe that the member of the Man of Earth triad is released from responsibility. Consider the words carefully, however, and you may realize that the service a M.o.E. performs for his body of the Order is even more important. The average member of an active O.T.O. body is 2nd or 3rd degree. The degree requirement for Camp or Oasis master is 3rd degree. None of these people have been called upon to give their life in service to their body or their Order. You would be very hard pressed, though, to nd a body master who has not poured every ounce of their lifes blood into the work they do. Quite simply put, a local body does not run itself, no maer how eciently it may seem to run. The next time you go to an event at your local body or at any other body, consider the following: How clean is the environment? What foods are made available? How practiced is the ritual team? How close to the stated time did the event begin? How prepared were the officers? Were implements shined or dull? Then ask yourself: did you ever have to notice these things? Every activity that transforms a warehouse, living room, garage space, or oce suite into a magickal environment is done by real people. Nine times out of ten, it is done by a Man of Earth. And he wasnt called upon to give his life to do so. At least not by the Order. He did it because the calling came from within. It came from a love of the work being done. It came from a desire to participate in his own way to help make this magical environment come to life; to do work that may in some manner connect to his or others Great Work. If you read the stu they publish, this is really what were all here for anyway. The nature of true service does not come from being asked to do work, being begged to do work, nor most importantly does it come from an expectation of ingratiation. One does the work because one loves the work. The result of the work is the only payo, especially when the

by Frater Alandru work is more valuable than result. One doesnt work for the result; one gets the result from the work. The day to day operations of a local O.T.O. body present bountiful opportunities for people to make things run easier. From event setup and teardown to meal prep, from ritual writing to veil sewing, there are always things to be done. If there is a talent you have that isnt already part of a volunteer position at your local body, create a job around that talent. Innovation can always result in responsibilty, and the oer of passionate work is almost always appreciated. So, the next time you nd yourself at an event, look for the work that you want to give. If the work isnt there to give, nd something to contribute. The body doesnt run by itself, but it looks like it does when everyone is too busy contributing to notice. True work and True service, like all True things, are Willed acts. . . . So with thy all; thou hast no right but to do thy will. / Do that, and no other shall say nay. / For pure will, unassuaged of purpose, delivered from the lust of result, is every way perfect. (Liber Al vel Legis, I:42-44.)

Liber AL vel Legis: The Book of the Law

The U.S. Grand Lodge Presentation Edition Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The O.T.O. U.S. Grand Lodge Presentation Edition of Liber AL vel Legis: The Book of the Law are still available. This edition is exclusively for O.T.O. members and has been designed with the O.T.O. initiations in mind. It measures 4 1/4 wide, 5 9/16 long. It has a red faux leather cover with gold foil stamps on the front and spine, a front presentation page, and space in the back for noting ones advancement in the MTMTMT and E.G.C. Each copy is only $5.00 plus shipping. To obtain copies of the presentation edition, individuals and local bodies may contact Magus Books at: 800-99-MAGUS (800-996-2487) or visit: www.magusbooks.com/main/otobotl.htm To order, you must be an active member of the O.T.O. Membership subject to verication. Love is the law, love under will.

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Agap is the Ocial Organ of the U. S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

A
From the Grand Master
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Supreme Grand Council In the last 10 years, our Supreme Grand Council, which is the rst fully-staed Supreme Grand Council in O.T.O.s history, continues to develop according to the model set forth in the Blue Equinox and the 1913 MTMTMT Constitution. It has opened 11 new Rose-Croix (R+C) Chapters for a current total of 14, and, in cooperation with the Electoral College, it has developed a set of consistent and reasonable procedures regularizing the process of inviting members to the Fih

Volume VIII, Number 1 q B R C A IV: May 1, 2006

The following is adapted from a speech I gave on the occasion of a celebration of the tenth anniversary of the formation of U.S. Grand Lodge. I would like to go over some of our accomplishments of the past ten years, and also point out a few things that remain to be done. Governing Bodies Each Grand Lodge has three Governing Bodies, the Supreme Grand Council, the Grand Tribunal, and the Electoral College.

Degree. Our R+C Chapters have gained strength and direction. Template Bylaws for R+C Chapters, based on the Blue Equinox documents, have been prepared and issued to the Chapters. So far, 9 of our Chapters have submied their Bylaws and implemented such Blue Equinox provisions as the Commiee of Four. Grand Tribunal Our Grand Tribunal has also become the rst fully functional, independent Grand Tribunal in O.T.O.s history, with its own bylaws and standing rules designed to implement the model sketched out in the Blue Equinox. It has developed a Path of Mediation document, summarizing our mediation and dispute resolution procedures, for use by all members, and it regularly reports its activities in Agap. Electoral College Our Electoral College has come together over the past 10 years as a cohesive, fully-staed and fully-functional body, with its own bylaws, standing rules, and Continued on next page q B IV:

Contents
From the Grand Master ..................................................................... 1 From the Grand Tribunal Secretary ...................................................... 5 Local Body Reports .......................................................................... 5 From the Electoral College ................................................................ 6 Obituaries ..................................................................................... 7 NOTOCON Request for Proposals .......................................................... 7 O.T.O. Womens Symposium Registration Information ................................ 7 Thresholds, artwork by Breck Outland ................................................... 8 Helios: or the Future Beyond Science by 666, the Prophet of the New Aeon ...... 9 The Path of Mediation Part 5 by Fr. Hrumachis ........................................14 Agap 1

Continued from previous page wrien policies and procedures. It has developed a number of programs designed to assist local bodies of the Man of Earth Triad, including the local body mentorship program to provide assistance to local body masters and to help ensure that local bodies are operating in accordance with Grand Lodge policies. Local Bodies Over the last 10 years, the Electoral College has chartered 48 new Camps, has re-chartered 28 Camps as Oases, and has rechartered 11 Oases as Lodges. Naturally, some local bodies have been closed, and currently, we have 14 active Camps, 18 active Oases, and 10 active Lodges.

In the summer of 1995 , shortly before the formation of U.S. Grand Lodge, we had 55 Camps, 13 Oases, and 15 Lodges. This may look, on the surface, like we are going backwards, but what it represents is that we have signicantly raised our standards and expectations for local bodies. Many Camps in 1995 were composed of a single member, and some of them were but initiates of the First Degree. One of the ways we have raised our standards for local bodies is that we have redened what it means to be a Camp, an Oasis, or a Lodge. We have adopted the Blue Equinox Lodge as the basic model for all local bodies, with Camps and Oases being considered stages of development on the path to the Lodge. Camp Masters are no longer allowed to be initiates of less than the Third Degree, and regular rotation of local body

The Ocial Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Executive Editor: Editor & Layout: Assistant Editors: Proofreading: Production Assistant: Editorial Address:

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U.S. GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

U.S. NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: SABAZIUS X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. DEPUTY NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: LON MILO DUQUETTE P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND SECRETARY GENERAL: FR. HUNAHPU PO Box 47988, Minneapolis, MN 55447 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND TREASURER GENERAL: HANK HADEED 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. #444, Portland, OR 97214-5246 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury DATHAN U.S. GRAND TRIBUNAL BIBERSTEIN, SECRETARY grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 17462, Minneapolis, MN 55417 U.S.G.L. PARLIAMENTARIAN: SR. HELENA P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 parliamentarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. OMBUDSMAN: FR. HRUMACHIS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 541-488-1257 ombudsman@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. QUARTERMASTER: FR. V.V.N. quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. WEBMASTER: CRAIG BERRY webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LIBRARIAN: FR. K.Z. P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ARCHIVIST: FR. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S.G.L. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: JAMES MCLAUGHLIN volunteers@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY: ARIANA WHITE PO Box 3993, Eugene, OR 97403 publications@oto-usa.org COORDINATOR, O.T.O. PRISON MINISTRY: DANIEL L. AKZINOR P.O. Box 66319, Portland, OR 97290-6319 prison_ministry@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER: FR. HRUMACHIS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 pio@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION: JOSEPH THIEBES P.O. Box 15037, Portland, OR 97293-5037 agape@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. EDUCATION COMMITTEE SECRETARY: KAYLA BLOCK education@oto-usa.org

U.S. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, U.S. SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL, U.S. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. ELECTORAL COLLEGE DOUGLAS JAMES BLAKE, PRESIDENT ec_president@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 47056, Seattle, WA 98146 DANN BUCHANAN, SECRETARY electoral_college@oto-usa.org 5030 N. May Ave., #252, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6010 U.S.G.L. INITIATION SECRETARY: SR. IXEL BALAMKE PO Box 47988, Minneapolis, MN 55447 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. SECRETARY: TAU MARIE P.O. Box 201750, Austin, TX 78720-1750 egc@oto-usa.org

WWW.OTO-USA.ORG
Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A., a California not-for-prot religious corporation with business ofces at P .O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business ofces at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at P .O. Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download in PDF format at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/docs.html Copyright 2006 EV Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

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oces is encouraged. Local bodies are now required to have treasurers and secretaries, to keep membership records, and to report their activities and their financial transactions regularly to the Electoral College. Oases and Lodges are now required to maintain bank accounts. Lodges are now required to have temple spaces, other than the Lodge Masters living room or garage; to meet and to hold initiations and Gnostic Masses; and to support themselves with local dues, pledges, and contributions from their members. All local bodies are expected to hold a minimum number of classes and Gnostic Masses per year. Template bylaws have been issued to all Oases and Lodges, and nearly all of them have submitted their bylaws for approval. All local bodies have been encouraged to implement a system of local dues or pledges to support their activities, and, of the bodies reporting in 2005 , 88% of Camps, 93% of Oases, and all Lodges have established some kind of local dues or pledge structure acceptable to the G.T.G. Eight of our 10 Lodges, eight of our 18 Oases, and even one of our Camps currently operate in non-residential temple spaces. By the way, if you havent done so by now, please contribute to this effort by joining and actively participating in a local body. Most of our work gets done at the local body level, and our local bodies need and deserve your full support. The Executive In addition to the three governing bodies, each Grand Lodge has an administrative body in accordance with the 1913 Constitution. This administrative body is called the Executive Council of the Supreme Grand Council, or, for short, the Executive. It consists of the National Grand Master General, the Grand Secretary General, and the Grand Treasurer General. Our Executive serves as the board of directors of the not-forprot corporation named Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. Over the last 10 years, the Executive has served to facilitate and coordinate the operation of U.S. Grand Lodges governing bodies, to coordinate between U.S. Grand Lodge and International Headquarters, and to establish a firm legal footing for building a stable Grand Lodge. It has implemented policies ensuring that O.T.O. U.S.A. operates in accordance with applicable nonprofit

laws and regulations, and it has secured liability insurance for U.S. Grand Lodge and its officers. It has standardized accounting and reporting procedures, and has streamlined the process of certicate and charter processing. It has established the NOTOCON Commiee, Education Committee, Finance Committee, and Planning Commiee, and created and filled a number of special-purpose volunteer offices such as Initiation Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Public Information Officer, Parliamentarian, Ombudsman, Volunteer Coordinator, State Registration Coordinator, Agap Editor, and, most recently, Document Control Officer. We are now formally registered to do business in 12 states, and we have secured group tax exemption status with the I.R.S. which covers most of our Oases and Lodges. Publications Over the last 10 years, we have issued the Minerval Guide, a reference document for all members under U.S.G.L.s jurisdiction; several revisions of the evolving Camp, Oasis, and Lodge Masters Handbook, the E.G.C. Manual, and study guides for every degree in the Man of Earth and Lover Triads; 23 issues of Agapwhich is now mailed quarterly to every member within the U.S.and a hardcover edition of the Book of the Law, designed especially for O.T.O. initiates within U.S. Grand Lodge. We have also established a number of online ocial communication channels and have created a rst-rate website. Conferences and Workshops Over the last ten years, we have held ve National Conferences, all of which were remarkable successes. We created a traveling local body leadership workshop called the Kaaba Colloquium in the year 2000 , and we have since held seven of these workshops at various locations across the country. Last year, we worked with the Psychology Guild to create a traveling workshop on pastoral counseling, and we have held three of these so far. Committees So far, our Strategic Planning Commiee, established last year, has developed and issued a formal Program Synopsis and Mission Statement, has completed situational analysis, has developed a draft Vision Statement, and is in the process of developing a Statement of Principles and a list of Strategic Goals for

the rst three years of the next decade of U.S.G.L. Our Education Commiee, also founded last year, has set up a series of subcommiees by topic, is compiling a list of traveling guest lecturers, and is preparing to issue a collection of lessons on various topics of interest for use by local bodies. Our Finance Committee, instituted by the Grand Treasurer General two years ago, is about to issue a manual, covering the basics of accounting and QuickBooks usage, for local body masters and treasurers. Prison Ministry Our Prison Ministry Program had its origins well before the formation of U.S. Grand Lodge. Initially, it consisted of a few members helping Bill Heidrick deal with correspondence from incarcerated Thelemites, but over the last 10 years, it has developed into a formal program that is currently staed by over thirty dedicated volunteers, with a stated mission to: 1. Minister to the spiritual needs of Thelemites in prison, through correspondence and, where possible, pastoral visits. 2. Represent Thelema as a valid and positive form of religious expression to corrections ocials. 3. Help prevent prisoners from misrepresenting Thelema to corrections officials and to other prisoners, through correction of prisoners own misconceptions and through direct communications with prison ocials. Library In the last 10 years, we have begun compiling a Grand Lodge library. We began by purchasing the library of the noted author on Tarot, Robert Wang. Since then, we have, through purchases and donations, developed a library with about 730 titles. We expect the library to begin lending by mail by the end of this year. Initiations One of the most fundamental functions we perform is initiation. Over the last ten years, we have performed over 5,580 initiations, including over 2,080 Minervals, 1,240 First Degrees, 780 Second Degrees, 470 Third Degrees, 250 Fourth and P.I. Degrees, about 200

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Continued from previous page

Knights of the East and West, over 110 Fih Degrees, 52 Sixth Degrees, and 16 Seventh Degrees. One hundred of the 129 active Man of Earth initiation charters in the U.S. were issued by me during the last 10 years. We have held two convocations of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General to discuss standards of performance for initiation rituals, which resulted in a Ritual Addendum, distributed to all chartered initiators. We have implemented a formal initiator training program, and we have made memorization of the Minerval Degree mandatory for initiators working that degree. We have revised the degree study guides to include cipher-text degree oaths to enable every initiate to memorize the oaths they have taken, and we have claried the responsibilities of sponsors in the initiation process. Gnostic Mass Another of our fundamental functions is the regular performancewith joy and beautyof our Gnostic Mass. Over the last ve years, we have celebrated the Gnostic Mass over 2,680 times. Masses were not reported before 2001 , but I estimatevery conservativelythat we have collectively celebrated the Gnostic Mass approximately 5,000 times over the last 10 years. E.G.C. We have regularized E.G.C. administrative procedures with a view towards quality control and training of competent clergy, and we have developed and implemented rites for baptism, confirmation and ordination suitable for use throughout the U.S. In the past 10 years, we have held two convocations of E.G.C. Bishops to discuss E.G.C. management and standards of performance for the Gnostic Mass. Credit When I say that we have done these things, I do mean we in its usual sense. Weall of ushave accomplished these things together. This is truly a collective eort, and I oer my heartfelt thanks to all of you: Grand Lodge ocers and assistants; members of the Supreme Grand Council, Grand Tribunal, and Electoral College; ocers of Chapters, Lodges, Oases, and Camps; mentors; workshop presenters; commiee members and Prison Ministry volunteers; and all of you who have contributed your time, money, and energy to this eort. It is you who truly deserve the credit for the progress we have made.

The Next 10 Years We are really a unique organizationthere is no other organization that operates by quite the same complex of parameters that we do; so many of the lessons we have learned over the past 10 years have required trial and error and rst-hand experience. We have learned a lot. Of course, we have much more to learn, but over the next 10 years we will have many opportunities to apply what we have learned so far. We will, of course, continue to rene, streamline, and generally improve our internal procedures, communications, and fund-raising practices, and there are still a few important features of the Blue Equinox blueprint that we have yet to implement. Two of note are the IX Revolutionaries and Profess Houses. Simply put, we will have our Revolutionaries when we have achieved critical mass in the number of members of the Sovereign Sanctuary. This is something that will happen when it happens, and it cant be pushed. Nevertheless, I anticipate that it will happen within about three years. Given the state of development of our local bodies and our legal structure, I think we are now at the point where we can seriously begin considering the establishment of Profess Houses. I envision the establishment of Profess Houses as being a collaborative eort between the Executive and individual local bodies, or groups of local bodies, with the local bodies taking the initiative when they have reached a level of reliable membership support sucient to prepare them for such a venture. I would like to see at least one ocial Profess House established during the next decade. Although we are not completely there yet, we have come a long way in building a strong community along Blue Equinox lines. Of course, we need to continue that work, and continue to become more ecient in it. I think, however, that we are now on the verge of leaving a period of incubation, as it were. We need to remember that there is more to our Work than community building. We have all been given the gi of the Law of Thelema, which is the Law of Liberty. This Law is for All. We must remain mindful that we have been charged with the duty to share this gi with the world, each as we personally understand it, and each according to our individual talents and abilities; whether we do this through activism, or artistry, or involvement in politics, or rhetoric, or ritual, or through some other work to which each of us, as individuals, are particularly well-suited. The world is in darkness, Brothers and Sisters. Go out and give it your Light. Love is the law, love under will. Sabazius

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From the Grand Tribunal

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. During the years that Hymenus Alpha was Outer Head of the Order (O.H.O.), the Supreme Council managed all cases that would have constitutionally been under the purview of the Grand Tribunal (G.T.). Previous to the formation of this Supreme Council, cases were typically addressed directly by the O.H.O. During Hymenus Betas early years, the newly instituted Electoral College initially had responsibility over Man of Earth disciplinary cases; later, the newly-formed National Supreme Council and International Supreme Council would assume responsibility for such cases, each acting as a de facto Grand Tribunal. This remained the standard operating procedure until the formation of U.S. Grand Lodge in 1996 , when a concerted eort was made to begin organizing the Grand Tribunal as a separate, functional governing body along constitutional lines. Consequently, there are a number of past cases that need to be reviewed, classied, stored and possibly pursued (if the details warrant this) by the G.T. Currently, the G.T. is in the process of initializing this endeavor with the objective of obtaining a continuous listing of cases rmly linking the G.T.s present with its past and its predecessors. Furthermore, it is my duty to notify the membership at large that [name redacted for internet distribution] is no longer a member of Ordo Templi Orientis. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Dathan Biberstein

Local Body Reports

SET Triumphant Camp Orlando, Florida Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. An original Invocation of SET was performed on September 17, 2005 . A performance of Liber Reguli preceded the SET Invocation. That evening was the magical incarnation of our Camp-in-formation. The ritual ended with the gurative and literal planting of the banner of in the sand of Orlando, Florida. In the six months between the Equinoxes we hosted Initiations for two Minerval candidates and a celebration of Liber XV. We also celebrated the Solstice with an original ritual, began a monthly study group (rst topic: Liber O), held a Gnostic Mass training session, and managed to host Lon DuQuee for Order and non-Order guests from across Florida. Our Mentor & Initiator, Soror MARA, and the members of SET Triumphant demonstrated a commitment to doing the Work. Have we slowed down? No. SET Triumphant is hosting a Gnostic Mass in Jacksonville, Florida in April to help reintroduce the O.T.O. to northern Florida. We will continue our monthly study group in Orlando; Jacksonville will also host a study group. We will begin performing the Gnostic Mass without any outside assistance by this summer. We continue our monthly ritual schedule. Are we not ceremonial magicians? The current ritual cycle is based on Tarot Trumps drawn by each member. Each of us works with other members to write and perform the ritual. The latest ritual was based on the Hanged Man and involved a large hangmans scaold made by the husband of one of our members! We are working to host another all-day speaker workshop for members and guests throughout the state. Our Charter application, signed by dedicated founders, was presented to the Electoral College and we hope to hear positive news in April. [SET Triumphant Camp was chartered by the E.C. at their Spring meetingEd.] SET Triumphant continues to work closely with our excellent and helpful Mentor, and with Swirling Star Oasis in Miami and Nu Aeon Camp in Land O Lakes, to build the Order in the Sunshine State. If any members plan to be visiting, we welcome you to contact us through our website: set-triumphant.org Love is the law, love under will. NEMO, SET Triumphant

Agap Volume 8, Number 2 submission deadline: q in D R in F dies Saturnii Anno IV:xiv Saturday, July 1, 2006 EV
Please send your local body reports and governing body reports to:

agape@oto-usa.org
We will also accept other kinds of work, including essays, art, and photography. Submission guidelines are available at www.oto-usa.org/agape.html. For more information contact agape@oto-usa.org.

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From the Electoral College

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The following actions concerning local Bodies were taken by the Electoral College at its Winter meeting, January 14, 2006 : Closure Laughing Serpent Camp (Bayonne, NJ) has been closed at the request of the Camp Master, Fr. Clavis. Starry Arch Camp (St. Louis, MO) has been closed at the request of the Camp Master, Fr. Eric Bussen. Change of Master Mastership of Blue Horizon Oasis (Glendale, CA) has passed from Sr. Lilavati to Fr. Seraphino. Mastership of Sekhet-Maat Lodge (Portland, OR) be passed from Br. Mick Taylor to Br. Joseph Thiebes. Change of Body Name RPSTOVAL Camp has been renamed The Star and The Snake Camp at the request of the Camp Master, Sr. Ashera. New Charters Fr. Khut-em-Abt has been granted charter as Master of Therion-Babalon camp (Berkeley, CA). The College wishes to express its appreciation to the past and present Masters of each of the above bodies. We wish each of them the best in their new oces and endeavors. Bylaws Approved The Bylaws of Sekhet-Maat Lodge (Portland, OR) have been approved by the Electoral College and Fr. Sabazius X.

Hosting E.C. Meetings Local bodies that are interested in hosting the Spring and Autumn meetings of the Electoral College (as well as Summer meetings in even numbered years) are encouraged to write the President of the E.C.see p. 2 for contact information. Upcoming E.C. Meetings Summer, 2006 meeting: tentatively scheduled for Saturday, July 22nd, 2006 , to be hosted by Blue Horizon Oasis (Glendale, CA). Fall, 2006 meeting: tentatively scheduled for Saturday, October 14th, 2006 , to be hosted by Serpentine Splendour Lodge (Las Vegas, NV). Attending E.C. Meetings Dues current members in good standing of V and above are welcome to aend and observe the in-person Electoral College Meetings. We request that those planning to aend contact the Master of the hosting body so that adequate arrangements can be made. Communication with the E.C. I would like to invite any initiates with suggestions about how we can do our job beer, or who have specic concerns or questions regarding the operation of the Electoral College, to write to either the President or Secretary of the E.C. For contact information, please see p. 2. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to take eective measures bringing about beer communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed. I believe that communication is of benet to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All postal mail correspondence with the Electoral College Secretary should be sent to the address listed on p. 2. Website The ocial E.C. website can be found at: ec.oto-usa.org Forms Bodymasters seeking up-to-date forms for the Annual Report, Change of Mastership Application, Application for Oasis Status, Application for Lodge Status, or closure forms will nd them (exclusively) at: ec.oto-usa.org/ecservices.htm Bodymasters not already in possession of the username and password (distributed on August 18, 2004 ) will be granted them upon request (see E.C. contact information on p. 2). All other previous versions of these forms are now obsolete and should not be used. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Frater Dvgls Jms Blk

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Obituaries
Jayne Marie Correll On or about Halloween, 2005 , the body of Jayne Marie Correll was discovered under circumstances currently under investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Her remains were cremated. Born Jayne Marie Elizabeth Anne Sweatman at Jamaica Queens, New York in December, 1956 , she was initiated to her Minerval in Syracuse, NY in November 1976 . She was created 13th Bishop Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica by Patriarch Hymenaeus Alpha, and rose to the rank of Sovereign Princess Rose Croix. She graduated from Pace University, New York, NY with a degree in Electrical Engineering in the fall of 2004 . A founding Member of the O.T.O. Senate, she served in the Electoral College and was instrumental in the modern establishment of the Ordo Templi Orientis. She was no stranger to controversy, and she will be remembered for her sharp wit and prodigal generosity. She is survived by her husband, three daughters, one son, and two grandchildren. A fund is being set up for the education of her children. For information contact: corred@adelphia.net The keen stars were twinkling, And the fair moon was rising among them, Dear Jayne! The guitar was tinkling, But the notes were not sweet till you sung them Again. As the moons so splendour Oer the faint cold starlight of Heaven Is thrown, So your voice most tender To the strings without soul had then given Its own. The stars will awaken, Though the moon sleep a full hour later To-night; No leaf will be shaken Whilst the dews of your melody scaer Delight. Though the sound overpowers, Sing again, with your dear voice revealing A tone Of some world far from ours, Where music and moonlight and feeling Are one. Percy Bysshe Shelley To Jane: The Keen Stars Were Twinkling
(spelling altered for Jayne Correll)

Jeremy Dennis Day Brother Jeremy Dennis Day, a member of the Portland O.T.O. community since 1997 , passed into the arms of Our Lady Babalon in December 2005 . He was buried with full military honors at Willamee Memorial Cemetery on the aernoon of December 16th. A Requiem Mass and Greater Feast Ritual, well attended by Jeremys friends and fellow O.T.O initiates alike, was held on the evening of December 22nd. I rst met Jeremy at our Minerval initiation. I soon found him to be a man of great depth of intelligence and character. Whether we were talking philosophy or shooting pool and drinking beer, I always learned much from Jeremy. At his Greater Feast Ritual, many others testied that he had touched them deeply. Wise, gentle, kind, learned, creative, and caringJeremy was all those things. He is greatly missed. Fr. Mick Taylor

NOTOCON Request for Proposals

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Proposals are requested for presentations at the sixth National O.T.O. Conference, to be held in Salem, MA, August 11-13, 2007 . Although workshops are welcome on all topics, we encourage presenters to address the conference theme, which is Beauty and Strength. Beauty and strength, leaping laughter and delicious languor, force and re, are of us.AL 2:20 One of the fundamental advantages of a fraternal organization over solitary work is the ability to come to together as a community and to share our insights with each other. We envision a series of lectures that will dare us, educate us, and motivate us with visions of what Thelema means here and now, and of what our Order can become. By partaking of our collective beauty and strength, aendees will come away from NOTOCON VI with inspiration and tools to make real change in their lives. Full instructions for submitting a presentation proposal will be available at: www.notocon.org Information requested will include the title of the presentation, outline, speaker biography, and degree requirement if any. The deadline for proposals is: September 1st, 2006 Each workshop will receive one full comp (i.e., the conference registration fee will be waived and the hotel room will be paid for at the rate of one person per double-occupancy room for two nights). Presenters can help make this event nancially more successful and secure by volunteering to waive their comp. The on-site NOTOCON planning commiee reserves the right to alter this policy on a case by case basis. Love is the law, love under will. Richard Kaczynski, Speaker Coordinator speakers@notocon.org

O.T.O. Womens Symposium deadline for registration is June 30. All female and

male initiates of the O.T.O. are invited to join us as we celebrate and explore the Divine Feminine in the context of our Order. More info and online registration at: notocon.org/otows/2006/
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Thresholds
Initiation of any degree represents for the being who receives it a permanent acquisition, an inward state that virtually or effectively it has reached once and for all and that nothing can ever take away.Rene Guenon by Brother Breck Outland graphite pencil and ink, 22x14

Copied from MS in N. Mudds handwriting. June 4 1924 Au Cadran Bleu Chelles S et M France

Helios or The Future Beyond Science

by 666 The Prophet of the New Aeon Raise the Spell of Ra-Hoor-Khuit Transcribed and annotated by Frater Ad Consummationem Mundi Preface Also reason is a lie; for there is a factor innite and unknown, and all their words are skew-wise.Liber Legis Cap II V 32 The rst, and sooth to say the most abiding impression made by Daedalus1 and Icarus2 is that both authors know their subject admirably and nothing outside it, and that their subject is a merest froth upon the great tides of the question which they wrongly suppose themselves to be discussing. They have both lived too long in an extraordinarily narrow environment which their evidently desperate aempts at wide reading has done nothing to enlarge. The education of both has lacked the advantages of travel and failed to instill the habit of reection. It is perfectly true that Mr. Russell has travelled many thousand miles but he has apparently never, for as much as one week, gone o the track of the type of mind familiar to him, whether in Japan or Wilsonia. The result is that both writers show an extraordinary lack of perspective. The rst chapter of The Napoleon of Noing Hill3 should have been read more carefully by Mr. Haldane, for his whole thesis is an elaboration of the most absurd mistakes of science, its bad mathematics. From the earliest days, science had always been promising to produce something devilish which will upset the equilibrium of the Universe, and the Universe has always been too much for it. They start to expand (x+1) and they scream with delight as they observe that in every term the coecient gets bigger and bigger. Caught up into a holy phrenzy, they begin to prophesy. This conception is really too painful. Let me rather give a list of the Kings of Israel and Judah! At least let us examine this bogey of progress. Section 1 There is none that shall be cast down or lied up: all is ever as it was . . .Liber Legis II 58 In the last 13 months, I have lived mainly in three highly civilised places. The rst is Sicily. The scene is a prosperous shing town with 14,000 inhabitants; it boasts one of the two nest cathedrals south of St. Peters; it is connected by a rst-rate railway service with the capital and boasts the other appurtenances of modern science. But there is no one in the whole town who knows anything at all about science, who could repair any single piece of apparatus if it went wrong, which it usually does. The very University students possess the most rudimentary aainments in even the commonest knowledge. Dant is however slowly penetrating to the more cultured circles. Above the town rises a great rock covered with the ruins of a whole series of civilisations, beginning many hundred years B.C., and the hillside is everywhere doed with tiny coages which serve for farms of one sort or another. Their nearest advance towards modern science is that sometimes there is glass in the windows. This peasantry constitutes the whole real support of the town, and the manners of the peasants have not changed essentially in any way since the rst record of them in the Odyssey. Scene two. Tunisia. Tunis itself is a bifurcated town. It has a European quarter modelled as closely as may be on Paris; almost anyone who had been to Paris would notice the fact quite soon; and there is a native quarter which has not changed in any important feature since the time of Harun al-Raschid4. An enterprising person can have the same adventures as he could a thousand years ago. Outside the city itself are minor towns, a few of which possess noticeable European excrescences upon the original plan, and it is laughably evident that this graing is an articial hybridism of the most comically futile sort. The European population only survives by the most drastic forcing measures on the part of the authorities in Europe. There is no faintest symptom of any natural growth. Continued on next page

1. J.B.S. Haldane, Daedalus, or Science and the Future, 1923 . Haldane (18921964 ) was a British geneticist and evolutionary biologist. 2. Bertrand Russell, Icarus, or the Future of Science, 1924 , a response to Haldanes Daedalus. Russell (18721970 ) was a British philosopher, mathematician, and social activist, author of Why I Am Not a Christian (1927 ), A History of Western Philosophy (1945 ), and many other books; co-author (with Alfred North Whitehead) of Principia Mathematica (rst edition in three volumes, 19101913 ). 3. A novel by G.K. Chesterton, 1904 .

4. Ca. 763809 , the h and most famous Abbasid Caliph; he and his court at Baghdad are immortalized in the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night.

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Continued from previous page Even these towns are few and scaered; a lamentable railway staggers along to Tozeur, the terminus less than 200 miles from Tunis itself. Beyond Tozeur there is nothing but a sporadic near-motor service to Nea, an enormous oasis supporting many thousand people of whom four, including ocials and their wives, are European. Some authorities vigorously claim there are six. But it was at Nea, despite this deplorable backwardness, that I was granted a vision of Science and the future. At half past twelve one night I was awakened by what I thought must be the near-motor arriving. What on earth could have brought it in at such a time? I went out onto the balcony; no car to be seen. It then seemed that the noise was in the wood-work of the hotel itself, which was still more impossible. Sleepy voice paerns which are so unfortunately aws in the objectives of Messrs. Haldane and Russells microscopes, and not in the slide at all, observation becomes almost barren. There is a telephone in this combination of farm and inn but I have never heard of anyone using it. Motor cars pass now and again but only stop on Sundays and feasts. They belong to people who have come here to try to save themselves from being driven madexactly by the car itself and what it represents. It is true that there is occasional ironwork in bridges and fences, and passing fashions in Architecture which would have aroused the interest of Julius Caesar. On the other hand, the river traffic is of far earlier! Most of the boatsor puntsor whatever they are, are pure Cro-Magnon. Sanitary arrangements pertain to the lowest igneous strata if It is, in short, only in Europe and North America that there is even any overt pretence of railway communication. If we look at the economics of the maer, we perceive an even more menacing fact. In December 1919, I travelled from Detroit to New York in the best sleeping car of the best train. I lay all night fully dressed with my fur coat on under as many bedclothes as I could bribe out of the porter. In January 1924 I travelled from Nice to Paris in a wagon-lit, which was, if anything, over-heated. But the journey thence to the restaurant car aroused a feeling of classic contempt for the achievements of Amundsen7 and other molly-coddles. Since then, the railway fares all over France have been drastically raised to a point at which travel begins to feel the inhibition. The same applies to London trams and buses. They cannot be made to pay. They are no

I insist on the newspaper as the most dangerous form of the general menace to social stability.
from a bed-room: Thats not a car, its an aeroplane. Well, why not the seaserpent? However, I looked up; and there, sure enough, sailing along triumphantly in the moonlight, heading southwest, was a gigantic dirigible. I watched it with interest, and without any suspicion that I was destined to be the last European to set eyes on it. Yet something made me smile, and I fancied that I had heard the answering laughter of the Desert Jinn. On awakening again, we found a sand-storm had arisenjust a urrynot enough to hide the houses on the other side of the market-place, still less to interfere with the camels and the merchants, but it was enough to catch the Dixmude5, probably within half an hour of her reaching her hangar at Ourgla, and blowing her to hell and ribbons. Scene three. Chelles sur Marne. This time we are only 19 kilometers from Paris. The station is a mile and a half away, with an excellent service on one of the main lines of France. Yet when I look for evidence of progress and science, and all those prey that. The inhabitants speak a language to which twenty-ve years constant use of French aords no clue. This is no mere accident. At Moret, an important junction of the P.L.M.,6 I asked the waitress, a thoroughly intelligent girl who spoke good French, for her impressions of the War. She brightened up at once. It had been an immense stimulus on the monotony of her life. Yes, she admitted, we hear of it sometimes, and then after a moments thought, Sometimes soldiers come through. Section 2 Let us extend for a moment our survey. Let us take the question of the railway, which is certainly the basis of all scientic progress. Most readers of this essay will of course be intimately familiar with the great main roads between Turkestan, China, Tibet and India. They will doubtless recall pleasurably the remarkable speed and comfort of the trains connecting those great countries. It is only a bad dream of mine that on most of those main arteries of trac I was hard put to it to get a pony to travel. Similar remarks apply to communications in Africa, Australia, and South America.
6. The Paris-Lyon-Marseille train.

longer economical, and transport being the very rst condition of life in big cities which are of necessity not self-supporting because they cannot grow their food, transport will have to be subsidised more and more as the conditions grow more and more acute. Ultimately that means throwing more and more taxation on the actual producers of the real wealth of the world at the same time as their numbers tend to diminish; for the very reason that conditions of country life become constantly more onerous, the life-blood being drawn from them by the cities. It is very doubtful whether the alleged economic advantages of scientific invention really exist. It is easy to prove them, but one may suspect that the process is somewhat analogous to that by which an imaginative cashier conceals defalcations.8 Everything shows a prot how true and how beautiful! Then how is it that the municipal and national debts have everywhere been multiplied, some forty-fold, some sixty-fold and some an hundred-fold? And what has become of all the prot when the purchasing power of money is daily dwindling?
7. Roald Amundsen (18721928 ), Norwegian explorer of the North Pole. 8. Embezzlements.

5. A German zeppelin of the First World War, given to the French in war damages, famous for breaking the world record for longest continuous ight time. It crashed in North Africa between 21 and 23 December 1923 .

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Mr. Russell appears to see dimly that the prosperity of England in Victorian times was due to the introduction of railways and industrial machinery combined with the spirit of adventure in foreign markets; also that the imitation of England by other countries has le us very at. But he cherishes, on what ground I entirely fail to perceive, the belief that if only industrialism could be made universal, a prot would again appear. There is an alternative view. Consider lighting. A hundred years ago, the citizen who wished to visit a neighbour at night either lit a torch and went forth rejoicing or groped his way without one. It was his business; and his economic situation had to reckon with that torch. But nowadays every street of every big town must be brilliantly illuminated in the most expensive way. Not only is there 95 per cent of waste in the energy itself, but probably 95 per cent of that remaining 5 per cent is wasted. There are similar questions such as of the street paving required by motor cars; of the enormous waste of bureaucratic administration due to the shiing of the responsibility of his safety and welfare from the individual to the government. Instead of the armed citizen who had a short way with burglars and assassins, we have a large police system which actually supports a large population of criminals. The principal function of the police is to interfere with the private business of the honest man in enforcing a million trumpery regulations. So far from being able to defend himself against the robbers, he is hard put to it to keep o the police, for he can never be sure when he is breaking the law. It is true, of course, that the plain citizen does feel himself protected from immanent outrage, but the price of this security is absurdly high, partly fallacious, and fatal to his moral well-being. The very idea of independence has been eliminated from city life. The only surviving person who retains the idea is the explorer, for independence is inseparable from vigilance and the presence of immanent danger. Section 3 To return again to the limits of scientic invention. Nature is a good deal older than even our youngest professors. It would be presumptuous to suggest that she is wiser. Beer say in fact straight out

that she is a cantankerous old cow, for she invariably acts in the most annoying way when energetic people with loy ideals and occult powers try to interfere with her routine. What is the use of geing rid of disease, which on the whole tends to improve the race by eliminating the weak, the imbecile, the unaractive? The only result of clogging her system is to eliminate the strong, generous, and noble for the benet of the unt. It is true that in the last war she mercifully put things as straight as she could by inventing the so-called Spanish inuenza and wiping o a lot of people whose digestions could not assimilate war bread. But even to war there seems a natural limit. Foch9 failed to push home his victory, apparently from sheer sickness of heart at the slaughter, thus leaving Germany in an excellent position to retrieve the disaster and make another aempt to wipe out civilization within the next ten years. That project, again, if successful, would probably break down for some similar reason. There is only one way to win a war, and that is to exterminate the males, capture the females, and give each soldier enough of the conquered country to cultivate as a prosperous peasant proprietor. That should have been done in 1919. Such a course would have re-established the equilibrium between town and country which industrialism has upset. Once again we come to the bed-rock economic problem. Who is to pay for what we call the necessities of civilized lifestreet paving and lighting, poor relief, housing, armies of ocials and the rest of it? In a really stable form of society, such as one finds in Baltistan or, say, Sze-Chuan,10 no such problems can arise. Everyone lives within his means whether he likes it or no. Consider the legendary thri of the French peasant. Not half a generation ago, he was able to put by his prots in the celebrated stocking, and used them as he chose, when he chose. Today, no maer how prosperous he may be, he cannot possibly save. He cannot get gold or even silver coin. He is compelled to gamble. He can put away thousandfranc notes to his hearts content, or buy government bonds with them, but for all he knows he had beer use them to thatch his roof, for at any moment the exchange

may collapse or the value of the securities tumble to nothing without a word of warning. So far as he is prosperous, in fact, it is just so far as he keeps outside the market, living on his own produce as best he can, and only selling the surplus. But even so, times become constantly worse for him because of increasing taxation which he can only pay in the depreciated currency, which even at that is so much harder to get than before. So far as science has helped him economically at all, it is by a sort of temporary make-shi. So long as he is rst in the eld to exploit a new invention, it may advantage him for the moment, but the others soon catch up and he is no beer o than before; in fact, worse; for the new machine is an added responsibility and ultimately an added expense, for the production of that machine would have contributed indirectly to increasing his taxation. Section 4 The fancy really revels in Mr. Haldanes vision of ectogenesis11 (It is even funnier than before the prex was aached!) It is a typical example of the extraordinary short-sightedness of the scientific enthusiast. No account is taken of striking at the very root of every mans nature, nor is there a moments consideration of the diculties which would arise, supposing all these embryos successfully brought to birth. Who is going to look aer them? The problem is not solved in any sense at all. The reason for birth control was that to have children hampered the freedom, economic and social, of the parents, but unless his embryos are to be turned out to grass, it does not appear who is to rear them. It may have escaped Mr. Haldane in his preoccupation with echinoderms and brachiopods and the salaries of his less fortunate colleagues that children require a good deal of care if they are to be brought up properly, and that the only people available for this task would be either men or women. And as, ex hypothesi, those men and women have refused to be put out even to the extent of looking aer their own children, it appears, perhaps superficially, a little unlikely that they will devote themselves with any enthusiasm to looking aer Mr. Haldanes abortions. Continued on next page
11. A term coined by Haldane for the development of embryos in articial wombs.

9. Ferdinand Foch (18511929 ), French marshal who halted the German advance at the Second Bale of the Marne (1918 ). 10. Modern Sichuan.

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Continued from previous page The case of Porphyrococcus xator12 is typical of the other kind of scientic blindness, the kind that fails to realize that in a nite universe all curves must be closed. There was a limit even to the rabbits in Australia and to the diseases presented by Europe to the Polynesians. It is useless to argue that any new force will go on increasing indenitely because there is nothing in sight calculated to stop it. Nature works in roundabout ways. The end is always a compromise. What prevented the annihilation of the English people by the Norman invasion? They were absolutely powerless against their new masters. But the end was not even serfdom, it was fusion. (And latercon-fusion!) There is a reason why this should always be the case. A great deal of the success of the invading force is due to its inherent adaptability to meet the new conditions and each such adaptation produces a radical change in its character. If it seeks to exterminate its surroundings, it destroys its own means of support, and if it seles down to live with them, it is insensibly changed by them. The same criticisms apply to Mr. Russells nightmares of world states. He mentions the U.S.A. Is humanity to be choked with its own excrement? If England lacks the manhood to save civilization, men of honour must ght for Satan. It is true that the invention of the telegraph and the rest has been responsible for an increase in the population and a centralisation of control; but it is just at the centre that the control is already beginning Icarus. Quote p 62 Science... bad p 6314 Both writers are perhaps subconsciously aware of the supreme limitation of science: that it is exclusively a maer of the intellect, and therefore does not touch the deeper strata of human nature at all except in the indirect way of supplying them with fresh information. The intellect is wholly indierent to good and evil; and its fortication, as Mr. Russell is indeed at pains to point out, merely aids its possessor to full his destiny. It may even subserve self-destruction, as in the case of a doctor whose knowledge of drugs leads to his abusing them fatally; or of a country squire with a good income, whose knowledge of the Stock Exchange tempts him to ruin himself. It is in no case true to say that Science as such helps us even to preserve our lives; for no maer how much we might know, we should not apply the knowledge unless our instincts of prudence and the like compelled us. This is the real reason that the revolutionary discoveries of science have never revolutionized anything except in a temporary and local manner where the conditions happened to be favourable. Mr. Russell does indeed point out one very serious danger: the complete amorality of Science might ultimately tend, if we could conceive of the majority of mankind becoming acquainted with its teachings, in inculcating a complete carelessness of any beyond the immediate results of any given action. The conclusion from all this should be clear enough. The world requires two things if it is to progress in any real sense. Firstly, a religion with a spiritual theorem and an ethical basis which could be unanimously accepted. Secondly, the human brain must be denitely improved in order to enable it to cope with the present problems; in default of or in conjunction with that, it should have access to intelligences higher than its own who are willing to guide our feeble footsteps in the way of truth. Twenty years ago this double was solved at a stroke, and the remainder of this essay will be devoted to a brief exposition of the facts. I was personally concerned in the maer, though in a passive role; yet it will be more convenient if the thesis is presented by an entirely independent witness, to whom now I yield the pen. (All the above in the handwriting of Norman Mudd, and clearly dictated to him at one siing by A.C.) Notes (this in pencil) The inserted page is a suggestion for a phrase or so of the unwrien part of the essay. The one point is to prove from my writings or elsehow that the only way out is in the acquisition of the Samadhi consciousness for the Kings of Thelema. The others, of course, are mere statements for the granting of AL and a demonstration that it could not have been wrien by any human intelligence as we commonly understand those words.

Nature works in roundabout ways. The end is always a compromise.

to break down. In the laer stages of the war, the most obvious feature of the situation was that there was nobody at all capable of comprehending the situation as a whole, with the possible exception of Mr. Haldane, Mr. Russell, and, of course, one other. But if we three had been in oce with all those papers to sign, our philosophy would have petered out in 48 hours. Mr. Russells dilemma about injecting the philanthropists with kindliness rst of all is very acute; and this consideration leads us gradually to the main point of this paper. We must here quote the actual words of the essayists. It is almost startling to observe the coincidence or two such dierent minds arguing against each other upon one maer which is the essential factor in their equations, a factor which they hardly suspect, for it is innite and unknown; and all their words are skew-wise. (Haldane. Quote p 90 From the time ha.... arisen.13) (Mr. Haldane writes in ignorance; it arose 20 years ago, as will appear in due course.)

12. A ctitious purple alga described in Daedalus, envisioned as infesting the tropical zone of the Atlantic Ocean to such an extent that its entire surface was set to a jelly, with disastrous results to the weather of Europe. 13. The time has gone by when a Huxley could believe that while science might indeed remould traditional mythology, traditional morals were impregnable and sacrosanct to it. We must learn not to take traditional morals too seriously. And it is just because even the least dogmatic of religions tends to associate itself with some kind of unalterable moral tradition, that there can be no truce between science and religion. There does not seem to be any particular reason why a religion should not arise with an ethic as uid as Hindu mythology, but it has not yet arisen. 14. Science has not given men more self-control, more kindliness, or more power of discounting their passions in deciding upon a course of action. It has given communities more power to indulge their collective passions, but, by making society more organic, it has diminished the part played by private passions. Mens collective passions are mainly evil; far the strongest of them are hatred and rivalry directed towards other groups. Therefore at present all that gives men power to indulge their collective passions is bad.

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June 5 Insert. Science prides itself on its complete detachment from base animal instincts and from moral sanctions. But what do we say of a man whose instinct is uncontrolled by reason or whose morality is uninformed by it? We simply describe him as insane, for sanity consists in just the right proportions of the dierent parts of our organism. In this sense, it is perfectly correct to say that Science as such is insane. It is, in fact, the disproportionate development of science or the reasoning faculty at the expense of the rest that is responsible for such small displacements of human society as we see trumpeted everywhere as progress. The urgent need of the world is a new moral sanction adjustable to every individual case and so self-evidently rational and potent that to deny it will, in reality, constitute legal insanity. Quote pass. from Revelations about anyone not being allowed to buy or sell who hasnt the mark of The Beast.15
15. Rev. 13:1618: And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. (King James Version)

Helios. (Footnote.) July 1924. 12.30 P.M. Chelles. At Amiens, vegetables are being thrown into the river. At the same time, the price of those vegetables in Paris is almost prohibitive. The explanation of the paradox is that the cost of transport is actually prohibitive. This again means that the coast of labour, coal and iron is prohibitive. The upshot is that civilization has reached a stage when the proportion of city dwellers to country dwellers has become too great, with the result that both parties are starving in the midst of plenty. The actual producers, however, will manage to survive physically, although deprived of the so-called benets of civilization; but the town dwellers, whose physique is already impaired by their unnatural mode of life, will go under entirely. Articial solutions of the problem, such as subsidizing transport, cannot change the situation. It is necessary rst of all to establish a type of peasant mentally and physically capable of holding his own. Pari passu,16 the condition of town dwellers must be fundamentally altered in the maer of diet and mode of life. Thirdly, the strain on transport must be relieved by lessening the amount necessary. Finally, it must be discovered what is the ideal proportion between town and country dwellers. Most of the existing diculty is due to two main causes. The first is the false theory of education, and in particular the corruption produced by sensational newspapers, which tend to make country life impossible. (It will make bad worse to alleviate the tedium of country life by the development of radio and cinema. The tiger that has tasted blood is not to be converted to vegetarianism by exciting his imagination by pictures of orgies.) I insist on the newspaper as the most dangerous form of the general menace to social stability. The effect here is duplex. There is the morbid excitement of the news, which is deliberately printed, false or true, with the object of increasing circulation. But as a paper depends on advertisements chiey for revenue, the whole economic influence is directed towards creating abnormal appetites, so that, in their turn, the products of manufacturers may bring the maximum prot. The circle is entirely vicious, because as the cost of material and labour increases, the selling price must increase, and the output also. Any business which fails to keep on increasing in this morbid way is bound to break down, as we see happening daily. The destruction of the vegetables at Amiens, of herrings at shing towns, and the like, are equivalent to the bankruptcy of small producers, middle men, and consumers, and to the breaking down of newspapers. It seems from the above as if education, journalism, and advertisements must be abolished if society is to continue at all on its present lines. This is to go too, but it should be understood that they must be completely remodeled. Education, for example, should be, as of old, a privilege to be aained by those who show aptitude for learning and who are able to continue their studies up to a point when their victim becomes useful to society, instead of leaving him, as at present, when his ability to read merely stimulates his criminal instincts. Advertisement should be controlled by conning it to a statement of demonstrable facts. It should be censored by authorities beyond the reach of corruption. Journalism should be restored by prohibiting ad captandum17 and dishonest contents. One may sum up the proper programme by saying: Education must be replaced by initiation. Knowledge and power should be the privileges for those who show themselves capable of them. This is probably impossible until authority is disassociated from wealth. Some such idea is presumably at the basis of the best type of anarchist theory. (Let there be no confusion of thought here. The patriarchal and feudal systems are anarchistic in theory. Some modication of these systems is clearly indicated as the only solution.) In other words, the fable of the belly and the members must be brought up to date on scientic lines; or to summarize the maer in one perfect phrase, Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. (Copied from MS in Alostraels hand, as dictated to her by A.C.)

16. Latin, at the same pace.

17. Ad captandum vulgus, Latin, to win over the crowd, i.e., the use of rabble-rousing.

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The Path of Mediation, Part 5

The Ninth Step: formal Appeal to the Grand Tribunalwhats appropriate & how it works Liber 194, paragraph 16 states, The Grade of Grand Inquisitor Commander follows. Here every member has the right to a seat on the Grand Tribunal, which body decides all disputes and complaints, which have not been composed by the Chapters of Rose Croix or the Lodge Masters. If a maer still has not been resolved aer mediation at each of the previous levels, the member may compose a formal leer or statement of grievance, along with a Grand Tribunal complaint tracking form, available from any local body master. The member then forwards this to the Secretary of the G.T. who will review each grievance with the President of the Grand Tribunal, i.e. the Grand Master. A copy of the grievance must also be submied to the member who is the subject of the complaint. The G.T. Secretary and President together then determine if the maer warrants arbitration by the Grand Tribunal. There may be certain cases where G.T. involvement would not be warranted; for example, maers considered de minimis by the G.T.in other words, maers determined to be insignicant and therefore unworthy of formal arbitration or mediation by the Grand Tribunal. The G.T. also does not deal with lawsuits regarding domestic disputes, such as divorce, between Order members. The G.T. can give dispensation for members to seek redress of grievances in the secular courts as well, if deemed necessary or appropriate. The Grand Tribunal exists specically to serve the Order in the following manners: 1. To mediate and/or arbitrate disputes between members of Ordo Templi Orientis in the U.S.A., on request of one or more of the disputing parties. 2. To hear complaints and grievances led against members of the Order by either individual members of the Order residing in the U.S.A., or by governing or administrative bodies of O.T.O. U.S.A.; to investigate and make ndings of fact regarding same; and to prescribe appropriate remedies and/or disciplinary actions, subject to the limits of applicable law. 3. To hold members of the Order residing within the U.S.A., together with their sponsors, strictly to account for any abuse of membership privileges. 4. To impose sanctions as it deems necessary, should a member of the Order residing within the U.S. refuse to accept a decision of the Grand Tribunal. G.T. Dispute Resolution and Binding Arbitration Essentially, the Grand Tribunal deals primarily with two types of issue: 1. Dispute resolution and arbitration between members. 2. Instances of abuse of membership privileges by individual members.

Frater Hrumachis Remember, too, that while the local body master may call upon the sponsors of a member to solicit their aid in eecting an appropriate remedy, the Grand Tribunal can also call sponsors to account. This can include assisting directly in resolving maers of conict or dispute in a variety of possible ways, if deemed necessary and appropriate. For the intent and purpose of this paper, we will look primarily at dispute resolution, arbitration, and mediation. Since members of the First Degree of O.T.O. and above consent to the binding arbitration of the Grand Tribunal in resolving civil disputes between them, civil lawsuits between members of O.T.O. are forbidden on pain of expulsion. Instead, maers that would normally go to the civil courts would be taken to the G.T. if they cannot be resolved amenably by the two parties concerned. Maers that would normally go to small claims court, for example, can eectively be handled by the G.T. and should be referred there when necessary. Cases potentially involving criminal maers, however, should be referred directly to the civil authorities, such as the police or criminal courts. In the rare instance that a criminal maer involves members, anyone aware of it should notify their local body master and the Grand Tribunal Secretary, so that the Order is at least aware of the maer. Issues involving abuse of membership privileges or violations of O.T.O. policy should be referred to the appropriate governing bodies or authorities, i.e. the Grand Tribunal, or the Electoral College in the case of body masters and ocers. In either case, the G.T. will then form a Court of Inquiry, consisting of three of its seated members, to investigate the case. Once its investigation is complete, the Court of Inquiry will formulate its decision, which generally includes the Courts resolution for the issue at hand. If accusations of member misconduct are involved, charges are formulated and presented to the accused, who may respond to them. In certain instances, the accused can request a formal hearing or even a full trial of the G.T., at which he or she will be assigned representation.. The Court of Inquiry submits its decision to the full Grand Tribunal for ratication, and then to the Executive for nal action. Final action includes notifying the members involved of the G.T.s decision. Members must then abide by those decisions regarding the maer, or, if they are still in disagreement, the following appeals process may be utilized. The Tenth Step: The Appeals Process Liber 194 , paragraph 16 further informs us, [The Grand Tribunals] verdicts are without appeal, unless a member of the Electoral College gives sanction to take the case to the Areopagus of the Eighth Degree. All members of the Order, even of higher grades, are subject to the Grand Tribunal. In order to eectively appeal the decisions of the G.T. a member of the E.C. must certify the appeal. This is accomplished by forwarding a formal request to the Electoral College Secretary who will in turn pass that request on to the members of the College for individual consideration. If certied, the case will then pass to the Areopagus of the Eighth Degree. This is the nal and ultimate step in the process of dispute resolution and mediation within our Order, which takes the maer to the h and nal level, the international level.

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Establishing and modeling a critical path toward efcient mediation and dispute resolution in our Holy Order

The Eleventh Step: The Areopagus Role (The Fifth or International level) Liber 194, paragraph 20 tells us, The Eighth Degree is a Philosophical Body. Its members being fully instructed in the Principles of the Order, save in one point only, devote themselves to the understanding of what they have learned in their initiation. They have power to reverse the decisions of the Grand Tribunal, and to compose all conicts between any of the governing bodies. And this they do upon the great principles of philosophy. For it will oen occur that there is contention between two parties, both of whom are right from their own point of view. This is so important that an illustration is desirable. A man is smitten with leprosy; is it right that men should circumscribe his liberty by isolating him from his fellows? Another holds back land or some other necessity from the common use; is he to be compelled to surrender it? Such cases of diculty involve deep philosophical principles; and the Areopagus of the Eighth Degree is charged with the duty of resolving them in accordance with the great principles of the Order. The Areopagus thus represents the 11th or nal step on the Path of Mediation, and is in every sense the Supreme Court of our Order. Should a conict or dispute make it this far along the path, it is weighed and considered utilizing the philosophical principles of this dignied body, which is constituted under the authority of O.T.O. International. Not only is this body charged with resolving the disputes of individuals in this manner, but it also composes disputes between the governing bodies within the Order. Once its decision or resolution is formulated and delivered to the members in question, the maer is considered closed. Members must abide by its decision or face expulsion from the Order. Conclusion Such is the Path of Mediation within our august and sacred Order. It involves selfexamination and responsibility, in addition to honesty, integrity, accountability, forthrightness, and discretion between us and our brothers and sisters. It offers a variety of useful steps and
See Agap 7, no. 1

Level One: the Personal Level

STEP 1. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY STEP 2. RESPONSIBILITY
TO OUR

BROTHERS

AND

SISTERS

See Agap 7, no. 2

Level Two: the Local Level

See Agap 7, no. 3

STEP 4. SPONSOR ASSISTANCE

STEP 3. LOCAL BODY MASTER

STEP 5. NOTICE & BAD REPORT

Level Three: the Regional Level

See Agap 7, no. 4

STEP 6. ROSE+CROIX CHAPTER

STEP 7. COMMITTEE

OF

FOUR

Level Four: the National Level

STEP 8. ELECTORAL COLLEGE
See Agap 7, no. 4

STEP 9. GRAND TRIBUNAL

1. Member composes leer of grievance and sends it to G.T. Secretary and the subject of the complaint. 2. If accepted, a Court of Inquiry is formed, the maer investigated, charges presented, decisions formulated and a resolution composed. In some instances this may result in a hearing or full trial. 3. Decisions can be appealed with E.C. certication.

STEP 10. APPEAL

1. Decisions of G.T. can be appealed with the sanction of an E.C. member. 2. Member makes formal request to the E.C. (via the E.C. Secretary) for appeal. 3. If a College member sanctions the request, the case is taken to the Areopagus of the Eighth Degree.

Level Five: the International Level

STEP 11. AREOPAGUS
1. Considers cases based upon the philosophical principles of the Order. 2. Resolves disputes between governing bodies and between individuals. 3. Decisions and resolutions are considered nal and without appeal.

resources that can be utilized at every level in the processes of mediation and dispute resolution, and in fostering and developing a greater sense of harmony and fraternity among our ranks. It utilizes an intricate and integral system of checks and balances incorporating justice and equity while allowing for an eective appeals process where the maer may be referred and considered unto the highest grade of our Order. It is my sincerest hope, my brothers and sisters, that you may never have need of this Path as you sojourn among us. Yet, should you nd that you do, it is my sincerest wish that this series will have assisted you in the Way of your Going.

Should any member wish to learn more about the Path of Mediation or require assistance about how to proceed in a specic maer of mediation or dispute resolution, they are strongly encouraged to contact me via my oce of U.S. Grand Lodge Ombudsman at: ombudsman@oto-usa.org 541-488-1257 Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Frater Hrumachis Ombudsman, U.S.G.L.

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Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A. P. O. Box 15037 Portland, OR 97293-5037

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND, OR PERMIT #2804

Agap is the Ocial Organ of the U. S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

From the Grand Master

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The Strategic Planning Commiee has completed work on the Vision Statement and Values Statement, which can now be viewed at: oto-usa.org/planning.html The committee has now turned its aention to compiling a list of Strategic Goals. On the weekend of July 22 and 24, we completed our annual joint meeting of the governing bodies in Southern California, and held VII initiations. We now have ve additional S.G.I.G.s. During its meeting that weekend, the Electoral College exercised its one most singular power to elect one of the two IX Revolutionaries described in paragraphs 25 and 26, and in Section 4.13 of the Bylaws of Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. The person elected to this position wishes to keep his identity private at this time, but he will probably be submiing an article to Agap describing his understanding of the oce. The following weekend saw the O.T.O. Womens Symposium, or O.T.O.W.S., in Las Vegas, Nevada. The idea for the O.T.O.W.S. came out of a small gathering of Priestesses in Southern California who talked about holding a conference to celebrate, explore and discuss the formula of the Divine Feminine as it is expressed through the O.T.O. and E.G.C. A bit more than a year later, that vision manifested in Las Vegas as Sisters and Brothers gathered from across the U.S. to explore the manifestations of divine femininity in Thelemic and other systems, magick and the female body, sexual energy, and the place of woman within modern Thelema. I was not able to aend, unfortunately; but, according to reports, there were a number of aendees who had been unsure of their place as women in Thelema and the Order, who le the event with an increased sense of empowerment and belonging. The event was the result of the efforts of many individuals, and our thanks go to all of them. Special thanks go to Sister Kayla B. for successfully masterminding this event despite being nearly killed in an equestrian accident a month prior, and to Sisters Kat S. and Kim K. for stepping in to help out when needed. A note to the members of the Lover Triad: Id like to remind you that our Man of Earth local bodies need your continuing support, and it remains your fraternal duty to support a Lodge, Oasis or Camp, preferably somewhere in your local area (if its a Camp, it needs to be a Camp that has bylaws and is actively working towards Oasis status). I have personally veried that all members of the Electoral College and Supreme Grand Council are members in good standing of at least one Man of Earth local body. Soror Helena and I currently belong to two. Earlier this year, U.S.G.L. adopted a policy regarding local body dues that harmonizes provisions in the template Local Body Bylaws with I.H.Q. and U.S.G.L. treasury policies. The revised policy states that local bodies may require that local members be in local good standing in order to be eligible for initiation, or to participate in initiations, at their local body. This requirement cannot be imposed upon candidates who reside more than 100 travel miles from the local body. This policy was adopted in order to harmonize two policies that previously conicted, but the result should make it easier for local bodies to secure the baseline funding they require. Love is the law, love under will. Sabazius

Volume VIII, Number 2 q E R G A IV: August 1, 2006

Contents
From the Grand Master ..................................................................... 1 S.G.I.G.s: Government, Service, and Management by Sabazius X .................. 2 Problem Solving by Sabazius X ........................................................... 4 From the Grand Tribunal Secretary ...................................................... 5 An Examination of Liber CI, Part 1 by Fr. Ash ........................................... 6 From the Electoral College ................................................................ 8 Local Body Reports .......................................................................... 9 Obituaries ....................................................................................10 Members-Only Bulletin .....................................................................11 Agap 1

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S.G.I.G.s: Government, Service, and Management

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The Man of Earth takes no share in the Government of the Order; for he is not yet called upon to give his life to it in service; and with us Government is Service, and nothing else.Liber 194 Whereas the Man of Earth takes no share in the Government of the Order, membership in the Senate and subsequent degrees is intimately tied to governance of the Order, i.e., management. The titles of S.G.I.G. and E.G.C. Bishop come with certain responsibilities, both to the Men of Earth and to the Hermits (specically as represented by the X and the O.H.O.), and both of these Triads are entitled to certain expectations of those holding these titles. The Men of Earth are entitled to expect that someone holding the title of Sovereign Grand Inspector General, and that of Bishop of Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica, will be knowledgeable with respect to Order policies, will have the power and authority to perform the ordinary functions of these oces, and will be able to serve as a reliable representative of the upper management of the Order. The X and O.H.O. are entitled to expect that S.G.I.G.s will faithfully represent them to the Men of Earth and (if necessary) to the public, will abide by their oaths, and will faithfully perform their management duties in accordance with O.T.O. policies. Continued on next page

The Ocial Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Executive Editor: Editor & Layout: Assistant Editors: Proofreading: Distribution: Editorial Address:

Mysteria Mystica Maxima

Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica

Sabazius X Joseph Thiebes Dawn C. Davis, Karma deGruy Fr. Zir Sr. Marlene P.O. Box 15037 Portland, OR 97293-5037

U.S. GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

U.S. NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: SABAZIUS X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. DEPUTY NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: LON MILO DUQUETTE P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND SECRETARY GENERAL: FR. HUNAHPU PO Box 47988, Minneapolis, MN 55447 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND TREASURER GENERAL: HANK HADEED 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. #444, Portland, OR 97214-5246 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury DATHAN U.S. GRAND TRIBUNAL BIBERSTEIN, SECRETARY grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 17462, Minneapolis, MN 55417 U.S.G.L. PARLIAMENTARIAN: SR. HELENA P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 parliamentarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. OMBUDSMAN: FR. HRUMACHIS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 541-488-1257 ombudsman@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. QUARTERMASTER: FR. V.V.N. quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. WEBMASTER: CRAIG BERRY webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LIBRARIAN: FR. K.Z. P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ARCHIVIST: FR. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S.G.L. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: JAMES MCLAUGHLIN volunteers@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY: ARIANA WHITE PO Box 3993, Eugene, OR 97403 publications@oto-usa.org COORDINATOR, O.T.O. PRISON MINISTRY: DANIEL L. AKZINOR P.O. Box 66319, Portland, OR 97290-6319 prison_ministry@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER: FR. HRUMACHIS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 pio@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION: JOSEPH THIEBES P.O. Box 15037, Portland, OR 97293-5037 agape@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. EDUCATION COMMITTEE SECRETARY: KAYLA BLOCK education@oto-usa.org

U.S. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, U.S. SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL, U.S. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. ELECTORAL COLLEGE DOUGLAS JAMES BLAKE, PRESIDENT ec_president@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 47056, Seattle, WA 98146 DANN BUCHANAN, SECRETARY electoral_college@oto-usa.org 5030 N. May Ave., #252, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6010 U.S.G.L. INITIATION SECRETARY: SR. IXEL BALAMKE PO Box 47988, Minneapolis, MN 55447 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. SECRETARY: TAU MARIE P.O. Box 201750, Austin, TX 78720-1750 egc@oto-usa.org

WWW.OTO-USA.ORG
Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A., a California not-for-prot religious corporation with business ofces at P .O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business ofces at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at P .O. Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download in PDF format at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/docs.html Copyright 2006 EV Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

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Continued from previous page Simply holding the titles of S.G.I.G. and E.G.C. Bishop places one in a position of intermediate management within O.T.O. Any exercise of S.G.I.G. or Episcopal powers in O.T.O. and E.G.C. is explicitly a management activity. An S.G.I.G./Bishop can withdraw from active participation in management activities, but cannot divorce the performance of such activities from Service, to both the First and Third Triads. To do so would simply be a contradiction in terms. For S.G.I.G.s, disagreement with the X and the O.H.O. over policies and the direction of the Order is, of course, permissibleeven expected, and everyone has the inalienable right to complain about anybody and anything to anybody. However, the management responsibilities of S.G.I.G./Bishops require an unusually high degree of care and circumspection in such maers. As I see it, any X is obliged to listen to the opinions of his S.G.I.G.s, and to give them due consideration; but he also needs to make his own decisions according to his own calculus. A X may decide to act in a way that is contrary to the way oneor allof his S.G.I.G.s think he or she should act. Regardless, the S.G.I.G.s are obligated to abide by, and support, the nal decisions of their X. According to Liber 194, the members of the VII constitute the Great General Sta of the Army of the Sixth Degree, the members of which are vowed to enforce the decisions of authority. Should the level of disagreement between a S.G.I.G. and his X get so bad that the S.G.I.G. nds himself in a position where he is no longer able to serve, in good conscience, as the faithful

Frater Sabazius X representative of his Xthen, obviously, a working relationship is no longer possible. In such a case, given the obligations he took upon himself by accepting invitation to the VII, there are really only two honest and honorable courses of action available to him: he may quietly retire from active service and conspicuous participation in O.T.O. activities, ceasing the exercise of the authority, and privileges, of his oce; or he may resign in protest from his oces of S.G.I.G. and E.G.C. Bishop, and sever his ties with the X he can no longer serve. To disavow the responsibilities of these oces, without also relinquishing their privileges, would be neither honorable nor honest. Now, we do not have degree demotion in O.T.O. Once youve taken an initiation, you cant go back and become un-initiated. The oceand titleof Sovereign Grand Inspector General is inherent in the VII initiation. So are those of Bishop of Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica, according to the current recension of our rituals. As mentioned above, the very possession of these titles is a brand of management authority at an intermediate level. Therefore, an S.G.I.G. cannot simply abnegate his management offices and return to the responsibility-free membership status he enjoyed before. If an S.G.I.G. wishes to shed all the responsibilities inherent in his rank, then he must resign from active membership in the Order. Love is the law, love under will. Sabazius

Liber AL vel Legis: The Book of the Law

The U.S. Grand Lodge Presentation Edition Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The O.T.O. U.S. Grand Lodge Presentation Edition of Liber AL vel Legis: The Book of the Law are still available. This edition is exclusively for O.T.O. members and has been designed with the O.T.O. initiations in mind. It measures 4 1/4 wide, 5 9/16 long. It has a red faux leather cover with gold foil stamps on the front and spine, a front presentation page, and space in the back for noting ones advancement in the MTMTMT and E.G.C. Each copy is only $5.00 plus shipping. To obtain copies of the presentation edition, individuals and local bodies may contact Magus Books at: 800-99-MAGUS (800-996-2487) or visit: www.magusbooks.com/main/otobotl.htm To order, you must be an active member of the O.T.O. Membership subject to verication. Love is the law, love under will.

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Problem Solving
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. We have developed a whole range of mechanisms for mediating disputes and resolving other membership problems, based on various Blue Equinox passages and on our own experiences and research. These are enumerated elsewhere. The path of mediation can be complex, so we have instituted the oce of the U.S.G.L. Ombudsman to help members navigate the system. At this time, there are a few specic points about our system that Id like to address. 1. We cant do anything about a problem if we dont know about it. Telling your friends, or posting about your problem on your L.J. does not constitute reporting it to us. We dont monitor everybodys L.J. 24/7. If you dont know where to take your issue, or what information is required, contact the Ombudsman. Breakdowns in communication do occur, of course, so follow up. 2. We will only rarely take up a fraternity issue on behalf of a third party. Sometimes we do, but usually not. If you feel you have been the object of an unfraternal act, then you need to take the initiative yourself. Someone might step forward and do something on your behalf, but you should denitely not count on it. This is especially true for cases of slander/defamation. Only you know if you were truly slandered. 3. Local issues should stay localbut only if they are truly local. On review, many past instances of the use of the local Notice procedure (and of the old Local Bad Report procedure) should really have gone straight to National. Cases of repeated disruptive behavior, and cases where one would reasonably assume that the person would repeat their misbehavior in the future, either locally or elsewhere, are not suitable for strictly local handling. Outright criminal behavior should always be reported immediately to the G.S.G. 4. If you le a complaint or a request for mediation, things may not go your wayeven if you are in the right. We do our best with the information we have. If you are going to le a complaint, or apply for mediation, you need to have your ducks in a row. The other party is very likely to disagree with you, so keep notes. If you cant back up your assertions with prey good evidence or independent testimony (or, say, a court conviction), your argument may not fare well in the inevitable fray. Furthermore, you may think youre right, but you may nd, aer hearing the other stories, that you were actually partly, or even entirely, wrong. Now, there are those who have asserted that we should simply know who is trustworthy and who is not, and act accordinglybut it is usually not as simple as that. It is not necessary to outright lie in order to convey inaccurate or incorrect information. Watch Rashomon. In some cases, you may win the argument, but the ultimate result may be dierent than what you anticipated or hoped for. The Grand Tribunal may decide, for example, that an instance of misbehavior warrants curtailment of some membership privileges (such as the ability to serve as an initiator, E.G.C. Priest, or ocer of a local body), rather than outright expulsion. 5. It may take a while. Most of us have day jobs, not to mention other O.T.O. responsibilities. Furthemore, we try our best to provide due process in disciplinary caseswhich takes time to do right. 6. Detailed results of mediations and disciplinary actions are provided on a need-to-know basis. Sometimes these investigations are extremely complex, involving testimony from many individuals and pages and pages of information. It is simply not practical to share all this information with everybody. There are also privacy issues and condentiality issues involving oaths, etc. that make it necessary to withhold much of the information involved in most of these cases from general distribution. 7. Do not aempt to game the system. If you le a complaint, and you claim to have evidence supporting your complaint, you need to be ready to provide that evidence. If you are alleging breach of contract, for example, you had beer be ready to provide a copy of the contract. We consider the ling of false complaints as a means of harassment, submiing false information in conjunction with ocial investigations, aempting to threaten us if we do not nd in your favor, and other aempts to game our system as very serious oenses. If we catch you at this, you will nd yourself the target of your own Grand Tribunal action. 8. Use the system. Problems need to be addressed using the appropriate channels we have developed. If you see problems with those channels, address them to the Ombudsman. Aempting to try the case yourself in the court of public opinion will not help you. That venue has no mechanism for due process, and has an extremely poor record with respect to fairness. Depending on the specics, doing this could be interpreted as an aempt to game our system to force the outcome you desire. Of course, this requires some degree of trust in our procedures and our ocers. If you have no trust in either, then you really should simply step back from active membership until such a time as you feel that the situation has changed. Love is the law, love under will. Sabazius Agap 4 q E IV:

From the Secretary of the Grand Tribunal

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Duties 29-31 of Liber CI can be, to a certain extent, a struggle to interpret as they address maers and individuals outside of the Orders immediate jurisdiction. Where and when possible, these Duties are interpreted literally. However, practicality (along with the light of common sense)notably with respect to an O.T.O. Grand Lodges existence within the civil government in which it resideswill need to be addressed and weighed with any application to these points. Regarding the Duties of the Seventh House, (which astrologically deals with marriages, partnerships, friends, and enemies) Liber CI states: 29. Any injury done by any person without the Order to any person within it may be brought before the Grand Tribunal, which will, if it deem right and t, use all its power to redress or to avenge it. In the 1999 Memorandum Regarding Liber CI, G.M. Sabazius states, The Grand Tribunal does not arbitrate disputes between members and non-members, though we can provide legal referrals to our members who require them. In other words, the Grand Tribunal does not, at this time, consider it right and t to directly intervene in disputes between members and nonmembers by providing arbitration or mediation services. Non-members would not be bound to accept the results of such arbitration or mediation, and such arbitration or mediation would, consequently, be unenforceable. In Article V: Governing Bodies, Section 5.04.F. of the By-Laws of O.T.O. U.S.A., addressing the G.T., Liber CI is quoted nearly verbatim: Any injury done by any person without the Order to any person within it may be brought before the Grand Tribunal, which will, if it deems right and t, use all its power to redress the injury subject to the limits of applicable law. Note that the Areopagus has here decided to drop the word avenge from the language of Liber CI, and to qualify the provision with subject to the limits of applicable law. Examining the context of Liber CI, both denitions of avenge (from the Latin vindicare, to lay claim to, avenge; vindicate) would appear to apply: 1. 2. To inict a punishment or penalty in response to a perceived wrong. To take vengeance (inict punishment) on behalf of someone. 30. In the case of any Brother being accused of an oence against the criminal law of the country in which he resides, so that any other Brother cognizant of the fact feels bound in self-defense to bring accusation, he shall report the maer to the Grand Tribunal as well as to the Civil Authority, claiming exemption on this ground. A member should feel bound in self-defense to bring accusation if he or she is placed in jeopardy of injury or deprivation by the actions of the oending member. Additionally, any member who becomes cognizant of such an oense is encouraged to bring it to the aention of the G.T., regardless of whether or not he feels suciently bound in self-defense to bring accusation to the Civil Authority. 31. The accused Brother will, however, be defended by the Order to the utmost of its power on his arming his innocence upon the Volume of the Sacred Law in the Ordeal appointed ad hoc by the Grand Tribunal itself. The Orders defense of the accused would be predicated on whether or not the individual was free, in order to have the ability to even arm his innocence before the G.T. Members sought by the civil authorities or incarcerated are de facto outside of the Orders present reach for such purposes; although this may change with future G.T. development. Ordeals appointed by the G.T. vary according to the particulars of each case, and are condential. Concerning the study and interpretation of Liber CI in general, Id like to second the recommendation made by the Grand Master to read the analysis by Frater Ash, appearing elsewhere in this issue. Lastly, the Areopagus has recently determined that conduct unworthy, of a member is to be included in the list of potential causes for bad report and disciplinary action. This charge would include conduct tending to injure the good name of the organization, disturb its well-being, or hamper it in its work. Furthermore, the Areopagus has recently determined that conduct unworthy of a member is to be included in the list of potential causes for bad report and disciplinary action. This charge would include conduct tending to injure the good name of the organization, disturb its well-being, or hamper it in its work. Lastly, it is my duty to notify the membership at large that [name redacted for internet distribution] is no longer a member of Ordo Templi Orientis. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Dathan Biberstein

The Areopagus has thus determined that it is not within the purview of O.T.O. to inict punishment on nonmembers. Further, it has conditioned the power to redress the injury according to the limits of applicable law, thus arming that O.T.O. is a law-abiding organization. It should be noted that nothing in this provision limits the ability of the Order to place non-members on bad report, and thus prevent them from joining the Order.

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An Examination of Liber CI: Part 1

Of all the open documents Aleister Crowley wrote regarding Ordo Templi Orientis, Liber CI, An Open Leer to Those Who May Wish to Join the Orderis perhaps the most comprehensive and visionary. It was rst published in 1919 in The Equinox 3, no. 1, which is commonly referred to as the Blue Equinox. Half of the articles were wrien specically in regards to O.T.O., and provide a large-scale structure for the Order. Liber CI is unlike the other items in the Blue Equinox, because it is not directly concerned with governmental structure (outlined in An Intimation with Reference to the Constitution of the Order, Liber CXCIV) or mystical provenance (as in The Message of the Master Therion, Liber II). Rather, it constructs a vision of the Order as a whole in manifested form within the framework of fraternal principleshow members are to behave and the resulting benets enjoyed by all. The vision within CI is grand, to say the least. Even if we were optimistic enough to claim that the benets, detailed within, were all possible, their full manifestation would be many years away. However, despite the fact that a system of profess-houses and universities are quite a ways o, we can nevertheless look to CI as a blueprint for what O.T.O. is to be. To this end, this essay will take a close look at this important document, grouped by major themes, including: the Law and our Mysteries, recruitment, money and property, profess-houses and other benets, mothers and children, justice, and fraternity. Through this analysis, we can gain a deeper insight into the nature of O.T.O. and its fundamental goals. Readers unfamiliar with the document in question also may wish to have a regular copy of Liber CI handy as a reference. Opening These Regulations Come into Force in Any District Where the Membership of the Order Exceeds One Thousand Souls We rst notice that CI doesnt even come into eect until a district has at least 1,000 members. What is a district? Crowley, unfortunately, does not dene it, so we must do some guesswork based on his other uses of the word. It isnt a Kingdom (i.e., a nation), because Crowley refers to such as a province in Intimation (CXCIV). Looking for other instances in CI we nd in article 38, ...the Master of the Lodge in her district shall oer to become... and 48, Brethren who may be travelling have a right to the hospitality of the Master of the Lodge of the district... He uses the word several times in his Confessions: He mentions that his associations with Beachy Head possess a charm which I have never known in any other district of England. I once aended a Lodge whose Master was one of the two local bankers. [...] In this district, the clandestine Lodges greatly outnumbered the orthodox. In Mexico we used to make rather a point of practising with rearms whenever we struck a new district . . . Our next expedition was to the Colima District. Speaking of Darjeeling, India, Sir Joseph Hooker . . . made an extended survey of the district. Based on his use of the word, it is reasonable to conclude that a district refers to a single Valley or perhaps a group of Valleys, depending upon factors such as geography and population. Therefore, multiple Valleys like those found in the Bay Area in California or the Austin/San Antonio corridor in Texas would be districts, whereas single cities Dallas, Los Angeles, and New York would comprise their own. There is probably no way to create a clearcut denitionit would likely be determined on a case by case basis. There is, of course, an important expectation embedded within this. CI assumes that a district is expected to reach a membership of at least 1000 members. Naturally, not every local body would obtain this, but a regional grouping of them theoretically could. Even if we extended the denition of district to be equitable with an entire U.S. state, then ideally U.S. Grand Lodge should have 50,000 members, minimum! How realistic this is is certainly a maer of debate. However, we can still look to the underlying principle embedded within this very rst sentence, which is that Crowley expected the Order to be reasonably large. As we will see later in the essay, this is for two very good reasons. The rst is that it is reective of a general promulgation of Thelemic principles and the other is that the Order needs some serious numbers if it is ever going to fulll the more institutional goals outlined within this document. The other word in this sentence worthy of note is Souls. There are three possible takes on why he used this word. One is to suggest that membership is open to both sexes, and this was his way of using a genderneutral term. Second, it could be a reference to the mystical journey of the Man of Earth degrees,

This issue of Agap is so late that the deadline for Agap 8, No. 3 has already passed! If you havent already sent in your submission, please, do this quickly!
Send your local body reports and governing body reports to:

agape@oto-usa.org
We will also accept other kinds of work, including essays, art, and photography. Submission guidelines are available at www.oto-usa.org/agape.html. For more information contact agape@oto-usa.org.

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Frater Ash which would be relevant for potential members. Thirdand this is going out on a limbhe is using it based on its original etymological meaning, which is, from O.E. sawol, spiritual and emotional part of a person, animate existence. A theme that runs throughout CI harkens to all three elements: spirit, emotion, and animate existence. In other words, the benets and duties of the Order are based upon promoting material and emotional well-being within the context of spiritual development. After boilerplate greetings, Crowley offers an introductory paragraph: It has been represented to Us that some persons who are worthy to join the O.T.O. consider the fees and subscriptions rather high. This is due to your failure to explain properly the great advantages oered by the Order. We desire you therefore presently to note, and to cause to be circulated throughout the Order, and among those of the profane who may seem worthy to join it, these maers following concerning the duties and the privileges of members of the earlier degrees of the O.T.O. as regards material aairs. And for convenience we shall classify these as pertaining to the Twelve Houses of the Heaven, but also by numbered clauses for the sake of such as understand not the so-called Science of the Stars. First, therefore, concerning the duties of the Brethren. Yet with our Order every duty is also a privilege, so that it is impossible wholly to separate them. There is another subtle but very important message here. Although Crowley is basing the structure of this epistle on the Science of the Stars, he is presenting it in such a way that the astrologically untutored can understand it. Stop and consider this a moment. While staying true to the context of O.T.O.s teachings, Crowley is modifying a public tract so that it can (at least in his mind) be understood by potential members. This is an important lesson and a vital principle. Crowley is saying two very meaningful things: (1) that worthy people do not need to be already learned in the magical arts, and (2) we may, to a reasonable degree, gear our Order presentations to the intended audience. This is important enough to be repeated several times. This document suggests clearly that potential members do not, and probably will not, be already learned in magick. In other words, O.T.O. is not a club for people who already do ceremonial ritual. Although magick plays an important role in the course of ones Order advancement, our central purpose is not for enthusiasts to get together to talk about magick or show o their ritual technique. Within the framework of the Man of Earth grade, magick is something that is learned along the way in service to the lessons of the degrees and the duties of ritual ocers. According to CI, when

. . . our central purpose is not for enthusiasts to get together to talk about magick . . .

This paragraph is packed with juicy information. One message is quite straightforwardmembers are to explain the advantages of the Order in such a way as to convince the worthy that it is worth joining. What makes a potential member worthy? There are several clues within the document, which lead to the conclusion that worthiness is determined by a combination of usefulness to the Order and having certain personal qualities. We will see that Crowley expected many members to be rich and powerful, for the dual purpose of inltrating civil institutions with high-level Thelemites, and so that O.T.O. can materially benet from their wealth. This aside, all potential members should also display personal characteristics that imply that he or she would be willing and able to fulll the essential duties outlined in CI. In general terms, such folk would be described as noble and honorable, having traits such as courage, generosity, loyalty, integrity, and cordiality.

considering a person for membership (i.e. sponsoring them for Minerval or First Degree), ones potential usefulness and character should be the priority. Finally, the phrase, concerning the duties and the privileges of members of the earlier degrees of the O.T.O. as regards material aairs is quite telling. It insinuates that, in part, O.T.O. addresses the material aairs of its members. This is the rst big clue that the Order is more than a narrow vehicle for teaching magick. This ts in with the nal sentence saying that every duty is also a privilege. In other words, it is through fullling the obligations outlined in CI that the Order is able to provide the grand benets it claims. This sets up one of the major themes of CIthat we are a family, and our success is dependant on all of us working together.

Next issue: Part 2, The Law & Our Mysteries and Recruitment
Agap 7 q E IV:

From the Electoral College

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The following actions concerning local Bodies were taken by the Electoral College at its Spring meeting, April 15, 2006 : Closure None. Change of Master Fr. David Andrew Blakely has been conrmed as Master of Bubastis Camp (Dallas, TX) eective April 15th, 2006 . Mastership of 93 Oasis (Costa Mesa, CA) passed from Fr. Aleph to Sr. Mayet eective April 15th, 2006 . Change of Body Status Therion-Babalon camp (Berkeley, CA) has been re chartered as Therion-Babalon Oasis with Fr. Khut-emAbt as Master eective April 15th, 2006 . New Charters Fr. Joshua Sharp has been granted charter as Master of Alombrados Camp (New Orleans, LA) eective April 15th, 2006 . Fr. NEMO has been granted charter as Master of Set Triumphant Camp (Orlando, FL) eective April 15th, 2006 . The College wishes to express its appreciation to the past and present Masters of each of the above bodies. We wish each of them the best in their new oces and endeavors.

Hosting E.C. Meetings Local bodies that are interested in hosting the Spring and Autumn meetings of the Electoral College (as well as Summer meetings in even numbered years) are encouraged to write the President of the E.C.see p. 2 for contact information. Upcoming E.C. Meetings Summer, 2006 meeting: tentatively scheduled for Saturday, July 22nd, 2006 , to be hosted by Blue Horizon Oasis (Glendale, CA). Fall, 2006 meeting: tentatively scheduled for Saturday, October 14th, 2006 , to be hosted by Serpentine Splendour Lodge (Las Vegas, NV). Attending E.C. Meetings Dues current members in good standing of V and above are welcome to aend and observe the in-person Electoral College Meetings. We request that those planning to aend contact the Master of the hosting body so that adequate arrangements can be made.

Communication with the E.C. I would like to invite any initiates with suggestions about how we can do our job beer, or who have specic concerns or questions regarding the operation of the Electoral College, to write to either the President or Secretary of the E.C. For contact information, please see p. 2. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to take effective measures bringing about better communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed. I believe that communication is of benet to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All postal mail correspondence with the Electoral College Secretary should be sent to the address listed on p. 2. Website The ocial E.C. website can be found at: ec.oto-usa.org

Forms Bodymasters seeking up-to-date forms for the Annual Report, Change of Mastership Application, Application for Oasis Status, Application for Lodge Status, or closure forms will nd them (exclusively) at: ec.oto-usa.org/ecservices.htm Bodymasters not already in possession of the username and password (distributed on August 18, 2004 ) will be granted them upon request (see E.C. contact information on p. 2). All other previous versions of these forms are now obsolete and should not be used. In Memoriam The Electoral College wishes to express its deep and profound loss at the celebration of the greater feast of Brother Chris Parker. The College would like to recognize his steadfast dedication and tireless service to ourselves, our Work, the Order, and to the Law that we serve. He is a brother, a compatriot, and a friend. We wish him well.

Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Frater Dvgls Jms Blk President, Electoral College O.T.O. U.S.A. Agap 8 q E IV:

Local Body Reports

The Star & The Snake Camp Ashland, Oregon Frater Wolf further, an extrasensory perception kicks in that will raise ones sensitivity to new heights. In the aphorisms of Patanjali, it is stated that the regulation of breath inuences the perception of the nervous system within the body. The product is physiological, followed by psychic eects. My practice of even the shortest Asana/Pranayama/Pratyahara before a Tournament or practice session has helped me to see objects moving at lightning speed as if they were literally slowed down. Time and space are shied and warped, in my Yoga practice and also in fencing if I maintain the state of awareness. I have overcome physical limitations in my technique through this practice. Magick? Indeed. Focusing my mind on my adversarys wrist, sabre, or feet is the Dharana. Continuing that focus throughout the duel is Dhyana. The bout becomes a meditation in itself, and the conversation of blades will reveal causalities that are processed by intuition more than any methodical observation. The goal of Yoga, Union with God, corresponds simply to winning the Tournament! Having ventured further into Yogas application in the art and sport of classical and modern fencing, I continue to nd that winning a duel in the minds eye will manifest victory on the Piste. As I continue to unlock the secrets of sword magick, I hope to further the manifestation of my will in this area and in my life. When recently asked by my fencing peers what I was working on for an upcoming tournament, I explained, high line lateral actions, seeding parries, compound aacks, and understanding that the sense of freedom in my body is both relative and illusory. All laughed and my appreciative smile followed. When asked to clarify, I simply said, Yoga and steel, my friends...yoga and steel. Under the guidance of The Star & The Snake Camps Frater Hrumachis, we have nished our explorations and comparison of the Siva Samhita with the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Having activated and charged the Kundalini through the chakras pathways, we utilized intensive Asana and dual nostril Pranayama followed by Pratyahara candle meditation. Yoga has forced me to look at the details in my blade work. In Crowleys rst lecture of Yoga for Yellowbellies, he encourages one to put aside and shut out objects of sense and intrusive mindwaves. To assist in this, I use a red triangle tatwa in training which is eventually replaced by my opponents blade guard. The transition was not so radical aer several months of practice. Whether using the postures of the bear, the broken arrow, or the dragon, or when failing to make a good, simple lunge, I realized enormous limitations of my mind through my body. How oen did I realize great mental clarity aer overcoming a physical or technical obstacle in practice with my fencing Maestro? All the time, in fact. In Mahatma GuruSri Paramahansa Shivajis 3rd lecture, he reports that one does not even know what disrupts until yoga is truly practiced. Once the mind is stilled and my body is a reection of that, my awareness of the opponent is no longer an issue. Practice Yoga daily and you will hear music dierently or observe your fencing opponent with new eyes. As Crowley indicates William Blake Oasis Baltimore, Maryland

Frater Wolf is a member of de Arm in Ashland, Oregon. Last fall, he was undefeated but for one duel in the Ashland Sword & Mask regional tournament. Fr. Wolf currently studies under classical/modern fencing Maestro John McDougall and uses techniques perfected by World Champion Aldo Nadi.

Soror Hypatia We thank them for taking on these volunteer positions for W.B.O. and wish them much success. Most notably, we have secured an excellent temple space at an Odd Fellows Hall which includes a lodge room (with a raised dias in the east), kitchen, dining area/classroom, 3 bathrooms, and storage for only $60 per event. This option has proved more sensible and aordable for W.B.O. than leasing a 24/7 space. Our new space has prompted us to increase our local dues from $5 per month to $25 per month, and this increase has drawn excellent support; we have more dues paying members now than ever before. We have also scheduled a rummage sale and bake sale fundraiser for September which will happen the same day as the nearby community Cra Festival. Many of us are looking forward to geing rid of our junk collections and excited about baking. I am thrilled to see an energized membership continuing the Work in 2006 , particularly with NOTOCON V taking so much energy last year. W.B.O. is pleased to have established a rm foundation so that we may continue to expand upon the programs we oer, and we are looking ahead to an rich and prosperous 2006 . Soror Hypatia Master, William Blake Oasis

William Blake Oasis has goen o to an excellent start in 2006 . We are experiencing continued growth in membership with many Minerval and I candidates on the horizon. As a community outreach project, we have begun a Magick 101 class series which has been receiving good response from new interests. Members are also teaming up to write and perform a monthly series of planetary and elemental rituals. We are starting to look like a Lodge. With additional growth in our E.G.C. membership, we have performed 10 baptisms and conrmations of E.G.C. members, we have steadily upgraded our Mass equipment, and have increased celebrations of Gnostic Mass to twice a month. In the last 6 months, we have debuted two new priestesses including Sr. Ziyuda and Sr. Melusine, and were looking forward to Fr. V.E.X. and Sr. Hetaera celebrating their rst Mass in April. We warmly welcome all of our new members and clergy into our E.G.C. community. Aer three years of service, Fr. Freeshadow has stepped down from his roles as W.B.O. Treasurer and Deputy Master. W.B.O. thanks him for his excellent and steadfast work in organizing and maintaining our records. New ocer positions have been lled by Fr. M.B. as our new Deputy Master, Sr. Hetarea as our new Treasurer, Sr. Helena Sophia as our new Assistant Treasurer, and Fr. S.I.E.L. is taking over M.B.s role as Secretary. Agap 9

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Obituaries
Peter Arnold On Friday, 26 May 2006 , Brother Peter Arnold partook of his Greater Feast. He was just shy of 60 years old. A lifelong Thelemite, Peter was instrumental in the development of Pyramid Encampment in 1986 and was one of its original Initiates. Originally a member of the Typhonian O.T.O. in the 1970s , he maintained a regular correspondence with Kenneth Grant. This fostered a highly unique and intuitive interpretation of Thelema. He didnt always make himself completely understood, but when he talked, we all listened because we knew that there were gems of wisdom somewhere in his statements. Peter was an outstanding astrologer who truly lived his day to day life in accordance with the positions of the stars. He composed charts for everyone upon request and interpreted them with acumen. Peter passed following a long and painful period of hospitalization where he strove to overcome the debilitating eects caused by liver disease. He was adamant until the end about returning home but Nature interfered with his plans. Now Peter is truly home in the Body of Nuit. His last words were remember me. I am able to say with certainty that we truly will. Brother Norman Fleck

Leigh Ann Hussey July 31, 1961 - May 16, 2006 There was a maiden that strayed among the corn, and sighed; then grew a new birth, a narcissus, and therein she forgot her sighing and her loneliness. Even instantly rode Hades heavily upon her, and ravished her away. On May 16th 2006 , our sister Leigh Ann Hussey known among us as Soror Marza, K.E.W., was killed in a motorcycle accident. She was 44. Leigh Ann was born and raised in Berkeley CA, where she received her B.A. in Music from UC Berkeley with a Minor in Celtic Studies in 1984 . She took her Minerval Degree in 1994 , was baptized and conrmed in E.G.C. in 1997 and took her K.E.W. and was ordained a Priestess in 1999 . She was a founding member of the Thelemic band Nuit, and served for many years as Praeceptrix of Horus Temple. She will be remembered as a brilliantly talented musician, writer, and magician whose intensely passionate lust for life touched and inspired all who knew her. As a testament to the profound impact she made on the lives of others, her memorial Gnostic Mass was aended by well over 77 communicants. Her wake had at least as many or more in aendance. A sister once said of Leigh Ann that she was the very incarnation of leaping laughter, delicious languor, force and re. Truly, she was all that and so much more. Leigh Ann is survived by her father, two brothers, her husband, her wife, and her companion. From those who were your chosen and preferred: We love you Leigh Ann. We love you and we always will. Good night, sweet sister. The stars whither you raised your countenance are now your home. Blood of The Saints Blood of the Saints, within the Grail collected, burn on my lips as I taste of thee, that I may be in thee as one perfected; that I be drunken with ecstasy. Let my evry vein with bliss be lled in my hearts chambers to be distilled. Of thine ever-welling store, I shall drink and thirst no more in light and life, love and liberty. Lady, I drink, in my exhilaration, more of thy glory than I can hold. I have become to thee a t libation gather me into thy cup of gold. Taut and trembling in passion and excess, I am all given unto thy press. As I shout and sing in laud: Be this blood the wine of god! my joy increaseth a thousandfold. O holiest of vessels, I adore thee, heart of my heart, fountainhead of grace, where I shall be received as those before me, reaching completion in thine embrace. I the vine whose fruit is given oer, dissolving into the Grail once more, that when I am poured in turn, other lips my blood shall burn, as with thy Saints I shall nd my place. Leigh Ann Hussey

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Members-only BULLETIN

This page redacted for internet distribution.

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Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A. P. O. Box 15037 Portland, OR 97293-5037

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND, OR PERMIT #2804

Agap is the Ocial Organ of the U. S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Volume VIII, Number 3 q h R l A IV:

From the Grand Master

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The U.S.G.L. website now features a reorganized and reformatted online library, which may be found at: lib.oto-usa.org The new library features a collection of AT AT and O.T.O. Libri organized by number as well as by class. There is also a collection of essays and poetry by Frater Baphomet X. Many thanks to Brother Craig Dickson for creating and maintaining this resource. The U.S.G.L. Librarys lending-by-mail program is now open on a trial basis to members in good standing of Sixth Degree and above, who may write to librarian@oto-usa.org for a catalog and information on lending policies. Lending for local bodies and members of other degrees will be phased in over the coming months. Certied Initiator Training will be oered in Portland, Oregon on Saturday January 6, 2007 . For complete information, see: sekhetmaat.com/wiki/index.php/ Certied_Initiator_Training_2007_ev The next Pastoral Counseling Workshop has been tentatively scheduled for July 2007 in Chicago. Stand by for further details. Registration is now open for NOTOCON VI, Beauty and Strength, which will be held in Salem Massachuses. See the article elsewhere in this issue for further details. Love is the law, love under will. Sabazius

November 1, 2006

Contents
From the Grand Master ..................................................................... 1 From the Electoral College ................................................................ 2 From the Grand Tribunal Secretary ...................................................... 4 The Revival of Tolerance, by Fr. Ash ...................................................... 5 NOTOCON Update by Sr. Z. ................................................................. 6 An Examination of Liber CI, Part 2 by Fr. Ash ........................................... 7 SK 931An Introduction by Sr. Yalith ....................................................10 Agap 1 q H IV:

From the Electoral College

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The Electoral College at its Summer Meeting, July 22, 2006 , took the following actions concerning duties in its charge: Local Body Closure None. Change of Master Fr. Svperabo (Chris Freckleton) has been confirmed as Master of Horus Oasis (Salt Lake City, UT) eective July 22, 2006 . Change of Body Status LVX Oasis (Los Angeles, CA) has been re-chartered as LVX Lodge with Sr. Cindy Weinstein as Master eective July 22, 2006 . New Charters Sr. Anita Kra has been granted charter as Master of Theorte Ekstasis Camp (Louisville, KY) eective July 22, 2006 . Continued on next page

The Ocial Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Mysteria Mystica Maxima

Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica

Executive Editor: Editor & Layout: Assistant Editors: Proofreading: Distribution: Editorial Address:

Sabazius X Joseph Thiebes Dawn C. Davis, Karma deGruy Fr. Zir Sr. Marlene P.O. Box 15037 Portland, OR 97293-5037

U.S. GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

U.S. NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: SABAZIUS X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. DEPUTY NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: LON MILO DUQUETTE P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND SECRETARY GENERAL: FR. HUNAHPU PO Box 2313, Maple Grove, MN 55311 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND TREASURER GENERAL: HANK HADEED 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. #444, Portland, OR 97214-5246 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury DATHAN U.S. GRAND TRIBUNAL BIBERSTEIN, SECRETARY grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 17462, Minneapolis, MN 55417 U.S.G.L. PARLIAMENTARIAN: SR. HELENA P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 parliamentarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. OMBUDSMAN: FR. HRUMACHIS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 541-488-1257 ombudsman@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. QUARTERMASTER: FR. V.V.N. quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. WEBMASTER: CRAIG BERRY webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LIBRARIAN: FR. K.Z. P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ARCHIVIST: FR. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S.G.L. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: JAMES MCLAUGHLIN volunteers@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY: ARIANA WHITE PO Box 3993, Eugene, OR 97403 publications@oto-usa.org COORDINATOR, O.T.O. PRISON MINISTRY: DANIEL L. AKZINOR P.O. Box 66319, Portland, OR 97290-6319 prison_ministry@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER: FR. HRUMACHIS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 pio@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION: JOSEPH THIEBES P.O. Box 15037, Portland, OR 97293-5037 agape@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. EDUCATION COMMITTEE SECRETARY: KAYLA BLOCK education@oto-usa.org

U.S. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, U.S. SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL, U.S. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. ELECTORAL COLLEGE DOUGLAS JAMES BLAKE, PRESIDENT ec_president@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 47056, Seattle, WA 98146 DANN BUCHANAN, SECRETARY electoral_college@oto-usa.org 5030 N. May Ave., #252, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6010 U.S.G.L. INITIATION SECRETARY: SR. IXEL BALAMKE PO Box 2313, Maple Grove, MN 55311 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. SECRETARY: TAU MARIE P.O. Box 201750, Austin, TX 78720-1750 egc@oto-usa.org

WWW.OTO-USA.ORG
Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A., a California not-for-prot religious corporation with business ofces at P .O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business ofces at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at P .O. Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download in PDF format at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/docs.html Copyright 2006 EV Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

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 Continued from previous page The College wishes to express its appreciation to the past and present Masters of each of the above bodies. We wish each of them the best in their new oces and endeavors. Ninth Degree Revolutionary A worthy Thrice Holy, Thrice Illuminated and Thrice Illustrious Brother (who wishes to remain anonymous) has been appointed Revolutionary of the Grand Lodge of the United States, Ordo Templi Orientis, pursuant to section 4.13 paragraphs A, B, and C of the U.S.G.L. bylaws, eective July 22, 2006 . The Electoral College possesses one most singular power. Every eleven years, or in the case of a vacancy occurring, they choose two persons from the Ninth Degree, who are charged with the duty of Revolution. It is the business of these persons constantly to criticise and oppose the acts of the Supreme and Most Holy King, whether or no they personally approve of them. Should he exhibit weakness, bodily, mental, or moral, they are empowered to appeal to the O.H.O. to depose him; but they, alone of all the members of the Order, are not eligible to the Succession. Liber CXCIV We now have one such Brother, chosen to serve with the duty of Revolution; however, one vacancy remains to be lled. Members in good standing of the Sovereign Sanctuary of the IX in the United States (who are not serving as an ocer or voting member of any Governing or Administrative Body under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Grand Lodge) wishing to volunteer to stand for election to the oce of Revolutionary by the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C.see p. 2 for contact information. Other Business The College has chosen to publish a summary of the A.R.F. data on the EC website on an annual basis. We have formally requested permission from the S.H.K. that the Electoral College be allowed to create an E-list, for the purpose of discussion of administrative maers and to facilitate fruitful and respectful communication between the leadership of the local bodies and the Electoral College, provided that the following conditions are met: That the list be under E.C. control and moderation, as deemed appropriate by the S.H.K. and the President of the E.C. That each member of the list meet one of the following criteria: The executive team Secretary of the Grand Tribunal and Ombudsman Seated electors Current body masters, treasurers, secretaries and deputies. Heads of active Camps in Formation. Forms Bodymasters seeking up-to-date forms for the Annual Report, Change of Mastership Application, Application for Oasis Status, Application for Lodge Status, or closure forms will nd them (exclusively) at: ec.oto-usa.org/ecservices.htm Bodymasters not already in possession of the username and password (distributed on August 18, 2004 ) will be granted them upon request (see E.C. contact information on p. 2). All other previous versions of these forms are now obsolete and should not be used. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Frater Dvgls Jms Blk President, Electoral College O.T.O. U.S.A. q H IV: Attending E.C. Meetings Dues current members in good standing of V and above are welcome to aend and observe the in-person Electoral College Meetings. We request that those planning to attend contact the Master of the hosting body so that adequate arrangements can be made. Communication with the E.C. I would like to invite any initiates with suggestions about how we can do our job beer, or who have specic concerns or questions regarding the operation of the Electoral College, to write to either the President or Secretary of the E.C. For contact information, please see p. 2. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to take effective measures bringing about better communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed. I believe that communication is of benet to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All postal mail correspondence with the Electoral College Secretary should be sent to the address listed on p. 2. Website The ocial E.C. website can be found at: ec.oto-usa.org

That participation is voluntary and a privilege, and that it is understood that members may be removed or moved to read-only status at the discretion of the E.C. moderators. Questions concerning Electoral College policies will be addressed solely by the E.C. President or his/her designated representative. Hosting E.C. Meetings Local bodies that are interested in hosting the Spring and Autumn meetings of the Electoral College (as well as Summer meetings in even numbered years) are encouraged to write the President of the E.C.see p. 2 for contact information. Upcoming E.C. Meetings Winter meeting scheduled for Saturday, January 13, 2007 via online medium. Spring 2007 Meeting tentatively scheduled for Saturday, April 14 with Policy & Procedures Meeting Sunday, April 15, hosted by Sekhet Bast Ra Oasis (Oklahoma City, OK). Summer 2007 Meeting scheduled for Friday, August 10, 2007 prior to NOTOCON at Knights Templar Oasis (Salem, MA).

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From the Secretary of the Grand Tribunal

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Of the Trinity of Principles, Peace-Tolerance-Truth, the word Tolerance appears to me the most misused and misunderstood. This declaration of Tolerance precedes the writings of Aleister Crowley and is usually found within the preambles of O.T.O. certicates ("Toleranz" on the 33rd degree certicate of Eugene John Wieland for example), in correspondence by members of the Order, and within ocial pronouncements like Liber LII. More recently, the Trinity of Principles has been included in the U.S.G.L. Values Statement as follows: We value hospitality in our community and promote peace, tolerance, truth, and respect to the Order within our temples and precincts. oto-usa.org/planning.html According to Masonic scholar Albert Mackey (An Encyclopedia of Freeemasonry, 1919 ), the grand characteristic of Freemasonry is Toleration in religion and politics. However, addressing the former, Mackey notes that Masons shall be of that religion in which all men agree, leaving their particular opinions to themselves. (Constitutions, 1723, p. 50) This statement could be viewed as possibly applicable to a religious Order with a specic Holy text that holds a number of principles in common. Regarding religion, it should hardly be surprising that within a religious Orderparticularly one where individual gnosis (to know) is stressed (if not necessitated)theres a fairly strong possibility that a member will encounter opinions of all shades and hues. For example, Ive both read and encountered a host of claims to aainment by Order members (as we know, the degrees of O.T.O. are not necessarily markers of aainment). The reasons for why these claims are made may be manifold, but the underlying one should be obvious; the claimants want people to believe (give validation to) their claim. Encountering such claims, we, as individuals, have the ability to judge for ourselves whether they have merit or not. Using a real world example, if one were to visit a physicians oce for an annual physical and discover the doctor did not know what a stethoscope was, hopefully ones B.S. detector would be going ring-a-ding-ding. Determinations that result from observation and reasoning are equally applicable to spiritual claims. Assertions that this is not the case only aid and abet superstition. We place no reliance On virgin or pigeon; Our Method is Science, Our Aim is Religion. While this is not the moo of the O.T.O., it is in line with the Orders emphasis on Scientic Religion. In other words, if we determine that there isnt sucient evidence to support a claim, then we are completely within our rights to disagree. No doubt, in an ideal world this would be easily discernible under the light of common sense. Additionally, ones criticism need not be overly brash or worse yet, vindictive, and may best be kept to oneself. Nonetheless, such judgements dont constitute intolerance. More broadly speaking, theres no impetus that I accept wholecloth whatever opinion happens to be made in my presence. Far from it. Toleration doesnt amount to a recipe for throwing away ones critical faculties and acquiescing in nonsense. Im under no obligation to take anything based on faith. Nor does the simple act of questioning misleading claims amount to a lack of tolerance. While an individual may have the right to espouse any and all manner of stupid opinions, I am under no obligation to agree. Put more succinctly, tolerance does not mean acceptance. Relatedly, one of the things too oen brought to my aention is the prevalence of Order bashing, or leadership bashing (so called) in one form or another on public Internet forums such as LiveJournal. Too oen this bellicose behavior is excused with a defense that members of the Order should and will de facto tolerate any and all such communication. While the Order does enjoy a healthy environment of freedom in discourse, an appeal to tolerance in badmouthing the Order hardly applies. This should be obvious. Indeed, publicly slandering the Order may very well have any number of adverse consequences including but not limited to a complaint led with the Grand Tribunal. Again, the light of common sense appears to be eclipsed when using tolerance as a justication for uncurbed writing, and perhaps it is incumbent to review a few basic points concerning the Order: 1. The O.T.O. is a hierarchical religious Order that has a strong emphasis on military-style discipline in the upper degrees. Openly complaining about the Order instead of individually addressing whatever issues you have via the Path of Mediation may result in consequences you wont like. 2. Membership in the Order involves disciplineparticularly in the form of Oaths one takes to the Order. As a member, you may be held accountable to your word in instances where there is a clear breach of the commitments you have made. Pretensions to equality that dont exist in a pathetic aempt to negate the hierarchical structure of the Order will be addressed particularly when baseless accusations and demands on the Order are made. In other words, tolerance is aended to by the Order within the context of the Order and all that is included with that; isolating tolerance at the exclusion of Oaths one has taken isnt going to y. According to Skeats Etymological Dictionary of the English Language, the word tolerance is connected to the Anglo Saxon olian, to endure. Communicationparticularly of those things that we dont necessarily want to confrontmay cause one to suer. However, a noisome screed with lile to no acknowledgement of the hierarchical structure within which tolerance is enjoyed has its limits. I can do nothing but wait, binding chosen knights with an oaththe oath of the Knights of the Royal Mystery . . . that God is one; that to love God and man is enough. . . . Peace, Tolerance, Truth.The Scorpion by Aleister Crowley Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Dathan Biberstein

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The Revival of Tolerance

Toleration has got a bad reputation in the last few years. There are nasty whispers that it means coddling the weak, indulging the undisciplined, dismissing responsibility, and denying accountability. Unfortunately, there certainly are initiates who lack discipline, who have a hard time accepting responsibility for their own actions, and who nd it dicult to bring bad behavior to account (and make no mistake, this is seen regardless of where one looks on the political spectrum). Those problems are distinct, however, and have far more to do with cultural habits, emotional immaturity, and a lack of certain skills than they have to do with a mythical ideology that celebrates mediocrity or ignores abuse. These problems, more importantly, have nothing to do with tolerance, which is, in fact, a cornerstone of our ancient fraternity. Aleister Crowley himself recognized the importance of tolerance within O.T.O. In Concerning the Law of Thelema, he mentions this virtue several times: It is to be noted that wherever teamwork is necessary social tolerance is an essential. ... Tolerance also is taught in the higher grades; so that no man can be even an Inspector of the Order unless he be equally well disposed to all classes of opinion. . . . With this provision, it is easy to see that intolerance and snobbery are impossible; for the example set by members of the universally respected higher grades is against this. I may add that members are bound together by participation in certain mysteries, which lead to a synthetic climax in which a single secret is communicated whose nature is such as to set at rest for ever all division on those fertile causes of quarrel, sex and religion. . . . A fortiori, then, it must be possible to train men to independence, to tolerance, to nobility of character, and to good manners, and this is done in the O.T.O. by certain very ecacious methods. . . . Tolerance is not only a fundamental principle of O.T.O. specically, it is equally true of Thelema in general. Crowley himself summed it up perfectly: Every Star has its own Nature, which is Right for it. We are not to be missionaries, with ideal standards of dress and morals, and such hard ideas. We are to do what we Will, and leave others to do what they Will. We are innitely tolerant, save of intolerance.New Commentary, II:57 Tolerance is an absolute requirement within any Thelemic society because we recognize that every person has their own unique Will and path to it. By joining our Holy Order, certain Oaths are taken

Frater Ash

Have respect also to the Will of thy Fellow, not hindering him in his way save as he may overly jostle thee in thine. For by the Practice of this Tolerance thou shalt come sooner to the Understanding of this Equality of all Things in Our Lady Nuit, and so the high Aainment of universal Love. Liber Aleph, Chapter Eo, De Virtute Toleranti, p. 146. explained clearly in Magick Without Tears, We insist from the beginning on the individual character of the work, and, I certainly have no intention of holding you down to a narrow path of work or any path. Tolerance is all about embodying this statement, which implies a leing go of needing others to Work as you do. Tolerance isnt about accepting bad behavior; it is about celebrating our sovereign individuality. Tolerance doesnt mean we avoid conflict at all costs, it means we ght when necessary with respect and good faith. Tolerance certainly doesnt mean abandoning our principles, for they are outlined within our ceremonies of initiation, and to them we are all obligated and oathbound. They compose the rm pole that supports our inclusive tent wherein all good brothers and sisters may dwell in Joy and Freedom.

Tolerance is an absolute requirement within any Thelemic society because we recognize that every person has their own unique Will and path to it.
under Will, and all members should rightfully expect their fellows to maintain delity and good faith. At the same time, within the boundaries of our fraternal oaths and principles, the Order provides a sanctuary wherein initiates may explore, experiment, and celebrate in their own Great Work. For some, this Work will look like traditional AT AT teachingsfor others, the methodology of their Great Work might look quite different. Our duty is not to judge self-righteously the Way a sibling travels to her own Willit is to help her along!providing support, feedback, and inspiration. As Crowley Tolerance requires Strength and Courage, and is the key to Loveafter all, intolerance is evidence of impotence (Confessions, ch. 69). Said another way, the need to impose rigid standards and narrow denitions on others is a symptom of fear and uncertainty, and works against our common aspirations of Liberty and Universal Brotherhood. Therefore, it is time to rehabilitate this loy word, to give it its rightful respect and return it to a place of honor, a true virtue to which we should all aspire. With that, let this epistle end with our traditional salutation: Peace, Tolerance, Truth.

Agap Volume 8, Number 4 submission deadline: q in J R in C dies Lun Anno IV:xiv Monday, January 1, 2007 EV
Please send your local body reports and governing body reports to:

agape@oto-usa.org
We will also accept other kinds of work, including essays, art, and photography. Submission guidelines are available at www.oto-usa.org/agape.html. For more information contact agape@oto-usa.org.

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NOTOCON Update
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. We have reached the proposal deadline and have selected tentative speakers. The list has been approved by the National Conference Committee Chair and the Supreme and Holy King. All speakers have been notied of their approval. We received a record number of proposals and had a very dicult time narrowing the list down. Everything was so exciting or interesting to us and we ultimately tried to nd something for everyone. Thank you all for submiing your proposals! Vending applications are now being taken and rst priority will go to Order members. There is limited space however, so if you are considering vending apply now at: vending@notocon.org Registration is now open. The hotels are already taking reservations and the contact info can be found on the website under Accommodations. If you are in need of a roommate, send your requirements for a roommate and whether you have already reserved a room to: roommate@notocon.org Arrangements have been made to host the Electoral College meeting the Friday of NOTOCON. There will be a charge for non-E.C. aendees and lunch will be provided. There is a Man of Earth Triad event running opposite this meeting, giving all early aendees a Friday activity, Discussions on Finer Points of Minerval Symbolism, with a variety of speakers. You will be asked to sign up for either event at the time of registration if you plan to aend. The next big push for the Local Commiee is in the area of food and gis. Menus are being nalized, food sampled, and entertainment sought on one hand and donations are being accepted on the other. If you would like to donate to the appreciation gis, please contact our Gi Basket Organizer at: gis@notocon.org Volunteers are as always encouraged to contact me at: onsite@notocon.org If you wish to volunteer to a specic coordinator, you can nd their info on the contacts page. For General Information contact info@notocon.org.

Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, Soror Z NOTOCON On-Site Chair

Liber AL vel Legis: The Book of the Law

The U.S. Grand Lodge Presentation Edition Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The O.T.O. U.S. Grand Lodge Presentation Edition of Liber AL vel Legis: The Book of the Law are still available. This edition is exclusively for O.T.O. members and has been designed with the O.T.O. initiations in mind. It measures 4 1/4 wide, 5 9/16 long. It has a red faux leather cover with gold foil stamps on the front and spine, a front presentation page, and space in the back for noting ones advancement in the MTMTMT and E.G.C. Each copy is only $5.00 plus shipping. To obtain copies of the presentation edition, individuals and local bodies may contact Magus Books at: 800-99-MAGUS (800-996-2487) or visit: www.magusbooks.com/main/otobotl.htm To order, you must be an active member of the O.T.O. Membership subject to verication. Love is the law, love under will.

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An Examination of Liber CI: Part 2

Recruitment Liber CI makes it clear that a fundamental duty of every initiate is to help recruit new members into the ranks of the Order. Duties, Third 7. They shall be diligent in circulating all tracts, manifestos, and all other communications which the Order may from time to time give out for the instruction or emancipation of the profane. This clause gives the rst method of recruitmentpassing out literature. There are two given purposes for such writings: for instruction and for emancipation (i.e. acceptance of the Law). These suggest that such writings would be designed to inuence people to accept the Law and, by association, to join the Order (two actions tied together throughout CI). While we can debate the relative merits of passing out tracts to strangers, the underlying theme is clear: the Order should develop wrien materials designed to instruct and inuence non-members. It is arguable that this clause is no longer relevant with the Internet. Aer all, more people read these tracts online every month than likely did in Crowleys entire lifetime. There is a major issue to consider, however, and that is the impact of personal contact. Reading Liber CI (or some similar document) online becomes an abstract activity, which hides the fact that it is addressing an actual group of people who are trying to manifest these principles in real life. By handing a tract to someone, it is showing that people are involved and care enough to do this work. This is not a call for Scientology-style yer-handing on

Frater Ash

inuence to join. The member should even make new friends with this purpose in mind! (Interesting that neither clause mentions family). U.S. Grand Lodge has issued a recent statement saying that members are not currently expected to go to these lengths, saying, While we do encourage members to do their part in recruiting new members, we do not expect or encourage them to aggressively proselytize among their friends, employers, and any wealthy or powerful acquaintances they may have. It is important, however, that we not overlook two underlying lessons of these clauses. First, CI essentially gives permission to recruitmembers may labor to grow membership in O.T.O., to widen its scope. Second, Crowley wanted people in positions of civil authority to join, so that the principles of the Order might spread into the secular arena. The language makes it plain that Crowley wanted the Order to be highly inuential, to the point of being a vehicle for bringing the civil State into the Law. Is this vision overly ambitious? Perhaps, perhaps not. Either way, there is yet another implicit lesson here: Crowley wanted there to be an interconnection between O.T.O., the community, and the State. Said another way, CI does not envision an O.T.O. disconnected or hidden from society, but rather the Order should be deeply integrated with it so that we may beer promulgate the Law. There is a grand vision here. On the one hand, there is an Order of great height lled with inuential people, laboring to

Crowley wanted there to be an interconnection between O.T.O., the community, and the State.

the street. Rather, it is a call to recognize that there is power in personal contact that the Internet cannot compete with. This clause requires members to make exactly that kind of contact. Duties, Tenth 40. Every Brother is expected to use all his inuence with persons in a superior station of life (so called) to induce them to joint the Order. Royal personages, ministers of State, high ocials in the Diplomatic, Naval, Military, and Civil Services are particularly to be sought aer, for it is intended ultimately that the temporal power of the State be brought into the Law, and led into freedom and prosperity by the application of its principles. Duties, Eleventh 42. Every Brother is expected to do all in his power to induce his personal friends to accept the Law and join the Order. He should therefore endeavor to make new friends outside the Order, for the purpose of widening its scope. Initiates are expected both to recruit new members and to inuence people to accept the Law. In fact, the member is expected to go to quite extraordinary lengths, using all available inuence to induce friends and people in positions of civil Agap 7

induce civil government to adopt the Law and the principles of O.T.O. On the other is an Order that has great breadth, with members reaching out to friends to join, thereby spreading the Law horizontally through society. Duties, Seventh 28. Members of the Order are to regard those without its pale as possessing no rights of any kind, since they have not accepted the Law, and are therefore, as it were, troglodytes, survivals of a past civilisation, and to be treated accordingly. Kindness should be shown towards them, as towards any other animal, and every eort should be made to bring them into Freedom. This is a tricky article that has been the source of much trouble and misunderstanding. A troglodyte is literally a cave-dweller, although Crowley was here using it in its more modern sense of one who is a member of an extinct race. U.S.G.L.s statement addresses this clause by saying, O.T.O. does not now encourage its members to treat those outside the Order as inferiors who

Continued on next page q H IV:

 Continued from previous page possess no rights. Grand Master General Sabazius X also gave an address at the rst NOTOCON, saying that this clause conicts with both Liber Oz and AL (I:3, Every man and every woman is a star), and called on all members to show friendship towards all men and women who value Liberty. Lets go ahead, though, and take this clause at face value for the moment. First, a denition: without its pale is a way of saying beyond its borders. But what is the border of O.T.O.? A straightforward reading would be simply those who are not initiated members. However, a close examination reveals that it is dened by the acceptance of the Law of Thelema, not simple membership. Aer all, would Crowley believe that members of ATAT are troglodytes if they are not also members of O.T.O.? Okay, lets go from thereanyone who hasnt accepted the Law is a troglodyte, as it were, with no rights of any kind, and Order members are to treat them accordingly. What treatment are they accorded? Crowley tells us: kindness, combined with an eort to bring them into the Law. So, even if we go so far as to accept the idea that all people who have not accepted the Law (including our mothers, spouses, children, and good friends) are equitable with animals, we are nevertheless to treat them kindly. Etymologically, kind comes from O.E. gecynde natural, native, innate, originally with the feeling of relatives for each other, which developed into with natural feelings, to well-disposed, benign, compassionate. As Crowley was a fan of etymology, we may take his example and interpret his injunction to mean treating troglodytes as if they were related kin (if perhaps a bit backwards, onically-speaking), with actions that are at least benign (i.e. gentle, not harmful) and at most well-disposed (i.e. having a positive, sympathetic, friendly aitude). When possible, members should also labor to inspire them to accept the Law generally and join the Order specically (again, two things that CI lumps together). So, although U.S.G.L. has dismissed this clause, the general lesson is a positive one: folks who have not accepted the Law, despite their so-called lack of rights (Liber Oz, anyone?), should nevertheless be well-treated as if family, with the aim of leading them to accept the Law and perhaps even to join the Order. In other words, every non-Thelemite we meet is not an opportunity to be smug, derogatory, or rude, but is rather a chance to bring yet one more person into Freedom. This is far more likely to happen by exemplifying the noble and honorable traits outlined in Liber CI.

When siblings are in nancial need, members are expected to help out. They should do this either by oering nancial assistance or by nding them paid employment, if lacking.

Money & Property Duties, Second 3. All Brethren shall be exceedingly punctual in the payment of Lodge Dues. This is to take precedence of all other calls upon the purse. Duties, Sixth 22. All Brethren are bound by their fealty to oer their service in their particular trade, business, or profession, to the Grand Lodge. For example, a stationer will supply Grand Lodge with paper, vellum, and the like; a bookseller oer any books to the Library of Grand Lodge which the Librarian may desire to possess; a lawyer will execute any legal business for Grand Lodge, and a railway or steamship owner or director see to it that the Great Ocers travel in comfort wherever they may wish to go. These two clauses are together because they are the only mention of mandatory exchange from member to Order. The rst clause is rather straightforward, which is based upon the Masonic model, where members paid all dues to the local Lodge, a portion of which went to the Grand Lodge. What is interesting is that it calls for dues to take the very highest priority, above all other calls upon the purse. Does this mean dues should be paid before rent, utilities, taxes, medical care, and food? Although a literal reading says yes, a more subtle reading gives another answer. A purse is also a bag for carrying available money. Considering the audience Crowley was intending to reach, it is reasonable that this duty refers to paying dues before trips to the French Riviera or throwing extravagant balls. Of course, as with most things, this is a relative issuethe general principle here is that dues should come before unnecessary or frivolous purchases. The second clause is a requirement to give of ones professional services to the Order. U.S.G.L. has issued a statement saying, Members who are professionals, tradesmen, or businessmen are not expected to donate their products or services to the Order, though such donations are gratefully received. In these economic times this is a wise correction, since mandatory donation of such services and materials could very well mean the end of a small business, and the object of this clause is certainly not to squeeze its members. It is rather a reection of Crowleys araction to the European feudal system, saying that members owe fealty to Grand Lodge, one denition of which is the delity owed by a vassal to his feudal lord, i.e., Great Ocers. U.S.G.L. is simply making it clear that O.T.O. members are not vassals to any lords, and therefore do not owe them professional service or materials (although they are encouraged to do so whenever possible). There are several underlying principles here, however, of useful import. The rst is embodied in the word, fealty, which also means delity, faithfulness, or allegiance. This word insinuates

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that every initiate is expected to be a steady and loyal member of their Grand Lodge. Moreover, members should strive to see that Grand Lodge is well-equipped to function smoothly and eciently. Finally, Grand Lodge ocers are due respect, and while they may not be feudal lords, they do require assistance from all Order members in the execution of their duties. Duties, Third 8. They may oer suitable books and pictures to the Libraries of the Profess-Houses of the Order. Duties, Fourth 9. Every Brother who may possess mines, land, or houses more than he can himself constantly occupy, should donate part of such mines or land, or one or more of such houses to the Order. 10. Property thus given will be administered if he desire it in his own interest, thus eecting a saving, since large estates are more economically handled than small. But the Order will use such property as may happen to lie idle for the moment in such ways as it may seem good, lending an unlet house (for example) to some Brother who is in need, or allowing an unused hall to be occupied by a Lodge. 11. (Yet in view of the great objects of the Order, endowment is welcome.) Duties, Eighth 33. Every Brother is expected to bear witness in his last will and testament to the great benet that he hath received from the Order by bestowing upon it part or the whole of his goods, as he may deem t. Crowley expected a lot of generosity from O.T.O. members, including donating and even willing all kinds of property, such as books, artwork, land, halls, houses, money, and even mines (an endowment is a type of donation that results in regular income). Oddly, he suggests that the Order act as a kind of property management company, explaining that it is more economical for O.T.O. to manage many properties than for an individual to manage only one or a small few. We also see a hint of Crowleys socialist side, saying that property donated to the Order will be used where needed (i.e. a voluntary redistribution of wealth). In large part, these clauses reect the audience Crowley was hoping to reach, i.e., people who own mines and have spare houses siing empty. At the same time, #10 above shows he was aware that not every member would always be ush. We will see later on that Crowley intended the Order to oer a limited form of welfare for members going through tough times. However, we will now see the rst ethical principle of fraternity addressed in CI: generosity between members.

Duties, Second 2. The private purse of every Brother should always be at the disposal of any Brother who may be in need. But in such a case it is a great mischief if the one ask, and the other consent; for if the former be really in need, his pride is wounded by his asking; and if not, the door is opened to beggars and imposters, and all manner of arrant knaves and rogues such as are no true Brethren. But the Brother who is possessed of this worlds goods should make it his business to watch the necessity of all those Brethren with whom he may be personally acquainted, anticipating their wants in so wise and kindly and delicate a manner that it shall appear as if it were the payment of a debt. And what help is given shall be given with discretion, so that the relief may be permanent rather than temporary. Privileges, Sixth 60. Members of the Order may expect Brethren to busy themselves in nding remunerative occupation for them, where they lack it, or, if possible, to employ them personally. These two clauses are unambiguous: when siblings are in nancial need, members are expected to help out. They should do this either by oering nancial assistance or by nding them paid employment, if lacking. In short, members should be generous with each other when need arises. Crowley here oers some advice on the proper aitude. First, he suggests that one should not help a sibling who openly asks for it, assuming that true Brethren would never ask, being prevented by wounded pride. If a member helps one who actually asks for aid, then the door becomes open for beggars, imposters, arrant knaves, and rogues. Rather, siblings should keep a close eye on each other, anticipating need and stepping in with assistance before a request is even possible. Further, aid should be provided with almost a sense of obligation, as if paying a debt. Finally, the giving of aid should be done with a kindly and delicate disposition, and with discretion. The general principle here is twofold: generosity and watching over each other. The implicit frame is one of were all in this together and that O.T.O. is a family. While members are not responsible for the well-being of others, they are nevertheless duty-bound to keep an eye out for each other and to help out when it is warranted. Assistance in times of need is to be given as if it were the payment of a debt, which suggests an aitude of kindly obligation. Such an outlook is the backbone of a noble society, which is a big part of Crowleys vision. There is another way of reading it is a great mischief if the one ask, and the other consent; for if the former be really in need, his pride is wounded by his asking; and if not, the door is opened to...such as are no true Brethren. This line is saying that one who falsely asks for assistance is not a true Brother. A more general principle embedded within this line states that true Brethren do not ask for that which is not their due, but rather are only motivated by what they can provide. True Brethren do not take advantage of others, do not swindle, cheat, mislead, or otherwise seek undue benets. A True Brother does not ask what he can get but what he can give.

Next issue: Part 3, Profess Houses & Other Benets and Mothers & Children
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SK 931An Introduction
Id like to introduce you to our brother.* This brother wont be in aendance at our Gnostic Mass. He wont be taking initiation. He wont be participating in the rites of Sol Invictus Oasis, at least not for a good long while. Let me introduce you to Brother Damien Echols SK 931. I wish that I could do so in person, but hes in prison right now, on death row in an Arkansas eld. Hes been there for thirteen years. Some of you may have heard of him already. There have been books, like Mara Leveris Devils Knot, and two H.B.O. documentaries, Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills, and Paradise Lost 2: Revelations. There are websites, the most well known being wm3.org, which includes case information, document and evidence archives, and updates. For those who have not heard, West Memphis 3 is the media-given name for Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley, three teenagers that were convicted in 1993 for the horric satanic ritualistic homicide of three eight-year-old boys in West Memphis, Arkansas. Though there was no conclusive evidence of their involvement, motive, murder weapon, ritual paraphernalia, or connection to any of the victims, all three were convicted based on Misskelleys confession, extracted aer police held the mentally-challenged 17 year-old, with a documented I.Q. of just 72, for at least seven hours without parental or legal counsel. Less than an hour of the interrogation was actually recorded.1 I wont spend much time going over the case. Theres plenty of information out there for those of you wishing to look. Suce it to say, three lile boys never got to grow up, and three young men were convicted. Echols was sentenced to die by lethal injection, while Baldwin and Misskelley were each sentenced to life in prison. The evidence? There was literally none presented against 16 yearold Baldwin, save his association with Echols and hearsay. The only evidence against Misskelley was his obviously coerced confession which, even after hours of rehearsal time, still included many facts that were known at the time to be false. Eighteen-year-old Echols wore black, listened to heavy metal, and read horror novels. He had proclaimed himself Wiccan in a staunchly fundamentalist Christian town. He had changed his name to Damien, which police linked with The Omen despite Echolss assertion that he had chosen the name aer Father Damien deVeuster, the Catholic priest that nursed lepers on the island of Molokai. In court, the prosecution presented as evidence of his involvement black t-shirts, artwork by Eliphas Levi and Pusshead (which had been taken from a skater magazine), and a book about witchcra hed purchased from the library. Most tellingly, they also presented as proof of his involvement the fact that he had wrien Aleister Crowleys name while awaiting his trial. In light of the lack of real physical evidencethe few fragments the prosecution did have were highly inconclusive and circumstantialthey decided to play the satanic cult angle. The prosecutions occult expert was Dr. Dale Gris, who received his Ph.D. from Columbia Pacic University, a nonaccredited, mail-order school that was forced to close in 2000 by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary & Vocational Education.2 Aer extensive questioning by the defense, Griffis begrudgingly admitted on the stand that he hadnt taken a single class to earn his degree.3 Yet despite this, the judge allowed him to testify as an expert in the eld aer having denied Pulitzer Prizewinning, Stanford-educated sociologist Dr. Richard Ofshes qualications as an expert on false confessions.4 In fact, Dr. Ofshe was mocked on the stand because he came from California. Gris supported the prosecutions claim that Echols was the ringleader of a local cult of teenage devil-worshippers, taking as literal Crowleys infamous chapter from Magick in Theory and Practice, On the Bloody Sacrice. The only truthful statement Gris made in court about Crowley was that he was from England. Nothing he said about the O.T.O. was true; he referred to the Order as the Ordo Temporus Originus in his pretrial testimony, claimed that Crowley founded the infamous Solar Lodge and S.O.T.O.,5 despite the fact that Crowley died long before the founding of either, and essentially stated for the court that the O.T.O. is a murderous, child abusing, satanic cult: PRICE: Okay, now is 8 a factor because that is a witches number? Whats the signicance of 8? GRIFFIS: Okay, in Crowleys, in Crowleys work, he discusses that, uh, sex before 8 or you lose the magical power. PRICE: Sex before 8, or lose magical power. Okay, so that if the victims were all 8 years old, then that wouldnt be sex before 8, correct? GRIFFIS: I said s8? Im sorry. Not nine. Eight or before. PRICE: Eight or before. Excuse me. Now, but is there a particular cult that, um, supports that viewpoint? You said in Crowleys work. GRIFFIS: Occult group? Yes. PRICE: And what occult group is that? GRIFFIS: He has done a lot of writing which is synonymous with a group called O.T.O., or Ordo Temporus Originus.6 He also claimed that the manner in which the victims were boundwrists-to-ankles behind the back so the genitals were displayed for abusecould be found in Crowleys work: PRICE: All right, but what, you said its a factor the manner in which the victims were tied, where does this, wheres the research on this? GRIFFIS: Well, you would, you would look in such books as Ceremonial Magic by Crowley, and, uh, then from working, uh, in, with that and looking at the way the people were displayed, ah, you know, there, to me, appeared to be no other reason for that type of position.7 And the jury believed him. The Arkansas Supreme Court upheld their convictions based in part on this mans testimony.8 Regardless whether one is convinced of their innocence, the fact that such unmitigated slander should be allowed

* To clarify: I dont refer to Damien as brother in the sense typically used by O.T.O. initiates, given his very un-free state. His incarceration for a triple homicide would, I imagine, preclude the use of the term brother for many of my fellow initiates. Rather, I use the term to denote his alliance with our philosophy and practices, not necessarily aliation with O.T.O. per se.

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Soror Yalith as testimony in a court of law, much less without any reasonable challenge from the defense on this point, should horrify anyone. I began my correspondence with Damien Echols aer I spent the last several months of 2005 saturating myself in the details of his case. As an undergraduate in criminal justice at the University of Arkansas, my investigations class focused extensively on this heavily publicized case. Aer learning what a proper investigation looked like, I was appalled at the absolute lack of professionalism from the police and legal players involved. The evidence, and lack thereof, clearly suggest that the convicted men had nothing to do with the crime. If there were any real evidence, I wouldnt have bothered. I wouldnt have continued to study the case, or to keep abreast of updates in the legal proceedings, or given a damn about the well-being of the convicted. I would have gone on to work with the Prison Ministry without a second thought to any of them. Demented as my sense of humor may be at times, I dont like child-killers any more than the next person. After completing the semesters studies, I read Damiens autobiography, wrien from death row, called Almost Home: My Life Story Vol. 1. I caught a surreptitious Crowley quote in one chapter. I noticed a preponderance of references to magick and mysticism in others. And when I began my correspondence with him, guess what I discovered? I discovered a brother. Why is this important to Sol Invictus Oasis? Its important because this case, and the injustice, bigotry, and prejudice it represents, was the reason our body was founded in the rst place. Soror Kalyx saw the horrors rsthand as the case progressed. If there had been an O.T.O. body in Arkansas to stand up against what was happening in 1993 , would it have made a dierence? No one can say. But what we can say is this: We are here now. We are here because a teenage boy was sentenced to die because he had wrien Crowleys name on the same page as that of his newborn son. That teenage boy has become a man on death row. He has become a Buddhist monk. He has married a lovely and wellrespected architect. He has become an accomplished writer, artist, and now musician, penning lyrics for Pearl Jam and Michale Graves. And he has become a friend of our Oasis. His involvement with Sol Invictus Oasis has brought full-circle the reason we came into being in the rst place. Because of the nature of the crime for which he stands convicted, he has traditionally been very private about his spiritual beliefs. Knowing that the state of Arkansas would be combing over every detail in his book and leers for evidence of his involvement in a satanic cult, he chose to allow himself outed as a Thelemite within our community at great personal risk. He chose to become registered with the O.T.O. Prison Ministry. Hes even donated to our Oasis a portion of his personal library books sent to him from supporters across the worldas that is the only practical way he has to contribute. And he has, in this short time, become very dear to us. As for the Sol Invicti, our interest in the case has evolved from simply wanting to see justice done to something much more personal. We dont want to see the state of Arkansas murder our friend, and our Agap 11 brother. I dont want to see anyone have to give Last Rites in an execution chamber when there is no real evidence that Damien did anything more than be a freak with an unfortunate rst name in a frighteningly fundamentalist Southern town in the grip of satanic panic. So, why is this important for the rest of us? I think that perhaps some magicians may not realize just how dicult it can be for those of us living in the Bible Belt and places like it, those of us living with the kinds of church-going folk that protest at gay soldiers funerals, refuse to believe in the most basic tenets of science, and literally run Witches out of town in some upgraded version of the torch-and-pitchfork routine. When people fail to stand up and defend what it is we do as magicians, when people fail to combat through Light, Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, and Power the ignorance and falsehood that is arrayed against us, we leave open the possibility of things like this happening anew. We cant say that things like this couldnt happen in America today. They can. They did. They do, every day. Damien was just fortunate enough to have his caught on H.B.O. cameras. Throughout much of the nation, the satanic panic of the 1980s and 90s has all but vanished. Even Geraldo Rivera issued an apology for his part in contributing to the hysteria, just months aer his last show about devil-worshippers featured the West Memphis Three.9 Yet even today, a smaering of rural police departments continue to hold special training classes that circulate the kinds of ridiculous materials that would make Bob Larson or Jack Chick proud. Undoubtedly, defending our Work has the potential to cause serious problems in ones professional or personal life. My own sister has disowned me for being unapologetic in my identity as a Thelemite. Sadly, even among the general Pagan populace, were oen seen as outsiders, as evil, for being involved with that scary Crowley guy. Yet, if were not willing to stand up and defend ourselves, who will?

References 1. Leveri. Devils Knot, pp. 75-91 2. www.bppve.ca.gov/press_releases/cpuweb.htm 3. Leveri. Devils Knot, pp. 180-189 4. Audio file available at callahan.8k.com/wm3/audio/ gris01.mp3 5. Audio file available at callahan.8k.com/wm3/audio/ gris03.mp3 6. callahan.8k.com/wm3/ebtrial/dgris.html 7. callahan.8k.com/wm3/ebtrial/dgris.html 8. Damien Wayne Echols and Charles Jason Baldwin v. State of Arkansas, opinion delivered December 23, 1996 9. www.religioustolerance.org/geraldo.htm q H IV:

Agap is the Ocial Organ of the U. S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

From the Grand Master

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Wish List Weve set up a wish list at amazon. com for the U.S.G.L. Library, which has begun to phase in its lending-by-mail program (see Agap 8, No. 3). This list includes books wed like to add to the library. You can nd the wish list at: www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/ 1PE9YYQG8IAX5 If youre feeling generous, go to the wish list and buy us a book or two. Your donation of books is tax deductible (subject to the usual restrictions and conditions). Latin Resources Brother Bill Heidrick has scanned and publicly posted on his website (with the permission of the U.C. Berkeley/Bancro Library) a couple of hard-to-nd classic source works in Latin: Robert Fludds Utriusque Cosmi maioris salicet et minoris metaphysica. Athanasius Kirchers Oedipus Aegyptiacus, Tom IIA (all) and Cabala from Tom IIB (pp 209-399). You can nd links to these documents in PDF format near the boom of Bills website at: www.billheidrick.com Bill is also currently in the process of scanning Knorr von Rosenroths Kabbalah Denudata, and will probably have it posted on his site by mid-March. IRS Filing This past year, U.S.G.L. led its rst annual Form 990 with the I.R.S. Form 990 provides information on the ling organizations mission, programs, and nances. Organizations with church status, such as ours, are not required to le Form 990 with the I.R.S. However, we decided to begin ling these forms anyway as a maer of good nancial practice. GoodSearch You can help raise funds for O.T.O. by using www.goodsearch.com for your internet searching. For each search using their service, GoodSearch will transfer one penny to the charity of your choice. Just type Ordo Templi Orientis in the Who do you GoodSearch for? box. It will remember your choice for the next time you use the service. You can even add GoodSearch to your Firefox search bar. Granted, one penny isnt muchbut if enough of us do this, it could add up. Ombudsman Change Aer serving in the oce for the past two years, the oce of the Ombudsman will be transitioning from Frater Hrumachis to Frater Harmateus eective on the Equinox in Aries (March 20th), 2007 . A new phone number will be published shortly through established ocial O.T.O. on-line channels and within the next issue of Agap. The Ombudsman e-mail address (ombudsman@oto-usa. org) will transition to Fr. Harmateus at that time. Any open maers currently being addressed by Frater Hrumachis will continue to be handled by him as necessary. An alternate e-mail address (past-ombudsman@oto-usa.org) will be established at that time for any continuing communications. We wish to thank Frater Hrumachis for his dedicated service in the establishment and execution of this oce and to Fr. Harmateus for his willingness to be of service to the membership in this capacity.

Volume VIII, Number 4 q k R E A IV: February 1, 2007

Contents
From the Grand Master ..................................................................... 1 From the Secretary of the Grand Tribunal ............................................. 3 From the Electoral College ................................................................ 4 From the Education Committee ........................................................... 5 The Blood of the Sangraal by Fr. Greg Peters ........................................... 7 Taproot, artwork by Breck Outland ......................................................10 An Examination of Liber CI, Part 3 by Fr. Ash ..........................................11 Agap 1

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Continued from previous page Pastoral Counseling Workshop A Pastoral Counseling Workshop will be taking place in Atlanta, February 24-25, 2007 . More info is available at: www.animasolis.com/pcw Thelemic Symposium Sekhet-Maat Lodge will be hosting its sixth Thelemic Symposium on March 17, 2007 . This time, the panelists will be Bob Stein, Brandy Williams, and Jason Augustus Newcomb. More info is available at: sekhetmaat.com/wiki/Thelemic_Symposium_2007_ev Announcements To all Frater Superiors Representatives outside the U.S.A.: Wed be glad to post announcements of your major events here in Agap. Please send your announcements to: agape@oto-usa.org Love is the law, love under will. Sabazius

The Ocial Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Mysteria Mystica Maxima

Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica

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U.S. NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: SABAZIUS X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. DEPUTY NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: LON MILO DUQUETTE P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND SECRETARY GENERAL: FR. HUNAHPU PO Box 2313, Maple Grove, MN 55311 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND TREASURER GENERAL: HANK HADEED 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. #444, Portland, OR 97214-5246 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury DATHAN U.S. GRAND TRIBUNAL BIBERSTEIN, SECRETARY grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 17462, Minneapolis, MN 55417 U.S.G.L. OMBUDSMAN: FR. HRUMACHIS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 541-488-1257 ombudsman@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. QUARTERMASTER: FR. V.V.N. quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. WEBMASTER: CRAIG BERRY webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LIBRARIAN: FR. K.Z. P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ARCHIVIST: FR. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S.G.L. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: JAMES MCLAUGHLIN volunteers@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY: ARIANA WHITE PO Box 3993, Eugene, OR 97403 publications@oto-usa.org COORDINATOR, O.T.O. PRISON MINISTRY: DANIEL L. AKZINOR P.O. Box 66319, Portland, OR 97290-6319 prison_ministry@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER: FR. HRUMACHIS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 pio@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION: JOSEPH THIEBES P.O. Box 15037, Portland, OR 97293-5037 agape@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. EDUCATION COMMITTEE SECRETARY: KAYLA BLOCK education@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. CORRESPONDENCE SECRETARY: ASH BOWIE P.O. Box 11386 Berkeley, CA 94712-1386 contact@oto-usa.org

U.S. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, U.S. SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL, U.S. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. ELECTORAL COLLEGE DOUGLAS JAMES BLAKE, PRESIDENT ec_president@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 47056, Seattle, WA 98146 DANN BUCHANAN, SECRETARY electoral_college@oto-usa.org 5030 N. May Ave., #252, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6010 U.S.G.L. INITIATION SECRETARY: SR. IXEL BALAMKE PO Box 2313, Maple Grove, MN 55311 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. SECRETARY: TAU MARIE P.O. Box 201750, Austin, TX 78720-1750 egc@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PARLIAMENTARIAN: SR. HELENA P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 parliamentarian@oto-usa.org

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Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A., a California not-for-prot religious corporation with business ofces at P .O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business ofces at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at P .O. Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download in PDF format at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/docs.html Copyright 2007 EV Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

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From the Secretary of the Grand Tribunal

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. On those rare occasions when the Grand Tribunal needs to communicate notications such as charges, leers of caution, etc., these are mailed to recipients with a signature conrmation. The principal reason the G.T. mails notications instead of using e-mail is that we need to know that the notication was received by the intended recipient. A person receiving a notication through e-mail could choose not to reply and we would have no way of knowing the notication was received. This is not the case with mail that requires a signature from the person receiving it. Recently, a member receiving a formal notication from the G.T. failed to sign for it. Thankfully, such instances are rare. In fact, multiple notications have been sent to this same individual and have been returned to the G.T. unopened. If an individual receives notications from the G.T. and refuses to acknowledge them, it should not be imagined that what is addressed in the leer ceases to exist. Quite the contrary, the G.T. process continues unabated. As a result of several cases where mail has been returned unopened to the G.T., I wish to remind the general membership that it is their responsibility to keep the Grand Treasurer General and Grand Secretary General apprised of any changes of address. In fact, every notication leer mailed by the G.T.G. reminds members of this and it is certainly not my responsibility to chase aer accused members in order to serve them notication. Moreover, if the G.T. were to mail a notication to a member requesting a response, it might speak poorly of that member and their involvement in what is being considered should the leer be returned. In such instances, a failure to respond or to acknowledge receipt could be interpreted as a tacit response in the negative. Furthermore, please note that it is not our policy to conduct G.T. investigations and procedures in public. Conducting member investigations and disciplinary actions in public poses certain liability concerns, is advised against by our legal counsel, can conict with our degree secrecy obligations, and is contrary to standard organization procedure (as set forth in Roberts Rules of Order). Further, it is, quite simply, the private business of those directly involved. We are cognizant of the fact that Grand Tribunal actions will in some cases be used for self-serving, propagandistic purposes by some individuals. Grand Lodge has no objection to constructive criticism or even the airing of legitimate complaints in appropriate fora. However, we do not countenance the dissemination of malicious disinformation, rumormongering, muckraking, mutinous rabble-rousing, personal aacks, insults and insinuations, and eorts to sow division and undermine the morale of the membershipespecially from senior members. If our actions result in a stiing of such misbehavior, we have no regrets. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Dathan Biberstein

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From the Electoral College

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The Electoral College at its Fall Meeting, October 14, 2006 took the following actions concerning duties in its charge: Local Body Closures None. Change of Body Master Mastership of Mons Abiegnus Oasis (San Francisco, CA) has passed from Br. Edward King to Br. Gregory Peters (Frater . .) eective October 14th, 2006 . Mastership of Coph Nia Lodge (Eugene, OR) has passed from Frater Vandimir to Br. David M. Chandler (Frater I.G.D.) eective October 14th, 2006 . Mastership of Therion-Babalon Oasis (Berkeley, CA) has been passed from Br. Christopher Grabarkiewctz to Sr. Marlene Cornelius eective October 14th, 2006 . Change of Body Status Abrahadabra Camp (Portland, ME) has been re-chartered Abrahadabra Oasis with Frater Eparisteros as Master eective October 14th, 2006 . Aum Ha Camp (Chicago, IL) has been re-chartered Aum Ha Oasis with Br. Henry Anderson as Master eective October 14th, 2006 . Sol Invictus Camp (Fayeeville, AR) has been re-chartered Sol Invictus Oasis with Br. Brandon Williams as Master eective October 14th, 2006 . New Charters None. The College wishes to express its appreciation to the past and present Masters of each of these Bodies. We wish each of them the best in their new oces and endeavors. Ninth Degree Revolutionary Members in good standing of the Sovereign Sanctuary of the IX in the United States (who are not serving as an ocer or voting member of any Governing or Administrative Body under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Grand Lodge) wishing to volunteer to stand for election to the oce of Revolutionary by the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C.see p. 2 for contact information. Other Business The College has chosen to publish a summary of the Annual Report Form data on the E.C. website on an annual basis. Sanction for Appeal Brothers or Sisters of our Order who wish to pursue appeal to a verdict of the Grand Tribunal may write to individual members of the Electoral College to request sanction be given to take their case to the Areopagus of the Eight Degree (per Liber CXCIV, section 16) via email links found at: ec.oto-usa.org/ECelectors.html Hosting E.C. Meetings Local bodies that are interested in hosting the Spring and Autumn meetings of the Electoral College (as well as Summer meetings in even numbered years) are encouraged to write the President of the E.C. see p. 2 for contact information. On behalf of the Electoral College I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the members, families, ocers, and Master of Serpentine Splendour Lodge (Las Vegas, NV) for hosting and / or assisting in provisions and support for the Electoral College Meeting and events in Las Vegas this last October 13th through 15th. Upcoming E.C. Meetings The Spring 2007 meeting is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, April 14th with Policy & Procedures Meeting Sunday, April 15th, hosted by Sekhet Bast Ra Oasis (Oklahoma City, OK). The Summer 2007 meeting is scheduled for Friday, August 10th 2007 prior to NOTOCON at Knights Templar Oasis (Salem, MA).

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Aending E.C. Meetings Dues current members in good standing of V and above are welcome to aend and observe the in-person Electoral College Meetings. We request that those planning to aend contact the Master of the hosting body so that adequate arrangements can be made. Website The ocial E.C. website can be found at: ec.oto-usa.org Forms Bodymasters seeking up-to-date forms for the Annual Report, Change of Mastership Application, Application for Oasis Status, Application for Lodge Status, or closure forms will nd them (exclusively) at: ec.oto-usa.org/ECservices.htm Bodymasters not already in possession of the username and password will be granted them upon request (see E.C. contact information on p. 2). All other previous versions of these forms are now obsolete and should not be used.

Communication with the E.C. I would like to invite any initiates with specic concerns or questions regarding the operation of the Electoral College, to write to either the President or Secretary of the E.C. For contact information, please see p. 2. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to take eective measures to bring about beer communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed. I believe that communication is of benet to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All postal mail correspondence with the Electoral College Secretary should be sent to the address listed on p. 2. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Frater Dvgls Jms Blk President, Electoral College.

From the Education Committee

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The U.S.G.L. Education Commiee is pleased to announce the launch of our web site: education.oto-usa.org The traveling lecturer list and annotated qabalah bibliographies are currently available from the home page. Additional updates will be announced soon. Upcoming releases from the commiee include classes on L.B.R.P., the Star Ruby, the Hexagram Ritual, Classical Mythology, Pan, The Holy Grail, Methods of Exegesis, and Introduction to Qabalah. The commiee is also looking for content writers. Content writers volunteer to write class material on subjects on an as needed and as interested basis. Content will be wrien in accordance with a supplied format. There are no long term commitments and no degree requirements. If you would like more information, please e-mail: education@oto-usa.org Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Kayla Block, Commitee Secretary

Agap Volume 9, Number 1 submission deadline: q in A R in g dies Solis Anno IV:xv Sunday, April 1, 2007 EV
Please send your local body reports and governing body reports to:

agape@oto-usa.org
We will also accept other kinds of work, including essays, art, and photography. Submission guidelines are available at www.oto-usa.org/agape.html. For more information contact agape@oto-usa.org.

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The Blood of the Sangraal

Brother Greg Peters For I am the rst and the last. I am the honored one and the scorned one. I am the whore and the holy one. I am the wife and the virgin. I am the mother and the daughter. . . . For I am knowledge and ignorance. I am shame and boldness. I am shameless; I am ashamed. I am strength and I am fear. I am war and peace. Give heed to me. I am the one who is disgraced and the great one. The Thunder, Perfect Mind The voice continues: This is the Mystery of Babylon, the Mother of abominations, and this is the mystery of her adulteries, for she hath yielded up herself to everything that liveth, and hath become a partaker in its mystery. And because she hath made herself the servant of each, therefore is she become the mistress of all. Not as yet canst thou comprehend her glory. Beautiful art thou, O Babylon, and desirable, for thou hast given thyself to everything that liveth, and thy weakness hath subdued their strength. For in that union thou didst understand. Therefore art thou called Understanding, O Babylon, Lady of the Night! The Cry of the 12th Aethyr, Liber 418 Omari tessala marax, tessala dodi phornepax. amri radara poliax armana piliu. amri radara piliu son; mari narya barbiton madara anaphax sarpedon andala hriliu. The Cry of the 2nd Aethyr, Liber 418 Thou shalt drain out thy blood that is thy life into the golden cup of her fornication. Thou shalt mingle thy life with the universal life. Thou shalt keep not back one drop. Liber Cheth vel Vallum Abiegni, sub gura CLVI

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. When the Prophet Aleister Crowley consciously formulated his True Will, the articulated purpose was to teach humanity the skills necessary to achieve the Next Step in its evolutionthe Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel. This step would bring the transformation of the neurotic, conicted, blind consciousness of homo normalis to the radiant solar glory of Briatic divine consciousness, resulting in personality integration and wholeness with the continuum.

Thus was the Great Work laid out. The Holy Guardian Angel was (and is) the sole objective of the Outer College. As described in One Star in Sight, this Next Step is the essential work of every man; none other ranks with it either for personal progress or for power to help ones fellows. This unachieved, man is no more than the unhappiest and blindest of animals. He is conscious of his own incomprehensible calamity, and clumsily incapable of repairing it. Achieved, he is no less than the co-heir of gods, a Lord of Light. In discussing this major achievement, Crowley wrote in The Equinox 1, no. 1:

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The Augoeides Lyon calls him Adonai in Zanoni, and I oen use this name in the note-books. Abramelin calls him Holy Guardian Angel. I adopt this: 1. Because Abramelins system is so simple and eective. 2. Because since all theories of the universe are absurd it is beer to talk in the language of one which is patently absurd, so as to mortify the metaphysical man. 3. Because a child can understand it. Theosophists call him the Higher Self, Silent Watcher, or Great Master. The Golden Dawn calls him the Genius. Gnostics say the Logos. Egyptians say Asar Un-nefer. Zoroaster talks about uniting all these symbols into the form of a Lionsee Chaldean Oracles. Anna Kingsford calls him Adonai (Clothed with the Sun). Buddhists call him AdiBuddha(says H.P.B.) The Bhagavad-Gita calls him Vishnu (chapter xi.). The Yi King calls him The Great Person. The Qabalah calls him Jechidah. We also get metaphysical analyses of His nature, deeper and deeper according to the subtlety of the writer; for this visionit is all one same phenomena, variously coloured by our varying Ruachsis, I believe, the rst and the last of all Spiritual Experience. For though He is aributed to Malkuth, and the Door of the Path of His overshadowing, He is also in Kether (Kether is in Malkuth, and Malkuth in Ketheras above, so beneath), and the End of the Path of the Wise is identity with Him. So that while he is the Holy Guardian Angel, He is also Hua, and the Tao. For since Intra Nobis Regnum deI all things are in Ourself, and all Spiritual Experience is a more or less complete Revelation of Him. Yet it is only in the Middle Pillar that His manifestation is in any way perfect. The Augoeides invocation is the whole thing. Only it is so dicult; one goes along through all the y gates of Binah at once, more or less illuminated, more or less deluded. But the First and the Last is this Augoeides Invocation.

The Angelic consummation may be symbolized as the great quest for the Sangraal. As the Next Step for humanity, the Angel represents the spiritual Sun of consciousness for the entire human race. The iconography of this quest is represented in Atu VII of the Tarot, the Chariot, which symbolically ties into the Summer Solstice and the Suns entry into Cancer: The canopy of the Chariot is the nightsky-blue of Binah. The pillars are the four pillars of the Universe, the regimen of Tetragrammaton. The scarlet wheels represent the original energy of Geburah which causes the revolving motion. This chariot is drawn by four sphinxes composed of the four Kerubs, the Bull, the Lion, the Eagle and the Man. In each sphinx these elements are counter-changed; thus the whole represents the sixteen sub-elements.1 The Four Kerubim about the chariot represent the Watch Towers of the Universe, and are the guardians of the Rosicrucian Vault of Christian Rosenkreutz that is hidden within the Mount of Abiegnus, the Mystical Mountain of Initiation. The Seven sides of this Vault refer to the Seven Leered Name of the Great Goddess that is the center of all devotion. What is the Vault of Christian Rosenkreutz, but the very yoni of the Queen of Heaven? It is to this that the Knight-Monk carries his Sacred Lance of worship across the deserts of the Abyss. In a footnote Crowley discusses the Hebrew leer cheth associated with the Chariot as being a further glyph of the entire Great Work. The enumeration of cheth in full (ugf) has the value of 418, a key number of Thelema. One of the primary correspondences is ABRAHADABRA, the Word of the Aeon, a symbol of the completion of the Great Work, and the formula of its Accomplishment. The association of Atu VII to Cancer further alludes to the symbolism of this Aeonic formula, as the uniting of the 5 (Man) and 6 (God) in the Holy Hexagram, and the radiant solar-phallic glory of the Rose Cross which blooms therein. This union is represented by the Holy Hexagram, symbolized by the astrological glyph of Cancer, as discussed in Chapter 69 of the Book of Lies and the accompanying commentary. The vision of the 12th Aeythr (LOE) from Liber 418 records the rich tapestry of symbolism for Atu VII. The Charioteer is described as wearing golden armour, which may be seen as symbolic of the achievement of Tiphareth and the rapturous union with the Holy Guardian Angel. Having achieved the Knowledge and Conversation, the Adept is then in possession of the Sacred Lance which must be dedicated wholly to the service of Nuit. The journey continues across the Abyss, as the rider sets his eyes steadily on the prize across the vast desert of Nighttowards Zion (negs = 156), the City of the Pyramids. Central to the Chariot card is the image of the Sangraal. It is said that this jeweled cup is lled with the blood of Saints. The crimson blood is the King Scale of Colour aributed to the sephira Binah, the Great Mother, showing the Atziluthic inuence. It is Her sacred Womb in which this Holy Grail is Continued on next page
1.

The Book of Thoth

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Continued from previous page a reection, as every last drop of blood is to be spilled unto Herthe very life essence of the initiate given over to Her love. It is said that in order to fully enter Her, the solar-phallic Angel itself must be abandoned, or rather given over entirely to Her embrace, as every last seed of starry re is given to Her. Of this Cup of Blood it is said that This is the Mystery of Babylon, the Mother of abominations, and this is the mystery of her adulteries, for she hath yielded up herself to everything that liveth, and hath become a partaker in its mystery. And because she hath made herself the servant of each, therefore is she become the mistress of all. The formula of BABALON is that of constant copulation or Samadhi on Everything. From the Book of Thoth we read: The central and most important feature of the card is its centrethe Holy Grail. It is of pure amethyst, of the colour of Jupiter, but its shape suggests the full moon and the Great Sea of Binah. In the centre is radiant blood; the spiritual life is inferred; light in the darkness. These rays, moreover, revolve, emphasizing the Jupiterian element in the symbol.2 The Adepts journey is one of embracing the totality of Babalon, a formula of Love under Will which unites everything with its opposite. This act of constant copulation is an opening up to the primordial self-awareness of reality, a luminous state of consciousness that is entirely present in every moment. The Graal is none other than the sacred vessel of Our Lady the Scarlet Woman, the Mother of Abominations, the bride of Chaos, that rideth upon our Lord the Beast3that Victorious Queen that we do know and love in the name BABALON: Blessed are the saints, that their blood is mingled in the cup, and can never be separate any more. For Babylon the Beautiful, the Mother of abominations, hath sworn by her holy kteis, whereof every point is a pang, that she will not rest from her adulteries until the blood of everything that liveth is gathered therein, and the wine thereof laid up and matured and consecrated, and worthy to gladden the heart of my Father . . . And this is the comedy of Pan, that is played at night in the thick forest. And this is the mystery of Dionysus Zagreus, that is celebrated upon the holy mountain of Kithairon. And this is the secret of the brothers of the Rosy Cross; and this is the heart of the ritual that is accomplished in the Vault of the Adepts that is hidden in the Mountain of the Cavern, even the Holy Mountain Abiegnus.4

She was celebrated in the Gnostic text The Thunder: Perfect Mind millennia ago, and was foretold in the evocations of Dr. John Dee and Edward Kelly as the daughter of fortitude in the following: I am the dowghter of fortitude, & ravyshed every howr, from my youth, for behold, I am understanding, & science dwelleth in me : & the hevens oppress me, They covet and desyre me with innite appetite few or none that are erthly have embraced me for I am shadowed with the circle of the sonne : and covered with the morning clouds: My feet are swier than the wynds, & my hands are sweter than the morning dew. My garments are from the beginning: & my dwelling place is in my self. The lyon knoweth not where I walk : neyther do the bestes of the eld understand me. I am deowered & yet a virgin. I sanctie & am not sanctied happy is he that embraceth me. For in the night season I am sweete, in the day full of pleasure my company is a harmony of many Cymballs And my lips sweeter than helth it self. I am a harlot for such as ravish me : and a virgin with such as know me not : for lo I am loved of many: & I am a lover to many: and as many as come unto me as they should do, have theyr enterteynment. Purge your streets o you sons of men, & wash your howses clean Make your selves holy, & put on righteousness Cast out your old strumpets, & burn theyr cloathes Absteyn from the company of other women that are defyled, that are sluish, & not so handsome, & bewtiful as I. And then will I come & dwell amongst you. And behold I will bring furth Children unto you: & they shall be the sons of comfort I will open my garments, & stand naked before you that your love may be more enamed toward me. Actio Tertio Trebonae Generalis, Coon Appendix XLVI

It is to this Queen of Heaven that we are to pour out our lives in every moment, in every act. The great Graal Quest carries on
2. 3. 4.

Liber 418, 12th Aethyr. See Liber Cheth, verse I. ibid.

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into eternity, towards Her sacred starry womb, blood soaked and radiating with the ery light of the Rosy Cross. Central to the tenet of Thelema is that no one may know the formula by which any mans God is found. Others may help show the way and give advice based on their own experience; however, the core mystery is always unique, individual, and highly personal. The invocation of the Hidden God may only truly be found within. How more so then is the worship of Babalon individual and secret? Not for the sake of any oaths is Her love kept so close and dear, although these too may play a part in Her devotions. The Love of Babalon is all consuming, all embracing. It touches upon every aspect of our life, to the very core of our existence. In Babalon is all power, even as in the Hindu tantras Shakti is said to be the animating force of the universe, for without Shakti, Shiva is Shava.5 To worship Babalon is to give oneself entirely to experience the Divine in the presence of every moment. In this way the true Vault of the Rosicrucians is found within, and the opening of its central shrine is the entering into union with Her, to experience the naked, awful, and beautiful reality of pristine, primordial self-awareness. To know Babalon is to awaken to the luminous radiance of pure consciousness. How does one give everything to Babalon? How does every last drop of blood pour into Her Grail? In what way can constant copulation be practically worked? The Oath of the Magister Templi includes the clause I will interpret every phenomenon as a particular dealing of God with my soul. With great advantage we can practice this aitude long before holding this grade and without taking the oath. God may be replaced with Holy Guardian Angel, Adonai, Babalon whatever aspect of the divine calls to the individual. Trying to go through the day with this point of view will render even the most seemingly insignicant acts and events pregnant with deeper meaning, helping to awaken the correct point of view. Awareness of the self is key in this practice. The great dzogchen guru Namkhai Norbu expresses a similar practice in Advice on Presence and Awareness: [T]he continuation in the presence of the true State is the essence of all the Paths, the root of all meditations, the conclusion of all spiritual practices, the juice of all esoteric methods, the heart of all ultimate teachings, it is necessary to seek to maintain a continuous presence without becoming distracted. What this means is: dont follow the past, dont anticipate the future, and dont follow illusory thoughts that arise in the present; but turning within oneself, one should observe ones own true condition and maintain the awareness of it just as it is . . . Babalon is the totality of consciousnessis the primordial self-aware mind. She is the beginning and the end of all paths, and the very path itself. Working with Liber Astarte is another suitable practice to help direct the intense devotions of bhakti yoga towards the Mother of Abominations in Her many outer forms.
5.

The primordial consciousness weaves the fabric of all experience, and we are all Her children and of Her substance. Still, it is in the form of woman that She is most accessible. Psychologically She may be the anima, that aspect of the unconscious that touches upon the darkest, remotest unknown depths of the mind. Consider all women, and in particular those you have loved, and see the Beautiful One looking back at you with Her eyes. Let every breath, every word, every thought, every deed6 be an act of love with Her. This practice was developed extensively in the Hindu tantras: Women are divinity, women are life, women are truly jewels.7 Women are heaven; women are dharma; and women are the highest penaane. Women are Buddha; women are the Santha; and woman are the perfection of Wisdom.8 In the tantras, physical and visualized worship of women as the personication of Shakti is a primary practice. Such rituals may be adapted to use for the worship of Babalon, and are in many ways similar to the tantric aspects of The Book of the Law. Are we not enjoined to come before the Goddess of Innite Space and Innite Stars wearing only a single robe, and covered in a rich headdress? To worship Her only, in Her secret temple, the starlit heavens of Nu? The full worship of Babalon may be a level of awareness that is far beyond what we are capable of now. For intimations of this pure experience see the Vision of the 2nd Aethyr, where the Prophet is nally wedded with the Goddess in ecstatic orgasms that render the universe completely anew. For Her love is uncompromising, unyielding, and irresistible, a song that no one could resist. For in it is all the passionate ache for the moonlight, and the great hunger of the sea, and the terror of desolate placesall things that lure men to the . . . unaainable. I am the harlot that shaketh Death. This shaking giveth the Peace of Satiate Lust. Immortality jeeth from my skull, And music from my vulva. Immortality jeeth from my vulva also, For my Whoredom is a sweet scent like a seven-stringed instrument, Played unto God the Invisible, the all-ruler, That goeth along giving the shrill scream of orgasm.9 In this way our Quest for the Holy Graal continues ever onward, that we may aspire to know and experience Her in our every moment, always striving to be stronger and more aware, that we may experience more of Her and nally, triumphantly, pour our every last drop of blood, our very existence, into Her radiant and beautiful Grail. Love is the law, love under will.
6

. Liber Liberi vel Lapidis Lazuli, V:22 Yoni Tantra Kulachudamani Tantra

7. 8. 9.

Dead, inert.

Passage and translation of the song from the Vision of the 2nd Aethyr.

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Taproot

by Brother Breck Outland

Moreover, Adepts are at pains to record their teachings in books, monuments, or pictures, and to appoint spiritual guardians to preserve such heirlooms throughout generations. Aleister Crowley, Book 4 graphite pencil and ink, 18x12

An Examination of Liber CI: Part 3

Frater Ash

Profess-houses and other benets Privileges, Fourth 49. Brethren of all grades may be invited to sojourn in the ProfessHouses of the Order by Grand Lodge; and such invitation may condently be expected as the reward of merit. There they will be able to make the personal acquaintance of members of the higher Grades, learn of the deeper workings of the Order, obtain the benet of personal instruction, and in all ways t themselves for advancement. 50. Brethren of advanced years and known merit who desire to follow the religious life may be asked to reside permanently in such houses. 51. In the higher degrees Brethren have the right to reside in our Profess-Houses for a portion of every year, as shown: VI. Two weeks. VII. Two months. G.T. One month. S.G.C. Three months. P.R.S. Six weeks. VIII. Six months. 52. Members of the IX, who share among themselves the whole property of the Order according to the rules of that degree, may, of course, reside there permanently. Indeed, the house of every Brother of this grade is, ipso facto, a Profess-House of the Order. Privileges, Ninth 66. Brethren of the Order who take long journeys overseas are received in places where they sojourn at the Profess-Houses of the Order for the period of one month.

Crowley was not always consistent concerning the details, but one thing is clearhe very much wanted profess-houses to exist and considered them to be of high importance within the structure of O.T.O. There can be many types of profess-house, but they share common structures, central of which was shortand long-term residency. They are to be headed by an Abbot and should strive to develop their own character and theme involving some kind of labor. As a point of interest, let us look at the denition of profess. Although there are several meanings, there are three that seem relevant: (1) To practice as a profession or claim knowledge of, (2) To receive into a religious order or congregation, or to take the vows thereof, and (3) To teach. The etymology of profess is to take a vow. Taken together, a profess-house is a house of monastic profession dedicated to learning and living the Great Work in a communal seing. In essence, they are Crowleys aempt to manifest the

Abbey of Thlme of Rabelais, which played such an important role in the cultural development of Thelema. In many ways, Crowley saw profess-houses as the highest manifestation of O.T.O. society, wherein residents are free to do their Will in a spirit of harmony and cooperation. From Liber CLXI, Each one is free to do as he will; and the luxury of this enjoyment is such that he becomes careful to avoid disturbance of the equal right of others . . . Naturally, as it takes all sorts to make a worldand we rejoice in that diversity which makes our unity so exquisite a miraclesome Profess-Houses will suit one person, some another. And birds of a feather will learn to ock together. However, the well-being of the Order and the study of its mysteries being at the heart of every member of the Order, there is inevitably one common ground on which all may meet. Continued on next page

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Continued from previous page Let us now examine the articles at hand. Crowley mentions that members of any degree might be invited to stay temporarily in a profess-house. Such an invitation shall be based on merit, although those who are VI thru VIII can stay without invitation for limited periods. Two groups may live in a profess-house permanently: those of the Ninth Degree and invited geriatric members. Members traveling overseas may also stay for up to one month without invitation. Liber CI lays out many benets of profess-houses. The rst of course is lodging, which is reective of one of the Orders most cherished principles, hospitality (from Liber CLXI, Some are like the castles of medival barons, some are simple coages; the same spirit rules in all. It is that of perfect hospitality). The use of profess-house libraries is also available to all members. There can also be specialized profess-houses, such as for the care of pregnant sisters and mothers in need or as schools for the education of children. In Crowleys novel Moonchild, a profess-house is modied to become a hospital. Liber CI also makes clear one of the core benets of sojourning in a profess-houseit is an opportunity to network with other members, including those of the Lover and Hermit Grades. Crowley says clearly here that personal instruction in the principles and working of O.T.O. can be obtained. Such instruction, along with other activities, can assist a member in preparing for Privileges, Third 46. Members of the Order will be permied to use the Library in any of our Profess-Houses. 47. Circulating Libraries will presently be established. Quite simply, Crowley loved books and assumed we all would, too. Of course, this was before the days of sacredtexts.com! Privileges, Sixth 57. In sickness all Brethren have the right to medical or surgical care and aendance from any Brethren of the Lodge who may be physicians, surgeons, or nurses. 58. In special necessity the Supreme Holy King will send his own aendants. 59. Where circumstances warrant it, in cases of lives of great value to the Order and the like, he may even permit the administration of that secret Medicine which is known to members of the IX. Here we see a limited implementation of social welfare in the form of guaranteed medical care. Of course, this is balanced with aristocracy, since the King has his own medical aendants. While #57 might be unrealistic at this time, the spirit behind it is valid: members can expect that those in the Order will be willing to help them when needed. Before, we saw this spirit manifested in the form

Liber CI also makes clear one of the core benets of sojourning in a profess-house it is an opportunity to network with other members, including those of the Lover and Hermit Grades.
advancement. In other words, profess-houses are places for spiritual, magical, and philosophical mentoring. There are many other details to be mined in these few clauses. One is the dual use of the word merit. While not dened, it seems common sense that it refers to showing a comprehension of the principles of O.T.O. and Thelema relative to an initiates degree. Merit also reects the initiates ability to reside in a communal environment (i.e. displaying traits such as hospitality, respect for others, and the ability to work in harmony with members). Another issue is the socialistic #52, which mentions that Order property is owned in joint between all members of the Ninth, and that the house of a Ninth is, by default, a profess-house. U.S.G.L. has issued a statement saying, The members of the IX do not hold the property of the Order in common, which, presumably, also means that a home owned by a Ninth is no longer ipso facto a professhouse. Much more could be said about profess-houses and these clauses in Liber CI, especially #52. However, the reader is invited to examine other documents that go into greater detail about profess-houses, including Libri CLXI, LII, and especially CXXIV. of nancial aid and now in medical care. Although this is couched in terms of a privilege, it is also an implicit dutymembers are expected to oer aid and care to their siblings. Privileges, Eighth 63. All Brethren are entitled aer death to the proper disposal of their remains according to the rites of the Order and their grade in it. This is simple but meaningful benet. Duties, Tenth 41. Colleges of the Order will presently be established where the children of its members may be trained in all trades, businesses, and professions, and there they may study the liberal arts and humane leers, as well as our holy and arcane science. Brethren are expected to do all in their power to make possible the establishment of such Universities. This grand vision of O.T.O. makes it plain that we are not to be hidden away but of the world. As with the Scoish Rite Masons, Crowley wanted O.T.O. to have primary, secondary, and professional schools for initiates and their children. Clearly this was a priority for him,

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since he insists that members do all in their power to found such schools. There are many implied messages here, including a strongly positive appraisal of liberal education and professional training. It also implies that O.T.O. is to be wealthy enough to be able to establish and maintain such schools. Finally, it is reasonable to assume that the faculty at least would be initiates, so that the pool of Order members would have to be quite large to be able to ll all such positions with qualied teachers. Privileges, Twelh 72. The secrecy of the Order provides it members with an inviolable shroud of concealment. 74. The Order exercises its whole power to relieve its members of any constraint to which they may be subjected, aacking with vigour any person or persons who may endeavour to subject them to compulsion, and in all other ways aiding in the complete emancipation of the Brethren from aught that may seek to restrain them from doing That Which They Will. Considering that all members are expected to spread the principles of the Order and to induce friends and employers to join, it seems odd to promise an inviolable

Privileges, Tenth 69. The Order oers great social advantages to its members, bringing them as it does into constant association with men and women of high rank. 70. The Order oers extraordinary opportunities to its members in their trades, businesses, or professions, aiding them by co-operation, and securing them clients or customers. These clauses describe social and professional networking, pure and simple. We are more than a club for ritualists O.T.O. recognizes that we are of the world and that the Order is a society that should also benet members in worldly ways. Privileges, Second 45. All Brethren who may fall into indigence have a right to the direct assistance of the Order up to the full amount of fees and subscriptions paid by them up to the time of application. This will be regarded as a loan, but no interest will be charged upon it. That this privilege may not be abused, the Grand Tribunal will decide whether or no such application is made in good faith.

We are more than a club for ritualists O.T.O. recognizes that we are of the world and that the Order is a society that should also benet members in worldly ways.
shroud of concealment. However, it is also possible to read this as saying that O.T.O. provides an environment wherein one may practice and celebrate the Great Work in a protected and sacred space. It is one manifestation of the protection of members, which is the subject of the next clause. Article #74 is monumental. It claims that the Order will relieve its members of any constraint to which they may be subjected and will aid in the complete emancipation of the Brethren from aught that may seek to restrain them from doing That Which They Will. Wow! Let that sink in for a few moments. Although this clause is largely unrealistic in practical terms, it embodies a wonderful principle that is repeated again and again in Liber CI and other Order-related documents: we look out for our own. Absolutely anything that gets in the way of a sibling from doing his or her Willwe are there to help remove it. It embodies principles such as protection, loyalty, and unity. U.S.G.L. has issued a statement saying, the services of our legal advisers are not available to members free of charge . . . the Grand Tribunal does not arbitrate disputes between members and non-members, though we can provide legal referrals to our members who require them. Although this is probably wise in practical and legal terms in our present state, it does not negate the spirit of the clause. Privileges, Eighth 64. If the Brother so desire, the entire amount of the fees and subscriptions which he has paid during his life will be handed over by the Order to his heirs and legatees. The Order thus aords an absolute system of insurance in addition to its other benets. Clauses like these makes one wonder if Crowley had any understanding whatsoever of money management. U.S.G.L. must wonder the same, because their statement says, We do oer a variety of methods to relieve the nancial burden of dues payment to members undergoing genuine hardship. However, dues and fees paid to O.T.O. are not refundable under any circumstances, and O.T.O. does not make personal loans to its members. Also, dues and fees paid to O.T.O. cannot be transferred or assigned at any time to a members heirs or legatees. Of more import is the intent underneath these concepts. Essentially, these two clauses aempt to set up a kind of social safety net for members and their families. Interestfree loans and a rough outline for social security for heirs seem to reect an aempt to reconcile independence with welfare. While the Order as an organization is willing to help a member nancially, according to Liber CI, it is only willing to do so to the extent that the member has already contributed. This limitation is, as we have already seen, balanced by the duty of individual siblings to render nancial assistance wherever warranted. These clauses also reect the principle weve seen already many times: we take care of our own. Continued on next page 13 q k IV:

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Continued from previous page Mothers & children Duties, Tenth 37. All pregnant women are especially sacred to members of the Order, and no eort should be spared to bring them to acceptance of the Law of Freedom, so that the unborn may benet by that impression. They should be induced to become members of the Order, so that the child may be born under its aegis. 38. If the mother that is to be have asserted her will to be so in contempt and deance of the Tabus of the slave-gods, she is to be regarded as especially suitable to our Order, and the Master of the Lodge in her district shall oer to become, as it were, godfather to the child, who shall be trained specially, if the mother so wishes, as a servant of the Order, in one of its Profess-Houses. 39. Special Profess-Houses for the care of women of the Order, or those whose husbands or lovers are members of the Order, will be instituted, so that the frontal duty of womankind may be carried out in all comfort and honour. Privileges, Tenth 67. Women of the Order who are about to become mothers receive all care, aention, and honour from all Brethren. 68. Special Profess-Houses will be established for their convenience, should they wish to take advantage of them.

Liber CIs take on mothers and pregnancy is both marvelous and a bit old fashioned. The notion that pregnant sisters should receive all care, aention, and honour from all Brethren is admirable, and totally in line with the general theme of mutual care within the Order. On the other hand, the idea that we should recruit women based solely on their pregnancy is a bit like a reection of nationalism that was popular during WWI (when Crowley was writing this)akin to a women are our most treasured national resource thing. This aitude is reected in #39 where he calls child-bearing the frontal duty of womankind. Thankfully, U.S.G.L. has issued a statement saying We no longer hold ideas of the frontal duty of womankind as points of doctrine. Rather, we emphasize the individuality of all women and all men. Said another way, sisters may certainly have children if they so Will, but the Order does not consider it an obligation. There are other weird lile things buried in here. If mothers wish, the Order will take in their kids to be trained specially as servants of the Order. Crowley doesnt say what he means by this. Also, Crowley mentions that mothers-to-be who defy the taboos of the slave-gods shall be regarded as especially suitable to our Order. Crowley discusses taboos of the slave-gods in his new commentary to Liber AL, regarding III:56. There he says, It is clear that a woman cannot love naturally, freely, wholesomely, if she is bound to contaminate the purity of her impulse with thoughts of her social, economical, and spiritual status . . . Thus we nd that almost the only love-

aairs which breed no annoyance, and leave no scar, are those between people who have accepted the Law of Thelema, and broken for good with the tabus of the slave-gods. The true artist, loving his art and nothing else, can enjoy a series of spontaneous liaisons, all his life long, yet never suer himself, or cause any other to suer. (Emphasis added.) This is to say, stated simply, that having spontaneous liaisons is a highly desirable trait in potential female members. There is a dierence here between a woman willfully freeing herself from the strictures of Victorian-style monogamy and thoughtless, desperate, or self-loathing promiscuity. Nevertheless, Crowley is essentially claiming that free love is what makes a woman especially suitable for membership. Whatever Crowleys intention behind this line, it is now thought that a womans sexual habits are none of our business, and really have nothing to do with determining her suitability. Rather, we can take the underlying principle and look for women (and men) who form relationships (of all kinds) based on their own Will rather than a blind or mindless conformity to old-Aeon social expectations. Duties, Fih 14. All children of Brethren are to be considered as children of the whole Order, and to be protected and aided in every way by its members severally, as by its organization collectively. No distinction is to be made with regard to the conditions surrounding the birth of any child.

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15. There is an especially sacred duty, which every Brother should fulll, with regard to all children, those born without the Order included. This duty is to instruct them in the Law of Thelema, to teach them independence and freedom of thought and character, and to warn them that servility and cowardice are the most deadly diseases of the human soul. Privileges, Fih 54. Children of all Brethren are entitled to the care of the Order, and arrangements will be made to educate them in certain of the Profess-Houses of the Order. 55. Children of Brethren who are le orphans will be ocially adopted by the Master of his Lodge, or if the laer decline, by the Supreme Holy King himself, and treated in all ways as if they were his own. 56. Brethren who have a right to some especial interest in any child whose mother is not a member of the Order may recommend it especially to the care of their lodges or of Grand Lodge. These clauses are also completely in line with the general aitude of we care for our own, children included. Clause #15 essentially says that O.T.O. members should instruct all children, both those of members and not, in the tenets of Thelema. Crowley explains that this basically means teaching kids to be independent thinkers and actors while dissuading them from cowardice and subservience. He was simply using this as an opportunity to suggest

that one of the best ways to promulgate the Law of Thelema is through promoting its principles amongst children. Article #55 is a bit Dickensesque, but a nice sentiment. U.S.G.L. has recently said, While we oer what assistance we can to the families of members who suer bereavement, we do not require our ocers to adopt the orphaned children of members. However, we can, I think, garner a general principle here. It is that we in O.T.O. are to regard ourselves as a family. Not only do we have brothers and sisters, of whom we are expected to care for and protect, but their children are to be considered as the children of us all. This is another example of O.T.O. being more than a Ritualists ClubO.T.O. is to be a society, with one aspect of it acting as a kind of village, which includes the care, protection, and education of children. Crowley describes opportunities for kids to be integrated into certain profess-houses that surely are more than simple orphanages or schools. Rather, he envisioned an Order that would, from their earliest days, integrate children into both the Order and Thelema. He could not say it more clearly: All children of Brethren are to be considered as children of the whole Order, and to be protected and aided in every way by its members severally, as by its organization collectively. Next issue: Part 4, Justice and Fraternity

Liber AL vel Legis: The Book of the Law

The U.S. Grand Lodge Presentation Edition Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The O.T.O. U.S. Grand Lodge Presentation Edition of Liber AL vel Legis: The Book of the Law are still available. This edition is exclusively for O.T.O. members and has been designed with the O.T.O. initiations in mind. It measures 4 1/4 wide, 5 9/16 long. It has a red faux leather cover with gold foil stamps on the front and spine, a front presentation page, and space in the back for noting ones advancement in the MTMTMT and E.G.C. Each copy is only $5.00 plus shipping. To obtain copies of the presentation edition, individuals and local bodies may contact Magus Books at: 800-99-MAGUS (800-996-2487) or visit: www.magusbooks.com/main/otobotl.htm To order, you must be an active member of the O.T.O. Membership subject to verication. Love is the law, love under will.

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Agap is the Ocial Organ of the U. S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Volume IX, Number 1

From the Grand Master

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Strategic Planning Aer completing its situational analysis and development of the vision and values statements last July, the Strategic Planning Commiee turned its aention to the most complex and demanding phase of the strategic planning process, resulting in the development of a comprehensive, near-term Strategic Plan for U.S. Grand Lodge. This plan provides detailed strategies for achieving our current vision, in support of our mission, and in conformity with our stated values. It consists of ve main initiatives, derived from the Vision Statement (see the U.S.G.L. website for the Vision Statement). These are: 1. Promulgate Thelema and the Great Principles of the Order. 2. Develop and strengthen local operations. 3. Improve eectiveness of Grand Lodge programs. 4. Build a stronger fraternal community. 5. Develop harmonious and constructive relationships with the academic, business, civil, and greater social communities within which we operate. Each of the above initiatives is subdivided into a number of objectives, which are supported by one or more goals. Objectives may be ongoing, but goals represent particular milestones in the accomplishment of the objective. Each goal (what) has been assigned one or more strategies (how), with assigned responsibilities (who), and estimated timeframes (when). The ve strategic initiatives listed above have been subdivided into a total of 20 objectives, 52 goals, and 73 strategies. The plan has been reviewed by the ocers and Governing Body members of U.S.G.L., and was adopted by the Executive on April 15, 2007. It may be viewed here: oto-usa.org/strategic_plan_IVxv.html Note that the current Strategic Plan was developed to establish realistic goals for the near termroughly the next three years. Some of our more complex, long-term issues, such as the ultimate establishment of Profess-Houses, have been assigned to individual commiees for more detailed study. We plan to review the Strategic Plan each year to assess our progress and to update the Plan as necessary to incorporate the results of study commiees and build on our achievements. Each update will cover a similar period of approximately three years. Note also that our Plan does not include goals that would be under the purview of O.T.O. International Headquarters, nor does it include many of the internal goals that will be pursued by the individual governing bodies of U.S. Grand Lodge. Each of those governing bodies is in the process of developing its own list of internal objectives, goals, and strategies. Man of Earth Delegates The Man of Earth takes no share in the Government of the Order; for he is not yet called upon to give his life to it in service; and with us Government Continued on next page q B IV:

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Contents

From the Grand Master ..................................................................... 1 From the Secretary of the Grand Tribunal ............................................. 3 From the Grand Treasurer General ....................................................... 4 Members-Only Bulletin ..................................................................... 5 From the Electoral College ................................................................ 5 NOTOCON Update ............................................................................ 7 Local Body Reports .......................................................................... 7 An Examination of Liber CI: Part 4 by Fr. Ash ........................................... 8 Agap 1

 Continued from previous page is Service, and nothing else. The Man of Earth is therefore in much the position of the Plebian in Rome in the time of Menenius Agrippa. But there is this marked dierence; that every Man of Earth is encouraged and expected to push on to the next stage. In order that the feelings of the general body may be represented, the Men of Earth choose four persons, two men and two women, from among themselves, to stand continually before the face of the Supreme and Holy King, serving him day and night. These persons must not be of higher rank than the Second Degree; they must volunteer for this service at the conclusion of that ceremony; and therefore they give up their own prospect of advancement in the Order for one year, that they may serve their fellows. This is then the rst lesson in our great principle, the aainment of honour through renunciation. Liber 194: An Intimation with Reference to the Constitution of the Order According to the introductory paragraph of Liber 194, the provisions of that document do not come into formal eect in any province (i.e. National Section) of the Order until such province possesses eleven or more Profess-Houses. Nevertheless, we are doing what we can to implement these provisions as is practical. The above provision regarding what I will henceforth refer to as the Man of Earth Delegates has

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U.S. GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

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Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A., a California not-for-prot religious corporation with business ofces at P .O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business ofces at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at P .O. Box 430, Fairfax, CA 94930. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download in PDF format at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/docs.html Copyright 2007 EV Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

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been a dicult one to implement in any sense approaching a literal interpretation. I live in a modest private home in a fairly remote and isolated part of Southern California. Soror Helena and I simply do not have the resources to house, feed, and essentially employ four volunteer II members 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Clearly, this is one of those provisions that presupposes the existence of formal ProfessHouses, and will not be possible to fully implement until we have a number of them and the Supreme and Holy King is residing in one. However, there are aspects of this provision that can be implemented now, and doing so is one of the goals of our Strategic Plan. Note that the provision calls for the Man of Earth Delegates to not only serve the King, but also to represent the feelings of the general body of the Man of Earth Triad to the King. This is an important function, because the members of the Man of Earth Triad may take no share in the Government of the Order, per se. To this end, I have established an online group specically for the purpose of implementing this portion of the Man of Earth Delegates provision of Liber 194. This group will permit the four delegates privileged access to me as Supreme & Holy King, which the general body of the Men of Earth do not otherwise have. I, in turn, will assign various tasks to these delegates as needed and appropriate, during the course of their term of service. Recent initiates of the II who are interested in volunteering for this service should

get in touch with the Volunteer Coordinator at the address provided herein (see p. 2). Volunteers will be placed on a waiting list for selection and appointment if a vacancy will be occurring within approximately three months. I will make the nal selection and appointment. Should a sucient number of II initiates volunteer for this service, we will implement a system wherein volunteers are nominated for selection by a commiee composed of members of the Man of Earth Triad, thus fullling the portion of the provision wherein the Men of Earth choose the delegates from among themselves. Saint Giordano Bruno On 17 Feb 2000 , without formal announcement, the Frater Superior added Italian philosopher, priest, cosmologist and occultist Giordano Bruno (1548 - 1600 ) to the list of E.G.C. Saints, in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of Brunos martyrdom as a heretic. Brunos name is to be placed between those of Robertus de Fluctibus and Johannes Dee, and is not italicized. Love is the law, love under will. Sabazius

From the Grand Tribunal Secretary

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. I will have thee to know, moreover, my dear Son, the right Art of Conduct with them whom I shall give thee for Initiation. And the Rule thereof is One Rule: Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. See thou constantly to it that this be not broken; especially in the Section thereof (I dare say so) which readeth Mind Thine Own Business. Aleister Crowley. On directing disciples, chap. 96 of Liber Aleph. As indicated in Liber CXCIV and elsewhere, the Grand Tribunal consists of members of the Lover Triad who are of the degree of Grand Inquisitor Commander. This membership in turn is what makes up its courts, raties its decisions, participates in its trials, etc. Depending on where one is at within the triadic hierarchy of O.T.O., the Grand Tribunals decisions and actions may appear far removed from ones current place within the Order. Regardless of any distance, real or imaginary, I think its useful to keep in mind that the decisions of the Grand Tribunal are determined by Brothers and Sisters within and not outside of that hierarchy, and that Fraternal relations do not cease with what knowledge any given member may or may not have of its actions. Also, even for them that are ed to advance in our Light, there is Order and Diversity in Function, as regardeth their Work in Our Sublime Brotherhood Aleister Crowley. On dierent works of the illuminators, chap. 188 of Liber Aleph. In particular, members of the Grand Tribunal, individually and jointly, strive for diligence in investigation, for impartiality and equity of judgment, for tolerance of diversity, and to uphold the Law above individual opinion. Those who characterize the Grand Tribunal in a manner contrary to the above principles eectively demonstrate their ignorance and patent disregard of the Grand Tribunal and the O.T.O. system within which it functions, and their peculiar biases are exposed for what they are. Id also like to remind the U.S. Grand Lodge membership that the details of disciplinary cases before the Grand Tribunal are condential. The Grand Tribunal can and will raise charges against those who improperly broadcast condential details (or purported condential details) of a case before the Grand Tribunal, and that complainants are not immune from such charges. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Dathan Biberstein, Secretary U.S. Grand Tribunal Ordo Templi Orientis

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From the Grand Treasurer General

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Various membership statuses exist within O.T.O. and U.S. Grand Lodge: active, inactive, demied, sabbatical, resigned, suspended, expelled, bad report, and on notice of pending bad report. The following information is intended to clarify the components of inactive status. How a member goes inactive: First Degree or higher members under the jurisdiction of U.S. Grand Lodge (i.e., Man of Earth and Lover Triad members) who have failed and continue to fail to pay dues (for over two years) are subject to inactive status, determined by decision of the Grand Treasurer General on a case-by-case basis. Before making a nal determination, an aempt will always be made to contact an inactive pending member by mail at the last known address. If no contact is forthcoming and/or payment arrangements are not made, a members status will then, in most cases, be determined inactive. Members may, at any time, specically request to be placed on inactive status by submiing a request to any member of the Executive.

What it means to go inactive: Any unpaid membership renewal dues since the inactive members last initiation are forgiven, and no further dues accrue. All rights and privileges of initiate membership are suspended for inactive members (per the Bylaws of O.T.O. U.S.A.), including, but not limited to, the following: members may not aend initiations or members-only events, vote in O.T.O. meetings or elections, serve as ocers in a local body or other ocial O.T.O. group, serve as E.G.C. clergy or as ocers in ocial Gnostic Masses, participate in members-only online forums, make use of O.T.O. membership services (such as mediation by the Grand Tribunal), or represent themselves as O.T.O. members. Inactive members do not receive Agap or other ocial publications. Chartered initiators who go inactive are required to promptly return their charters and rituals to the Grand Secretary General. Inactive members may be placed on Bad Report without notice during the period of their inactive status. In such instances, they may not reactivate their membership until such time as Bad Report is removed.

How a member goes about reactivating: Inactive members may reactivate their membership in one of two ways: 1) at the current degree, by paying two times the current dues rate for the degree or 2) by taking the next degree, and paying one year of dues at the current degree in addition to the normal dues and fees for the degree they are taking.

In either instance, reactivation takes eect only upon receipt of full payment, approval by the GTG, and verication of Good Report. Love is the law, love under will.

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Members-Only Bulletin

This section redacted for internet distribution.

From the Electoral College

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The Electoral College at its winter meeting, January 13, 2007 , took the following actions concerning duties in its charge: Local Body Closure None. Change of Body Master Mastership of Horizon Oasis (Seale, WA) has been passed from Sr. Onyieh Jewel to Sr. Shellay Maughan eective January 13th, 2007 . Mastership of Ad Astra Oasis (Denver, CO) has been passed from Sr. Ishara to Fr. Solemnus eective January 13th, 2007 . Continued on next page

Agap Volume 9, Number 2 submission deadline: q in D R in j dies Solis Anno IV:xv Sunday, July 1, 2007 EV
Please send your local body reports and governing body reports to:

agape@oto-usa.org
We will also accept other kinds of work, including essays, art, and photography. Submission guidelines are available at www.oto-usa.org/agape.html. For more information contact agape@oto-usa.org.

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 Continued from previous page Change of Body Status William Blake Oasis (Catonsville, MD) has been re-chartered as William Blake Lodge with Kerry Kurowski, Sr. Hypatia as Master eective January 13th, 2007 . Golden Lotus Camp (Mission Viejo, CA) has been re chartered as Golden Lotus Oasis with Sr. Lita-Luise Chappell as Master eective January 13th, 2007 . New Charters None. The College wishes to express its appreciation to the past and present masters of each of these bodies. We wish each of them the best in their new oces and endeavors. Ninth Degree Revolutionary Members in good standing of the Sovereign Sanctuary of the IX in the United States (who are not serving as an ocer or voting member of any governing or administrative body under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Grand Lodge) wishing to volunteer to stand for election to the oce of Revolutionary are encouraged to write the President of the E.C.see p. 2 for contact information. Sanction for Appeal Brothers or sisters of our Order who wish to pursue appeal to a verdict of the Grand Tribunal may write to individual members of the Electoral College to request sanction be given to take their case to the Areopagus of the Eighth Degree (per sec. 16 of Liber CXCIV) via e-mail links found at: ec.oto-usa.org/ECelectors.html Hosting E.C. Meetings Local bodies that are interested in hosting the spring and autumn meetings of the Electoral College (as well as summer meetings in even numbered years) are encouraged to write the President of the E.C.see p. 2 for contact information. Upcoming E.C. Meetings Summer 2007 meeting scheduled for Friday, August 10th, 2007 prior to NOTOCON, hosted by Knights Templar Oasis (Salem, MA). Autumn 2007 meeting scheduled for Saturday, October 13th, 2007 hosted by Thelema Lodge (Berkeley, CA) in conjunction with their 30th anniversary celebration. Aending E.C. Meetings Dues current members in good standing of V and above are welcome to aend and observe the in person Electoral College meetings. We request that those planning to aend contact the master of the hosting body so that adequate arrangements can be made. Website The ocial E.C. website can be found at: ec.oto-usa.org Forms Masters seeking up-to-date forms for the Annual Report, Change of Mastership Application, Application for Oasis Status, Application for Lodge Status, or closure forms will nd them (exclusively) at: ec.oto-usa.org/ECservices.html Masters not already in possession of the username and password will be granted them upon request (see E.C. contact information on p. 2). All other previous versions of these forms are now obsolete and should not be used. Communication with the E.C. I would like to invite any initiates with specic concerns or questions regarding the operation of the Electoral College, to write to either the President or Secretary of the E.C. For contact information, please see p. 2. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to take eective measures bringing about beer communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed. I believe that communication is of benet to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All postal mail correspondence with the Electoral College Secretary should be sent to the address listed on p. 2. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Frater Dvgls Jms Blk President, Electoral College O.T.O. U.S.A.

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Local Body Report

Knights Templar Oasis Salem, MA Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Knights Templar Oasis has been very active over the last year. We used our temple an average of 12 to 15 times per month. We taught 52 classes, all open to the public, each Tuesday night. We did 38 Gnostic Masses and have approximately half our membership involved in the E.G.C. Our focus this year is on outreach so that we can grow the temple and promulgate the Law of Thelema. To that end, we had the rst of multiple planned Open Houses which we widely advertised. I taught an Introduction to O.T.O. and Thelema, followed by a break for lunch. Then we had a Gnostic Mass with an experienced ordained team, followed by a social hour with wine and cheese for people that were interested in talking with the members. It appears to be an eective formula and one we will continue to test. This month we have nine Minervals scheduled, our largest group in the temple yet, with more pending for June. The big event this year is of course NOTOCON VI which is being held in Salem, Massachuses, August 10 - 12, 2007 under the able guidance of Soror Z. The speaker list is up at: www.notocon.org I know I am certainly going to have a hard time choosing between many of the presentations. I hope you can make it out, and consider staying some extra time. Salem is a fun city. We are on the ocean, historic, and have many cultural aractions. The local elementary school is named Witchcra Heights, the police have a witch on their uniforms, and the city is loaded with magick shops and other things to do. We are currently at 31 members. We have restructured our local pledge program to $50 per month for the rst degree and above, $20-$50 per month for Minervals, and any amount for those on temporary nancial hardship with no work program. Paying the rent continues to be a struggle but it is geing easier as the temple is something that is important to all of us. We have had a steady stream of order visitors over the last yearsome to teach classes, or perform the Mass, others just to hang out. Wed love to have you come and visit us. Let us know of your arrival and we will extend our hospitality. Send e-mail to: hospitality@kto.org Love is the law, love under will.

NOTOCON Update
For what goodwill lies deeper than the bond of guest and host? The Choephoroe Care Sorores et Fratres, Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. It is my pleasure to inform you that we have entered the nal phases of planning. The presenters have been added to the website, the schedule is almost nalized, the t-shirt has been designed, the menu is almost nalized, and the Onsite Planning Meeting with our Illustrious National Conference Chair will have happened by the time you read this. I am happy (and sad) to say there was no way to arrange the schedule so that we can all see every presentation that we wanted. This NOTOCON has the distinction of receiving more speaker proposals than ever before (approximately twice that of 2005 ) and many tough choices had to be made in our aempt to provide entertaining, edifying, illuminating, upliing, and thought-provoking workshops for you, covering a wide range of interests and presented by our best and brightest, our mentors, and our rising stars. I would like to formally thank the volunteering members of the following U.S.G.L. local bodies, without whose help I would have been lost: Abrahadabra Oasis, Dove and Serpent Oasis, Knights Templar Oasis (especially as they have been covering my local work for months), LVX Lodge, Sekhet-Maat Lodge, and Tahuti Lodge. Agap 7 There is still a lot of work to be done, however, and I beseech all those aending NOTOCON to give two or more hours of your time to assist our ne brethren. We need initiates of all degree levels to serve as security, registration, and runners. The Vending Chair would like you to know that as of this writing, vending registration is half full, and the deadline for table registration is June 21st. Please keep an eye on notocon.org for monthly updates as we approach August, and do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. Remember, come early and stay late. Local activities begin on Thursday, August 9th and the Conference festivities do not end until 11:30pm Sunday, August 12th. Thank you all for the opportunity to provide hospitality and fraternity on such a grand scale. I believe I can speak for the entire Local Commiee and say that we are all deeply honored. Love is the law, love under will. Soror Z

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An Examination of Liber CI: Part 4

Frater Ash Justice Duties, Seventh 25. Lawsuits between members of the Order are absolutely forbidden, on pain of immediate expulsion and loss of all privileges, even of those accumulated by past good conduct referred to in the second part of this instruction. Privileges, Seventh 62. As explained above, Brethren are entirely free of most legal burdens, since lawsuits are not permied within the Order, and since they may call upon the legal advisers of the Order to defend them against their enemies in case of need. Crowley didnt want members burdened by legal trouble, which he sought to remedy by prohibiting lawsuits between members and providing legal counsel for all external legal threats. This is the next area in which Crowley expected the Order to care for and protect its members. The U.S.G.L. missive states that although . . . our Grand Tribunal does provide arbitration for disputes between members, the services of our legal advisers are not available to members free of charge. Further, we reserve the right to waive the prohibition against law suits between members and recuse ourselves from arbitrating any particular dispute. In fact, it is our policy to do so in the case of domestic disputes. Article 25 is not just a technicalityit embodies another important principle, that of fraternal harmony. As we see in the next set of articles, it is a given that conict will arise between siblings. However, such conict should be handled within the Order, so that solutions can be based on Thelemic principles and made to maintain fraternal integrity. This is so vital that the violation of it leads to immediate expulsion. Duties, Seventh 26. All disputes between Brethren should be referred rstly to the Master or Masters of their Lodge or Lodges in conference; if a composition be not arrived at in this manner, the dispute is to be referred to the Grand Tribunal, which will arbitrate thereon, and its decision is to be accepted as nal. 27. Refusal to apply for or accept such decision shall entail expulsion from the Order, and the other party is then at liberty to seek his redress in the Courts of Profane Justice. These articles provide a general outline for how to go about resolving disputes. They are relatively straightforward conict should go to the local body master rst, and if no resolution, on to the Grand Tribunal. As similar with the ban against lawsuits, refusing to use or respect the Orders system of justice will also lead to expulsion. Clearly, Crowley isnt fooling around with this issue. Duties, Seventh 29. Any injury done by any person without the Order to any person within it may be brought before the Grand Tribunal, which will, if it deem right and t, use all its power to redress or to avenge it. Translation: if any non-member does a member wrong, the wrongful action can be presented to the Grand Tribunal, who will then either agree (or not) to handle it legally. Not only will the G.T. seek reparation, it will even go so far as to exact revenge (within legal limits, presumably). Again, this is a case of we take care of our own. The U.S.G.L. missive states The Grand Tribunal does not arbitrate disputes between members and non-members, though we can provide legal referrals to our members who require them. Although this surely makes all kinds of legal sense, it is actually addressing a dierent issue than Liber CI presents. A straight reading of Article 29 does not say that the G.T. will mediate between members and non-members, but that the G.T. will hear a member grievance against a nonmember and in certain cases will seek to remedy it, perhaps by providing legal counsel or by taking the non-member to civil court. Duties, Seventh 30. In the case of any Brother being accused of an oence against the criminal law of the country in which he resides, so that any other Brother cognisant of the fact feels bound in self-defence to bring accusation, he shall report the maer to the Grand Tribunal as well as to the Civil Authority, claiming exemption on this ground. 31. The accused Brother will, however, be defended by the Order to the utmost of its power on his arming his innocence upon the Volume of the Sacred Law in the Ordeal appointed ad hoc by the Grand Tribunal itself. Although lawsuits are forbidden, criminal cases are not. If a member feels the need to report possible criminal activity against another initiate, he may do so without penalty although Crowley does qualify such an accusation as requiring a belief that it be made in self-defense, which just doesnt make much sense. What if an initiate was embezzling money from, say, the Red Cross? Since it would be hard to claim selfdefense, should a member not report it? As with some clauses dealing with nancial maers, this is one of those areas where Crowley seems to be writing sloppy dictums for the sake of making a point of Order principle. The sloppiness continuesupon a valid accusation, the G.T. will take the side of the accused as long as he or she arms innocence upon Liber Legis within the ad hoc Ordeal appointed by the G.T. (perhaps this Ordeal is Crowleys term for an investigation or trial). Also, it seems odd that Liber CI doesnt mention defending the accusing member in need of 8 q B IV:

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self-defense to the utmost of its power. It seems that these Articles are simply a poorly worded way of saying that the Order will assume a member is innocent until proven guilty, and until then will maintain perfect loyalty and trust. Fraternity Duties, Third 5. They shall respond heartily to every summons of the Lodge or Chapter to which they may belong, not lightly making excuse. This short and straightforward article is embedded with a few key principles of fraternity. The rst is the most obvious: when the local body summons the local initiates, they shall aend. But they shall do more than just show upthey shall do so heartily, which means having an aitude of vigor and enthusiasm. This implies a fundamental loyalty and sense of connection with the local body and the Order, combined with passion and discipline. The U.S.G.L. statement on Liber CI states, . . . while we encourage members to aend meetings of their Lodge and Chapter, such aendance is not considered mandatory except under extraordinary circumstances. This makes sense, since it is likely that summons refers to the Masonic use of the term, which is a specic call for aendance of a special meeting, to which members are obligated to respond unless they have a reasonable excuse. However, the Order has no similar mechanism. That being said, this article provides a key principle for all initiates: if you join O.T.O., you are expected to participate regularly with energy and earnestness. Duties, Fih 13. Every Brother shall seek constantly to give pleasure to all Brethren with whom he is acquainted, whether by entertainment or conversation, or in any other manner that may suggest itself. It will frequently and naturally arise that love itself springs up between members of the Order, for that they have so many and sacred interests in common. Such love is peculiarly holy, and is to be encouraged. Privileges, Fih 53. All Brethren may expect the warmest co-operation in their pleasures and amusements from other members of the Order. The perfect freedom and security aorded by the Law allows the characters of all Brethren to expand to the very limits of their nature, and the great joy and gladness with which they are constantly overowing make them the best of companions. They shall rejoice, our chosen; who sorroweth is not of us. Beauty and strength, leaping laughter and delicious languor, force and re, are of us. Privileges, Eleventh 71. The Order oers friendship to its members, bringing together men and women of similar character, taste, and aspiration.

Privileges, Twelh 73. The crime of slander, which causes so great a proportion of human misery, is rendered extremely dangerous, if not impossible, within the Order by a clause in the Obligation of the Third Degree. It is here we get to the juice of fraternal behavior. Embedded within these four articles are the core principles of members behavior with other members. Read them carefullythey are unambiguous and well-articulated. Okay, now read them again. What are the common themes here? We see ideas like pleasure, love, warmth, cooperation, amusement, freedom, security, joy, gladness, companionship, and friendship. Siblings are expected to constantly give pleasure to each other in any manner that may suggest itself. Love between members is to be encouraged. It is a common saying in O.T.O. today that were family not friends, but Crowley didnt see it that wayhe clearly expected members at the very least to behave like friends, saying that all should expect the warmest cooperation in their pleasures. Moreover, slander is banned outright, which is important enough to be included within an initiatory obligation (so important, in fact, that he was willing here to reveal outright that it is part of a degree ceremony). There are several legal denitions of slander, but the core element is a false and defamatory statement about someone. There are those in the Order who play loose with this by claiming that their defamatory statements (such as accusing members of incompetence or cowardliness) are true, and therefore not slander. A personal belief in something along these lines, however, does not make such statements un-false. The truth of such accusations has to be objectively veriable; otherwise they fall in the category of character assassination, which certainly violates the spirit of Article 73. At the same time, it is certainly possible to critique behaviors and ideas respectfully, without resorting to character assassination (see the rst quote from Liber CLXI below about ghting and manners). It is perhaps tempting to think that the fraternal Duties and Privileges listed in Liber CI are perhaps ignorable guidelines or romantic ramblings not meant to be taken seriously. Lets listen to Crowley speak to these ideas: There seems to be much misunderstanding about True Will. . . . The fact of a person being a gentleman is as much an ineluctable factor as any possible spiritual experience; in fact, it is possible, even probable, that a man may be misled by the enthusiasm of an illumination, and if he should nd apparent conict between his spiritual duty and his duty to honour, it is almost sure evidence that a trap is being laid for him and he should unhesitatingly stick to the course which ordinary decency indicates. . . . I wish to say denitely, once and for all, that people who do not understand and accept this position have uerly failed to grasp the fundamental principles of the Law of Thelema. The Magical Diaries of Aleister Crowley, p. 21 (emphasis added). Continued on next page

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 Continued from previous page He is speaking here about Thelemic behavior in generalhow much more so should this be applied to Order siblings? Any excuse for treating another member with contempt, rudeness, or disrespect is exactly that: an excuse. The Master is telling us, in no uncertain terms, how initiates of O.T.O. are to treat each other. To supplement his position here, lets bring in yet more quotes from another Blue Equinox document, Concerning the Law of Thelema (Liber CLXI): All that we ask is that the ghting should be done chivalrously, with respect to the courage of the vanquished. As brothers ght ye! In other words, there is only this dierence from our present state of society, that manners are improved. It is to be noted that wherever team-work is necessary social tolerance is an essential. Authority and prestige in [O.T.O.] are absolute, but while the lower grades give increase of privilege, the higher give increase of service. Power in the Order depends, therefore, directly on the willingness to aid others. Tolerance also is taught in the higher grades; so that no man can be even an Inspector of the Order unless he be equally well disposed to all classes of opinion. You reply that this can only be by generosity, by divine charity. . . . You are a thousand times right; you have understood the secret of the O.T.O. A fortiori, then, it must be possible to train men to independence, to tolerance, to nobility of character, and to good manners, and this is done in the O.T.O. [Members will not nd advancement in the Order] unless they exhibit a talent for government, and this will be exhibited far more by nobility of character, rmness and suavity, tact and dignity, high honour and good manners. If we are to take the Blue Equinox as a model for the Order, then we must also accept those statements and articles that address proper fraternal behavior. A close reading of the above material will bring to light several repeated themes. A major one is that of good manners. True, what constitutes good manners will vary from culture to culture, but the key principle here should not be lostmembers should treat each other within the guidelines of basic social etiquee, which includes politeness and courtesy. However, Crowley demands more than that. He further requires that members behave in a way he describes as noble, chivalrous, and honorabledrawing upon principles like tolerance, respect, charity, tact, dignity, generosity, and willingness to aid others. Crowley recognizes the damage that slander causes and bans it outright, seeking instead behavior that promotes cooperation and harmony. Duties, Sixth 16. Personal or domestic aendants should be chosen from among the members of the Order when possible, and great tact and courtesy are to be employed in dealing with them. 17. They, on their part, will render willing and intelligent service. 18. While in Lodge, and on special occasions, they are to be treated as Brothers, with perfect equality; such behaviour is undesirable during the hours of service, and familiarity, subversive as it is of all discipline and order, is to be avoided by adopting a complete and marked change of manner and address. 19. This applies to all persons in subordinate positions, but not to the Brethren Servient in the Profess-Houses of the Order, who, giving service without recompense, are to be honoured as hosts. Duties, Seventh 32. Public enemies of the country of any Brother shall be treated as such while in the eld, and slain or captured as the ocer of the Brother may command. But within the precincts of the Lodge all such divisions are to be forgoen absolutely; and as children of One Father the enemies of the hour before and the hour aer are to dwell in peace, amity, and fraternity. These articles are wrien to address the issue of multiple relationships between members, specically in cases where social station or national aliation during wartime are substantially dierent or even oppositional. The central principle in these articles is simple if not always easy: no maer what the relationship between members in the mundane world, while in Lodge all are to be treated as siblings with perfect equality. It should be noted that the rst sentence in Article 16 is indicative of the general concept of we take care of our own, since wealthy members are encouraged to hire siblings as servants when possible. Naturally this arrangement is reective of a bygone time, but contains ideas that weve already seen: the Order should have members wealthy enough to need servants, members should get preference in job oerings, and even in the workplace members should treat each other with tact and courtesy. Duties, Sixth 23. Visitors from other Lodges are to be accorded the treatment of ambassadors; this will apply most especially to Sovereign Grand Inspector Generals of the Order on their tours of inspection. All hospitality and courtesy shown to such is shown to Ourselves, not to them only. Privileges, Third 48. Brethren who may be traveling have a right to the hospitality of the Master of the Lodge of the district for a period of three days.

Can enough be wrien about hospitality? It forms the social backbone of our Order, established in the very beginning. In these articles, hospitality is applied to traveling members, where siblings are to be treated as ambassadors, who have the right to three days of lodging within the district. Again we see embedded within these lines the concept of treating each other with respect and honor. Crowley writes, All hospitality and courtesy shown to such is shown to Ourselves, not to [Sovereign Grand Inspectors General] only. This is Crowleys way of saying that treating an S.G.I.G. in a hospitable and courteous manner is the same as treating the Grand Master General as such. This can be extended to say that treating any member thusly is the same as treating all members with hospitality. Duties, Third 6. Brethren should use every opportunity of assisting each other in their tastes, businesses, or professions, whether by direct dealing with Brethren in preference to others, or by speaking well of them, or as may suggest itself. It seems desirable, when possible, that where two or more Brethren of the same Lodge are engaged in the same work, they should seek to amalgamate the same by entering into partnership. Thus in time great and powerful corporations may arise from small individual enterprises. Again, we look out for our own, this time in the framework of business. Crowley was enamored of American-style corporations, and a few lines in Liber CI reect this, Article 6 more than others. There are a few subtle points to pick up here. One is that the rst line refers to more than businessit also mentions tastes. It seems likely that Crowley was referring to social activities here, such as joining various clubs or cultural organizations. While not businesses per se, such organizations represent cliques that lead to social advancement, which can lead to advancement in business. The principle here is that siblings should help each other out in their worldly pursuits, whether social- or business-oriented. This clause also reects Crowleys vision of a powerful Order. If small business owners have relatively lile civic inuence, creating great and powerful corporations would be one way to remedy this. Not only would this (theoretically) improve the lives of the owners, but their wealth could be used for the benet of the Order. Moreover, the clause also reects a more general principle seen elsewhereOrder members are encouraged to work together, since cooperative eorts can be more far reaching than individual enterprises. Duties, Sixth 20. In case of the sickness of any Brother, it is the duty of all Brethren who know him personally to aend him, to see that he want for nothing, and to report if necessary his needs to the Lodge, or to Grand Lodge itself. 21. Those Brethren who happen to be doctors or nurses will naturally give their skill and care with even more than their customary joy in service.

Duties, Fourth 12. Every Brother shall show himself solicitous of the comfort and happiness of any Brother who may be old, aending not only to all material wants, but to his amusement, so that his declining years may be made joyful. These articles are plain enoughwhen siblings are in physical need, we aend to them. Whether it be illness or age, they are to be given as much care, comfort, and joy as is possible. Lets all say it together: we take care of our own. Duties, Seventh 24. It is desirable that the marriage partner of any Brother should also be a member of the Order. Neglect to insist upon this leads frequently to serious trouble for both parties, especially the uninitiate. Privileges, Seventh 61. Members of the Order may expect to nd suitable marriage partners in the extremely select body to which they belong. Community of interest and hope being already established, it is natural to suppose that where mutual araction also exists, a marriage will result in perfect happiness. (There are special considerations in this maer which apply to the VII and cannot be discussed in this place.) Article 24 is just good advice. At the same time, Article 61 tells us that the Order is a great place to nd a spouse (although there are mysterious considerations for members of the Seventh Degree). A close reading will show some interesting language here, especially the phrase, Community of interest and hope being already established. It is possible to read this as meaning that the Order develops communities of people who share common interests within an environment of trustcertainly an excellent situation for nding potential life-partners. Duties, Eighth 34. The death of a Brother is not to be an occasion of melancholy, but of rejoicing; the Brethren of his Lodge shall gather together and make a banquet with music and dancing and all manner of gladness. It is of the greatest importance that this shall be done, for thereby the inherited fear of death which is deep-seated as instinct in us will gradually be rooted out. It is a legacy from the dead aeon of Osiris, and it is our duty to kill it in ourselves that our children and our childrens children may be born free from the curse. This is a theme that Crowley touches on in many places in his writings. In this clause, he is bringing it directly into the Order, essentially saying that one of the goals of O.T.O. is to eliminate the natural fear of death through cultural reprogramming. This clause represents the ultimate in fraternitythe celebration and joy of knowing that a siblings Will has nally been Accomplished. Next issue: Part 5, Summary

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Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A. P. O. Box 15037 Portland, OR 97293-5037

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID OAKLAND, CA PERMIT #252

Agap is the Ocial Organ of the U. S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

From the Grand Master

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Annual Report One of the goals of the U.S.G.L. Strategic Plan was to increase member knowledge of Grand Lodge activities by publishing an annual report. Our annual report for the 2006-2007 scal year (Anno IVxiv) has been completed, and is now available at: oto-usa.org/usgl_annual_report_IVxiv.pdf Initiator Training We have formally created an oce of Initiator Training Coordinator, and have appointed Sister Kim Knight to same. The duties of this oce are: 1. To coordinate and promote Initiator Training Workshops. 5. To broaden the scope of initiator training as appropriate. 6. Coordinate when necessary with S.G.I.G.s, C.I.T.s, the Grand Treasurer General and the Initiation Secretary. These workshops (or personal training by an S.G.I.G. or C.I.T.) are now required for those who wish to apply for an initiation charter. They are also excellent for review, and I encourage all chartered initiators as well as aspiring initiators and local initiation team members (of III and up) to aend these workshops whenever possible. Keep an eye on the U.S.G.L. website for updates on the workshop schedule. Dispute Resolution

Volume IX, Number 2 q E R l A IV: August 1, 2007

Book 194 states that the Grand Tribunal decides all disputes and complaints which have not been composed by the Chapters of Rose Croix or the Lodge Masters. There is more on the role 2. To maintain a record of Initiator Training Workshops of the Grand Tribunal later in this issue, but at this time, Id that occur. like to emphasize the role of the Chapters of Rose Croix in 3. To coordinate initiator training teams for travel to dispute resolution. Book 194 also states that each chapter will local bodies. establish a commiee of four persons, two men and two women. This Commiee of Four is to arrange for all social 4. To organize initiator training curricula material for gatherings, banquets, dances, the performance of plays, and use with Sovereign Grand Inspectors General and similar pleasures. They will also endeavor to promote harmony Certied Initiator Trainers. among the Brethren in all possible ways, and to compose any disputes by tact and friendliness without formal appeal being made to any more authoritative From the Grand Master ..................................................................... 1 tribunal. Id like to call upon all our From the Secretary of the Grand Tribunal ............................................. 3 Chapters to give serious heed to these From the Treasurer General ............................................................... 4 words and commence whatever actions From the Ombudsman....................................................................... 5 are necessary to implement them. To Local Body Reports .......................................................................... 5 simplify this process and help prevent Kali by Sr. River Soma ....................................................................... 6 misunderstandings, I intend to issue From the Electoral College ................................................................ 7 geographic jurisdictions to each active From the Prison Ministry Corresponding Secretary .................................... 8 An Examination of Liber CI: Part 5 by Fr. Ash ..........................................10 Continued on next page

Contents

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Continued from previous page chapter specically for the purpose of composing disputes. These jurisdictions will not apply to the other chapter functions. Local Body Membership I have previously (Agap VII, No. 2) called upon all members of the Order within the U.S., regardless of degree, to become a local dues-paying member of a chartered local body, preferably one in their general vicinity. Book 101, Second House states that the payment of Lodge Dues is to take precedence of all other calls upon the purse. Further, in Agap VIII, No. 2, I called upon all members of the Lover Triad in particular to perform their fraternal duty to support at least one Lodge, Oasis or Camp. We have adopted a policy regarding local body dues that states that local bodies may require that local members (who reside less than 100 travel miles from the local body) be in local good standing in order to be eligible for initiation, or to participate in initiations, at their local body. At this point, Id like to remind all of you that we still consider local membership to be a critical aspect of our future development. Please support your local body (or local bodies) by becoming a member.

The Ocial Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Mysteria Mystica Maxima

Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica

Sabazius X Joseph Thiebes Grant Potts, Karma deGruy Grant Potts Steven P. Bankowitz, Heather Lantz, Dawn Davis Production & Distribution: Sr. Marlene Editorial Address: P.O. Box 15037 Portland, OR 97293-5037

Executive Editor: Editor: Assistant Editors: Layout: Proofreading:

U.S. GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

U.S. NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: SABAZIUS X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. DEPUTY NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: LON MILO DUQUETTE P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND SECRETARY GENERAL: FR. HUNAHPU PO Box 2313, Maple Grove, MN 55311 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND TREASURER GENERAL: HANK HADEED 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. #444, Portland, OR 97214-5246 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury U.S. GRAND TRIBUNAL DATHAN BIBERSTEIN, SECRETARY grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 17462, Minneapolis, MN 55417 U.S. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, U.S. SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL, U.S. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. ELECTORAL COLLEGE DOUGLAS JAMES BLAKE, PRESIDENT ec_president@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 47056, Seattle, WA 98146 DANN BUCHANAN, SECRETARY electoral_college@oto-usa.org 5030 N. May Ave., #252, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6010 U.S.G.L. INITIATION SECRETARIES: FRA. SATVRNVS BAPHOMET AND SR. NAAMAH P.O. Box 48569, Minneapolis, MN 55448 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. SECRETARY: TAU MARIE egc@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PARLIAMENTARIAN: SR. HELENA P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 parliamentarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. OMBUDSMAN: FR. HARMATEUS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 541-488-1257 ombudsman@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. QUARTERMASTER: FR. V.V.N. quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. WEBMASTER: CRAIG BERRY webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LIBRARIAN: FR. K.Z. 9457 S. University Blvd #140, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ARCHIVIST: FR. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S.G.L. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: JAMES MCLAUGHLIN volunteers@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY: ARIANA WHITE PO Box 3993, Eugene, OR 97403 publications@oto-usa.org COORDINATOR, O.T.O. PRISON MINISTRY: DANIEL L. AKZINOR P.O. Box 66319, Portland, OR 97290-6319 prison_ministry@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER: FR. HRUMACHIS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 pio@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION: JOSEPH THIEBES P.O. Box 15037, Portland, OR 97293-5037 agape@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. EDUCATION COMMITTEE SECRETARY: KAYLA BLOCK education@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. CORRESPONDENCE SECRETARY: ASH BOWIE P.O. Box 11386, Berkeley, CA 94712-1386 contact@oto-usa.org

WWW.OTO-USA.ORG
Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A., a California not-for-prot religious corporation with business ofces at P .O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business ofces at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at 24881 Alicia Pkwy E-529, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download in PDF format at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/docs.html Copyright 2007 EV Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

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Recruitment We all know that the Book of the Law tells us to convert not, but this clearly does not mean that we are forbidden from extending our message into the world and rmly establishing it there, or from encouraging worthy men and women to join our Order. In fact, Book 194 sets forth a standard that a member should induce one hundred and eleven persons to join the Order before initiation to the Seventh Degree. Book 101 encourages members to persuade persons of prominence to join the Order. In fact, the Blue Equinox documents are full of explicit and implicit exhortations to continuously bring worthy people into the Order. Responsible recruitment of new membership is essential if we want the Order to grow and thrive. Remember that one does not necessarily have to be a Thelemite to become a Minerval in O.T.O. The Minerval ceremony was originally designed to be ones rst exposure to Thelema and the Book of the Law, and it is also intended to be somewhat probationary. A Minerval is a welcome guest of our Order, not a full member in the sense that an initiate of the First Degree is, and demied (lapsed) Minervals may re-join the Order simply by taking their First Degree. It is perfectly legitimate for a person to take their time as a Minerval to decide whether or not to accept the Law of Thelema. Certainly, we do not want to admit Minervals who are a threat to their fellow members, or who would bring shame on our Order; but conscientious sponsorship, as discussed elsewhere, should minimize such mistakes. While we have emphasized in the past that we want good people; I dont think we should lose track of the fact that we want good people! Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, Sabazius

From the Secretary of the Grand Tribunal

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. In April 2007 , the Areopagus met and reviewed Grand Tribunal procedures with reference to passages regarding the G.T. in Libers CI and CXCIV. The result was an advisory to Grand Lodges that reads as follows: Resolved, to issue the following advisory to Grand Lodges: that the following types of cases are the purview of Grand Tribunals: those requiring the mediation and arbitration of disputes between members; those arising from a members actions that are injurious to another member; and those involving abuses of membership privileges generally. The Executive shall decide purely disciplinary cases where charges are brought by the Order itself against a member on grounds such as, but not limited to, breach of privacy, trust, condentiality or secrecy, or obligation to the Order; dereliction of duty or gross insubordination; or other acts greatly prejudicial to the Order. With particular reference to the privileges listed under the XIIth House in Liber CI, this interpretation is consistent with the role of the G.T. and recognizes the Executive Power to swily and silently suppress abuse of privileges. This advisory has been adopted for U.S. Grand Lodge by the Grand Master Sabazius. While the purview of the G.T. does not extend to actually deciding cases where charges involve acts prejudicial to the Order, the G.T. may still le such charges with the Executive, if appropriate. Additionally, the Executive may request the G.T. to assist with case development. Practically speaking, this decision will signicantly reduce G. T. activity; the majority of the cases this year alone would currently fall under Executive jurisdiction. Additionally, Ive lile doubt that the oce of the Ombudsman has eectively reduced the number of cases brought to the G.T. prior to this advisory. However, despite these changes, its my view that cases rising to the level of G.T. involvement should be rare. The membership should be familiar by now with the responsibilities requisite with sponsorship (see Agap 5.2) and the G.T. should generally be the last resort in dealing with membership disputes (see Agap 5.3-4, 6.1). Cases within the purview of the G.T. will continue to be addressed according to its Standing Rules, whereas actions by members which are deemed greatly prejudicial to the Order will be dealt with administratively and quickly by the Executive. Positions previously enumerated upon by the G.T. within Agap and elsewhere regarding condentiality (Agap 9.1), obligations to the Order, gross insubordination or other acts greatly prejudicial to the Order, have been adopted by the Executive. Furthermore, it will no longer be necessary for the G.T. Secretary to produce quarterly articles for Agap, and my announcements here will be less frequent as a result. Lastly, it is my duty to notify the membership at large that [name redacted for internet distribution] and [name redacted for internet distribution] are no longer members of Ordo Templi Orientis. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Dathan Biberstein

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From the Treasurer General

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. At its last annual meeting, the Secret Areopagus of the VIII recommended an increase in O.T.O. membership dues to keep pace with ination. The current dues structure was established in 1998 e.v. and has not been changed since then. Accordingly, the International Supreme Council has approved the following schedule of dues and fees, eective January 1, 2008 :

Degree
Minerval I II III IV P.I. K.E.W. V K.R.E. VI G.I.C. P.R.S. VII VIII IX

Annual Dues
$42 $42 $84 $126 $168 * * $210 * $252 * * $294 $336 $378

Initiation Fees
$42 $42 $42 $84 $120 $36 $26 $140 $70 $140 $70 $70 $210 $240 $300

* Initiates of un-numbered sub-degrees continue to pay the dues of the previous numbered degree.

These gures represent a 16.67% increase over the previous rates in eect over the last 10 years. The increase in fees will directly benet local bodies by helping them to oset higher costs associated with initiations. The increase in dues will equally benet U.S. Grand Lodge and International Headquarters, allowing them to meet administrative expenses as well as to expand national and global programs such as outreach and publishing. The new rates will be implemented as follows: every initiation performed on or aer January 1, and every dues anniversary falling on or aer January 1, will be assessed at the new rate. Existing member dues balances (owing or credit) will not be aected. For example, if a I member currently owes $36 to become current through June 2008, aer January 1 that member will still owe $36 to become current through June 2008. In June 2008 the member will owe an additional $42 to become current through June 2009 (assuming she does not take her II before then). Please direct any questions to the U.S. Grand Treasurer General at gtg@oto-usa.org. Love is the law, love under will. Frater S.L.Q.

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From the Ombudsman

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. As the new Ombudsman for U.S.G.L., I thought it only appropriate that I introduce myself to the Brotherhood of the Order. I succeeded Frater Hrumachis in this position on this past Vernal Equinox, 2007 . First of all, let thank me thank him for all the assistance he has given to me, and continues to provide, in the transition of the oce. Next, let me tell you something about the person with whom you will be interacting should you nd that you need to contact the Ombudsmans oce. I took my Minerval at Heru-Ra-Ha Lodge in 1988 and have been active in the Order in Southern California ever since. Locally, I am the Deputy Master, Treasurer and primary chartered initiator for 93 Oasis. It has been my privilege to work with my fellow members of the Psychology Guild in the presentation of three Pastoral Counseling Workshops, as well as to serve as a member of its Board of Review. Im also active in the two Rose Croix Chapters in Southern California. Ive presented papers at two occasions of NOTOCON (2001 & 2003 ). Recently, aer many years of procrastination and prompting by my O.T.O. brethren, I received my Priest ordination in the E.G.C. I wanted to make sure I got the Deacon part down really well rst. (My Deacon ordination was in 1991 .) Rest assured that my responses to inquiries directed to the Ombudsmans oce will be prompt and devoid of any such procrastination. Outside of the O.T.O., I make my living as a licensed psychotherapist and have been licensed to practice in California since 1980 . I specialize in treating trauma, anxiety and mind/body issues. I completed the Mediation Training Program through U.C.L.A. Extended Education in 2005 . In addition to the formal training program above, I have many years of experience resolving conicts, mediating disputes and facilitating communication among family members. I believe that this background will be useful given the nature of many, certainly not all, of the problems which come to the Ombudsmans oce. I do not envision any major changes to the oce of the Ombudsman and plan to continue to use Frater Hrumachis Path of Mediation document as a basic guideline for the oce. However, every individual brings their own expertise and take on things to the work. Obviously, mine will be inuenced by 27 years of counseling, psychology and mediation experience. Clearly it is not the Ombudsmans job to render therapy to members of the Order. However, besides assisting the brethren to work the steps in The Path of Mediation document, I also plan to implement, when relevant and appropriate, the principles outlined in the Pastoral Counseling Workshop. One issue which I believe needs to be claried with some kind of formal position statement is the issue of condentiality for those who contact the Ombudsman. All records of contact with the Ombudsmans oce are kept in a condential manner. Yet, there are limits to condentiality. Mental health professionals are required to report immanent danger of harm to self or others, as well as child abuse, thereby breaking condentiality in these cases. Similarly, the Ombudsman may be faced with situations where the condentiality of the oce is in conict with some oath, the Standing Rules or ocial O.T.O. policies. I believe that formal clarication on this issue is in order. I will be working on such a clarication. I look forward to discharging the duties of my oce and being of service to the Brothers and Sisters of our Order. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Frater Harmateus

Local Body Report

Leaping Laughter Lodge Minneapolis, MN Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Weve been seing and meeting some rewarding goals so far this year including increasing the frequency of our Gnostic Mass from twice monthly to weekly, moving into a bigger dedicated space, and hosting the Kaaba Colloquium. Hosting the Kaaba this spring was a real delight as it aorded us the opportunity to deeply engage not only with the great Kaaba team, but with many members who traveled to Minneapolis to aend. There were about 27 registered aendees, about half of whom were not from our local body. With the Kaaba team bringing the total to about 35 it was really the perfect sized gathering. The Kaaba team was professional and the material priceless, but the intimate seing and opportunity to connect deeply and meaningfully with so many signicantly involved members made the event even more inspiring. I recommend any member who has not yet had the pleasure of aending a Kaaba take advantage of the opportunity. Much as with our National Conferences, these smaller regional events go a long way toward strengthening our fraternal bonds. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Frater Robin, Master Agap 5 q E IV:

KALI
SOROR RIVER SOMA S G P, 8 X 10

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From the Electoral College

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The Electoral College at its Spring Meeting, April 14, 2007 , took the following actions concerning duties in its charge: Local Body Closures Nu Aeon Camp (Land O Lakes, FL) has been closed for failure to submit an Annual Report and failure to respond to repeated aempts by the College to reach the Master and failure to maintain adequate nancial reporting to the Grand Treasurer General. Closure eective April 15, 2007 . Serpentine Splendour Lodge (Las Vegas, NV) has been closed at the request of the Master eective April 15, 2007 . The Electoral College wishes to express its special appreciation of Past Master Fr. Re-Harachte, Terrence Dean Williams as well as those who served as ocers of this body, for their service to the Order in making Serpentine Splendour Lodge a valuable resource to the people of the Las Vegas area over the years. Change of Body Masters Mastership of 418 Lodge (Sacramento, CA) has been passed from Fr. David Shoemaker to Fr. Orpheus eective April 15, 2007 . Mastership of Star and Snake Camp (Ashland, OR) has passed from Sr. Ashera. To Fr. Ken Johnson eective April 15, 2007 . Mastership of Dove and Serpent Oasis (Atlanta, GA) has been passed from Fr. John Hacker Nance to Fra. noxenla alnexon. eective April 15, 2007 . Change of Body Status None. New Charters AHBH Camp (Las Vegas, NV) has been Chartered with Sr. Kayla Block as Master eective April 15, 2007 . The College wishes to express its appreciation to the past and present Masters of each of these bodies. We wish each of them the best in their new oces and endeavors. Ninth Degree Revolutionary Members in good standing of the Sovereign Sanctuary of the IX in the United States (who are not serving as an ocer or voting member of any governing or administrative body under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Grand Lodge) wishing to volunteer to stand for election (to the oce of Revolutionary) by the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C.see p. 2 for contact information. Sanction for Appeal Brothers or Sisters of our Order who wish to pursue appeal to a verdict of the Grand Tribunal may write to individual members of the Electoral College to request sanction be given to take their case to the Areopagus of the Eighth Degree (per Liber CXCIV, Section 16) via email links found at: ec.oto-usa.org/ECelectors.html Continued on next page Agap 7 q E IV:

Hosting E.C. Meetings The College wishes to thank the Families, Members, Ocers, and Master of Sekhet Bast Ra Oasis for their exceptional hospitality in hosting our Spring Meeting. Local bodies that are interested in hosting the Spring and Autumn meetings of the Electoral College (as well as Summer meetings in even numbered years) are encouraged to write the President of the E.C.see p. 2 for contact information. Upcoming E.C. Meetings Fall 2007 meeting scheduled for Saturday, October 13th 2007 hosted by Thelema Lodge (Berkeley, CA) in conjunction with their 30th anniversary as a Lodge celebration.

Continued from previous page Spring 2008 meeting scheduled for April 2008 to be hosted by LVX Lodge (Panorama City, CA). Aending E.C. Meetings Dues current members in good standing of V and above are welcome to aend and observe the in person Electoral College Meetings. We request that those planning to aend contact the Master of the hosting body so that adequate arrangements can be made. Website The ocial E.C. website can be found at: ec.oto-usa.org Forms Masters seeking up-to-date forms for the Annual Report, Change of Mastership Application, Application for Oasis Status, Application for Lodge Status, or closure forms will nd them (exclusively) at: ec.oto-usa.org/ECservices.html Masters not already in possession of the username and password will be granted them upon request (see E.C. contact information on p. 2). All other previous versions of these forms are now obsolete and should not be used. Communication with the E.C. I would like to invite any initiates with specic concerns or questions regarding the operation of the Electoral College, to write to either the President or Secretary of the E.C. For contact information, please see p. 2. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to take eective measures bringing about beer communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed. I believe that communication is of benet to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All postal mail correspondence with the Electoral College Secretary should be sent to the address listed on p. 2. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Frater Dvgls Jms Blk, President

From the Prison Ministry Corresponding Secretary

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. I would like to endeavor to reacquaint each person within our beloved Order with a mission that began under the stewardship of Sabazius X in 1997 : the O.T.O. Prison Ministry. This project is at times not well received or supported by individuals within and without our Order. For those that are seeking truth in light and continue to inquire seriously the nature of Thelema with our volunteers, however, true transformation is taking place. The eorts of many members across the United States have planted seeds for the future of Thelema and the Ordo Templi Orientis. In 1997 , the mission of the Prison Ministry was formed from the work of individuals involved, with the support of Sabazius X. This mission is simply stated as: The objective (of O.T.O. Prison Ministry) is to minister to Thelemites and potential Thelemites who are incarcerated. Furthermore: 1. Potential achievement of a form of legal recognition for Thelema as a valid religion, which recognition can be used to further defend and promote Thelema throughout society. Our recognition within the various branches of the military is another front in this particular endeavor. 2. Defense and protection of the name of Thelema by discrediting its use by criminal prison cults and gangs.

Agap Volume 9, Number 3 submission deadline: q in g R in C dies Luna Anno IV:xv Sunday, October 1, 2007 EV
Please send your local body reports and governing body reports to:

agape@oto-usa.org
We will also accept other kinds of work, including essays, art, and photography. Submission guidelines are available at www.oto-usa.org/agape.html. For more information contact agape@oto-usa.org.

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3. Education of a cadre of our members in dealing eectively with hostile government bureaucracies; as well as in the value of, and responsibilities entailed by, the social/ministerial functions of a Thelemic priest or priestess. Many have wondered what Prison Ministry is and what it is not. First let us tackle the aspect of what Prison Ministry is not. Prison Ministry does not recruit members for the Order. This position was stated by Sabazius X in his Introduction to Prison Ministry as We are simply not interested in recruiting prisoners, although many of them will be eligible for membership upon their graduation. We will not accept most prisoners who have commied violent crimes into full membership, even if they have technically paid their dues to society. This does not mean that Thelema cannot be of benet to them, however. Prison Ministry is neither a pen-pal club nor a correspondence course on Thelema. Correspondence does take place and is the primary work of the Prison Ministry but the focus is to facilitate understanding of the nature of Thelema and guidance in overcoming obstacles of practicing Thelema as a religion within the structure of a correctional institution. The Prison Ministry does other work outside correspondence that includes the publication of The Eucharist, a semiannual newsleer for the Prison Ministry. The Eucharist is distributed to all interested parties in the Order, incarcerated individuals, and Department of Corrections sta upon request. Other functions served by the volunteers of the Prison Ministry include: facilitation of recognition of Thelema by department of corrections chaplains and administrators on the local, state and federal level; distribution of book donations to institution chapel libraries; guidance and counseling for those individuals transiting out of the prison system and with respect to membership in our Order; education of, and work with local O.T.O. bodies on Prison Ministry related issues. My involvement in the Prison Ministry has now spanned ten years of work. In Oregon and southern Washington I have worked with department of correction chaplains and sta to secure the religious liberties of those who adhere to Thelema. I have conducted classes, workshops, seasonal ritual and Liber XV within the walls of several institutions. These visitations have taken place almost

on a weekly basis. The transformation in the sta from hostile to accepting is the most evident aspect of the positive work that can be accomplished. An example of this change is clear when one does not have to initiate correspondence with a chaplain to request time and resources to conduct Thelemic activities but rather the chaplains seek the O.T.O. requesting clergy to come into the institution. My vision and desire is to see the work done in the Pacic Northwest continue and be emulated by all local areas as the situation and needs permit. The level of success we seek is to be capable of conducting ministerial duties within and without the walls of prisons without hindrance. I believe that each body should be capable of responding to local incarcerated individuals and department of corrections sta by having clergy volunteer for this work. It is not at the national level that the fruit of labor can be realized. The Prison Ministry can pave the way and sow the seeds, but it is the local eort of volunteers that will manifest the end result described here. I therefore encourage each Master to evaluate this need and seek individuals within their local body that are capable and qualied to step forward and contact the Prison Ministry as a volunteer. The Prison Ministry is here to assist in these tasks. One project that has been accomplished is the creation of a database for the tracking of all volunteers, inmates and sta. The simple use of this could allow a local master to get a summary of inmates currently in correspondence within their local area. We can also provide information on what level of correspondence has directly taken place with their local, state or federal institution sta. In addition to this information, the Prison Ministry can provide template leers for initial correspondence and electronic brochure for further information on our work. I hope this article was informative and look forward to answering any further questions or assisting your local body with addressing Prison Ministry related tasks. For further information contact the Prison Ministry: email prisonministry@oto-usa.org or by mail O.T.O. Prison Ministry, P.O. Box 66319, Portland, OR 97290-6319 Love is the law, love under will. Frater Daniel Akzinor

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An Examination of Liber CI: Part 5

Frater Ash
In Summary At the root of it, Liber CI is the document that lays out the nature of fraternity within O.T.O., underlining its dual nature of intertwined obligations and benets. True, the document also provides a vision of what O.T.O. might oer in terms of institutional projects and services, but it does so within a very specic context. The Orders many aspectssuch as ceremonial ritual, temple building, and study of the Mysteriesall play supporting roles within this particular context, which denes O.T.O., in the largest sense, as a spiritual society. Thelema, combined with the Supreme Secret, is certainly the core engine that powers the spiritual part of that formula. However, Liber CI is not concerned with dening the mystical components of Thelema, but rather with establishing a sacred society within which Thelema can ourish. CI was published in the Blue Equinox, the second half of which is described by Crowley (in Confessions, pp. 840-841) as being devoted to explaining the principles of the O.T.O. showing how men and women may work in groups publicly, and giving outlines of a social system free from the disastrous defects of our present civilization. In Concerning the Law of Thelema (Liber CLXI, also in the Blue Equinox), Crowley further explains this concept of a spiritual society, saying that . . . with the sudden growth of the O.T.O. from 1912 onward, [I] began to perceive a method of puing the Law into general practice, of making it possible for men and women to live in accordance with the precepts laid down in The Book of the Law, and to accomplish their wills. In other words, O.T.O. was not to be the A.A. which is focused solely on individual aainmentbut rather was to be a society in which initiates might learn and manifest their Wills in general practice, i.e. within the real-world life of work, family, and community. This is not to say that there isnt an individual path within O.T.O.there most certainly is, which theoretically culminates in one of two places: the natural stopping point of the Fih Degree or by entering the Sovereign Sanctuary of the IX. However, the training of O.T.O. is not of the same order as the A A . Crowley writes in Magick Without Tears (ch. 71), The O.T.O. is a training of the Masonic type; there is no astral work in it at all, nor any Yoga. There is a certain amount of Qabalah, and that of great doctrinal value. But the really vital maer is the gradual progress towards disclosure of the Secret of the Ninth Degree. To use that secret to advantage involves mastery both of Yoga and of Magick; but neither is taught in the Order. What is this Masonic type of training? In the section of his Confessions (pp. 700-704) which is informally titled What is Freemasonry, Crowley writes of his intent behind the reformulation of the degrees, saying that the . . . main objects of the instruction were two. It was rstly necessary to explain the universe and the relations of human life therewith. Secondly, to instruct every man how best to adapt his life to the cosmos and to develop his faculties to the utmost Agap 10 advantage. The entire system of O.T.O. . . . puts forward a scientic statement which is a summary of all that is at present known about the universe by means of a simple, yet sublime symbolism, artistically arranged. It also enables each man to discover for himself his personal destiny, indicates the moral and intellectual qualities which he requires in order to fulll it freely, and nally puts in his hands an unimaginably powerful weapon which he may use to develop in himself every faculty which he may need in his work. It is easy to read this function of the Order (that of personal aainment) without understanding the larger context that Crowley provides for it. Yes, the path of personal aainment is a core function of O.T.O., but to what end? Crowley explains that the Order oers a rational basis for universal brotherhood and for universal religion. More specically, he says that half of the degrees convey a comprehensive conception of the cosmos and our relation therewith, and a similar number to deal with our duty to ourselves and our fellows, the development of our own faculties of every order, and the general advancement and advantage of mankind. Finally, Crowley wanted O.T.O. to provide a system for communicating truthreligious, philosophical, magical and mystical; and indicating the proper means of developing human faculty by means of a peculiar language whose alphabet is the symbolism of ritual. Universal brotherhood and the great moral principles, independent of personal, racial, climatic and other prejudices, naturally formed a background which would assure individual security and social stability for each and all. The shorthand of all this is that Crowley saw O.T.O. not only as an organization in which initiates would gain knowledge in how to discover Will, but also as a spiritual society wherein members would manifest Will together. Moreover, he saw the Order as a kind of social transformation machine for the entire world, as a combination of social modeling and institutional inltration. Returning to CI, we see Crowley outlining how initiates are to coexist within the spiritual society of O.T.O. Weve gone into great detail with this document, and several large themes have emerged, including promulgation of Thelemic principles, recruitment, money and property, profess-houses, education, mothers and children, justice, and member interaction. However, it is possible to extract three even more elementary principles from CI, all of which are deeply intertwined: 1) The Order is a family, including by regarding expectant mothers as sacred, education and guidance of children, developing communities within profess-houses, generosity towards both siblings and the Order, providing a liberal education and job training, and mandating exceptional social behaviorincluding giving pleasure and promoting friendship, cooperation, and love between members, showing hospitality to traveling initiates, treating all members as equals while in Lodge, and the prohibition against lawsuits and slander.

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2) The Order takes care of its own, both as an institution and in the actions of individual members. Specic domains of need in CI include nances, business and employment, medical care, housing, legal aairs, social opportunities, and care for single mothers, orphans, and the elderly. In short, there is no circumstance of life in which the O.T.O. is not both sword and shield (CLXI) and in all other ways aiding in the complete emancipation of the Brethren from aught that may seek to restrain them from doing That Which They Will (CI). 3) Expansion is a core activity, both of the Order itself and in promulgating its essential principles. Moreover, although the Order welcomes all people who have the ability to fulll the duties outlined in CI, members should labor to aract the wealthy and powerful; both to the benet of the Order and to beer promulgate the Law of Thelema within the civil arena. Another important principle embedded in these articles is that while some services and projects are by necessity institutional (such as universities), every member is called on individually to help manifest the essential vision within CI. It makes plain that it is the duty of every sibling to put in his or her share, no maer the size, diculty, or complexity of the project. O.T.O. is not a service organization that provides benets in exchange for dues. Rather, it is a spiritual society with which the sibling becomes fully involved and dedicated, not only in regards to the Work, but to each and every other member (and their children!). It is this level of identication and interpersonal excellence that allows for O.T.O. to become the social template for the new Aeon. There is one more item in Liber CI that weve yet to cover, and that is the nal paragraph. It states: It is to be observed that these privileges being so vast, it is incumbent upon the honour of every Brother not to abuse them, and the sponsors of any Brother who does so, as well as he himself, will be held strictly to account by the Grand Tribunal. The

utmost frankness and good faith between Brethren is essential to the easy and harmonious working of our system, and the Executive Power will see to it that these are encouraged by all means possible, and that breach of them is swily and silently suppressed. This paragraph outlines two opposing behaviors: abuse of privileges and the utmost frankness and good faith between Brethren, with the laer being necessary to prevent the former. In other words, for the O.T.O. to work in an easy and harmonious way, every member must be open, sincere, and straightforward with each other while doing so in good faith, i.e., behaving in compliance with ones oaths and with the principles outlined in CI, not just in leer but in the spirit of honesty and fairness, without any intent to defraud, act maliciously, or take unfair advantage. Frankness and good faith are so important that the Executive is assigned with the job of encouraging them by all means possible while also suppressing their violation swily and silently. To close, Liber CI is a blueprint for a spiritual society founded upon Thelemic principles. This society is to balance individual eorts and the advantages that only a group can provide, leading to all the essential elements that make up an empowered culture in the on of Horus, including health care, legal assistance, education (primary, secondary, and professional), housing, economic assistance, maternal and geriatric care, and mutual assistance in all things. It is a society dedicated to creating a Thelemic culture which actively promotes the discovery and manifestation of True Will, both within the connes of the Order and in the world at large. While CI acknowledges that conict is inevitable (and provides a means to deal with it) the general character of the Order is typied by things like friendship, cooperation, pleasure, joy, harmony, and love. Yes, this is a very tall order for us to ll. But it absolutely can come to be if we acknowledge the larger vision that Crowley provided within documents like CI, and agree to Work together to make it happen.

Recommended Readings Liber CI, An Open Leer to Those Who May Wish to Join the Order Liber CXCIV, An Intimation with Reference to the Constitution of the Order Liber CLXI, Concerning the Law of Thelema The System of the O.T.O., chapter XIII from Magick Without Tears What is Freemasonry? From The Confessions of Aleister Crowley, pp. 700704. Liber CXXIV, Of Eden and the Sacred Oak Liber CCC, Khabs am Pekht The author would like to thank those who contributed comments and corrections to the writing of this essay, especially Fr. Bishop, Br. Craig, Fr. C.U.G., Br. Gerald, Br. Jason M., Br. LeRoy, Sr. Marlene, Br. Mordecai, Fr. Omphalos, Fr. Paradoxos Alpha, Br. Rodney Orpheus, Sr. Tristan, Sr. Tzaddi, and Br. Vere. Apologies to anyone I might have missed. Agap 11 q E IV:

Agap is the Ocial Organ of the U. S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

From the Grand Master

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. A Complete Change in the Structure of the Order Kenneth Grant and his followers have long quoted an excerpt from a leer Crowley wrote to Karl Germer on 14 March 1942 in justication of their radical departure from Crowleys previous writings on the O.T.O. system: I shall appoint you my successor as O.H.O. but on special terms. It is quite clear to me that a complete change in the structure of the Order, and in its methods, is necessary. The Secret is the basis, and you must select the proper people. The above selection would certainly seem to justify a radical reformbut from what, and to what? A more complete passage from that leer might shed some light on this: I shall appoint you my successor as O.H.O. but on special terms. It is quite clear to me that a complete change in the structure of the Order, and in its methods, is necessary. The Secret is the basis, and you must select the proper people. You can take outsiders; but everyone who has anything to do with us at all must make a formal renunciation of ideas denounced in AL 49-56. Cap III. Then comes the New Social Order, on the lines laid down in the books LII, CI, CLXI and CXCIV (See Equinox III.1. pp 195-246) and same in Eqx III.2.this volume is not under my hand at the moment. The broad base of public association is the Gnostic Mass. Continued on next page

Volume IX, Number 3/4 q k R i A IV: February 1, 2008

Contents
From the Grand Master ..................................................................... 1 From the Grand Treasurer General ....................................................... 3 From the Electoral College ............................................................... 4 From the Initiator Training Coordinator ................................................. 6 From the Education Committee ........................................................... 7 On the Cakes of Light by Beth Kimbell ................................................... 8 On Hospitality by Jon Sewell ............................................................. 11 Agap 1 q k IV:

Continued from previous page Lets take a look at this extract point by point. The Secret and the Proper People Where he says everyone who has anything to do with us at all, it seems clear that he is not referring to business contacts or even to Minerval initiates, since the Minerval ceremony is performed with the assumption that it is the candidates rst exposure to the Book of the Law. Crowley actually appears to be discussing the selection of proper people for instruction in the practical Secret of the Sovereign Sanctuary. He says that Germer may actually instruct outsiders, i.e., those who are not already initiates of the Man of Earth and Lover Triads of O.T.O., in the Secret, but only if they demonstrate themselves to be trustworthy Thelemites by formally renouncing superstitious religion.1 Those who had already been through O.T.O. initiations (i.e., insiders) would have already been through this process by the time they reached the Sovereign Sanctuary. This passage appears to be a corrective with respect
1

As well as the idea of Eternal Rest, the restriction of Love and Beauty and Genius, and the sexual subjugation of womensee Crowleys commentaries on the referenced verses of The Book of the Law.

The Ocial Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Mysteria Mystica Maxima

Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica

Sabazius X Joseph Thiebes Grant Potts, Karma deGruy Grant Potts Steven P. Bankowitz, Heather Lantz, Dawn Davis Production & Distribution: Sr. Marlene Editorial Address: P.O. Box 15037 Portland, OR 97293-5037

Executive Editor: Editor: Assistant Editors: Layout: Proofreading:

U.S. GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

U.S. NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: SABAZIUS X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. DEPUTY NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: LON MILO DUQUETTE P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND SECRETARY GENERAL: FR. HUNAHPU PO Box 2313, Maple Grove, MN 55311 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND TREASURER GENERAL: HANK HADEED 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. #444, Portland, OR 97214-5246 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury U.S. GRAND TRIBUNAL DATHAN BIBERSTEIN, SECRETARY grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 17462, Minneapolis, MN 55417 U.S. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, U.S. SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL, U.S. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. ELECTORAL COLLEGE DOUGLAS JAMES BLAKE, PRESIDENT ec_president@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 47056, Seattle, WA 98146 DANN BUCHANAN, SECRETARY electoral_college@oto-usa.org 5030 N. May Ave., #252, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6010 U.S.G.L. INITIATION SECRETARIES: FR. SATVRNVS BAPHOMET AND SR. NAAMAH P.O. Box 48569, Minneapolis, MN 55448 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. SECRETARY: TAU MARIE egc@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PARLIAMENTARIAN: SR. HELENA P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 parliamentarian@oto-usa.org WWW.OTO-USA.ORG
Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A., a California not-for-prot religious corporation with business ofces at P .O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business ofces at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at 24881 Alicia Pkwy E-529, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download in PDF format at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/docs.html Copyright 2008 EV Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

U.S.G.L. OMBUDSMAN: FR. HARMATEUS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 562-685-4722 ombudsman@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. QUARTERMASTER: SR. ISHARA. quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. WEBMASTER: CRAIG BERRY webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LIBRARIAN: FR. A.R.C.G. 9457 S. University Blvd #140, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ARCHIVIST: FR. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S.G.L. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: JAMES MCLAUGHLIN volunteers@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LOCAL BODY PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY: FR. LUX AD MUNDI O.T.O. USA/Thelesis 1627 N. 2nd Street, Suite 220 Philadelphia, PA 19122 publications@oto-usa.org COORDINATOR, O.T.O. PRISON MINISTRY: DANIEL L. AKZINOR P.O. Box 66319, Portland, OR 97290-6319 prison_ministry@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER: FR. HRUMACHIS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 pio@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION: JOSEPH THIEBES P.O. Box 15037, Portland, OR 97293-5037 agape@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. EDUCATION COMMITTEE SECRETARY: KAYLA BLOCK education@oto-usa.org

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to the previous practice that allowed Freemasons of certain degrees to be admied directly to the corresponding degree of O.T.O., and also provided a mechanism for preservation of the Secret in the case of catastrophe. The New Social Order The books Crowley references are as follows:

It appears that when Crowley wrote, Then comes the New Social Order, on the lines laid down in the books LII, CI, CLXI and CXCIV (See Equinox III.1. pp 195-246) and same in Equinox III.2, Crowley was thinking of the Forms of Address memo, being the only item in III:2 pertaining signicantly to O.T.O. organization. I.H.Q. plans to publish The Equinox III, No.2 before the end of next year. The Gnostic Mass

From The Equinox III, No.1 (the Blue Equinox): Liber LII (52): Manifesto of the O.T.O. Liber CI (101): An Open Leer to Those who may Wish to Join the Order Liber CLXI (161): Concerning the Law of Thelema Liber CXCIV (194): An Intimation with Reference to the Constitution of the Order Crowley states that the Gnostic Mass is to be O.T.O.s broad base of public association. Here, he appears to envision the Gnostic Mass, and its Gnostic Catholic Church, as the Orders principal interface with the public. Clearly, Crowley was not advocating a departure from the Blue Equinox documents in this passage, but rather an actual implementation of them, along with a strong emphasis on the Gnostic Mass and E.G.C. as a broad base of public association. It is worth noting that the Typhonians have never made any aempt to either implement the Blue Equinox documents or to use the Gnostic Mass for public outreach. We have, of course, been doing these things for many years. From other correspondence, we know that Crowley also felt that the initiation rituals beyond III needed further revision, a task he never had time to complete. Such revisions have been an ongoing project of I.H.Q. since the mid-1980s (as any S.G.I.G. can aest). Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, Sabazius

The Equinox III, No.2 was never issued during Crowleys lifetime, although it made it to the proof stage (not extant, unfortunately). Its contents were to include: Liber 888: Jesus (The Gospel According to Saint Bernard Shaw) Liber CLXV (165) part 2: A Master of the Temple Liber CLXXXV (185): Liber Collegii Sancti Liber XXI (21): Ch'ing Chang Ching Liber VII (7): Liber Liberi vel Lapidis Lazuli Memorandum Address on O.T.O. Forms of

From the Grand Treasurer General

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Please note the following update regarding annual Grand Lodge dues payment and inactive status: All U.S. Grand Lodge members are expected to keep their dues current. Members whose Grand Lodge dues have lapsed are subject to being placed on inactive status, determined by decision of the Grand Treasurer General on a case-by-case basis. Typically, a grace period is provided beyond the dues anniversary date for members to become current or, for those who are undergoing nancial hardship, to make payment arrangements, aer which time an aempt is made to contact the member by mail at the last known address before making the nal inactive determination. Commencing March 1, 2008 e.v., First Degree or higher members under the jurisdiction of U.S. Grand Lodge (i.e., Man of Earth and Lover Triad members) who are in arrears for over twelve months and have not responded to a wrien dues notice will, in most cases, be determined inactive. Minervals who are in arrears for over six months and have not responded to a wrien dues notice will, in most cases, be determined demied. Love is the law, love under will. Hank Hadeed

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From the Electoral College

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The Electoral College at its Summer Meeting, August 10, 2007 , took the following actions concerning duties in its charge: Local Body Closure None. Change of Body Master Mastership of Blue Horizon Oasis (Glendale, CA) has passed from Frater Seraphino to Soror Sophia eective August 10th, 2007 . Change of Body Status Bubastis Camp (Dallas, TX) has been re-chartered as Bubastis Oasis with Brother David Andrew Blakeley as master eective August 10th, 2007 . Vortex Camp (Tacoma, WA) has been re-chartered as Vortex Oasis with Sister Brandy Williams, Soror Via Amore Gnostike as master eective August 10th, 2007 . New Charters Warrior Island Camp (Jacksonville, FL) has been chartered with Soror Shenhah as master eective August 10th, 2007 . The Electoral College at its Fall Meeting, October 13, 2007 , took the following actions concerning duties in its charge: Local Body Closure None. Change of Body Status Coph Nia Lodge (Eugene, OR) has been re-chartered as Coph Nia Oasis with Brother Chris Sco as master eective October 13th, 2007 . Change of Body Master Mastership of Pyramid Lodge (Bualo, NY) has passed from Soror KTK to Frater A.B.R.A. eective December 10th, 2007 . Mastership of Coph Nia Oasis (Eugene, OR) has passed from Frater I.G.D. to Brother Chris Sco eective October 13th, 2007 . The College wishes to express its appreciation to the past and present masters of each of these bodies. We wish each of them the best in their new oces and endeavors.

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Ninth Degree Revolutionary Members in good standing of the Sovereign Sanctuary of the IX in the United States (who are not serving as an ocer or voting member of any governing or administrative body under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Grand Lodge) wishing to volunteer to stand for election (to the oce of Revolutionary) by the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C.see p. 2 for contact information. Sanction for Appeal Brothers or sisters of our Order who wish to pursue appeal to a verdict of the Grand Tribunal may write to individual members of the Electoral College to request sanction be given to take their case to the Areopagus of the Eighth Degree (per Liber CXCIV, section 16) via email links found at: ec.oto-usa.org/ECelectors.html Hosting E.C. Meetings The College wishes to thank the members, families, ocers, and Master of Knights Templar Oasis (as well as other New England brethren and the NOTOCON Commiee and Presenters) for hosting and assisting in provisions and support for both NOTOCON VI and the Grand Lodge Meetings held in Salem, Massachuses along with our summer meeting. The College wishes to thank the members, families, ocers, and Master of Thelema Lodge for hosting our Fall Meeting as well as congratulate them on their 30th Anniversary. Local bodies that are interested in hosting meetings of the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C.see p. 2 for contact information. Upcoming E.C. Meetings Winter 2007 meeting scheduled for Saturday, January 12, 2008 via electronic medium. Spring 2008 meeting scheduled for April 2008 to be hosted by LVX Lodge (Panorama City, CA). Summer 2008 date and location to be determined. Fall 2008 meeting scheduled for October 2008 to be hosted by Tahuti Lodge (New York, NY). Aending E.C. Meetings Dues current members in good standing of V and above are welcome to aend and observe the in-person Electoral College meetings. We request that those planning to aend contact the master of the hosting body so that adequate arrangements can be made.

Website The ocial E.C. website can be found at: ec.oto-usa.org Forms Bodymasters seeking up-to-date forms for the Annual Report, Change of Mastership Application, Application for Oasis Status, Application for Lodge Status, or closure forms will nd them (exclusively) at: ec.oto-usa.org/ECservices.html Bodymasters not already in possession of the username and password will be granted them upon request (see E.C. contact information on p. 2). All other previous versions of these forms are now obsolete and should not be used. Regarding the Annual Report Forms from Local Bodies In 2004 , the Electoral College released statistics it had gathered from collating the Annual Report Forms. These statistics detailed many aspects of how the local bodies within U.S. Grand Lodge were functioning. However, starting in 2005 , the College decided to refrain from re-publishing that data. This decision has been met with a variety of reactions. Some did not welcome the news, and have called for this data to continue to be published. Each such call sparks renewed discussion of the maer among the members of the College, as well as the annual discussion held when the A.R.F. data comes in. Currently, the College has decided to continue not to publish the data. Aer some further recent discussion, we have decided to outline the most pertinent reasons for this decision. First, however, we would like to dispel certain notions about why we have decided not to publish this data. We are not refraining because there are massive operational diculties among our local bodies or because we fear there will be some kind of negative reaction to the data itself. Indeed, nothing could be further from the truth. We are generally pleased with the work our local bodies are doing; very few criticisms could be leveled were the data to be published. It is also not entirely correct to say that we publish no data. We do publish the data in summary form so that anyone wishing to do so may see what kind of overall progress is being made nationwide. This information is updated every year as the annual reports come in and the information they contain collated. Interested parties can view this data on the Electoral College webpage. However, it should be acknowledged that, as with any decision involving the release of data, there is a small element of risk involved. Data can be misused, and there are those (external to our Holy Order) that are expert at its misrepresentation. Though unlikely, it is always possible that someone could nd a way to harm us through the use of this data. Continued on next page

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Continued from previous page Our decision to not publish the data has revolved around a few primary philosophical points. First among these is that, in contrast to that small element of risk aforementioned, there seems to be no positive benet gained. A decade ago, it was common practice to rely on communication among bodies to obtain operational direction. Under such an operating model, publication of certain aspects of this data can make a kind of sense. However, this is (or should be) no longer the case. The Mentor Program provides operational direction to those bodies that require or request it. Moreover, it seems to us that there may be a great deal of harm involved for a more subtle reason. Bodies are encouraged to develop as they Will. Crowley clearly thought that individuals practicing his system should not inuence each other until they had become adept. Much the same reasoning is involved here: It is beer for local bodies to develop according to their own internal motivations and within the unique local environment in which they exist. The only external pressure that should be placed upon them should come from Grand Lodge. There is no ideal body in any usual sense of the word. The ideal is that a body should meet the prescribed minimums, and then should develop according to the Will of the master, the individual members, and Grand Lodge. Calls for publication of the A.R.F. data oen include an argument that doing so will enable the local bodies to know how well they are doing when compared to the spectrum of other local bodies across the United States. Our response here is very plain: we do not want bodies to compare themselves. Most people reading this would probably never strive to model themselves aer another person. Similarly, we believe it would be wrong-headed for a body to try to make itself like another, or to search out similarities or dierences, unless that motivation came from within the body itself. Our local masters are all, we are assured, cognizant of these maersincluding those that have advanced this very argument. We do not mean to suggest that they are not. Rather, we are simply pointing out why the argument is not compelling. As a social experiment (and as many other things), Thelema is unique. We therefore do not operate as other organizations. Other churches or orders may publish similar data about their operations. This is no reason that we ought to, especially if there is no evidence that this is a major component of their success. The College continues to discuss the maer, and may at some future time decide to publish the data. If that happens, it will be because a majority of the members have been convinced that doing so is the correct course of action. We therefore encourage continued, fraternal discourse with the College on this maer. Those who believe that our deliberations may be illuminated by a new perspective are encouraged to present their arguments via correspondence with the College. Communication with the E.C. I would like to invite any initiates with specic concerns or questions regarding the operation of the Electoral College, to write to either the President or Secretary of the E.C. For contact information, please see p. 2 of this newsleer. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to take eective measures bringing about beer communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed. I believe that communication is of benet to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All postal mail correspondence with the Electoral College Secretary should be sent to the address listed on p. 2 of this newsleer. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Frater Dvgls Jms Blk President, Electoral College

From the Initiator Training Coordinator

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law. Grand Lodge is proud to present Advanced Initiator Training. This training is designed for Chartered Initiators who have already aended one or more Certied Initiator Trainings and are looking to advance their knowledge, understanding and abilities as an Initiator. A.I.T. will be debuting in Portland, Oregon at Sekhet-Maat Lodge on June 28, 2008 . This rst weekend long workshop will focus on core curriculum for Initiators including: the basics of delivering a quality degree lecture, forms of examination, ethics and sexuality in the Oasis degrees, the use of music, the psychology of the candidates, and how initiators can best work with the candidates sometimes unusual responses during an initiation and much more. Aendees must be Master Magicians in good standing with a minimum of one aendance of a Certied Initiator Training workshop. Chartered Initiators will be preferred, but those ready for their applications to be submied may aend on the recommendation of their body master or S.G.I.G. More information coming soon. Love is the law, love under will. Kim Knight, USGL Initiator Training Coordinator

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From the Secretary of the Education Committee

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The Education Commiee is pleased to announce two new appointments: Frater Ministerio Caritas has served the Order in various capacities including International Headquarters Initiation Secretary. He is pursuing his doctorate in Clinical Psychology and is a member of the Psychology Guild. Frater Ministerio Caritas will head up the education initiatives from the Strategic Plan that are relevant to academia. If you are involved in the academic community as a researcher, professor, or graduate student and would like to help, please contact: education@oto-usa.org Brandon Williams is the Bodymaster of Sol Invictus Oasis. He has been a student of the occult and religion for nearly 20 years. He will work on course content and other initiatives. He has an Enochian project in progress and is starting astrology modules. In addition to the academic initiative from the Strategic Plan, we are considering taking on an annual publishing project. This will be explored in detail in early 2008 . If you have quality content in book or article length, please contact us to let us know. Further details should be available in the next edition of Agap. Frater Julianus is developing a graphical library of signs, god-forms, pentagrams, and hexagrams for O.T.O. use. These are now included on the resource page and may be obtained by contacting the education e-mail address. Additionally, he created a lamen for our commiee that we will use as we produce new documents. Our web site (education.oto-usa.org) has been updated to reect the revised status of commiee output and includes additions on educational resources and traveling lecturers. We have nalized our Microso Word template for class material, which is available to formulate your own course material. We have made signicant changes to our process that should ensure a larger volume of output over the upcoming months. We are phasing out the subcommiees so that individual commiee members will be freer to pursue their particular interests and to work closely with content writers who may come from any degree. The process changes require your help. We have numerous volunteer opportunities to contribute to output, including content writers, proofreaders, and Microso Oce gurus. You may make a sustained or occasional commitment as your time and interests allow. Our new volunteer list includes an ongoing list of help requests. Write to us if youd like to help. In addition to the content listed on the web site, other work is in progress and should be at least in alpha and/or ready for beta testing by the end of the upcoming quarter. This work includes the following class material: Liber Resh, Greek Pronunciation, Intro to Kundalini Yoga, Introduction to Enochian, Astral Projection and the Solar Body, Astrology, Kosher Qabalah, and Ancient Magick. For denitions of alpha, beta, pre-release, and release, see: education.oto-usa.org/resources/ Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Kayla Block

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Cakes of Light and the Buzz about Beeswing

SISTER BETH KIMBELL
23. For perfume mix meal & honey & thick leavings of red wine: then oil of Abramelin and olive oil, and aerward soen & smooth down with rich fresh blood. The best blood is of the moon, monthly: then the fresh blood of a child, or dropping from the host of heaven: then of enemies; then of the priest or of the worshippers: last of some beast, no maer what. This burn: of this make cakes & eat unto me. This hath also another use; let it be laid before me, and kept thick with perfumes of your orison: it shall become full of beetles as it were and creeping things sacred unto me. These slay, naming your enemies; & they shall fall before you. Also these shall breed lust & power of lust in you at the eating thereof. Also ye shall be strong in war. Moreover, be they long kept, it is beer; for they swell with my force. All before me. Liber CCXX:III

24.

25.

26. 27. 28. 29.

I began performing the Gnostic Mass as a novice priestess over a year ago. This new role launched me into an exploration of Cakes of Light that I had not previously given any thought. How do you make Cakes? What are the essential ingredients in Cakes? What is the E.G.C.-suggested way to make Cakes? Though they are an important part of our central public and private ritual, there is some deviation in the method of producing Cakes of Light. A quick search of the Internet will garner an assortment of recipes to choose from, but a standard recipe is not given. The E.G.C. Manual thankfully gives us sanctioned guidelines within which to work: For all ocial celebrations of the Gnostic Mass, except for those private celebrations of the Gnostic Mass at which all participants have specically requested otherwise, the Cakes of Light provided by the celebrants to the congregation shall be made with the following ingredients and with no other ingredients: i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. Meal (any ground edible grain); Honey; Leavings of red wine; Oil of Abramelin (a blend of cinnamon, myrrh, galangal and olive oils); Olive oil; and Optionally, one of the following ingredients may be added: Livestock blood obtained legally from a butcher shop or a farm; or Ash from Cakes of Light made according to any reasonable interpretation of CCXX III:23 and which have been burned in accordance with CCXX III:25. A useful instruction; though not all items are qualied or dened, leaving room for wide interpretation. In Magick in Theory and Practice, Chapter XX: Of the Eucharist and of the Art of Alchemy, the footnote to the suitability of Cakes of Light in the Eucharist of three elements, Crowley tells us: The Cakes of Light are universally applicable; they contain meal, honey, and oil (carbohydrates, fats, and protein, the three necessaries of human nutrition): also perfume of the three essential types of magical and curative virtue; the subtle principle of animal life itself is xed in them by the introduction of fresh living blood. The actual preparation of Cakes of Light is not exactly the topic most expounded upon, as we can see. In this essay, I will address what is to me one of the more controversial ingredients: wine leavings. How can wine leavings be controversial? one might ask. Simply putmost people do not know what they are. A survey of recipes nds that most makers are using something that I shall lovingly refer to as wine goo. This goo is made by a simple reduction of red wine or port, conducted at low temperature to avoid scorching the wine, and evaporating

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o the ~10% ethanol and the large amount of the water contained in the wine, until le with a few tablespoons of a thick wine syrup. My rst batch of Cakes was made with one of these recipes replete with wine goo. Some lucky few get the lees from wineries, which are essentially pulp, grape skins, salts, and dead yeast. I am not one of those few so my search continued. I wondered: are either lees or goo what was originally intended? As always, when faced with this question, I turned to the commentary for direction or elucidation. Aer all, who would know beer than Crowley how he interprets this? In the New Comment in the Law is for All, Crowley writes: Meal: ordinary wheaten our; leavings: the beeswing of port should be good; Oil of Abramelin: take 8 parts of oil of cinnamon, four of oil of myrrh, two of oil of galangal, seven of olive oil.

In A Text-book of Sanitary and Applied Chemistry, or, The Chemistry of Water, Air, and Food (Summereld, 1917), I found the following entry: Sodium bicarbonate and cream of tartar are oen used to render dough light. The rst of these may be mixed with the our, and the laer with the water that is used in mixing the dough, or both may be sied and mixed with the our The tartarate is made from argols that are collected in the boom of wine casks in the process of fermentation. This instruction, however, calls for the mixing of baking soda and cream of tartar (and incidentally makes baking powder), which makes the dough lighter primarily due to the acid-base reaction of the alkali sodium bicarbonate and the tartaric acid salt, releasing carbon dioxide, thus lightening the dough with microscopic pockets of gas. Our recipe does not call for baking soda; however, there is some argument for the cream of tartar leavening the dough through its own reaction to heat. Honey itself is an acidic compound, though, so why would we want to use cream of tartar, another acidic component? When

Plain enough, right? We know what those oils are and the wheaten our is easy, but what is this beeswing of port he references? During the fermentation process, leavings sele to Continued on next page the boom of the casks which contain salts that are ultimately formed into cream of tartar. This The three main types of acid in grape berries, and thus in wine, tartarate is found in the are tartaric acid, malic acid, and to a lesser extent, citric acid. lees of wine (remember the The leavings or lees that precipitate (fall out) during the wine salts), but is best formed as making process contain the salts of these acids, such as potassium a secondary crust in port bitartarate, grape skins and pulp, and unused yeast. and some wines, pure in consistency, that comes o C A in shining akes or scales that resemble bees wings, Citric acid concentration is low naturally, but can be hence beeswing of port. increased intentionally to give wine an extra fruity avor. It is used to marinate meats, to give low-calorie The scales of tartar are beverages, sweets, and breads a sharp sour taste; in ice a byproduct of the wine cream to prevent fat coagulation; and in bath products making process and have and vegetable washes as a mild antibacterial. been used in baking for years. In fact, grapes are M A the only signicant natural source; it is only in modern Malic acid concentration is determined by grape variety times that we are unaware and climate. It has similar application to citric acid, but of this byproduct, as we is known to be more smoothly continuous in avor than tend to follow recipes citric acid. It is oen used in extremely sour avored more than understand the candies. chemistry involved. What is the purpose of cream T A of tartar in baking? Even though I have it in my Tartaric acid concentration is determined by grape variety. spice rack, I could not have It is oen removed from wine using a cold ltration told you what it actually process. It is used in baking to stabilize and increase the does before making my volume of egg whites and to produce a creamier texture own Cakes of Light led to in sugary desserts. It is used commercially in so drinks, this research, except its use desserts, and photography products, and can be used to in meringue. A recipe calls clean brass and copper cookware for it, I use it, but I did not know.

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Continued from previous page used without the corresponding base, it is said to make the dough stier and stronger, holding its shape well, thus making it a key ingredient in making your own play-dough. A stronger dough is sensible for making the perfume described in Liber CCXX, III: 23-4. I can also see how it would be useful in making our Cakes, as can anyone who has seen a Cake explode into a rain of crumbs. Could that be its only purpose? Is it simply to lend stability to the shape of the Cakes? Or could it have an interaction with the honey? In candy-making, an acid (cream of tartar or lemon juice) enhances a process called inversion in the disaccharides such as sucrose, wherein the carbohydrate breaks down into its component sugars, modifying the texture of the candy. Honey being a polysaccharide would benet from this inversion by preventing the crystallization of the honey in the Cake, which can lead to the hard, crunchy Cakes you may have experienced. Honey is also hygroscopic and will bring moisture to the Cakes as they sit, stalling the process of going stale. In the article on Cakes of Light from Wikipedia, a recipe for making your own wine leavings is given, where grape juice is fermented in a jug. It seems to be a very easy way to accumulate thick leavings of red wine, but I nd it unsuitable for my uses. Since the commentary by Crowley calls for beeswing by name, he species which salt from the wine-making process we should use. The leavings resulting from fermentation does not lead to the production of tartaric acid alone, but to a blend of tartaric, malic, and citric acids and their salt derivatives. The quantity of each acid being determined by the growing location of the grapes used in the production of the grape juice, as the relative acidity is dictated by climate and soil. For those who wish to use the more complex thick leavings rather than the more puried salt identied by Crowley, the Wikipedia recipe provides an easy method to generate leavings. Using McGees On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen, as a guide, I developed a basic recipe using the proportions of a type of Cake that had the least amount of eggs (which are obviously not an ingredient, but the lost moisture they provide was easily replaced with honey instead of the more standard sugar found in Cake recipes). The temperature shown is optimum for avoiding hard texture or peaked surfaces in Cakebaking. This temperature is higher than most Cake of Light recipes call for, but seems reasonable based on baking experience. I baked the thick and shiny baer in two formats: individual cookies and a very thin sheet Cake. The formula was o, and it tasted a lile like play dough, with too much cream of tartar and not enough honey. It was also discolored from the addition of ash, and frankly, the wine avor and color were missed by some tasters. The Cakes themselves were best made in the sheet and then cut with my smallest biscuit cuer.1 They came out light, thin, and easily eaten, not requiring a large amount of liquid to wash down, which can be annoying in a Cake, and the honey did not crystallize. The following recipe was developed to correct the avor and the hue: 1/2-cup whole wheat our. 3/4-cup all purpose our, unbleached. 1/2-tsp cream of tartar 1/2-tsp gnostic ashes 1 1/4-cup pure honey. 1/2-cup olive oil with several drops of Abramelin oil. Pre-heat the oven to 350F. Mix the dry ingredients in a small bowl, siing for best texture. Mix the liquid ingredients in a large bowl, whisking until well mixed and somewhat aerated. Fold in the our mixture slowly, until thoroughly moistened. Pour baer out on jelly roll pan or other large rectangular pan, ensuring a thin Cake. Bake 10-15 minutes, until edges begin browning. Let cool, and cut with small circle cuer. Makes 30 to 100 Cakes, depending on size of the circle. Cream of tartar turned out to be an inexpensive and easy way to make tasty, so, structurally sound and slightly uy Cakes. Those who enjoy the red wine avor can use lees from a winery or leavings from an old bole of port or produced from grape juice and still benet from the tartarate, but a wine reduction is only avoring and is not indicated by Crowley or the E.G.C. guidelines.
1

I have since switched to an OXO Good Grips Tomato Corer for beer sizing and ease of use.

Agap Volume 10, Number 1 submission deadline: q in A R in k dies Martis Anno IV:xv Tuesday, April 1, 2008 EV
Please send your local body reports and governing body reports to:

agape@oto-usa.org
We will also accept other kinds of work, including essays, art, and photography. Submission guidelines are available at www.oto-usa.org/agape.html. For more information contact agape@oto-usa.org.

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On Hospitality
BROTHER JON SEWELL
On Friday, August 24th, 2007 , Horizon Oasis, O.T.O. dedicated our temple space in Seale, Washington. Over 30 members of the Horizon and local Pagan community, many who are not initiates of our order, helped to plan, execute, and nance this milestone in the development of our local body. The dedication had 45 aendees. Prior to our community entering the temple, I read the following short essay On Hospitality, which was then placed in the library of the temple so that guests and members will be able to see it as they enter. It is hoped that it will serve as a reminder of the fraternity and delity that allowed us to accomplish nding and renovating our dedicated temple and that it will set the tone for all of our future endeavors.

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The Ocers and Community Members of Horizon Oasis would like to welcome you to our Temple. This is a sacred space, an Oasis separate from the mundane world; and as such, we ask that you respect it and that a few simple precepts be observed. Hospitality is an ancient tradition among desert dwelling peoples, and it was commonplace for members of warring encampments to share the same Oasis in the desert and to set aside their dierences under the protection of the sovereign of that Oasis in order to be permied regular visitation to that island of sanctuary in an otherwise inhospitable climate. To violate that hospitality was an aront to the host and could amount to a death sentence for the entire tribe should the potentate decree that they no longer be granted access to the Oasis. In this land, oen savage with superstition, brutal with ignorance and corrupted by greed, we have endeavored to construct our own island of hospitality. We ask that members and guests observe the principals of hospitality. Share this space. Greet each other as friends. Lay aside your dierences. Bring the best part of yourself to this place to share with your community. Do not engage in hateful speech, mockery, shunning, or cliquish behavior as each of these dulls the luster of our hospitality. Dierences of opinion and unresolved resentment over past diculties can be common among free peoples, and there is a time and a place to resolve those issues. Nor does our code require that you lay down your reason or forgo all redress of grievance. Our precept states only that enmity be laid aside in this sacred space. If there is a present need to resolve some disagreement, it is expected that the parties will discreetly remove themselves from this place and its immediate precincts in order to address it. It should be noted above all that this is not requested but is an expectation of the members of our Holy Order and especially of this body. Our Order is built upon discipline. The behavior of initiates, no maer where they are, reects upon every member of the Order. Any breech of conduct would be an aront to the ocers of this camp and the Primate of the Order, whom they represent. As such we know that members of the O.T.O. will be at pains to make this Oasis a model of modern Thelemic hospitality. With all this ever in mind, we invite the community to share with us this place dedicated to the divine principles of freedom and fraternity. Enter freely and accept our hospitality. It is a gi of great worth. The more it is honored, the more strictly it is observed, the more its value increases. Love is the law, love under will

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Agap is the Ocial Organ of the U. S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

From the Grand Master

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. In Memoriam We are celebrating the Greater Feasts of two senior members who were also dear friends of many of us: Sister Lena Bender, Illustrious Dame Companion of the Holy Graal VI, and Brother James Garvey, Frater Aladdin, Illustrious Knight Templar of the Order of Kadosch VI. Sister Lena (aectionately known as the Scarlet Mother) and Brother James were both active members of Tahuti Chapter and true pillars of the New York Thelemic community. Sister Lena died unexpectedly in her sleep on the night of April 19 and Brother James died on June 3 aer a long illness. Lena and Jim are profoundly missed by all who knew them. Unto them from whose eyes the veil of life hath fallen may there be granted the accomplishment of their true Wills; whether they will absorption in the Innite, or to be united with their chosen and preferred, or to be in contemplation, or to be at peace, or to achieve the labour and heroism of incarnation on this planet or another, or in any Star, or aught else, unto them may there be granted the accomplishment of their wills; yea, the accomplishment of their wills. Memorial funds have been set up in their names for the purpose of nancing our eorts to establish a Profess House. Tax deductible donations to these funds can be made on-line directly via PayPal (to gtg@oto-usa.org), via the USGL Treasury website (www.oto-usa.org/ treasury), or by check or money order payable to Ordo Templi Orientis USA and mailed to: Grand Treasurer General Ordo Templi Orientis USA 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. #444 Portland, OR 97214-5246 Please include a note with your payment indicating that it is for the Lena Bender or the James Garvey memorial fund. Continued on next page

Volume X, Number 1 q B R l A IV: May 1, 2008

Contents
From the Grand Master ......................................................................1 From the Electoral College ................................................................3 Introduction to Pastoral Counseling by David G. Shoemaker ..........................4 Strategic Planning for Local Bodies by Craig Berry ......................................5 The Thelemic Calendar by Joseph Thiebes ...............................................6 Agap 1 q B IV:

Continued from previous page Annual Report Our annual report for the 2007-2008 scal year (Anno IVxv ) has been completed, and is now available at: oto-usa.org/usgl_annual_report_IVxv.pdf New Commiees In accordance with the Strategic Plan, we have established, populated, and activated the following new commiees:

E.G.C. Clergy Training Commiee: A commiee to develop materials, tools, and curricula to improve the consistency and quality of training and to facilitate training of the Priesthood, Diaconate, and Novitiate of Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica. Profess House Development Commiee: A commiee to work out standards and strategies for development of Profess Houses within U.S. Grand Lodge. Public Relations and Media Outreach Commiee: A commiee to encourage and coordinate publication of articles, interviews, reviews, and other materials about O.T.O. and Thelema in the alternative and the mainstream presses.

The Ocial Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Mysteria Mystica Maxima

Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica

Sabazius X Joseph Thiebes Grant Potts, Karma deGruy Grant Potts Steven P. Bankowitz, Heather Lantz, Dawn Davis Production & Distribution: Sr. Marlene Editorial Address: P.O. Box 15037 Portland, OR 97293-5037

Executive Editor: Editor: Assistant Editors: Layout: Proofreading:

U.S. GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

U.S. NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: SABAZIUS X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. DEPUTY NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: LON MILO DUQUETTE P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND SECRETARY GENERAL: FR. HUNAHPU PO Box 2313, Maple Grove, MN 55311 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND TREASURER GENERAL: HANK HADEED 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. #444, Portland, OR 97214-5246 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury U.S. GRAND TRIBUNAL DATHAN BIBERSTEIN, SECRETARY grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 17462, Minneapolis, MN 55417 U.S. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, U.S. SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL, U.S. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. ELECTORAL COLLEGE DOUGLAS JAMES BLAKE, PRESIDENT ec_president@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 47056, Seattle, WA 98146 DANN BUCHANAN, SECRETARY electoral_college@oto-usa.org 5030 N. May Ave., #252, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6010 U.S.G.L. INITIATION SECRETARIES: FR. SATVRNVS BAPHOMET AND SR. NAAMAH P.O. Box 48569, Minneapolis, MN 55448 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. SECRETARY: TAU MARIE egc@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PARLIAMENTARIAN: SR. HELENA P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 parliamentarian@oto-usa.org WWW.OTO-USA.ORG
Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A., a California not-for-prot religious corporation with business ofces at P .O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business ofces at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at 24881 Alicia Pkwy E-529, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download in PDF format at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/docs.html Copyright 2008 EV Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

U.S.G.L. OMBUDSMAN: FR. HARMATEUS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 562-685-4722 ombudsman@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. QUARTERMASTER: SR. ISHARA quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. WEBMASTER: CRAIG BERRY webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LIBRARIAN: FR. A.R.C.G. 9457 S. University Blvd #140, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ARCHIVIST: FR. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S.G.L. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: JAMES MCLAUGHLIN volunteers@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LOCAL BODY PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY: FR. LUX AD MUNDI O.T.O. USA/Thelesis 1627 N. 2nd Street, Suite 220 Philadelphia, PA 19122 publications@oto-usa.org COORDINATOR, O.T.O. PRISON MINISTRY: DANIEL L. AKZINOR P.O. Box 66319, Portland, OR 97290-6319 prison_ministry@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER: FR. HRUMACHIS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 pio@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION: JOSEPH THIEBES P.O. Box 15037, Portland, OR 97293-5037 agape@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. EDUCATION COMMITTEE SECRETARY: KAYLA BLOCK education@oto-usa.org

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Initiator Training Commiee: A commiee to create sample training materials and supplemental resources for initiation ocer training workshops. Memorization of Initiation Rituals

Lodge in Portland, OR. These workshops are designed for Chartered Initiators who have already aended one or more Certied Initiator Training sessions and wish to advance their knowledge, understanding, and abilities as initiators. For detailed information, see:

Also in accordance with the strategic plan, I have issued a policy requiring a phasing in of full memorization of the Minerval through III initiation rituals by initiation ocers, with certain qualications and exceptions. Chartered Initiators will be sent copies of the policy memorandum in the mail. Copies may also be obtained from any Sovereign Grand Inspector General or Certied Initiator Trainer. Advanced Initiator Training The rst Advanced Initiator Training Workshop will be held over the weekend of June 28-29, 2008 at Sekhet-Maat

sekhetmaat.com/wiki/ Advanced_Initiator_Training_2008_ev All Chartered Initiatorsespecially those who are a C.I.T. or an S.G.I.G.are encouraged to aend. The next A.I.T. workshop is tentatively scheduled for March 2009 in Salem, MA. Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, Sabazius

From the Electoral College

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The Electoral College at its Winter Meeting, January 12, 2008 , took the following actions concerning duties in its charge: Local Body Closure Star and Snake Camp (Ashland, OR) closed at the request of the master eective January 12th, 2008 . Change of Body Status None Change of Body Master Mastership of William Blake Lodge (Baltimore, MD) has passed from Sr. Kerry Kurowski to Br. Christopher Surprise eective January 12th, 2008 . The College wishes to express its appreciation to the past and present masters of each of these Bodies. We wish each of them the best in their new oces and endeavors. Ninth Degree Revolutionary Members in good standing of the Sovereign Sanctuary of the IX in the United States (who are not serving as an ocer or voting member of any Governing or Administrative Body under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Grand Lodge) wishing to volunteer to stand for election to the oce of Revolutionary by the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C.see p. 2 for contact information. Sanction for Appeal Brothers or Sisters of our Order who wish to pursue appeal to a verdict of the Grand Tribunal may write to individual members of the Electoral College to request sanction be given to take their Agap The Spring 2008 Meeting scheduled for April 19th, 2008 to be hosted by LVX Lodge (Panorama City, CA). The Summer 2008 Meeting scheduled for July 12th, 2008 is to be hosted by Golden Lotus Oasis (Mission Viejo, CA) 3 case to the Areopagus of the Eighth Degree (per Liber CXCIV, section 16) via email links found at: ec.oto-usa.org/ECelectors.html Hosting E.C. Meetings Local bodies that are interested in hosting meetings of the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C.see p. 2 for contact information. Upcoming E.C. Meetings Website The ocial E.C. website is at: ec.oto-usa.org Continued on next page q B IV: The Fall 2008 Meeting scheduled for October 18th, 2008 is to be hosted by Tahuti Lodge (New York, NY). Aending E.C. Meetings Dues current members in good standing of V and above are welcome to aend and observe the in-person Electoral College Meetings. We request that those planning to aend contact the master of the hosting body so that adequate arrangements can be made.

Continued from previous page Forms Bodymasters seeking up-to-date forms for the Annual Report, Change of Mastership Application, Application for Oasis Status, Application for Lodge Status, or closure forms will nd them (exclusively) at: ec.oto-usa.org/ECservices.html Bodymasters not already in possession of the username and password will be granted them upon request (see E.C. contact information on p. 2). All other previous versions of these forms are now obsolete and should not be used. Communication with the E.C. I would like to invite any initiates with specic concerns or questions regarding the operation of the Electoral College to write to either the President or Secretary of the E.C. For contact information, please see p. 2. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College o bring about beer communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed. I believe that communication is of benet to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All postal mail correspondence with the Electoral College Secretary should be sent to the address listed on p. 2. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Frater Dvgls Jms Blk President, Electoral College

An Introduction to Pastoral Counseling in E.G.C./O.T.O. Settings

DAVID G. SHOEMAKER, PSY.D.
As most readers likely know, the O.T.O. Psychology Guild has developed a Pastoral Counseling workshop which, over the past several years, has been presented at various locations across the country at the request of U.S. Grand Lodge. U.S.G.L. generously sponsored all of these workshops, and we are grateful for their continued support and enthusiasm. We are also grateful to the local bodies, and their members, who have welcomed us into their homes and temples. To qualify for aendance at the Pastoral Counseling workshop, a member must be an ordained E.G.C. Bishop, Auxiliary Bishop, Priest, Priestess, or local body master or a Novice Priest or Priestess recommended by their Bishop and within a few months of expected ordination. Aendees must also be Active members of U.S. Grand Lodge of at least 3rd Degree. One of the most common concerns about the Pastoral Counseling Workshops (P.C.W.) has been that it is impossible to train someone to be a fully-edged pastoral counselor in a weekend. This is a valid concern; however, these workshops emphatically do not qualify aendees to function as professional counselors of any sort. Professional pastoral counseling accrediting agencies require graduate degrees in Divinity or similar elds, with prior licensing/credentialing for independent therapy practice. These qualications are obviously far beyond our present training. So, what does pastoral counseling in E.G.C./O.T.O. seings entail? Using professional/ legal terminology, what is our scope of practice? Consider these guidelines: 1. We do NOT provide psychological assessment and diagnosis. 2. We do NOT provide professional emergency services. 3. We DO listen aentively, and give feedback, comfort, and support. 4. We DO provide spiritual guidance within a Thelemic context, while being respectful of our members autonomy and self-determination. 5. We DO provide resources for referrals beyond the scope of our pastoral counseling duties. We approached the development of the P.C.W. from a pragmatic point of view. We were cognizant that those serving as E.G.C. clergy and as O.T.O. body masters are already viewed by local members as sources of guidance and aid. Anyone in such a position of leadership will eventually be approached for such aidas a trusted senior in the Order, as a visible symbol of spiritual authority, or simply as someone who seems to know a bit more about whats going on in the group. Accordingly, it is in the interests of the Order and the E.G.C. to fortify our local leaders with the basic information and training necessary to serve in these roles. In the future, it may be possible to provide more complete training before any given individual is put into service as a local leader; meanwhile, the P.C.W. is designed to provide the basic tools. These are: 1. Basic techniques of intervention and counseling skills 2. The basics of Family Dynamics and related social/psychological theories, as applied to Thelemic communities 3. Ethical and legal issues in Thelemic pastoral counseling 4. Psychiatric diagnostic categories and basic approaches to assessment of mental illness and chemical dependency issues 5. Tools for working with Crisis Intervention, Grief Counseling, Conict Resolution, and Sexuality issues 6. Training in the use of appropriate referrals to outside sources of assistance We look forward to bringing the P.C.W. to more local bodies, in the U.S. and abroad, in the coming years. Additionally, once a member has completed the initial P.C.W., they qualify for aendance at Level 2 workshops, which will be developed in the future. These workshops will deepen the theory and practice of the modules introduced in Level 1 in a retreat-type seing conducive to personal reection and integration of the material. Much of the recently released issue of Neshamah (Volume I, Number 2) consists of articles drawn from the workshop, addressing many of the key content areas presented. While the materials presented in Neshamah certainly do not replace the experience of aending a

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live workshop, they serve as a valuable resource for those who have not yet had a chance to aend. Additionally, for those who have already aended, these articles will be useful to have on hand as a summary. Copies of Neshamah (including back issues) may be ordered online through the Guilds website. The cost is $11 plus $2 shipping within the U.S. Those interested in hosting or aending a Pastoral Counseling Workshop should contact the Psychology Guild at the following address:

O.T.O. Psychology Guild c/o 418 Lodge P.O. Box 215503 Sacramento, CA 95821 916-218-6262 guild@animasolis.com www.animasolis.com/guild David Shoemaker is the founding president of the O.T.O. Psychology Guild.

Strategic Planning for Local Bodies

CRAIG BERRY
Running a local body is a demanding job. Predictable tasks (preparing for and running events, scheduling, recruiting workers) take up a lot of time and energy. Unpredictable crises tend to occur at the worst possible moments, draining more time and energy from the people who are already busiest. In such an environment, the idea of strategic planning can sound far-fetched. One of my own favorite aphorisms is that its hard to remember you came to drain the swamp when youre up to your behind in alligators. Nevertheless, all successful local bodies do engage in some form of planning, though it may be as informal as Well do Masses on the last Sunday of each month. Indeed, planning can help alleviate crisis, since it helps you use the resources you have more intelligently. In the spring of 2007 , U.S. Grand Lodge published the results of its rst formal strategic planning exercise at: oto-usa.org/planning.html Our work was guided by the Field Guide to Nonprot Strategic Planning and Facilitation (McNamara, Carter; Authenticity Consulting 2003). This book provides a rigorous approach to planning. Our rst challenge was to decide, based on criteria suggested by the book, which of many planning models applied best to U.S.G.L. Local bodies may acquire and use the same book or one of many other books on the planning process. However, I will describe the major steps, so that local bodies may use this outline as a starting point for their own strategic planning. 1. Situational analysis Eective planning begins with an honest appraisal of your circumstances. What does your community look like, both within O.T.O. and outside it? What are recent trends in membership size and fundraising? How many commied people can be counted on to perform tasks reliably? What connections are there to other organizations? The Diagnostic Models presentation oered at Kaaba Colloquium provides tools for performing the internal portion of this self-assessment. Your bodys most recent Annual Report Form (A.R.F.) is another useful resource. 2. Mission and values The mission and values statements clarify the purpose and high-level goals of an organization. It is expected that local bodies will share the mission and values of U.S.G.L., which are presented on the planning page referenced above. Many local bodies may choose to incorporate these without modication. However, they may also add body-specic values. For example, Sekhet-Maat Lodge has a tradition of supporting and encouraging Thelemic artistic expression, and this is included in its mission and values. 3. Goals Goals should be identiably linked to the mission and values of an organization. If a goal cannot be so linked, it may be a sign that either a mission or value has been missed or that the goal is just a strategy to achieve some true goal (see the next section). For example, if the mission of a local body includes providing visible and accessible services Paon once remarked, No plan has ever survived contact with the enemy. But its also well known that few have survived contact with the enemy without a plan. The time taken to plan ahead now will be repaid with substantial interest later. to the community, then obtaining permanent space for the body might be one goal to achieve that mission. 4. Strategies Strategies are the means by which goals will be achieved. Extending the example from the previous section, if the goal were to obtain permanent space for the body, there might be a cluster of strategies associated with that goal concerning how to raise and manage funds. Each strategy should be focused, with a particular person or commiee responsible for executing it and a clear time frame and criterion for success. 5. Implementation plans Each strategy will require an implementation plan, but these are best le to the responsible parties. It is the responsibility of the body master to oversee implementation and to deal with inevitable surprises as they occur. The 2007 U.S.G.L. strategic plan (oto-usa. org/strategic_plan_IVxv.html) provides an example of how visions lead to goals and goals to strategies. Again, this plan is probably much larger than what a local body may need, but it can serve as a model for your own work.

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The Thelemic Calendar

JOSEPH THIEBES Its a New Aeon! William S. Burroughs wrote in his Revised Boy Scout Manual that ve steps are necessary to achieve independence from alien domination and to consolidate revolutionary gains. The rst of these steps is to proclaim a new era and set up a new calendar. The following will discuss the philosophical basis and benets for the Thelemic calendar; this will be followed by a complete description of the mechanics of Thelemic calendar notation. The Law of Thelema is described in full in The Book of the Law, where the calendar is described simply as follows: Let the rituals be rightly performed with joy & beauty! There are rituals of the elements and feasts of the times. A feast for the rst night of the Prophet and his Bride! A feast for the three days of the writing of the Book of the Law. A feast for Tahuti and the child of the Prophetsecret, O Prophet! A feast for the Supreme Ritual, and a feast for the Equinox of the Gods. A feast for re and a feast for water; a feast for life and a greater feast for death! A feast every day in your hearts in the joy of my rapture! A feast every night unto Nu, and the pleasure of uermost delight! Crowley felt that the rituals should be done on an elemental division of the year into the four seasons, which result from the Earths position relative to the Sun. In his Extenuation;1 Crowley explains that J. G. Frazers Golden Bough contains appropriate elemental rituals in crude form. He particularly notes the suitability of the entry of the Sun into the cardinal signs of the Zodiac as a time to perform these elemental rites, to generate a particular form of energy. Using Frazers work as a resource has also led to the development of crossquarter rituals, such as those by T Polyphilus.2 In the commentary on the Feasts of the Times, Crowley uses Gregorian dates, for example, August 12 for the Feast for the First Night of the Prophet and His Bride. It is not clear when he began using the Thelemic calendar. What is clear is that Crowley wanted a calendar system based on Thelemic philosophy and esoteric symbolism. One of the central symbols in Thelema is that of the Sun and Moon conjoined. It is the Mark of the Beastthe phallusas masculine and feminine in unity. These two bodies and their positions against the heavens relative to the Earth make the substance of our calendar. Where the Gregorian and Julian calendars were no more than crude aempts to approximate the solar year, the Thelemic calendar takes the solar
1 2

year as its fundamental basis, quite simply and literally referring to the position of the Sun and Moon in the sky. The twelh part of the year when the Sun is in a given Zodiacal sign is based entirely on the position of the Sun and its relationship to the Earth, while the position of the Moon tells us how far along we are in that part of the year, and the planetary day of the week nally zeroes in on the exact date. Our calendar, unlike the Gregorian and Julian calendars, makes no aempt to constrain the progress of heavenly bodies to some abstract contrivance, as a celestial Bed of Procrustes. Instead, for us, the facts of nature dictate our calendar, and our record-keeping simply reects this. The Years To simplify the explanation, this description will make use of the term docosade, meaning a period of twentytwo years. Thelemic years are counted in a modular fashion, by twenty-two. For example, this is the year IV:xvi. The rightmost number (xvi) gives a count of the years since the start of the current docosade. The next number to the le (IV), the count of docosades since 1904 . IV:xvi indicates four docosades and sixteen years, which is 104 years aer the writing of the Book of the Law. 1904 + 104 = 2008/09 in the common era.

Also known as the New Comment. These rituals can be found on his website, Vigorous Food and Divine Madness, at www. hermetic.com/dionysos.

Top Ten Reasons to use the Thelemic Calendar

10. The common Gregorian calendar inherently celebrates the birth of Christ by the way the years are numbered, while the Thelemic calendar celebrates the dawning of the New Aeon and subsequent reception of the Book of the Law. 9. The Thelemic calendar does not require leap years, leap seconds, or other obscure adjustments as does the Gregorian calendar. 8. New Year happens for everyone at the same moment in timeno more watching the ball drop on tape delay! 7. Using the Thelemic calendar allows you quickly to become familiar with the basic mechanics of astrology. 6. Considering the symbolism of the placement of Sun and moon on any given day yields a rich eld of meaning to correspond to experiences of the day. 5. Impress your friends! Knowing and using an obscure and occult calendar system gives you instant cred. 4. Tune in to the cycles of the Earth and its relationships with the Sun and moon. 3. Celebrate your birthday on the actual solar return! Your Gregorian birthday is only an approximation. 2. Relate the cycles of Sun and moon to those of your own psyche and your body. 1. Strip away the alien domination that currently denes our common calendar, and get to the root of all calendars: the movement of the heavens!

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The Thelemic Calendar begins the New Year on the Aries Equinox (Spring Equinox in the Northern hemisphere), so the Gregorian year is skewed a few months from ours. It is currently the year IV:xvi, and it will remain so until the Spring Equinox in March of next common year. In the Thelemic Calendar, one counts each number in the pair from zero to twenty-one. Traditionally, the non-zero numbers are wrien in Roman numerals with docosades wrien in capitals and years wrien in lowercase. Other forms include separating the numbers with a colon, writing one in Roman numerals and the other in Arabic numerals, or both in Arabic numerals. The number of the year is preceded by the term Anno, meaning year, and it may be followed by . This is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase era novis, or new era. By apparent design, the twenty-two modulus corresponds to the number of Trumps in the Tarot. Many Thelemites explicitly associate the year and the docosade to a Tarot Trump. For example, Anno IV:xii could be referred to as The docosade of The Emperor and the year of The Hanged Man. Examples The following are examples of accepted ways to record the Thelemic year, given the common date shown. 1996 (aer the Vernal Equinox) IViv 1992 (aer the Vernal Equinox) Anno IV:0. December, 2004 Anno IV:xii. January, 2005 Anno IV:xii. April, 2005 Anno IVxiii January, 2006 An. IV:13 April, 2006 Anno 4:14 Dates and Days Dates and times are recorded using the typical notation of Astrology, indicating the positions of the Sun and Moon in the Tropical Zodiac. The day of the week is recorded in Latin. The more precisely the solar and lunar positions are noted, the more precisely the date and time will be known. The Moon takes about 2.3 days to

move through a zodiacal sign. Simply recording the signs that the Sun and Moon are in will only describe a period of slightly more then two standard days. Recording the day of the week narrows the date down to a single day. Indicating the degrees, minutes, and seconds of the position of the Sun and Moon will provide still greater precision. Planetary Days Tuesday: dies Martis Wednesday: dies Mercurii Thursday: dies Jovis Friday: dies Veneris Saturday: dies Saturnii Sunday: dies Solis Monday: dies Lunae Examples The following are examples of accepted ways to record the same Thelemic date, beginning with the most precise. Sol 22135 Taurus, Luna 29619 Pisces, dies Saturnii Sol 2213 Taurus, Luna 296 Pisces, dies Saturnii Sol 22 Taurus, Luna 29 Pisces, dies Saturnii Sol in Taurus, Luna in Pisces, dies Saturnii Sol in Taurus, Luna in Pisces Tropical and Sidereal The Thelemic Calendar uses the Tropical Zodiac, which simply aributes the zodiacal signs to an even twelve-fold division of the Suns journey through the sky. The Tropical Zodiac does not take the positions of the so-called xed stars into account. Over the millennia, the star signs move through the sky and their positions change very gradually so that today, when the Sun rises on the Spring Equinox, it is very nearly in the star sign of Aquarius. The Tropical Zodiac will take no note of this, as it is determined by the relationship of the Sun to the Earth, only. The Sidereal Zodiac uses the actual positions of the star signs rather than the relationship between Sun and Earth. For a Sidereal astrologer, when the star sign of Aquarius moves to meet the Sun at the Spring Equinox, the Sun will be said to be in Aquarius at that time, not Aries as it would be said in the Tropical system. 7

The Sidereal Zodiac gives rise to the Precession of Equinoxes, which is the name given to the movement described above of Aquarius to meet the Sun on the Spring Equinox. Over great periods of time (a couple of thousand years), the star signs move due to the wobble in the Earths rotation about its own axis so that the Spring Equinox takes place in a new star sign. It is called precession because the star signs move backwards compared to the movement of the Sun through them, so where normally in the course of a couple of months the Sun travels from Aquarius to Aries, the Sun at Spring Equinox will travel from Aries to Aquarius over the course of a couple of thousand years, hence the phrase Age of Aquarius. Some have drawn a correlation between the Precession of Equinoxes and Thelemic Aeons. It is really a maer of utility to determine which method we choose to represent the Zodiac. In one, we are dividing the Suns oscillating journey from North to South and back into twelve equal parts, dening the Spring Equinox as Aries 0. In the other, we are dening the signs based on the positions of the stars. The Tropical Zodiac is simpler and more practical and conforms to Crowleys comment in Book 777, where he writes: Aries is scarlet, being the House of Mars and the sign of the Spring Equinox, where occurs the ery outburst of the new year. The Future of the Thelemic Calendar It remains to be seen what term will be used for the period of twentytwo docosades, i.e., 484 years. One possible name for this period would be docosazenzicade, the roots of which break down to twenty-two squared. Given the modular counting of our years, notation aer the rst docosazenzicade would require us to add a third column on the le of the docosade column. One popular suggestion has been to use Hebrew leers in this new column, with Aleph = 0, Beth = 1, etc. Adopting this would mean that our current year is a: IV:xvi, but it is not necessary to include the a in our normal discourse, just as in the common calendar we oen write 08 rather than 2008 ev., but also especially since in this case it is functionally a leading zero.

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Agap is the Ocial Organ of the U. S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

From the Grand Master

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law Editor Transition With this issue, we bid farewell to our editor for the past four years, Bro. Joseph Thiebes, and welcome Bro. Dr. Grant Pos into the lavish editorial suite of Agap Tower. Id like to personally thank Bro. Thiebes for his exceptional editorial service here, and wish him the best with his continuing local duties as Master of Sekhet-Maat Lodge Annual Meeting Over the weekend of July 12 and 13 of this year, U.S.G.L. held its annual joint meeting of the governing bodies, hosted by Golden Lotus Oasis. This year, for the rst time, the plenary session constituted a full convocation of the Senate of Knight Hermetic Philosophers, with all initiates of the K.R.E. degree or above in good standing having been sent individual invitations to aend. The purpose of this convocation was to increase understanding of the role of Second Triad members in comprising a Grand Lodge under the general objective of improving communications between Grand Lodge and the membership. Aendees of the convocation renewed their oaths as K.R.E.s, followed by a discussion of how second triad members are perceived by the First and Third Triads and how they need to respond to those perceptions and expectations. These discussions Continued on next page

Volume X, Number 2/3 q h R i A IV: November 1, 2008

Contents
From the Grand Master ......................................................................1 From the Electoral College ................................................................3 From the Profess House Committee .......................................................5 Local Body Report ............................................................................6 Announcements ...............................................................................7 Thy Will be Done by Frater S.L.Q. .........................................................7 The Wanderer by Breck Outland............................................................9 Mystics, Mothers, and Magicians Symposium by Anna Tsu ............................ 10 Agap 1 q h IV:

Continued from previous page addressed the role of the Second Triad initiate as a mentor, a counselor, and a model of fraternal behavior to the Third Triad and as a representative of the First Triad to the Third Triad. With regard to the behavior appropriate for a member of the Second Triad, Crowley states in Book 161: Even intellectual eminence and executive ability are at a certain discount in the Order. Work is invariably found for persons possessing these qualications, and they aain high status and renown for their reward; but not advancement in the Order, unless they exhibit a talent for government, and this will be exhibited far more by nobility of character, rmness and suavity, tact and dignity, high honour and good manners, those qualities (in short) which are, in the best minds, natural predicates of the word gentleman. Second triad initiates are also expected to be dedicated, educated, and seasoned Thelemites. They are expected to have worked through their initial Thelemic ordeals and to have come to an understanding of the place of Thelema within their personal lives and of their personal lives within Thelema.

The Ocial Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Mysteria Mystica Maxima

Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica

Sabazius X Grant Potts Karma deGruy Grant Potts Steven P. Bankowitz, Heather Lantz, Joseph Thiebes Production & Distribution: Sr. Marlene Editorial Address: P.O. Box 15037 Portland, OR 97293-5037

Executive Editor: Editor: Assistant Editor: Layout: Proofreading:

U.S. GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

U.S. NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: SABAZIUS X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. DEPUTY NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: LON MILO DUQUETTE P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND SECRETARY GENERAL: FR. HUNAHPU PO Box 2313, Maple Grove, MN 55311 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND TREASURER GENERAL: HANK HADEED 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. #444, Portland, OR 97214-5246 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury U.S. GRAND TRIBUNAL DATHAN BIBERSTEIN, SECRETARY grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 17462, Minneapolis, MN 55417 U.S. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, U.S. SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL, U.S. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. ELECTORAL COLLEGE DOUGLAS JAMES BLAKE, PRESIDENT ec_president@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 47056, Seattle, WA 98146 DANN BUCHANAN, SECRETARY electoral_college@oto-usa.org 5030 N. May Ave., #252, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6010 U.S.G.L. INITIATION SECRETARIES: FR. SATVRNVS BAPHOMET AND SR. NAAMAH P.O. Box 48569, Minneapolis, MN 55448 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. SECRETARY: SR. HYPATIA egc@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PARLIAMENTARIAN: SR. HELENA P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 parliamentarian@oto-usa.org WWW.OTO-USA.ORG
Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A., a California not-for-prot religious corporation with business ofces at P .O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business ofces at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at 24881 Alicia Pkwy E-529, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download in PDF format at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/docs.html Copyright 2008 EV Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

U.S.G.L. OMBUDSMAN: FR. HARMATEUS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 562-685-4722 ombudsman@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. QUARTERMASTER: SR. ISHARA quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. WEBMASTER: CRAIG BERRY webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LIBRARIAN: FR. A.R.C.G. 9249 S Broadway #200-212, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ARCHIVIST: FR. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S.G.L. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: JAMES MCLAUGHLIN volunteers@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LOCAL BODY PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY: FR. LUX AD MUNDI O.T.O. U.S.A./Thelesis 1627 N. 2nd Street, Suite 220 Philadelphia, PA 19122 publications@oto-usa.org COORDINATOR, O.T.O. PRISON MINISTRY: DANIEL L. AKZINOR P.O. Box 66319, Portland, OR 97290-6319 prison_ministry@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER: FR. HRUMACHIS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 541-488-1257 pio@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION: GRANT POTTS agape@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. EDUCATION COMMITTEE SECRETARY: KAYLA BLOCK education@oto-usa.org

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They are expected to be well-versed in the customs, policies and procedures of their Grand Lodge. The Man of Earth initiates should be able to condently approach them with pertinent questions about the Orderbecause they should at least know where to look up the answers or whom to ask and because they know beer than to provide an o-the-cu response when they dont really know the answer. Man of Earth initiates should not expect that every single question will be met with a response that satises them, but they may rightly expect that members of the second triad will at least not provide them with misinformation. They are also expected to support their local body and their Rose Croix chapter and to support and aend Grand Lodge programs and events, especially when they come to their area.

for self-enforcement of this provision in accordance with their particular circumstances. We will not be sending out individual paper invitations to K.R.E.s on a regular basis for future convocations, but all future plenary sessions of our annual meetings should be considered as informal convocations of the Senate; as such, they will be open to active initiates of the K.R.E. degree who wish to aend. Many thanks to Golden Lotus Oasis for hosting the meetings, with special thanks to Soror Lutea, who coordinated the whole aair. New Commiee

The Man of Earth initiates should be able to condently approach them with pertinent questions about the Orderbecause they should at least know where to look up the answers or whom to ask and because they know beer than to provide an o-the-cu response when they dont really know the answer.

Further, Book 194 states explicitly that renunciation is an aspect of the Senate degree, but it doesnt state the precise nature of it. It does, however, state that each of the members of the Electoral College must each live in solitude, without more than the necessary speech even to casual neighbours, serving themselves in all respects, for three months continuously, once at least in every two years. In my opinion, given the words of Book 194 (especially with reference to the allegory of Crowleys Synagogue of Satan), this practice could reasonably be considered as implicitly pertaining to the entirety of the Senate. As with the members of the E.C., however, we will defer to the individual initiates

In accordance with the Strategic Plan, we have established, populated, and activated the Mediation Training Development Commiee. This commiee is charged with researching options and making recommendations for mediation training for local body masters, members of Rose Croix chapters and members of the Senate of Knight Hermetic Philosophers. Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, Sabazius

From the Electoral College

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The Electoral College at its spring meetings, April 19th and 20th, 2008 , took the following actions concerning duties in its charge: Local Body Closure None. Change of Body Status Thelesis Oasis (Philadelphia, PA) has been re-chartered as Thelesis Lodge with Fr. Lux Ad Mundi as master eective April 19th, 2008 . Change of Body Master Mastership of Sol Invictus Oasis (Fayeeville, AK) from Br. Brandon Williams to Fr. Crusolion eective April 20th, 2008 . Mastership of LVX Lodge (Los Angeles, CA) has passed from Sr. Cindy Weinstein to Fr. SRBA eective April 19th, 2008 . Mastership of Hoor-Paar-Kraat Oasis (Ogden, UT) has passed from Sr. Danielle George to Fr. P. eective April 19th, 2008 . Continued on next page

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Continued from previous page Mastership of Coph Nia Oasis (Eugene, OR) has passed from Fr. Iacchos to Br. Cyrus Smith eective April 19th, 2008 . Mastership of Onnophris Oasis (Indianapolis, IN) has passed from Br. David Melton to Sr. Ananyelka eective April 19th, 2008 . The E.C. at its summer meeting, July 12th, 2008 , took the following actions concerning duties in its charge: Local Body Closure Set Triumphant Camp (Orlando, FL) has been closed at the request of the Body Master, Frater NEMO eective July 12th, 2008 . Change of Body Name Hoor Paar Kraat Oasis (Ogden, UT) has changed to NOX Oasis at the request of the Body Master, Frater P. eective July 12th, 2008 . Change of Body Master Mastership of Tahuti Lodge (New York, NY) has passed to Soror Alecto (Cassie Tsiris) eective July 27th, 2008 . Mastership of Horus Oasis (Salt Lake City, UT) has passed from Frater Svperabo to Br. Andrew J. McGuire eective July 12th, 2008 . Mastership of Black Sun Oasis (Akron, OH) has passed from Frater Zarathustra to Br. Steve eective July 12th, 2008 . Mastership of 418 Lodge (Sacramento, CA) has passed from Frater Orpheus to Br. David Shoemaker eective July 12th, 2008 . New Local Body Charter Subtlety or Force Camp (Albuquerque, NM) has been chartered with Br. R. B. Crow III as master eective July 12th, 2008 . The E.C. wishes to express its appreciation to the past and present masters of each of these bodies. We wish each of them the best in their new oces and endeavors. Ninth Degree Revolutionary Members in good standing of the Sovereign Sanctuary of the IX in the United States (who are not serving as an ocer or voting member of any Governing or Administrative Body under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Grand Lodge) wishing to volunteer to stand for election by the E.C. to the oce of Revolutionary are encouraged to write the president of the E.C. Sanction for Appeal Brothers or sisters of our Order who wish to pursue appeal to a verdict of the Grand Tribunal may write to individual members of the E.C. to request sanction be given to take their case to the Areopagus of the eight degree (per Liber CXCIV, section 16) via email links found at: ec.oto-usa.org/ECelectors.html The Fall 2008 Meeting scheduled for Saturday, October 18th, 2008 is to be hosted by Tahuti Lodge (New York, NY). The Winter 2008 Meeting scheduled for Saturday, January 10th, 2009 will be held via electronic medium. Aending E.C. Meetings Dues current members in good standing of V and above are welcome to aend and observe the in person E.C. Meetings. Hosting E.C. Meetings The college wishes to thank the members, families, ocers, and masters (outgoing and incoming) of LVX Lodge for their hospitality in hosting our spring meetings. Local bodies that are interested in hosting meetings of the E.C. are encouraged to write the President of the E.C. Upcoming E.C. Meetings

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We request that those planning to aend contact the master of the hosting body so that adequate arrangements can be made. Website The ocial E.C. website is at: ec.oto-usa.org Forms Bodymasters seeking up-to-date forms for the Annual Report, Change of Mastership Application, Application for Oasis Status, Application for Lodge Status, or closure forms will nd them (exclusively) at: ec.oto-usa.org/ECservices.htm Bodymasters not already in possession of the username and password will be granted them upon request. All other previous versions of these forms are now obsolete and should not be used.

Communication with the E.C. I would like to invite any initiates with specic concerns or questions regarding the operation of the E.C. to write to either the president or secretary of the E.C. It is my goal as president of the E.C. to take eective measures bringing about beer communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed. I believe that communication is of benet to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All postal mail correspondence with the E.C. secretary should be sent to the address listed on p. 2. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Frater Dvgls Jms Blk President, Electoral College

From the Profess House Committee

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. In moving forward with the U.S.G.L. strategic plan adopted April 15, 2007 , the Executive Council has created the Profess House Commiee. The commiee, chaired by the Grand Master Sabazius X, includes among its members Sr. Lutea of Golden Lotus Oasis, Vere Chappell/Br. S.L.Q. of Golden Lotus Oasis, Br. Hunahpu of Leaping Laughter Lodge, Marlene Cornelius of Therion-Babalon Oasis, Tau Roncelin of Tahuti Lodge, Hank Hadeed of Sekhet-Maat Lodge, Kerry Kurowski/Sr. Hypatia of William Blake Lodge, and LeRoy Lauer of Blue Horizon Oasis and LVX Lodge. When I joined the Order back in 1995 , the idea of a profess house was one of the rst things that excited me about being a member. In fact, as a II, I had even sent Sabazius an enthusiastic and (now) embarrassing leer recommending the group house I lived in for a profess house. I still remain inspired. Crowleys vision of the profess house permeates the Orders organizational documents in works such as Liber CI: An Open Leer to Those Who Wish to Join the Order, I.N.R.I.: The Constitution of the Ancient Order of Oriental Templars, Liber CXXIV: Of Eden and Sacred Oak. Doed throughout Crowleys works are references to profess house logistics and daily functions, questions of who is entitled to its hospitality, and discussions of how fraternal conduct manifests in the realization of everyday life. It alights our imagination: part Thelemic commune, part retreat center, part hotel and part IX home; we want one day to join our sisters and brothers in a place where can carve out our own particular vision of daily existence, a true oasis in the desert. Our commiee is in the early stages of development. We are discovering our strengths, gathering information, reviewing options, and consolidating our individual visions into a cohesive and workable plan. For instance, did you know the Order already owns a piece of property in northern California? It unfortunately has no infrastructure (water, sewers, power). Do we develop it rst, or buy an existing building and save the California property for later development? What states provide the greatest benets for a non-prot project like this? How will we fund this project? How much money do we need? What type of facilities do we need? These are the sorts of ideas being explored at this phase. Continued on next page

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Continued from previous page Funding the project is our primary challenge right now, so we are developing a strategy. Presently, we dont have much money, but we do have time. Since we have about nine years to manifest the goal, time is our greatest asset, and our best bet is to invest seed money to work for this project. For now, members may make donations the Profess House Fund directly through the U.S.G.L. Grand Treasurer General. In response to the recent deaths of Sr. Lena Bender VI of Tahuti Lodge and Br. James Garvey/ Br. Aladdin VI of Tahuti Lodge, in lieu of owers, Tau Roncelin has established a profess house memorial fund which will honor our brother and sister by posting plaques in their honor. So far, this fund has collected $1493.00 toward the profess house project. Donations can be made out to O.T.O. U.S.A. Please indicate Profess House Fund. and either Lena Bender Memorial or James Garvey Memorial. Send donations to: Love is the law, love under will. O.T.O. U.S.A. 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. #444 Portland, OR 97214-5246 Soror Hypatia We hope that the O.T.O. membership will be inspired by this project and support it through its stages of manifestation. Whether you help us by informing other members about it, donating to the fund, building the temple space, furnishing the rooms, or keeping it clean, we hope the U.S.G.L. membership will invest in manifesting Crowleys concept as best we can. We look forward to the day when its door opens. The commiee plans to send periodic updates in Agap, so please be watchful for additional information. There are also two spots le on this commiee which are open to O.T.O. members in good standing of III and above, with approval by the Grand Master Sabazius X. Although it is certainly not a requirement, the commiee would benet from a brother or sister with real estate experience. Please contact any of the commiee members for further information at professhouse@oto-usa.org.

Local Body Report

From Thelesis Lodge: Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Its been a wonderful two years at Thelesis, during which time we were granted lodge status under the mentorship of Tau Roncelin. Our regular activities include having our ordained clergy perform Gnostic Mass at least twice per month as well as a variety of group rituals, workshops, lectures and classes. In May of 2007 , our body was privileged to be the rst to host Brother David Shoemakers workshop The Psychological Implications of O.T.O. Initiations. This workshop grew out of a conversation between Brother David and Soror Amy W. aer a Pastoral Counseling Workshop hosted by Tahuti Lodge. All who aended the workshop held at Thelesis found it to be thought-provoking and helpful, as it provided a forum for body masters and ocers to exchange ideas and oer advice. Brother Shoemaker has since given this workshop at other Local Bodies around the country. In May of 2008 , Thelesis hosted a Kaaba Colloquium. Working with the Kaaba team was an energizing experience and the material presented was so relevant and helpful that we began implementing many of techniques we learned immediately. The event also gave our ocers and members the chance to strengthen our relationships with our brothers and sisters throughout the mid-Atlantic region, as well as meet many members from other areas of the country for the rst time. We had over 50 aendees and were fortunate enough to be able to stage the event at our own Temple, located in a converted factory whose other tenants are artists and creative agencies. Earlier in 2008 , Thelesis hosted Certied Initiators Training workshop overseen by Tau Roncelin. In addition our lodge has been collaborating with the local artist community and held concerts by regional musicians and even hosted the record release party for international recording artists Fern Knight, whose members oen provide musical accompaniment at our Gnostic Masses. We are proud to announce that we are entering our ninth year of publishing the magazine Behutet, which comes out quarterly; our Summer Solstice issue was #38! The magazine is devoted to Thelemic Magick & Culture and features thought-provoking contributions from writers from around the world, works of serious scholarship, as well as more entertaining pieces. We are currently in the midst of ramping up our outreach program (using a lot of ideas presented at Kaaba!) and initiating a growing inux of new members. We encourage all members who travel through Philadelphia to stop by and pay us a visit and we are actively are seeking teams from other bodies to come perform the Mass in Philadelphia. Love is the law, love under will. Soror Amy W., Treasurer Thelesis Lodge Valley of Philadelphia

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Announcements
Wedding Ms. Kerry Kurowski (Soror Hypatia, William Blake Lodge), daughter of Benedict Kurowski and Patricia Maulo, was married to Dr. Richard Kaczynski (Tau Zalmoxis, William Blake Lodge), son of Peter and Henriea Kaczynski, on Friday, November 7, 2008 , during a celebration aended by 50 family and friends. The ceremony, ociated by Best Man Tau Roncelin of Tahuti Lodge and aended by the brides sister Leilani J. as Matron of Honor, was wrien by the bride and groom. The vows were exchanged during a Gnostic Mass celebrated by the groom (priest), bride (priestess), Sr. Zephiniah of Knights Templar Oasis (deacon), Br. Von Hohenheim of William Blake Lodge (positive child), and Br. EAOA of Pyramid Lodge (negative child). The wedding was followed by a reception at Overhills Mansion in Catonsville, Maryland, that featured dinner and live entertainment of a bharatnatyam dancer, a belly dancer, and karaoke by the wedding guests. The bride and groom thank everyone for their participation and best wishes. The bride has chosen to retain her maiden name. Greater Feast Brother Michael Edwin Lips II, Frater Aleph, departed our company to celebrate his Greater Feast May 3, 2008 at the age of 30. A long-time member of our Order and of Scarlet Woman Lodge in Austin, Texas, Michael was a Knight of the East & West, ordained Priest, and skilled ritualist with a wonderful presence. Michael was also an accomplished guitarist, singer, composer, and writer, studying science and theology at the University of Texas in Austin where he was a Junior. Michaels heart radiated love, his smile was contagious, and he was well liked and well loved by all who knew him. He considered everyone to be his sister or his brother and acted accordingly. Michaels memorial service was aended by many Order members, members of the local magickal community, and his fellow workers. The temple was lled to capacity three times over by his friends who came to say goodbye. He is survived by his mother, Barbara and his sister, Robyn. Michael, we hardly knew ya, Lad! But what we did know we loved and will continue to love. Fare thee well, our beloved brother.

Thy Will Be Done: Planning Your Estate

FRATER S.L.Q.
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Estate planning is something that most of us do not like to think about. We tend to put it o, believing that there will always be plenty of time to take care of it later. The problem with this approach is that we usually do not know in advance how much time we have remaining in this incarnation. If we should die unexpectedly, without having made at least some basic preparations, then we will have no control over the disposition of our assets or who we want to benet from what we leave behind. Instead, we will burden our loved ones with bureaucratic hassles. strategic planning for these objectives is to begin developing alternative funding sources now, one of which is to encourage members to make bequests to the Order as they will. Of course, if you have children or other family to provide for, they will obviously take priority in your estate planning. If you have no immediate heirs, however, you may opt to leave a lasting legacy by supporting the work of O.T.O. to establish the Law of Thelema in the years to come. But whoever you intend to benet, you need to act now to ensure that you are prepared when the time comes.

Many charitable organizaFollowing a few simple steps pays o immediately tions encourage their Basic estate planning is fairly members to arrange bequests in the peace of mind that results from knowing straightforward, doesnt to benet causes in which that your wishes (dare I say, your Will) will be take much time, and usually they believe. Oen bequests respected aer your departure from this world. doesnt require a lawyer. provide a great boost to the Following a few simple steps organization, allowing it pays o immediately in the to expand signicantly and meet major goals which might peace of mind that results from knowing that your wishes normally be out of reach. Extraordinary levels of funding will (dare I say, your Will) will be respected aer your departure be required for O.T.O. to achieve its long-term objectives such from this world. Here are some steps to get you started: as owning property and building profess houses. Part of our Continued on next page Agap 7 q h IV:

Continued from previous page Establish Beneciaries If you have life insurance, a retirement plan, brokerage accounts, mutual funds, annuities, or other kinds of investments, you can designate beneciaries who will receive the money in those accounts automatically upon your death. As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, O.T.O. can be listed as a beneciary any place that an individual can. Also, you can identify O.T.O. as a contingent beneciary if you want priority to go to someone else rst, such as your partner or spouse. If that person dies with you or soon aerward, then the money reverts to O.T.O. You may also list multiple beneciaries, seing a percentage of the proceeds that each is to receive. To establish beneciaries for your accounts, ask for a beneciary form from your employer (for jobprovided benets) or directly from the account provider. In some cases this can even be done online. To include O.T.O., specify Ordo Templi Orientis USA as the name of the beneciary. If you are asked to give a Tax I.D. or E.I.N., please write to the Grand Treasurer General (gtg@oto-usa.org) who will supply you with this information. Write your Will without it, your estate could be tied up for months or even years in probate court before anyone receives a penny. And of course, the court costs will be deducted rst, if there is anything le over at all. Leave Instructions Make at least two identical copies of your will and sign both as originals. Keep one in your residence where it will be easy to nd, such as in a le at the front of your ling cabinet. Store the other one somewhere else such as in a safe-deposit box or with a trusted friend. In addition to your will, write a leer of instructions to whoever will be handling your aairs. This can contain practical details, such as where to nd keys or what to do with pets. Try to imagine all the things that you would want to know if you were in the same position. The advantage of having this in a separate leer is that you can revise it from time to time without having to change your will. Also, you should leave clear instructions for your executor regarding the disposition of any O.T.O. items in your possession such as charters, degree materials, rituals, etc. It is highly recommended that you keep these items together with a cover sheet stating that they are condential and should be returned to the Order (give Grand Lodges address) upon your death.

A will is a legal document that controls the disposition of your aairs upon your death. Although it needs to be worded precisely, for most people a lawyer is Further Arrangements not required to draw one up. You can easily do it yourself using a computer program such as Quicken If you anticipate a large estate, you may wish to WillMaker Plus (about $30) or a book such as Nolos contact the Grand Treasurer General to make special Simple Will Book (about $25) both available from arrangements in advance that could reduce your tax nolo.com. All you burden while you are need to do is enter alive. A Charitable your information, Many people are daunted by the prospect of Remainder Trust is decide how you writing a will, but it is imperative that you have an example of one wish your assets to one. If you die without it, your estate could be tied such arrangement be divided and who up for months or even years in probate court before (Google it!). you wish to receive them, and then anyone receives a penny. In this day and age sign in the presence it is also a good of witnesses, who also will sign. (The witnesses idea to think about a so-called living will and do not actually read the document.) The specic other provisions for making medical decisions and requirements vary from state to state, but the book or taking care of your aairs if you are incapacitated or soware will provide all the details. otherwise unable to communicate your wishes while still alive. Quicken WillMaker Plus can generate these If you have no other beneciaries in mind, you may documents for most people without requiring the wish to leave your entire estate to O.T.O., which it can involvement of a lawyer. then use to help fund major projects. Or if you have relatives who are not magically inclined, you may Whatever your intentions for your material legacy, if want to leave your ritual items, books, diaries, etc. you havent already followed these basic steps, dont to the Order, knowing that they will be appreciated put them o any longer. Take this opportunity to and your wishes with regard to these items will be ensure that thy Will be done, even aer you are gone. honored. For you never know if this day might be your last. Many people are daunted by the prospect of writing a will, but it is imperative that you have one. If you die Love is the law, love under will.

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WANDERER
BRECK OUTLAND
G P, 18 11 Now and again Travellers cross the desert; they come from the Great Sea, and to the Great Sea they go. And as they go they spill water; one day they will irrigate the desert, till it ower. Liber 333 (Book of Lies), Chapter 42, Dust Devils Agap 9 q h IV:

Mystics, Mothers, and Magicians Symposium: Why?

ANNA TSU
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Mystics, Mothers, and Magicians: Women and Goddesses of O.T.O. was the third national O.T.O. symposium on the subject of the divine feminine. Sometimes people ask: Why should O.T.O. organize a national symposium on the divine feminine? My answer is that there is a deepseated need for exactly this sort of event in our community and in our society. Abrahamic faiths chose onethe male, the yang irrevocably over the otherthe female, or yinand sets the two not in balance but in opposition. Thus the female, material, physical, passive, dark, and yin became separated from God and eventually became associated with the Devil, Gods adversary. As above, so below. As the Abrahamic faiths became the dominant theology/ worldview throughout half of the world, the female and everything associated with her was disowned. Half of ourselves was rejected. The Abrahamic faiths have, in essence, inicted a deep and festering wound on the psyche of all those raised in a Western-inuenced tradition. It has separated them from their natural connection to female divinity, to the sacred as it is manifest in creation, to the sacred as it is manifest in their own bodies. The only way to heal this wound is to aack it at its root.

This need arises from the injury inicted on our collective unconscious by the imbalance created by the Abrahamic faiths, and Thelema plays a unique and central role in healing this injury. The Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), despite their virtues, suer from a sort of spiritual mutation or aberration: they do not recognize a divine feminine. What other religions, of any sort and on any continent, do not worship some form of the divine feminine along with her counterpart, the divine masculine? Every other religion and culture throughout What does this mean for those of us raised in Western history has envisioned the divine in a male and female traditions? As I see it, this means that it is not enough to aspect. Even as the material world exists in male and emigrate, to become Taoists or Buddhists or Wiccans female versions, so (yes, of course thats a does the spiritual. The However, at some point, in order to truly heal, we Western tradition, but Abrahamic faiths do not an Abrahamic one) or not share this vision. need to come home to our dysfunctional family Hindus or anything else. They recognize only a of birth and set things right at home. In spiritual All of those can certainly single male divinity (or terms, this means to me that we need to bring the be benecial. However, perhaps a male trinity, as lessons of Taoism, Wicca, and Hinduism home into at some point, in order in Christianity). There is the arena of the spiritual traditions we absorbed as to truly heal, we need no Goddess, only God. to come home to our The feminine appears we grew up. dysfunctional family of only as a material birth and set things right handmaiden to the masculine divine. (Yes, there are at home. In spiritual terms, this means to me that we need some minority eorts to express a female divinity, such as to bring the lessons of Taoism, Wicca, and Hinduism home the Shekinah or the Virgin Mary, but these are peripheral into the arena of the spiritual traditions we absorbed as and do not hold full status as Goddesses.) It is only we grew up. Even if we, as Westerners, never consciously because we have been raised in a culture imbued with became Christians, the assumptions and biases of this Abrahamic aberration that we do not immediately Christianity color our thoughts and perceptions. If we do recognize the oddity, the absurdity, of this worldview. not challenge these largely unspoken assumptions, God and the Devil, Christ and Antichrist, run amok through In both East and West, the masculine is associated with our subconscious, even as our conscious minds revel in the spiritual, the intellectual, the active, the light, the the balance of yin and yang. yang, while the feminine is associated with the material, the physical, the passive, the dark, the yin. But where the This is the glory and the audacity of Crowley and the Eastern, and the Western pagan (i.e. non-Abrahamic), reason that, even today, he is reviled by many as the faiths saw these two in balance with each other, the wickedest man on earth. Crowley dared to take the

Agap Volume 10, Number 4 submission deadline: q in j R in l dies Jovis Anno IV:xvi Thursday, January 1st, 2009 EV
Please send your local body reports and governing body reports to:

agape@oto-usa.org
We will also accept other kinds of work, including essays, art, and photography. Submission guidelines are available at www.oto-usa.org/agape.html. For more information contact agape@oto-usa.org.

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Because Thelema does, in fact, oer so much to a female aspirant (and to the inner female, the anima, within a male aspirant) and has such a unique role to play in bringing the masculine and feminine, heaven and earth, yin and yang, back into balance in our society, we do ourselves, Thelema, and the world a great disservice if we do not actively work to dispel these erroneous perceptions. I believe it is our duty as Thelemites to, so far as it is possible, allow each For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be and every human to learn of Thelema as it really is, so that much required (Luke, 12:48). As Thelema is the only each of them has the opportunity to engage the Thelemic path which possesses this particular tool, it also holds a current if it be their Wills. Furthermore, even we initiates special responsibility to apply it. O.T.O., as the largest are not entirely free of the prejudices and biases of our and most recognized Thelemic organization, is the most society. Although we strive to balance the dierent parts able to promulgate the Law of Thelema, embracing this of our nature, many of us may still, subconsciously, value message of balance the masculine over the and inclusiveness. I feminine, the active over believe that O.T.O. has I believe that O.T.O. has a special ability and the passive, the spiritual a special ability and responsibility to address the longstanding bias of over the material. responsibility to address Western culture against the feminine, the physical, the longstanding bias and the material. As Westerners, we cannot fully To this end, I believe the of Western culture realize ourselves as spiritual beings without Mystics, Mothers, and against the feminine, Magicians Symposium the physical, and the resolving the conicts of our own heritage. and its two earlier material. As Westerners, manifestations as the we cannot fully realize ourselves as spiritual beings O.T.O. Womens Symposium are a useful means. Actions without resolving the conicts of our own heritage. The speak louder than words. The very fact that the U.S.G.L. Dalai Lama and others have commented that Westerners of O.T.O. would go to the trouble and expense of hosting might nd it benecial to learn from the East, but that a national weekend-long conferences on the subject of their ultimate path will lie in purifying and consecrating the divine feminine speaks volumes. That fact sends a the work of their own cultural destiny. Due to its biases, powerful message to the wider community and to our the study of Western spirituality may be uncomfortable at own newer initiates (male and female). We make the times for an aware man or woman; but this study must be truth of what we oer more accessible to those whose accomplished and the tradition must be healed, corrected, True Wills might include membership in O.T.O. Further, and reconciled so that the path of Western spirituality is because actions speak louder than words most especially returned to the line of balance, the historical balance of to the subconscious, the very existence of this symposium male and female, light and dark, activity and stillness. communicates that same recognition and respect to This is a balance in which all poles are valued equally, and the yin, feminine, or material aspects of our own by science and art we may reach the goal of all human consciousness, assisting each of us to toward spiritual endeavor: the Palace of Beauty. Thelema is the best means balance and maturity, and the accomplishment of the to this end. Great Work. Thus, this years symposium was not called the Womens Symposium; this work of reclaiming and Ironically, O.T.O. is not necessarily seen by others in this recognizing the divine feminine is not only for women, light. In the pagan and alternative spirituality communities, but involves each male initiate as he learns to value and we are oen considered to be male dominated and not strengthen the yin aspects of his own self. a place for strong and independent minded women to nd a home. Those of us who are active in O.T.O. know By extending recognition and respect to all points, this is not the case; I have rarely met so many strong feminine and masculine, this event is designed to increase and outstanding women as I have within this Order. our strength and fortify our purpose, hopefully to assist But the perception from the outside is dierent. In part, in bringing us to the accomplishment of our true Wills, this is due to our founder, Aleister Crowley. Despite his the Great Work, the Summum Bonum, True Wisdom and groundbreaking work in challenging spiritual, societal, Perfect Happiness. and sexual assumptions, Crowley was also a man of his time (Victorian England). While challenging some of the Love is the law, love under will assumptions of that time, he unconsciously succumbed to others. In addition, Crowley was, shall we say, not tactful; in fact it is possible to imagine that he actually reveled

lessons of the East and of the pre-Christian West home and apply them to Christian archetypes in order to challenge and heal those wounds. He dared to take the lessons of yin and yang and apply them directly to God and the Devil! Indeed, he intended to storm the gates of heaven. This is why Thelema has a unique and essential role in Western civilization. Thelema, as far as I know, is the only spiritual tradition that dares to take the cure straight to the root of the division, the separation at the heart of the Western soul. Let there be no dierence made among you between any one thing & any other thing; for thereby there cometh hurt (Liber AL, I:22). For I am divided for loves sake, for the chance of union (Liber AL, I-29). Thelema alone dares to unite the divided and heal the wounds of duality.

in bringing negative aention upon himself. Therefore, as Thelemites we have the unenviable task of explaining away Crowleys oen insulting remarks about (and actions toward) women. In addition, there are other aspects of our practice that may seem questionable to men and women outside the Order.

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Agap is the Ocial Organ of the U. S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Volume X, Number 4 q in K R in A Anno IV:xvi

From the Grand Master

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law Mystics, Mothers and Magicians Over the weekend of November 14 through 16 of the previous vulgar year, U.S. Grand Lodge held the Mystics, Mothers and Magicians Symposium, hosted by 418 Lodge at the Sacramento Convention Center. This event was the sequel to the O.T.O. Womens Symposium (OTOWS) held in Las Vegas in 2006 ev. The program may be viewed here: h p://mysticsmothersmagicians.com/ Many thanks to 418 Lodge for hosting the symposium, with special thanks to Sister Anna, who coordinated the whole aair. Order of the Lion, Order of the Eagle: A reminder In the May 1998 issue of Agap, I instituted a program within the U.S. Grand Lodge to formally recognize men and women of the past who have contributed in diverse but important ways to the development and advancement of the great principles of our Order. Men so recognized receive an honor called the Order of the Lion; women receive the Order of the Eagle. Nominees must be historical (as opposed to purely mythological) men and women and must have died at least eleven years before award. The current list of inductees into the Order of the Eagle may be found here: h p://www.hermetic.com/sabazius/lion_eagle.html If this sounds interesting to you, you might also consider that Marjorie Cameron has been eligible for nomination since 2006 and Frieda Harris and Jane Wolfe have been eligible for nomination since the inception of the program. Helen Parsons Smith will be eligible for nomination in 2014, and Phyllis Seckler will be eligible for nomination in 2015. IHQ Publishing Eorts Id like to mention three major publishing projects that International HQ has in the works: 1. The unabridged Confessions of Aleister Crowley in a denitive, unexpurgated six-volume edition, with an additional volume of editorial material. This project is currently in proofreading for Volume 5, currently at about 2,000 pages. It is being done Continued on next page q in K IV: vi en Any member of U.S. Grand Lodge in good standing of at least Third Degree may submit a nomination. Nominations must be accompanied by a thorough, well-researched and documented essay defending the nomination. Nominations may be submi ed to any U.S. S.G.I.G. for screening, and meritorious nominations are forwarded to the Supreme Grand Council for further consideration. Inductions into these two orders are announced in Agap, and the essays are posted or linked to on my website.

February 1, 2009 ev

Contents
From the Grand Master ......................................................................1 From the Electoral College ................................................................3 From the Education Committee ............................................................5 NOTOCON Update .............................................................................5 Announcements ...............................................................................6 Local Body Reports ...........................................................................7 Agap 1

Continued from previous page in the original style (font and size) specied by Crowley, and will include Liber AL in color in Volume 3. 2. The complete Crowley diaries from 1896 to 1947. This project is 95% complete in rst proofs, currently also at about 2,000 pages. 3. A denitive edition of Magick Without Tears. Frater Shiva of O.T.O. Australia is editing this project. Four sets of typescript are being compared to ensure that the nal version specied by Crowley will be published. Notes on Promulgation of the Law of Thelema As you know, the mission of Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. is to eect 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 (h p://oto-usa.org/mission.html). Another phrase of similar meaning frequently used by Crowley (e.g., in Liber CCC) is promulgation of the Law of Thelema.

The Ocial Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

Mysteria Mystica Maxima

Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica

Sabazius X Grant Potts Grant Potts Steven P. Bankowitz, Karma deGruy, Heather Lantz, Joseph Thiebes Production & Distribution: Sr. Marlene Editorial Address: P.O. Box 41315 Austin, TX 78704 agape@oto-usa.org

Executive Editor: Editor: Layout: Proofreading:

U.S. GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

U.S. NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: SABAZIUS X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. DEPUTY NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: LON MILO DUQUETTE P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND SECRETARY GENERAL: FR. HUNAHPU PO Box 2313, Maple Grove, MN 55311 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND TREASURER GENERAL: HANK HADEED 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. #444, Portland, OR 97214-5246 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury U.S. GRAND TRIBUNAL DATHAN BIBERSTEIN, SECRETARY grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 17462, Minneapolis, MN 55417 U.S. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, U.S. SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL, U.S. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. ELECTORAL COLLEGE DOUGLAS JAMES BLAKE, PRESIDENT ec_president@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 47056, Seattle, WA 98146 DANN BUCHANAN, SECRETARY electoral_college@oto-usa.org 5030 N. May Ave., #252, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6010 U.S.G.L. INITIATION SECRETARIES: FR. SATVRNVS BAPHOMET AND SR. NAAMAH P.O. Box 48569, Minneapolis, MN 55448 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. SECRETARY: SR. HYPATIA egc@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PARLIAMENTARIAN: SR. HELENA P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 parliamentarian@oto-usa.org WWW.OTO-USA.ORG
Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A., a California not-for-prot religious corporation with business ofces at P .O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business ofces at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at 24881 Alicia Pkwy E-529, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download in PDF format at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/docs.html Copyright 2009 EV Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

U.S.G.L. OMBUDSMAN: FR. HARMATEUS P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520 562-685-4722 ombudsman@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. QUARTERMASTER: SR. ISHARA quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. WEBMASTER: CRAIG BERRY webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LIBRARIAN: FR. A.G.R.C. 9249 S Broadway #200-212, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ARCHIVIST: FR. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S.G.L. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: JAMES MCLAUGHLIN volunteers@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LOCAL BODY PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY: FR. LUX AD MUNDI O.T.O. U.S.A./Thelesis 1627 N. 2nd Street, Suite 220 Philadelphia, PA 19122 publications@oto-usa.org COORDINATOR, O.T.O. PRISON MINISTRY: Father Solomon PO Box 4215 Culver City, CA 90231 prison_ministry@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER: FR. LUX AD MUNDI O.T.O. U.S.A./Thelesis 1627 N. 2nd Street, Suite 220 Philadelphia, PA 19122 pio@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION: GRANT POTTS agape@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. EDUCATION COMMITTEE SECRETARY: KAYLA BLOCK education@oto-usa.org

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The word promulgate is a term used primarily in in the legal profession and means to publicly declare or announce a decree, rule, law, code, or constitution, thereby pu ing it into eect. The etymology of the word is interesting: 1530, from L. promulgatus, pp. of promulgare make publicly known, perhaps from provulgare, from pro- forth + vulgare make public, publish. Or the second element may be from mulgere to milk, used metaphorically for cause to emerge. Online Etymology Dictionary, Douglas Harper The use of the term promulgation, then, carries the meaning of pu ing the Law into eect simply through the act of proclaiming it, of pu ing it out there, of disseminating it. So, as members of O.T.O., we serve as individual and collective

proclaimerspreachersof the Law of Liberty throughout the world. While we have no duty to convert, we do have a duty to disseminate the Law as widely as possible throughout human society, not just within specic sub-cultures, classes, and social groups. Therefore, diversity among the membership is something to be sought a er and actively encouraged. We would do well to view ourselves as inltrators of all aspects of society, bringing Light wherever we go. As such, we need members who belong to all professions, political parties, and social institutions; who can travel freely among all social strata; and who represent all cultural and ethnic groups. It does not serve our cause to associate only with people who look like us, talk like us, and share our personal tastes, interests, and opinions. Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, Sabazius

From the Electoral College

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The Electoral College at its fall meeting, October 18th, 2008 ev, took the following actions concerning duties in its charge: Local Body Closures None. Change of Body Status None. Change of Body Masters Mastership of Mons Abiegnus Oasis (San Francisco, CA) has passed from Frater Gregory Peters (Frater ) to Soror Ylva Tuck eective October 18th, 2008 ev. Mastership of Vortex Oasis (Tacoma, WA) has passed from Sr. Brandy Williams, Soror Via Amore Gnostike, to Br. Ted Gill eective October 18th, 2008 ev. New Local Body Charters Azul Nox Camp (Hanover, PA) has been chartered with Frater Euaristos S.T.V.L. (Sin Rabe) as master eective October 18th, 2008 ev. Samadhi Camp (House Springs, MO) has been chartered with Soror B. as master eective October 18th, 2008 ev. The college wishes to express its appreciation to the past and present masters of each of these bodies. We wish each of them the best in their new oces and endeavors. Continued on next page

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Continued from previous page Ninth Degree Revolutionary Members in good standing of the Sovereign Sanctuary of the IX in the United States (who are not serving as an ocer or voting member of any governing or administrative body under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Grand Lodge) wishing to volunteer to stand for election to the oce of Revolutionary by the Electoral College are encouraged to write the president of the E.C. Sanction for Appeal Brothers or sisters of our Order who wish to pursue appeal to a verdict of the Grand Tribunal may write to individual members of the Electoral College to request sanction be given to take their case to the Areopagus of the Eight Degree (per Liber CXCIV, section 16) via email links found at: h p://ec.oto-usa.org/ECelectors.html Hosting E.C. Meetings The college wishes to thank the members, families, ocers, and masters (outgoing and incoming) of Tahuti Lodge for their hospitality in hosting our fall meeting. Local bodies that are interested in hosting meetings of the Electoral College are encouraged to write the president of the E.C. Upcoming E.C. Meetings Winter 2008 ev meeting scheduled for Saturday, January 10th, 2009 ev via electronic medium. Spring 2009 ev meeting tentatively scheduled for Saturday, April 18th, 2009 ev with our annual Policy & Procedures Meeting on Sunday, April 19th, 2009 ev, hosted by Seven Spirits Camp (Tucson, AZ). Summer 2009 ev meeting scheduled for Friday, August 7th, 2009 ev, onsite before NOTOCON in Doubletree Hotel (Tukwila, WA). Fall 2009 ev meeting scheduled for Saturday, October 17th, 2009 ev, hosted by Pyramid Lodge (Bualo, NY). A ending E.C. Meetings Dues current members in good standing of V and above are welcome to a end and observe the in-person Electoral College Bodymasters not already in possession of the username and password will be granted them upon request. All other previous versions of these forms are now obsolete and should not be used. Communication with the E.C. I would like to invite any initiates with specic concerns or questions regarding the operation of the Electoral College, to write to either the president or Secretary of the E.C. For contact information, please see p. 2. It is my goal as president of the Electoral College to take eective measures bringing about be er communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed. I believe that communication is of benet to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All postal mail correspondence with the Electoral College Secretary should be sent to the address listed on p. 2. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Frater Dvgls Jms Blk President, Electoral College meetings. We request that those planning to a end contact the master of the hosting body so that adequate arrangements can be made. Website The ocial E.C. website can be found at: h p://ec.oto-usa.org Forms Bodymasters seeking up-to-date forms for the Annual Report, Change of Mastership Application, Application for Oasis Status, Application for Lodge Status, or closure forms will nd them (exclusively) at: h p://ec.oto-usa.org/ECservices.html

Agap Volume 11, Number 1 submission deadline: q in A R in D dies Mercurii Anno IV:xvii Wednesday, April 1st, 2009 EV
Please send your local body reports and governing body reports to:

agape@oto-usa.org
We will also accept other kinds of work, including essays, art, and photography. Submission guidelines are available at www.oto-usa.org/agape.html. For more information contact agape@oto-usa.org.

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From the Education Committee

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The U.S.G.L. Education Commi ee has a variety of resources available to body masters and ocers. New resources include a graphics library for use in your handouts. If you have specic graphics needs, contact education@oto-usa. org to nd out whether your request can be accommodated. New course work is in beta and available for your use, including courses on Thelemic Yoga and on the Thelemic Mythos. A course on Liber Resh is also newly available. For a complete list of courses, traveling lecturers, graphics, and other resources available through the commi ee, please see our web site at: h p://education.oto-usa.org The commi ee is always looking for content writers. Content writers volunteer to write class material on subjects on an as needed and as interested basis. Content will be wri en in accordance with a supplied format. There are no long term commitments and no degree requirements. If you would like more information, please email: education@oto-usa.org Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Kayla Block, Commi ee Secretary

NOTOCON Update
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Care Sorores et Fratres, At our recent planning meeting, January 18th,, 2009 ev, the Local NOTOCON Commi ee met at the Doubletree Hotel to move our plans for NOTOCON VII to the next level. The dawning of the vulgar New Year means that the clock is ticking more loudly, and its time to get down to details. Being in the space where the convention will be held did a lot to inspire us. Were very excited and honored to host you! There are plans for vending, an art show, rituals, workshops, and many opportunities for fellowship and networking. Our speaker list and presentation topics have been posted a er a dicult series of choices from the proposals submi ed. We received twice as many proposals as we had spots to ll, making it quite a challenge to choose who made the cut. It was our goal to nd something for everyone, and I think weve accomplished that. Thank you to all who submi ed proposals! Vending registration is now open. Space is limited so do not delay. You can notify our vending team of your interest by visiting: h p://vii.notocon.org/vendors/ As of the time of the writing of this notice, there are 62 registered for NOTOCON VII. Not bad considering that registration has been open just short of one month. Before we realize it, summer will be here and with it our July deadline, which will give us our nal headcount for our August conference. Will you be one of our number? Our venue, the Doubletree Southcenter, has plenty of room for nearly twice the a endance of our last conference in Salem. Think on that for a moment: Wouldnt it be wonderful if we Agap 5 had to close registration because we were full? That would mean upwards of 400 brothers and sisters in a endance. Help me reach this goal and register today! If youre not certain if you want to go and need convincing, I invite you to peruse the pages of our website, and see what youll be missing: h p://vii.notocon.org In particular, check out the blog, which is a place to nd information that might not make the formal announcements. When I a ended NOTOCON VI in Salem, MA, I wanted to share with those I le at home the feeling of unity with my siblings in the Order, and I also wanted to share the people I le at home with those who were at the conference. In keeping with this feeling, and with the conference theme, Unity U ermost Showed, I am inviting all U.S.G.L. local bodies to send group photos of their current membership to me for display at the conference. The details can be found on the website, or contact me at onsite@notocon.org for more information. I would like to formally thank the volunteering members of the following U.S.G.L. local bodies, who are coming together beautifully to make this conference happen: Horizon Oasis, Sekhet-Maat Lodge, and Vortex Oasis. There is still a lot of work to be done, and I beseech all those a ending NOTOCON to give two or more hours of your time to assist our ne brethren. We need initiates of all degree levels to serve as security, registration, and runners. You can indicate your willingness to do so by visiting the volunteers page of the website. Love is the law, love under will. Soror Melissa q in K IV:xvi en

Announcements
Transition of the oce of Public Information Ocer Carae Fratres et Sorores, Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Greetings and peace for the coming year of the Star, It has been my sincere honor and privilege to have been allowed to serve in the oce of Public Information Ocer for our sacred and most holy Order over the past eight years. During the course of that time I have had the opportunity to communicate, interact with and provide essential information about Thelema and our Order to literally thousands of interested people from all over the planet, in addition to interfacing directly with the press and media as well as representatives from a wide range of other organizations. And while it has not always been an easy job at times, I have nonetheless considered my service to have been, as I o en referred to it, My pleasure and my duty. Besides helping to develop the standard informational materials we oer, I have been honored to have represented this oce in speaking regularly about outreach, recruitment, and hospitality at our Kaaba Colloquium Thelemic Leadership Seminars since the program was founded in 2003 ev. Here, I have had the pleasure of ge ing to know many of you personally over the years. And it is now with great joy and satisfaction that I pass on the mantle of service in regards to this important oce that it may further expand and grow under new stewardship. I am pleased to announce that our Frater Lux Ad Mundi of Thelesis Lodge in Philadelphia, PA has been approved and appointed by the Grand Master Sabazius to become our next Public Information Ocer. Our brother will formally assume the duties of this oce as of the Vernal Equinox Anno IVxvii. We will be working cooperatively and closely up until that time to insure a smooth transition of the oce. Please join me in welcoming our brother into his new oce. Also, take note that the new contact information for the P.I.O. is as follows: Frater Lux Ad Mundi Public Information Ocer Ordo Templi Orientis U.S. Grand Lodge c/o Thelesis Lodge P.O. Box 1627 North Second Street Suite # 220 Philadelphia, PA 19122 Phone: 215.552.8721 I want to take a moment to personally thank our Grand Master and the members of the Executive as well as our esteemed Brother Bill Heidrick as well as the members of the Executive of I.H.Q. for all of their support and assistance to me in carrying out the duties of my oce over the past eight years. Once again, I am proud to have been given this opportunity to serve in this capacity and look forward to many more years of service to my brothers and sisters and our most holy Order. Love is the law, love under will. In Service, Frater Hrumachis

Transition of the oce of U.S.G.L. E.G.C. Secretary Dear Sisters, Brothers, and Honored Guests, Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. First, I would like to thank Tau Marie for her outstanding work as E.G.C. Secretary; I have big shoes to ll. As previously communicated by Brother Hunahpu, the major change that will accompany the position transition will be that we are reverting back to the system where the presiding clergy will create a certicate, sign it and give to the person who has been baptized, conrmed or ordained. The E.G.C. Secretary will no longer print certicates nor sign them, so there is no need to send certicates to her. We are working on designing a template certicate, but ociating clergy can create and use their own with approval from the E.G.C. Secretary. The reporting of sacraments goes to the E.G.C. Secretary as usual. The transition is still in process; I appreciate your patience while I get up and running with the position. I would like to remind everyone that it is the duty of the presiding clergy to report sacraments. Since local bodies need to track E.G.C. activity for the Annual Report, it is recommended that clergy cc body masters in their sacerdotal reports. The new mailing address for correspondence is: USGL EGC Secretary OTO P.O. Box 2578 Columbia, MD 21045 Email is still egc@oto-usa.org I look forward to serving my Sisters and Brothers. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Sr. Hypatia

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Local Body Reports

Sekhet Maat Lodge (Portland, OR) Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. At this point in what has thus far proven to be a year marked by chaos, strife and entropic decay in the broader world, few are likely to need a reminder that this is the year of the Tower. Sekhet-Maat has weathered this tension with successes and failures, but in the end using the year as a stone to hone our edge into a ner weapon. Our values inspire us to take action, and our goals act as the engine that keeps our work moving forward into the year of the lovely Star. The bulk of our goals for the coming year extend directly from our ultimate objective: promulgating the Law of Thelema. We aim to achieve this in part by ge ing the Word out through a series of printed handouts, journals, booklets and cards, disseminating them through placement in high trac areas, coee shops and cultural centers, as well as handing them out the public on street corners or wherever else seems t. These materials are designed to describe basic Thelemic ideology and practices, primarily using the writings of Saint Aleister Crowley. We also tie into the broader community by oering events that blend social gatherings with an educational or ritual focus. We oer periodic open house lectures to introduce the curious to the Gnostic Mass. The women in our valley periodically hold a Sisters of Babalon ritual and feast, open to women only. We recently initiated a weekly Film, Food and Forum series wherein members show lms and a erward lead a discussion exploring it from a Thelemic perspective. The imperative to get the Word out is increasing our own knowledge and understanding. We use educational programs as our main tools to promote a rened apprehension of Thelemic principles. This year our classes will focus more on fundamentals, including a regular schedule focused on basic rituals and a monthly class and discussion based on the new Kaaba series of booklets. Our ecclesiastical study programs continue to expand into an higher level of sophistication as we deploy study guides for newly baptized or conrmed members of E.G.C. and continue to esh out our catechumenate. Many of our accomplishments can be directly a ributed to ideas we have gleaned from dedicated initiates all over the world, which are fostered and remade in our own image through the labors of our local members. In order to extend that favor, we oer whatever aid we can to our brethren elsewhere so that we may mutually draw upon each other for ideas, praise and criticism. To that end we seek to make information about what we do and how we do it as transparent as possible. For this reason, we have again published our completed Annual Report Form submi ed to the Electoral College. This series of documents, including several supplemental reports, can be found on our website: h p://sekhetmaat.com/wiki/Annual_Reports/2008_ev Blessings, glory, delight and success to our brothers and sisters everywhere. Love is the law, love under will.

Sekhet Bast Ra Oasis (Oklahoma City, OK) Do What Thou Wilt Shall Be the Whole of the Law. I consider myself very lucky to have witnessed and participated in the activities of such an amazing body. With fewer than ten active members, Sekhet Bast Ra, in Oklahoma City, achieves so much and provides an important service to the community in Oklahoma. We have, in fact, been so active that we had over 25 O.T.O. initiates from other areas come to participate in multiple events occurring at our temple. We are very fortunate to have a separate temple space for our work. This gives us freedom and comfort when planning public events and allows for an arena in which to meet guests for the rst time. Sekhet Bast Ra held over 20 classes this past year covering a range of topics, including Mass classes, divination, the Middle Pillar Ritual, O.T.O. organization, and magick. Brother Dann treated us to a two-day, in-depth workshop covering many facets of the Mineral Degree. An absolute wealth of scholarship was prepared for this presentation that truly illuminates the important rst step for becoming an initiate. We had many initiates from neighboring states come to participate in this workshop. In fact, we are planning on hosting this event again. Initiates interested in a ending are encouraged to contact us at master@sekhetbastra.org. Agap 7 In addition to the classes and workshops, Sekhet Bast Ra also held two special private events hosting Bishops from other areas of the country. Throughout the year, 26 Gnostic Masses were celebrated, 4 deacon workshops, celebration of the Three Days of the Writing of the Book of the Law, and a private celebration of the Greater Invocation. Our body also proudly initiated 3 Minerval-degrees, 3 Firstdegrees, and 2 Third-degrees. The E.G.C. of Sekhet Bast Ra also performed 5 Ceremonies of Baptism and 5 Ceremonies of Conrmation. The vulgar year 2009 promises to be just as active and rewarding. As previously stated, another Minerval lecture workshop is planned, deacon workshops, Mass classes, Tarot classes, Sigil Magick classes, a Bishop Review, along with all our Thelemic celebrations, initiations, and Gnostic Masses. Have a look at our web site to stay informed of our public activities. There is a contact address listed on that web site as well: h p://www.sekhetbastra.org/ Love is the Law, Love Under Will. q in K IV:xvi en

THE OFFICIAL ORGAN

OF THE

U.S. GRAND LODGE

OF

ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS

A IN b B IN d ANNO IV:XVIII

VOLUME XI, NUMBER 1

SPRING, 2010 EV

FROM THE GRAND MASTER

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

NOTOCON VII

The biennial National Conference of U.S.G.L. took place on August 7th, 8th, and 9th, under the theme of Unity Uttermost Showed. Id like to thank Sister Melissa H. and her team for volunteering to take on this massive project, and for doing a spectacular job of it. Id also like to congratulate Sister Melissa on her new role as chair of the Conference Committee, and thank Sister Kim K. for her superb service in that role over the past several years. The Proceedings Book for NOTOCON VI is now available. Paperback copies are available from Amazon.com, ABE, and other retailers; hardcovers must be ordered directly from O.T.O. (via the BookSurge website).

tainers. To date, Thelema NOW! has broadcast 21 interviews, which can all be downloaded here: oto-usa.org/podcast.html.

Rites of Eleusis Anniversary

Thelema NOW! Podcast

Our Public Relations Committee has initiated a monthly podcast called Thelema NOW! The mission of the Thelema NOW! podcast is to provide listeners with interesting, informative, thought-provoking interviews featuring individuals involved in myriad realms of mysticism, spirituality and magical theory and practice: authors, sorcerers, academics, enter-

This year, 2010 EV, is the 100th anniversary of the performance of Aleister Crowleys Rites of Eleusis at Caxton Hall in London by Crowley, Leila Waddell and Victor Neuburg. U.S.G.L. will honor these classic planetary dramas with a call to all U.S. local bodies to offer up their best productions for inclusion in a collectors anniversary DVD. All submissions will be entered into the U.S.G.L. library, and a panel of qualified judges will select one performance of each of the seven Rites, hopefully from seven different local bodies, for inclusion in the compilation. This anniversary set is meant to show the diversity with which these Rites may be produced so that generations of Thelemites will have examples from which to observe and produce their own future productions. The DVD will be offered for sale to local bodies and the general public, and local bodies whose productions are chosen will receive a free set. Please submit your entries to Soror Lutea (lutea@goldenlotus-oto.org). We are the Poets! [...] and to us the rites of Eleusis should open the doors of heaven, and we shall enter in and see God face to face... Aleister Crowley, Eleusis (Collected Works, Vol. 3)

CONTENTS
From the Grand Master From the Electoral College NOTOCON Update Publication Announcements Baudelaires Metaphysical Journey Book Review Local Body Report Local Body Publications 1 3 6 6 7 10 11 11

Committee Reports

All of our ad-hoc committees are making progress, but Id like to note particularly the recent work of six of them: Continued on next page e

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The Education Committee, under the leadership of Sister Kayla B., is in various stages of development of twelve class modules (many of which are in the final approval stages), has developed a list of experienced and knowledgeable guest lecturers willing to travel around the country to offer classes, and has assembled a graphics library which can be used as a resource for development of local course materials. Contact Sistar Kayla at education@oto-usa.org for more information. The Profess House Committee, which is being coordinated by Sister Kerry K., has gathered members with experience in finance, property management, hotel and hospitality, and fundraising, and has made contact with members involved in real

VOL. XI No. 1
estate development. It has assembled a collection of archival documents and correspondence pertinent to Profess House development and operation, has prepared a list of property tax policies pertaining to religious organizations in various states, and has begun to examine criteria for Profess Houses and operational models, and to develop potential funding strategies. This past spring, the committee submitted a summary of Crowleys writings on Profess Houses to the Areopagus, which was well received. The Mediation Committee, under Brother Travis M., has completed a six-module series on mediation of disputes between members. Contact Brother Travis at ombudsman@oto-

MYSTERIA MYSTICA MAXIMA

ECCLESIA GNOSTICA CATHOLICA

The Official Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis Executive Editor: Sabazius X Editor: Fr. Julianus Proofreading: Heather Lantz, Joseph Thiebes, Fr. L. Production & Distribution: Sr. Marlene Editorial Address: P.O. Box 1892 Bloomington, IN 47402 agape@oto-usa.org

U.S. GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

U.S. NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: SABAZIUS X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org
U.S. DEPUTY NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: LON MILO DUQUETTE

P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND SECRETARY GENERAL: FR. HUNAHPU PO Box 2313, Maple Grove, MN 55311 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND TREASURER GENERAL: HANK HADEED 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. #444, Portland, OR 97214-5246 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury U.S. GRAND TRIBUNAL DATHAN BIBERSTEIN, SECRETARY grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 17462, Minneapolis, MN 55417 U.S. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, U.S. SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL, U.S. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. ELECTORAL COLLEGE DANN BUCHANAN, PRESIDENT ec_president@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 12653, Oklahoma City, OK 73157-2653 DEBORAH WOODY, SECRETARY electoral_college@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 5741, Glendale, CA 91221-5741
U.S.G.L. INITIATION SECRETARIES: FR. SATVRNVS BAPHOMET AND SR. NAAMAH

U.S.G.L. OMBUDSMAN: FR. HARMATEUS 562-685-4722 ombudsman@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. QUARTERMASTER: SR. ISHARA quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. WEBMASTER: CRAIG BERRY webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LIBRARIAN: MATTHEW T. MARFIELD AND SR. SOPHIA 3212 1/2 Honolulu Ave, La Crescenta, CA 91214 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ARCHIVIST: FR. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S.G.L. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: FR. DO volunteers@oto-usa.org
U.S.G.L. LOCAL BODY PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY: SR. ANANAEL AGAPE LUX

PO Box 5, Ashburn, VA 20146 publications@oto-usa.org COORDINATOR, O.T.O. PRISON MINISTRY: Father Solomon PO Box 4215 Culver City, CA 90231 prison_ministry@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER: FR. LUX AD MUNDI O.T.O. U.S.A./Thelesis 1627 N. 2nd Street, Suite 220 Philadelphia, PA 19122 pio@oto-usa.org
U.S.G.L. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION: FR. JULIANUS

P.O. Box 48569, Minneapolis, MN 55448 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. SECRETARY: SR. HYPATIA P.O. Box 2578, Columbia, MD 21045 egc@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PARLIAMENTARIAN: SR. HELENA P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 parlamentarian@oto-usa.org

PO Box 1892, Bloomington, IN 47402 agape@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. EDUCATION COMMITTEE SECRETARY: KAYLA BLOCK education@oto-usa.org

WWW.OTO-USA.ORG
Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A., a California not-for-profit religious corporation with business offices at P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business offices at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at 24881 Alicia Pkwy E-529, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductable to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download in PDF format at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/docs.html Copyright 2010 EV Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

SPRING 2010 EV

A IN b IV:XVIII

AGAP
usa.org for more information. The Initiation Training Committee, led by Sister Kim K., has continued to coordinate and document initiator training events, and has completed our second Advanced Initiator Training Event (ait.oto-usa.org) which was held in Salem, Massachusetts this past spring. The Kaaba Colloquium Committee (kaaba.oto-usa.org), an activity of the U.S. Electoral College with Sister Eliza M. as Chair, has proceeded to the next level of Kaaba Colloquium Thelemic Leadership Training Seminars in the form of Kaaba III, which provides two parallel tracks for beginning and veteran leaders and for developing and established bodies. Kaaba III debuted in Los Angeles this past March, and was most recently presented in Seattle, Washington on May 15th-16th. The Public Relations Committee, which is being spearheaded by Brother Howard W., has begun an effort towards expanding positive media exposure for our Order and our Work, including the placement of articles about us and our work in various mainstream publications; and initiating the Thelema Now! Podcast (see above). The P.R. committee, in concert with Tahuti Chapter of O.T.O., was also involved in the arrangements for the Musicka Mystica Maxima festival. The M.M.M. festival took place on September 21st and 22nd at the Santos Party House in Manhattan, featured a variety of well-known musicians who have been influenced by Thelema and Magick, and received extensive and positive press coverage. The performers were:

VOL. XI No. 1
Genesis Breyer P-Orridge with Thee Majesty John Zorn & Bill Laswell Nautical Almanac Larkin Grimm Arrington de Dionyso Amber Asylum Spires that in the Sunset Rise Daniel Higgs 4th Sign of the Apocalypse

Although it isnt operated by a committee, the next one of the Psychology Guilds Pastoral Counseling Workshops (www.animasolis.com/guild/Pastoral_Counseling.html) will be held in Dallas, Texas this fall.

E.G.C. Policy Revision

The line in section III.B.5.b. (vi) of the current version of the E.G.C. Manual that reads Optionally, one of the following ingredients may be added has been amended to read Either of the following i.e., one of the two ingredients mentioned must be used in the Cakes. The revised wording will be included when an updated version of the Manual is issued, but the revised wording and policy is now in effect. Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, Sabazius

FROM THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE

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

Changes in EC Officers

The office of Electoral College Secretary has passed to the very capable hands of Sister Deborah Woody as of October of 2009 EV Accordingly, the mailing address has changed though the email address for the Electoral College Secretary remains the same. See page 2 for contact information. The office of Electoral College President will officially pass to Brother Dann Buchanan April 17th, 2010, once the Spring Meeting is called to order. After serving in this position for eight years, I will be pleased to continue my duties on the E.C. as a voting Elector for the remaining two years of my eleven year-obligation. I am confident that Brother Dann will serve in the office of Electoral College President with excellence.

The College wishes to express its congratulations and appreciation to Brothers Michael Kolson and Paul Hume who each celebrated their Valedictory Meeting and the completion of their eleven-year terms of office on the Electoral College in service to our Order. Initiates of the V in good standing who are interested in service on the Electoral College may write the President of the E.C. for information on the duties of an Elector and the method for volunteering for this eleven-year commitment. See page 2 for contact information.

Ninth Degree Revolutionary

New Electors

On behalf of the Electoral College, I would like to welcome Sister Amy Wuelfing and Brother Steven Bianchi who were both officially seated as Electors on October 17th, 2009 EV.

Members in good standing of the Sovereign Sanctuary of the IX in the United States (who are not serving as an officer or voting member of any Governing or Administrative Body under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Grand Lodge) wishing to volunteer to stand for election to the office of Revolutionary by the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C. See page 2 for contact information. Continued on next page e

SPRING 2010 EV

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Sanction for Appeal
Brothers or Sisters of our Order who wish to pursue appeal of a verdict of the Grand Tribunal may write to individual members of the Electoral College to request sanction be given to take their case to the Areopagus of the Eighth Degree (per Liber CXCIV, section 16) via email links found at http:// ec.oto-usa.org/ECelectors.html.

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College Meetings. We request that those planning to attend contact the Master of the hosting body so that adequate arrangements can be made.

Website Forms

The official E.C. website can be found at: ec.oto-usa.org.

Hosting E.C. Meetings

The College wishes to thank the members, families, officers, and the Master of Pyramid Lodge for their hospitality in hosting our Fall Meeting. Local bodies that are interested in hosting meetings of the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C. See page 2 for contact information. Summer 2010 EV Meeting scheduled for Saturday, July 17th, 2010 EV, hosted by Star Sapphire Lodge (Los Angeles, California). Fall 2010 EV Meeting scheduled for Saturday, October 16th, 2010 EV, hosted by Dove & Serpent Oasis (Atlanta, Georgia). Winter 2010 EV Meeting scheduled for January 8th 2011 EV via online electronic medium. Spring 2011 EV meeting scheduled for Saturday, April 16th, 2011 EV, hosted by Leaping Laughter Lodge (Minneapolis, Minnesota). The deadline for submission of items to be considered (for the Winter 2009 EV meeting) is December 15th, 2009 EV. Please mail submissions to the Secretary of the Electoral College. See page 2 for contact information.

Bodymasters seeking up-to-date forms for Change of Mastership, Application for Oasis status, Application for Lodge status, or for Closure of their local body, as well as qualified initiates seeking an Application for Charter, will find them available exclusively from the document control officer at doc_control@oto-usa.org.

Upcoming E.C. Meetings

Communication with the E.C.

I would like to invite any initiates with specific concerns or questions regarding the operation of the Electoral College, to write to either the President or Secretary of the E.C. For contact information, please see page 2. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to take effective measures bringing about better communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed. I believe that communication is of benefit to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All postal mail correspondence with the Electoral College Secretary should be sent to the address listed on page 2. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Frater Dvgls Jms Blk President, Electoral College O.T.O. U.S.A.

Attending E.C. Meetings

Dues current members in good standing of V and above are welcome to attend and observe the in-person Electoral

The Electoral College at its Spring Meeting, April 18th, 2009 EV, took the following actions concerning duties in its charge: Local Body Closures None.* Change of Body Status Alombrados Camp (New Orleans, Louisiana) has been re-chartered as Alombrados Oasis with Brother Joshua Sharp as Master effective April 18th, 2009 EV. Change of Body Masters Brother David R. Jones has been confirmed as Master of Coph Nia Oasis (Eugene, Oregon), effective April 18th, 2009 EV.

Mastership of 93 Oasis (Los Angeles, California) has passed from Soror Mayet to Soror Sa-Ra effetive April 18th, 2009 EV. Soror Allella has been confirmed as Master of Lapis Lazuli Camp (Phoenix, Arizona) effective April 28th, 2009 EV. New Local Body Charters *LVX Lodge and Blue Horizon Oasis have merged as Star Sapphire Lodge at the request of their respective Masters (Brother James Kline and Sister Suzanne F.K. Torchia) chartered in the Valley of Los Angeles, California, under the Mastership of Sister Suzanne F.K. Torchia effective April 18th, 2009 EV. Mitra-Varuna Camp has been chartered in the val-

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ley of Bloomington, Indiana with Frater Julianus as Master effective April 18th, 2009 EV.

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The Electoral College at its Winter Meeting, January 9th, 2010 EV, took the following actions concerning duties in its charge: Local Body Closures None. Change of Body Status None. Change of Body Masters Mastership of Abrahadabra Oasis (Portland, Maine) has been transferred from Frater Eparisteros to Soror Zephyria, effective January 9th, 2010 EV. Mastership of Dove & Serpent Oasis (Atlanta, Georgia) has been transferred from Frater Noxenla to Frater Volo Adamo, effective January 9th, 2010 EV. New Local Body Charters None.

The Electoral College at its Summer Meeting, August 7th, 2009 EV, took the following actions concerning duties in its charge: Local Body Closures 93 Oasis was closed, effectively merging its talent and resources with Golden Lotus Oasis, effective August 7th, 2009 e.v. Change of Body Status None. Change of Body Masters Brother Geoffrey Liebinger has been confirmed as Master of Sekhet-Maat Lodge (Portland, Oregon), effective August 7th, 2009 EV. New Local Body Charters Secret Centre Camp has been chartered in the valley of Orlando, Florida with Brother William as Master, effective August 7th, 2009 EV.

The Electoral College at its Spring Meeting, held on April 17th, 2010 EV, took the following actions concerning duties in its charge: Local Body Closures None. Change of Body Status None. Change of Body Masters Mastership of Bubastis Oasis (Dallas, Texas) has been transferred from Brother Dave Blakeley to Brother Shawn Richburg effective April 17th, 2010 EV. Mastership of Horus Oasis (Salt Lake City, Utah) has been transferred from Brother Andy McGuire to Sister Beverly Stuart effective April 17th, 2010 EV. Mastership of Ad Astra Oasis (Denver, Colorado) has been transferred from Frater Solemnus to Frater K.Z. effective April 17th, 2010 EV. Mastership of Pyramid Lodge (Buffalo, New York) has been transferred from Brother Keith Bergeron to Brother August Lascola effective April 17th, 2010 EV. Mastership of Lapis Lazuli Camp (Phoenix, ArizoContinued on next page e

The Electoral College at its Fall Meeting, October 17th, 2009 EV, took the following actions concerning duties in its charge: Local Body Closures None. Change of Body Status Seven Spirits Camp (Tucson, Arizona) has been rechartered as Seven Spirits Oasis with Frater AzaDio as Master, effective October 17th, 2009 EV. Change of Body Masters Mastership of Sekhet Bast Ra Oasis (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) has been transferred from Sister Molly Ware to Sister Tina Buchanan, effective October 17th, 2009 EV. Mastership of Black Sun Oasis (Akron, Ohio) has been transferred from Brother Steven Bianchi to Frater Hermes Agape effective October 17th, 2009 EV. New Local Body Charters None.

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na) has been transferred from Soror Alelle to Brother David Garrett effective April 17th, 2010 EV. New Local Body Charters Mithras Camp was chartered in the valley of Windham, Connecticut with Frater Pantha as Master effective April 17th, 2010 EV

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The College wishes to express its appreciation to the past and present Masters of each of these Bodies. We wish each of them the best in their new offices and endeavors.

NOTOCON Update
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Blue Equinox Oasis in Detroit, Michigan is proud to welcome our brethren to the Motor City for NOTOCON VIII, August 5th7th, 2011 EV. Detroit has changed a lot since Aleister Crowley visited here, but we believe that he would be pleased with the diversity of thought and the spirit which remains in this three hundred year old city. We take it as auspicious that NOTOCON VIII will take place 93 years from the first efforts to establish O.T.O. in Detroit. The theme we have chosen is Manifest Thy Glory and hope it will resonate throughout the presentations and events. As magicians and Thelemites, our purpose is to manifest ourselves according to our Wills in this plane and beyond. Our theme suggests that success as a Man and a Magician is not a fantasy but our reality. The entire phrase from which this imperative comes invokes our ancestors in liberation and compels us to manifest Thelema for future generations. To that end, we plan to schedule Thelemic ritual presentations for Friday while our executive committees are meeting. So many times I am asked What does a stealthy tiger look like? or How do I pronounce that? I have personally seen many amazing performances in the past 22 years and encourage any Local Body that has a great ritualist in their midst to submit a brief proposal to share their insight, a bit of history and a performance of their best ritual. We are open to rituals both great and small. We will of course be accepting proposals for standard presentations as well and will announce the details for all submissions shortly. We are also planning a tour of the largest Masonic Temple in the world. Lodge #1 and #2 are housed in a magnificent building of over one thousand rooms, including the Scottish Rite Temple and the Doric Temple, among others: truly temples of gold and ivory and marble. [See http:// www.themasonic.com/history.html] Details will be forthcoming concerning cost and possible limited attendance. We have secured a great hotel rate of $99 per night. However, the hotel cannot accept reservations more than a year out from the event, so please stayed tuned. If you try to call before then, you will be told that the days are sold out. With the low rate, we ask that you reserve your room with the hotel itself if possible, so that we can get a good room count and meet our minimums. In any event, we will be asking for you to indicate how you booked your room on the upcoming registration form. We will have a reservation code so that you will receive this excellent rate. We hope to have the website up on or around June 1st, 2010 EV. Until then, please send any questions or comments to: info@notocon.org. Thank you for all of the support and good wishes. We hope that our brethren both near and far will be able to attend. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to accommodate any special needs. Until then, remember: We put the OTO in the MOTOR CITY! Love is the law, love under will. Soror Shivani Master, Blue Equinox Oasis

PUBLICATION ANNOUNCEMENTS
Beauty & Strength: Proceedings of the Sixth Biennial National Ordo Templi Orientis Conference (Salem, Massachusetts, August 10-12, 2007 ev) AVAILABLE NOW! SPRING 2010 EV Perdurabo: The Life of Aleister Crowley (Revised and Expanded Second Edition) by Richard Kaczynski

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VOL. XI No. 1 BAUDELAIRES METAPHYSICAL JOURNEY OF SELF-KNOWLEDGE CORRESPONDENCES TO THE COSMOS

by Bryan D. Adams

Charles Baudelaire was born in Paris in 1821 and died in 1867. A dandy of the nineteenth century Parisian socit, he often shocked readers with his unapologetic description of death and decay and, along with other poets such as Verlaine and Rimbaud, quickly entrenched himself in the dcadent movement of the time. To these poets, metaphysical experience could be brought about either through writing, reading, or both. Rimbauds poem Le Bateau ivre [The Drunken Ship] is such an attempt to describe a metaphysical voyage using the ship as a metaphor. These poets lived largely and, as bons vivants, experimented with alcohol and other substances to tear down the wall between the mundane and the sublime. Baudelaire presents his version of a metaphysical voyage in his work Correspondances, a poem taken from his tome Les Fleurs du mal [Flowers of Evil]. The key to unlock this metaphysical voyage is very aptly illustrated by literary critic Jacques-Henry Bornecque (my translation from the French): In our being, we are much like theoretical owners, however dispossessed and pathetic, of a palace where we must live confined in a few narrow and encumbered roomsin need of the key to other rooms, from which we can only sometimes perceive the glimmer of light and of divine music behind the locked doors of our subconscious.1 Before considering how Baudelaire presents his theory of departure, the poem is presented first in the original French, then in English translation (mine). Correspondances La Nature est un temple o de vivants piliers Laissent parfois sortir de confuses paroles; Lhomme y passe travers des forts de symboles Qui lobservent avec des regards familiers. Comme de longs chos qui de loin se confondent Dans une tnbreuse et profonde unit, Vaste comme la nuit et comme la clart, Les parfums, les couleurs et les sons se rpondent. Il est des parfums frais comme des chairs denfants, Doux comme les hautbois, verts comme les prairies, Et dautres, corrompus, riches et triomphants, Ayant lexpansion des choses infinies, Comme lambre, le musc, le benjoin et lencense Qui chantent les transports de lesprit et des sens.

Correspondences Nature is a temple where living pillars Let escape sometimes confused words; Man traverses it through forests of symbols That observe him with familiar glances. Like long echoes that intermingle from afar In a dark and profound unity, Vast like the night and like the light, The perfumes, the colors and the sounds respond. There are perfumes fresh like the skin of infants Sweet (or soft) like oboes, green like prairies, And others corrupted, rich and triumphant Having the expanse of infinite things, Like ambergris, musk, balsam and incense, Which sing the ecstasies of the mind and senses. In the nineteenth century, the notion of pantheism becomes much more interesting for the poet since he2 attempts to understand the rapport between his own microscopic existence and the macrocosmic universe. This quest takes a spiritual tone because the poet is interrogating not only his psyche but also all of nature that he sees before himself. From this quest is born the lyrical tone that is so rooted in Romantic literature. As a result, the poet interrogates himself about the possibility of absolute truth that might become known through a secret code during a shared moment between self and the divine cosmos, manifested in concrete nature. This interrogation is organized according to a hypothetical system of subtle relationships between everything that exists on a concrete level, as well as subtler levels in Baudelaires Correspondances. For our poet, all that exists on the terrestrial plane has an equivalent in the au-del (the words heaven or ether do not adequately capture the meaning of this word. Ill therefore use the French). One is reminded immediately of Platos IDEA theory, but Baudelaires notion goes much further. It concerns not simply the equivalent of an object in the au-del, but also of correspondences that can be evoked (by way of concrete objects) and of relationships that exist analogically between, for example, smell and taste. This phenomenon of the intermingling of the senses known as synesthesia plays an important part for Baudelaire. Furthermore, in his poem we can also see analogies between what is visible and what is invisible. As Magicians employ an object, a perfume, or even a verbal vibration in order to evoke a harmonic accord on the Continued on next page e

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spiritual level (or in the au-del), Baudelaire performs the same task through his writing. In this manner, the poet serves as a decipherer and even as a priest for those who dare to examine these correspondences in the world and the universe. Let us now consider Baudelaires poem Correspondances in order to see in what manner the poet puts this theory into practice. In the first quatrain, the poet quite simply presents his theory in thesis form; in the second, we see a progression of this thesis through the macrocosm; and in the two tercets, one can see an illustration of correspondences throughout the microcosm. In this manner, the poet serves as a sort of tour guide to the reader by taking him on a round trip. In the first sentence, Nature is a temple where living pillars / Let escape sometimes confused words, the reader is struck by the vivid metaphor that both nature and temple are not simply unified but are the same. One can immediately reference the two pillars of King Solomons Temple (Jachin and Boaz). According to Masonry Defined, Jachin, Hence called by Dudley and some other writers, who reject the points, ichin. It is the name of the righthand pillar that stood at the porch of King Solomons Temple. It is derived from two Hebrew words, jah, God, and iachin, will establish. It signifies he that strengthens, or will establish. The other pillar was called Boaz, in strengththe two words signifying in strength shall this my house be established. 3 By referencing the pillars in this manner, the poet evokes the pantheistic nature of the universe and suggests that by exiting from the two living pillars (the mothers legs) at birth, each human being is already initiated into the mystery of Nature. Everything is, therefore, sacred, and the pillars are living. The alliteration that we hear in the original French t, d, v, p in the phrase La nature est un temple o de vivants piliers / Laissent parfois sortir de confuses paroles, brings a drum to minda sacred ritualistic image. Additionally, it can be suggested that the heart is now beating and the voyage has begun. Thanks to the words temple, pillars, confused words, one gets the impression that Baudelaire might be suggesting the image of the oracles of Delphi that offer words of wisdom if one is ready and able to decipher them. Life is, in and of itself, a mystery which seeks to understand itself throughout its course. By undergoing this first initiation, the process of discovery is inevitable. In the third line, we see: Man traverses it through forests of symbols. This refers to horizontal movement and highlights two things: horizontal correspondences as well as the cycle of the human life. Man is limited by horizontal movement and human life is, in general, of a linear nature. Man is obviously bound to a time-space continuum, but by heeding the poets message, one can learn to transcend linear restrictions for a fleeting moment. Furthermore, the poet suggests that, most of the time, man passes through life ignorant of these occult correspondences that surround him and are found everywhereboth in

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the outside world as well as inside his psyche. In other words, man has forgotten and become ignorant of the divine correspondences in the cosmos. He fails to see himself as divine because this information has been lost to him. According to James J. Hurtak: After the first fall, the religious sense descended to the level of the divided consciousness; now, after the second, it has fallen even further, into the depths of the unconscious; it has been forgotten. It is now our privilege to discover the potential dimensions of human existence and face the great challenge of the ascension of consciousness through the Man-GodSpirit transformation.4 The forests of symbols suggest the inexhaustible number of possibilities for Man in his process of self-exploration. These symbols are also the tools by which one can begin to remember ones nature and reunite with the forgotten divine. In other words, there are many paths that must be trod and each is correct in its appointed hour. We are therefore, each of us, psychonauts in the quest of understanding our true selves through the process of identifying our Will. It is interesting to see that the notion of symbology reminds one of Jungs theory of the unconscious. Jung was attempting to highlight major archetypal moments in the human psyche; and although Baudelaire precedes our philosopher, archetypal constructs were already intuited. Nevertheless, according to Jung, everything that exists in front of us also exists in a sort of collective human memory. The systems of the Eastern Magicians call this notion the Akasha. According to Donald Michael Kraig, the definition of the word Akasha comes from Sanskrit and means: The records of all that has occurred, is occurring, and will occur in the universe.5 Baudelaires forests of symbols suggest the possibility of aligning oneself with shared information that exists in the au-del. Attaining the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel is another way of describing this same process. In the last verse of this strophe, we see That observe him with familiar glances. The living pillars are personified because they see Man and we intuit an often benevolent complicity in the universe for everything that surrounds us. It is possible that Baudelaire suggests the archangels that one might evokebeings that witness our works in the magical space. Finally, the unification of these two pillars (Man and Woman) has resulted in the birth of a human being who is being initiated into life. The familiar glances suggest complicity and a shared responsibility between the two pillars and the individual who has now passed through them and entered into life. Furthermore, the act of reading is a shared experience and the poet is at work with the readera notion that forges yet another correspondence concerning complicity. In the second quatrain, we see that the echoes become mixed and muddled due to Mans poor perception in the phrase: Like long echoes that intermingle from afar / In a dark and profound unity. It is now necessary to have an

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intermediary (our poet) to interpret these echoes for us. The word unity underlines the fact that these correspondences do not reside in a world of disorder but in equilibrium that exists both in the concrete world as well as in the entire universe. This universe is Vast like the night and like the light. To a Thelemite, this phrase brings the goddess Nuit immediately to mind. Nuit is the vast, starry night sky who invites us to lie in Her bosom for a moment to share Her love. Interestingly, the word nuit in French is the word for night. Since the universe is both vast like the night as well as the light, we see a suggestion of the dualistic principle. Hadit is the secret centre of light as Nuit is the vast night sky. This space becomes neutral and possesses both bright and dark qualities. To use another metaphor, we see this concept suggested by the temple dais of alternating black and white cubes. We also see the romantic notion of a duality that is highlighted in the title of the work from which this poem was taken, The Flowers of Evil. A flower is neither positive nor negative; it is Mans interpretation thereof that gives meaning. Nuit reminds us of this duality when She proclaims that She is divided for the sake of union. This dual principle allows us to see how the magician makes his vibrations echo back to him from the audel due to harmonics. In other words, that which is affected in one world (the microcosm) is mirrored in the other (the macrocosm), and vice-versa. The same notion applies in the last verse of this strophe: The perfumes, the colors and the sounds respond. This verse also evokes Baudelaires definition of synesthesia. Finally, such elements (perfumes, colors and sound) are used in ritual as a trigger by which to attune the psyche to the divine. In the first tercet, we encounter the phrase: There are perfumes fresh like the skin of infants. Baudelaire suggests once again the pantheistic, living nature of everything. We might also suggest the development of divine man by evoking the image of the babe. This child, known in the Ancient Egyptian world as Heru-Pa-Khrat, represents the developing human in the New on. Therefore, the joining of the dark Nuit and the light Hadit creates the infant as explained by Lon Milo Duquette: As Nuits expansion and Hadits contraction are both infinite, so too must be their points of contact. This infinite contact creates the basis of possible vibration (their Child Horus); the field of operation in which the universe can manifest.6 Here we see that the perfumes are also Sweet (or soft) like oboes, green like prairies. In this phrase we find the sensations of hearing, sight and touch. Each sensation corresponds to another, exactly like the relationship between all things in the universe. In the last verse, we see how perfumes can also be corrupted, rich and triumphant. The magical number of three comes to mind. The divine trinity of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit becomes a metaphor for a single living being who seeks to find his Will in the forests of symbols of the universe. The unusual adjectives used to describe

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perfumes corrupted, rich, triumphant are being used such that the reader also makes a subliminal correspondence to people, gods, or leaders, according to his personal experience. May we go so far as to suggest descriptions of the sephiroth? The first verse of the last tercet shows the possibility of correspondences that can be triggered by perfumes: Having the expanse of infinite things. Baudelaire suggests two levels of existence: vaporization and concentration. Alchemically speaking, concentration is where Man spends most of his existence. This is, therefore, his cell. Vaporization represents his passage into the au-del. Baudelaire suggests this when he evokes the image of incense rising into the au-del. In this manner, one understands better the expansion of infinite things to which Baudelaire refers. Furthermore, the correspondences are infinite: everything responds to everything else and everything bounces into everything else. One might consider the movement of an atom where each particle has a distinct relationship with another, with another, with another ad infinitum. The enumeration of ambergris, musk, balsam and incense suggests several possibilities. The first image evokes the Church (which uses incense in its rituals) as well as the tools of the alchemist. Alchemy allows man to transform his life with the use of such elements. We also see a suggestion of vertical movement. Earlier, we saw that Man was stuck to horizontal movement in his voyage of life. Now, however, we find an alternative: the incense transports prayers toward the heavens. Instead of being glued to the earth, Baudelaire suggests that the reader (who is now being initiated into priesthood) may find a correspondence (or a trigger) to lift him upwards. This echoes the very moment during the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram when the Magician announces that the pentagrams flame about him and the six-rayed star shines within the columns. Although Baudelaire would not have been familiar with this ritual, the archetype of connection between the microcosm and the macrocosm is deeply rooted in human consciousness. Obviously, this magical moment can occur under the guise of many rituals and Baudelaire is illustrating a mystical experience through his writing. In this poem, we have seen how Baudelaire sees correspondences in all of nature. All symbols, therefore, exist in a world that has now become sacred. This pantheistic view shows how the poet serves as an intermediary and explains these sacred analogies if the reader is ready to be initiated and understand them. In addition, Baudelaire presents his poem in the present tense in order to underline the eternal quality of sacred nature and we see, therefore, that this experience in voluntary. This experience is trigged by objects and symbols at Mans disposal. We can see how Baudelaire foreshadows the writing of Marcel Proust, but for the latter, the sublime experience becomes involuntary and sporadic. Notes: 1 Jacques-Henry Bornecque, Rves et Ralits du Symbolisme. Revue des Sciences Humaines 5-23 (Jan Mars 1955) : 17. Continued on next page e

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2 3 4 5 6 For the sake of convenience, the word he will be used to represent any individual. Mackey, Johnston, Masonry Defined : A Liberal Masonic Education (Kingsport, Tennessee : National Masonic Press, 1939) 300. James J. Hurtak, Gnosticism : Mystery of Mysteries (Los Gatos, California : The Academy For Future Science, 1988) 96. Donald Michael Kraig, Modern Magick : Eleven Lessons in the High Magickal Arts (St. Paul, Minnesota : Llewellyn Publications, 1996) 523. Lon Milo DuQuette, The Magick of Thelema : A Handbook of the Rituals of Aleister Crowley (York Beach, Maine : Samuel Weiser, Inc., 1993) 81.

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occult bibliography, Horowitz delivers fascinating and highly credible detail I have never encountered elsewhere. In a treatment that appears to be attempting a comprehensive sketch, however, the initiatory orders of occultism are markedly absent. Horowitz derides them as being characteristic of the European occult scene, and writes as if they have had only sporadic relevance to America. The one to which he gives the most attention is the Golden Dawn, in his account of Paul Foster Case. But an otherwise-uninformed reader of Horowitz would likely get the impression that in Cases day the U.S. only had a few fledgling Golden Dawn (really Alpha et Omega) groups, with the bulk of the Order still in England, when in fact the American membership may well have outnumbered the British at that time, just as O.T.O. (never mentioned by Horowitz) had its most populous organizing in America then--and ever since. Even A.M.O.R.C., whose mail-order initiatory arrangement demonstrates so well the themes of popularization and commodification that seem to interest Horowitz, barely rates a few glancing mentions. This is a book purportedly about the deep traditions of American occultism, in which Paschal Beverly Randolph is given only passing notice, in reference to the Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxoritself only briefly mentioned as background for the astrological writer C.C. Zain. His disdain for initiatory orders and the objects of their secrecy puts into question Horowitzs offer of a secret history. Still, one of the high points of the volume is the chapter on Politics and the Occult, with sometimes surprising facts regarding the role of mystics on both the Right and Left in mid-twentieth-century U.S. politics. Although he is willing to acknowledge the connection of the occult to political ideologies he finds distasteful, Horowitz seems to be whitewashing other key features of American occultism. He does not introduce his readers to figures like sex-guru Oom the Omnipotent or professed antichrist Jack Parsons, nor does he discuss the historical intersection of occultism and drug culture. Horowitz concludes the book with a claim that the late twentieth-century New Age synthesized the occult currents of America and successfully deposited them in mainstream religion and popular culture. The thesis that the New Age Movement was heir to occultism and esotericism has been amply demonstrated in Wouter Hanegraaffs magisterial New Age Religion and Western Culture, but Horowitz glosses over the more recent fact that the piecemeal adoption of New Age ideas and techniques by other groups and personalities has only helped to make superfluous an ostensible movement which was always a shaky sort of coalition. While Occult America is clearly intended for a popular audience, I think the books greatest value will be for those who already grasp the larger historical framework of American metaphysical religion that it doesnt really clarify. Its wealth of intriguing detail kept me thoroughly interested, and its neglect of the initiatory culture of American esotericism actually makes it a valuable complement to the reading usually undertaken by those of us who have an established interest in that field.

BOOK REVIEW
Occult America: The Secret History of How Mysticism Shaped Our Nation
by Mitch Horowitz (Bantam, 2009. $27) Reviewed by Paradoxos Alpha The newly-issued volume Occult America by Mitch Horowitz is engaging, entertaining, and educational. It is not, howeverdespite the assertion of its subtitlethe secret history of how mysticism shaped our nation. For one thing, it is not a single history; it is a bricolage of tangentially-related sketches and investigations regarding a topic that Horowitz never manages to subject to any theoretical treatment, nor to encompass with a larger narrative. (An earlier attempt covering nearly the same domain that did succeed in this regard is Catherine Albaneses A Republic of Mind and Spirit.) The closest he comes to answering his own initial question What is the occult? is to propose that it comprehends all those techniques and teachings that purport to put people in communication with an unseen world. But surely many of the most common and non-occult of spiritual traditions do so as well. Although the book starts with the eighteenth century and ends with the 1970s, the contents dont progress in a strictly chronological fashion. In one chapter, for example, Horowitz spends the first half discussing the Theosophical Society, and then goes back to describe the advent of Spiritualism in the second half. He jumps forward from there to give the full century-plus history of the Ouija Board, before returning to the early origins of New Thought in the 1830s. This lack of organization in the book is somewhat surprising, since the authors own background is as an editor, and he is currently editor-in-chief at Penguins Tarcher imprint for metaphysical books. He contributed to the publication of the readers edition of Manly P. Halls Secret Teachings of All Ages and the trade paper issuance of The Tarot by Paul Foster Case, and when it comes to these figures, and to other trivia of American

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Subtlety or Force Encampment Albuquerque, New Mexico
Our fledgling Encampment out here in the deserts of New Mexico is growing gorgeous and deadly roses for the bouquet of Babalon. With our fair share of initiations, weekly Gnostic Masses, bi-weekly initiation classes, monthly desert excursions, weekly kempo classes and goetia exercises, and intensive public seminars, were keeping busy conquering the peaks. Weve been pretty damn stalwart in celebrating the Feast Days for the Saints of E.G.C., toasting their good names and feeding them libations of prayer and wine. If Ive got anything to be proud of, its the commitment, quality, and potency practiced by 100% of local membership.

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Our publication, Doomsayers Digest, has kept us busy. Weve sold tons of Doom nationally and internationally, but much more on the local level to uncommon crowds. We believe that successfully proliferating the hermetic sciences must occur both vertically (within extant audiences) and horizontally (into new reader bases) and have taken hundreds of hours distributing Doom on campuses, in shops, and at art shows. Now that our Gnostic Mass temple and Man of Earth temple are nipped, were concentrating our efforts on acquiring property in the desert to build a Temple dedicated to the Glory of Ra Hoor Khuit. Were thinking Hammam al-Bennu.

LOCAL BODY PUBLICATIONS

Behutet Thelesis Lodge Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Behutet is an epithet for the Egyptian winged sun-disk. The magazine focuses on magickal techniques, occult history and Thelemic culture in a modern setting. We strive to make the magazine as original as possible and as such we tend to avoid reprints of commonly available material and commentaries on same. As a practical technical journal we also tend to steer clear of poetry, with the noted exception of poetic Invocations and/or channeled writings. If you are an artist, original artwork is always a welcomed addition to the magazine! Please speak with editors to discuss deadlines and guidelines. Current and back issues (in most cases) are $2.50 postpaid per copy. Email us at info@thelesis.org. some of the pioneers of Thelema such as Hymenaeus Alpha and Ebony Reese. Our current issue contains: a cover by Breck Outland titled Venus of Nekropolis, David R. Jones on the symbolism of the O.T.O. Lamen, What Happened to Aleister Crowleys Ashes by Grady McMurtry, The Gnostic Mass from Jurgen by James Branch Cabell Novel with an introduction by Keith418, In Operibus Sigillo Dei AemethPart Seven Part VII: The Seven Thrones part 1. by David R. Jones, Scotland Travelog and The Devil Rides Out video review by Maria V. Montgomery, Ratna Bija Poetry by Sor. Amala, Aethyr scrying by Frater DD and more. The Wand is $6 an issue and $35 annually U.S. mailing and a bit more internationally. All purchase information and free pdfs of sold out back issues may be found at www.cophnia-oto.org/Wand.htm.

The Coph-Nia Wand Coph-Nia Oasis Eugene, Oregon

The Coph Nia Wand is one of the preeminent publications of the Thelemic community. The Wand is issued six times a year and contains a range of content. We continue the Equinox tradition of uncensored review and poetry as well as more traditional and technical content. Each issue contains rare or often overlooked Crowley, as well as archival material by

VOLUME XI, NUMBER 2 SUBMISSION DEADLINE: A IN e B IN k Dies B Anno IV:VXIII (Monday, July 26th, 2010 EV)
WE WANT: local body reports, local body publication reports and governing body reports. ALSO: essays, articles, original poetry and artwork, book/music/film reviews and publication announcements. See our guidelines at www.oto-usa.org/ agape.html. Contact agape@oto-usa.org for more information.

SPRING 2010 EV

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Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A. P.O. Box 15037 Portland, OR 97293-5037

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID OAKLAND, CA PERMIT #252

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VOLUME XI, NUMBER 2

SUMMER, 2010 EV

FROM THE GRAND MASTER

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

Editor Transition

Id like to welcome Frater Julianus as Agaps new Editor. As you may have noticed, the editorship of Agap passed into his hands as of the previous issue. Many thanks to Bro. Grant for his efforts over the past few years as Assistant Editor and as Editor.

Bad Report and Resignation

Due to complications involved with the editorial transition, one of my articles, intended for publication in 2009 EV, never made it to print. Id like to insert several of the items from that article here, for the record. First, at its 2009 EV meeting, the Areopagus reviewed United States Grand Lodges policy of automatically placing members who resign on Bad Report status, a policy that was instituted several years ago in order to justify Executive review for readmission of all resigned members. As a result, U.S.G.L.s policy was modified as follows: Bad Report will no longer be automatic upon the resignation of a member

CONTENTS
From the Grand Master From the Electoral College The Udjat Representation in the Body Politic NOTOCON Update In Consideration of Guests with Disabilities Local Body Publications Book Reviews Agap Wants You! Publication Announcement 1 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 11

from the Order. Instead, the default status of a resigned member will be lack of report, or no report. The Executive will review the circumstances of each resignation at the time of resignation and determine whether a declaration of Bad Report is warranted. Resigned members who are not on Bad Report who seek readmission at the level of their previous degree must (in addition to paying any previous outstanding balance in their account) obtain the signature of two sponsors attesting to their good report, as part of the readmission process. The sponsors must be members in good standing of at least the degree of the applicant or V, whichever is lower. The office of the Grand Secretary General has developed an Application for Member Readmission form to facilitate this process. Resigned members who have been placed on Bad Report are not eligible for readmission unless and until their Bad Report status has been lifted by the Executive. Prior to seeking sponsors for readmission, they must petition the Executive (via the G.S.G.) for lifting of their Bad Report status. Inactive members may reactivate according to existing policy and do not require sponsors for reactivation.

Profess Houses

Second, the Areopagus also reviewed a summary of Crowleys writings on Profess Houses prepared by U.S.G.L.s Profess House Committee, and made several determinations regarding Profess Houses, as follows: 1. Despite the language in Liber 101 (Privileges, Fourth House, 52), houses of IX members are not automatically to be considered as Profess Houses of the Order, and that provision of Liber 101 is to be considered deprecated. The Frater Superior has researched the Continued on next page e

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matter and determined that Crowleys idea that the members of the IX would share amongst themselves the whole property of the Order was the result of a peculiarity of British law of the time, in which abstract associations could not own property in perpetuity (a law that had been instituted to break the power of the Roman Catholic monasteries in England). Therefore, the property had to be owned by a defined class of members within the Order, as opposed to the Order in abstract, and Crowley assigned this co-ownership function to the IX. As stated in Liber 101, this co-ownership function (in conjunction with the vow of poverty) was the reason that the houses of the IX

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members were designated as Profess Houses therein. In short, since the IX members were envisioned as owning no property individually, and owning all the property of the Order in common, it followed that their houses were necessarily Order property, and therfore to be considered Profess Houses. In the U.S., abstract associations can and do own property in perpetuity, and tax-exempt non-profits are actually barred from allowing their assets to be owned by individuals. Therefore, according to contemporary U.S. law, Crowleys rationale for IX ownership of Order property is null and void, and any corollaries to IX co-ownership (such as houses of the IX members be-

MYSTERIA MYSTICA MAXIMA

ECCLESIA GNOSTICA CATHOLICA

The Official Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis Executive Editor: Sabazius X Editor: Fr. Julianus Proofreading: Heather Lantz, Joseph Thiebes, Fr. L. Production & Distribution: Sr. Marlene Editorial Address: P.O. Box 1892 Bloomington, IN 47402 agape@oto-usa.org

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P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND SECRETARY GENERAL: FR. HUNAHPU PO Box 2313, Maple Grove, MN 55311 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND TREASURER GENERAL: HANK HADEED 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. #444, Portland, OR 97214-5246 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury U.S. GRAND TRIBUNAL FR. HARMATEUS, SECRETARY grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org 3350 E. 7th St. #207, Long Beach, CA 90804 U.S. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, U.S. SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL, U.S. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. ELECTORAL COLLEGE DANN BUCHANAN, PRESIDENT ec_president@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 12653, Oklahoma City, OK 73157-2653 DEBORAH WOODY, SECRETARY electoral_college@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 5741, Glendale, CA 91221-5741
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Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A., a California not-for-profit religious corporation with business offices at P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business offices at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at 24881 Alicia Pkwy E-529, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductable to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download in PDF format at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/docs.html Copyright 2010 EV Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

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ing automatically considered as Profess Houses) are also null and void. 2. A Profess House may be a leased facilityit is not strictly necessary for it to be owned by the Order. 3. Profess Houses may be owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by International Headquarters, or by a Grand Lodge (or a National Section), or by a combination of the above.

VOL. XI No. 2
we have decided to make several modifications to our policy regarding Notice, which is the procedure whereby a Local Body Master (L.B.M.) can issue a warning to a local member regarding disruptive behavior. Henceforth, if a Notice issued by a Local Body Master is issued defectively (not in accordance with policy) it is to be deemed of no effect until it is re-issued in correct form by the L.B.M. Any Sovereign Grand Inspector General, or the Electoral College, or the Executive can determine that a Notice has been issued defectively. Further, the Executive can void a Notice that it determines was issued in bad faith. Individuals who believe that they have been subjected to a Notice that was issued defectively, or in bad faith, should write to the Electoral College. A note to Local Body Mentors: in order to reduce the number of Notices issued defectively, Mentors need to be (or become) very familiar with the policy and procedures regarding Notice; and should take an active, advisory role in the preparation of Notices by the Local Body Masters they mentor. Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, Sabazius

Typhonian Order

Third, and finally, significant news came in 2009 EV regarding the organization originally founded by Kenneth Grant. Starfire (Vol. 2, No. 3; March 2009 EV) included a statement by Michael Staley acknowledging that the document published in 1998 EV in Starfire Vol. 2, No. 2, purporting to demonstrate that Crowley had appointed Grant as Outer Head of the Order in 1947, has been identified as a fake. Grants organization has dropped O.T.O. from its name, and is now know as the Typhonian Order.

Notice

Based on discussions that took place at the annual joint meeting of U.S.G.L. governing bodies in July of this year,

FROM THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The Electoral College at its Fall Meeting, July 17th, 2010 charge: Local Body Closures The College closed Ad Astra Oasis at the request of the Master effective July 17th, 2010 EV. The College closed Mitra Varuna Camp, effective July 18th, 2010 EV. The College closed Onnophris Oasis, effective July 18th, 2010 EV. The College closed Samadhi Camp, effective July 18th, 2010 EV. Change of Body Status AHBH Camp (Las Vegas, Nevada) was chartered as AHBH Oasis with Sister Kayla Block as Master effective July 17th, 2010 EV.
EV,

took the following actions concerning duties in its Aum.Ha. Oasis (Chicago, Illinois) was chartered as Aum.Ha. Lodge with Brother Henry Anderson as Master effective July 17th, 2010 EV.

Change of Body Masters Mastership of Lapis Lazuli Camp (Phoenix, Arizona) has been transferred from Brother David Garrett to Sister Sondra Scott Rogers effective July 17th, 2010 EV. New Local Body Charters Astrum Inculta Camp was chartered in the valley of Carbondale, Illinois. with Frater V.O.I.A. as Master effective July 17th, 2010 EV. The College wishes to express its appreciation to the past and present Masters of each of these Bodies. We wish each of them the best in their new offices and endeavors.

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Ninth Degree Revolutionary
Members in good standing of the Sovereign Sanctuary of the IX in the United States (who are not serving as an officer or voting member of any Governing or Administrative Body under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Grand Lodge) wishing to volunteer to stand for election to the office of Revolutionary by the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C. See page 2 for contact information. at doc_control@oto-usa.org.

VOL. XI No. 2
Communication with the E.C.

Sanction for Appeal

Brothers or Sisters of our Order who wish to pursue appeal of a verdict of the Grand Tribunal may write to individual members of the Electoral College to request sanction be given to take their case to the Areopagus of the Eighth Degree (per Liber CXCIV, section 16) via email links found at http:// ec.oto-usa.org/ECelectors.html.

I would like to invite any initiates with specific concerns or questions regarding the operation of the Electoral College, to write to either the President or Secretary of the E.C. For contact information, please see page 2. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to take effective measures bringing about better communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed. I believe that communication is of benefit to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All postal mail correspondence with the Electoral College Secretary should be sent to the address listed on page 2. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Dnn Bvchnn President, Electoral College O.T.O. U.S.A.

Hosting E.C. Meetings

The College wishes to thank the members, families, officers, and the Master of Pyramid Lodge for their hospitality in hosting our Fall Meeting. Local bodies that are interested in hosting meetings of the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C. See page 2 for contact information.

Upcoming E.C. Meetings

Fall 2010 EV Meeting scheduled for Saturday, October 16th, 2010 EV, hosted by Dove & Serpent Oasis (Atlanta, Georgia). Winter 2010 EV Meeting scheduled for January 8th 2011 EV via online electronic medium. Spring 2011 EV meeting scheduled for Saturday, April 16th, 2011 EV, hosted by Leaping Laughter Lodge (Minneapolis, Minnesota). The deadline for submission of items to be considered (for the Fall 2010 EV meeting) is September 15th, 2010 EV. Please mail submissions to the Secretary of the Electoral College. See page 2 for contact information.

THE WADJET

Attending E.C. Meetings

Dues current members in good standing of V and above are welcome to attend and observe the in-person Electoral College Meetings. We request that those planning to attend contact the Master of the hosting body so that adequate arrangements can be made.

Website Forms

The official E.C. website can be found at: ec.oto-usa.org.

Bodymasters seeking up-to-date forms for Change of Mastership, Application for Oasis status, Application for Lodge status, or for Closure of their local body, as well as qualified initiates seeking an Application for Charter, will find them available exclusively from the document control officer

Hand-carved, fire-finished basswood with acrylic stain by 4

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AGAP REPRESENTATION IN THE BODY POLITIC

by Brother Joseph Thiebes

VOL. XI No. 2

On Saturday, August 15th, 2009 EV, Sekhet-Maat Lodge, O.T.O. celebrated the transition of Lodge Master and the past achievements of the Lodge. What follows is an excerpt, adapted for Agap, from the outgoing address of Past Master Joseph Thiebes. The full speech can be found on the SekhetMaat website: sekhetmaat.com. In An Intimation with Reference to the Constitution of the Order,1 Crowley writes that, The Man of Earth takes no share in the Government of the Order; for he is not yet called upon to give his life to it in service; and with us Government is Service, and nothing else. The Man of Earth is therefore in much the position of the Plebeian in Rome in the time of Menenius Agrippa. Here, as elsewhere, Crowley invokes the analogy of the body politic, for, in True Things, all are but images one of another; man is but a map of the universe, and Society is but the same on a larger scale.2 Menenius Agrippa was a representative of the Roman patrician class who was sent by them to convince the plebeians, who made up the military and had seceded, to return to the city. Menenius told the soldiers a fable about the parts of the human body and how each has its own purpose in the greater function of the body. The body thought the stomach was dead weight, so the body decided to stop providing nourishment to the stomach. Soon, the other parts grew hungry and fatigued, and became unable to function. They realized because of this that the stomach served a purpose, and they were dead without it. In the story, the stomach represents the patrician class and the rest of the body represents the plebeians. The analogy of the body politic has been used in many ways and traces back through written history to the Mahabharata and the Rig Veda. In the Mahabharata, the analogy of the body politic comes in the form of an ancient discourse between the senses and the mind: The mind said, The nose does not smell without me. [Without me] the tongue does not apprehend taste. The eye does not seize colour, the skin does not feel touch, the ear does not apprehend sound, when deprived of me. I am the eternal and foremost one among all the elements. It always happens that destitute of myself, the senses never shine. [...] Without me, all creatures fail to apprehend qualities and objects... Hearing these words, the Senses said, Even this would be true as thou thinkest in this matter, if, indeed, thou couldst enjoy pleasures without either ourselves or our objects. What thou thinkest, would be true, if, when we are extinct, there be gratification and support of life, and a continuation of thy enjoyments, or, if, [...] thou canst have thy enjoyments by thy desire alone, as truly as thou hast them with our aid. [...] But without us thou canst have no perception. Without us no happiness can come to thee.3 Indeed, the importance of the sense organs to the enjoyment of the mind, or in the case of Menenius analogy, the importance of the arms to the stomach, is implicit in this analogy, however it may be used. The usefulness of the analogy is that it illustrates the fact that the body requires the active participation of all its members to thrive. Was not Menenius inviting the soldiers to return to the city? He was not urging them to be silent or to withdraw from participation. Was he not appealing to them to come back? The stomach cannot after all feed itself; nor can the mind alone perceive sights and smells. Should the mind object to the foul smells of the nose, demanding that the nose overcome its sensations? Should the stomach refuse to send nourishment to the tongue because it has been burned by a hot beverage and now is in pain? Obviously not. The analogy of the body politic illustrates that all of the parts of the society are integral to the whole. Thus, the statement that, The Man of Earth takes no share in the Government of the Order,4 does not mean that the Man of Earth should not participate in any sense. As the majority of members are in this Third Triad, so then is most of the work of the Order accomplished within it. Without the Man of Earth, there would be a great reduction in the ability of the Order to pursue its mission, and eventually the mortality of existing members would render the Order extinct. As Crowley knew, eventually, in the time of Menenius Agrippa, the patricians conceded to some of the plebeians demands, such as creating a tribune of the people and establishing legal protection for all citizens against arbitrary intervention, and so, the soldiers returned to the city. Crowley, in his wisdom, also included representation of the Man of Earth in Liber CXCIV where he writes, In order that the feelings of the general body may be represented, the Men of Earth choose four persons, two men and two women, from among themselves, to stand continually before the face of the Supreme and Holy King, serving him day and night.5 It is so important that the feeling of the Man of Earth be represented that Crowley established a representative office which serves the King directly. Crowley surely understood the political principles and the history behind the analogy of the body politic, and he realized what modern researchers such as Rodney Stark and Laurence Iannaccone have found. As Stark writes, Religious movements will succeed to the extent they have legitimate leaders with adequate authority to be effective. [...] Authority is regarded as more legitimate and gains in effectiveness to the degree that members perceive themselves Continued on next page e

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as participants in the system of authority.6 It becomes more clear that while the Man of Earth has no share in the government of the Order, this is no reason for the Man of Earth to avoid participation in the system, for while the stomach provides nourishment, and the mind direction, the arms and legs are needed for the hunt, the harvest, and the battle for freedom. Nor is a lack of a share in government a reason to be silent if you have perceived some problem, if you have been burned or you smell something foul. While you may be unable to make or change a decision in the Order, or in the Lodge, it is your solemn dutythe first duty of all brethrento protect the Order and in particular this Lodge from harm by communicating what you see, hear, and smell, as you perceive it, even if the mind or the stomach would perhaps rather not hear it. We depend on each other in the fight for freedom to speak the truth even if it panders not to the prejudices of those to whom we speak. For the experience of Fraternity is that of working together to accomplish our common goals, such as establishment of the Law of Liberty in the world and securing the liberty of each individual. Fraternity is not the same as fellowship or friendship. Indeed, as Sister Eliza has written in our Lodges journal, Lion & Serpent, fraternity is the deeper bond formed as a result of the realization that we are all in this order for the long haul, that the people were working with now will continue to be in our lives, one way or another, for as long as were all in the O.T.O.7 It is because of this principle of fraternity, as well as the analogy of the body politic, that in my time as a governing officer of O.T.O., within the office of Lodge Master, I have sought to maintain an open-door policy, to solicit feedback for every decision, and to empower members to take action in service to our mission as they are inspired to do so; while also providing members with transparency to the greatest extent possible, that they might govern themselves and their choices in light of the knowledge of the Lodges history, its current level of development, and its trajectory. I therefore urge the incoming leadership of the Lodge, as well as all those present who govern the Order in regional or national office, to meditate over this analogy of the body politic, and consider what duties we all have to each other, as participants in our system, and as brothers and sisters. As Crowley concludes in his Intimation: Thus we balance the Triads, uniting the Three in One; thus we gather up all the threads of human passion and interest, and weave them into an harmonious tapestry, subtly and diligently with great art, that our Order may seem an ornament even to the Stars that are in the Heavens at Night. In our rainbow-coloured texture we set forth the glory of the whole Universe See thou to it, brother Magician, that thine own thread be strong, and pure, and of a colour brilliant in itself, yet ready to mingle in all beauty with those of thy brethren!8 Notes 1. Aleister Crowley, Liber CXCIV: An Intimation with Reference to the Constitution of the Order in The Equi2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

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nox 3, No. 1. (Weiser Books, 2007 EV). Ibid. Kisari Mohan Ganguli, trans. The Mahabharata 14, section XXII. http://sacred-texts.com/hin/m14/m14022.htm. Crowley, Liber CXCIV. Ibid. Rodney Stark, The Basis of Mormon Success: A Theoretical Application, in Mormons and Mormonism: an Introduction to an American World Religion, ed. Eric Alden Aliason (Champaign, IL: University of Illinois Press, 2001 EV), 226. Soror Eliza, Fellowship & Fraternity, in Lion & Serpent 4: Special 2nd National O.T.O. Conference edition, ed. Mick Taylor (Portland, Ore.: Sekhet-Maat Lodge, 1999 EV). http://sekhetmaat.com/www/html/journal/ issues.9908/fellowshipfraternity.htm. Crowley, Liber CXCIV.

7.

8.

NOTOCON UPDATE
Carae Sorores et Fratres: Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Blue Equinox Oasis is honored to request that you submit presentation and ritual proposals for NOTOCON VIII in Detroit, Michigan, 2011 EV. Proposal forms are available at www.notocon.org. Just click within the body of the text where the forms are highlighted. The deadline for submission is December 1, 2010 EV. Please contact info@notocon.org with any questions or to receive more information. Proposals are to be submitted to speakers@notocon.org. This year, we will be giving the brethren a place to showcase their rituals in an all-day ritual forum on Friday, August 5, 2011 EV during the executive meetings. I urge you all to contact anyone you know who has something special to bring. We are looking for rituals big and small, traditionally Thelemic or cutting edge. Please refer to the submission forms for guidelines. A complete or partial video/dvd of the presented ritual will aid us in understanding and evaluating how best to make each ritual work. Please understand that we will not be able to accept all submissions that we will receive for standard presentations and rituals. We look forward to hearing from all of you. Love is the law, love under will. Soror Shivani Master, Blue Equinox Oasis Detroit, Michigan

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AGAP IN CONSIDERATION OF GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES

by Soror Tara

VOL. XI No. 2

Is it not the most transcendent of all the Wisdoms of this Cosmos, that no two Beings are alike? Liber Aleph, De Differentia Rerum But, in the While of waiting for this Perfection, thou must by Law assure to every Man a Means of satisfying his bodily and his mental Needs, leaving him free to develop any Superstructure in accordance with his Will, and protecting him from any that may seek to deprive him of these vertebral Rights. Liber Aleph, De Necessitate Communi These statements from our Prophet make clear that when in the course of the work of our Holy Order people come to us with different circumstances, abilities, and physical limitations, the onus is on us to provide equal access to our Mysteries and Fraternity. The custom of Hospitality, sacred throughout the world since time immemorial, is no less sacred to us, and should not be offered less to any set of people because they are commonly perceived as less functional, less able, or less useful. Indeed, a persons business and path are their own. Then they shall chance to abide in this bliss or no; it is no odds. [Liber AL, III:39] No matter that the mainstream of society shuns them, shuts them out of business and educational opportunities while casting them as miserable tragedies, preying upon our sympathy and pity for them. The Law is for all [Liber AL, I:34]; we must be unstinting in this, and honor each individual with the opportunity to make use of it. Of what set of people do I speak, that I must state this explicitly? I speak of people with disabilities. And indeed there are more of us among you already than you might think. I am one of them. Yet why should we care? Does not The Book of the Law say Mercy let be off: damn them who pity! [Liber AL, III:18]? Certainly it does, but the last thing most people with disabilities are looking for is pity. Rather, we desire access. Some years ago, I attended a Gnostic Mass in Tucson, Arizona, where there was attending for the first time a young woman who was blind. When it came time for her to take communion, the Deacon, with some visible nervousness, guided her to the altar and handed her the sacraments. She consumed them, but remained uncertain, not sure what to do or even in which direction the Priestess was. In that moment, a supremely beautiful thing happened, which I have not been able to think about without tears then or since: the Priestess reached down from the altar and took her hand. The woman smiled in relief and peace; and the Mass was completed. Such a simple thing; to communicate with someone via a different modality when the primary one for that activity is unavailable. And yet, had I been Priestess that day, would it have occurred to me to do the same? Or would I have operated from the belief that she, a first-timer and presumably inexperienced with Magick, would feel the energy coming through me without the need for visual or physical contact? It is my firm belief that the Priestess that day did the best thing possible, to welcome the young woman on her terms without censure or awkwardness. It is also my firmest belief that this sort of thing should not be left to chance, but that we should explicitly consider the differing needs of people with differing abilities when growing the constellation of our Order. A full 20% of this country has some form of disability; even more of us will become disabled as our bodies age. And yet people with disabilities are one of the most hidden and ostracized populations, suffering from widespread prejudice and ridicule, even contempt. They are systematically denied access to education, voting rights, even the most basic autonomy over their own bodies, not by their disabilities, but by a society that generally does not stop to think of the needs of someone whose body works differently. Yet they are a population as deserving and diverse as any other. While we in Ordo Templi Orientis are under no legal obligation to do so, we would be remiss in our responsibilities if we did not offer all people our hospitality to the fullest of our ability. Every man and every woman is a star. [Liber AL, I:3] The image that comes most readily to mind of a person with a disability is that of someone in a wheelchair. But there is an infinite spectrum of differing physical abilities, not all of which may be visible to the casual observer. We can never hope to have accommodations in place for every single eventuality, but we can educate ourselves on the types of situations that may arise, and be open to dialogue about how to make our temples more welcoming. The correct answer to are you accessible? is not a simple yes or no, but We try to be. What do you need? There are several different aspects of accessibility that can be considered. First of all it must be acknowledged that as a religious entity, O.T.O. has no legal obligation under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, that does not absolve us of the moral responsibility of providing hospitality to each and every star that comes into our orbit. First, we consider the accessibility of the meeting space. I have seen many temples, dedicated spaces as well as temporary ones and private homes, at the top of long flights of stairs. This automatically blocks anyone with a significant mobility Continued on next page e

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impairmentnot just wheelchair users, but even those with chronic pain or fatiguefrom attending your events. Now many bodies may not have much of a choice about that, given the difficulty of finding workable spaces at all; but you can acknowledge the issue, and think on the problem. If your space is in a common building, might there be a little-used elevator or a wheelchair ramp somewhere that youve never thought about? Might you be able to wrangle a couple of stronger brethren to assist someone in their ascent? Above all, do you let potential attendees know of the accessibility issues before they make the trip to you? We think nothing of notifying people of potential allergy issues (animals, food, etc.). Why not then accessibility? Second, the accessibility of ritual. Certainly it is not reasonable to expect a small Local Body to keep a paid interpreter on hand in case a deaf person shows up. But it would be reasonable to keep a spare script of the ritual around so that a deaf attendee could use it to follow along. This, along with many other potential accommodations, does not require excessive preparation, resources, or costs on the part of the body; merely a moment of thought towards a fellow human being who experiences the world in a different way. Strobe lights can cause seizures. Incense can trigger asthma attacks. Certain scents can cause migraines. Should we, therefore, never use flashing lights, incense, scents, or the thousands of other potential triggers out there? That would be difficult, especially since (for example) Liber XV requires incense and roses. But we can warn people ahead of time of flashing lights; reduce the amount of incense, change its type, and/or increase ventilation; use fewer roses or a variety with less scent. Typically in the Deacons announcements before Mass, she asks the congregation to follow along with her in the movements. A newcomer with physical limitations may feel socially pressured to hold (for example) the Living Flame pose even if it is physically painful. Certainly one could argue that it is the newcomers responsibility to take care of themselves, but it is our job to make them feel welcome and comfortable. A minor rephrasing of the instructionPlease follow along to the best of your abilitymakes an enormous amount of difference in the sense of inclusion and respect for personal boundaries. Other ritual accessibility options to consider would be: Allowing special or advance seating for those with mobility impairments. Keeping pillows on hand to make seats more comfortable for those who need them. Not making a fuss about service dogs (realizing that they are frequently hypoallergenic and better trained than some humans at our events, and making sure people know not to touch them when theyre working). Above all, cultivating a culture that does not look askance at those who do not fully participate if they are unable to do so. Third, there is the matter of appropriate manners towards

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a person with a disability. This sounds largely like common sense when written out plainly, yet in our culture common sense frequently goes out the window when confronted by something foreign to our experience. Make eye contact. Smile. Be friendly, even if they appear off or behaviorally atypical. If they dont respond to verbal contact, allow for the possibility that they may be hard of hearing before writing them off as inattentive or rude. Treat people with disabilities as people; not aliens, not monsters, not made of glass. Most of us are resilient, stubborn, strong people; we have to be, in a world that expects us to conform to an unattainable physical norm. Do not make their disability the center of conversation. Do not ask for particulars of their limitations unless it is pertinent to the task at hand. For example, it is perfectly reasonable to ask someone who is hard of hearing if they need to be seated somewhere particular in order to see what is going on. There is no reason to probe for the specifics of why exactly someone is in a wheelchair. Sympathy for a disabled persons plight is generally not going to be welcome. Look at it this wayif you had lost a beloved friend, but had over time come to terms with it; and then another saw his picture on the wall and went on and on about how awful it is that hes gone and how much you must miss himwould you thank them? Rather, I think most of us would be tempted to punch them in the face. Do not threaten ones hard-won closure over a loss, no matter its type. No more welcome is the sentiment But you look so healthy! and its like. You have no way of knowing how much sacrifice this person has made to appear healthy in that moment, nor should you presume to know, nor is it your business. It is possible that they really are having a good day. It is also possible that they are heavily medicated and will be much less functional for the following week as the cost of appearing healthy for this one event. Thelema is rare among creeds in that it affirms the right of each and every human being to shine radiantly as they are. Our society outside of the Order does not tolerate differences well, even less so if the different one dares to be okay with it. Grant them a respite from this by taking them as who they are. People with disabilities already have to cope with a world that is not built to accommodate the way their bodies work. Contrary to the common trope, we are strong, resilient, stubborn people; we have to be. And if you create a hospitable environment that clearly is willing to self-modify for peoples individual needs, those same individuals will be far more willing to come to you and tell you what they need. We are small. This limits our resources. However, our size also offers us a significant advantage when it comes to hosting people with diverse physical needs: namely, we have the space and time to give them individual attention. In a group devoted to the Rights of Manevery man and every woman, every personwe would be severely remiss in our responsibilities to not accommodate the diversity inherent within the human race.

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AGAP LOCAL BODY PUBLICATIONS

Doomsayers Digest Subtlety or Force Encampment Albuquerque, New Mexico
by Brother Robert Bruce Crow III Dear reader, relax for a while and enjoy this tinctured drink of affective ambition. The Subtlety or Force Encampment, young but strong, is enjoying its second year of publishing a now internationally-reknowned Local Body Publication, Doomsayers Digest. This apocalyptic periodical features the diatribes, dissertations, and discourses of some of the finest minds of Our Holy Order, but it does something that no other Local Body Publication doesit limits its content to palpable and researched information. We pride ourselves on holding to academic standards and featuring reprints of rare Aleister Crowley materials with our contributing articles. For an article to make it into Doom, it has to be exceptionally written, topical, novel, and well researched and documented. As a subscriber, you can expect to read the same, with the comfort and confidence that Dooms contents will feature neither bad poetry nor wanton exegeses. Far too often do modern Thelemites bemoan delayed publications. Rather, let us enjoy an already rich intellectual culture and prosper its heritage by preserving the same for a new generation. Similarly, modern Thelemites banter the proper means of promulgating Thelema, mootly debating the value of formalized pamphleteering versus that of personal communication. Dooms largely non-initiate readership stretches across the world, and Doomsayers Digest is enjoyed in over a dozen countries, half of which have no Ordo Templi Orientis presence. What little profits we collect from the first world turn into savings for our subscribers from Algeria and Azerbaijan. Doomsayers Digest is not limited by what it discusses, but how well its articles consummate their ideas. Esoteric history, magical philology, Crowleys philosophical predecessors, the magnamity of the 20th century, and the Apocalyptic Tidings of Aeonic Historiography are the principle interests of Dooms contributors. Doomsayers Digest does not deign to molest the now-haggard rhetorics of popular Thelemic discourse, but instead finds its interests in the most controversial of topics. For this, we have a deserved and suspect notoreity, in keeping with Thelemas literary roots and the devilish nature of Magical hermeneutics. Nonetheless, our subscribers and contributors span the spectrum of Triads, traditions, and topical interests, but our contributors are exclusively initiates. Doom was designed to only include the writings of initiates of O.T.O. that it might testify to the intellectual and creative calibre of its members. Doomsayers Digest is currently expanding its operation,

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not only by continuing to reach out to an international market from Beijing to Berlin, Orleans to New Orleans, but also by working with O.T.O. throughout the United States and the world. Myself and my D.D. Crew went on a South and Southwest tour covering New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Texas, and California, vising Local Bodies wherever we went. Now, roughly 10 local bodies around the U.S. have entered into a type of creative publishing partnership with Doomsayers Digest that includes mutual contribution as well as distribution efforts. We are rapidly becoming a non-regional Local Body Publication, a grass-roots esoteric research journal funded by our subscribers, and nurtured by our contributors. Around the D.D. Faktoryat times a Marxian nightmare of 24-hour shifts, power-noise, and bloodwe take pride in what we feel is a novel approach to principle goals of Ordo Templi Orientis. According to Theodore Reuss O.T.O. Constitution of 1917 (II-3-a), a subsidiary aim of the Order is to promote the doctrines of the Hermetic Sciences. Additionally, Crowley writes in Khabs am Pekht that We are bound to teach [...] the new Magick. Lastly, the current U.S. Grand Lodge Mission Statement declares that Our mission is to effect and promote the doctrines and practices of the philosophical and religious system known as Thelema, with particular emphasis Continued on next page e

Sister Marita, Deputy Master of Subtlety or Force Encampment, with all 7 issues of Doomsayers Digest

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on cultivating the ideals of individual liberty, self-discipline, self-knowledge, and universal brotherhood. Doomsayers Digest shares the goals of the Order but attempts a novel means of accomplishing them, by orienting, magnifying, and giving audience to the great Thelemic rectification. Our issues began with a treatment of the bird called the Phnix, whose relevance was as important to the Ancient Egyptians as to we Thelemites. Doom is currently featuring a radical transvaluation of Liber Oz which is sure to shock and educate wayward promulgators and heady Thelemites alike. In between these first and sixth issues have been interpretations of the Gnostic Mass that border on open endorsements of warfare as well as explications of Thelemic cannibalism per the blood rites peculiar to Magick. Our just-released seventh issue is sure to keep you on your toes as well, as the field of psychology is thoroughly lambasted and Nietzsche and Crowley, two very important contemporaries, are compared and contrasted for the first time! Presently we have a limited offer to promote Doomsayers Digest among Order members. If you purchase our backissues with a subscription for future issues, well send you the stock along with a Subtlety or Force T-shirt, an O.T.O. shirt for initiates or a Mantis-T for non initiates. Theyre black T-shirts. Dont even act like you have too many black Ts. Check out our website at sof-oto.org/dd.html to read reviews, issue descriptions, submission guidelines, our Q&A, and ordering information. Also, for those of you on FaceBook, the first 10 readers who post a photo of themselves reading Doomsayers Digest and tag our FaceBook account will get a free issue!

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Read gives a quick tutorial on how fractured Islam was during this time period, a point often overlooked in other books on this topic. Into this boiling political stew, the Crusadersand with them eventually the Templarsinserted themselves. Unafraid to point out the folly often accompanying the early success and failure of both sides, Read also gives a good synopsis of European politics as well. Probably this books best narrative feature is the telling of the demise of the Templars themselves. Many of the myriad books on this subject paint Phillip the Fair and the Pope as the villains. Others blame the Templars for painting themselves into their own corner. Pointing out the foibles of both sides, Read tells the story in even terms: a land grab on one side, a loss of the reason sustaining their own existence on the other. Having read dozens of books on this subject, I would not hesitate to recommend this book to anyone, novice or initiate alike. It would also be a good resource for any local bodys library as well. Frater Eligius

The Psychic Energy Codex: A Manual for Developing your Subtle Senses
by Michelle Belanger Weiser Books, 2007. (264 pages)

BOOK REVIEWS
The Templars: The Dramatic History of the Knights Templar, the Most Powerful Military Order of the Crusades
by Piers Paul Read St. Martins Griffin, 2009. (384 pages.)

Most of us have read numerous books on Templar history, some good, some not so good. Many are learned tomes presupposing a general knowledge which many young or new initiates do not possess. The Templars is one of the most approachable works that I have yet encountered. In the current spate of books and movies about the Templars, the Crusades, hidden streams of knowledge, and conspiracy theory in general, it is wonderful to find a balanced book on the topic that neither aggrandizes nor apologizes for either side and gives a voice to the indigenous peoples often caught in the fray. The author has managed to forge a narrative that reads like a good novel. Read sets a good historical backdrop by starting with the Roman occupation, then touches on various political upheavals progressing through the beginnings of the Christian era and the flowering of Islam.

To me at least, this books title conjured up images of crystal-obsessed New Agers. Im glad I persevered as this is by far the best textbook on clairvoyance and psychic development in general Ive ever encountered. The fifteen chapters form a graded course of lessons and practical exercises that take the reader from the most fundamental basics of expanding your senses up through meditation and charging objects with energy. Particular emphasis is placed on regular journaling and verifying your results. The later chapters include some excellent pointers on working with others, including how to organize a study group and keep it running productively. Most of the remarks in this section can apply to any magical working group and prospective bodymasters may find this section especially useful even if they are not planning to teach clairvoyance as such. Ms. Belanger is articulate and brings a long experience as a practical psychic to her subject. She also shows an intellectual rigor that is most refreshing, especially in this field. She is not afraid to tackle the hard questions of how a psychics perceptions relate to objective reality and why different sensitives often describe the same subject in vastly different ways. I was especially impressed with her discussion of the Chakra system and how it has developed over the centuries from the Upanishads through to modern New Age systems. The author never uses the phrase Scientific Illuminism, yet that is exactly the attitude she promotes throughout this book. It is ideal for any Magician and a welcome addition to Crowleys own far-too-sparse writings on clairvoyance. Frater Julianus

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AGAP AGAP WANTS YOU!

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Agap is in many ways the Magical Record of Ordo Templi Orientis U.S. Grand Lodge. That means it is also your Magical Record. As Editor, I welcome submissions of material from any and every member in good standing of U.S.G.L. regardless of degree. My goal is to make Agap bigger and better than ever, and a true reflection what we as an Order are doing. Give me your articles and essays, your original rituals, your art and poetry. Send in your reviewsnot just of books but of music and film, live performances, festivals, art shows and any other event you think might be of interest to Thelemites. And as always we love those Local Body reports! It is perfectly appropriate to submit material that has been previously published in a Local Body Publication. Speaking of which, we love Local Body Publication reports too! Text: Articles and rituals should be approximately 500 to 2,000 words in length. Longer pieces will be considered on a case-by-case basis (in which case it will help if your work can be easily split into installments over multiple issues). Reviews, Local Body reports, and suchlike can be from 200 to 1,000 words in length. Poetry submissions should occupy no more than a page at 10-point type. Preferred file formats for electronic submissions are .txt, .rtf, and .doc. You can also just paste your text into an email message. Please consult the U.S.G.L. Style Guide at http://www.otousa.org/styleguide.htm for conventions of capitalisation, abbreviations, etc. For pointers on formatting your work for publication, the Editor recommends Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript [2nd Edition] by Cynthia Laufenberg (Writers Digest Books, 2004) or any similar guidebook. Graphics: Photographs or scanned artwork should be submitted electronically. Images should be in grayscale, no more than 7 inches by 10 inches in size, and preferably saved at 300 dpi. Preferred file formats are .tif, .jpg, .eps, and .gif. If youre submitting graphics to accompany a text submission, please send the graphics as separate attachments. Please note that Agap reserves the right to edit for style and content, and for length. For additional details please see our full Publication Guidelines at www.oto-usa.org/agape.html or contact me directly at agape@oto-usa.org. I will be more than happy to answer any questions and offer whatever advice I can. Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, Frater Julianus Agap Editor

VOL. XI No. 2 PUBLICATION ANNOUNCEMENT

PERDURABO: The Life of Aleister Crowley

(Revised and Expanded Second Edition) by Richard Kaczynski
The definitive biography of the founder of modern Magick. Published by North Atlantic Books Over 700 pagesincluding 150 pages of new material! Includes 95 photos and illustrations many never before published!

AVAILABLE NOW!

VOLUME XI, NUMBER 3 SUBMISSION DEADLINE: A IN g B IN k Dies D Anno IV:VXIII (Friday, October 15th, 2010 EV)
See our submission guidelines at www.otousa.org/agape.html. Contact agape@oto-usa.org for more information.

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Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A. P.O. Box 15037 Portland, OR 97237-5037

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID OAKLAND, CA PERMIT #252

THE OFFICIAL ORGAN

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VOLUME XI, NUMBER 3

FALL, 2010 EV

FROM THE GRAND MASTER

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Annual Report forthcoming. As always, donations of books to the United States Grand Lodges annual report is library are appreciated. available here: A reminder: the librarians-oto-usa YahooGroup oto-usa.org/usgl_annual_report_IVxvii.pdf is open to U.S.G.L. and local library officers. Please use it! United States Grand Lodge Library The U.S.G.L. Library has moved from the Den- Grand Tribunal and Ombudsman ver area back to Southern California. It is now beAfter over five years of outstanding service, ing housed at the Star Sapphire Lodge facility in La Frater AISh MLChMH (Brother Dathan) has retired Crescenta. Brother M.T. Marfield and Soror Sophia from the office of Grand Tribunal Secretary. (Master of Star Sapphire Lodge) have jointly taken Many thanks to Brother Dathan for his patience, on the duties of U.S.G.L. Librarian. Many thanks diligence, and untiring efforts to keep our processes to Frater A.G.R.C. for his years of service as librar- moving efficiently, as well as to secure and organize ian! Library lending and visitation policies are be- our historical documents. ing revised, and policies for acceptance of original Frater Harmateus has stepped in as Brother works by members are being developeddetails Dathans replacement. Brother Michael Kolson, who has successfully completed his term on the Electoral College, is replacing Frater Harmateus as CONTENTS Ombudsman. Best wishes to our new officers! From the Grand Master 1
From the Electoral College NOTOCON Update A Few Words from your Editor To Guard the Camp Thelema NOW! Podcast Baby on Board Book Review Publication Announcements 3 4 4 5 6 7 9 10

Note Regarding Alcohol Consumption As most of you know, we have several policies that deal with the consumption of alcohol under specific circumstances. Please note that small quantities of communion wine served and consumed as part of the Gnostic Mass are to be considered as
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reasonable exceptions from such policies.

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including NOTOCON, Advanced Initiator Training (A.I.T.), Kaaba Colloquium (Thelemic Leadership Upcoming Events Seminar), and Pastoral Counseling Workshops can For upcoming events, please see our events be found at notocon.org. calendar at oto-usa.org/events.html NOTOCON VIII is scheduled for the weekend of August 5-7 Love is the law, love under will. 2011 EV in Detroit, Michigan. The theme is Manifest Thy Glory. For more information, please visit Fraternally, www.blueequinox.org/notocon2.html. Sabazius General information on our various conferences,

MYSTERIA MYSTICA MAXIMA

ECCLESIA GNOSTICA CATHOLICA

The Official Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis Executive Editor: Sabazius X Editor: Fr. Julianus Proofreading: Heather Lantz, Joseph Thiebes, Fr. L. Production & Distribution: Sr. Marlene Editorial Address: P.O. Box 1892 Bloomington, IN 47402 agape@oto-usa.org

U.S. GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

U.S. NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: SABAZIUS X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org
U.S. DEPUTY NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: LON MILO DUQUETTE

P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND SECRETARY GENERAL: FR. HUNAHPU PO Box 2313, Maple Grove, MN 55311 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND TREASURER GENERAL: HANK HADEED 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. #444, Portland, OR 97214-5246 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury U.S. GRAND TRIBUNAL FR. HARMATEUS, SECRETARY grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org 3350 E. 7th St. #207, Long Beach, CA 90804 U.S. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, U.S. SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL, U.S. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. ELECTORAL COLLEGE DANN BUCHANAN, PRESIDENT ec_president@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 12653, Oklahoma City, OK 73157-2653 DEBORAH WOODY, SECRETARY electoral_college@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 5741, Glendale, CA 91221-5741
U.S.G.L. INITIATION SECRETARIES: FR. SATVRNVS BAPHOMET AND SR. NAAMAH

U.S.G.L. OMBUDSMAN: MICHAEL KOLSON 719 Highland Dr., Seattle, WA 98109 206-306-6487 ombudsman@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. QUARTERMASTER: SR. ISHARA quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. WEBMASTER: CRAIG BERRY webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LIBRARIAN: MATTHEW T. MARFIELD AND SR. SOPHIA 3212 1/2 Honolulu Ave, La Crescenta, CA 91214 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ARCHIVIST: FR. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S.G.L. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: FR. DO volunteers@oto-usa.org
U.S.G.L. LOCAL BODY PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY: SR. ANANAEL AGAPE LUX

P.O. Box 48569, Minneapolis, MN 55448 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. SECRETARY: SR. HYPATIA P.O. Box 2578, Columbia, MD 21045 egc@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PARLIAMENTARIAN: SR. HELENA P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 parlamentarian@oto-usa.org

PO Box 5, Ashburn, VA 20146 publications@oto-usa.org COORDINATOR, O.T.O. PRISON MINISTRY: Father Solomon PO Box 4215 Culver City, CA 90231 prison_ministry@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER: FR. LUX AD MUNDI O.T.O. U.S.A./Thelesis 1627 N. 2nd Street, Suite 220 Philadelphia, PA 19122 pio@oto-usa.org
U.S.G.L. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION: FR. JULIANUS

PO Box 1892, Bloomington, IN 47402 agape@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. EDUCATION COMMITTEE SECRETARY: KAYLA BLOCK education@oto-usa.org

WWW.OTO-USA.ORG
Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A., a California not-for-profit religious corporation with business offices at P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business offices at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at 24881 Alicia Pkwy E-529, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductable to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download in PDF format at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/docs.html Copyright 2010 EV Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

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AGAP FROM THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
The Electoral College at its Fall Meeting, October 16th, 2010 charge: Local Body Closures None. Change of Body Status None. Change of Body Masters Mastership of 418 Lodge in the valley of Sacramento, California, has passed from Brother David Shoemaker to Sister Anna Tsu effective October 16th, 2010 EV.
EV,

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took the following actions concerning duties in its

New Local Body Charters Sword and Serpent Camp was chartered in the valley of Dayton, Ohio. with Frater VITRIOL as Master effective October 16th, 2010 EV. The College wishes to express its appreciation to the past and present Masters of each of these Bodies. We wish each of them the best in their new offices and endeavors.

Ninth Degree Revolutionary

Members in good standing of the Sovereign Sanctuary of the IX in the United States (who are not serving as an officer or voting member of any Governing or Administrative Body under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Grand Lodge) wishing to volunteer to stand for election to the office of Revolutionary by the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C. See page 2 for contact information.

The deadline for submission of items to be considered (for the Winter 2010 EV meeting) is December 15th, 2010 EV. Please mail submissions to the Secretary of the Electoral College. See page 2 for contact information.

Attending E.C. Meetings

Sanction for Appeal

Brothers or Sisters of our Order who wish to pursue appeal of a verdict of the Grand Tribunal may write to individual members of the Electoral College to request sanction be given to take their case to the Areopagus of the Eighth Degree (per Liber CXCIV, section 16) via email links found at: ec.oto-usa.org/ECelectors.html.

Dues current members in good standing of V and above are welcome to attend and observe the in-person Electoral College Meetings. We request that those planning to attend contact the Master of the hosting body so that adequate arrangements can be made.

Website Forms

The official E.C. website can be found at: ec.oto-usa.org.

Hosting E.C. Meetings

Local bodies that are interested in hosting meetings of the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C. See page 2 for contact information.

Bodymasters seeking up-to-date forms for the Annual Report, Change of Mastership Application, Application for Oasis Status, Application for Lodge Status, or closure forms, will find them by contacting the document control officer at doc_control@oto-usa.org.

Upcoming E.C. Meetings

Winter 2010 EV Meeting scheduled for January 8th 2011 EV via online electronic medium. Spring 2011 EV meeting scheduled for Saturday, April 16th, 2011 EV, hosted by Leaping Laughter Lodge (Minneapolis, Minnesota). Summer 2011 EV Meeting scheduled to be held on-site at NOTOCON VIII, August 5th 2011 EV in Detroit, Michigan. Fall 2011 EV meeting scheduled for Saturday, October 15th, 2011 EV, hosted by Abrahadabra Oasis (Portland, Maine).

Communication with the E.C.

I would like to invite any initiates with specific concerns or questions regarding the operation of the Electoral College, to write to either the President or Secretary of the E.C. For contact information, please see page 2. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to take effective measures bringing about better communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed. I believe that communication is of benefit to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All Continued on next page e

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postal mail correspondence with the Electoral College Secretary should be sent to the address listed on page 2. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Dnn Bvchnn President, Electoral College O.T.O. U.S.A.

VOL. XI No. 3 A FEW WORDS FROM YOUR EDITOR

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

Agap Online

THELEMA NOW! PODCAST

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Thelema Now! began production in August 2009 EV and in out first year we have had 49,267 downloads. Whew! As of this writing, July 2010 was our best month ever, with 6,783 downloads. Among our guests, the two members of the 3,000 Club are our all-time winner Genesis P. Orridge (3,413) and James Wasserman (3,287). There are two members of the 2,000 Club: Richard Kaczynski (2,888) and J. Daniel Gunther (2,723). Many others are coming very close to joining the 2,000 Club thoughmany need less than fifty downloads to get there. 72% of our listeners are in the United States, followed by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Germany. But let us toast those lonely people in Qatar, Singapore and Ghana (they each had one download in August 2010) and a round of applause for the eight people in Iran and the 12 people in Trinidad and Tobago! Truly, Thelemites are everywhere. In the United States, our top markets are New York City, Los Angeles, and Boston. And lastly, 85% of our listeners get the show through iTunes. Thank you for supporting Thelema Now! We look forward to even more success this year. Love is the law, love under will Sister Amy Producer, Thelema NOW!

As this issue goes to press, Agap will once again be available for public download from the U.S. Grand Lodge website at: lib.oto-usa.org/agape/index.html In a change from previous practice, the online version will lag a quarter behind the printed edition. This means that the Summer issue will go online as this Fall issue hits your mailboxes, and so on. The practical upshot is that members of U.S. Grand Lodge will get their piping-hot Agaps three months before the general Internet-viewing public.

Missing an Issue?

If you are a dues-current member and have not been getting your copies of Agap in the mail, please make sure your current mailing address is on file with U.S.G.L. Changes of address should be sent to the Grand Treasurer General. See page 2 for contact details.

Publication Announcements

In the interests of facilitating members gift-giving needs for the Solstice and various other midwinter holidays, this issues Publication Announcements section is quite large. If youre a member of Ordo Templi Orientis and you have a book (or CD, or even video for that matter) coming out, please consider sending an announcement to Agap. Your work does not necessarily have to be related to Thelema or Magick, but such will obviously get priority when space is limited. Contact your Editor at agape@oto-usa.org for details.

Call for Rituals

For our Winter issue, to be published in January of 2011, Agap is seeking original rituals suitable for celebrating the Three Days of the Writing of the Book of the Law and/or the Equinox of the Gods. Thelemites have been marking these Feasts of the Times in various ways for decades, often with rituals composed for the occasion, so Agap would like to publish a selection of these as a celebration of our brethrens creativity. Why the Winter issue? Because the Spring issue wont be out until late April and we thought it would be nicer if readers could actually use these rituals this year. Rituals can be anything from solo rites for the solitary Magician to to full ritual theatre similar to Crowleys Rites of Eleusis. Your submission can be something you wrote just for us or that ritual youve been doing for years. Contact us at agape@oto-usa.org for details. Love is the law, love under will. Frater Julianus Agap Editor

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AGAP TO GUARD THE CAMP

by Sister Anna Tsu Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law
The first duty of an initiate is to guard the camp. This requirement is not unique to Ordo Templi Orientis. In most ceremonial Magick, the Magician performs general and/or specific banishings before the work in question. A surgeon obtains a clean room, implements, and surface before making an incision. Every small storekeeper locks his/her cash register and doors at night. Guarding the camp may, however, need some additional elaboration. Not every local body officer has a background in security, or in small business. Many may work for larger companies, in which security is a job performed by someone else. But once you are a local body officer (or a senior member of a local body), that someone else is you. Much of our attention is rightly directed toward producing excellent ritual work, providing instruction and opportunities for fellowship, and attracting and welcoming new visitors; the practical requirements of guarding and protecting may be neglected by comparison. In addition, guarding the camp may, in many cases, be ignored for a long time without negative effect, due to luck or chance. Many forgetful souls have left their keys in the front doors of their houses overnight once or twice, and been fortunate enough not to have been rudely awakened during the night. Nevertheless, such behavior is best avoided. Thelemic philosophy, as I understand it, does not recommend trusting in luck. Instead, we create our own luck. This article attempts to give a (partial) instruction on the subject of guarding the camp (that is, your local body). What Im about to relate may be routine to some of you, but there may be others who will benefit. There is surely much more of value that can be added by other initiates. Visitors and Guests First, always check references. If an initiate comes to your Valley from another Valley, it should be standard practice to contact the previous local body. Does the person actually hold the degree they claim? Is there anything good or bad that the body officers would like to tell you about this person? Even if the person is not an initiate, but has spent a lot of time in a particular Valley, you could consider asking the local body there if they know the person. Perhaps there is a reason why they are not yet initiated. Intuition: Respect it! With regards to either visitors or sponsorship, pay attention to your gut. Do you feel uncomfortable with the person? When you observe from across the room, do others seem to be at ease with the person? Does this individual seem to understand and respect unspoken social boundaries? We are all open-minded and even eccentric people, so if someone makes us feel ill at ease, that is a clear warning signal and should be respected. I highly recommend

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Gavin de Beckers book, The Gift of Fear, which is not about being controlled by fear; it is about learning to honor the messages of your intuition. Yes, Fear is failure, but if you read the book I believe you will not find it in conflict with Thelemic ideals. Sponsorship You know its important. Youve been informed of the responsibility you take on when you sponsor a candidate (see especially the comments of the Grand Master in Agap Vol. III, No. 1; On Sponsorship; available online at the oto-usa.org website, and also Agap Vol. V, No. 2). But perhaps you dont have a clear idea of what could go wrong after you sponsor someone. Heres an example: a person you have sponsored could make other members or guests feel uncomfortable or unsafe at an event. One person exhibiting inappropriate behavior could scare away the new visitors that youve worked so hard to attract. They could disrupt a Mass or other ritual and ruin the experience for others attending. They could put the local body and/or its officers at legal risk. Keep this in mind next time you consider sponsoring someone (reluctantly) because you feel sorry for them, or because they seem to want initiation so much. When you sponsor someone, its like a marriage. Heres what I mean: if youre just dating someone, you can theoretically drop them at any time. Just one quick conversation, and its over (unless youve been dating a stalker). If youre married, you can still break up, but you have formal bonds. You have to go through some formal procedures in order to end the relationship. In the same way, a non-initiate at the local body, no matter how many times they attend, is just dating the Order. If something goes wrong, the local master can ban them from future events, just like that. If they are an initiate, however, they have formal bonds to the Order, and formal rights as well. You can still exclude them from events, but the local body will have to write up a formal document (notice of pending bad report, and/or related items), explaining the reasons for their exclusion. This document must be sent to the member, and to the Electoral College, and to the members most recent sponsors. Although the E.C. members are kind and non-judgmental, you will feel very foolish explaining to them why, in essence, you decided to sponsor the wrong person. Given that sponsorship is like a marriage, it follows that it doesnt need to be a spur-of-the-moment decision. When a person you dont know well approaches you with application in hand, its okay to say, Let me think about it for awhile, or Lets talk more about this tomorrow. You could also say, I need to know someone better before I sponsor them, or Im Continued on next page e

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AGAP
sorry, but I dont feel comfortable doing this. All the lines (and all the intuition) you learned to use while dating. If you really dont feel comfortable with the person, and dont really ever want to sponsor them, dont say, Well, maybe, if you do such and such, because theyll probably do it and then come back to you again. Guarding our Rituals Every event should always have one or more guards appointed who can correct problem behavior the instant it occurs. This both controls problems before they get worse, and communicates to newer members or visitors that such behavior is not O.T.O. practice. If new visitors witness odd behavior which is not corrected, they will naturally get the message that it must be okay at an O.T.O. body. Visitors and newer members will generally not feel they have the authority to correct behavior; they are just observing and getting the lay of the land. A senior member or appointed guard is required to maintain decorum. This does not mean that our meetings must resemble an armed camp. The guard can and should be relaxed and friendly and indistinguishable from the other attendees. The number of guards will vary with the size and layout of your space, the number of attendees, etc. You could also consider promoting the message now common in New York: If you see something, say something, among junior members and trusted guests. Even if they dont feel authorized to step in themselves, they can be empowered to call in senior members if things just dont seem right. Another element of protecting our ritual work is the idea of redundancy. What I mean here is not useless replication, but rather the concept (vitally important in the sort of mountaineering expeditions Crowley engaged in) of having a backup whenever possible. The unexpected does happen. You do not want to explore the Arctic with only one stove. Likewise, key initiates can become suddenly ill, or injured. Equipment can suddenly give out. Very small O.T.O. bodies may have no option for duplication, but as soon as the body grows large enough, efforts should be made to have more than one person trained and experienced in any one ritual role, so that an alternate is available in case of emergency. Some items of equipment may be too large or expensive to be duplicated ahead of time, but if the local body can afford it, theres no reason not to have extra Mass and initiation supplies on hand (censers, in my experience, are particularly prone to breakdown). Guarding the Officer Work of the Camp When first giving new responsibilities to a new officer of the local body, initial instruction is not enough. Bodymasters should be sure to review their officers work at intervals for the first year at least, to ensure that they have accurately understood how the tasks are to be carried out. Physical Guarding of the Camp A few simple physical safeguards: Does your Temple and/or storage facility have good locks? Is there any reason to consider changing the locks or keys? Do you have a peephole in your door so that you can see who is there before opening?

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Would it be a good idea to have one? Are there irreplaceable items of historical or sentimental value at your location? Would the items and the local body be safer if such items were stored in another location? Does your temple have a clearly designated escape route (or routes) in case of fire or other emergency? Do you have first aid equipment and an appropriate number of fire extinguishers? Have the fire extinguishers been recharged as required (once a year)? Do members know where they are? Do you review the physical safety aspects of an initiation (as covered in Initiator Training and Advanced Initiator Training) while practicing with the team? Are the members current in First Aid and C.P.R.? In Closing I hope this is helpful to some. It is not my intention to encourage paranoia. The goal of appropriate precaution is to face danger, and reduce fear, by addressing potential weak points. It is the exact opposite of being controlled by fear, or repressing it so that it works unseen in the subconscious. As the Arab saying goes, Trust in God, but tie up your camel at night. Love is the law, love under will.

NOTOCON UPDATE
Carae Sorores et Fratres: Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. In the latest NOTOCON news, hotel reservations may now commence! Please visit www.notocon.org and click on the Lodging button. Find the Passkey Link under Reservations to go directly to the hotel website. This will automatically lock in the great rate of $99. This rate is guaranteed until July 12, 2011 EV. Please use our website to place your reservation so that everyroom gets counted and your reservation is made with certainty and security. Please contact us at www.notocon.org with any questions or problems. Thank you for your participation! Love is the law, love under will. Soror Shivani Master, Blue Equinox Oasis Detroit, Michigan

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AGAP BABY ON BOARD: INITIATING PREGNANT CANDIDATES

by Soror Ananyelka. and Frater Julianus Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
In the summer of 2008 EV, a tyled elist saw a long and complex debate on the subject of pregnancy and initiation. In Liber CI: An Open Letter to Those Who May Wish to Join the Order, Frater Baphomet writes: All pregnant women are especially sacred to members of the Order, and no effort should be spared to bring them to acceptance of the Law of Freedom, so that the unborn may benefit by that impression. They should be induced to become members of the Order, so that the child may be born under its gis. (Tenth House, Paragraph 37) This might be taken to say we have a duty to initiate expectant mothers upon request, a question well beyond the bounds of this essay and not taken up in the online debate. There the question was far simpler: can an O.T.O. initiator require a woman to delay a scheduled degree if she happens to be pregnant? This article attempts to summarize some of the issues involved and to foster discussion among initiates. One thing everyone involved in the debate, including our Grand Master Sabazius, seemed to agree on is that an unborn child is not initiated simply because its mother takes a degree during her pregnancy. A fetus is a passenger at an initiation just as it would be at a baseball game. It hears very little, sees nothing, does not participate in the oaths and is presumably incapable of understanding the rituals symbology anyway. Furthermore the intent of our initiation rituals does not involve any child a woman may be carrying at the time. If this were not the case, then seeing as a woman carries all her possible biological children within her as unfertilized ova, any child she might bear after her initiation could be regarded as born initiated. The glorious absurdity of such an idea is obvious. But even without being initiated in utero, could the fetus still be affected magically by its mothers initiation? We have to admit the possibility, but is this a bad thing? Many Thelemites believe we choose the circumstances of our incarnations. If this is true, then presumably the incarnating soul approves of and desires participation in whatever Mysteries in which its mother might plan to partake. It is true the child might object to this involvement in later lifebut then it might just as easily object to that baseball game. In any case, one might consider that being raised to adulthood by a member of our Most Holy Order is going have far more effect on a child than just being internally present for the brief duration of its mothers initiation ritual. Much of the above is a matter of faith and speculation, unresolvable by conventional means. For this reason the online debate concentrated on the possibility of physical harm to the pregnant candidate and/or her unborn child. We begin with

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two basic assumptions: First, we assume that ritual initiation can pose a danger to anyone. Were sure the attorneys who wrote the liability waiver worked very hard to cover the contingencies. That document is certainly far more terrifying than any initiation we have yet seen; yet the liabilities and danger do exist and must be taken into appropriate consideration. Second, we assume that certain specific degrees may pose an especial danger to pregnant women because of the specific physical demands of those rituals. Despite some arguments on the elists and the success of one of our sisters aside, these degrees are not recommended during the later stages of pregnancy. So the arguments made on the elist are that for at least some reasonably fit and active women the first two initiations theoretically pose no more danger than a walk or a number of other things a normal pregnant woman is entitled to do in her daily life. That is, of course, leaving aside any stress, but then pregnancy is itself stressful. Furthermore, stress of one sort or another is a part of normal, daily life for any person living in America (and probably elsewhere as well.) Soror Ananyelka, as a former pregnant person, initiate and aspiring initiator, finds these arguments interesting but feels they miss the point. Yes, pregnant women are fragile and deserving of our care as a society. Lets remember, however, that women are capable human beings, were capable before they were pregnant, will be so after, and do not automatically become incapable while pregnant, all those pesky hormones to the contrary. As capable human beings first, women second and perhaps even mothers third, candidates should be given the opportunity to make decisions for themselves without having to endure scare tactics. It is perfectly possible for anything to happen at any minute, so that a freak accident or other random event could occur during an initiation causing spontaneous miscarriage or other injury to the pregnant woman and/or her fetus. However, it is also perfectly possible for anyone to be in a car accident on the way to or from the initiation, so let us look further at the risk analysis that is being performed. If you mention a risk of miscarriage, some women immediately freeze up and will do nothing further for the remainder of their pregnancy. This is absolutely the correct decision for that woman and the situation she finds herself in because thats her decision. However, if the possibility of risk is presented by a person of trust in an overbearing manner, then it may count as using a scare tactic or even amount to hazing. Other women will require more information, including how dangerous is this, really? This is where more care Continued on next page e

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AGAP
should be taken and an assessment of the womans situation should be made not only by the woman herself, but also the initiator and the father (if hes involved) and possibly their physician. No obstetricians waded into the elist with their opinions, possibly due to malpractice concerns, because there arent any in the Order, or because the attorneys got there first. During the online debate, some mention was made of requiring a pregnant candidate to prove she is under a physicians care and is fully apprised of her risks in these matters. This sounds good but is not without unsightly wrinkles: we must remember that a woman has the legal right to not involve a physician in her childbearing at all. Who are we to dictate this one way or the other, especially for someone who is presumably competent to make her own decisions in life? (One would hope that any potential sponsors would screen out the incompetent long before an initiator laid eyes on them.) We are all familiar with the interminable debate over whether Ordo Templi Orientis is or is not a magical, religious, fraternal or teaching order, but it would be sad indeed if we wound up as a nanny order that didnt trust its members to run their lives without professional help. However, this type of decision requires some knowledge that may or may not reside in the experience of the initiator. Our Grand Master has stated that an initiator has a broad mandate to remain comfortable with his or her decisions and may choose to not initiate the person due to his or her perceptions of the danger the pregnant candidate will find herself in. This bears repeating: the initiator has certain rights to remain comfortable with initiating a candidate of any gender and under nearly any conditions, so long as there is no denial of initiation cleverly disguised as a delay, or not providing the candidate with an alternate initiator possessing the required experience, though possible risk and liability would still exist even then. Pregnancy is of course a temporary condition, so it is possible to wait until the pregnancy is over, just as you would wait until an injured persons wound was healed and the candidate in good shape for physical activity. This scenario presents the least liability for all concerned, including the fetus. However in some areas there is only one initiator for more than 200 miles and initiations are somewhat hard to come by (as hard as that is to believe in other areas where the initiators are on a waiting list) Soror Ananyelkas own experience as a pregnant initiate was for a more physically demanding degree. Since she was eligible for it in her third trimester it was decidedand yes, in some ways for her rather than letting her make the decision herselfthat she should delay. She had, and has, no arguments with that having since taken the initiation in question; but it required another year to actually take the degree. A year is not so long perhaps, but the fact remains the delay seems longer than that contemplated by anyone on the elist. Perhaps were finding ourselves on a slippery slope here, leaving aside all numinous elements of initiation, which may or may not have anything to do with a childs choice to incar-

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nate or other what-if scenarios. One commentator suggested that, should these initiations be too dangerous to perform on a subset of pregnant women who are healthy and quite desirous of taking these initiations, they are probably too dangerous to perform on most people regardless of gender. Are we then to begin denying initiation to people with more permanent and serious conditions? Or alternately read them through the degree instead? In the same vein, are we then also to begin reading the initiations for every person, able-bodied or otherwise, in order to prevent accidents because thats the ultimate safety? In the original debate we noticed no discussion of the situation for men. Stress is known to interfere with the production of quality sperm. Some activities found in certain degrees might also interfere with the quality of sperm, thus interfering with the mans will to conceive, not to mention a childs will to be conceived. However, men are not required to declare their state of fertility or desire for fatherhood before taking their initiations. The implication is that men have no such frailties in need of protection (or perhaps that their fertility is beneath consideration?) though obviously they arent putting an actual fetus at risk. Might we also remind the gentle reader that for the first 4 to 6 weeks, only the ovum knows it has been pierced and has begun the journey toward personhood? We have had sisters who havent been aware of their pregnancy, for various reasons, well into their second trimester. Weve all heard news reports of women who never realize they are pregnant at all until the levee breaks. Frater Julianus has a cousin who went into hospital with what she thought was appendicitis and came out with a baby, much to her surprise and consternation, and she was neither (you know youre thinking it) mentally deficient nor irresponsible. In the second trimester things grow more obvious but, depending on the woman and fetus in question, a pregnancy could still be concealed should the woman desire the initiation and not be honest because she has been presented with no real choice in the matter. We would hate for our Mysteries to come to this pass: that any candidates would hide their physical conditions for fear that their initiations would be delayed or ultimately denied no matter that two worthy persons are willing to stand up for and with them. We would also dislike presenting our Mysteries as so dangerous that they are forbidden to a pregnant woman, only to have her discover she would have been easily able to perform the obligations of at least some degrees. This sets up a situation wherein she cannot believe what shes been told. Isnt another component of the initiatory process the trust in the people who hold the secrets you aspire to? Ultimately, as every case is unique so must initiators and bodymasters re-evaluate any potential liabilities for each candidate, male or female, pregnant or not, who desires to partake of our Mysteries. [The authors wish to thank all those who took part in the original online debate which inspired this article.]

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AGAP BOOK REVIEW

Lucid Dreaming
by Stephen LaBerge Sounds True, Inc. 2009. (96 pages plus 1 CD) In the garden of immortal kisses, O thou brilliant One, shine forth! Make Thy mouth an opium-poppy, so that one kiss is the key to the infinite sleep and lucid, the sleep of Shi-loh-am. Liber LXV IV:9 LaBerges highly readable treatment of this interesting topic rightly gives it much greater significance than it is generally accorded. The back cover of my 1986 EV mass paperback copy promises a systematic, step-by-step program to cultivate lucid dreaming, but thats not a fair characterization of the contents. While LaBerge does insist that lucid dreaming is trainable, and he details a couple of the most useful procedures for that purpose, the books scope is really much broader. The author provides a full summary of the state of research on the topic up to and including his own. At least one full chapter of the book is devoted to explanations of the function and meaning of ordinary dreams, and his conclusions on these lines are both flexible and well-reasoned. The information offered is founded on sleep lab research of the late 20th century but the presentation draws on and discusses traditional lore such as Tibetan dream yoga and Sufi teaching stories. I did find it surprising that a researcher addressing nonordinary states of consciousness would take the sort of pre-Ericksonian view of hypnotizability that LaBerge does, when insisting that hypnosis will facilitate lucidity training for only a small minority of subjects. But this quibble pales beside the quantity of good sense and healthy encouragement to be found in the volume. Another surprise was the final pages appeal for funding and participants in LaBerges Lucidity Project, that gave the book a faint aftertaste of old-fashioned occultist organizing and self-promotion. An initiated sister once remarked to me that there was no difference between lucid dreaming and the occultist practice of exploration on the astral plane. At the time, I responded with blank disagreement, it seeming obvious to me that one should not a priori subsume one phenomenon in the other without having reasonably robust experience of both. In Lucid Dreaming, LaBerge makes a more extensive and philosophical argument for including astral projection as a subset of dream phenomena, but he understands the original scope of the term somewhat differently than I do. Although he is clearly acquainted with the history of occultist usage, at one point summarizing the perspective of Blavatskian Theosophy, his notion is evidently informed by the parapsychological school, with an emphasis on the O.B.E. (Out of Body Experience) as the defining feature of the category. As a lab-trained skeptic, LaBerge rightly takes a dim view of the naive O.B.E. theory, and consequently is able to present astral projection as a misinterpreted lucid dream. In deflation of the O.B.E., he aptly points out, it would seem reasonable to suppose that we

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never leave our bodies because we are never in them. But LaBerge offers another charateristic within his (very wide!) category of lucid dreaming, that I would use to distinguish it from the astral voyage. When discussing means of achieving the paradoxical state of lucid dreaming, he identifies two essential methods: waking while dreaming and dreaming while waking. The former method, evidently preferred by him and assumed as the standard in much of the other literature on lucid dreams, is to my mind fully deserving of the lucid dream label. The latter method, on the other hand, despite the similarity of its results, should be distinguished as a method, and can be conveniently tagged with such traditional language as scrying in the spirit-vision, astral journeying, or clairvoyant travel. Occultists too have their own term for the lucid dream proper: the variously-spelled Sleep of Siloam, referenced by Randolph, Blavatsky, Crowley, and others. In fact, Crowley called that state somnus lucidus, and it would be interesting to know whether there was any influence common to or crossing between him and his contemporary Frederik van Eeden, who introduced the term lucid dream to psychological discourse. In fact, the method of astral projection, or in LaBerges parlance dreaming while waking, is of peculiar value to occultists, because it a) facilitates programming of the visionary episode through ceremonial measures, and b) may allow for visionary phenomena (auras etc.) to be superimposed on more objective perceptions. Since having studied more widely (with LaBerges book as a positive contribution), and having gained more of my own experience, I would now agree that while there is value in distinguishing the methods of astral travel and lucid dream, their highest results are likely to overlap to the point of indistinction. It is not on no account that the greatest occultist of the age, in his most recondite book of esoteric theory and technique, placed his discussion of Astral Journeys and Visions so-called sandwiched between multiple passages on dreams. And his verdict on them could apply equally to the lucid dream: Whereas the Direction of such Journeys is consciously willed, and determined by Reason, and also unconsciously willed, by the True Self, since without It no Invocation were possible, we have here a Cooperation or Alliance between the Inner and the Outer Self, and thus an Accomplishment, at least partial, of the Great Work. Liber Aleph 15, De Via per Empyraeum LaBerge observes that one of the greatest possibilities to arise through lucid dreaming is surrendering control from you think you are to who you truly are. And lo! thou art passed though the Abyss. T Polyphilus

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AGAP PUBLICATION ANNOUNCEMENTS

VOL. XI No. 3

PHYLLIS SECKLER (SOROR MERAL): The Thoth Tarot, Astrology, & Other Selected Writings Edited and introduced by Dr. David Shoemaker, Gregory Peters, & Rorac Johnson
Phyllis Seckler (1917-2004) was one of the most important and influential Thelemites of the post-Crowley era. An initiate of Ordo Templi Orientis since 1939, and an A.A. student of Jane Wolfe, Seckler was an indispensable factor in the resurgence of the O.T.O. and the shaping of modern Thelema as we know it. She devoted the final decades of her life to her personal students, and in the process, she trained an entire generation to carry the torch forward. This landmark publication collects two of her most important essays on the Thoth Tarot, depth psychology, and astrology (originally serialized in her journal In the Continuum) with redrawn and corrected diagrams. In addition, a Selected Letters section presents important and previously unpublished correspondence between Seckler, Aleister Crowley, Karl Germer, and Jane Wolfe. The final section of the book presents the last major interview conducted with Seckler, where she discusses her early years at the old Agape Lodge in Los Angeles, her views on the current state of Thelema, and much more. [A co-publication of the College of Thelema of Northern California and The Teitan Press. First Edition Hardcover. Blue cloth with silver titles on spine. 390 pages. Edition limited to 777 numbered copies. Available from Weiser Antiquarian.]

NESHAMAH The Journal of the Psychology Guild of Ordo Templi Orientis Volume I, Number 3
The third issue of Neshamah, journal of the O.T.O. Psychology Guild, has been released for Fall, 2010 EV. Contents of this issue include: For Those Who Are Left Behind by Frater Harmateus

Psychotherapy and the Ceremonial Magician by David R. Hill

21st Century Alchemy: The Science and Art of Mystery by David G. Shoemaker Franz Bardon and the Elemental Aspect of Character by Lita-Luise Chappell The Method of Science: Ten Steps toward Scientific Illuminism by Richard Kaczynski

Mindfulness in Psychology and the Path from Yesod to Tiferet by Soror Rosasophia [Format: 812 x 11 inches, perfect bound, 32 pages. For further information about ordering this or back issues, see www.animasolis.com/guild/Neshamah.html.]

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AGAP
APHRODITES PRIESTESS by Laurelei Black CreateSpace, 2009 (196 pages, softcover)
Laurelei Black, a contemporary priestess of Aphrodite, found a desperate lack of resources available to the women and men who are called to work with any of the Goddesses of Love from the Mediterranean or Middle Eastern precincts. Writing from her own experience and training, she makes this first guidepost available to those who would walk the Path of Love.

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CULT OF APHRODITE: RITES AND FESTIVALS OF THE GOLDEN ONE by Laurelei Black CreateSpace, 2010 (138 pages, softcover)
This liturgical compilation is the first of its kindoffering a wealth of well-researched rituals and religious festivals in honor of a single Hellenic deity. Drawing on resources that span the ancient world, Laurelei Black and the Cult of Aphrodite Asteria present immediately usable tools for worshiping the Goddess of Love and Beauty.

PERDURABO: THE LIFE OF ALEISTER CROWLEY

by Richard Kaczynski
Revised and Expanded Second Edition Published by North Atlantic Books, 2010 The definitive biography of the founder of modern Magick. Includes 150 pages of new material! Includes 95 photos and illustrations many never before published!

BEAUTY AND STRENGTH: PROCEEDINGS OF THE SIXTH BIENNIAL NATIONAL ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS CONFERENCE: SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, AUGUST 10-12, 2007 EV U.S.G.L., O.T.O., 2009 (191 pages, softcover)
Includes addresses and articles by Sabazius X, Richard Kaczynski, Lon Milo DuQuette, James and Nancy Wasserman, Dionysius Rogers, Frater Hrumachis, and many Others of equal Merit, if less Fame.

VOLUME XI, NUMBER 4 SUBMISSION DEADLINE: A IN j B IN k Dies D Anno IV:VXIII (Friday, January 7th, 2011 EV)
We want: news, articles, rituals, artwork, reviews, local body reports, local body publication reports, and publication announcements. Please Remember that Agap is available to the general public. Submissions should not include oathbound material. See our submission guidelines at www.otousa.org/agape.html. Contact agape@oto-usa.org for more information.

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THE OFFICIAL ORGAN

OF THE

U.S. GRAND LODGE

OF

ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS

A IN k B IN j ANNO IV:XVIII

VOLUME XI, NUMBER 4

WINTER, 2011 EV

FROM THE GRAND MASTER

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Rites of Eleusis Anniversary Competition: Submission Deadline Extended
We have extended the deadline for the Rites of Eleusis competition announced several issues ago. The new deadline for the best recordings of the Rites of Eleusis is now February 28, 2011 EV. We have received several submissions for the Rites of Luna, Mercury, Sol and Venus. We have not received any entries for the Rites of Jupiter, Mars or Saturn, so the competition is wide open for these Rites. Please consider your past works of these Rites for submission. They do not need to be polished or perfect performances, as we are looking for a wide range of approaches to the Rites. The following submission requirements are still in place: 1. Any U.S. local body may submit up to seven of their best Eleusinian Rites, one per each planetary sphere. Submissions must be on DVD. The rites may have been either produced in the past, or any time during 2010. 2. Each performance must retain the original words Aleister Crowley wrote for it, though additional words, stage direction, music, singing, dancing, setting and style may be added to show the wide diversity of context that the Rites offer. 3. Each production must be performed by a volunteer cast, though ONE paid person is allowed. This one paid person may be a member of the crew, cast, or production team. 4. A performance performed off-book is preferred, but scripts may be seen on camera. 5. A complete list of credits must be provided, either separately or as part of the production. Civil or magical names of cast and crew may be used, but must be pre-approved by each participant. A recommended credit format will be available. 6. Submit your DVD(s) to: Rites of Eleusis Competition PO Box 2778 Mission Viejo, CA 92690. A set introductory and closing pages will be added to each presentation in order for the seven rites to become a cohesive presentation package. A team of experienced past Eleusinian players and producers will review and choose from the submissions. All winners will now be announced by May 1st, 2011 EV. Each winning local body will receive a complete set for free, lending copies will be made available from the Grand Lodge Library, and copies will be made available for sale with the profits going to U.S. Grand Lodge. The finalized set will Continued on next page e

CONTENTS
From the Grand Master From the Electoral College The Door The Alchemical Wedding of Ra-Hoor-Khuit The Three Days of the Writing of the Book of the Law A Blizzard in the Sahara Book Reviews Local Body Publication Report Publication Announcements 1 3 4 5 9 12 13 14 14

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be completed and made available at NOTOCON VIII. Please help to finish out this special 100th anniversary collection of Rites with your addition to the set. Think of the honor of having your bodys production be a part of this historic anniversary commemoration! Please direct all inquiries to Soror Lutea at: lutea@goldenlotus.org.

VOL. XI No. 4
E.G.C. activities such as baptisms, confirmations, and ordinations, and information pertaining to episcopal supervisory activities and novice training, is to be reported to the E.G.C. Secretary for recording. Detailed reporting requirements will be issued from time to time by the Primate and the E.G.C. Secretary. It is, as of the beginning of this civil year, the responsibility of the bishops to report to the E.G.C. Secretary the names of all novices and clergy under their supervision, and to keep this information current. Bishops are to submit a report of supervision to the

Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica Bishop Supervision Reporting Requirements

From the E.G.C. Manual: Within U.S. Grand Lodge, information pertaining to

MYSTERIA MYSTICA MAXIMA

ECCLESIA GNOSTICA CATHOLICA

The Official Organ of the U.S. Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis Executive Editor: Sabazius X Editor: Fr. Julianus Proofreading: Heather Lantz, Joseph Thiebes, Fr. L. Production & Distribution: Sr. Marlene Editorial Address: P.O. Box 1892 Bloomington, IN 47402 agape@oto-usa.org

U.S. GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

U.S. NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: SABAZIUS X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org
U.S. DEPUTY NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: LON MILO DUQUETTE

P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND SECRETARY GENERAL: FR. HUNAHPU PO Box 2313, Maple Grove, MN 55311 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND TREASURER GENERAL: HANK HADEED 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. #444, Portland, OR 97214-5246 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury U.S. GRAND TRIBUNAL FR. HARMATEUS, SECRETARY grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org 3350 E. 7th St. #207, Long Beach, CA 90804 U.S. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, U.S. SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL, U.S. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. ELECTORAL COLLEGE DANN BUCHANAN, PRESIDENT ec_president@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 12653, Oklahoma City, OK 73157-2653 DEBORAH WOODY, SECRETARY electoral_college@oto-usa.org P.O. Box 5741, Glendale, CA 91221-5741
U.S.G.L. INITIATION SECRETARIES: FR. SATVRNVS BAPHOMET AND SR. NAAMAH

U.S.G.L. OMBUDSMAN: MICHAEL KOLSON 719 Highland Dr., Seattle, WA 98109 206-306-6487 ombudsman@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. QUARTERMASTER: SR. ISHARA quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. WEBMASTER: CRAIG BERRY webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LIBRARIAN: MATTHEW T. MARFIELD AND SR. SOPHIA 3212 1/2 Honolulu Ave, La Crescenta, CA 91214 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ARCHIVIST: FR. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S.G.L. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: FR. DO volunteers@oto-usa.org
U.S.G.L. LOCAL BODY PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY: SR. ANANAEL AGAPE LUX

P.O. Box 48569, Minneapolis, MN 55448 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. SECRETARY: SR. HYPATIA P.O. Box 2578, Columbia, MD 21045 egc@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PARLIAMENTARIAN: SR. HELENA P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 parlamentarian@oto-usa.org

PO Box 5, Ashburn, VA 20146 publications@oto-usa.org COORDINATOR, O.T.O. PRISON MINISTRY: Father Solomon PO Box 4215 Culver City, CA 90231 prison_ministry@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER: FR. LUX AD MUNDI O.T.O. U.S.A./Thelesis 1627 N. 2nd Street, Suite 220 Philadelphia, PA 19122 pio@oto-usa.org
U.S.G.L. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION: FR. JULIANUS

PO Box 1892, Bloomington, IN 47402 agape@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. EDUCATION COMMITTEE SECRETARY: KAYLA BLOCK education@oto-usa.org

WWW.OTO-USA.ORG
Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A., a California not-for-profit religious corporation with business offices at P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business offices at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at 24881 Alicia Pkwy E-529, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductable to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download in PDF format at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/docs.html Copyright 2011 EV Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

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E.G.C. Secretary within 30 days after they initiate or terminate a supervisory relationship. In addition, bishops are to send a report annually to the E.G.C. Secretary containing the names of all novices and clergy under their supervision at that time. The annual report should be submitted at the time of the first semi-annual report to the Grand Master/Primate. Reports may be submitted by email or letter, and all such reports should be ccd to the Grand Secretary General.

VOL. XI No. 4
August 5-7 2011 EV in Detroit, Michigan. The theme is Manifest Thy Glory. For more information, please visit www.blueequinox.org/notocon2.html. General information on our various conferences, including NOTOCON, Advanced Initiator Training (A.I.T.), Kaaba Thelemic Leadership Seminars, and Pastoral Counseling Workshops can be found at notocon.org.

Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, Sabazius

Upcoming Events

For upcoming events, please see our events calendar at oto-usa.org/events.html. NOTOCON VIII is scheduled for the weekend of

FROM THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
The Electoral College at its Winter Meeting, January 8th, 2011 EV, took the following actions concerning duties in its charge: Local Body Closures None. Change of Body Status None. Change of Body Masters Mastership of Heru Behutet Oasis (Kansas City, Missouri) was passed from Brother Wes Warlop to Sister Rachel Hochard effective January 8th, 2011 EV. Mastership of Horizon Oasis (Seattle, Washington) was passed from Sister Shellay Lynne Maughan to Jon Sewell, Frater Jonah, effective January 8th, 2011 EV. New Local Body Charters None The College wishes to express its appreciation to the past and present Masters of each of these Bodies. We wish each of them the best in their new offices and endeavors.

Ninth Degree Revolutionary

Members in good standing of the Sovereign Sanctuary of the IX in the United States (who are not serving as an officer or voting member of any Governing or Administrative Body under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Grand Lodge) wishing to volunteer to stand for election to the office of Revolutionary by the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C. See page 2 for contact information.

Hosting E.C. Meetings

Local bodies that are interested in hosting meetings of the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C. See page 2 for contact information.

Upcoming E.C. Meetings

Sanction for Appeal

Brothers or Sisters of our Order who wish to pursue appeal of a verdict of the Grand Tribunal may write to individual members of the Electoral College to request sanction be given to take their case to the Areopagus of the Eighth Degree (per Liber CXCIV, section 16) via email links found at: ec.oto-usa.org/ECelectors.html.

Spring 2011 EV meeting scheduled for Saturday, April 16th, 2011 EV, hosted by Leaping Laughter Lodge (Minneapolis, Minnesota). Summer 2011 EV Meeting scheduled to be held on-site at NOTOCON VIII, August 5th, 2011 EV in Detroit, Michigan. Fall 2011 EV meeting scheduled for Saturday, October 15th, 2011 EV, hosted by Abrahadabra Oasis (Portland, Maine). The deadline for submission of items to be considered (for the Spring 2011 EV meeting) is March 15th, 2011 EV. Continued on next page e

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Please mail submissions to the Secretary of the Electoral College. See page 2 for contact information.

VOL. XI No. 4

Attending E.C. Meetings

THE DOOR

Dues current members in good standing of V and above are welcome to attend and observe the in-person Electoral College Meetings. We request that those planning to attend contact the Master of the hosting body so that adequate arrangements can be made.

Website

The official Electoral College website can be found at: ec.oto-usa.org.

Forms

Bodymasters seeking up-to-date forms for the Annual Report, Change of Mastership Application, Application for Oasis Status, Application for Lodge Status, or closure forms, will find them by contacting the document control officer at doc_control@oto-usa.org.

Communication with the E.C.

I would like to invite any initiates with specific concerns or questions regarding the operation of the Electoral College, to write to either the President or Secretary of the E.C. For contact information, please see page 2. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to take effective measures bringing about better communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed. I believe that communication is of benefit to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All postal mail correspondence with the Electoral College Secretary should be sent to the address listed on page 2. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Dnn Bvchnn President, Electoral College O.T.O. U.S.A.

CORRECTION
In our Fall issue the URL for ordering Neshamah, the journal of the O.T.O. Psychology Guild, was incorrect. The correct URL is: www.animasolis.com/guild/Neshamah.html Also see the corrected publication announcement on page 14. Agape apologizes for any inconvenience this mistake may have caused. We grovel.

Oil on Gesso, 32 x 80 inches. by

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VOL. XI No. 4 THE ALCHEMICAL WEDDING OF RA-HOOR-KHUIT A Ceremony for the Feast of the Third Day of the Writing of the Book of the Law
Constructed by Dionysos Thriambos

[First performed on the 93rd Anniversary of the Reception of the Law at Scarlet Woman Lodge, Austin, Texas] IN NOMINE BABALONIS A double cube altar is in the center, draped with a splendid cloth. The Stele of Revealing is covered in the East. OLD KING sits throned before it with crown and orb and sceptre, and his robes are of purple and gold. GOLDEN EAGLE kneels before him to his right, facing West, in white robe and gold mantle, with a lit red taper in an ivory candlestick. BLACK ANGEL kneels before him to his left, facing West, in black robe and hood, carrying a skull. AIWASS in leopard skin and nemyss, with the Mark of the Beast upon his brow, hand, and breast, bearing a wand and the Book of the Law, is concealed behind the throne. BEAST in the robe of a Probationer, carrying a golden clock set for noon, is seated among the people. THE SCARLET WOMAN in jewels and rich garments, carrying a red cup filled with a golden liqueur, is seated next to him.

B1 Magician as Logos Osiris arises from throne to make place for Horus
BLACK ANGEL: [rises, makes sign of Apophis] O ye spears and vials of poison and sharp swords and whirling thunderbolts that are about the corners of the earth, girded with wrath and justice, know ye that His name is Righteousness in Beauty? Burnt out are your eyes, for that ye have seen me in my majesty. And broken are the drum-heads of your ears, because my name is as two mountains of fornication, the breasts of a strange woman; and my Father is not in them. Lo! the pools of fire and torment mingled with sulphur! Many are their colours, and their colour is as molten gold, when all is said. Is not He one, one and alone, in whom the brightness of your countenance is as 1,728 petals of fire. BLACK ANGEL: [places skull on altar, makes sign of Osiris risen, and continues, addressing the East] Is not the son the enemy of his father? And hath not the daughter stolen the warmth of the bed of her mother? Therefore is the great curse irrevocable. Therefore there is neither wisdom nor understanding nor knowledge in this house, that hangeth upon the edge of hell. Thou art not 4 but 2, O thou blasphemy spoken against 1. Therefore whoso worshippeth thee is accursed. He shall be brayed in a mortar and the powder thereof cast to the winds, that the birds of the air may eat thereof and die; and he shall be dissolved in strong acid and the elixir poured into the sea, that the fishes of the sea may breathe thereof and die. And he shall be mingled with dung and spread upon the earth, so that the herbs of the earth may

GOLDEN EAGLE: [rises, makes sign of Osiris slain] Woe! woe! woe! Yea, woe unto the world! For there is no sin, and there is no salvation. My plumes are like waves of gold upon the sea. My eyes are brighter than the sun. My tongue is swifter than the lightning. Yet am I hemmed in by the armies of night, singing, singing phrases unto Him that is smitten by the thunderbolt of the abyss. Is not the sky clear behind the sun? These clouds that burn thee up, these rays that scorch the brains of men with blindness; these are heralds before my face of the dissolution and the night. Ye are all blinded by my glory; and though ye treasure in your heart the sacred word that is the last lever of the key to the little door beyond the abyss, yet ye gloss and comment thereupon; for the light itself is but illusion. GOLDEN EAGLE: [sets candle on altar] Truth itself is but illusion. Yea, these be the great illusions beyond life and space and time. Let thy lips blister with my words! Are they not meteors in thy brain? Back, back from the face of the accursed one, who am I; back into the night of my father, into the silence; for all that ye deem right is left, forward is backward, upward is downward. I am the great god adored of the holy ones. Yet am I the accursed one, child of the elements and not their father. O my mother! wilt thou not have pity upon me? Wilt Continued on next page e

feed thereof and die; and he shall be burnt utterly with fire, and the ashes thereof shall calcine the children of flame, that even in hell may be found an overflowing lamentation.

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thou not shield me? For I am naked, I am manifest, I am profane. O my father! wilt not thou withdraw me? I am extended, I am double, I am profane. Woe, woe unto me! These are they that hear not prayer. It is I that have heard all prayer alway, and there is none to answer me. Woe unto me! Woe unto me! Accursed am I unto the aeons!

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and in the water; of whirling air and of rushing fire. And they shall have power over all the inhabitants of the earth, and every scourge of God shall be subdued beneath their feet. The angels shall come unto them and walk with them, and the great gods of heaven shall be their guests.

OLD KING: [rises from throne, casts down the sceptre to the earth, and tears off his crown, and throws it on the ground, and tramples it. And he tears his hair, and plucks at his beard, and cries] Woe unto me that am cast down from my place by the might of the new on. For the ten palaces are broken, and the ten kings are carried away into bondage, and they are set to fight as the gladiators in the circus of him that hath laid his hand upon eleven. For the ancient tower is shattered by the Lord of the Flame and the Lightning. And they that walk upon their hands shall build the holy place. Blessed are they who have turned the Eye of Hoor unto the zenith, for they shall be filled with the vigour of the goat. All that was ordered and stable is shaken. The on of Wonders is come. Like locusts shall they gather themselves together, the servants of the Star and of the Snake, and they shall eat up everything that is upon the earth. For why? Because the Lord of Righteousness delighteth in them. The prophets shall prophesy monstrous things, and the wizards shall perform monstrous things. The sorceress shall be desired of all men, and the enchanter shall rule the earth. Blessing unto the name of the Beast, for he hath let loose a mighty flood of fire from his manhood, and from his womanhood hath he let loose a mighty flood of water. Every thought of his mind is as a tempest that uprooteth the great trees of the earth, and shaketh the mountains thereof. And the throne of his spirit is a mighty throne of madness and desolation, so that they that look upon it shall cry: Behold the abomination! Of a single ruby shall that throne be built, and it shall be set upon a high mountain, and men shall see it afar off. Then will I gather together my chariots and my horsemen and my ships of war. By sea and land shall my armies and my navies encompass it, and I will encamp round about it, and besiege it, and by the flame thereof shall I be utterly devoured. Many lying spirits have I sent into the world that my on might be established, and they shall be all overthrown. Great is the Beast that cometh forth like a lion, the servant of the Star and of the Snake. He is the Eternal one; He is the Almighty one. Blessed are they upon whom he shall look with favour, for nothing shall stand before his face. Accursed are they upon whom he shall look with derision, for nothing shall stand before his face. And every mystery that hath not been revealed from the foundation of the world he shall reveal unto his chosen. And they shall have power over every spirit of the Ether; and of the earth and under the earth; on dry land

OLD KING: [sets orb on the altar] But I must sit apart, with dust upon my head, discrowned and desolate. I must lurk in forbidden corners of the earth. I must plot secretly in the by-ways of great cities, in the fog, and in marshes of the rivers of pestilence. And all my cunning shall not serve me. And all my undertakings shall be brought to naught. And all the ministers of the Beast shall catch me and tear out my tongue with pincers of red-hot iron, and they shall brand my forehead with the word of derision, and they shall shave my head, and pluck out my beard, and make a show of me. And the spirit of prophecy shall come upon me despite me ever and anon, as even now upon my heart and upon my throat; and upon my tongue seared with strong acid are the words: Vim patior. For so must I give glory to him that hath supplanted me, that hath cast me down into the dust. I have hated him, and with hate my bones are rotten. I would have spat upon him, and my spittle hath befouled my beard. I have taken up the sword against him, and I am fallen upon it, and mine entrails are about my feet. Who shall strive with his might? Hath he not the sword and the spear of the Warrior Lord of the Sun? Who shall contend with him? Who shall lift himself up against him? For the latchet of his sandal is more than the helmet of the Most High. Who shall reach up to him in supplication, save those that he shall set upon his shoulders? Would God that my tongue were torn out by the roots, and my throat cut across, and my heart torn out and given to the vultures, before I say this that I must say: Blessing and Worship to the Prophet of the Lovely Star!

A1 Fool (c.f. AL I:48) The Beast arises and brings fresh fever
Music. AIWASS rises from behind the throne, walks to the altar and places book upon it. AIWASS then makes the Mark on all present, beginning with the OLD KING, GOLDEN EAGLE, and BLACK ANGEL, proceeding to the people, and concluding with the SCARLET WOMAN and the BEAST. BEAST places clock on altar, and performs the Ritual of the Mark of the Beast (from Liber V). As he approaches the quarters to establish the pentagrams, the SCARLET WOMAN incants Lamentations from the West. SCARLET WOMAN: [As the BEAST approaches the North (NUIT)] O woe unto me, my God, woe unto me; for all my song is as the dirge of the sea that moans about a corpse, lapping most mournfully against the dead shore in the darkness. Yet in the sob of the wind do I hear Thy name, that quick-

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SCARLET WOMAN: [As the BEAST approaches the South (HADIT)] O woe unto me, my God, woe unto me; for all the joy of my days lies dishonoured as the spangle-veild Virgin of night torn and trampled by the sun-lashed stallions of Dawn. Yet in the frenzy of their couplings do I tremble forth the pearly dew of ecstatic light. SCARLET WOMAN: [As the BEAST approaches the East (THERION)] O woe unto me, my God, woe unto me; for all my labours are as weary oxen laggard and sore stricken with the goad, ploughing black furrows across the white fields of light. Yet in the scrawling trail of their slow toil to I descry the golden harvest of Thine effulgence. SCARLET WOMAN: [As the BEAST approaches the West (BABALON)] O woe unto me, my God, woe unto me; for all the feastings of my flesh have sickened to the wormy hunger of the grave, writhing in the spasms of indolent decay. Yet in the maggots of my corruption do I shadow forth sunlit hosts of crowned eagles. eneth the cold lips of death to life.

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BEAST rises, takes the book from the altar, and reads the third chapter from it. All present join in the adorations in vv. 37-38. He replaces the book on the altar when finished.

Justice as symmetry and fulfillment The new sacrifice stains the tomb SCARLET WOMAN returns, still leading the others. She proceeds to center, joining BEAST. The other four move to the crossquarters: AIWASS SE, OLD KING NE, GOLDEN EAGLE SW, and BLACK ANGEL NW. All six perform the Star Sapphire (Liber XXXVI) as follows: SCARLET WOMAN makes signs of N.O.X. silently. SCARLET WOMAN and BEAST: [advance to East, link hands crosswise facing one another] PATER ET MATER AIWASS and OLD KING: UNUS DEUS ALL: ARARITA

Magician as Betrothed of Babalon (path to Binah) The Scarlet Woman awakes lust and worship SCARLET WOMAN places cup on altar. BEAST kneels, takes hand of SCARLET WOMAN, kisses it, and speaks. BEAST: Am I not nearly purged of the iniquity of my forefathers? She bends down, kisses him on the mouth, and replies.

B2

SCARLET WOMAN and BEAST progress, spinning, deosil to the South. SCARLET WOMAN and BEAST: MATER ET FILIUS AIWASS and GOLDEN EAGLE: UNUS DEUS ALL: ARARITA

SCARLET WOMAN and BEAST progress, spinning, deosil to the West. SCARLET WOMAN and BEAST: FILIUS ET FILIA ALL: ARARITA GOLDEN EAGLE and BLACK ANGEL: UNUS DEUS SCARLET WOMAN and BEAST progress, spinning, deosil to the North. SCARLET WOMAN and BEAST: PATER ET MATER BLACK ANGEL and OLD KING: UNUS DEUS ALL: ARARITA

SCARLET WOMAN: Yet a little, and on thy left arm shalt thou carry a man-child, and give him to drink of the milk of thy breasts. But I go dancing. AIWASS, OLD KING, GOLDEN EAGLE, and BLACK ANGEL sing: omari tessala marax tessala dodi phornepax amri radara poliax armana piliu amri radara piliu son mari narya barbiton madara anaphax sarpedon andala hriliu

SCARLET WOMAN and BEAST return to center, where he takes her hands between his. BEAST: ARARITA SCARLET WOMAN: [takes his hands between hers] ARARITA.

SCARLET WOMAN dances around them as they sing, and then leads them from the temple.

SCARLET WOMAN and BEAST: [they place hands palm-to-palm, and interlace fingers] ARARITA. SCARLET WOMAN and BEAST: [they release hands, crying] HRILIU!

A2 Fool (c.f. AL III:63) Mingling of the Soul of God and Beast

AIWASS lays hands silently upon the head of BEAST (who is still kneeling).

SCARLET WOMAN and BEAST: [fall to the ground. Lying there, the two chant] OMNIA IN DUOS, DUO IN UNUS, UNUM IN NIHIL, HAEC NEC QUATUOR NEC OMNIA NEC DUO NEC UNUM NEC NIHIL SUNT.

AIWASS, OLD KING, GOLDEN EAGLE, and BLACK ANGEL; [sing] GLORIA PATRI ET MATRI ET FILIO ET FILIAE ET Continued on next page e

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SPIRITUI SANCTO EXTERNO ET SPIRITUI SANCTO INTERNO, UT ERAT EST ERIT IN SAECULA SAECULORUM, SEX IN UNO PER NOMEN SEPTEM IN UNO. ARARITA.

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SCARLET WOMAN: [stands in the sign of Osiris slain] Before me the Powers of Death, behind me the Powers of Birth, at my right hand the Powers of the Word, and at my left hand the Powers of Life. For about me shines the seal of the little world, and the great world is above me and in me.

BEAST rises and makes signs of L.V.X. silently, then moves to the East.

The Devil as power enthroned The new king reigns AIWASS rights the throne, and BEAST sits in it. SCARLET WOMAN rises in the center to perform the ritual of the Fourfold Crown.

SCARLET WOMAN, AIWASS, OLD KING, GOLDEN EAGLE, and BLACK ANGEL: Now I begin to pray, thou Child! Holy Thy name and undefiled. Thy reign is come, Thy will is done. Here is the bread, here is the blood. Bring me through midnight to the sun. Save me from evil and from good, That Thy one crown of all the Ten even now and here be mine, AMEN.

AIWASS: Hail Babalon, filled with joy! Ra-hoor-khu is with thee. Blessed and cursed art thou in thy glory, And glorious the Beast on whom thou ridest. Scarlet Woman, Mother of Abominations, Gather our blood in the golden cup of thy fornication. AUMGN. AUMGN. AUMGN. SCARLET WOMAN moves to the West. BEAST: O Glory be to Thee, O God my God; for I behold Thee in the in the gilded rout of dancing-girls: Thou hast garlanded their naked middles with fragrant flowers, so that they may pace forth the Glory of Thy Name. SCARLET WOMAN: [makes an invoking pentagram of Air] NIKE. SCARLET WOMAN moves deosil to the North.

Death as discontinuity and quantum change Blessing is no longer poured to Osiris BEAST: [rises, and makes a cross with his right hand in the ficus gesture] Hear ye, spirits, angels, kerubs, seniors, kings and governors of every angle, tablet, watchtower, and aire. We release you from your attendance on these rites. BEAST: [makes another cross and continues] Go and serve in your offices according to the universal will of the Lord of the Aeon. BEAST: ]makes a third and final cross and concludes] We bid you farewell by the power of the Three Mighty Names of God Almighty coming forth from the Thirty Aethyrs: OLD KING: LAZodaPeLaMeDaZodaZODaZodILaZodUOLaTaZodaPeKALaTaNuVaDa-ZodaBeReTa GOLDEN EAGLE: AAIE IROAIAEIIAKOITaXEAEOHeSIOIITE-

BEAST: O Glory be to Thee, O God my God; for I behold Thee in the precious stones of the black earth: Thou has lightened her with a myriad eyes of magic, so that she may wink forth the Glory of Thy Name. SCARLET WOMAN: [makes an invoking pentagram of Earth] PAN. SCARLET WOMAN moves deosil to the East.

BLACK ANGEL: LaNuNuZodaTaXodODaPeXaHEMAOANuNuPeRePeNuRAISAGIXa SCARLET WOMAN: There is no law beyond Do what thou wilt. ALL: ABRAHADABRA!

BEAST: O Glory be to Thee, O God my God; for I behold Thee in the smoke-veild fire of the mountains: Thou hast inflamed them as lions that scent a fallow deer, so that they may rage forth the Glory of Thy Name. SCARLET WOMAN: [makes an invoking pentagram of Fire] IACCHUS. SCARLET WOMAN moves deosil to the South,

The ritual is concluded. The liqueur may be shared by any present. The candle should not be extinguished until after the liqueur has been drunk. SOURCES: Liber AL vel Legis sub figura CCXX (particularly III:34) The Chemical Wedding of Christian Rozenkreutz The Vision and the Voice sub figura CDXVIII (26th and 16th Aethyrs) Liber Chankokh sub figura LXXXIV The Treasure-house of Images sub figura CMLXIII Liber Reguli sub figura V The Book of Lies sub figura CCCXXXIII

BEAST: O Glory be to Thee, O God my God; for I behold Thee in the amber combers of the storm: Thou hast laid Thy lash upon the sphinxes of the waters, so that they may boom forth the Glory of Thy Name. SCARLET WOMAN: [makes an invoking pentagram of Water] BABALON.

SCARLET WOMAN: [returns to center by way of the West, faces West, and makes the invoking heptagram of Our Lady] AGAPE.

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VOL. XI No. 4 THE THREE DAYS OF THE WRITING OF THE BOOK OF THE LAW
A Dramatic Ritual by Frater Julianus Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law The Temple
On a dais in the West is the throne of AIWASS. Before this is a double-cube Altar bearing a Crucifix or Rose-Cross. Lying on the Altar before this is an old-style Trump XX, The Last Judgement. Concealed under this card is Atu XX of the Thoth Tarot, The on. A great black candle is on the left and a great white candle is on the right (these may be on the Altar or free-standing.) To begin with there is no other light in the Temple. Hidden behind the Altar are an image of Horus and the Stl of Revealing. To the right of the Altar is the throne of SHABNAX-ODOBOR and to the left is the throne of SHALICU. THE PEOPLE should be seated in the East.

The Officers
AIWASS wears Assyrian garb, or is robed in white and yellow, as a Deacon of the Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica. He bears the Eye in the Triangle on his breast and holds the Chief Adepts Wand or Caduceus.1 At the beginning of the ritual he is entirely covered by a black or indigo veil. He keeps The Book of the Law, closed, in his lap. SHALICU is robed in red and holds the Lotus Wand. She wears the Sigil of Shalicu2 [right] on her breast.

SHABNAX-ODOBOR as Shalicu, but carries the Phoenix Wand. He wears the Sigil of Shabnaxodobor [right] on his breast. THE MAGUS is robed in black and bears a Censer burning Incense of Abra-Melin.

c C

The Rite
AIWASS, SHALICU, and SHABNAX-ODOBOR are seated on their thrones. THE MAGUS enters and places the Censer in the centre of the Temple. Facing East, he performs the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram.3 He then turns West and kneels, the censer before him. AIWASS: [knocks] w w w SHABNAX: w w w SHALICU: w w w Pause. the Duat, and the Sphinx was named Hor-Makhu, that is Horus-of-the-Two-Horizons, and it is older than the dreams of Men.4

MAGUS: [rises] But why have I been summoned here?

SHABNAX and SHALICU: [rising and threatening the Magus with their wands] Who art thou?

MAGUS: Great ones, I beseech thee: who art thou and what is this place and why have I been summoned hither?

SHABNAX: I am Shabnax-odobor and I am the Genius of the Path of Shin that leadeth from Hod unto Malkuth by the Way of Light. SHALICU: I am Shalicu and I am the Genius of the Qlippoth of Shin that leadeth from Malkuth unto Hod by the Way of Darkness. SHABNAX: This place is the Plateau of Giza in Egypt and we sit before the Great Sphinx. SHALICU: But of old this place was called Restau, the Gate of

MAGUS: I know not, though once I did. I thought I was weak and so I sought Power and I found it. I thought I was lost and so I sought mine Angel and we did find one another in the City of the Sun. But then I was drawn onwards and passed through an Abyss and lost both my Power and my Angel therein, and I was blasted to ash and my blood was poured into the Cup of Our Lady Babalon and I was called Nemo. Then did Men call me Magister and I did tend my Garden of disciples, but now I am in a new place and I know not why.5 AIWASS: w w w SHABNAX and SHALICU resume their seats.

SHALICU: Thine Aspiration has led thee hither, for there is much to learn and little Time. Continued on next page e

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SHABNAX: Behold! It is written: One is the Magus: twain His forces: four His weapons.

VOL. XI No. 4
SHABNAX: AScorpio, Apophis, Destroyer! [stands and gives the Sign of Apophis and Typhon]

SHALICU: His weapons fulfil the wheel; and on What Axel that turneth is not known unto Him. SHABNAX: In the beginning doth the Magus speak Truth... SHALICU: ...and send forth Illusion and Falsehood to enslave the soul. SHABNAX: Yet therein is the Mystery of Redemption. By His Wisdom made He the Worlds; the Word that is God is none other than He.

SHABNAX and SHALICU: OSol, Osiris, Slain and Risen! [they each give the Sign of Osiris Risen, then resume their seats]

SHALICU: By a Magus is this writing made known through the mind of a Magister. The one uttereth clearly, and the other understandeth; yet the Word is falsehood, and the Understanding darkness. SHABNAX: And this saying is Of All Truth.6 MAGUS: And is this my curse? To speak Truth to Men when they hear naught but Falsehood? SHABNAX: It is so. SHALICU: It is even so.

SHALICU: For in this time the Formula of Salvation was of the Man dying unto Himself in order to arise perfected. And thus Woman and Nature became unclean things, whereas before they had been worshipped as the Vessels of Life. And because of this the Light became Dark and there was suffering all through the World. SHABNAX: But then in the heart of Darkness there leapt up one called Mohammed, and his Word was ALLAH, that signifies God is One.

SHALICU: Yet his secret Word was LA ALLAH, which means There is No God. But in after years the Outer teaching became divorced from the Inner, and the purifying Flame became a sputtering torch and the Darkness was more abject than before.8 MAGUS: And was he the last Messenger? SHABNAX: So his followers say.

MAGUS: Woe unto me! [he falls to his knees clutching his head in despair] AIWASS: w w w The MAGUS looks up and listens to the following in rapt attention. SHABNAX: It is the custom of the Great Order that governs the Destiny of Man to send forth Messengers at intervals, and these Messengers each bear a Word to instruct Mankind.

SHALICU: But the wheel still turns and Hor-Makhu still watches the Horizon for the stars to change. SHABNAX: And behold! Thou art come to the appointed Place in the appointed Time. MAGUS: But what is the appointed Rite? SHABNAX: It is hidden from me. SHALICU: And even from me. Pause.

SHALICU: And the first of these that is still remembered by the profane was Lao-tze, and his Word was TAO, and this is Truth and the Way of Truth, and signifies Going.

AIWASS: w w w [Sound of thunder. There is a brief flash of bright light.] MAGUS: [frightened] What is this? SHABNAX: [mournfully] It is The End of all things. Trumpet blast: the lights go up slowly.

SHABNAX: And there was Tahuti, who is called Thoth and Hermes, and his Word was AMOUN, which signifies the Hidden Nature. SHALICU: He was followed by Moses, whose Word was IHVH, which describes the course of the Universe.

SHALICU: [hopefully] It is The Beginning of all things. SHABNAX: [rises and looks to the East] Our Father the Sun rises in the East. It is the dawn of a new day!

SHABNAX: And then came Gautama, who is called Buddha, and his Word was ANATTA, that is No Soul for he taught that the soul is no permanent thing and indeed changeth as do all other things. SHALICU: And there is also Krishna, who is known under innumerable names and forms, and his Word was AUM. SHABNAX: His work was then extended by Dionysus, who is also called Osiris and Adonis and Christ and many another name, and his Word was INRI.

SHALICU: [rises and looks to the East] More than that: it is the dawn of a New on!

SHABNAX: He has left the Sign of the Fish for the Sign of the Man. SHALICU: He no longer faces the Sign of the Virgin but now looks to the Sign of the Lion. MAGUS: But what is the Word? AIWASS: w w w wwwww www

SHALICU: But this concealed the secret Word IAO within, as it is said: IVirgo, Isis, Mighty Mother! [stands and gives the Sign of the Mourning of Isis]7

MAGUS: [rises, suddenly inspired] I adore thee in the song I am the Lord of Thebes, and I

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The inspired forth-speaker of Mentu; For me unveils the veiled sky, The self-slain Ankh-af-na-khonsu Whose words are truth. I invoke, I greet Thy presence, O Ra-Hoor-Khuit! Unity uttermost showed! I adore the might of Thy breath, Supreme and terrible God, Who makest the gods and death To tremble before Thee: I, I adore thee! ALL: Aum. Ha.

VOL. XI No. 4
THE MAGUS leads THE PEOPLE to the Feast.

HERE ENDETH THE RITE

[This was originally written as a ritual for the Path of Shin in early 2003 EV for a series of group pathworkings conducted in Bloomington, Indiana. The group in question was associated with the local chapter of the Covenant of Unitarian-Universalist Pagans, and therefore included individuals of differing backgrounds and levels of experience, hence the extensive notes. The intent was to introduce concepts of Thelema and Thelemic ritual Magick. The performance was quite successful and I then realized that with only a few changes it would serve as an excellent celebratory rite for the Three Days or the Equinox of the Gods. The revised version given here was performed at Mitra-Varuna Camp in Bloomington over the Three Days in 2009 EV.]

Full light. SHABNAX and SHALICU remove the veil from AIWASS, revealing him for the first time. MAGUS: Tear down that lying spectre of the centuries!10 THE MAGUS advances and knocks the Crucifix off the Altar. SHALICU replaces it with the Stl of Revealing. SHABNAX sets an image of Horus before it. The MAGUS turns over The Last Judgement to reveal The on. MAGUS: Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. SHALICU: Love is the law, ... AIWASS: w [rises] SHABNAX: ...love under will. SHABNAX and SHALICU kneel facing the Altar while THE MAGUS remains standing to face AIWASS.

Appear on the throne of Ra! Open the ways of the Khu! Lighten the ways of the Ka! The ways of the Khabs run through To stir me or still me! Aum! let it fill me!9

NOTES:
1

AIWASS reads the appropriate chapter of The Book of the Law (ie: the First Chapter on April 8th, Second on April 9th, and Third on April 10th.) SHALICU: [rising] Had! The manifestation of Nuit. SHABNAX: [rising] Nu! The hiding of Hadit.

MAGUS: [turning to face East] Abrahadabra; the reward of Ra Hoor Khut. THE MAGUS performs Liber XXV: The Star Ruby.11 MAGUS: The word of the Law is THELEMA. [turns back to face Aiwass]

AIWASS: w w w [hands his wand and The Book of the Law to The MAGUS] The Ending of the words is the Word Abrahadabra. [sits] SHALICU: w The Rite is ended. [sits] SHABNAX: w The Rite has begun. [sits]

See The Golden Dawn by Israel Regardie or Secrets of a Golden Dawn Temple by Chic and Tabitha Cicero for illustrations of the three wands and details of their construction. 2 These two Genii are taken from Liber Arcanorum ATU TAHUTI QUAS VIDIT ASAR IN AMENTI Sub Figura CCXXXI Liber Carcerorum QLIPPOTH cum suis Geniis. Adduntur Sigilla et Nomina Deorum. The Sigils should be painted in green on red, upright triangles. 3 See Liber O vel Manus et Sagitt by Aleister Crowley, available in Magick: Book Four: Liber ABA and in Gems from The Equinox. 4 For further details see The Mystery of the Sphinx by Graham Hancock and Robert Bauval. 5 See One Star in Sight and The Vision and the Voice for details of the Magus career. 6 These quotations are taken from Liber B vel Magi. 7 These are the LUX Signs and are given in Liber O vel Manus et Saggit. 8 These doctrines concerning the Magi of past ons and their respective Words are taken from Liber Aleph: The Book of Wisdom or Folly (Equinox III-6) and from The Heart of the Master. 9 Taken from Aleister Crowleys paraphrase of the Stl of Revealing as given in The Book of the Law. 10 All remaing quotations are taken from The Book of the Law. 11 See Magick: Book Four: Liber ABA, Appendix VI.

MAGUS: [faces East] w The Rite is ever-Going. SHABNAX: The Book of the Law is Written... SHALICU: ...and Concealed.

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AGAP A BLIZZARD IN THE SAHARA

by Aleister Crowley

VOL. XI No. 4

[A Blizzard in the Sahara first appeared in the short lived Crowley edited publication, Bystander on March 1, 1911 EV. It serves to illustrate the perilous adventures and dangers of the path of the Adept. It was in the same region of the desert near Bou Saada where Aleister Crowley invoked the Angels of the Aethyrs, a story told in Liber 418 The Vision and the Voice. The disciple is of course Victor Neuburg.] On my first visit to the Sahara just over a year ago, the local proverb ran: It never rains south of Sidi Aissa. A months tramp did little to dispel this dream; we had a perfect time, so perfect that last December, having brought The Rites of Eleusis to a fortunate conclusion, I said: Let me return to the desert. Therefore did I don the breeches of buckskin and the ancient coat, loaded the Webley, and filled the rucksack with tobacco. Therefore did I speed into Bou Saada and seated firmly but gently in front of the hotel, besought Allah to provide me with a baggage-camel. I got one; but it was Eblis who sent it! I also had an interpreter, named Mohammed, but he soon faught us to call him Lloyd George. Two days later we started for the desert. The first halt, Sidi el Hamel, is a Saharan University. There was a marabout, a holy man, and he received me brotherly and regaled me with Kous-Kous, which I permitted my faithful disciple to share. (I always travel with a disciple; it saves trouble. I let his beard grow and shaved his head, except for two tufts on the forehead, to make him look like the Devil. He did. The natives were very much impressed.) From el Hamel we wandered southward to Ain Semarq, Ain Meleh, and Ain Rich. From Ain Rich there are no villages until Sidi Khaled, distant one hundred kilometres-- which considering the bad going, is worth one hundred miles. It was a beautiful morning, with but a touch of north-west wind. We were feeling fit; I had forgotten all about England, and we began to congratulate ourselves on another pleasant journey. I suppose the north-west wind was eavesdropping. We had some food in an unexpected and decayed hovel about noon; for the wind had got up sufficiently to make it too cold to sit about. An hour later we struck for the mountains. It was a really fine mountain pass; the descent a splendid gorge, precipice-walled. The camel-driver wanted to pitch camp about three oclock, and we had trouble with him. Camel-drivers have no sense at all; in England they would get either the Embankment or the Home Office. This imbecile had been all his life in the desert, and had not yet learned that his camel needed food. He never took any with him, and having reached a suitable spot thirty miles from the nearest blade of grass, complained of hunger. I had hoped he would have found some thistles. This by parenthesis. We wandered on, and presently emerging from the gorge came upon an Arab, who spoke of a Bedouin encampment down stream. This we found a few minutes after nightfall. The wind was violent and bitter beyond belief, but no rain fell. Rain never falls south of Sidi Aissa. So we fed and turned in. Our tent was an Arab lean-to, a mere blanket propped on sticks, some necessary to its support, others designed to interfere with the comfort of the people inside. My disciple, fatigued by the days march, fell asleep. As it happened-pure luck, for he had no more sense than the camel-driver; disciples never have! -he had chosen the one possible spot. As for us, I woke in almost half an hour to feel the most devlish downpour. It was as bad as Darjeeling and the ridge that leads to Kichen janga. We had pitched the tent in a fairly sheltered spot under the walls of the river; but the rain ran down the props of the tent and through the tent itself, and soaked us. In the morning, after a night spent in that condition when one is half asleep from exhaustion and half awake from misery, the storm still blew. We waited till nearly nine. The Bedouins told us that four miles on there was a village. We thought of coffee, and made tracks. So off we went over the sopping desert and reached the village in an hour. There were palms and gardens- and one deserted hovel, with no door. The roof, made of boughs weighted with big stones and made tight with mud, was half broken through. A giant stone hung imminent, half-way fallen. All day we waited for the rain to stop falling in the place where it never fell. Night came, and the blizzard redoubled its violence; but the shelter allowed us a little sleep until the mud dissolved, and the roof became a sieve. The rest of the night was a shower-bath. In the morning there was no great sign of improvement. I had to kick the camel-driver into action and chase the camels with my own fair feet. He had a million excuses for not going on, all on a level. The camels would catch cold. Good from the man who had left them all night in the rain! They would slip. They would die. They were too hungry. From the man who

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hadnt brought food for them! They were tired and so on. But I got the party off at last, and came in a couple of hours to a tomb with a coffin in it. There they sat down, and refused to stir. I simply took no notice. My disciple took one camel and I took the other and went off. We left them in the tomb, grousing. Steering by map and compass, I judged a good pass through the next range of mountains, and made for it. The flat desert was standing in water; and the streams were difficult for the camels, who hate water as much as disciples do. It was better on the mountainside. Near the top of the pass we perceived our men following, as the lesser of two evils. I was sorry, in a way; it would have been a fine adventure to worry through to Sidi Khaled with those two brutes and a daft Davie! It was just at the top that I said, without any apparent reason, The storms over. My disciple did his Thomas act. There was no opening in the furious grey of heaven; the wind raged and the rains poured. But I stuck to it; I had felt the first contention of the south wind in a momentary lull. And I was right-as I always am. (If my readers want modesty, they must pay for it at separate higher rates.) The descent of the pass was far from easy. The road crosses and recrosses the bed of the river as often as it can; sometimes even follows the course. And this stream was a furious spate, slippery and dangerous for men, impassable for members of the Alpine Club, and almost impassable for camels. It was nearly nightfall before we left the gorge, and a barren plain confronted us. It was useless to struggle on much

VOL. XI No. 4
further. The rain still poured; the desert stood six inches deep in water. The hills were a mass of snow. (We heard afterwards that many houses had been washed away at Ouled Djellal in this unprecedented storm. Traffic was interrupted by snow on the East Algerian Railway, and the Marechal Bugeaud was forty hours late at Marseilles, having had to beat up under the Spanish shore for shelter.) So I picked out a good big tree by the stream, and we pitched camp. We had little hope of lighting a fire; but there is in the desert a certain impermeable grass, and by using this as a starter we got it going. No sooner had the blaze sprung up, filling the night with golden showers, than the envious stars determined to rival the display. Every cloud disappeared as by magic. But the fire remained the popular favorite! All night I toiled to dry myself and my clothes, refreshing the old Adam with coffee, potted pheasant, and Garibaldi biscuits at not infrequent intervals. The morning was ecstasy. The light came over the sand, wave upon wave of grey. The desert was dry. There was no water in the stream, save in rare pools. We struck camp early. We glanced up at the path which we had traveled; the ranges still glowed with unaccustomed snow; from the north-west the wind still struggled fitfully to assert its dominion; but we, with joy and praise in our hearts, turned our glad faces, singing to the assurgent sun. [Thanks to Bran=903 for bringing this little gem to our attention. Ed.]

BOOK REVIEWS
Faith is My Armor: The Life of Swami Kriyananda by Devi Novak. Crystal Clarity Publishers, 2005. (251 pages) The author of this book has known Swami Kriyananda (J. Donald Walters) since 1969, not only as a friend and neighbor at Ananda Village, but above all as her spiritual teacher. Understandably, therefore, detachment and objectivity are in short supply here: Swami Kriyananda is not merely the subject of this biography, but emphatically its hero. At times, in fact, I wished for a chapter on Kriyanandas flaws and failures, just to provide some balance. I consoled myself by reflecting that, even if only a fraction of what Devi Novak says in this book is true, Swami Kriyananda must still be an extraordinary individual. For the past sixty years, Kriyananda has devoted his intelligence and indefatigable energy to disseminating the teachings of his guru Paramahansa Yogananda (yes, the Autobiography of a Yogi guy). Along the way, he has become a beloved and respected teacher in his own right. Fluent in several languages, Kriyananda has lectured and taught Yoga all over the world. Besides writing more than eighty books and some four hundred pieces of music, he has also founded eight spiritually-oriented cooperative communities in America, Italy, and India. His story is truly inspiring. Kriyanandas story may also seem eerily familiar to Thelemites. He has struggled against resolute opposition from his gurus other disciples. He has endured campaigns of calumny. He has been forced to engage in protracted litigation over copyrights. Events in Kriyanandas biography frequently reminded me of events in Thelemic history, sometimes in disquieting ways. For this reason alone, I would recommend Faith is My Armor to anyone in the governing hierarchy of O.T.O. Taliesin Midwest Cooperative CommunitiesHow to Start Them, and Why by Swami Kriyananda. Ananda Publications, 1972. (103 pages) This small, intelligently-written book is replete with sensible ideas, readily adaptable to Thelemic purposes. The first edition of Cooperative Communities appeared in the spring of 1968, just in time to become a favorite referencework during the Hippie Exodus of the late 60s and early 70s, when nearly a million young people sought a better life in the country. The seventh edition (1972) includes additional

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chapters describing Ananda Cooperative Village, founded by the author in 1969 on the principles expounded in the book. Although it had already outlived many of the evanescent intentional communities of the day, Ananda was still a new experiment in 1972. Today, however, Ananda continues to prosper after forty years, so something in this book must be valid. Better yet, much in this book also lends itself to a Thelemic view of monasticism. While some theorists imagine that the needs of the individual should be submerged into those of the larger community, Swami Kriyananda insists that the spiritual development of the individual is the heart and soul of a religious community. Like the Comte de Fnix, in fact, Kriyananda stresses that a spiritual community can only meet its institutional goals through meeting those of its individual members. Kriyananda made it his task to establish the world brotherhood colonies envisioned by his guru Paramahansa Yogananda. The focus of Cooperative Communities is accordingly on villages of up to two hundred. O.T.O. initiates may need to scale down some of the ideas for the more modest purposes of establishing the Profess-Houses envisioned by our founders. Taliesin Midwest

VOL. XI No. 4 PUBLICATION ANNOUNCEMENTS

LOCAL BODY PUBLICATION REPORT

New York Citys Tahuti Lodge recently published the third issue of the magickal review Scroll of Thoth. Published semiannually, Scroll of Thoth features articles on all things esoteric. While there is definitely a Thelemic slant, the Scroll touches on many occult schools, practices, and practitioners. A highlight of the Scroll is the ongoing series of biographies of the Gnostic Saintsthe current issue features both Edward Kelley and Mosheh. Also in issue three are Fr. eaoa/ /77s fairly intense look at the Star Ruby; the conclusion of a two-part study of those quintessential Warrior Monks, the ninja; and James Wassermans memoriam for Brother Robert Brazil. Previous issues have included an introduction to alchemy, a whimsical look at Will, photography of the Abbey of Thelema, book reviews, and a trip up the Quantum Tree of Life as mapped out in Liber AL(!). Article and art submissions are now being accepted for issue four of the Scroll, to be published on the Vernal Equinox. Scroll of Thoth can be purchased online and at Tahuti Lodge events. More information, including submission guidelines, can be found at http://scrollofthoth.tahutilodge.org.

The Journal of the Psychology Guild of Ordo Templi Orientis Volume I, Number 3
The third issue of Neshamah, journal of the O.T.O. Psychology Guild, has been released for Fall, 2010 EV. Contents of this issue include: For Those Who Are Left Behind by Frater Harmateus

NESHAMAH

Psychotherapy and the Ceremonial Magician by David R. Hill

21st Century Alchemy: The Science and Art of Mystery by David G. Shoemaker Franz Bardon and the Elemental Aspect of Character by Lita-Luise Chappell The Method of Science: Ten Steps toward Scientific Illuminism by Richard Kaczynski

Mindfulness in Psychology and the Path from Yesod to Tiferet by Soror Rosasophia [Format: 812 x 11 inches, perfect bound, 32 pages. For further information about ordering this issue or back issues, see www.animasolis.com/guild/Neshamah.html.]

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PHYLLIS SECKLER (SOROR MERAL): THE THOTH TAROT, ASTROLOGY, & OTHER SELECTED WRITINGS Edited and introduced by Dr. David Shoemaker, Gregory Peters, & Rorac Johnson
Phyllis Seckler (1917-2004) was one of the most important and influential Thelemites of the post-Crowley era. An initiate of Ordo Templi Orientis since 1939, and an A.A. student of Jane Wolfe, Seckler was an indispensable factor in the resurgence of the O.T.O. and the shaping of modern Thelema as we know it. She devoted the final decades of her life to her personal students, and in the process, she trained an entire generation to carry the torch forward. This landmark publication collects two of her most important essays on the Thoth Tarot, depth psychology, and astrology (originally serialized in her journal In the Continuum) with redrawn and corrected diagrams. In addition, a Selected Letters section presents important and previously unpublished correspondence between Seckler, Aleister Crowley, Karl Germer, and Jane Wolfe. The final section of the book presents the last major interview conducted with Seckler, where she discusses her early years at the old Agape Lodge in Los Angeles, her views on the current state of Thelema, and much more. [A co-publication of the College of Thelema of Northern California and The Teitan Press. First Edition Hardcover. Blue cloth with silver titles on spine. 390 pages. Edition limited to 777 numbered copies. Available from Weiser Antiquarian.]

VOL. XI No. 4

PERDURABO: THE LIFE OF ALEISTER CROWLEY

by Richard Kaczynski
Revised and Expanded Second Edition Published by North Atlantic Books, 2010 The definitive biography of the founder of modern Magick. Includes 150 pages of new material! Includes 95 photos and illustrations many never before published!

BEAUTY AND STRENGTH: PROCEEDINGS OF THE SIXTH BIENNIAL NATIONAL ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS CONFERENCE: SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, AUGUST 10-12, 2007 EV U.S.G.L., O.T.O., 2009 (191 pages, softcover)
Includes addresses and articles by Sabazius X, Richard Kaczynski, Lon Milo DuQuette, James and Nancy Wasserman, Dionysius Rogers, Frater Hrumachis, and many Others of equal Merit, if less Fame.

VOLUME XII, NUMBER 1 SUBMISSION DEADLINE: A IN a B IN a Dies G Anno IV:VXIV (Saturday, April 2nd, 2011 EV)
We want: news, articles, rituals, artwork, reviews, local body reports, local body publication reports, and publication announcements. Please Remember that Agap is available to the general public. Submissions should not include oathbound material. See our submission guidelines at www.otousa.org/agape.html. Contact agape@oto-usa.org for more information.

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THE OFFICIAL ORGAN

OF THE

U.S. GRAND LODGE

OF

ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS

A IN b B IN a ANNO IV:XIX

VOLUME XII NUMBER 1

SPRING, 2011 EV

THE PHILOSOPHY
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THELEMA NATIONAL CONFERENCE NEWS KAABA COLLOQUIUM

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VOL. XII No. 1

FROM THE EDITOR

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Care Fratres et Sorores, Welcome to the first issue of Agap Volume XII! As youve already noticed, we are undergoing something of a facelift, beginning with our very first cover illustration, generously provided by Soror Tara. This brings us nicely to our first point... Our Most Holy Order includes among its initiates a great many talented artists and we hope to feature an increasing amount of artwork in future issues. We are looking for artwork that can accompany articles or stand alone, and for cover art. We therefore encourage all our visually-creative brothers and sisters to submit their drawings, paintings and photography, Preferred formats are .tif, .jpg, .gif, and .png. Images should be no larger than 7 by 9 inches, greyscale or black-andwhite, and saved at a resolution of 300 dpi. Please contact the Editor agape@oto-usa,org if you have any questions. Since we have to build pretty much all our own temple furnishings ourselves, the creation of ritual paraphernalia has become one of the primary creative outlets for our local bodies, so lets share! Send in photos or your temple setups and let everyone marvel at your accomplishments. We are especially interested in pictures of furnishings for the Gnostic Mass or other public rituals. We will also consider photos of members personal temples. Note also that if any persons are visible in the photo(s) we will require their express permission to publish their likeness. See the above section for technical submission guidelines. Readers may wonder what happened to the directory of U.S. Grand Lodge officers that usually occupies most of this page. This list now has all the inside back cover (page 15 in this issue) to itself, where it will now be far more legible and therefore more useful as well. Speaking of contact information, Agap will have a new physical mailing address shortly. Watch for announcements online and in our next issue. In the meantime, the editorial email address remains agape@oto-usa,org. Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, Frater Julianus Editor, Agap

The Official Organ of the United States Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

CONTENTS
From the Editor From the Grand Master From the Electoral College NOTOCON Update Kaaba Colloquium Update The Philosophy of Thelema Speech in the Silence Pastoral Couseling Workshop Ouarda Chapter Chili con Carnival Book Reviews Publication Announcements U.S. Grand Lodge Officers Directory 2 3 4 5 6 7 11 12 12 12 14 15

Call for Artwork

Temple Photos

Executive Editor: Sabazius X Editor: Frater Julianus Proofreading: Frater L., Heather Lantz, Joseph Thiebes Production & Distribution: Soror Marlene Editorial Address: [new address pending] agape@oto-usa.org On the Cover: Tahuti by Soror Tara

The Directory

Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A., a California not-for-profit religious corporation with business offices at P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business offices at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at 24881 Alicia Pkwy E-529, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductable to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download in PDF format at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/docs.html Copyright 2011 EV Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

Moving

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VOL. XII No. 1

FROM THE GRAND MASTER

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Kenneth Grant, author, Thelemite, friend of Aleister Crowley, and founder of the Typhonian Order, died on January 15th of this year. We send our condolences to his friends, family and students. www.starfirepublishing.co.uk/memoriam.html The ultimate source of human rights comes up as a topic occasionally. Are human rights an irrevocable gift from God, or are they a negotiable aspect of the Social Contract? If the latter, then they are no more indefeasible or inalienable than the right to smoke in someone elses house. If the former, then they can be swept away by any power that either denies the existence of Godor claims to have access to better information about Gods will than you do. Liber Oz is quite straightforward about this. The book begins with four quotes from The Book of the Law pertaining to the Law, the will, and human nature: the law of the strong: this is our law and the joy of the world. AL II:2 Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. AL I:40 thou hast no right but to do thy will. Do that, and no other shall say nay.AL I:42-3 Every man and every woman is a star.AL I:3 It then quickly averts any debate about the divine origin of the rights enumerated therein with the following brief declaration: There is no god but man. This does not mean that these rights dont have a divine originbut rather that their divine origin is to be found within ourselves. These rights proceed directly from our divine/ starry/human nature. They are a codification and explication of one of our deepest natural needs as individual members of the human species; namely the need to be freeto be able to make our own choices as to how we will conduct our lives, so that we may be able to pursue and ultimately realize our True Wills. If we cannot be free, if freedom is denied to us, then our star-nature languishes. If we are thwarted from making the choices necessary to do our wills, we lose our self-respect, our drive, our bearings, our Light. Either our wills collectively focus on the single goal of regaining our freedom to live as we choose, or we descend into complacency, moral stagnation, and paralysis. A leader who oppresses and enslaves his people is like the farmer who killed the goose that laid the golden eggs. An oppressed and tyrannized people is ultimately either impossible to rule effectively or not worth ruling. In either case, such a people will not stand by their leader when he is inevitably

In Memoriam

challengedespecially if the challenger arrives under the banner of liberation. A fundamental human right is inalienable, not because some human or supernatural power has benevolently stipulated it so, but because its alienation is a breach of the Law. Congratulations to Brother Vere Chappell on the publication of his recent books on Ida Craddock (www.idacraddock.com). Im sure you all know by now that his interview on the subject of Ida Craddock is now available on the Thelema NOW! Podcast. Id also like to remind everyone that Ida Craddock was inducted into our Order of the Eagle on April of 1999 EV. More information on the Orders of the Lion and Eagle is available here: hermetic.com/sabazius/lion_eagle.html

The Source of Human Rights

Ida Craddock Books

The E.G.C. Secretary is in the process of filling in some gaps in our E.G.C. Clergy and Novice database, and our bishops are assisting with this. If you are an active E.G.C. priest, priestess, deacon or novice, please write to your supervising bishop to confirm your supervision status, and to make sure that he or she has your dates of baptism, confirmation, deacon ordination, and priest/priestess ordination. Having a supervising bishop is an essential part of being an active novice or clergy member in E.G.C. within the U.S. Your supervising bishop may or may not be the bishop who ordained you. A supervisory relationship is established by agreement between the novice/clergy member and the supervising bishop. You may change your supervising bishop at any time by mutual agreement with both bishops then notifying the E.G.C. Secretary of the change. For upcoming events, please see our events calendar at oto-usa.org/events.html. NOTOCON VIII is scheduled for the weekend of August 5-7 2011 EV in Detroit, Michigan. The theme is Manifest thy Glory. For more information, please visit viii.notocon.org. General information on our various conferences, including NOTOCON, Advanced Initiator Training (A.I.T.), Kaaba Thelemic Leadership Seminars, and Pastoral Counseling Workshops can be found at www.notocon.org. Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, Sabazius

Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica Supervision and Reporting

Upcoming Events

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VOL. XII No. 1

FROM THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Members in good standing of the Sovereign Sanctuary of the IX in the United States (who are not serving as an officer or voting member of any Governing or Administrative Body under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Grand Lodge) wishing to volunteer to stand for election to the office of Revolutionary by the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C. See page 15 for contact information.

Ninth Degree Revolutionary

The Electoral College at its Spring Meeting, held on April 16th, 2011 EV, took the following actions concerning duties in its charge:

None.

Local Body Closures

standing of V and above are welcome to attend and observe the in-person Electoral College Meetings. We request that those planning to attend contact the Master of the hosting body so that adequate arrangements can be made.

None.

Change of Body Status

The official Electoral College website can be found at: ec.oto-usa.org.

Website

Brothers or Sisters of our Order who wish to pursue appeal of a verdict of the Grand Tribunal may write to individual members of the Electoral College to request sanction be given to take their case to the Areopagus of the Eighth Degree (per Liber CXCIV, section 16) via email links found at: ec.oto-usa.org/ECelectors.html.

Sanction for Appeal

Mastership of Alombrados Oasis (New Orleans, Louisiana) was passed from Brother Joshua Sharp to Brother David Braren effective April 16th, 2011 EV. Mastership of Subtlety or Force Camp (Albuquerque, New Mexico) was passed from Brother R.B.C. III to Sister Marita Campos-Melady effective April 16th, 2011 EV. Mastership of Leaping Laughter Lodge (Minneapolis, Minnesota) was passed from Brother Robin to Brother Otto B. Christenson effective April 16th, 2011 EV. Mastership of Theorte Ekstasis Camp (Louisville, Kentucky) was passed from Sister Anita Kraft to Brother Kenneth Mercer effective April 16th, 2011 EV.

Change of Body Masters

Bodymasters seeking up-to-date forms for the Annual Report, Change of Mastership Application, Application for Oasis Status, Application for Lodge Status, or closure forms, will find them by contacting the document control officer at doc_control@oto-usa.org.

Forms

Local bodies that are interested in hosting meetings of the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C. See page 15 for contact information.

Hosting E.C. Meetings

Summer 2011 EV Meeting scheduled to be held on-site at NOTOCON VIII, August 5th, 2011 EV in Detroit, Michigan. Fall 2011 EV meeting scheduled for Saturday, October 15th, 2011 EV, hosted by Abrahadabra Oasis (Portland, Maine). The deadline for submission of items to be considered (for the Summer 2011 EV meeting) is July 15th, 2011 EV. Please mail submissions to the Secretary of the Electoral College. See page 15 for contact information.

Upcoming E.C. Meetings

Circle of Stars Camp was chartered in the valley of Lafayette, Indiana with Soror Marion Rose as master effective April 16th, 2011 EV. The College wishes to express its appreciation to the past and present Masters of each of these Bodies. We wish each of them the best in their new offices and endeavors.

New Local Body Charters

I would like to invite any initiates with specific concerns or questions regarding the operation of the Electoral College, to write to either the President or Secretary of the E.C. For contact information, please see page 15. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to take effective measures bringing about better communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed. I believe that communication is of benefit to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All postal mail correspondence with the Electoral College Secretary should be sent to the address listed on page 15. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Dnn Bvchnn President, Electoral College O.T.O. U.S.A.

Communication with the E.C.

Attending E.C. Meetings SPRING 2011 EV

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VOL. XII No. 1

NOTOCON UPDATE
by Soror Shivani, On-site Coordinator
We are pleased to announce that registration is now open for NOTOCON VIII. The conference price is $225.00 and will include the free ritual workshops on Friday, August 5th, 2011 EV. Your payment will be processed at the time of your registration. You can register by going to viii.notocon.org/registration.html. Please contact info@notocon.org with any questions.

Registration is Open!

We are pleased to announce that the vending application process for NOTOCON VIII is now open. You can go to viii.notocon.org/vendors.html to download the form. We can accept a scan of the form sent to vending@notocon.org or by mail at the address provided. We will also be sponsoring an Art Show which is open to both two-dimensional and three-dimensional works of art. Please scroll down to the bottom of the Vendors page to find the Art Show Waiver and Art Show Policies. Please contact Soror V. at vending@notocon.org with any questions.

Art Show and Vending

The scheduled presenters and their presentations are now ready for viewing at viii.notocon.org/presentation.html. We were very impressed with the excellent scholarship and variety of all the proposed topics and received more than we could accommodate. Many thanks again to everyone who submitted proposals. The full list is: Aleister Crowley & the Abolition of Boundaries Beth Kimbell All Roods Lead to Rome: A Consideration of Catullus Frater Hippokleides Arousing the Coiled Splendor: Kundalini Yoga and Thelemic Magick Frater Phoenix Babalon and the Beast: The Rise and Fall of Leah Hirsig Michael Kolson Beyond the Great Work: The Holy Guardian Angel, Lucifer, & the Death of God Colin Campbell Chi and the Star Ruby: A Ritual Demonstration Soror Freyja Enochian: Scrying the 30 Aethyrs using the 19th Call Onyieh Jewel for there are also of my friends who be hermits. The Hermits of the O.T.O. Lon Milo DuQuette

Presentations

The Forgotten Founder: Henry Klein and the Early History of O.T.O. Richard Kaczynski Original Crowley 1st Degree O.T.O. Intitiation Coph Nia Oasis Orientation in Ritual R.C. Stein/EAOA/77 Principles of Podcast Promulgation Frater Puck & Joseph Thiebes Publish and Find Ecstacy in Publishing: DIY Publiciations for Local Bodies and Individuals Frater Julianus The Quest for Manifest Glory Frater Hunahpu & Soror Ixel Balamke Ritual of the Clothes of Passage David R. Jones A Ritual of the Law: The Mass of the Phoenix Justin Bunn Sexual Outlaw, Erotic Mystic: The Life and Works of Ida Craddock Vere Chappell The System of the AA: Methods and Tools of Attainment David Shoemaker Talismanic Magick in the Face of Uncertainty Kayla Block Thelemic Occulture: Creating & Promoting Thelemic Culture through the Arts John P. Hanley Trigrammaton Qabalah R. Leo Gillis The U.S. Revival of the Rites of Eleusis, A Documentary Jon Sewell & Melissa Holm The Victorian Occult Explosion Mark Dalton A View of the Stele 666 Norman Fleck We Antichrists M. Dionysus Rogers Youve Heard This One Before: Humor in Occult History Craig Berry Details for all presentations are available on the Presentations page at viii.notocon.org/presentation.html. There are a few additional events that will be taking place. We hope to offer a form of shared childcare during the conference. A tour of the largest Masonic temple in the world is scheduled for Thursday afternoon. Also, please register quickly if you would like to attend the wine tasting event. A Friday sandwich buffet will be available and make sure to check out the menu choices for the Saturday banquet. Finally, we would like to invite you to share your experience of the convention at an informal breakfast gathering Monday morning. Again, all of the details are available on the Registration page. Please check out the Blog at viii,notocon.org/blog.html for quick updates and other interesting info.

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VOL. XII No. 1

KAABA COLLOQUIUM UPDATE

by Sister Beth Kimbell, Kaaba Coordinator Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
The Kaaba Committee is excited to have our next Kaaba Colloquium at Warrior Island Camp in the Valley of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, at the Quality Inn & SuitesRIGHT ON THE BEACHJune17-19th. You can get the complete details and register at our website at kaaba.oto-usa.org. We are also finalizing the details of Fall Kaaba to be held at 418 Lodge in the Valley of Sacramento, California, November 4-6th, and will be announcing the details soon on our website. While many factors go into where we hold Kaaba Colloquium, including when we were last in the region, we always welcome letters from local body masters wanting to volunteer their valley for consideration. If you have not had opportunity to attend Kaaba Colloquium recently or have only been once, we highly recommend you return at your earliest opportunity. Kaaba has gone through several iterations and is evolving through constant peer review and attendee feedback to meet the needs of U.S. Grand Lodge and its members. Kaaba is now run as two separate tracks aimed at different levels of experience. Day one is aimed at either beginning or experienced officers, while day two is based on the developmental level of your local organization. This enables that new officer at Existed Forever Lodge to receive the core administrative information they need like Financial Reporting & Tracking and Treating Workers Well, while their veteran master is able to explore more formidable topics like Wearing the Helmet and Financial Planning. Members of smaller bodies can attend a class on Promulgation and Growth and Managing a Web Presence while those from high-functioning Oases or Lodges can attend Strategic Planning and Marketing and Educating Your Valley. In a recent post-Kaaba poll given to selected Fall attendees, a newer sister replied when asked what she got out of the classes: I absolutely loved the classes. I learned a lot about the general organization and structure of the order, most of which I didnt learn on the local level, and more importantly, the overall atmosphere of Ordo Templi Orientis when it comes to leadership positions. As with any organization (religious, non-profit or otherwise), simply observing the interactions and general atmosphere of leaders within the group speaks volumes to potential future leaders. In particular, the classes that were more dialed in and hands on (such as treating workers well and Hanks financial forms class), I found particularly useful as they applied to my personal current involvement at my local body. I did also enjoy the more theoretical classes; however that was more of a foreshadowing of O.T.O. yet to come for my involvement than my current level. Remember Kaabas main intent is to educate present and future leaders of O.T.O., but it also comes with a secondary purpose that may rival its primary benefit: networking. Here you have to opportunity to connect with brethren filling or having filled the same role as you regionally; meet members of the Electoral College, U.S.G.L. and I.H.Q. Executive Committees, and other Grand Lodge officers and administrators; visit with friends you have not seen in a while; and check out prospective candidates for invitational advancement or to get checked out. Our sister had this to say of the social opportunity: The social time was really what I was most excited about going to Kaaba, and was absolutely my favorite part. Being around fellow Thelemites from around the county, some in leadership positions was amazing! It made some of the petty issues that arise at the local level seem really trivial when looking at the wider network of members throughout the entire organization. Plus I found it really inspiring to see the work that others were doing at their local bodies and it challenged me to reach that level of commitment at my own body. Also, it was a good networking opportunity for future leaders of the O.T.O. to begin to put faces with names and make connections with others with similar mindsets. I hope to see you all as we slowly make our way around the country. Consider coming out when we next hit your region or a Valley you favor.

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VOL. XII No. 1

THE PHILOSOPHY OF THELEMA

by IAO131 Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
There is an ongoing and perhaps eternal debate about whether Thelema is a religion, philosophy, or way of life, or all of the above, or none of the above. In my view, Thelema certainly has something to offer the areas of both religion and philosophy. This essay will look at how Thelema approaches the classic divisions of philosophy including metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. Metaphysics is essentially the study of the nature of the world. It is traditionally split into ontology, cosmology, eschatology, and teleology. of dissolution all. [Liber AL I:28-30]. In this way, the many or divided are in such a position so they may become one and unite. This is given further explanation in Book of Lies ch. 3 where it is written, The Many is as adorable to the One as the One is to the Many. This is the Love of These; creationparturition is the Bliss of the One; coition-dissolution is the Bliss of the Many. / The All, thus interwoven of These, is Bliss. See also Berashith by Aleister Crowley, Magick Without Tears chapter 5, and The Book of Lies chapters 3, 12, and 46.

Ontology is the study of being, existence, or reality. Thelemas ontology is stated simply as None and Two. The world is understood as Nothing or Naught, which is something completely beyond all description and limit. In Liber AL vel Legis I:27, it is written: Then the priest answered & said unto the Queen of Space, kissing her lovely brows, and the dew of her light bathing his whole body in a sweet-smelling perfume of sweat: O Nuit, continuous one of Heaven, let it be ever thus; that men speak not of Thee as One but as None; and let them speak not of thee at all, since thou art continuous! Many mystics have called it Unity but even this, some may argue, implies something as not-One. Crowley writes in the Preface of De Lege Libellum, All Things that are in Truth One Thing only, whose name hath been called No Thing. From this comes the necessity of explaining the appearance of duality. Instead of a Fall of Man or an imprisonment of the soul in matter, Thelema explains the appearance of duality in this fashion: None and two. For I am divided for loves sake, for the chance of union. This is the creation of the world, that the pain of division is as nothing, and the joy

Ontology: None and Two

Art by David Croteau

Cosmology deals with what the Universe essentially is. One might argue that several similar but interchangeable cosmologies exist in Thelema: for example, the Creed of the Gnostic Mass gives a rudimentary cosmology, the Matter in Motion idea in the New Comment to Liber AL I:1, and the Qabalistic understanding in Chapter 0 of Book of Lies. In the end, the most widespread cosmology, and the one rooted in The Book of the Law, is the idea of Nuit, Hadit, and RaHoor-Khuit. Thelema understands Nuit as Infinite Space, which is Heaven occupied by various Points-of-View, or Hadit. Each star every man and every womanis in the Body of Infinite Space and has Hadit as its core, who is the complement of Nu, my bride, the flame that burns in every heart of man, and in the core of every star, as well as Life, and the giver of Life. These together create the Universe as we know it. In the sphere [Hadit is] everywhere the centre, as [Nuit], the circumference, is nowhere found. There are many interpretations of Nuit and Haditfor example, with Nuit as matter and Hadit as motion and their interplay being the universe but the Continued on next page e

Cosmology: Nuit, Hadit, Ra-Hoor-Khuit and Stars

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basic idea remains the same. See also Liber AL vel Legis chapters I & II, The Book of Lies chapters 0 & 11, and the Creed of The Gnostic Mass.

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There is great danger in me; for who doth not understand these runes shall make a great miss. He shall fall down into the pit called Because, and there he shall perish with the dogs of Reason. Now a curse upon Because and his kin! May Because be accursed for ever! If Will stops and cries Why, invoking Because, then Will stops & does nought. If Power asks why, then is Power weakness. Also reason is a lie; for there is a factor infinite & unknown; & all their words are skew-wise. Enough of Because! Be he damned for a dog! But ye, o my people, rise up & awake! Here we have a curse upon Because, Reason, and Why. There is no Why or Because to Will: it simply GOES; it simply IS. Because we inhabit a world of Infinite Space and since reason can only work with finite ideas and quantities, then reason cannot express the Infinite purely and accurately. It is a lie because of this factor infinite & unknown. Crowley writes: There is no reason why a Star should continue in its orbit. Let her rip! [] It is ridiculous to ask a dog why it barks. One must fulfil ones true Nature, one must do ones Will. To question this is to destroy confidence, and so to create an inhibition. The Law is For All, II:30-31 Therefore, reason should attend to its own business (solving problems of rationality) and allow the Will to flow uninhibited; otherwise, One risks falling form the world of Will (freed from the lust of result) to that of Reason [The Comment Called D (Liber AL II:30)]. Crowley continues: We must not suppose for an instant that the Book of the Law is opposed to reason. On the contrary, its own claim to authority rests upon reason, and nothing else. It disdains the arts of the orator. It makes reason the autocrat of the mind. But that very fact emphasizes that the mind should attend to its own business. It should not transgress its limits. It should be a perfect machine, an apparatus for representing the universe accurately and impartially to its master. The Self, its Will, and its Apprehension, should be utterly beyond it. The Law is For All, II:27 Also: When reason usurps the higher functions of the mind, when it presumes to dictate to the Will what its desires ought to be, it wrecks the entire structure of the star. The Self should set the Will in motion, that is, the Will should only take its orders from within and above. The Comment Called D (Liber AL II:31). Another claim is made in Liber AL vel Legis I:58, I give unimaginable joys on earth: certainty, not faith, while in life,

Eschatology deals with the idea of end-times. There is certainly no Last Judgment in the philosophy of Thelema. In a sense, one can view the attainment of the Crossing of the Abyss, the destruction of the personality or ego, as the endtimes of the self and the waking to the Self. Another interpretation of eschatology is the destruction of the world by fire (which can also be interpreted in the former sense of the destruction of the self), which Crowley gives symbolically in Atu XX of the Tarot: The on. In this other interpretation, the world was destroyed by fire with the reception of Liber AL vel Legis in 1904. Crowley writes in The Book of Thoth: The old card was called The Angel: or, The Last Judgment. It represented an Angel or Messenger blowing a trumpet, attached to which was a flag, bearing the symbol of the on of Osiris [] The card therefore represented the destruction of the world by Fire. This was accomplished in the year of the vulgar era 1904, when the fiery god Horus took the place of the airy god Osiris in the East as Hierophant. See also The Book of Thoth XX. The on.

Eschatology: The Destruction of the Self and the Dawning of the on of Horus

Teleology deals with the purpose or the understanding of the design of the universe. In Thelema, the teleology is clearly one of Will. One might contrast the teleology of Thelema with that of Schopenhauers Will-to-Life and Nietzsches Will-to-Power, where Thelema understands it as a Will-toLove. All experiences and events are occurrences of two things uniting into a third. The necessary formula of each star is then love under willto find that Will and do it. Just as each star has its particular orbit in the macrocosm of space, every man and every woman has their particular Way on earth. As Crowley writes in the introduction to Liber AL vel Legis: Each action or motion is an act of love, the uniting with one or another part of Nuit; each such act must be under will, chosen so as to fulfil and not to thwart the true nature of the being concerned.

Teleology: Will

There are two stances on reason that are expounded in Liber AL vel Legis. The first stance is that reason must be subservient to Will and the second stance is the importance of direct experience over reason. These ideas about reason intertwine and support one another. First, the Will is supra-rational or beyond reason. The section in Liber AL vel Legis that deals with this comes from Chapter II, Verses 27-34:

Epistemology: Knowledge

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upon death; peace unutterable, rest, ecstasy; nor do I demand aught in sacrifice. The Will does not require articles of faith to be accepted but rather asks that the individual rely on their experiences. It is the faith conferred by the direct experience of the consciousness of the continuity of existence [Liber AL I:26] that is offered. Rational precepts are not proposed, debated over, accepted, and rejected but rather one attains various trances and learns from ones experiences. When one attains the consciousness of the continuity of existence and becomes chief of all [Liber AL I:23], the unity of this perception is not explainable by the duality of reason. In relation to this experience we find: There could be no reality in any intellectual concept of any kind, that the only reality must lie in direct experience of such a kind that it is beyond the scope of the critical apparatus of our minds. It cannot be subject to the laws of Reason; it cannot be found in the fetters of elementary mathematics; only transfinite and irrational conceptions in that subject can possibly shadow forth the truth in some such paradox as the identity of contradictories. Yoga for Yellowbellies, Fourth Lecture Crowley also says: To have any sensible meaning at all, faith must mean experience [] Nothing is any use to us unless it be a certainty unshakeable by criticism of any kind, and there is only one thing in the universe which complies with these conditions: the direct experience of spiritual truth. Here, and here only, do we find a position in which the great religious minds of all times and all climes coincide. It is necessarily above dogma, because dogma consists of a collection of intellectual statements, each of which, and also its contradictory, can easily be disputed and overthrown. Yoga for Yellowbellies, Third Lecture This perception of the world as continuous and unitary is not offered on faith but can be achieved and recognized as a certainty by those who attain thereto. One other doctrine relating to reason that appears in Crowleys writings but not explicitly in Liber AL vel Legis is the idea of the circularity of reason. Reason can only manipulate and work with articles of reason; this relates to what was said above because the problems in the sphere of reason should not usurp the power of, or dictate actions to, the sphere of Will. We have an example of this doctrine of the circularity of reason in The Antecedents of Thelema where Crowley writes, All proofs turn out on examination to be definitions. All definitions are circular. (For a = bc, b = de w = xy, and y = za.) In this sense, reason deals with relations between illusion. This is certainly usefulscience is a good example of thisbut it doesnt give us any powerful facts of the way things are. In a deeper sense, reason works within the realms of duality while the Will must remain one-pointed and therefore not mired in the relations of reason. Crowley writes

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further on this idea in the essay Knowledge in Little Essays Toward Truth: All knowledge may be expressed in the form S=P. But if so, the idea P is really implicit in S; thus we have learnt nothing [] S=P (unless identical, and therefore senseless) is an affirmation of duality; or, we may say, intellectual perception is a denial of Samadhic truth. It is therefore essentially false in the depths of its nature. Reason is understood as simply the relation of words which point to other words, ad infinitum. Further, as mentioned above, because reason works with relations between ideas (the relation between S and P above), it affirms duality in the world. Two things can only be related in reason if they are distinct and therefore separate. Again, all of these ideas about reason intertwine to give us a general picture of Thelemas approach to the place of knowledge and reason. Essentially, the Will of the individual is beyond reason, or supra-rational, so one cannot ask Why of it or justify it with Because. The individual must then constantly go forward and experience new and various things, not depending on articles of faith. Reason is a human faculty that allows us to manipulate and find the relations between finite facts and ideas. Because of this it must work within its own sphere (i.e. deal with problems of rationality like mathematics, science, etc.) while leaving the Will to act uninhibited. With this understanding, one can be guarded against reason when it asks whence camest thou? Whither wilt thou go? with the response No whence! No whither! [] Is there not joy ineffable in this aimless winging? Is there not weariness and impatience for who would attain to some goal? [Liber LXV, II:21-22, 24].

The proclamation Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law from Liber AL vel Legis I:40 has especially profound implications in the sphere of morality. There is an immense amount of material on this topic throughout all of Crowleys works. Since There is no law beyond Do what thou wilt [Liber AL vel Legis III:60], the only right action is that which fulfills that Will and the only wrong action is that which thwarts that Will. As Liber AL vel Legis I:41 says, The Word of Sin is Restriction. Crowley explains that, [This] is a general statement or definition of Sin or Error. Anything soever that binds the will, hinders it, or diverts it, is Sin [The Law is For All]. Essentially, any form of morality that works in absolutes, saying any quality is a priori right or wrong (or evil) is anathema to Thelema. To us, then, evil is a relative term; it is that which hinders one from fulfilling his true Will [The Law is For All]. The attitudes toward oneself and others are necessary outgrowths of Do what thou wilt. Since Thou hast no right but to do thy will [Liber AL I:42], the value of self-discipline Continued on next page e

Ethics

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helps one do ones Will with one-pointedness. As Crowley explains, What is true for every School is equally true for every individual. Success in life, on the basis of the Law of Thelema, implies severe self-discipline [Magick Without Tears, ch.8]. Further, since Every man and every woman is a star [Liber AL I:3] and each star has its own unique path, each star must pursue their own Will and avoid interference in the affairs of others. In short, mind your own business. It is necessary that we stop, once for all, this ignorant meddling with other peoples business. Each individual must be left free to follow his own path [The Law is For All]. This consequently means there is total moral freedom, including sexual freedom. Also, take your fill and will of love as ye will, when, where and with whom ye will! [Liber AL I: 51]. This is not individualism run wildthat is, it does not mean there is no possibility of government. The understanding in Thelema is that each star has its own particular function in the scheme of things and must perform that function with one-pointedness, and this can include ones function in state affairs. For every Individual in the State must be perfect in his own Function, with Contentment, respecting his own Task as necessary and holy, not envious of anothers. For so only mayst thou build up a free state, whose directing Will shall be singly directed to the Welfare of all. Liber Aleph. Aside from moving the locus of morality to the individual, making the Will the measure of what is right and wrong, Thelema does emphasize certain moral traits over others and views certain experiences as good. One course of action that Thelema encourages is towards the attainment of Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel, Union with God, the dissolution of the ego or any other metaphor used in mysticism. Crowley explains, A man must think of himself as a LOGOS, as going, not as a fixed idea. Do what thou wilt is thus necessarily his formula. He only becomes Himself when he attains the loss of Egoity, of the sense of separateness. He becomes All, PAN, when he becomes Zero.* The Antecedents of Thelema Crowley puts it plainly when he writes, There are many ethical injunctions of a revolutionary character in the Book, but they are all particular cases of the general precept to realize ones own absolute God-head and to act with the nobility which springs from that knowledge [Confessions, chapter 49]. These attainments are understood to be available to anyone and to help one understand the world, oneself, and ones will more completely. A common moral theme in Thelema is strength over weakness. Beauty and strength, leaping laughter and delicious languor, force and fire, are of us [Liber AL II:20]. * See the Ontology section of this essay.IAO131

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Also: My disciples are proud and beautiful; they are strong and swift; they rule their way like mighty conquerors. The weak, the timid, the imperfect, the cowardly, the poor, the tearfulthese are mine enemies, and I am come to destroy them. Liber Tzaddi, lines 24-25 Consequently, Thelema has a different view on compassion: This also is compassion: an end to the sickness of earth. A rooting-out of the weeds: a watering of the flowers [Liber Tzaddi, line 26]. We have nothing with the outcast and the unfit: let them die in their misery. For they feel not. Compassion is the vice of kings: stamp down the wretched & the weak: this is the law of the strong: this is our law and the joy of the world (Liber AL vel Legis II:21). That is, compassion is not understood to be the support of the weak but rather the opposite: the rooting-out of the weeds or the destruction of the weak and the watering of the flowers or the promotion of the strong. This is compassion because it is an end to the sickness of earth. A different view of pity is also held in light of Thelemas view that Every man and every woman is a star [Liber AL vel Legis I:3]. Crowley writes: Pity implies two very grave errorserrors which are utterly incompatible with the views of the universe above briefly indicated. The first error therein is an implicit assumption that something is wrong with the Universe [] The second error is still greater since it involves the complex of the Ego. To pity another person implies that you are superior to him, and you fail to recognize his absolute right to exist as he is. You assert yourself superior to him, a concept utterly opposed to the ethics of ThelemaEvery man and every woman is a star and each being is a Sovereign Soul. A moments thought therefore will suffice to show how completely absurd any such attitude is, in reference to the underlying metaphysical facts. The Method of Thelema Also, The Book of the Law regards pity as despicable [] to pity another man is to insult him. He also is a star, one, individual and eternal. The Book does not condemn fighting If he be a King, thou canst not hurt him [Confessions, chapter 49]. This leads to another view, which is that Thelema embraces conflict. Despise also all cowards; professional soldiers who dare not fight, but play; all fools despise! But the keen and the proud, the royal and the lofty; ye are brothers! As brothers fight ye! [Liber AL III:57-59]. Lo, while in The Book of the Law is much of Love, there is no word of Sentimentality. Hate itself is almost like Love! As brothers fight ye! All the manly races of the world understand this. The Love of Liber Legis is always bold, virile, even orgiastic. There is delicacy, but it is the delicacy of strength [Liber II: The Message of the Master Therion]. Thelema also enjoins the individual to rejoice because of

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life. A general theme of embracing and seeing the joy in all facets of life permeates Thelema: Remember all ye that existence is pure joy; that all the sorrows are but as shadows; they pass & are done; but there is that which remains. They shall rejoice, our chosen: who sorroweth is not of us. But ye, o my people, rise up & awake! Let the rituals be rightly performed with joy & beauty! a feast for life and a greater feast for death! A feast every day in your hearts in the joy of my rapture! A feast every night unto Nu, and the pleasure of uttermost delight! Aye! feast! rejoice! there is no dread hereafter. Write, & find ecstasy in writing! Work, & be our bed in working! Thrill with the joy of life & death! Liber AL vel Legis II:9, 19, 34-35, 41-44, 66 There is joy in the setting-out; there is joy in the journey; there is joy in the goal [Liber Tzaddi line 22]. This view of the world arises out of the metaphysical ideas that Thelema entertains.* In short: [Nuit] is the infinite in whom all we live and move and have our being. [Hadit] is eternal energy, the Infinite Motion of Things, the central core of all being. The manifested Universe comes from the marriage of Nuit and Hadit; without this could no thing be. This eternal, this perpetual marriage-feast is then the nature of things themselves; and therefore everything that is, is a crystallization of divine ecstasy. The Law of Liberty In the end one must remember There is no law beyond Do what thou wilt [Liber AL III:60]. All of these ideas are subservient to the central law of Do what thou wilt. This is the beauty of the word Thelema, that it implies such a succinct and sublime answer to the problems of morality while also having complex and intricate implications. Love is the law, love under will.

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* See the Cosmology section of this essay.IAO131

Speech in the Silence is the official podcast of Blazing Star Oasis in the San Francisco Bay Area. In this podcast, we focus on the topics of Thelema, Aleister Crowley, and Ordo Templi Orientis while also touching upon the subjects of Magick, Yoga, and Initiation. The podcast includes lectures, music, interviews, discussions, and readings of the Holy Books of Thelema and other important texts written by Aleister Crowley. Our mission is to spread awareness of the Law of Thelema, the writings of Aleister Crowley, and Ordo Templi Orientis. It is also a creative outlet for Thelemites, and we encourage listener feedback and participation. Within the podcast, youll hear the regular segment entitled Living Thelema wherein Dr. David Shoemaker offers practical instruction in Thelemic Magick and Mysticism. In addition to this, youll hear music by initiates, and numerous lectures, discussions, and interviews. Past episodes have included contributions from Lon and Constance DuQuette, Henrik Bogdan, Kjetil Fjell, Frater Puck, Oliver Althoen and the Ararita Chorus, T Polyphilus, Craig Berry, Beth Kimbell, Eleusyve Productions, and many more. New to downloading podcasts? Its easy! Its just an mp3 file that you download and play on your computer or other mp3 player. You can also subscribe to automatically download every new episode. Additionally, Speech in the Silence has recently expanded into the world of YouTube, where individual segments can be found and shared through the social networks. Download or subscribe at speechinthesilence.com or visit our YouTube channel at youtube.com/speechinthesilence and dont forget to send us your feedback at thelemapodcast@gmail.com. Joseph Thiebes & IAO131, Co-producers

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OUARDA CHAPTER CHILI CON CARNIVAL

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. When one reads in Liber CXCIV that the Most Wise Sovereign of each [Rose Croix] chapter will appoint a committee of four persons, two men and two women, to arrange for all social gatherings, banquets, dances, the performance of plays, and similar pleasures, one does not conceive the value of such gatherings until one experiences them firsthand. On March 19, 2011 EV, as the Sun coursed through Pisces, and the full Moon in its perigee made its way through Virgo, Ouarda Chapter of the Rose Croix held its equinoctial festival Chili con Carnival at the Sword and Serpent Encampment in the Valley of Dayton, Ohio. The Committee of Four did an excellent job in planning and facilitating the merriment. More than forty Sisters, Brothers, and Honored Guests shared in the conviviality of chili tasting, trivia contests, and dancing. More importantly, however, Brethren from Cleveland, Louisville, Indianapolis, Lafayette, Kokomo, Chicago, and Huntington, and points in between converged to strengthen the bonds of fraternity. We left not only well fed and entertained, but invigorated with a renewed commitment to the Great Work. We look forward to the Ouarda Chapters next event, the Fall Equinox Celebration, which will also be held at Sword and Serpent Encampment. Love is the law, love under will. Frater Kikhos ba-Midhbar Secretary, Sword and Serpent Encampment

PASTORAL COUNSELING WORKSHOP

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Check out the new Pastoral Counseling website at pcw.oto-usa.org. The U.S.G.L. Pastoral Counseling Workshop will be at Knights Templar Oasis in the Valley of Salem, Massachusetts, Friday through Sunday, May 20th through 22nd It is with great pleasure that the O.T.O. Psychology Guild offers this workshop for the clergy of Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica. One of the most challenging issues that clergy members face is how to assist their local community in navigating lifes more difficult questions within the context of the tenets of the Church. To this end we have developed a curriculum of pastoral counseling for the clergy. The Primate is highly recommending this workshop for active Bishops, Priests and Priestesses as well as Local Body Masters. Love is the law, love under will.

BOOK REVIEWS
The Plight of a Sorcerer By Georges Dumzil University of California Press, 1986 EV (120 pages, hardcover) The formula of the Dying God will be familiar to most Thelemites, not to mention students of religion. The theme of the deity who dies and is reborn occurs thoughout the world and is symbolized by the formula of IAO, about which our Prophet has written extensively. Yet most of the examples we are familiar with are derived from the ancient Near East and therefore reflect the preoccupations of the centralized agricultural societies that dominated the region. This makes one wonder how the Dying God formula might play out in different kind of culture altogether. In The Plight of a Sorcerer, French scholar Georges Dumzil (1898-1986 EV) provides one possible answer. Dumzil is the leading figure in the modern comparative study of Indo-European myth, which takes for its field of inquiry the related languages and cultures stretching from Ireland to India, and goes to the roots of what we like to call Western Civilization. The book itself is a translation of just part of one volume of his major work, Mythe et pope, and covers a very interesting legend from the Indo-Iranian epics, that of the priest and magician Kvya Uanas. This tale, which goes back to at least the second millennium BC if not earlier, derives not from a farming society but a pastoral one. The cultures involved were semi-nomadic tribes whose economies were mostly based on the raising of cattle and whose wars were essentially cattle-raids. In this worldview, the Devas, or Gods, and their enemies, the Asuras, or anti-Gods, function like feuding neighbors and the death-

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and-resurrection story is not symbolic of the cycle of vegetation, but of the life of Man and the initiatory transmission of magical power from teacher to student. The tale itself appears in the first book of the Mahbhrata as part of the heroes geneology. In the dim past the Gods war against the Asuras was not going well because the anti-Gods chaplain, Kvya Uanas, knew the magical secret to reviving the dead: any Asura who fell in battle was simply resurrected the next day to fight again. No one in the Gods employ possessed this power, so they sent a young brahmin named Kaca to apprentice himself to the great Kvya and learn the secret. Despite the best efforts of the anti-Gods to eliminate him, Kaca succeeds in his mission and is himself killed and resurrected several times. Dumzils retelling of the story is slyly humorous and his analysis is thorough, drawing also on Kay s, the cognate figure from Iranian epics. This book is highly recommended as showing a very different application of a very familiar formula, and as a great stimulus to further thought. Julianus 666 by Aphrodites Child Polygram International, no date for this reissue. (78 minutes, CD) Originally released as a double LP in 1971, this is a concept album based on the Book of Revelations by Greeces leading Progressive Rock band. This is probably their best effort and is quite good if youre into Prog at all. The song in particular seems to have some Thelemic content. The interesting thing is that Aphrodites Child was in fact an early project headed by New Age mstro Vangelis, and that Yanni, of all people, also had a hand in this. Youthful folly or something more significant? I Am To Come I Was

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of his pupils (the last two when he was alive) have become professors. The school at which they teach is working on a virtual reality machine called the z93, and through a bunch of twists (most of which make no sense) one of the professors, named Haddo, is possessed by Crowley while in the machine. After this the plot gets even more trying with Crowley, through the possessed body of Professor Haddo reading Crowley poetry and engaging in auto-erotic, homosexual, and B.D.S.M. rituals. The movie is sprinkled throughout with character names from Crowleys life and references to many of many of his fictional and non-fictional works; Haddo, Mathers, the Moonchild, etc. The only truly redeeming qualities of this movieif your eyes can stay open long enough to witness themare a few generous T&A scenes, and one full blown orgy. If I personally had to rate the film on a five star scale, I would have to proclaim One Star in Sight! V.O.I.A

Dragon of Revelation by Frederick Carter I-H-O Books, 2002 EV (324 pages, softcover) This book, originally published in the 1930s, is a very interesting study of the Book of Revelations as an astrological allegory. The author was a close friend and sometime collaborator of Austin Osman Spares, and here he proves that he was just as deep a mystic in his own way as Zos vel Thanatos was in his. (As an aside, I note that this publisher also offers some very nice softcover editions of Spare that are actually affordable.) Carters very interesting illustrations certainly show his relationship with Spare and and the influence of his techniques and one wishes there were more of them. Interestingly enough, Carter was also close to the writer D.H. Lawrence, who was so interested in this project that he not only contributed an introduction but went on to produce his own highly personal study of Revelations. It turned out to be the last book he wrote before his untimely death in March of 1930 EV and is presently available as Apocalypse from Penguin Books. A detailed account of Lawrences interest in the subject, D.H. Lawrence and the Body Mystical, is included in the persent book. Both Dragon of Revelation and Apocalypse are recommended for their insights into one of the most fascinating and obscure works of Christian literature. Julianus

Crowley [also titled Chemical Wedding] Directed by Julian Doyle, screenplay by Bruce Dickinson. Starz / Anchor Bay, 2009 EV (106 minutes, DVD) Truth be told, it took me four separate attempts to actually make it through the movie successfully. Reader be warned: do not attempt to watch this film if you are at all tired or under the effects of medicines containing codeine! After opening the movie in 1947 EV on the last day of Crowleys life, the action fast-forwards to the future when two

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PUBLICATION ANNOUNCEMENTS
PHYLLIS SECKLER (SOROR MERAL): THE THOTH TAROT, ASTROLOGY, & OTHER SELECTED WRITINGS
Edited and introduced by Dr. David Shoemaker, Gregory Peters, & Rorac Johnson Phyllis Seckler (1917-2004 EV) was one of the most important and influential Thelemites of the post-Crowley era. An initiate of Ordo Templi Orientis since 1939, and an A.A. student of Jane Wolfe, Seckler was an indispensable factor in the resurgence of the O.T.O. and the shaping of modern Thelema as we know it. This landmark publication collects two of her most important essays on the Thoth Tarot, depth psychology, and astrology originally serialized in her journal In the Continuum. In addition, this book presents important and previously unpublished correspondence between Seckler, Aleister Crowley, Karl Germer, and Jane Wolfe. The final section of the book presents her last major interview, where she discusses her early years at the old Agape Lodge in Los Angeles, her views on the current state of Thelema, and much more.

THE JOURNAL OF THE PSYCHOLOGY GUILD OF ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS Volume I, Number 3
The third issue of Neshamah, journal of the O.T.O. Psychology Guild, was released in Fall, 2010 EV. Contributors of this issue include Frater Harmateus, David R. Hill, David G. Shoemaker, Lita-Luise Chappell, Richard Kaczynski, and Soror Rosasophia

NESHAMAH

BEAUTY AND STRENGTH: PROCEEDINGS OF THE SIXTH BIENNIAL NATIONAL ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS CONFERENCE: SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, AUGUST 10-12, 2007 EV
U.S.G.L., O.T.O., 2009 EV Includes addresses and articles by Sabazius X, Richard Kaczynski, Lon Milo DuQuette, James and Nancy Wasserman, Dionysius Rogers, Frater Hrumachis, and many Others of equal Merit, if less Fame.

VOLUME XII, NUMBER 2 SUBMISSION DEADLINE: A IN d B IN e Dies G Anno IV:VXIV (Saturday, July 2nd, 2011 EV)
We want: news, articles, rituals, artwork, reviews, local body reports, local body publication reports, and publication announcements. Please Remember that Agap is available to the general public. Submissions should not include oathbound material. See our submission guidelines at www.otousa.org/agape.html. Contact agape@oto-usa.org for more information.

PERDURABO: THE LIFE OF ALEISTER CROWLEY by Richard Kaczynski

Revised and Expanded Second Edition North Atlantic, 2010 EV Hailed as the definitive biography of the founder of modern Magick. This new edition features 150 pages of new material, including 95 photos and illustrationsmany never before published!

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VOL. XII No. 1

MYSTERIA MYSTICA MAXIMA

ECCLESIA GNOSTICA CATHOLICA

UNITED STATES GRAND LODGE OFFICERS DIRECTORY

U.S. NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: Sabazius X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. DEPUTY NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: Lon Milo DuQuette P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND SECRETARY GENERAL: Fr. Hunapu PO Box 2313, Maple Grove, MN 55311 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND TREASURER GENERAL: Hank Hadeed 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. #444 Portland, OR 97214-5246 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury U.S. GRAND TRIBUNAL Fr. Harmateus, Secretary 3350 E. 7th St. #207, Long Beach, CA 90804 grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org U.S. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, U.S. SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL, U.S. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. ELECTORAL COLLEGE: Dann Buchanan, President P.O. Box 12653, Oklahoma City, OK 73157-2653 ec_president@oto-usa.org Deborah Woody: Secretary P.O. Box 5741, Glendale, CA 91221-5741 electoral_college@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. INITIATION SECRETARIES: Fr. Saturnus Baphomet and Sr. Naamah P.O. Box 48569, Minneapolis, MN 55448 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. SECRETARY: Sr. Hypatia P.O. Box 2578, Columbia, MD 21045 egc@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PARLIAMENTARIAN: Sr. Helena P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 parlamentarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. OMBUDSMAN: Michael Kolson 719 Highland Dr., Seattle, WA 98109 206-306-6487 ombudsman@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. QUARTERMASTER: Sr. Ishara quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. WEBMASTER: Craig Berry webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LIBRARIANS: Matthew T. Marfield and Sr. Sophia 3212 1/2 Honolulu Ave, La Crescenta, CA 91214 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ARCHIVIST: Fr. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S.G.L. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: Fr. Do volunteers@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LOCAL BODY PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY: Sr. Ananael Agape Lux PO Box 5, Ashburn, VA 20146 publications@oto-usa.org O.T.O. PRISON MINISTRY: Father Solomon, Coordinator PO Box 4215, Culver City, CA 90231 prison_ministry@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER: Fr. Lux ad Mundi O.T.O. U.S.A./Thelesis 1627 N. 2nd Street, Suite 220 Philadelphia, PA 19122 pio@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION: Fr. Julianus [new physical address pending] agape@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. EDUCATION COMMITTEE SECRETARY: Kayla Block education@oto-usa.org

WWW.OTO-USA.ORG
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VOL. XII No. 2

FROM THE EDITOR

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Care Fratres et Sorores,

NEW EDITORIAL ADDRESS The Official Organ of the United States Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis
Agap now has a new physical mailing address. Please send your hardcopy correspondence and submissions to: Agap P.O. Box 4123 Pittsburgh, PA 15202 The editorial email address remains unchanged at: agape@oto-usa,org. 2 3 4 5 6 6 7 8 7 9 10 11

CONTENTS
From the Editor From the Grand Master From the Electoral College NOTOCON Update Man of Earth Delegates The Great House of God The Principles of Promulgation TOTOCON Kaaba Colloquium Report Book Reviews Publication Announcements U.S. Grand Lodge Officers Directory

NOTOCON VIII SCRAPBOOK

This August will see United States Grand Lodges eighth biennial national conference, hosted by Blue Equinox Oasis in the valley of Detroit, Michigan. In our ongoing endeavor to be the Magical Record of Ordo Templi Orientis in the U.S., Agap is determined to cover this event as never before and we want you to help. Agap invites all brothers and sisters attending NOTOCON VIII to send in accounts of their experiences for publication in the Fall issue. You can write a comprehensive memoir of the entire conference if you want, or something less ambitious. You can submit detailed reviews of the presentations you attended, or share your philosophical reflections on the weekend, or just your random impressions. Tell us about an interesting conversation you had or an improptu ritual you put together. You can even tell us that funny story you heard on the elevator late one night. Length can be anything from a couple thousand words to a few sentences. Tell us what interested you, what impressed you, what entertained you, what moved you, and what made you laugh. In short, tell us what made this NOTOCON special. Submissions will be assembled into a special NOTOCON Scrapbook that will appear in the Fall issue, with all pieces credited to the individual authors. Deadline for submissions is October 1st.

Executive Editor: Sabazius X Editor: Frater Julianus Proofreading: Frater L., Heather Lantz, Joseph Thiebes Production & Distribution: Soror Marlene Editorial Address: P.O. Box 4123 Pittsburgh, PA 15202 agape@oto-usa.org On the Cover: Marriage by Soror Luna
Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A., a California not-for-profit religious corporation with business offices at P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business offices at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at 24881 Alicia Parkway E-529, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductable to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download in PDF format at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/ agape.html Copyright 2011 EV Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

YOUR EDITOR AT LARGE

Finally, I will be attending NOTOCON myself and I will be happy to talk with anyone about Agap, its content and direction. I will be especially happy to discuss any material you may wish to submit for publication and even look it over as time allows. If you have ideas, I want to hear them! Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, Frater Julianus Editor, Agap

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VOL. XII No. 2

FROM THE GRAND MASTER

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
United States Grand Lodges annual report is available here: http://oto-usa.org/usgl_annual_report_IVxviii.pdf

ANNUAL REPORT

At the 2009 EV NOTOCON, we decided that, in 2010 EV, U.S. Grand Lodge would commemorate the one-hundredth anniversary of the first performance of Crowleys Rites of Eleusis, which took place in London in Caxton Hall in 1910 EV. We decided to do this by holding a friendly competition for our modern local bodies that enact these rites. The parameters for the project were set and the competition commenced for the best submissions for each of the seven rites. However, after a year, only three of the needed seven rites were submitted: the rites of Venus, Luna, and Mercury. We extended the submission period for a few more months, and we did receive another Rite of Mercurybut missing still were the rites of Jupiter, Sol, Mars and Saturn. At that point it became clear that the original competition concept would need to be modified, and we decided to re-conceptualize the project as an ongoing documentary collection. We initiated an effort to find older videotaped rites, and we were able to successfully find videos of the Rites of Sol and Jupiter that would nicely add to our historical compilation. These were originally produced in a mini video format, but with the help of a professional videographer, they were edited and converted to DVD format and added to the collection. We will continue to collect the rites that our local bodies have decided to document until we have a complete set suitable for documentation. At this time we are still in search of two more rites, the rites of Mars and Saturn. We would like to encourage all U.S. local bodies to videotape at least these last two rites and submit them for consideration. The rites collected will be deposited at the U.S.G.L. Library, now located at Star Sapphire Lodge in Los Angeles. For the upcoming NOTOCON, we have decided to present all of the submissions that we have collected so far throughout the NOTOCON weekend. In addition to this collection and to add to this enriching history, Brother Jon Sewell and Sister Melissa Holm traveled throughout the U.S. during 2010 EV and met with many O.T.O. members who

UPDATE: RITES OF ELEUSIS ANNIVERSARY COMPETITION

were involved in Rites of Eleusis productions over the last thirty years. The team conducted and recorded a number of interviews, which have become a very welcome addition to our documentary project and will serve as an opening presentation to introduce the showing of the rites themselves. Special thanks go to Brother Jon and Sister Melissa for this contribution, and as well for their Eleusyve Productions company, which has professionally produced several of the rites, for contributing to our collection. We wish them continued success as they continue to produce all seven of the rites. In summary, what was once a competition has now become our Grand Lodges ongoing documentary collection honoring the composition and performance of Crowleys Rites of Eleusis. Please help us continue this important historical work by submitting past or future video productions of the Rites to: Soror Lutea P.O. Box 2778 Mission Viejo, CA 92690

The Strategic Planning group is currently working to complete a revised Strategic Plan by NOTOCON.

STRATEGIC PLANNING

We have created an email address that is jointly used by all four Man of Earth delegates, to which members of the Man of Earth Triad in good standing may write, that the feelings of the general body may be represented. The address is: MoE.Delegates@gmail.com. We have also created a page on the U.S.G.L. Website for the Man of Earth delegates: admin.oto-usa.org/man-of-earth-delegates In addition, as part of the revised Strategic Plan, I am developing a method whereby the Man of Earth delegates may be chosen by the Man of Earth Triad in accordance with Liber CXCIV: In order that the feelings of the general body may be represented, the Men of Earth choose four persons, two men and two women, from among themselves, to stand continually before the face of the Supreme and Holy King, serving him day and night. For more information on the Man of Earth delegates, see Agap Vol. IX, No. 1, which can be found here: lib.oto-usa.org/agape/agape.9.1.pdf

MAN OF EARTH DELEGATES

Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, Sabazius

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VOL. XII No. 2

FROM THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
As the Electoral College will not hold its Summer Meeting until August 5th, 2011 EV, reports of new local body charters, closures, etc. will appear in the Fall issue. The deadline for submission of items to be considered (for the Summer 2011 EV meeting) is July 15th, 2011 EV. Please mail submissions to the Secretary of the Electoral College. See page 11 for contact information.

Members in good standing of the Sovereign Sanctuary of the IX in the United States (who are not serving as an officer or voting member of any Governing or Administrative Body under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Grand Lodge) wishing to volunteer to stand for election to the office of Revolutionary by the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C. See page 11 for contact information.

NINTH DEGREE REVOLUTIONARY

Dues-current members in good standing of V and above are welcome to attend and observe the in-person Electoral College Meetings. We request that those planning to attend contact the master of the hosting body so that adequate arrangements can be made.

ATTENDING ELECTORAL COLLEGE MEETINGS

Brothers or Sisters of our Order who wish to pursue appeal of a verdict of the Grand Tribunal may write to individual members of the Electoral College to request sanction be given to take their case to the Areopagus of the Eighth Degree (per Liber CXCIV, section 16) via email links found at: ec.oto-usa.org/ECelectors.html.

SANCTION FOR APPEAL

The official Electoral College website can be found at: ec.oto-usa.org.

ELECTORAL COLLEGE WEBSITE

Local bodies that are interested in hosting meetings of the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C. See page 11 for contact information.

HOSTING ELECTORAL COLLEGE MEETINGS

Bodymasters seeking up-to-date forms for the Annual Report, Change of Mastership Application, Application for Oasis Status, Application for Lodge Status, or closure forms, will find them by contacting the document control officer at doc_control@oto-usa.org.

FORMS

Summer 2011 EV Meeting scheduled to be held on-site at NOTOCON VIII, August 5th, 2011 EV in Detroit, Michigan. Fall 2011 EV meeting scheduled for Saturday, October 15th, 2011 EV, hosted by Abrahadabra Oasis (Portland, Maine).

UPCOMING ELECTORAL COLLEGE MEETINGS

I would like to invite any initiates with specific concerns or questions regarding the operation of the Electoral College, to write to either the President or Secretary of the E.C. For contact information, please see page 11. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to take effective measures bringing about better communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed. I believe that communication is of benefit to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All postal mail correspondence with the Electoral College Secretary should be sent to the address listed on page 11.

COMMUNICATION WITH THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE

Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Dnn Bvchnn President, Electoral College O.T.O. U.S.A.

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VOL. XII No. 2

NOTOCON UPDATE
by Soror Shivani, On-site Coordinator Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
NOTOCON VIII is almost upon us! Registration is still open, so make a plan, hitch a ride, book a plane or take the bus this August to Dearborn, Michigan. Check out our blog via the website at viii.notocon.org, tweet us on Twitter or see us on Facebook for Michigan info, event details and idle amusements. optional. Please respect the boundaries of the hotel by changing into revealing or ritual garb in the room where the fashion show will be held. Please contact our Assistant Onsite Coordinator at info@notocon,org with your name, contact info and which costume(s) you will be showing if you would like to participate.

So, now that you all are planning to attend, please let us know if you would be able to volunteer in one of the following areas: Vending/Art Show (set-up and tear down) Gnostic Mass (set-up and tear down) Security during classes General assistance Vending Room security and table sitting Contact our Assistant On-site Coordinator Soror Margaret at info@notocon,org. She will forward you a brief questionnaire which will help us both decide where, when and how you can lend a hand. You have our sincere and profound thanks in advance for your fraternity, generosity and good will.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Manifest your E.G.C. glory at our Mass Fashion Show beginning at 10:00 pm Saturday night at NOTOCON VIII. Walk the red carpet as Priests, Priestesses and Deacons. You will need to be available that afternoon during the break for a brief rehearsal. We know how much time and effort Brethren put into the creation of their Gnostic Mass robes. We hope this event will also serve as an inspiration. This is not a competition or beauty contest; there will be no judging and no prizes given. The runway will be specially set up in the Marquis ballroom. You may model more than one outfit, but please be aware that the dressing area will be small and you will share it with others. The event will not be filmed. A photography opportunity will be available. If you would like your photograph shown on the NOTOCON website, in Agap, or some other media, you will need to sign a release form allowing the Order to publish your photo. A small dressing area will be set-up inside and the ballroom will be free of hotel staff interruptions, except in emergencies. However, please do not treat the room as clothing

GNOSTIC MASS FASHION SHOW

Come enter the Coffee Casbah on the Friday evening of NOTOCON VIII starting at around 10:30 pm. We have created a comfortable setting with candle-lit tables and lounging floor pillows. Come and socialize, sample free Turkish coffee and listen to any of our brethren who would like to perform their favorite selection by one of Englands greatest lyric poets. You may also perform any suitably relevant magical or like-minded work. If you would like to be involved, please drop the Assistant On-site Coordinator a quick line at info@notocon,org with your name, contact info and chosen piece. We will then have an idea of how many readings we can schedule. Walk in performances will also be welcome! Memorization is not required. Please bring your passion and inspiration for the poetry and writings of Sir Aleister Crowley to our coffee house for one night only. Some time constraints may apply depending on the number of participants, so a briefer work is appreciated.

COFFEE CASBAH

Please make note of the following reminders for NOTOCON VIII. If you have any questions or problems of any nature, please contact us at info@notocon,org. The registration deadline for the conference is July 30th, 2011 EV. Please make sure that the hotel will accept whatever form of payment you are offering. There is often a deposit required with a credit card. Please check and make sure that the Hyatt will accept a Debit card if you are using one and be aware of the deposit amount. Please contact us if you would like to be a vendor or art show participant or need our assistance in vending. If you need a roommate, we can help. Please make sure that your rental car company will accept whatever form of payment you are offering. A Continued on next page e

SOME GENERAL REMINDERS

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deposit is always required. Experienced travelers have told us that only Enterprise will take a Debit VISA/ MC. Please double check and reserve a car before you leave. The Masonic Temple Tour has been a huge hit! There is still room for a few attendees. See our blog at viii,notocon.org/blog.html for news and info. FAQ to be posted soon! Love is the law, love under will.

VOL. XII No. 2

THE GREAT HOUSE OF GOD

MAN OF EARTH DELEGATES

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Liber CXCIV: An Intimation with Reference to the Constitution of the Order states, In order that the feelings of the general body may be represented, the Men of Earth choose four persons, two men and two women, from among themselves, to stand continually before the face of the Supreme and Holy King, serving him day and night. The Man of Earth delegates are therefore pledged to give representation to the general feelings of the Man of Earth Triad. The current Man of Earth delegates are: Soror Sandy Bowie Soror Erin Walsh Frater IAO131 Frater Kian Seadhna NGUF We thank all of the past Man of Earth delegates for their service. If you are in the Man of Earth Triad (i.e. Minerval through Perfect Initiate), any issues, comments, concerns, or suggestions you have that can not already be addressed by the Path of Mediation (see Agap VII-1 through VIII-2) may be addressed to the Man of Earth delegates who will bring these issues to attention of the Supreme and Holy King. If you uncertain about the best course of action for issues in relation to the Path of Mediation, contact the Ombudsman at ombudsman@oto-usa.org. You may contact the current delegates at MoE.Delegates@gmail.com as you will. More information on the current delegates will soon be available at admin.oto-usa.org/man-of-earth-delegates. We will let you know once it is online) Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, IAO131

Acrylic, 24 x 48 inches by Richard Pence

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VOL. XII No. 2

THE PRINCIPLES OF PROMULGATION

by IAO131 Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
You may regard the establishment of the Law of Thelema as an essential element of your True Will, since, whatever the ultimate nature of that Will, the evident condition of putting it into execution is freedom from external interference. Aleister Crowley, Duty Many people have qualms about the idea of promulgation of the Law of Thelema, often from a misperception of the motives of those who promulgate. This article addresses some of the issues involved and offers some general principles. an essential element of your True Will, since, whatever the ultimate nature of that Will, the evident condition of putting it into execution is freedom from external interference. That is, in establishing the Law of Liberty in the outer, it allows the accomplishment of the Will free from external interference, including from the hounding busybodies left over from the Old ons. In this way we move closer to the ideal of humanity moving as it wills without hindrance or inhibition from the chafing of its parts, even as the stars move in the night sky.

Our highest and most central law as Thelemites is Do what thou wilt, and all of our actions are an expression of this idea. While there are many Mysteries to be approached and secrets to be studied, all aims are subsumed under the prime directive of accomplishment of ones True Will. This means, in terms of promulgation, that all efforts to spread ideas not directly connected with spreading the Law of Thelemathe use of Magick and yoga, fraternity, the Secret of IX of Ordo Templi Orientis, philosophy, etc.are done as expressions of that same Law. That is, when we teach Magick it is done under the understanding that it will help us understand and do our wills more fully, teachings about fraternity are done in the context of the Law, and efforts to teach other topics are so that the individual may come to a more comprehensive understanding of the Law.

I There is no law beyond Do what thou wilt. (Liber AL vel Legis III:60)

The Law of Thelema applies to all planes. Thelema is not simply a Law for the elite of mankind, although it makes room for them and allows for their full development as Hermits. While some may strive to become an Ipsissimus of the AA or IX of O.T.O., it is just as valid for some to be Men of Earth or Lovers. There are many resting places in these Orders that are natural for some to remain at. As promulgators of the Law of Thelema, it is our duty to make this Law known to any and everyone, not that we may know the true Will of the recipient of promulgation materials, but so that each may read the source material and integrate the Law on their own terms. Further, the establishment of the Law of Thelema in the world is inherently tied up with the accomplishment of ones own True Will. As the quotation at the top of this essay says, You may regard the establishment of the Law of Thelema as

II The Law is for all. (Liber AL vel Legis I:34)

While our duty may be to make the Law known to the public, it is NOT our duty to: convert people to our point of view. convince people that we are correct. threaten people who do not accept the Law or our views. argue about philosophical or theological points. While this is all true, The Book of the Law also says, and to each man and woman that thou meetest, were it but to dine or to drink at them, it is the Law to give. Then they shall chance to abide in this bliss or no; it is no odds. Do this quickly! (III:39) This is a fundamental point to understand about the difference between promulgation by Thelemites and traditional conversion attempts by people like Christians. We do not threaten people with tales of sin, pans of our guiltlessness, and after-worldly judgment. Nor is the whole complex of saving ones soul present in promulgating the Law of Thelema to others. We give the Law to all without argumentation or hopes of conversion, and they can abide in this bliss or no; it is no odds to us.

III Argue not; convert not (Liber AL vel Legis III:42)

While these are all theoretical justifications of promulgation, there is also a more intimate sense that Thelemites who experience the beauty, truth, and wisdom of the Law of Thelema will inherently want to share this bliss with others. In Continued on next page e

IV We shall bring you to Absolute Truth, Absolute Light, Absolute Bliss. (Liber Porta Lucis, line 17)

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experiencing the freedom from tyranny and superstition and the liberty of the spirit inherent in the doctrine of Thelema, it is only natural to want to share the keys that helped break ones own bondage. Spreading the Law of Thelema is not done out of a desire to boost your ego; on the contrary, experiences while promulgating are often quite a blow to the ego along with the fact that one is naturally exposing oneself to outside elements that must be integrated by love under will. Spreading the Law of Thelema is not done out of a desire to recruit for a particular organization, although exposing people to the teachings of an order like Ordo Templi Orientis is certainly a valid expression of promulgation. The goal is not to get a group that is the biggest, baddest person on the block so you can revel in its power but rather the goal is for each individual, on their own terms and in their own way, to acknowledge, understand, and begin to enact the Law of Thelema in their own lives.

VOL. XII No. 2

VOLUME XII, NUMBER 3 SUBMISSION DEADLINE: A IN g B IN i Dies G Anno IV:VXIV (Saturday, October 1st, 2011 EV)
We want: news and articles, original rituals and artwork, reviews of all kinds, local body reports, local body publication reports, publication announcements, and anything else pertinent to Thelema, Ordo Templi Orientis and the activities of our members. Please Remember that Agap is available to the general public. Submissions should not include oathbound material. See our submission guidelines at www.otousa.org/agape.html. Contact agape@oto-usa.org for more information.

Love is the law, love under will.

TOTOCON
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. This autumn, Scarlet Woman Lodge will be hosting the fourth annual Texas regional O.T.O. Convention (TOTOCON). TOTOCON is a regional gathering, open to the public and to those beyond the Texas region, featuring presentations and workshops on a variety of topics of interest to Thelemites, Magicians, Pagans, and Seekers. This year, we are returning to our lodge space, and plan to include both original ritual performance and a Gnostic Mass. Attendees are encouraged to register early, as space will be limited. Please watch the Scarlet Woman Lodge webpage for details and registration information: www.scarletwoman.org. TOTOCON 4 will take place the weekend of November 12th and 13th EV. Please join us for a weekend packed with unique presentations, workshops, social events, and rituals. This is a great opportunity to fraternize with initiates from Texas and surrounding areas. Love is the law, love under will.

KAABA COLLOQUIUM REPORT

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The Kaaba Colloquium Committee would like to thank Warrior Island Camp for their hospitality and all brethren in attendance from the Deep South for their attention, input, and active participation in the Spring Kaaba held in Jacksonville Beach in June. Brethren around the country can look for us to come to their region soon. We will be in Sacramento, California in November with final details to be announced soon, and in Cleveland, Ohio in May with requests for proposals out presently to the area hotels. Check our website news page for updates: kaaba.otousa.org/news or contact our Logistics Coordinator at beth.kimbell@oto-usa.org. Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, Beth Kimbell Kaaba Coordinator

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VOL. XII No. 2

BOOK REVIEWS
The Inner West: An Introduction to the Hidden Wisdom of the West Edited and introduced by Jay Kinney Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin, 2004 EV (324 pages, softcover) Nearly all the articles in this anthology first appeared in Kinneys magazine, Gnosis: A Journal of the Western Inner Traditions, which ran from 1985 to 1999 EV and was easily the best general source for information on the various Western esoteric traditions then available. As such, this book displays both the strengths of that publication and its limitations. On the plus side, the twenty articles herein cover topics as diverse as Neoplatonism, Sufism, Theosophy, and Rudolf Steiner. All are well written and researched, usually by important scholars of the traditions concerned, such as Joscelyn Godwin or Christopher McIntosh. They generally require relatively little in the way of prior knowledge on the part of the reader and almost all include extensive references. The main limitation is that, while Gnosis certainly did not ignore the magical traditions of the West, it never really did justice to them either. The articles on magiclet alone Magick!always tended to be least satisfying in the magazine and that is reflected in this anthology: aside from Chas Cliftons excellent article on the origins of the Tarot we only get a couple of very cursory surveys on the Quest of the Magus and Wicca. In its entire run, Gnosis never printed a decent article on Thelema as a system and only covered Aleister Crowley in the context of how dark or dangerous his work supposedly is to the unsuspecting neophyte. The Inner West barely mentions A.C. outside of that totally apocryphal tale of his being told off by Gurdjieff. Specialist quibbles aside, I cant help thinking that its a very idiosyncratic West that can include Islam and virtually exclude the Golden Dawn! In fact, Kinney, who came of age during the height of the guru invasion of the sixties and seventies, admits in his introduction that his West basically means not China or India. (That it also leaves out the indigenous traditions of Africa, the Americas, Polynesia, etc. almost goes without saying.) Paul Johnsons ground-breaking expos of Madame Blavatskys real masters manages to venture outside this geographical straightjacket, but that article originally appeared in a different magazine. Even within the very arbitrary limits described above, there seems to be a bias against the many non-monotheistic traditions, both ancient and modern. It is perfectly true that one magazine, even one that ran for fifty-one issues, could never cover the full spectrum of Western esotericism, and that one book can barely hit on the high points, but surely more effort at inclusiveness would have been a good thing. Of course, most readers of Agap will have more comprehensive sources of information on the magical traditions. Where The Inner West comes in handy for people like us is as an introduction to the many other systems of Western esoteric thought, from Gurdjieffs Fourth Way to Swedenborgianism to the Traditionalist school of Ren Gunon. In any case, several of the topics covered are directly pertinent to our tradition and make good starting points for historical research: the articles on Rosicrucianism and Freemasonry, to say nothing of the Templars, are especially useful in this regard. As such, The Inner West makes a good addition to your local bodys library. Julianus The Mirror of Simple Souls by Margaret Porette [Marguerite Porete] Translated by Jack C. Marler University of Notre Dame Press, 1999 EV (296 pages, softcover) This masterpiece of Christian apophatic mysticism is notable for also containing a high degree of affective content. It includes elements of Boethian allegory and draws on the literary tradition of courtly love, while describing the annihilation and apotheosis of the Soul in a set of visionary conversations. Church authorities considered its contents to be dangerously heretical because of the antinomian idea (sometimes connected with the heresy of the Free Spirit) that the mystic who attains to annihilation has desire free from sin, and thus may exercise his or her will without constraint. And therefore I say to all that no-one who understands as I do will understand this book unless he understands it by the strength of Faith and the Power of Love, who are my mistresses, for I obey them in all things. And then too, says Reason, I want to say this: that whoever has these two strings to his bow, that is the light of Faith and the power of Love, he has permission to do whatever pleases him, and the witness of this is Love herself, who says to the Soul: Beloved, love, and do what you will. (page 30) This text thus manifests a link in the germination of Thelema between Augustine of Hippos Dilige et quod vis fac (Love, and do what you will) and Francesco Colonnas Trahit sua quemque voluptas (Let each follow his own pleasure). Marguerite was burnt at the stake for heresy in 1310, less than a month after the similar execution of fifty-four Knights Templar. Her book had been incinerated earlier, but she persisted in authorizing its distribution. After her death, it was sufficiently prized by its readers that they continued to circulate it sub rosa, and it was not reconnected to her authorship until the middle of the twentieth century. In the meanwhile it was influential on other mystics including Eckhart and Ruysbroek. Poretes idea of annihilation bears fruitful comparison with the Sufi doctrine of fana. Thelemites will be well advised to study The Mirror of Simple Souls in connection with Liber CLXVI and its related rituals and attainments. Paradoxos Alpha

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VOL. XII No. 2

PUBLICATION ANNOUNCEMENTS
UNITY UTTERMOST SHOWED! PROCEEDINGS OF THE SEVENTH BIENNIAL NATIONAL ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS CONFERENCE SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, AUGUST 7-9, 2009 EV
U.S.G.L., O.T.O., 2011 EV Unity Uttermost Showed! offers a selection of papers from the seventh biennial National Ordo Templi Orientis Conference (NOTOCON) of the United States Grand Lodge of O.T.O., held in the Valley of Seattle, Washington, in 2009 EV. The papers cover diverse topics including Enochian magick, sacrifice in Aztec mythology, the sacred geometry of an astral cathedral, producing ritual theater, personal responsibility in Magick, promulgation of the Law of Thelema, textual analysis of The Book of the Law, and more. Other highlights include the original ritual, the Feast of Babalon, and the address given by U.S. National Grand Master Sabazius. The contents represent some of best modern practical and scholarly work on Ordo Templi Orientis, Thelema, and the magick of Aleister Crowley.

AVAILABLE IN AUGUST!

BEAUTY AND STRENGTH: PROCEEDINGS OF THE SIXTH BIENNIAL NATIONAL ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS CONFERENCE: SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, AUGUST 10-12, 2007 EV
Includes addresses and articles by Sabazius X, Richard Kaczynski, Lon Milo DuQuette, James and Nancy Wasserman, Dionysius Rogers, Frater Hrumachis, and many Others of equal Merit, if less Fame. U.S.G.L., O.T.O., 2009 EV

PHYLLIS SECKLER (SOROR MERAL): THE THOTH TAROT, ASTROLOGY, & OTHER SELECTED WRITINGS
Edited and introduced by Dr. David Shoemaker, Gregory Peters, & Rorac Johnson

The third issue of Neshamah, journal of the O.T.O. Psychology Guild, was released in Fall, 2010 EV. Contributors of this issue include Frater Harmateus, David R. Hill, David G. Shoemaker, Lita-Luise Chappell, Richard Kaczynski, and Soror Rosasophia

THE JOURNAL OF THE PSYCHOLOGY GUILD OF ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS Volume I, Number 3

NESHAMAH

Phyllis Seckler (1917-2004 EV) was one of the most important and influential Thelemites of the post-Crowley era. An initiate of Ordo Templi Orientis since 1939, and an A.A. student of Jane Wolfe, Seckler was an indispensable factor in the resurgence of the O.T.O. and the shaping of modern Thelema as we know it. This landmark publication collects two of her most important essays on the Thoth Tarot, depth psychology, and astrology originally serialized in her journal In the Continuum. In addition, this book presents important and previously unpublished correspondence between Seckler, Aleister Crowley, Karl Germer, and Jane Wolfe. The final section of the book presents her last major interview, where she discusses her early years at the old Agape Lodge in Los Angeles, her views on the current state of Thelema, and much more.

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VOL. XII No. 2

MYSTERIA MYSTICA MAXIMA

ECCLESIA GNOSTICA CATHOLICA

UNITED STATES GRAND LODGE OFFICERS DIRECTORY

U.S. NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: Sabazius X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. DEPUTY NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: Lon Milo DuQuette P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND SECRETARY GENERAL: Fr. Hunapu PO Box 2313, Maple Grove, MN 55311 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND TREASURER GENERAL: Hank Hadeed 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. #444 Portland, OR 97214-5246 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury U.S. GRAND TRIBUNAL Fr. Harmateus, Secretary 3350 E. 7th St. #207, Long Beach, CA 90804 grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org U.S. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, U.S. SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL, U.S. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. ELECTORAL COLLEGE: Dann Buchanan, President P.O. Box 12653, Oklahoma City, OK 73157-2653 ec_president@oto-usa.org Deborah Woody: Secretary P.O. Box 5741, Glendale, CA 91221-5741 electoral_college@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. INITIATION SECRETARIES: Fr. Saturnus Baphomet and Sr. Naamah P.O. Box 48569, Minneapolis, MN 55448 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. SECRETARY: Sr. Hypatia P.O. Box 2578, Columbia, MD 21045 egc@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PARLIAMENTARIAN: Sr. Helena P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 parlamentarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. OMBUDSMAN: Michael Kolson 719 Highland Dr., Seattle, WA 98109 206-306-6487 ombudsman@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. QUARTERMASTER: Sr. Ishara quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. WEBMASTER: Craig Berry webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LIBRARIANS: Matthew T. Marfield and Sr. Sophia 3212 1/2 Honolulu Ave, La Crescenta, CA 91214 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ARCHIVIST: Fr. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S.G.L. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: Fr. Do volunteers@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LOCAL BODY PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY: Sr. Ananael Agape Lux PO Box 5, Ashburn, VA 20146 publications@oto-usa.org O.T.O. PRISON MINISTRY: Father Solomon, Coordinator PO Box 4215, Culver City, CA 90231 prison_ministry@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER: Fr. Lux ad Mundi O.T.O. U.S.A./Thelesis 1627 N. 2nd Street, Suite 220 Philadelphia, PA 19122 pio@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION: Fr. Julianus P.O. Box 4123, Pittsburgh, PA 15202 agape@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. EDUCATION COMMITTEE SECRETARY: Kayla Block education@oto-usa.org

WWW.OTO-USA.ORG
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VOLUME XII NUMBER 3

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REPORTS FROM THE EIGHTH NATIONAL CONFERENCE DETROIT, MICHIGAN AUGUST 5-7, 2011 EV

MANIFEST THY GLORY

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VOL. XII No. 3

FROM THE EDITOR

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Care Fratres et Sorores,

The Official Organ of the United States Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

CONTENTS
From the Editor Address by the Grand Master From the Electoral College Legal Guild Lodge Space Manitfest Thy Glory: A NOTOCON Scrapbook IAO Books for Thelemic Children A Jet-Fuelled Circus Local Body Report: Tahuti Lodge Man of Earth Delegates Publication Announcements U.S. Grand Lodge Officers Directory Executive Editor: Sabazius X Editor: Frater Julianus Editorial Assitant: Terry Murdock Proofreading: Heather Lantz, Joseph Thiebes Production & Distribution: Soror Marlene Editorial Address: P.O. Box 4123 Pittsburgh, PA 15202 agape@oto-usa.org On the Cover: NOTOCON photos by Frater Julianus and Terry Murdock
Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A., a California not-for-profit religious corporation with business offices at P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business offices at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at 24881 Alicia Parkway E-529, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductable to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download in PDF format at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/ agape.html Copyright 2011 EV Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

First of all, Id like to welcome our new Editorial Assistant, Brother Terry Murdock, to the staff of Agap. You may have encountered him at NOTOCON, where he was taking photos for this issue and generally helping me talk up the virtues of contributing to our national publication. This brings me to the real topic of this editorial...

YES, YOU CAN!

2 3 4 5 6 7 12 14 16 17 17 18 19 I truly love NOTOCON, all the more so as I cant make every one. I love the fraterity, the presentations, and the sheer fun of spending a whole weekend with a few hundred of My Kind of People. Of course, this year I also had plenty of serious business to attend to in terms of seeking out new material for Agap. As I conversed with members from all over the United Statessome of them old friends, many more of them new acquaintencesI encouraged, cajoled, pestered and downright begged people to think about sending in some writing or art for publication in these pages. I got a lot of positive response, but I also heard what, to me, was a very strange reaction. All too often, when I suggested to a brother or sister that they should submit material to Agap, the first thing they said was, We didnt know we could! Well, folks, you certainly can! Once we get away from the official announcements, as far as I am concerned, Agap has only two criteria when it comes to accepting material for publication: 1. The author is a member in good standing of United States Grand Lodge. 2. The material they submit, be it verbal or visual, is interesting and somehow pertinent to Thelema and Ordo Templi Orientis. Actually, considering that this issue includes a review of NOTOCON by a brother from Canada, you can see Im willing to wiggle a bit on that first point occasionally. There is no minimum degree requirementAgap accepts material from the newest Minerval as readily as from the most senior Ninth Degree. You do not have to be an officer, either of of U.S.G.L. or of a local body. You certainly do not have to wait for an invitation to submit your work. I love nothing better than receiving something out of the blue from a person Ive never heard of. So then, whats stopping you? Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, Frater Julianus Editor, Agap

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ADDRESS DELIVERED BY NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL SABAZIUS X TO THE EIGHTH NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED STATES GRAND LODGE OF ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS MANIFEST THY GLORY DEARBORN, MICHIGAN SATURDAY EVENING, AUGUST 6TH, 2011 EV
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Brothers and Sisters, The governor of the great state of Texas has designated this day a Day of Prayer and Fasting. Some wag on Facebook has responded by declaring today a Day of Debauchery and Gluttony. Given that we Thelemites have our head above the heavens and our feet below the hells, and making full use of my God-given indecisiveness, I hereby declare this evening an Evening of Prayer, Fasting, Debauchery and Gluttony. I trust youll all be able to figure this out. [Thanks, congratulations, and news updates omitted.] This past fiscal year, we experienced a net increase in overall active membership of about 60 members, representing about a 5% net increase in membership. This counters the drop we experienced over the last couple of years due to changes in policy regarding membership inactivation, and I think it represents an encouraging sign that we can continue to grow and thrive even during interesting times. The fifth Collect of the Gnostic Mass describes the nature of sainthood in our Church with respect to our concept of the Lord. Lord of life and joy, that art the might of man, that art the essence of every true god that is upon the surface of the Earth, continuing knowledge from generation unto generation, thou adored of us upon heaths and in woods, on mountains and in caves, openly in the marketplaces and secretly in the chambers of our houses, in temples of gold and ivory and marble as in these other temples of our bodies, we worthily commemorate them worthy that did of old adore thee and manifest thy glory unto men. My Brothers and Sisters, you are (in various stages of manifestation) these true gods upon the surface of the Earth. Deus est Homo. There is no god but Man. It is our shared and individual essence, continuing knowledge from generation unto generation, that is that secret and most holy Lord of life and joy adored by us and our saintsour Lord in ourselves, whose name is Mystery of Mystery. Understanding this is the true basis of the Law, and the true foundation of all human rights. Realizing this is the essence of true kingship. Manifesting its glory is the essence of true Sainthood. How can there be any higher measure of success than to understand and realize ones own divine essence, and to manifest its glory? To accomplish the Great Work? To do your True Will as a god upon Earth? The wealth, status and fame so coveted by some are mere vain baubles in comparison: drugs to soothe a blind ego that cannot perceive, or will not recognize, its own essential divinity. You partake of the same divine nature as the worlds wealthiest plutocrats, the worlds most powerful dictators, the worlds most beloved celebrities, and the worlds most impoverished beggars. True kingship is realizing this. He who believes himself to be a slave is in fact, a slave. But there are slaves and slaves. The Beast himself was the prophet and slave of the beauteous one. One can be a slave through passion and devotion, and never flag in the understanding that one is accomplishing ones Will in noble service, as very god of very god. But the slave who serves unwillingly, with resentment in his heart, has turned his back on his own divine nature, his own True Will. No-one can free such a slave but he himself, because he is in fact a slave to his own ignorance, to his own blinded ego. If we know ourselves each to be elaborations and extensions of the divine, then how can anyone have undue power over us? How can we be dominated by any other creature without our sovereign consent? We can be deprived of our money, our property, our health, our limbs, our loved ones, even our individual lives; but, once we understand our true nature, we can never be deprived of that. And this makes us rather dangerous. There have always been, and will always be, a class of slaves who will vainly attempt to palliate their myopic egos Continued on next page e

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by amassing and wallowing in greater and greater pigsties of material ostentation, who will seek to profitin their own pathetic wayby sowing ignorance and superstition and fear and confusion and guilt and shame among the people, struggling to hide from them the truth of their divine nature. Like the vampires of folklore, their design is to reduce the humble villagers to a state of cowed subservience, that they may be more easily preyed upon. They thrive on the life-blood of a populace that has been conditioned by deceit and threat to labor and kill for their betters in exchange for toys, spectacle, transient pleasures, and false honorthings that numb their pain of division, without satisfying ita populace without self-understanding or consciousness of individual Will, a populace that has submitted to voluntary spiritual castration, a populace, as it were, of zombies. This is why we must promulgate the Law of Do What Thou Wilt: the Law of the Strong, the Joy of the World. This

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is why we must manifest the glory of the Lordby learning and teaching; by reading and writing and speaking; by painting, drawing, carving, and moulding; by song, by dance, by building and by steadfast resistance; with ecstasy and passion and strength; individuallyand with our arms linked in fraternity. Several weeks ago, Sekhet-Maat Lodge in Portland was subjected to an attack by an arsonist. We do not know yet the arsonists motivation. But we do know that you brothers and sisters came to the Lodges aid, donating over $2,000, sufficient funds to cover the all repairs in one day after the Lodge put out a request for assistance. Fraternity. We are attracting attention, Brothers and sisters. Our efforts are being noted by friend and foe alike. Eyes are turning our way. We live in increasingly interesting times. Prepare yourselves. Understand, realize, and manifest thy Glory.

Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, Sabazius

FROM THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Due to exigencies of our meeting schedules and the schedule of the publication of Agap, the following information relates to the Summer and Fall 2011 EV meetings of the Electoral College. We will return to our usual arrangement of publishing the actions we have taken and other relevant information with the next issue. The Electoral College, at the aforementioned meetings, held on August 5th, and October 15th, 2011 EV, took the following actions concerning duties in its charge: Local Body Closures None. Change of Body Status Mastership of Sol Invictus Oasis (Fayetteville, Arkansas) was passed from Frater Crusolion to Brother Travis Masoner effective August 5th, 2011 EV. New Local Body Charters Kephale Camp was chartered in the Valley of Murfreesboro, Tennessee with Frater Ophion 280 as master effective August 5th, 2011 EV. Crux Ansata Camp was chartered in the Valley of Denver, Colorado with Sister Julep Watt as master effective October 15th, 2011 EV.

Coph Nia Oasis (Eugene, Oregon) was rechartered as Coph Nia Lodge with Brother David Jones as master, effective August 5th, 2011 EV.

Horizon Oasis (Seattle, Washington) was rechartered as Horizon Lodge with Brother Jon Sewell (Frater Jonah) as master, effective August 5th, 2011 EV. Change of Body Masters Mastership of Blazing Star Oasis (Berkeley, California) was passed from Sister Marlene Cornelius to Brother Keith Flippin effective August 5th, 2011 EV.

The College wishes to express its appreciation to the past and present masters of each of these bodies. We wish each of them the best in their new offices and endeavors.

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NINTH DEGREE REVOLUTIONARY
Members in good standing of the Sovereign Sanctuary of the IX in the United States (who are not serving as an officer or voting member of any Governing or Administrative Body under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Grand Lodge) wishing to volunteer to stand for election to the office of Revolutionary by the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C. See page 19 for contact information.

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FORMS
Bodymasters seeking up-to-date forms for the Annual Report, Change of Mastership Application, Application for Oasis Status, Application for Lodge Status, or closure forms, will find them by contacting the document control officer at doc_control@oto-usa.org.

SANCTION FOR APPEAL

Brothers or Sisters of our Order who wish to pursue appeal of a verdict of the Grand Tribunal may write to individual members of the Electoral College to request sanction be given to take their case to the Areopagus of the Eighth Degree (per Liber CXCIV, section 16) via email links found at: ec.oto-usa.org/ECelectors.html.

COMMUNICATION WITH THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE

I would like to invite any initiates with specific concerns or questions regarding the operation of the Electoral College, to write to either the President or Secretary of the E.C. For contact information, please see page 19. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to take effective measures bringing about better communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed. I believe that communication is of benefit to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All postal mail correspondence with the Electoral College Secretary should be sent to the address listed on page 19.

HOSTING ELECTORAL COLLEGE MEETINGS

Local bodies that are interested in hosting meetings of the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C. See page 19 for contact information. I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Electoral College, to thank the master and members of Blue Equinox Oasis, the NOTOCON committee, and also the master and members of Abrahadabra Oasis for their hospitality in hosting the recent meetings of the College. We greatly appreciate their efforts.

OTHER BUSINESS OF THE COLLEGE

Please see the article on the next page for important new criteria on temple space for lodges. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Dnn Bvchnn President, Electoral College O.T.O. U.S.A.

UPCOMING ELECTORAL COLLEGE MEETINGS

Winter 2011 EV meeting will be held online on Sunday, January 8th, 2011 EV. Spring 2012 EV. meeting will be hosted by Vortex Oasis (Tacoma Washington) on April 14th, 2012 EV. The deadline for submission of items to be considered (for the Winter 2011 meeting) is December 15th, 2011 EV. Please mail submissions to the Secretary of the Electoral College. See page 19 for contact information.

LEGAL GUILD
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Attorneys from Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States are in the process of petitioning the Areopagus to form a Legal Guild. Interested parties are encouraged to contact Frater Kikhos ba-Midhbar at scarletveil93@yahoo.com. Please put Legal Guild Formation in the subject line, and include the following information in your message:

ATTENDING ELECTORAL COLLEGE MEETINGS

Dues-current members in good standing of V and above are welcome to attend and observe the in-person Electoral College Meetings. We request that those planning to attend contact the master of the hosting body so that adequate arrangements can be made.

ELECTORAL COLLEGE WEBSITE

The official Electoral College website can be found at: ec.oto-usa.org.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Area of practice; Jurisdiction; Years of practice; Local body affiliation; and Current degree within the Order. Love is the law, love under will.

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LODGE SPACE
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
At the Fall 2011 EV meeting, the Electoral College approved the following clarification of the meaning of Lodge Space: A Lodge must have regular and consistent access to one of the following for conducting its activities: 1. A commercial space, including: Temple facility suitable for degree work through Fourth & P.I. and E.G.C. rites Room appropriate for repose Food Preparation Facilities Restroom(s) Note: The temple facility and room appropriate for repose must be dedicated to use by the Lodge, although the Lodge may sublet use of the space to other appropriate organizations as scheduling permits. The food preparation facilities and restroom(s) should ideally be dedicated to Lodge use as well, but it is permissible for the Lodge to use food preparation facilities and restroom(s) that are shared by other commercial entities if the Lodge facility is part of a commercial complex. The food preparation facilities and restroom facilities should be adequate to serve the routine needs of the body. 2. A self-contained house, residential building, or residential complex dedicated to Lodge activities, including: Temple Space suitable for degree work through Fourth & P.I. and also the performance of the rites of Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica Room appropriate for repose Food preparation facilities Restroom(s) Note: The house or residential building must be physically separate from any private residence, and must have its own separate and legally recognized address. The food preparation facilities and restroom facilities should be adequate to serve the routine needs of the body. 3. Some other space, not as described above, with the prior approval of the Electoral College. Lodge space must be under the control of the Lodge, or U.S. Grand Lodge, and must also be one of the following: Leased or rented by the Lodge or O.T.O.-U.S.A. on a monthly basis or longer. owned by O.T.O.-U.S.A. or a subsidiary corporation. Please note that local bodies are not authorized to lease or rent space in the name of O.T.O or O.T.O.-U.S.A. without prior approval from the Grand Treasurer General; local bodies are encouraged to rent space in the name of the local body. Note also that space may be leased in the name of the master or other member of the V or higher, though reasonable exceptions as to the guarantor of the lease due to logistics are acceptable. The ultimate goal in such cases is to lease space in the name of the local body. The Electoral College should be contacted with any questions. By-the-day rentals and other arrangements, though not preferred, may be considered by the College as fulfilling the requirement for Lodge status in exceptional cases. The prior approval of the College will be required in all such cases before an application for Lodge status will be considered. One or more caretakers and/or guests may reside at the Lodge facility, but no such caretaker shall be the owner, leaseholder, or principal signatory of the rental agreement for the facility, unless the owner of the facility is O.T.O.-U.S.A. or a subsidiary corporation. All caretakers, and any guests, shall be required to conform at all times, while present at the Lodge space, to all rules and regulations of O.T.O.-U.S.A. regarding permissible activities at official O.T.O. events. If a local body officer has questions about whether an existing or potential space meets these criteria, we encourage them to contact the Electoral College directly. This policy will be in effect at the commencement of the second meeting after this motion has passed. Any questions regarding this policy clarification should be addressed to the Electoral College Secretary per the contact information on page 19.

Love is the law, love under will.

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MANIFEST THY GLORY

A

NOTOCON VIII SCRAPBOOK

Reflections by Attending Brothers and Sisters from around the United States and Beyond
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Events, conversations and synchronicities continue to creep up and remind me of many bittersweet moments from this past weekend. I am entirely convinced that there should be a warning disclaimer. Notocon like any other initiation will shake the foundations of what you knew to be true. As was so aptly said TO MUCH NUMINOUS! Nouns like snakeheads, The Tower Trump, and the number 602 all have very different meanings now. I was even able to come to the realization that Buddhists have an inability to vacuum stairs. I discovered that scotch tastes like death and circumambulation solves. Trumping all this is the discovery of what philosophy really means. That which I least expected to find is now continuously ablaze. Thank you so very much. For the conversations (they seem so short now), the classes and the wonderful hospitality I want to send out my sincere gratitude. It was an awesome weekend, but you all already knew that. The lowly Minerval from the west side of the mitten ence, having previously attended two years earlier in Seattle. Like ECEPTION its predecessor, it exceeded expectations. There is an innate joy to found fraternizing with likeminded, strong-willed individuals that cant necessarily be put into words, but can be expressed somewhat akin to coming home. The value of the chance to share conversation, ideas, and experiences with others in the Order is incommensurate. From listening to brilliant ideas in interpreting Liber Trigrammaton to sipping wonderful coffee while hearing other members recite poetry, from seeing the inner workings of U.S.G.L.s governing system, its policy and procedures and the members of the governing bodies bodies, to the wonderful feasts and entertainments lavished upon us, from wandering the halls of Detroits Masonic Temple, to even something as simple to guarding a brother from a possible ill choice of Budweiser Wheat. And, of course, its always When attendees registered they were greeted by great to see Lon. our Prophet himself, in two-dimensional form. I strongly urge anyone who Apparently the flattening process makes you hasnt attended a national confertaller as well. ence to do so. Aside from the lectures, the sense of community and Out here in the wilderness, things are different. Theres a just downright fun is invaluable. In addition to reconnecting sense of lawlessness and recklessness, as people seem to do with members of Sekhet-Maat Lodge in Portland, Oregon, the as they will as opposed to Do what thou wilt, that it doesnt Lodge Master of AMeTh Lodge in London, England, and a matter what you do so long as you dont get caught. When I host of other familiar and friendly faces, I had the pleasure of come to an event like NOTOCON, its like coming in out of meeting and conversation with even the Editor of this publicathe cold and basking in the light and warmth of civilization. tion, allowing for the sharing of further ideas and information NOTOCON VIII in Detroit, Michigan was my second that will undoubtedly prove invaluable as our little wilderness experience coming to U.S. Grand Lodges National ConferContinued on next page e

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up here continues to grow. I can only hope for the chance to give back in what Ive received in the experience. I thank Sabazius, the members of Blue Equinox Oasis, the lecturers, and the brethren of U.S.G.L.; friends both new and old, for upholding the principles of our Order, for showing a weary traveller hospitality, and for spreading the Law of light, life, love, and liberty. Frater o.d. Star of I.S.I.S. Lodge Burnaby, British Columbia Canada

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the ceiling arches to see what wisdom they had left behind. The next few days I joined my friends in big rooms were we would talk about things that havent been talked about openly for many, many years; things that people have long forgotten. Sometimes I would listen to a person talk about something that most people dont even know exists. Daddy ate all kinds of wonderful food. I dressed up in my best clothes and watched performers play with fire and dance on the Moon. I listened to a funny, skinny guy talk about life and love (and I told him about you). On the last day we gathered together in a great room and united as one through words and movements. It was a secret way that allowed us to all show our love for one another without touching or talking. I was sad to say goodbye to all of my friends, but I knew that we would see one another again, and besides I had to drive home to you. Of course, as anyone who has raised a two-year-old already knows, she had wandered off about half way through my speech and was playing with her tea set. But, she was happy that I had come back. And I was happy that I had gone, if only to come back. Just as I had said goodbye to all of my brothers and sisters before leaving the Dearborn Regency, I knew that we had to go out into the world to reunite more joyfully: For I am divided for loves sake, for the chance of union. Terry Murdock Continued on page 10 e

KACZYNSKI PLAYS KLEIN

During his presentation, The Forgotten Founder: Henry Klein and the Early History of O.T.O., Dr. Richard Kaczynski performed some of Brother Kleins music, such as The Electricity Waltz and The British Colonial Polka. This was almost certainly the first time any of our founding Grand Registrar Generals compositions have been heard in public in more than a century. Dr. Kaczynski hopes to include a music CD in his forthcoming book on Klein and the origins of O.T.O. My Daughter just turned two years old. Being a single dad who works from home, we do not usually spend much time apart. This years NOTOCON marked the longest trip I have taken without her. When I returned home, she kept repeating the same question over and over again: Where did Daddy go? So, with my mind still reeling from the weekend, I did my best to explain NOTOCON to a two-year-old: Daddy went to a city far away and stayed in an enormous and shiny house with hundreds and hundreds of old and new friends. The first day I went to a great temple where generations of wise men would meet. And I looked around in the corners and about

VEND WHAT THOU WILT

David Melton mans the Ouarda Chapter table in the vendors room. Various bodies and individuals offered t-shirts, jewelry, books (new or used) and pretty much anything in between.

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ART SHOW
It wouldnt be NOTOCON without an exhibition of artwork by initiates. On this page we see a small sample of the works offered by (in no particular order) Henry Anderson, Hippy Dave, Joseph Thiebes, Snakedaddy and other members of U.S. Grand Lodge.

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Anyone who knows me knows that I love NOTOCON. Since before attending my first one2001 EV in Long Beach, CaliforniaI have wanted to be a part of it. I have attended every NOTOCON since, and in 2007 EV I brought it to Salem, Massachusetts, where my home body, Knights Templar Oasis, is based. NOTOCON was loverly. So, here we are, 2011 E.V., and August found us in Dearborn, Michigan, hosted by Blue Equinox Oasis and the talented Soror Shivani. NOTOCON was finally held in a place with a real historical O.T.O. connection and the opening remarks by Brother Richard Kaczynski, Crowley biographer and former Detroit denizen, giving us a look back at these

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times was priceless. Manifest Thy Glory the program said, and once again our brethren rose to the occasion. Being but a few moments ago, it is still fresh in my mind. There was love and joy and beauty and work and classes and wine and reunions and work. From the moment I arrived, I pinballed from one meeting to the next, gave a talk on Crowley and the sexual freedom movement, with its own historical context, a Camp-in-Formation Organizer discussion here, a Bishop recruited there, Convocation planning in between, and as if it could be possible, was more alive and in love with everyone than before. NOTOCON was inspiring. This love and devotion does not take place in a sanctuary

DETROIT MASONIC TEMPLE TOUR

On Thursday many NOTOCON attendees joined a special tour of Detroits Masonic Temple, the largest in the world. This magnificent building houses two Lodges, the Scottish Rite Temple and many other grand spaces in its 1,000 rooms. [Thanks to the Detroit Masonic Temple for allowing Agap to reproduce these photos.]

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discussions and some of the finest wines and ports I have ever tasted, and the Gnostic Mass, enjoyed by all those remaining on Sunday, we come together as a group and participate in the communication of our mysteries. NOTOCON was joyful. If I had been a better note-taker at past NOTOCON Gnostic Masses, I could tell you more about the differences in each one, but I do remember a few: 2003 EV in Portland, Oregon, our Priest went to stand in front of the tomb during communication and I heard singing in the celebration of the Mass for the first time. 2005 EV in Reston, Virginia, they used our Mass equipment and I had the honor to attend practice, after helping to set things up. 2007 EV in Salem, Massachusetts, the Deacon intoned the names of each Collect and ingeniously stacked many hotel chairs to make an impromptu stepstool when he needed to adjust the veil structure mid-ritual. 2009 EV in Seattle, Washington, I sang in the chorus, and in Detroit this year we mixed our equipment with theirs for a stunning synergy. The choral director outdid herself and I wished I had had time to participate so that I may be directed by our sister and her talent. NOTOCON was uplifting. Now, I count the days (649 as I am completing this writing) to NOTOCON IX in Sacramento, California, hosted by Sister Anna and 418 Lodge. I look forward our next phase in planning, and to every opportunity I have to see any and all of you before then. NOTOCON was all that and more. Sister Beth Kimbell

THE ENOCHIAN EVOCATION OF DAVID R. JONES

Brother Jones of Coph-Nia Lodge poses beside his Holy Table, which has been specially built to the specification in John Dees magical diaries. The Enochian letters around the edge are set on movable tiles to accommodate differing versions of the Table in the original manuscripts. Dr. Jones presentation, The Ritual of the Clothes of Passage, was a scrupulous reconstruction of Angelic Magick as Dee and Kelly would have performed it. between planes or a deserted island in the middle of a blue sea, it takes place in our minds and hearts and souls as we manifest ourselves on this impoverished plane. We take our Light into the world at large, shining where there is need, and that my sisters and brothers, is everywhere, all around us, at all times, as recent events and Frater Sabzaiuss address [see page 3Ed.] reminds us. NOTOCON was exhausting. Never have I attended a NOTOCON where I am not uplifted, invigorated, revitalized, and at least a little bit more in love with my sisters and brothers. We all have different reasons for attending: the workshops, the work, the weekend away with free men and women, the transcendent beauty of the Gnostic Mass as performed by our Primate and his magnificent Priestess, the renewal of fraternal bonds, the reminder of why we work so hard, and yes, the parties. I come for it all. If I have slept more than 16 hours over the entire weekend, I have missed too much! There is too much life and joy to be shared in for sleeping, too many good friends I dont see enough of, too many excellent events to choose from I did not even discuss two of my favorites: the wine tasting held by the Twin Stars every year, replete with magical and alchemical

Love is the law, love under will.

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VOL. XII No. 3

PUBLICATIONS OF NOTOCONS PAST

If who were unable to grab a copy at its NOTOCON launch last month, Unity Uttermost Showed! is now available from Amazon.com and CreateSpace.com.

IAO
by Soror ArXe

UNITY UTTERMOST SHOWED! PROCEEDINGS OF THE SEVENTH BIENNIAL NATIONAL ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS CONFERENCE: SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, AUGUST 7-9, 2009 EV
United States Grand Lodge, O.T.O., 2011 EV

Unity Uttermost Showed! offers a selection of papers from the seventh biennial National Ordo Templi Orientis Conference (NOTOCON) of the United States Grand Lodge of O.T.O., held in the Valley of Seattle, Washington, in 2009 EV. The papers cover diverse topics including Enochian magick, sacrifice in Aztec mythology, the sacred geometry of an astral cathedral, producing ritual theater, personal responsibility in Magick, promulgation of the Law of Thelema, textual analysis of The Book of the Law, and more. Other highlights include the original ritual, the Feast of Babalon, and the address given by U.S. National Grand Master Sabazius.

Part of him she found in the shed under the flowerpot gray flesh, a ripened thigh bone trapped between the fertilizer and the garden hoe. She placed it into the bag with the other pieces the eyes that rotate every which way, wriggling toes, clattering fingers impatiently drumming as if it were her fault he had been broken this way. Others she found in the canals one hand twitching in the bed of a confounded Nile crocodile holding its distance by snapping ragged fingers once sculpted by the nights new air. The torso was the worst: it had not come apart clean. Flesh was found in a field, this piece under a branch, another shred hanging upon on a fence post one in a crows nest, scorching in the sun. The shoulder made a lions feast, only a socket and a dry bone were found: Nevertheless there was enough. His Ka she kept in small blue jar by her window so it could feel the sun. Sometimes she would talk to it tapping the glass with her finger, speaking as she could not speak before She murmurs: a la la- ah ah hhhhhear the w-ay the widow- fractures the w-ords and w-atches the gray outside love isss- naught until broken

BEAUTY AND STRENGTH: PROCEEDINGS OF THE SIXTH BIENNIAL NATIONAL ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS CONFERENCE: SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, AUGUST 10-12, 2007 EV
United States Grand Lodge, O.T.O., 2009 EV

STILL AVAILABLE:

Includes addresses and articles by Sabazius X, Richard Kaczynski, Lon Milo DuQuette, James and Nancy Wasserman, Dionysius Rogers, Frater Hrumachis, and many Others of equal Merit, if less Fame.

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After he was gathered then was the gravity of her loss was made clear There was so little left to live weave them, take them: Speak them deep and low into that beginning: the sea to which the waters go:

VOL. XII No. 3

These are the fears of a woman Those things of which she will not speak: eternity ascension despair Form made flesh and flesh was formedgray knotting of the earth and sound. Linen paths grew like vines, the maggots rusted in the ground a beating heart grew of bees and dung, and all around the dust was hung like a curtain or a shroud. And on the Eye of the Northern Wind sang words sweet, sang words wise. Held them steady, murmured deep, rocked the corpse on hopeful thighs. And then subtle as the watered hills began the dead mans cries. And high above the dogs eye winked at the deserts funeary lies And they beheld him: the august dead. In her visions she is shewn the universal mind: Shethe bluest candle entombed in alabaster, weeping as if the dead will never rise.

The bees were let cluster in his cavities while the crows were shushed away. She waited for the dog til its white eye was flashing and all about was creeping water: then it became the time: to wrap them bind them; Tying each to itself, reassembling love in its most vacant form.

Bind them, wrap them, each to each, marry them in thyme. Bind them, wrap them, in fenugreek, in linen soaked in wine. Bind them, wrap them, breathe on them in love. Bind them, mend them, crush them, bake them, wind them, spin them

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VOL. XII No. 3

BOOKS FOR THELEMIC CHILDREN

Compiled and Introduced by Anna Tsu Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Education is assisting a soul to express itself. Crowley, On the Education of Children Thelemic parents, like their counterparts outside Thelema, desire to give their children the best environment and education possible. In keeping with the respect Thelema holds for each individual Will, most Thelemites do not forcefully indoctrinate their children into their beliefs. Many, however, recognize the importance of at least exposing their progeny to aspects of Thelema, in order to give their children the opportunity for informed choice, in order to share something of what they deeply love with their daughters and sons, and in order to counterbalance (to some degree) the relentless indoctrination into superstition and consumer culture that our children are subjected to via mainstream society and the mass media. One way that we can expose our children to Thelemic ideas is via the world of books. The following list of books and related suggestions arose from a discussion on the O.T.O. Temple-Builders elist (open to members of third degree and up). Approximately sixteen initiates contributed to this discussion. Very few of these books are explicitly Thelemic: some were suggested because an initiate remembered they had been important in his or her own development as a child, others were suggested because an initiates children loved them. Some deal with magical or mythological themes, and others demonstrate character traits that Thelemites consider important, such as moral and physical courage, independence, discipline, perseverance, creativity, service, dignity, and being true to oneself, ones friends, and ones beliefs. Disclaimers: As you should know by now, Thelemites are of widely varying opinions! The fact that a brother or sister recommended one of these books is no guarantee that you will consider it an appropriate book for your child. I strongly recommend that you at least skim any book or read some reviews online before giving it to your child (or, even more effectively, at some ages, hiding it somewhere where the child will discover the forbidden item on his/her own!). Neither I, nor any of the other sixteen contributors, have read all of these books. I have attempted to place them into rough categories by age, but in some cases this is based on only superficial knowledge of the text. Of course childrens (and adults) reading abilities vary widely, not always with their chronological age. Adjust as is proper for your child. Lastly, this is by no means a comprehensive list. There are doubtless hundreds of other excellent books not yet included on this list: consider this a first draft. There is no reason why we cant expand and update this list at points in the future. The following general suggestions were suggested by several of our contributors: 1. Libraries! Many initiates stressed the importance of their local public library to their personal growth and education. If a child is allowed to wander freely in a library for several hours, he/she will have an opportunity to discover areas of interest that they didnt even know they had. Perhaps they will become fascinated by some area of knowledge that neither you nor they had foreseen. And the free exploration of the child through the library is an expression and exercise of their emerging True Will. Try to watch the child (if necessary) from some distance, allowing them more freedom to explore without watching for your approval or lack thereof. A physical encyclopedia of several volumes, in your home. Preferably one oriented toward children, such as the old Childcraft Encyclopedia. This again allows your child to discover interests previously unknown. The various online search engines and encyclopedias show you what you are looking for. They have less ability to expose you to what you are not looking for. Read to your children! Share the beauty and wonder of the printed word with them, at bedtime or otherwise, before they can read, and also after they can read. This also strengthens their capacity for imagination (and later, visualization), as they themselves supply the images that flesh out the story. My dad reading to me at bedtime is still one of my fondest memories Limit their access to electronic media. They will never get bored enough to open the last volume of the encyclopedia (and perhaps discover a true interest) if they are plugged into electronic entertainment all day. Occasional boredom is a spur to growth and change, and can be a positive good.

2.

3.

4.

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Recommended by most contributors, for all ages: Mythology of all times and peoples: Greek myths, Roman myths, Norse myths, Native American myths, Gaelic myths, Japanese myths, African myths, etc. Also folktales and legends from around the world: the Arabian Nights, Grimms fairy tales, etc. Good for everyone from toddlers up through adults. Also recommended, by Crowley, for readers of all ages: Shakespeare and the King James Bible. In a letter Crowley sent to his ten-year old son, Aleister Ataturk, he recommends memorizing Shakespeare and the Old Testament... [esp] Job, Psalms and Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. (This letter is reproduced in full in Richard Kaczynskis new Perdurabo, p 545.) Crowley remarks that these pieces are exemplary of English style, and that developing an effective writing style is of paramount importance. He goes on to encourage the study of grammar, syntax, and logic as being critical to proper expression in communication, and implies that these pieces help cultivate the same. Ages 3-7: The Cat In the Hat and others by Dr. Seuss DAulaires Book of Greek Myths by Ingri & Edgar DAulaire DAulaires Book of Norse Myths by Ingri & Edgar DAulaire The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Anderson Fairy Tales/Household Tales by the Brothers Grimm When the Sun Rose by Barbara Helen Berger Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak Note: The myths and fairy tales listed are good for all ages. Biographies of men and women we admire (there are childrens versions of these in the kid section of your library.) Take your pick of revolutionaries, activists, poets, scientists, artists, etc. Any of a selection of Pagan books for children, with adjustments for Thelemic families. Alices Adventures in Wonderland and others by Lewis Carroll The Box of Delights by John Masefield The Dark Is Rising and others by Susan Cooper The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatly Snyder. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basel E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman The Green Knowe series by L.M. Boston The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien The House With a Clock in its Walls and others by John Bellairs James and the Giant Peach and others by Roald Dahl The Lightning Thief and others by Rick Riordan Moominland Midwinter and others by Tove Jansson

VOL. XII No. 3 The Book List

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of N.I.M.H. by Robert OBrien Myths, Shakespeare, and the King James Bible, as referenced above. Our Wonder World, an encyclopedia published by Geo L. Shuman & Co Pagoo and others by Holling Clancy Holling The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster The Neverending Story by Michael Ende The Various and others by Steve Augarde The Wizard of Oz and others by L. Frank Baum A Wrinkle in Time and others by Madeleine lEngle Note; From here on up, people of any age over the minimum may enjoy and benefit from these books. Ages 13-17 and on up through adults: Biographies, Myths, and other general recommendations as above. Amador by Fernando Savater Andromeda Klein by Frank Portman Below the Root and others by Zilpha Keatly Snyder The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever by Stephen Donaldson D is for Demon by Michelle Belanger A Dark Travelling by Roger Zelazny The Golden Compass and others by Philip Pullman The Initiate and others by Louise Cooper The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein The Mad Scientists Club series by Bertrand R. Brinley The Master of Five Magics by Lyndon Hardy Another Fine Myth and others by Robert Asprin Tortall and Other Lands by Tamora Pierce Sabriel and others by Garth Nix The Wake World by Aleister Crowley Wise Child and others by Monica Furlong A Wizard of Earthsea and others by Ursula K. LeGuin

Ages 8 and up:

Please consider supporting your local independent bookstore when purchasing. Particularly if you are fortunate enough to have a local independent bookstore with a good occult section (such as Magus Books, Fields Books, Powells City of Books, Beers Books, etc). Contributors to this article: John Griogair Bell, Craig Berry, Robert Bruce Crow III (especially the portion regarding Shakespeare and the Bible,) Kristin Frasier, Anita Kraft, Steven Ryan, Joseph Thiebes, Frater Evmaios, and others who prefer to remain anonymous.

Love is the law, love under will.

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VOL. XII No. 3

A JET-FUELED CIRCUS
by Frater MSNV Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Along with screeching cicadas and scorching heat, midsummer brings another Fringe Festival celebration to Kansas City, and this year was no different. There was the usual fair: one-act plays, varieties of dance from belly to burlesque, musical performances, and varying degrees of performance art. A rare gem surfaced among the one-acts this yearJet Propulsion: A Vaudeville On The Life Of Jack Parsons, The Inventor Of Rocket Fuel, by Pete Bakely. Mr. Bakely is a playwright and actor in the Kansas City theatre scene, and has no affiliation or association with Ordo Templi Orientis whatsoever. The play focuses mainly upon four characters: Jack Parsons, L. Ron Hubbard, Marjorie Cameron, and Aleister Crowley. The writer readily admits he has taken a few generous liberties with history (for example, Parsons and Crowley never met face-to-face). These liberties help propel the play forward and reflect rather positively upon Jacks involvement in Magick, Thelema, and O.T.O. Fairly early in the piece, Jack admonishes L. Ron not to mock his Order experience, saying, They were the first people who really made me feel like I belonged. We also get a few other cameo appearances, including Jane Wolfe and Wilfred T. Smith, who appears as a ventriloquists dummy. The portrayal of Crowley is somewhat fresh; there is none of the sensationalist media representation, but rather of a man who believes he exerts greater influence over people than he actually does (hence the portrayal of Smith as a puppet) and as someone who is always looking for money. To me, he comes off rather Oscar Wilde-ish in his mannerisms, and provides more comic relief than playing a central role. For much of the play, Jack is obsessively working on scientific formulae with L. Ron driving the action in full circus ringmaster attire, top hat and tails included. Hubbard would sing a few lines about Jacks achievements and exploits, and Jack chimes in every few lines with commentary or correction. They go into some of the details of the famed Babalon Working, and chart Camerons arrival, departure, and return. The play also charts Jacks rise and fall in the scientific community and covers his last-ditch efforts to regain his reputation there. His fervor and zeal in trying to manifest and accomplish his will are demonstrated in great detail, including most spirited performances of Crowleys Hymn to Pan and Parsons own I Hight Don Quixote. All of this is really beside the point. What makes this play important are some of the punches it makes against popular history. It asks why Parsons is practically overlooked while a two-bit hack sci-fi writer was able to create a popular religion that appeals to so many and repulses so many more, even accusing Hubbard of stealing O.T.O. secrets to start Scientology. It asks why Brother Jack isnt better remembered by the scientific community, memorialized only by a crater on the far side of the moon that can never be viewed by the terrestrially-bound. At many moments, the sister with whom I saw the show and I laughed at gags the rest of the audience missed, and the show drops enough inside jokes to beg the question of whether Mister Bakely understands us more than he lets on. His treatment of the story is sensitive enough that it brought tears to my eyes a few times as well. My criticisms of the performance are rather inconsequential, and Bakely has indicated plans to do some minor changes and additions here and there; he was still writing it a few weeks before production. Is it coming soon to your town? Perhaps,, but only if youre willing to acquire performance rights to do so. Bakely has published a draft on his plawright blog, and you can read Jet Propulsion yourself here: peteplaywright.blogspot.com/2011/ 09/jet-propulsion-draft.html.

Love is the law, love under will.

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VOL. XII No. 3

LOCAL BODY REPORT: TAHUTI LODGE

by Sister Katherine Palakovich Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
In the city that never sleeps, Tahuti Lodge in the Valley of New York City has been up all night with the light from Lady Libertys torch shining on a myriad of events. Between our publication, visiting guest lecturers, ongoing classes, Gnostic Masses and initiations, our brethren and guests have been exposed to an exhilarating celebration of Thelemic ideas and culture. We recently released the fourth issue of our lodges journal The Scroll of Thoth: The Magical Review of Tahuti Lodge, thanks to Brother Mark Reynolds tireless editorial efforts. One example of the featured content in our journal is the first of a two-part interview with Alan Moore, known for his occult-themed graphic novels Promethea, From Hell, and V for Vendetta. To purchase copies or for more information, please visit our website at tahutilodge.org/ TheScrollofThoth.php. Tahuti Lodge has been bringing Thelemic studies and culture to the Valley of New York City for over three decades, offering a wide range of lectures from some of the foremost experts on modern day Thelema. We proudly hosted Deputy Grand Master Lon Milo DuQuette for a series of events, including presentations on his Tarot of Ceremonial Magick, a Goetic magick workshop, and Brother Lons renowned Monday Night Magick Class. In a recent visit, Brother Richard Kaczynski offered an informative presentation based on the newly-revised and updated edition of his Aleister Crowley biography Perdurabo, together with Soror Hypatias riveting class on ritual construction. Brother Vere Chappell introduced a new appreciation for the inspired work of Ida Craddock to an engaged audience along with a titillating class on sex magick. The learned Frater R.C. Stein (EAOA/77) instructed our brethren and members on the finer points of Aleister Crowleys Liber V vel Reguli and also provided a lecture on the subject of orientation in ritual. We even had a visitor from across the pond: musician and author Brother Rodney Orpheus, who led us in the Mithras Liturgy and presented an in-depth analysis of Crowleys Liber Stell Rube. In addition to hosting special events by guest speakers, we offer frequent classes and lectures for our local membership and the public, including several ongoing series which have had extended and well-attended runssome for well over a year since their inception! These include our Tarot workshops and monthly Tarot study group, biographical lectures on the saints in our Gnostic Mass, a series of full moon rituals, movie nights featuring videos of Tahuti Lodges past performances of Crowleys Rites of EleusisThe Rites of Mercury (June 1998 EV) and Sol (May 1993 EV), our monthly Magick in Theory and Practice study group and Thelemic Middle Pillar rituals. Weve also successfully hosted our first live silent auction, raising over $1,000 through the efforts of our Fundraising Committee, headed by Soror Magdalene, for our Lodge improvement fund. Tahuti Lodge celebrates the Gnostic Mass approximately three times a month and weve also had the pleasure of visiting Mass teams from around the country celebrating the Mass in our sacred temple. Further, we continue to offer initiations into both Man of Earth and Lover Triads and ritual celebrations of our Thelemic calendar. Since receiving our charter from Grady McMurtry in June 1979 EV, Tahuti Lodge, O.T.O. continues in our commitment to the promotion and promulgation of the Law of Thelema in New York City and beyond.

Love is the law, love under will.

MAN OF EARTH DELEGATES

Liber CXCIV: An Intimation with Reference to the Constitution of the Order states, In order that the feelings of the general body may be represented, the Men of Earth choose four persons, two men and two women, from among themselves, to stand continually before the face of the Supreme and Holy King, serving him day and night. The Man of Earth delegates are therefore pledged to give representation to the general feelings of the Man of Earth Triad. The current Man of Earth delegates are: Soror Sandy Bowie Soror Erin Walsh Frater IAO131 Frater Kian Seadhna NGUF We thank all of the past Man of Earth delegates for their service. You may contact the current delegates at MoE.Delegates@gmail.com as you will. More information on the current delegates will soon be available at admin.oto-usa.org/man-of-earthdelegates. We will let you know once it is online)

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VOL. XII No. 3

PUBLICATION ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON: FROM ANCIENT ISRAEL TO SECRET SOCIETIES SEXUAL OUTLAW, EROTIC MYSTIC: THE ESSENTIAL IDA CRADDOCK
by Vere Chappell Weiser, 2010 EV

by James Wasserman

Richly illustrated, this book explores the Temple of Solomon in the Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament, and the Apocrypha, as well as its role in the rites of Freemasonry, the legends of the Knights Templar, the doctrines of the Kabbalah, and Muhammads visionary journey through the heavens. This book explains why the Temple was built, what its destruction has meant for Jews and Christians alike, and why the Knights Templar as well as several modern secret societies have centered their teachings around this vibrant archetype.

Inner Traditions International, 2011 EV

Persecuted by Anthony Comstock and his Society for the Suppression of Vice, Ida Craddock (18571902) was a turn-of-thecentury sex educator and spiritualist. She taught the importance of viewing sex as a sacred act. Most of her personal experience came from her own marriage to an angel named Soph and her essay Heavenly Bridegrooms was declared essential reading by Aleister Crowley. Convicted under New Yorks anti-obscenity laws, she committed suicide rather than face life in an asylum. This book compiles an extensive collection of Craddocks works, including original essays, diary excerpts, and her final letter to her public.

PHYLLIS SECKLER (SOROR MERAL): THE THOTH TAROT, ASTROLOGY, & OTHER SELECTED WRITINGS VOLUME XII, NUMBER 4 SUBMISSION DEADLINE: A IN j B IN a Dies A Anno IV:VXIV (Sunday, January 1st, 2012 EV)
We want: news and articles, original rituals and artwork, reviews of all kinds, local body reports, local body publication reports, publication announcements, and anything else pertinent to Thelema, Ordo Templi Orientis and the activities of our members. Please Remember that Agap is available to the general public. Submissions should not include oathbound material. See our submission guidelines at www.otousa.org/agape.html. Contact agape@oto-usa.org for more information. Edited and introduced by Dr. David Shoemaker, Gregory Peters, & Rorac Johnson

Phyllis Seckler (1917-2004 EV) was one of the most important and influential Thelemites of the post-Crowley era. An initiate of Ordo Templi Orientis since 1939, and an A.A. student of Jane Wolfe, Seckler was an indispensable factor in the resurgence of the O.T.O. and the shaping of modern Thelema as we know it. This landmark publication collects two of her most important essays on the Thoth Tarot, depth psychology, and astrology originally serialized in her journal In the Continuum. In addition, this book presents important and previously unpublished correspondence between Seckler, Aleister Crowley, Karl Germer, and Jane Wolfe. The final section of the book presents her last major interview, where she discusses her early years at the old Agape Lodge in Los Angeles, her views on the current state of Thelema, and much more.

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VOL. XII No. 3

MYSTERIA MYSTICA MAXIMA

ECCLESIA GNOSTICA CATHOLICA

UNITED STATES GRAND LODGE OFFICERS DIRECTORY

U.S. NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: Sabazius X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. DEPUTY NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: Lon Milo DuQuette P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND SECRETARY GENERAL: Fr. Hunapu PO Box 2313, Maple Grove, MN 55311 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND TREASURER GENERAL: Hank Hadeed 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. #444 Portland, OR 97214-5246 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury U.S. GRAND TRIBUNAL Fr. Harmateus, Secretary 3350 E. 7th St. #207, Long Beach, CA 90804 grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org U.S. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, U.S. SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL, U.S. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. ELECTORAL COLLEGE: Dann Buchanan, President P.O. Box 12653, Oklahoma City, OK 73157-2653 ec_president@oto-usa.org Deborah Woody: Secretary P.O. Box 5741, Glendale, CA 91221-5741 electoral_college@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. INITIATION SECRETARIES: Fr. Saturnus Baphomet and Sr. Naamah P.O. Box 48569, Minneapolis, MN 55448 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. SECRETARY: Sr. Hypatia P.O. Box 2578, Columbia, MD 21045 egc@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PARLIAMENTARIAN: Sr. Helena P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 parlamentarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. OMBUDSMAN: Michael Kolson 719 Highland Dr., Seattle, WA 98109 206-306-6487 ombudsman@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. QUARTERMASTER: Sr. Ishara quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. WEBMASTER: Craig Berry webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LIBRARIANS: Matthew T. Marfield and Sr. Sophia 3212 1/2 Honolulu Ave, La Crescenta, CA 91214 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ARCHIVIST: Fr. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S.G.L. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: Fr. Do volunteers@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LOCAL BODY PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY: Sr. Ananael Agape Lux PO Box 5, Ashburn, VA 20146 publications@oto-usa.org O.T.O. PRISON MINISTRY: Father Solomon, Coordinator PO Box 4215, Culver City, CA 90231 prison_ministry@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER: Fr. Lux ad Mundi O.T.O. U.S.A./Thelesis 1627 N. 2nd Street, Suite 220 Philadelphia, PA 19122 pio@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION: Fr. Julianus P.O. Box 4123, Pittsburgh, PA 15202 agape@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. EDUCATION COMMITTEE SECRETARY: Kayla Block education@oto-usa.org

WWW.OTO-USA.ORG
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VOL. XII No. 4

PROCEEDINGS OF NOTOCON
The Official Organ of the United States Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis
If who were unable to grab a copy at its NOTOCON launch in August, Unity Uttermost Showed! is now available from Amazon.com and CreateSpace.com.

CONTENTS
Proceedings of NOTOCON From the Grand Master: A Brief Examination of The Comment Man of Earth Delegates From the Electoral College The Altar, the Chalice, and the Wand Speech in the Silence Book Review Advanced Initiator Training Publication Announcements U.S. Grand Lodge Officers Directory Executive Editor: Sabazius X Editor: Frater Julianus Editorial Assitant: Terry Murdock Proofreading: Heather Lantz, Joseph Thiebes Production & Distribution: Soror Marlene Editorial Address: P.O. Box 4123 Pittsburgh, PA 15202 agape@oto-usa.org On the Cover: Temple of Alombrados Oasis, Valley of New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo by Brother Joshua Sharp (Also see pages 7, 9, and 10)
Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A., a California not-for-profit religious corporation with business offices at P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business offices at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at 24881 Alicia Parkway E-529, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductable to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download in PDF format at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/ agape.html Copyright 2012 EV Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

2 3 5 6 7 11 12 13 14 15

UNITY UTTERMOST SHOWED! PROCEEDINGS OF THE SEVENTH BIENNIAL NATIONAL ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS CONFERENCE: SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, AUGUST 7-9, 2009 EV
United States Grand Lodge, O.T.O., 2011 EV

Unity Uttermost Showed! offers a selection of papers from the seventh biennial National Ordo Templi Orientis Conference (NOTOCON) of the United States Grand Lodge of O.T.O., held in the Valley of Seattle, Washington, in 2009 EV. The papers cover diverse topics including Enochian magick, sacrifice in Aztec mythology, the sacred geometry of an astral cathedral, producing ritual theater, personal responsibility in Magick, promulgation of the Law of Thelema, textual analysis of The Book of the Law, and more. Other highlights include the original ritual, the Feast of Babalon, and the address given by U.S. National Grand Master Sabazius.

BEAUTY AND STRENGTH: PROCEEDINGS OF THE SIXTH BIENNIAL NATIONAL ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS CONFERENCE: SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, AUGUST 10-12, 2007 EV
United States Grand Lodge, O.T.O., 2009 EV

STILL AVAILABLE:

Includes addresses and articles by Sabazius X, Richard Kaczynski, Lon Milo DuQuette, James and Nancy Wasserman, Dionysius Rogers, Frater Hrumachis, and many Others of equal Merit, if less Fame.

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VOL. XII No. 4

FROM THE GRAND MASTER

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

A BRIEF EXAMINATION OF THE COMMENT

The short statement solved only by reproduced here was achieving the task. THE COMMENT received by Crowley in In [Tunis],2 in a November, 1925 EV in mood of blank deDo what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Tunis. It is occasionally spair about it all, out referred to as The Short came the Comment The study of this Book is forbidden. It is wise to destroy this Comment, The Tunis Easy, yes; inspired, copy after the first reading. Comment, The 1925 yes; it is, as printed, Comment. or The Class the exact wording Whosoever disregards this does so at his own risk and peril. A Comment. Crowley required. No further These are most dire. referred to it simply cavilling and quibas The Comment, as bling, and controThose who discuss the contents of this Book are to be shunned distinct from the Comversy and casuistry. by all, as centres of pestilence. mentaries. It is typically All heresiarchs are All questions of the Law are to be decided only by appeal to included at the end of all smelt in advance my writings, each for himself. printed editions of The for the rats they are; Book of the Law. they are seen brewThere is no law beyond Do what thou wilt. These days, The ing (their very vile Comment is sometimes small beer) in the air Love is the law, love under will. regarded as a bit of irony, (the realm of IntelThe priest of the princes, or an anachronism, or an lectSwords) and example of reverse psythey are accordingly chology, or even a joke. nipped in the bud. But Crowley took this All Parliamentary statement quite seriously, requirements thus even if not perfectly literfulfilled according to ally. the famous formula Crowley recounts his reception of The Comment in Chapof the Irish M.P., we can get on to your other quester 50 of Magick Without Tears (1939 EV). tions untroubled by doubt. As to Part IV [of Book 4], The Book of the Law section, the idea was that the volume should comply with the instructions given in AL III:39: All this and a book to say how thou didst come hither and a reproduction of this ink and paper for everfor in it is the word secret & not only in the Englishand thy comment upon this the Book of the Law shall be printed beautifully in red ink and black upon beautiful paper made by hand; and to each man and woman that thou meetest, were it but to dine or to drink at them, it is the Law to give. Then they shall chance to abide in this bliss or no; it is no odds. Do this quickly! I mistook Comment for Commentarya word-by-word exposition of every verse (and much of it I loathed with all my heart!) including the Qabalistic interpretation, a task obviously endless. What then about AL III:40? This problem was
1
1

One Textus Receptus, photographically guaranteed. One High Court of Interpretation, each for himself alone. No Patristic logomachies!3 No disputed readings! No civil wars and persecutions. Anyone who wants to say anything, off with his head, and On with the Dance; let Joy be unconfined, You at the prow and Therion at the helm! Off we go.

The famous formula of the Irish M.P. probably refers to the formula of boycotting an individual, first developed by Charles Stewart Parnell (1846-1891 EV), Member of Parliament, founder and leader of the Irish Parlimentary Party, and agitator for land reform. In a speech at Ennis on SeptemContinued on next page e
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AL III:40: But the work of the comment? That is easy; and Hadit burning in thy heart shall make swift and secure thy pen.

Paris appears in the text of MWT. Historical records indicate that the document was received in Tunis. Patristic refers to the fathers of the Christian Church, or their historical period. A logomachy is a dispute over words. Crowley was probably alluding to the sort of schismatic dispute typified by the Arian Controversy, q.v.

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ber 19, 1880 When a man takes a farm from which another had been evicted you must shun him on the roadside when you meet him, you must shun him in the streets of the town, you must shun him in the shop, you must shun him in the fairgreen and in the marketplace, and even in the place of worship, by leaving him alone, by putting him in a moral Coventry, by isolating him from the rest of his country as if he were the leper of old, you must show your detestation of the crime he has committed.
EV,

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Parnell declared: I lay claim to be the sole authority competent to decide disputed points with regard to The Book of the Law, seeing as its author, Aiwaz, is none other than mine own Holy Guardian Angel, to whose knowledge and Conversation I have attained, so that I have exclusive access to him. I have duly referred every difficulty to him directly, and recieved his answer; my award is therefore absolute without appeal. As each of us is our own high court of interpretation on Liber AL itself, we are free to agree or disagree with Crowley; but we are, by the principles being discussed here, to remain mostly silent as to our own insights as they pertain to the Book itself. Beyond simply confirming Crowleys interpretive authority, and thus, as Crowley believed, safeguarding against schism, The Comment may also function symbolically in a role of more general application, relating to the Four Powers of the Sphinx, and especially the Fourth. In 1939 EV, Crowley recalled the experience of his reception of The Comment in such a light in Eight Lectures on Yoga (Yoga for Yellowbellies, Third Lecture): ...we must never forget that what operated the conversion of St. Paul was the Vision on the road to Damascus. It is particularly significant that he disappeared into the Desert of Arabia for three years before coming forward as the Apostle to the Gentiles. St. Paul was a learned Rabbi; he was the favourite pupil of the best expositor of the Hebrew Law, and in the single moment of his Vision all his arguments were shattered at a single stroke! We are not told that St. Paul said anything at the time, but went quietly on his journey. That is the great lesson: not to discuss the results. Those of you who possess a copy of The Equinox of the Gods may have been very much surprised at the extraordinary injunction in The Comment: the prohibition of all discussion of the Book. I myself did not fully understand that injunction; I do so now.

Parnell and his associates used this formula of social ostracism effectively against Captain Charles C. Boycott (a County Mayo land agent for an absentee landlord) during the Irish Land War of 1880 EV. This incident served as the origin of the verb to boycott. There is no doubt that Crowley was familiar with Parnell: he mentioned him by name and referred to him as Irelands greatest leader in Chapter 48 of the Confessions, and Parnells boycott appears to have served Crowley as an admirable example of the type of treatment Crowley envisioned for potential heresiarchs. Crowleys mood of blank despair preceding the reception of the Comment was likely a result of the failure of Charles Stansfeld Jones, a key participant in Crowleys plans for establishment of the Law of Thelema, followed by Crowleys break with a promising but relatively minor player, C.F. Russell, and finally by a major crisis precipitated by Crowleys close associate Norman Mudd. In all three cases, the common factor was an attempt to usurp Crowleys authority and set themselves up as competing authorities (heresiarchs) regarding the correct interpretation of The Book of the Law. Crowley was concerned that Russel would even commit murder in the name of The Book of the Law. It is evident that, in Crowleys mind, the reception of The Comment resolved these problems, neatly and permanently, by removing the environment within which such problems could develop and ferment. In 1926 EV, the year following the reception of The Comment, Crowley forcefully demonstrated to Karl Germer how serious he was about the injunctions of The Comment: Will you please attend to the Work, and leave all speculations about The Book of the Law out of it. Havent you read The Comment? You are simply heading for the same disaster that overtook Jones and Mudd; only it will be worse, because you had your eyes wide open. You idiot! You miserable driveling idiot!! Please understand once and for all that I will not tolerate any such nonsense. This is the last warning. Our relations simply come to an end at once unless you can be sensible.4

It is the official policy of Ordo Templi Orientis to observe the spirit of The Comment as explained by Crowley in Magick Without Tears, i.e., as functioning to forestall revisionism and unnecessary disputation with respect to The Book of the Law. We circulated a policy statement in 2000 EV that included the following language: O.T.O. has no policy forbidding study or [private] discussion of The Book of the Law. These matters are left, largely, to the personal judgment of the individual. However, O.T.O. does take the official position that every man and woman has the sacred right to interpret Liber AL for him or herself with the Master Therions various writings as guide and reference. Therefore, O.T.O. strongly recommends that any study of Liber AL be accompanied by a study of the Master Therions various writings on Liber AL.

Crowley justified his own position as sole interpretive authority for The Book of the Law in The Equinox of the Gods (1936 EV) as follows:
4

October 6th, 1926 EV, letter from A.C. to Germer.

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Further, it is O.T.O.s policy not to endorse attempts to supplant the Master Therions writings by the publication of alternative commentaries on Liber AL. This means that O.T.O. will not actively assist those who wish to publish such alternative commentaries, and will not sanction any implied O.T.O. endorsement of such commentaries by allowing them to be published under its aegis, such as in an official local body publication. This would include articles that are primarily intended to serve either as comprehensive alternative commentaries on Liber AL, or as attempts to promulgate novel interpretations of, or solutions to, various verses of Liber AL. It would not include articles that are clearly not intended to supersede the Master Therions writings, even if they include incidental expressions of personal opinion regarding Liber AL. Appropriate disclaimers may be needed in some cases to clarify intent. the following:

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Social gatherings should be held as often as is convenient, and there the Law should be read and explained.

As a practical matter, O.T.O. should be an oasis where individual Thelemites can enjoy spiritual fellowship without having to take sides and defend positions in theoretical disputes over how people should interpret our holy books. Each individual has the sacred right to develop his or her own personal relationship with The Book of the Law, and to keep the intimate details of this relationship private. Those who wisely exercise this right while working to extend the influence of the Law of Thelema deserve our respect and encouragement, as they are clearly working in harmony with the express will of the Master Therion. Liber CCC, Khabs am Pekht, published in The Blue Equinox in 1919 EVbefore the reception of The Commentstates

This remains an important function of O.T.O., and note that the word explained is used, not the word discussed. Even so, in order to comply with the spirit of The Comment, any explanation of the Law at such (O.T.O.) social gatherings would, of course, need to be limited to an appeal to Crowleys writings. There is nothing wrong with studying Crowleys evolving commentaries and writings dealing with Liber AL, such is encouraged by The Comment and was clearly the intent. But we know from experience that group discussion, especially in official contexts within a hierarchical organization, inevitably evokes the dynamic of intellectual leaders and followers, and subtle pressures to conform. O.T.O. is full of what might be considered operative paradoxes, and this is a significant one. We believe that by actively working to discourage the creation of social contexts in which individuals are expected to state their personal views on Liber AL and its meaning, we preserve their freedom. As for the boycotting or shunning of those who do engage in cavilling and quibbling, and controversy and casuistry over the language of Liber AL, we also leave that largely to the personal judgment of the individual. Id like to thank the following individuals for their invaluable help in assembling this article: Hymenaeus Beta, Dathan Biberstein, Kjetil Fjell, Angel Lorenz, Davy Patton, and Joseph Thiebes. Off we go!

Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, Sabazius

MAN OF EARTH DELEGATES

Liber CXCIV: An Intimation with Reference to the Constitution of the Order states, In order that the feelings of the general body may be represented, the Men of Earth choose four persons, two men and two women, from among themselves, to stand continually before the face of the Supreme and Holy King, serving him day and night. The Man of Earth delegates are therefore pledged to give representation to the general feelings of the Man of Earth Triad. The current Man of Earth delegates are: Soror Sandy Bowie, Soror Erin Walsh, Frater IAO131, and Frater Kian Seadhna NGUF We thank all of the past Man of Earth delegates for their service. You may contact the current delegates at MoE.Delegates@gmail.com as you will.

More information on the current delegates will soon be available at admin.oto-usa.org/man-of-earth-delegates. We will let you know once it is online)

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VOL. XII No. 4

FROM THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
The Electoral College, at its Winter Meeting, held on January 7th, 2012 EV, took the following actions concerning duties in its charge: Local Body Closures None. Change of Body Status

UPCOMING E.C. MEETINGS

Spring 2012 EV. meeting will be hosted by Vortex Oasis (Tacoma Washington) on April 14th, 2012 EV. The deadline for submission of items to be considered (for the Spring 2012 meeting) is March 15th, 2011 EV. Please mail submissions to the Secretary of the Electoral College. See page 15 for contact information.

Swirling Star Oasis was re-chartered as Swirling Star Lodge (Miami, Florida), with Frater ASiF as master, effective January 7th, 2012 EV. None. None.

ATTENDING E.C. MEETINGS

Dues-current members in good standing of V and above are welcome to attend and observe the in-person Electoral College Meetings. We request that those planning to attend contact the master of the hosting body so that adequate arrangements can be made.

Change of Body Masters New Local Body Charters The College wishes to express its appreciation to the past and present masters of each of these bodies. We wish each of them the best in their new offices and endeavors.

ELECTORAL COLLEGE WEBSITE

The official Electoral College website can be found at: ec.oto-usa.org.

FORMS
Bodymasters seeking up-to-date forms for the Annual Report, Change of Mastership Application, Application for Oasis Status, Application for Lodge Status, or closure forms, will find them by contacting the document control officer at doc_control@oto-usa.org.

NINTH DEGREE REVOLUTIONARY

Members in good standing of the Sovereign Sanctuary of the IX in the United States (who are not serving as an officer or voting member of any Governing or Administrative Body under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Grand Lodge) wishing to volunteer to stand for election to the office of Revolutionary by the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C. See page 15 for contact information.

COMMUNICATION WITH THE E.C.

I would like to invite any initiates with specific concerns or questions regarding the operation of the Electoral College, to write to either the President or Secretary of the E.C. For contact information, please see page 15. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to take effective measures bringing about better communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed. I believe that communication is of benefit to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All postal mail correspondence with the Electoral College Secretary should be sent to the address listed on page 15. Love is the law, love under will. In the Bonds of the Order, Dnn Bvchnn President, Electoral College O.T.O. U.S.A.

SANCTION FOR APPEAL

Brothers or Sisters of our Order who wish to pursue appeal of a verdict of the Grand Tribunal may write to individual members of the Electoral College to request sanction be given to take their case to the Areopagus of the Eighth Degree (per Liber CXCIV, section 16) via email links found at: ec.oto-usa.org/ECelectors.html.

HOSTING E.C. MEETINGS

Local bodies that are interested in hosting meetings of the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C. See page 15 for contact information.

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VOL. XII No. 4

THE ALTAR, THE CHALICE AND THE WAND

by Brother XEMJLMIA Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The Altar is the bosom of Isis, the eternal Mother; the Chalice is in effect the Cup of OUR LADY BABALON Herself; the Wand is that which Was and Is and Is To Come. The Master Therion, Magick in Theory and Practice Chap. X. The following essay considers the above quotation in light of its connection to the Gnostic Massthe furnishings, weapons and even the Creed itself being clearly alluded to. In the Gnostic Mass, the Priest, armed with the consecrated Wand or Lance, thrones the Priestess upon the Altar. The word thrones connects the Mother (h of Tetragrammaton, signifying HNIb) with the Queen who is represented as throned in the Court Cards of the Tarot. Moreover, this vertical action, from the Tomb to the High Altar, suggests an identity of the Mother with the Daughter, the mystic reading of the Hebrew letter Heh in full being, The Mother is the Daughter; and the Daughter is the Mother.777 Revised. The double Hehs of the four-fold word are further identified with the Sephiroth in The Vision and the Voice, 4th thyr: Malkuth shall be uplifted and set upon the throne of Binah. Additionally, An Essay upon Number asserts that I wish to be set upon the throne of Binah my supernal mother is the qabalistic equivalent of the Christian conception: I am a fallen creature. I wish to be redeemed. It is the weapon of Earth, the Pentacle (h final) or Paten borne by the Virgin in the Gnostic Mass, which activates this process of Redemption: With the Coin redeemeth He.Liber B vel Magi, verse 10. In the New on, this Earthy component is reinterpreted as active and elastic: rebounding, whirling forth, crying aloud!The Book of Thoth. The Cherubic beast of h final is the Bull (Taurus), the throne of the Hierophant in Atu V: All mythologies contain this Mystery of the Woman [Priestess] and the Beast [Priest] as the Heart of the Cult.1 According to Liber Aleph, the Bull is associated to the Will (), Karma Yoga, the Hierophant and the Phallus: And in the Rites of Mithras2 the Bull is slain, and his Blood poured upon the Initiate, to endow him with that Will and that Power to Work. Notably, both the Lord Meithras and the Lord Phallus are invoked, the latter being hailed as well, by the Priest in the Ceremony of the Opening of the Veil. Associated to the throne, the Altar is also the fixed Will of the Magician, as the Pantacle symbolizes his Karma. Again, this earthy element is not represented as static, but dynamicthe actual God worshipped (! in the North) has progressed from b, the laborious slain Bull of Mithras, to c, the Children Ra-Hoor-Khuit and Hoor-paar-kraat.3 Similarly, the elemental associations of Photo by Brother Joshua Sharp the East and North quarters (Air and Earth respectively) have reversed with the advent of the New on.4 According to Skeats Etymological Dictionary, the word throne is derived from the Greek word , a seat; lit. a support, and has a numeric value of 499, the same value that Crowley gives for , the movement; the motionThe Greek Qabalah. A support in turn connects the throne to Samekh, the fifteenth Hebrew letter, a prop or support, and the vertical Path leading from Yesod () to Tiphareth () on the Tree of Life. The Magical Weapon of Samekh is the Arrow (swift, i.e. the movement), whose Magical Formula is ON. As with the connection of the throne to the Paten, seemingly opposing ideas such as motion (volatile) and stability (fixed) are reconciled. The Altar is further connected to the Mother by its crimson color (Binah in the King Scale), which suggests blood. Remember that the vertical measurenent of the High Altar is 44 inches and that this number is that of Horus (\d or blood in Hebrew)as well as of EIHA (the Godname of Kether and Mystic Number of Tiphareth).5 While the vertical Path of Samekh connects Sol with Lunathe path above it, Gimel, Continued on next page e

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Atu II, The High Priestess (i.e. the Priestess set upon the summit of the earth) formulates a direct connection between the Father [Kether] in his highest aspect, and the Son in his most perfect manifestation [Tiphareth]The Book of Thoth. Significantly, Crowley identifies the throne with the Hebrew letter Vau: the Heart must support and admit the lordship of the higher consciousness of the Magician777 Revised. Vau, which means a nail, may in turn indicate the Mercurial Dagger6 or tip of the Sacred Lance, Spear or Phallus, which pierces the heart of the Dying God.7 As indicated with the oriel behind the main figure of Atu V, The Hierophant, the nail may also fix. In connection to the Altar it is noteworthy that the principal perfume of Gimel is menstrual blood the symbolical vehicle of the solar lightand that blood is the final ingredient listed for the composition of Cakes of Light or Paten and Hosts.8 This symbolism connects the best blood of Liber AL III:24 (Gimel) with the blood taken from side or heart of the Magician to fill the Holy Cup(Tiphareth).9 Additionally, as the weapon of Sagittarius is the arrow, upon the knees of the High Priestess is the bow of Artemisboth weapons pertaining to Atu XIX, The Sun.10 As Artemis is the twin of Apollo,16 the final Heh of Tetragrammaton is both the twin sister and the Daughter of Vau.12 Moreover, the Lord of the on is two in one (Vau, Heh, Atu VI, born of the union of Yod and Heh).13 The summit or High Altar in the Gnostic Mass is oriented towards the House of the Beast 666, Boleskine House in Scotland. 666 is the number of the sun and the final extension of the number 6, which is the numeration of Vauidentified with the throne.14 The altar cloth can also bear a sunblaze, which, taken together with the symbolism of the mountain is reminiscent of Atu XIX: the Sun, charged with a rose, on mount vertThe Book of Thoth. Additionally, at the apex of the super-altar is established the Stl of Revealing, associated to Atu XX. Both Paths (XX and XIX) lead to Hod (dVE =15) and form the foundation of the Cup, whose crown is Gimel.15 Taken together, this symbolism suggests the Adeptus who has transmuted the Earth which Thou hast made Thy footstool, and identified it with the Sunfor it is the seal of the Beast 666 which is emblazoned upon the Ace of Disks (in whose heart is the Suns fire).16 It is the Magician who identifies his heart as the Lord of the Fire of the World, with the Kingdom: the Qliphoth [Shells] of an Adept being bal-

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anced and trained to fill his Malkuth, vacated by the purified Nephesch [the Animal Soul, which perceives and feelsthe Daughter] which has gone up to live in Tiphereth [Ruach the Son]John St. John. As Crowley notes in his Commentary to Liber LXV, The Lord of the on [the Sun] acts directly on the World of Assiah. There is a further connection with the Altar as the throne, and its connection to the Sun. The Priestess, once throned upon the Altar, holds The Book of the Law open on her breast with her two hands, making a descending triangle with thumbs and forefingers. This triangle is the special sign of Horus, and is specifically connected to the Altar: It is the flame descending upon the altar, and licking up the burnt offering17The Book of Lies, Commentary to Chap. 69 [emphasis mine].18 Similarly, an offering is specifically identified in Part V of the Gnostic Mass when the Priest touches the Priestess between the breasts and on the body and says, Let this offering be borne upon the waves of thyr to our Lord and Father the Sun that travelleth over the Heavens in his name ON.19 Now below the Altar is the dais of three steps, and it is with the Priests mounting of the third and final step that he first invokes our Lord in the Universe the Sun to appear Thou glorious upon the throne of the Sun. This latter injunction is a paraphrase of Crowleys versification of the Stl of Revealing itself: Appear on the throne of Ra. But it is not the Priest, identified as a Master of the Temple,20 or Asar as Illustration by Brother XEMJLMIA ManLiber Tau, perfected by the Priestess, who has in turn become Ankh-af-naKhonsu (666),21 who is set upon the throne. Rather, the last words uttered from behind the veil, There is no law beyond Do what thou wilt,AL III:60, are those of the Lord of the on: Horus, the Crowned and Conquering Child. The summit of the earth has become the throne of the sun. This is foreshadowed with the Priestess placing the Paten before the Graal. The top of the Altar shall be covered with goldBook IV. Whereas the Priestess is identified with the offering upon the Altar in the Gnostic Mass, it is perhaps noteworthy that she is set upon the Altar. In particular, after the Priest makes five crosses on the Priestess, he declares: Accept, O Lord, this sacrifice of life and joy, true warrants of the Covenant of Resurrection [emphasis mine]. Relatedly, consider Liber Aash vel Capricorni, verse 7: Set is his holy cov-

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enant And again, in The Star Sapphire: Also Set shall appear in the Circle it is not he [the Magician] that shall arise [resurrect] in the Sign of Isis Rejoicing. In some Egyptian myths the god Set is portrayed as Horus older brother rather than his uncle (Whereof our Father is but the younger brother). Moreover, Crowley identifies Set22 with the Yod of Tetragrammaton (paired with Isis as Heh) in his impression to Liber V vel Reguli. As Crowley himself indicates in his commentary to Liber LXV, III:7, such an interpretation is at odds with traditional Egyptian theogony. The Altar as the bosom may also indicate the breast of the Mother, of which the phial containing the Holy Oil upon the Altar of the Magician is symbolical. The sign associated to Binah (Mater Triumphans) also emphasizes this breast as if offering it to that childLiber V. And the breast is indicated in h, Atu XVII, The Mother of the Three Goddesses,23 transmuting the name of INdA: and in the midst thereof he is like the Woman that jetteth out the milk of the stars from her paps; yea, the milk of the stars from her papsLiber LXV V: 65. `The symbolism of the Child, which includes the Lord of the on, the titles of the Tarot Trumps, the magical image of Tiphareth, etc., also finds expression when the men in the temple strike their breasts with the recognition of the Sons of the Lion and the Snake. The mnemonic for the letter Teth in The Book of Thoth further notes the Father/Son (Child) relationship: The Lion-Serpent begets Gods! Thy throne The rampant Beast, our Lady Babalon!24 It is the Priest who strikes his breast to summon a specific loyal Lion Serpent, not omitting the Epiklesis.25 Also he shall slay a young child upon the altar, and the blood shall cover the altar with perfume as of rosesLiber Stell Rube, verse 22.26 The Creed distinguishes between one Earth, the Mother of us all and one Womb. The first is the eternal Mother Isis represented by the Altar, her headdress;27 Mother of fertility on whose breast lieth water. The womb represents the Chalice, the Giver and receiver of joy. However, both Babalon and Isis/Asi are identified with Binah [777, Col. XIX and XX], and in The Supreme Ritual, it is the female officer who conceals herself as Isis and operates through Babalon.28 As the summit of the earth, the Altar is connected to the Mountain of Initiation or Sacred Mountain of the Rosicrucians, and the book called The Wall of Abiegnus concerns itself with the formula of Attainment by devotion to our Lady BabalonThe Equinox, III:9. Additionally, the Scarlet

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Woman, who is identified with our Lady Babalon, is Scorpiothe Woman-Serpent, one of the two-in-one Chief Officers of the Temple of the New on of Heru-Ra-Ha...The Equinox, IV-2. Together, with The Beast, they formulate One True God.29 The Priestess and the Chalice or Cup could be perceived as Microcosmic representatives of the Macrocosmic forces of The Earth and The Lady. Notably, both the Cup and the Priestess are covered and uncovered (suggesting the Signs of Puella30 and Mulier31). Additionally, the Priestess has 5 crosses32 drawn upon her thrice (=15) and the Cup once (= 20 total; Kappa). Kappa is the initial of . the essential female principle.33 Using Greek Gematria, Mother () of Abominations () adds to 941, the same numeration as Io Pan! ( )the cry of the Priest during the Ceremony of the Opening of the Veil, as well as the cry following the formulation of the elements in The Star Ruby. Additionally, a comment to the 2nd thyr of Liber 418 draws a further connection: From this it would appear that BABALON is the Feminine (or Androgyne) equivalentnot merely complement of Pan. Crowley further associates 941 to Bacchus in his Greek Qabalah: . It is also perhaps noteworthy that the Hebrew equivalents of the letters CUP are p + V + k = 106 = n in full = h. Scorpio, which Photo by Brother Joshua Sharp is ruled by Mars, is associated to the Magical Formula , whose Magical Weapon is the Cup and Cross of Suffering (i.e. their combination) and the Wine.34 Crowley notes that this attribution of the Serpent is connected with several of the magical weapons, and implies the secret kingly power of the Magician, the essence of the phallic energy as employed in transmutation. has the numeration of 100, which combines the initial (80) of to the initial (20) of (k).35 Regarding this transmutation, it is the Eagle or hawk that drops upon the head of the aspirant an healing dew with each bite of the serpent. Additionally, the three letters of this weapon may signify the three wands of the Adept and their corresponding Sephira. As Helena and Tau Apiryon note, is the Formula sealing the Creed and calling forth the Holy Virgin who next appears.36 Note that together, the words Holy Virgin do not appear in Liber XV, but rather in Liber CCXXXI, verse 17: Transformed, the holy virgin appeared as a fluidic fire, making her beauty into a thunderbolt. Again, this is suggestive of Atu XVII, The Mother. It is the Cup that is acted upon by both the Lance (PhalContinued on next page e

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lusPriest of the Lord) and the Host (as the SunPriest of the Sun) under the agency of Ayin (O), the Savior of the Universe. Additionally, in Atu XV, associated to Capricornus (where Mars is exalted) the Altar is the Cubic Stone upon which the Satyr (dIFAs) sits and bears both the Cup and the torch (as did his predecessor i.e. Atu XIV).37 The seating of a woman, as in the Gnostic Mass, or man upon the Altar is also indicated in The Supreme Ritual and Liber Stell Rube: Also the Priestess shall seek another altar, and perform many ceremonies thereonLiber Stell Rube, verse 69. This adaption of the Altar suggests movement analogous to what has been mentioned regarding the throne. For example, the name of the House the Altar is oriented towards, Boleskine, is 418 in numeration or Cheth [tIJ] in full, whose Tarot attribution is The Chariot (Atu VII).38 The principal figure of this card bears the Holy Graal, which is the sacred vessel of Babalon and the Chariot itself is composed of the figure of the Sun and Moon conjoined.39 In an early version of the 3 of Cups, Babalon is in the Chariot of Chaos, bearing the Graal. According to Helena and Tau Apiryon: We know from Crowleys other writings that the sole viceregent of the Sun upon Earth refers to the PHALLUS, which is, therefore, to be identified with the name CHAOS.

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pubertyLiber Samekh. His destination on ascending, the Unveiling of the Light, is the Altar whereupon is concealed the Graal. In the Gnostic Mass, the Priestess takes the lance, between her open hands, and runs them up and down upon the shaft eleven times, very gently at the conclusion of Part III of the ritual. Note that it is the open hand or palm (Kaph) that is making this action. In Part IV, it the Lance which opens the Veil following spoken Egyptian transliteration from the Stl of Revealing. Similarly, Magick Without Tears instructs the aspirant to rub the wand constantly with Oil of Abramelin,53 emphasizing that A ka dua is the best mantra to accompany this action. Additionally, in the Grimorium Sanctissimum, the maiden inflames both the fire and the priest with her hands. It is interesting to note that both the Wand and the Hand are attributed to the Yod of Tetrammaton Yod [dVY] in full being 20 (Kaph) and multiplied by itself, 100 (); Perfection Perfected, the Unity in completion according to Liber Samekh. As already noted, at the apex of the Super Altar43 is established the Stl of Revealing. The word Stl appears in Greek in The Star Ruby as , which is translated pillar. Crowleys commentary to Liber LXV, IV: 58 defines the lonely pillar as Chokmah, the Creative Word, the Phallic Mercury, the Wisdom by which the worlds were creWhereas the Man undergoes ated.44 Additionally, the single pillar Resurrection (the Ordeal of the Neoof Liber LXV, V:5, in conjunction phyte Initiation) from the Tomb or with the formula of Abrahadabra,45 is 40 Pastos within the Pyramid via the defined as the phallus of the Macroagency of the Sword (the forked cosm. This phallus is composed of lightning of Atu XVI) in the hand the Word of the ons six positive of the Priestess, in the Gnostic Mass, ideas or letters, in contrast to the the fallen daughter is redeemed void of the Microcosm, composed via the agency of the Lance, which of five Alephs or Kteis (womb). is identified with the Phallus (see Analyzing this pillar, the K (or k also Liber AL, I:37). This Lance = Jupiter; five) signifies the Cup Photo by Brother Joshua Sharp transcends time, being born again (womb), whereas the (Geburah; b and againI am Yesterday, To-Day and the Brother of To- r h d b r) signifies the Wand. As already noted, together, MorrowLiber Israfel. The Wand is in the Light & in the and equal 100, the same number as (again, NightFor though I be joined to the Earth, In the Inner- the Formula of the Magical Weapon of h). Also, the Altar most Shrine of Heaven am ILiber Pyramidos. The Lance taken as fourfold (which includes an attack on the 4 by is that Lord which both the male (Chokmah) and female (Bi- the 11An Essay Upon Number) in conjunction with the nah) adore and then invokebeing One, present among us. holy hexagram (phallus of the Macrocosm) informs the The formula of the Wand, unlike that of the Cup, encompasses universe enclosed in the law of Lingam-Yoni.46 the entire Minutum Mundumit is both our Lord in the Universe (Solar; Pyramid of Fire) and our Lord in ourselves It is tempting to contrast the positive conception above (the Spiritual Phallus; the seed thereof). with the Hebrew equivalent of the word WAND: d + n + A + Reflecting the Priests movements within the Gnostic w = 61 = }yA, The Negative, non-existent; not. With the Ace Mass Temple: The first formula is that of the Wand. In the of Wands, the Miracle of the Anatomy of the Child Ra-Hoorsphere of the principle which the Magician wishes to invoke, Khuit,47 we affirm that: the Universe is Nothing.48 he rises from point to point in a perpendicular line, and The Book of Lies, Chap. 15, addresses this microcosmic/ then descends.41 The Adeptus has seized the Sacred Lance. macrocosmic dichotomy: As a man loses his personality in Bacchus (Tiphareth) has become Pan signifying Occult physical love, so does the Magician annihilate his divine per-

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sonality in that which is beyond. Of course, a Magician has to have created and nurtured a divine personalityprior to transcending it. In the Gnostic Mass, the Shrine or High Altar is initially open, and this is where the Graal is exalted. Conversely, the Lance is concealed at the beginning and the end of the ritual within the Tomb or Pastos. However, it is Heaven which draweth the Wand into Her Womb. But, as one proceeds, the Cross becomes greater, until it is the Ace, the Rose, until it is the Word.49 Love is the law, love under will.
28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

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Super Altar. The Equinox, I-10. In the same ritual, The shrine in the gloom is identified with the Mouth of the Womb. See The Book of Lies, Chap. 23. Also see The Vital Triads in The Book of Thoth, where both 666 and 156 are designated Slain Gods. The Sign of Chastity Babalon is the Xthe sign being suggestive of a cup. the symbol of God made man, the peculiar hieroglyph of Christ.The General Principles of Astrology. Liber Samekh. Liber B vel Magi, Verse 8: With the Cup preserveth He. Kaph is associated to Atu X, Fortune, which is the image of a wheela symbol that may be associated to the chakras [chakra=lit. Sanskrit wheelEd.]. See the Commentary to Liber LXVI in The Equinox, IV1. Helena and Tau Apiryon, The Creed of the Gnostic Catholic Church: An Examination (http://hermetic.com/sabazius/creed_egc.htm). The General Principles of Astrology. Astrological Cancer associated to the extreme northern declination. I.e., The Mark of the Beast. The metaphor of stones is, on the other hand, of Tiphareth.Commentary to Liber LXV, Verse 58. This is connected to the Pyramid or the 2nd Hell, , and by Greek Gematria, to the 3rd Hell and . Book IV, Part 3, Chap. 2 From the phial indicating the breast of the Mother. The Super Altar itself suggesting the Caduceusthe Wand of Mercury. See Hebrews, 11:3. A Magical Formula of Tiphareth. The Book of Lies, Chap. 26. Liber Aleph, Chap. 207. See Chap. 86 of The Book of Lies. See the commentary to Chap. 15 of The Book of Lies.

36 37 38 39 40

Notes:
1 2

3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20

21 22 23 24

25

26

27

Note to The Vision and the Voice, 16th thyr. The woman entered, Lingam being conjoined with Yoni, bears the Sun from her serpent wombThe Lost Continent. Note that the Virgin/ Priestess is the only Woman (symbolically speaking) within the Gnostic Mass temple giving the step and sign of a Man and a Brother with the Deacon and Congregation. Commentary to Liber LXV. Consider also that Titans (TEITAN = 666) were born from the union of the Sky (Uranus) and Earth (Gaia). This change is particularly notable when comparing the Greater Ritual of the Pentagram and Liber Reguli. See From Gold Forge Steel in Beauty and Strength: Proceedings of the Sixth Biennial National Ordo Templi Orientis Conference. Book IV, Part 2, Chap. IV and The Book of Lies, Chap. 2. Note to The Vision and the Voice, 23rd thyr. 777 Revised, col. XLII. Book IV. Note the connection of the Arrow to the Heart or Tiphareth in Atu VI and the Vth thyr. The Book of Thoth. Apollo is the 7th Name (B) of Horus in The Invocation of Horus. Book IV, Part 3, Chap. III. Commentary to Liber LXV. An Essay Upon Number. See Sepher Sepiroth, number 503. Recalling the injunction of Atu XIV to Visit the Interior of the Earth. In the end he shall offer up the Vast Sacrifice, at the moment when the God licks up the flame upon the altar. (Liber Stell Rube, Verse 30). One of the sacrificial demarcations between the worshippers of Jehovah in the Torah and their neighbors was the insistence that the principal offering be burnt. See also Liber AL, III: 25. It is curious that Skeat specifically connects the word offering to the word fertile. And in relation to his body and mind he is but a vehicle of the forces that are beyond the Abyss. He will therefore speak, but as a man among men, of that which he has seen and heard. The Equinox, I-10, The Temple of Solomon the King. See The Comment called D, where this identification is made particularly clear. This god is associated to the XVth Path in Columns XIX and XX of Liber 777. See The Vital Triads in The Book of Thoth. He begat me; in my season/ I must such a son begetThe Ship. The child is BABALON and THE BEAST conjoined, the Secret Saviour.Book IV. According to Helena and Tau Apiryon in their The Gnostic Mass with Annotations and Commentary (http://hermetic.com/sabazius/gnostic_ mass.htm): an invocation of the Holy Spirit over the Elements and the Congregation. See also Liber Aleph, Chap. 86 and Liber Samekh, Point II. Also there is the vision of the fire-flashing Courser of Light, or also a Child, borne aloft on the shoulders of the Celestial Steed thou shalt unite all thse Symbols into the form of a Lion.The Oracles of Zoroaster. Whose profile perhaps suggesting the profile of the dais, High Altar and

41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49

Speech in the Silence is the official podcast of Blazing Star Oasis in the San Francisco Bay Area. We focus on the topics of Thelema, Aleister Crowley, and Ordo Templi Orientis while also touching upon the subjects of Magick, Yoga, and Initiation. The podcast includes lectures, music, interviews, discussions, and readings of the Holy Books of Thelema and other important texts written by Aleister Crowley. Speech in the Silence is also a creative outlet for Thelemites, and we encourage listener feedback and participation. Youll also hear music by initiates, and numerous lectures, discussions, and interviews. Download or subscribe at speechinthesilence.com or visit our YouTube channel at youtube.com/speechinthesilence and dont forget to send us your feedback at thelemapodcast@gmail.com.

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VOL. XII No. 4

BOOK REVIEW
The Red Book (Liber Novus) by Carl Gustav Jung Edited and translated by Sonu Shamdasani W.W. Norton & Co., 2009 (416 pages, hardcover)
The word is a creative actThe words that oscillate between nonsense and supreme meaning are the oldest and truest.The Red Book, p. 236 C.G. Jungs Red Book, a work of mythical stature even within the myth-laden corpus of Jungs life and writings, was finally published in 2009. The material in The Red Book had its genesis in a series of visionary experiences beginning in 1912. Over the next sixteen years Jung intermittently compiled, edited, and expanded the core material, working in the solitude of his tower at Bollingen by the shores of Lake Zurich. To the casual reader, and indeed to a number of the colleagues to whom Jung showed The Red Book close to the time of its genesis, the work appears as the wild fantasies of a mind straddling the abyss of madness. It was likely for this reason that the Jung family hesitated for decades to publish it. In the intervening years the work was locked in a vault in Switzerland, accessible only to a select few family members and close colleagues. Sonu Shamdasani, the editor of this edition, was eventually able to convince the family of the importance of the work, and they allowed the publication to go forward. Visually, the book is nothing short of astonishing. The original Red Book was a huge tome12 by 16 inches, written in a beautiful calligraphic hand, and illuminated with Jungs own paintings of his visions. The publishers of this edition have wisely chosen to reproduce the book in a format as close as possible to the original, including its monstrous size. The scans of the original calligraphy and artwork are absolutely pristine, and these form the first section of the book. Following this, Shamdasani presents a cogent historical and biographical overview of Jungs approach to this work, giving much-needed context for the role of The Red Book in his evolving thought. Finally, we are given a complete and well-annotated English translation of the original German and Latin text. A publication of this quality and heft could easily cost a fortune, but the publishers have somehow managed to make it available at a very reasonable price. As of this writing, new copies are obtainable online for just over $100a fraction of its true value, in my view. (Of course, this doesnt include the cost of the special shelf readers will need to construct in order to house the book!) For more information about The Red Book project, including samples of the artwork and calligraphic text, please visit: https://philemonfoundation.org/projects/ redbook. As one might hope, the content of the book is as impressive as its form. The central motifs of the text concern Jungs attempt to recover his soul in a series of visions, journeys to Hell, lectures from various entities he encounters, and dialogues with characters as diverse as the prophet Elijah, Salome, and the Holy Guardian Angel-like magician Philemon. (Fans of Gematria will enjoy the fact that has the same numeric value as Persephone and thrice-great.) In the course of fleshing out these visions, Jung presents a number of ideas and themes which resonate powerfully with those of Thelemic philosophy, and the Hermetic corpus generally. Among the most prominent of these is the intensifying relationship between Jung and Philemon, essentially Adept and Angel, which resulted not only in visionary experiences, but in Jungs later attempts to translate these experiences into cogent scientific theory and psychoanalytic practice. Near the end of his life, many years after the completion of the Red Book, he wrote of this process: The years, of which I have spoken to you, when I pursued the inner images, were the most important time of my life. Everything else is to be derived from this. It began at that time, and the later details hardly matter anymore. My entire life consisted in elaborating what had burst forth from the unconscious and flooded me like an enigmatic stream and threatened to break me. That was the stuff and material for more than only one life. Everything later was merely the outer classification, the scientific elaboration, and the integration into life. But the numinous beginning, which contained everything, was then. [p. vii] In other places, we have hints that Jung was experiencing his own version of the shifting of onic formul so well documented by Crowley, such as in this passage: Everything that becomes too old becomes evil, the same is true of your highest. Learn from the suffering of the crucified God that one can also betray and crucify a God, namely the God of the old year. If a God ceases being the way of life, he must fall secretly. The God becomes sick if he oversteps the height of the zenith. That is why the spirit of the depths took me when the spirit of this time had led me to the summit. [p. 241] The motif of the underworld journey to recover the soul is of paramount importance as well, including much focus on the balancing of light and dark, known and unknown, reason and irrationality, science and spirit, and Ego and Self. It must be admitted that Jung appears to be wrestling with dualistic, sin-based complexes in his work here, but the results are still compelling. Consider: Because I wanted to live in the light, the sun went out for me when I touched the depths. It was dark and serpentlike. I united myself with it and did not overpower it. I took my part of the humiliation and subjugation upon myself, in that I took on the nature

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of the serpent. If I had not become like the serpent, the devil, the quintessence of everything serpentlike, would have held this bit of power over me. This would have given the devil a grip and he would have forced me to make a pact with him just as he also cunningly deceived Faust. But I forestalled him by uniting myself with the serpent, just as a man unites with a woman. [p. 322] The reader can feel Jung wrestling uncomfortably with the contents of his own unconscious in many of these passages, as he has admitted in various autobiographical writings. He frames much of this tension in the context of a dialogue between the spirit of this time, representing Jungs rational scientist-Ego, and the spirit of the depths, embodying his eternal, trans-egoic deeper Self. The struggle for connection and balance between Ego and Self, as presented on these pages, became a focus of much of Jungs later theories of the structure of the human psyche, its ailments, and the central method of its rehabilitation. In the relevant passages in the Red Book, we can even see evidence of the New onic child archetype in Jungs visionperhaps a validation of Crowleys hypotheses concerning the shifts in collective consciousness manifesting in the early years of the 20th century. Consider this important passage: I had to recognize that I am only the expression and symbol of the soul. In the sense of the spirit of the depths, I am as I am in this visible world a symbol of my soul, and I am thoroughly a serf completely subjugated, utterly obedient. The spirit of the depths taught me to say: I am the servant of a child. Through this dictum I learn above all the most extreme humility, as what I most need. The spirit of this time of course allowed me to believe in my reason. He let me see myself in the image of a leader with ripe thoughts. But the spirit of the depths teaches me that I am a servant, in fact the servant of a child: This dictum was repugnant to me and I hated it. But I had to recognize and accept that my soul is a child and that my God in my soul is a child. [p. 234] Finally, and compellingly, there are moments of exquisite adoration and yearning, akin to the inspired writing in Liber LXV and similar Holy Books, reminding us that the journey inward, in every human life, ultimately brings us to the feet of the Beloved: Where in my soul do I shelter you? In my heart? Should my heart be your shrine, your holy of holies? So choose your place. I have accepted you. What crushing tension you bring with you! Isnt the bow of my nerves breaking? Ive taken in the messenger of the night. I bow, my soul, before unknown forcesId like to consecrate an altar to each unknown God. I must submit. [p. 308]

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To the eyes of a modern occultist, the Red Book is nothing less than Jungs magical diarya record of his interactions with various entities, mythological themes, and his own demons. His experience wrestling with these forces was fundamental in shaping all of his later research and writing. In his process, and especially in his success, we find a vindication of the central method of individual attainment and societal evolution enshrined in the system of the AA. That is, the seeker journeys to the center of his being, obtains the reward of deep knowledge and of True Will, and spends the rest of his life translating this secret wisdom into a tangible treasureaccessible and apprehensible to those who follow. Highly recommended. David Shoemaker

ADVANCED INITIATOR TRAINING

Advanced Initiator Training is designed for Chartered Initiators who have already attended one or more Initiator Training workshops held by a Certified Initiator Trainer and/or Sovereign Grand Inspector General and are looking to advance their knowledge, understanding and abilities as an Initiator. We also encourage all Master Magicians interested in initiation work to attend. This year, AIT will be held on the following dates: Swirling Star Lodge, Valley of Miami, Florida May 4th-6th, 2012 EV

Horizon Lodge, Valley of Seattle, Washington December 7th-9th, 2012 EV Please note: Having attended a prior Initiator Training Workshop is a prerequisite for A.I.T. attendance. More information is available at: ait.oto-usa.org. Please feel free to email init-training@oto-usa.org with questions.

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VOL. XII No. 4

PUBLICATION ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON: FROM ANCIENT ISRAEL TO SECRET SOCIETIES SEXUAL OUTLAW, EROTIC MYSTIC: THE ESSENTIAL IDA CRADDOCK
by Vere Chappell Weiser, 2010 EV

by James Wasserman

Richly illustrated, this book explores the Temple of Solomon in the Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament, and the Apocrypha, as well as its role in the rites of Freemasonry, the legends of the Knights Templar, the doctrines of the Kabbalah, and Muhammads visionary journey through the heavens. This book explains why the Temple was built, what its destruction has meant for Jews and Christians alike, and why the Knights Templar as well as several modern secret societies have centered their teachings around this vibrant archetype.

Inner Traditions International, 2011 EV

Persecuted by Anthony Comstock and his Society for the Suppression of Vice, Ida Craddock (18571902 EV) was a turn-ofthe-century sex educator and spiritualist. She taught the importance of viewing sex as a sacred act. Most of her personal experience came from her own marriage to an angel named Soph and her essay Heavenly Bridegrooms was declared essential reading by Aleister Crowley. Convicted under New Yorks anti-obscenity laws, she committed suicide rather than face life in an asylum. This book compiles an extensive collection of Craddocks works, including original essays, diary excerpts, and her final letter to her public.

PHYLLIS SECKLER (SOROR MERAL): THE THOTH TAROT, ASTROLOGY, & OTHER SELECTED WRITINGS VOLUME XIII, NUMBER 1: A IN a B IN h Dies A Anno IV:XX (Sunday, April 8th, 2012 EV)
We want: news and articles, original rituals and artwork, temple photos, reviews of all kinds, local body reports, local body publication reports, publication announcements, and anything else pertinent to Thelema, Ordo Templi Orientis and the activities of our members. Please Remember that Agap is available to the general public. Submissions should not include oathbound material. See our submission guidelines at www.otousa.org/agape.html. Contact agape@oto-usa.org for more information.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR

Edited and introduced by Dr. David Shoemaker, Gregory Peters, & Rorac Johnson

Phyllis Seckler (1917-2004 EV) was one of the most important and influential Thelemites of the post-Crowley era. An initiate of Ordo Templi Orientis since 1939 EV, and an A.A. student of Jane Wolfe, Seckler was an indispensable factor in the resurgence of O.T.O. and the shaping of modern Thelema as we know it. This landmark publication collects two of her most important essays on the Thoth Tarot, depth psychology, and astrology originally serialized in her journal In the Continuum. In addition, this book presents important and previously unpublished correspondence between Seckler, Aleister Crowley, Karl Germer, and Jane Wolfe. The final section of the book presents her last major interview, where she discusses her early years at the old Agape Lodge in Los Angeles, her views on the current state of Thelema, and much more.

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VOL. XII No. 4

MYSTERIA MYSTICA MAXIMA

ECCLESIA GNOSTICA CATHOLICA

UNITED STATES GRAND LODGE OFFICERS DIRECTORY

U.S. NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: Sabazius X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. DEPUTY NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: Lon Milo DuQuette P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND SECRETARY GENERAL: Fr. Hunapu PO Box 2313, Maple Grove, MN 55311 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND TREASURER GENERAL: Hank Hadeed 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. #444 Portland, OR 97214-5246 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury U.S. GRAND TRIBUNAL Fr. Harmateus, Secretary 3350 E. 7th St. #207, Long Beach, CA 90804 grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org U.S. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, U.S. SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL, U.S. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. ELECTORAL COLLEGE: Dann Buchanan, President P.O. Box 12653, Oklahoma City, OK 73157-2653 ec_president@oto-usa.org Deborah Woody: Secretary P.O. Box 5741, Glendale, CA 91221-5741 electoral_college@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. INITIATION SECRETARIES: Fr. Saturnus Baphomet and Sr. Naamah P.O. Box 48569, Minneapolis, MN 55448 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. SECRETARY: Fr. FreeShadow P.O. Box 93, Clarksville, MD 21029-0093 egc@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PARLIAMENTARIAN: Sr. Helena P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 parlamentarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. OMBUDSMAN: Michael Kolson 719 Highland Dr., Seattle, WA 98109 206-306-6487 ombudsman@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. QUARTERMASTER: Sr. Ishara quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. WEBMASTER: Craig Berry webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LIBRARIANS: Matthew T. Marfield and Sr. Sophia 3212 1/2 Honolulu Ave, La Crescenta, CA 91214 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ARCHIVIST: Fr. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S.G.L. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: Fr. Do volunteers@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LOCAL BODY PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY: Sr. Ananael Agape Lux PO Box 5, Ashburn, VA 20146 publications@oto-usa.org O.T.O. PRISON MINISTRY: Father Solomon, Coordinator PO Box 4215, Culver City, CA 90231 prison_ministry@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER: Fr. Lux ad Mundi O.T.O. U.S.A./Thelesis 1627 N. 2nd Street, Suite 220 Philadelphia, PA 19122 pio@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION: Fr. Julianus P.O. Box 4123, Pittsburgh, PA 15202 agape@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. EDUCATION COMMITTEE SECRETARY: Kayla Block education@oto-usa.org

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Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A. P.O. Box 11386 Berkeley, CA 94712-1386

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VOLUME XIII NUMBER 1

SPRING, 2012 EV

CELEBRATING OUR CENTENNIAL YEAR

AGAP

VOL. XIII No. 1

FROM THE EDITOR

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Care Fratres et Sorores,

The Official Organ of the United States Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

CONTENTS
From the Editor 2 From the Grand Master 3 From the Electoral College 5 Man of Earth Delegates 6 Upon Burning the Book 7 The Proceedings of NOTOCON 8 As Art Can Devise: Music for the Gnostic Mass 9 The Ecstasy of Persephone 12 Reflections on Massathon 13 Visit Agap on Facebook 14 Publication Announcement 14 U.S. Grand Lodge Officers Directory 15 Executive Editor: Sabazius X Editor: Frater Julianus Assitant Editor: Terry Murdock Proofreading: Julia Sonka Production & Distribution: Sister Marlene Editorial Address: P.O. Box 4123 Pittsburgh, PA 15202 agape@oto-usa.org On the Cover: Carl Kellner (1851-1905 EV), Theodor Reuss (1855-1923 EV), Aleister Crowley (1875-1947 EV)
Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A., a California not-for-profit religious corporation with business offices at P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business offices at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at 24881 Alicia Parkway E-529, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. Donations, legacies and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductable to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download in PDF format at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/ agape.html Copyright 2012 EV Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

One hundred years ago the British Section of Ordo Templi Orientis was founded with our Prophet, Frater Baphomet, as its first Grand Master. It is from this event that the entire modern O.T.O. traces its origins and many celebrations are planned around the United States (and indeed the world) this year to mark this milestone. No exception to this, Agap will run a number of special features throughout the next four issues.

AGAP WEB PAGES UPDATED

The Agap web pages have just received a long-overdue upgrade courtesy of Brothers Joseph Thiebes and Sacha M. The back issue listings at lib.oto-usa.org/agape/index.html now give the full contents of each and every issue, including all topics covered in From the Grand Master and the titles of all books reviewed. Now if you need to look up a specific article or policy statement, or just want reading suggestions, all you have to do is search using your web browsers Find command. I am also happy to announce that the Agap Submission Guidelines have been completely revised. Note that we can now handle a wider variety of file formats for both text and graphics. I especially direct your attention to the vastly increased word-count limits (and the possibility of exceeding even these in a good cause.) In practice, these changes have been in effect some time now, but now they are set down in black and white. You can check out the new guidelines here: www.oto-usa.org/agape.html. If you find anything not covered there, please feel free to write me at agape@oto-usa.org. Finally, my ever-eager Assistant Editor, Brother Terry, is now overseeing the Agap Facebook page, which means it will be much more active. This is a place for your feedback, suggestions, criticisms, and photos of your cat giving the N.O.X. signs. Well also be posting teasers from upcoming articles. See Terrys announcement on page 14 for more details.

MOVED AND MISSING AN ISSUE?

Just a reminder that if your address has changed you need to notify the Grand Treasurer General (see page 15 for his contact information) in order to continue getting your Agap in the mail. Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, Frater Julianus Editor, Agap

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VOL. XIII No. 1

FROM THE GRAND MASTER

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Electoral College Transitions
Brother Douglas Blake has completed his eleven-year term on the U.S. Electoral College, many years of which were spent in the role of President of the E.C. Congratulations and kudos to Brother Doug on successfully completing his term, and many thanks for his exceptionaland continuingservice and devotion to our Order. Id like to welcome Brother Scott Wilde, also of the Seattle area, to the Electoral College and thank him for accepting these new duties and responsibilities. Brother Scott has taken Brother Dougs seat on the Electoral College, and I wish him the best of luck. fellows.

First Aid/CPR Certification for Initiators

Currently, proof of certification in first aid and C.P.R. must be attached to all applications for a charter to initiate in the United States. There have been a number of questions regarding whether chartered initiators must maintain their first aid/C.P.R. certification, and whether the requirement for certification applies additionally to Sovereign Grand Inspectors General (S.G.I.G.s) and initiators who were chartered prior to this requirement. The answer is a qualified yes. Im not willing to set up a bureaucratic mechanism to monitor whether initiators (of any degree) are keeping their certifications current, or to penalize them if they renew their certifications late. However, I think that keeping our S.G.I.G.s and initiators certified in first aid and C.P.R. is of significant benefit to the Order, and this is my intent. For the time being, Im willing to keep this matter of first aid/C.P.R. certification of S.G.I.G.s and existing initiators, and the renewal of initiator first aid/C.P.R. certifications, on the honor system.

In Agap Vol IX, No. 1 (May 1, 2007 EV), I coined the term Man of Earth Delegates (M.o.E. Delegates) to refer to the four persons mentioned above. I also discussed their duties and privileges in the context of current conditionsanyone considering volunteering for this role should review that article. Note: In order to help the Man of Earth Delegates better accomplish their responsibilities of representing the feelings of the general body of the Man of Earth Triad, I will, henceforth, be offering each Delegate at least one face-to-face meeting with mein person, if convenient; if not, then via Skype or Google+ Hangout. Heretofore, these Man of Earth Delegates have volunteered directly to the U.S. Grand Lodge Volunteer Coordinator, who would then pass their information on to me for consideration. However, according to Liber CXCIV, the Men of Earth are to choose these Delegates. Note also that the closing paragraph of Liber CXCIV states that the system of Ordo Templi Orientis combines monarchy with democracy. There is no other component of the O.T.O. governmental structure for Grand Lodges that involves democratic election; therefore, the choosing of the M.o.E. Delegates by the members of the Man of Earth Triad would appear to be the sole constitutional opportunity to include an element of democracy in our system. To date, it has appeared impractical to implement any kind of direct election of these Delegates by the members of the Man of Earth Triad, especially given the criteria that their terms are for one year only, there must be four of them, and two must be male and two female. If the Delegates were each to be chosen by open vote of the entire Man of Earth Triad, these criteria would put Grand Lodge in a painful state of perpetual election that would pose essentially insurmountable logistical obstacles. Over the past year, however, we have developed a system that overcomes these obstacles, and fully implements a system permitting the Man of Earth Triad to choose its own Delegates according to Liber CXCIV; the Executive has just formally adopted this system. The essence of the system involves the creation of an intermediate Nomination Panelcomposed exclusively of members of the Man of Earth Triadto evaluate and nominate volunteer candidates to the National Grand Master General for appointment as Man of Earth Delegates, according to the following extracts from the proposal just adopted: 1. Nomination Panel The National Grand Master General (N.G.M.G.) shall consider the recommendations of the NominaContinued on next page e

New Method of Selecting Man of Earth Delegates

Paragraph 5 of Liber CXCIV: An Intimation with Reference to the Constitution of the Order states the following: In order that the feelings of the general body may be represented, the Men of Earth choose four persons, two men and two women, from among themselves, to stand continually before the face of the Supreme and Holy King, serving him day and night. These persons must not be of higher rank than the Second Degree; they must volunteer for this service at the conclusion of that ceremony; and therefore they give up their own prospect of advancement in the Order for one year, that they may serve their

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tion Panel when appointing Man of Earth Delegates or filling vacancies in Man of Earth Delegate positions. The Nomination Panel shall be a Standing Committee of O.T.O. U.S.A. in accordance with the Bylaws of O.T.O. U.S.A. The Nomination Panel shall elect its own chair and secretary and shall conduct its business according to its own procedures as delineated by the duties and guidelines specified herein. Minutes shall be reported to the Grand Secretary General for archiving. 2. Duties of Nomination Panel The Nomination Panel shall perform the following duties: 1. Monitor the terms of office of the current M.o.E. Delegates, and ensure that vacancies in the M.o.E. Delegate offices are promptly filled. 2. Consider applications from volunteers to the office of M.o.E. Delegate and nominate suitable candidates for said office to the N.G.M.G. for approval and acceptance. 3. Solicit volunteers for the office of M.o.E. Delegate as necessary and appropriate. The Nomination Panel shall conduct its business using an online forum, moderated by the G.S.G. or the G.S.G.s duly delegated assistant.

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keeping track of its Representatives term of office, and shall have the power to recall its Representative at any time for cause. The G.T.G. shall have the power to remove any Representative from the Nomination Panel at any time for failure to remain dues-current. The G.S.G. shall have the power to remove any Representative from the Nomination Panel at any time for failure to remain on Good Report. Representatives shall have the power to resign from office at any time and for any reason. Any such recall, removal, or resignation shall be reported to the Executive and to the Master of the Representatives local body. The G.S.G. shall promptly remove all recalled, removed, or resigned Representatives from the Nomination Panels forum. 4. Nomination Process 1. Volunteering. Any initiate of the Second Degree may volunteer to become a M.o.E. Delegate by writing directly to the Nomination Panel at any time after the conclusion of their Second Degree initiation and before the submission of their Application for Third Degree. Their offer shall remain valid for a volunteer window of one year from the date of their letter to the Nomination Panel, unless they stipulate a longer volunteer window in their letter. A copy of the letter to the Nominating Panel shall be sent to the Initiation Secretary, and the volunteer will not be eligible for Third Degree initiation until the volunteer window has elapsed. 2. Nomination. With the assistance of the N.G.M.G., the Nomination Panel shall fill vacancies in the four offices of M.o.E. Delegate as necessary by nominating a suitable candidate to the N.G.M.G. for approval and acceptance. Such nomination will preferably be submitted to the N.G.M.G. a sufficient time in advance of the expiration of each Delegates term to allow for a smooth transition, and for the possibility of rejection by the N.G.M.G. Only male Delegates will be nominated to replace sitting male Delegates, and only female Delegates will be nominated to replace sitting female Delegates. In their deliberations, the Nomination Panel shall consider the suitability of the volunteers to assist the N.G.M.G. as well as their capacity to represent the general feelings of the Man of Earth Triad. In this regard, the Nomination Panel may request additional information from the volunteers, or conduct remote interviews.

3. Members of Nomination Panel (Representatives) The members of the Nomination Panel shall be termed Representatives. Each active Camp, Oasis, and Lodge within U.S.G.L. shall be entitled to one Representative on the Nomination Panel. Representatives, for their entire term, must be initiate members in good standing of the local body they represent. They must be of at least First Degree, but not of a degree higher than P.I. Local bodies may select their Representatives by any means they choose, as long as those participating in the selection process are initiate members in good standing of the local body and are not of a degree higher than P.I. Local bodies shall be responsible for filling vacancies in their Representative offices according to their own schedule. The business of the Nominating Committee shall not be interrupted by unfilled vacancies. The selection of a new Representative by a local body shall be reported by the Master of the local body to the Grand Treasurer General for approval. If approved by the G.T.G., the Representative and Master of the Representatives local body shall be notified of such approval by the G.S.G. and the G.S.G. will then admit the new Representative to the Nomination Panels forum. The term of a Representative shall be three years. Upon approval, the Representative shall make a formal commitment not to advance beyond the Man of Earth Triad for three years, minimum. Each local body shall be responsible for

5. Delegates Term of Office. The term of office for each M.o.E. Delegate shall be 365 days commencing with notification of

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acceptance from the N.G.M.G. to the Nomination Panel. The N.G.M.G. shall have the power to remove any Delegate from office at any time, with or without cause. The Delegate shall be ineligible for advancement to Third Degree for the entire term of his or her office, regardless of whether that term is completed.

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The process of implementing this system begins now. Local bodies may begin the process of selecting their representatives on the Nomination Panel and reporting their selections to the G.T.G. for approval. I will provide milestone updates on my Facebook page and in my blog at http: //invisiblebasilica.blogspot.com.

Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, Sabazius

FROM THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
The Electoral College, at its Spring meeting, held on April 14th, 2012 EV, took the following actions concerning duties in its charge: Local Body Closures None. Change of Body Status Mastership of Sekhet-Bast-Ra Oasis (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) was transferred from Sister Christina Buchanan to Brother David Leo Drake effective April 14th, 2012 EV.

Warrior Island Camp and Secret Centre Camp were merged into Hidden Spring Camp (serving North Florida) with Sister Emily Flynn as master, effective April 14th, 2012 EV.

Mastership of Sekhet-Maat Lodge (Portland, Oregon) was transferred from Brother Geoff Leibinger to Sister Kim Knight effective April 14th, 2012 EV. Mastership of Abrahadabra Oasis (Portland, Maine) was transferred from Sister Gwendolyn Beaulieu to Brother Colin Campbell effective April 14th, 2012 EV. New Local Body Charters Noxvlvxon Camp was chartered in the Valley of Anchorage, Alaska with Brother Aaron as master, effective April 14th, 2012 EV.

Sword and Serpent Camp (Dayton, Ohio) was rechartered as Sword and Serpent Oasis with Brother Eric Patterson as master, effective April 14th, 2012 EV. Change of Body Masters Mastership of AHBH Oasis (Las Vegas, Nevada) was transferred from Sister Kayla Block to Brother Ash effective April 14th, 2012 EV.

Mastership of Theorte Ekstasis Camp (Louisville, Kentucky) was transferred from Brother Kenneth Mercer to Brother Keith Taylor effective April 14th, 2012 EV.

The College wishes to express its appreciation to the past and present masters of each of these bodies. We wish each of them the best in their new offices and endeavors.

NINTH DEGREE REVOLUTIONARY

Members in good standing of the Sovereign Sanctuary of the IX in the United States (who are not serving as an officer or voting member of any Governing or Administrative Body under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Grand Lodge) wishing to volunteer to stand for election to the office of Revolutionary by the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C. See page 15 for contact information.

SANCTION FOR APPEAL

Brothers or Sisters of our Order who wish to pursue appeal of a verdict of the Grand Tribunal may write to individual members of the Electoral College to request sanction be given to take their case to the Areopagus of the Eighth Degree (per Liber CXCIV, section 16) via email links found at: ec.oto-usa.org/ECelectors.html. Continued on next page e

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HOSTING ELECTORAL COLLEGE MEETINGS
Local bodies that are interested in hosting meetings of the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C. See page 15 for contact information. rangements can be made.

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ELECTORAL COLLEGE WEBSITE

The official Electoral College website can be found at: ec.oto-usa.org.

UPCOMING ELECTORAL COLLEGE MEETINGS

The Summer 2012 EV Electoral College meeting is to be held on Saturday, July 14th, in conjunction with the plenary session of U.S. Grand Lodge, hosted by Golden Lotus Oasis (Mission Viejo, California). The Fall 2012 EV Electoral College meeting is to be held on Saturday, October 6th at Sekhet-Maat Lodge (Portland, Oregon).

FORMS
Bodymasters seeking up-to-date forms for the Annual Report, Change of Mastership Application, Application for Oasis Status, Application for Lodge Status, or closure forms, will find them by contacting the document control officer at doc_control@oto-usa.org.

COMMUNICATION WITH THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE

I would like to invite any initiates with specific concerns or questions regarding the operation of the Electoral College, to write to either the President or Secretary of the E.C. For contact information, please see page 15. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to take effective measures bringing about better communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed. I believe that communication is of benefit to the entire Order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All postal mail correspondence with the Electoral College Secretary should be sent to the address listed on page 15.

The deadline for submission of items to be considered (for the Summer 2012 meeting) is June 15th, 2012 EV. Please mail submissions to the Secretary of the Electoral College.see p. 15 for contact information.

ATTENDING ELECTORAL COLLEGE MEETINGS

Dues-current members in good standing of V and above are welcome to attend and observe the in-person Electoral College Meetings. We request that those planning to attend contact the master of the hosting body so that adequate ar-

Love is the law, love under will.

In the Bonds of the Order, Dnn Bvchnn President, Electoral College O.T.O. U.S.A.

MAN OF EARTH DELEGATES

Liber CXCIV: An Intimation with Reference to the Constitution of the Order states, In order that the feelings of the general body may be represented, the Men of Earth choose four persons, two men and two women, from among themselves, to stand continually before the face of the Supreme and Holy King, serving him day and night. The Man of Earth delegates are therefore pledged to give representation to the general feelings of the Man of Earth Triad. The current Man of Earth delegates are: Sister Sandy Bowie Sister Erin Walsh Frater IAO131 Frater Kian Seadhna NGUF

We thank all of the past Man of Earth delegates for their service.

You may contact the current delegates at MoE.Delegates@gmail.com as you will.

More information on the current delegates will soon be available at admin.oto-usa.org/man-of-earth-delegates. We will let you know once it is online.

See the Grand Masters column on page 3 for details of the new delegate selection process.

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VOL. XIII No. 1

UPON BURNING THE BOOK

by Terry Murdock
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
In the ordinary Hexagram, the Hexagram of nature, the red triangle is upwards, like fire, and the blue triangle downwards, like water. In the magical hexagram this is reversed; the descending red triangle is that of Horus, a sign specially revealed by him personally, at the Equinox of the Gods. (It is the flame desending upon the altar, and licking up the burnt offering.) The blue triangle represents the aspiration, since blue is the colour of devotion, and the triangle, kinetically considered, is the symbol of directed force. The Book of Lies, Commentary to Chapter 69 When the Three Days of the Writing of The Book of the Law come along each year I follow my normal tradition: I gather together new and old friends to feast, celebrate, and reflect on the Law of Thelema. I read the appropriate chapters on the appropriate days. On the third day, when the reading is done, I promptly burn my book. It is at this moment, after the reading but before the burning, that I would like to take a few moments to share my thoughts on the book, the burning, and the ashes that result. The book that I burn is not Photo by Frater Julianus simply a copy of Liber AL vel Legis taken from my bookshelf, dusted off, and prepared for the offering. It is a book that I have carried with me every day throughout the preceeding year. Stored in my back pocket and conformed to my body, this very book has been consulted on buses, in bathrooms, at bars, and on airplanes. Every day, whether it rains or snows, whether I am going to hiking or going to a movie, a poetry readings, weddings or funerals; everywhere I go I take my book. It has gone to work with me. Once it was left in the bathroom to be found by a baffled fellow-employee later in that day. It was with me through all the friendships made at my company and all of the friendships left there. It lived in my pocket through slow business, long meetings, and pointless rewards ceremonies. I read it while the clock was running out on my last day on the job and it was with me for the embarrassing drunken celebration afterwards. It has traveled with me to the Greek island of Rhodes. It has been touched by the waters of both the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. It has visited temples built for Apollo and Aphrodite. It inspected funeral steles of the Knights of St. John with me. It was probably somewhat bemused as I tried to communicate to a Greek bartender that I had somehow lost my wife in the crowd (yes, I did eventually find her). I reread it on the long flight home. It was in my back pocket for my first wedding anniversary on Halloween when my wife and I played music, drank wine, and read poetry until late night. It smashed some pumpkins with me that night, too. I took it out of my pocket and consulted it on the first anniversary of my cousins death. It was with me when a dear friend flew in from Los Angeles and we watched him play guitar at a dive bar in Ellwood City until last call. This year it has met Salman Rushdie, Gerald Stein, and George Romero. At NOTOCON V it was there as I was re-united with old friends and formed lasting bonds with new faces as well. I had it with me when I underwent an initiation that led me to choose the life that I now lead. It influenced my decision to go back to school and study molecular physics to better the life of my future family. I have carried it with me through all of the joys and hardships of this passing year. It is all of these memories and histories that I give over to the fire with these pages. I cannot say that I always follow or even understand all of the words and symbols written within. But I am sure that I would not be the person that I am for myself, my wife, my friends, my brethren, and the world if it was not for this philosophya philosophy that I carry not only in my pocket but in my actions and thoughts. Just as these pages will produce fire when we set the flame upon them, so have they given fire to our choices and beliefs. It is the very same fire that burns in the core of every star and in the hearts and minds of every man and woman. It is a perpetual engine of change. It is the fire that fuels our hunger for knowledge and desire for love. It devours our past and consumes our passions to nourish our future. Continued on next page e

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I know that there are influences in my life that I cannot see: forces that bring about cause and effect in my interior and exterior being. I do not presume here to dissect them, but as they change me, they change this book as well. Symbiotically, the symbols within it progress as I progress. Over this year, though I have read the book over a hundred times, each reading tells me a different story; as if each time it is a different book. I like to think that these invisible energies I am theorizing about are stored in these pages, just as they are stored in my mind. When the book is burned it is not only a form of self-sacrifice, but also an exercise in self-accountability: a tidying of the memory store-house. Here are the things that I have done, that I have loved, that I have hated. Here is what I believe in and what I am willing to do about it. The ash that results is more pure than the previous form. It is truly holographic: every part containing the whole. Indiscriminate, beautiful, colorless ash: the most unfettered form a book can exist in. With all of these memories and experiences fully incorporated, this profound ash reminds us of the fate of our flesh. It is a trimming of the past, a fixing of force, it is alchemy. Memory can be transmuted into inertia. As I have done every year, I will gather the ash and carefully store it in a few small glass containers. These I will keep

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locked in a wood cabinet in my temple to be used in ritual for the following year. It will be there to remind me that every moment that has occurred is still here: present and dynamically alive in the ash. Just as now every moment that we have lived has led us here, to this time, to reflect upon these very things. And to consider the fire that drives us and the products thereof, to ponder the forces that Photo by Frater Julianus liberate and inhibit us, to learn which of these to control and which ones to let go of, to try to understand the scope and magnitude of the simple idea of doing ones will. With that final thought in mind, I would like us now to join with our brothers and sisters in contemplation, not just those of us in this room, but all of our brethren across this world who choose to celebrate the birth of Thelema. Let us join them on this day, and at this time to witness what occurs when words written on paper give rise to flame. [Authors note: The preceeding is a speech that I gave back in 2006 EV on the Third Day of the Writing of The Book of the Law. Though much has changed since that time, I have chosen to present the piece with little revision. I hope the practice described herein will prove worthwhile and thoughtprovoking for my fellow Thelemites.]

Love is the law, love under will.

Books available through Amazon.com and CreateSpace.com BEAUTY AND STRENGTH: PROCEEDINGS OF THE SIXTH BIENNIAL NATIONAL ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS CONFERENCE: SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, AUGUST 10-12, 2007 EV
United States Grand Lodge, O.T.O., 2009 EV Includes addresses and articles by Sabazius X, Richard Kaczynski, Lon Milo DuQuette, James and Nancy Wasserman, Dionysius Rogers, Frater Hrumachis, and many Others of equal Merit, if less Fame.

THE PROCEEDINGS OF NOTOCON

UNITY UTTERMOST SHOWED! PROCEEDINGS OF THE SEVENTH BIENNIAL NATIONAL ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS CONFERENCE: SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, AUGUST 7-9, 2009 EV
United States Grand Lodge, O.T.O., 2011 EV The papers cover diverse topics including Enochian Magick, ritual theater, personal responsibility in Magick, promulgation of the Law of Thelema, textual analysis of The Book of the Law, and more.

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AS ART CAN DEVISE: MUSIC FOR THE GNOSTIC MASS

by Soror Freyja
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
When I stated my intention to write original music for the Gnostic Mass at NOTOCON 2011, I was thinking about a time when three of my Oasis sisters and I sang Happy Birthday in spontaneous, perfect, four-part harmony in an upscale Italian restaurant to one of our friends. We astonished ourselves and everyone else around us with our musicianship, and ever since that day I wanted to harness it again for something extraordinary. That extraordinary day came in August 2011 EV as I trembled nervously at my keyboard in the center of a dynamic group of musicians, not knowing what my piece would inspire in the biggest gathering of Thelemites Id ever seen. It would either be total success or total failure; I couldnt sense a middle ground anywhere. In the Christian church, most every kind of music has been tried and judged for appropriateness at every level since the Middle Ages, and there is no shortage of discussion and professional opinion in the matter. However, in our Gnostic Catholic Church there is a lot less talk and debate, partly because of the law of Do what thou wilt, but also because, so far as I knew in 2011, no original piece of inkand-paper choral music with the scope and breadth of Gnostic Mass I had ever been attempted. But discussions around music in the Gnostic Mass will likely get more common the more we embrace the possibilities of music in this ritual and how it can benefit us. When our esteemed priestess at NOTOCON 2011 shared with me how much the music of Gnostic Mass I moved her and everyone who was there listening, I knew that this journey was just getting started, and it was going to be wide open to anyone who dared to take it. 6. the Cup, and adores. Music. He uncovers the Cup, genuflects, rises. Music.

The Problem of Music in Liber XV

The challenge with using music in the Gnostic Mass is Crowleys scanty directions in Liber XV. Consider the six areas of the Mass where music is obligatory, and at these points no indication is given that it is optional or voluntary: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

AUMGN. AUMGN. AUMGN. Music is now played [emphasis mine]. The child enters with the ewer and the salt. He then kneels and worships the Lance with both hands. Penitential music. He raises the Lance. All repeat Hailing Sign. A phrase of triumphant music. He shows Host to the PEOPLE holding the Paten beneath it, turns, replaces Paten and Host, and adores. Music. He shows the Cup to the PEOPLE, turns replaces

Very little is said about how this music is to be played, and for how long and with what. For the entry of the priestess and the children, for instance, should the music be heard as the priestess says, Greeting of earth and heaven? Should it accompany her serpentine walk all the way to the tomb? And what is the impetus for having music at that particular point? Similar questions arise for the rest of the Mass, particularly the last three points, where the only direction given is simply, Music, and nothing at all is said about its duration or characteristics. Congregations the world over have different solutions to these questions. One is simply to not have any music at all and avoid confusion altogether. Another is to have recorded musiceither one long recording to be played throughout the ritual, or a series of clips to highlight the obligatory points. Its possible to hear recordings from all over the New Age spectrum and beyond, from electronica to chant, tribal drumming to Dead Can Dance, and still more. Still another possibility for music during the Mass is to have live musicians, but then the questions arise: What instruments? Can there be singing? If so, on what text? Many of us would be comfortable with launching a drum circle or chant, or employing our resident rock artists to contribute, because anything remotely churchy or ecclesiastical would run counter to the impulse of the New on. Or would it? Think back to what inspired Crowley to compose Liber XV in the particular form it has: he intended it to correspond to the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church. In fact, it is a correction of that liturgy; it acknowledges that the Roman and Orthodox rites have their real origins in a more mystical tradition that predates Christianitythe cults of Osiris, Mithras, and Dionysus, to name a fewand the Gnostic Mass simply clarifies this. So it would not be out of the question to have organs, angelic choirs, brass ensembles, string quartets, or any number of musical resources that have been characteristic of the various Christian churches for two thousand years, so that we may set them squarely in the New on and let people know what all that pomp and grandeur was really about.

The Framework for Gnostic Mass I

Not long after I decided to compose music for the Mass, I was handed a musical setting of the Anthem by Fr. H.K. Continued on next page e

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1131 that had been used with some success in several different congregations, and our Grand Master and Tau Helena advised me that they wanted it sung at the upcoming NOTOCON. Since the two of them specifically wanted this Anthem setting at their Mass, it seemed natural to draw inspiration from it for the six other obligatory points in Liber XV that call for music. The end result would be a multi-movement sacred work with Fr. H.K. 1131s anthem as the central feature. In a way, its exactly like the Masses and sacred cantatas of traditional Catholic and Protestant Churches that take a singular elementwhether its a folk melody, sacred chant, or bit of scriptureand spin it out into a complex piece that could easily be a musical concert unto itself. So the obligatory points for this Gnostic Mass setting would be like rays from the central Sun of the Anthem, projecting its harmonic and melodic elements in different directions. I would set it for a trio of female voices and organ, with a unison choir, drums and finger cymbals added to the Anthem to set this movement apart and encourage congregational singing. The next challenge was to make the music for the obligatory points a truly unique expression of the Gnostic Mass itself. For this I went directly to Liber XV and read the first section, On the furnishings of the temple. Since music is a mathematical art form expressed in acoustic physics, it made sense to look for inspiration in the physical layout of the temple. The first thing that came to my attention was the Tree of Life image seen when the temple is viewed from above, and particularly the hexagram whose center is the fire altar occupying the point of Tiphereth [see right]: The hexagram is one of the most simple and elegant ways of illustrating spiritual union, whether you call it enlightenment, Knowledge and Conversation with the Holy Guardian Angel, the Sacred Marriage, or the Great Work accomplished

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[see right]. And obviously, in the Gnostic Mass it is gnosis. For this image to exist at the heart of our temple as well as to be featured in so many of our most common rituals is no accident, and so I naturally asked myself how I could suggest the hexagram in music for Liber XV. I figured that since this hexagram is made up of two interlocking triangles, these would be easy to represent in music notation like this:

It made sense to have these musical triangles be as obvious to the ear as to the eye studying the score, so that I wouldnt have to require listeners to be music theorists to make the connection. To keep it simple and listenable, I sequenced these up and down triangles in a minimalist, Philip Glass style to create a sort of mantra on IO, a Gnostic godname used frequently in the Mass:

Because I intended to have these triangular figures sung by a trio of female voices, it would further emphasize the three-ness of the music and even point towards Binah and all its implications, not the least of which is the priestess herself. And so when I brought this idea together with some harmonic coloring borrowed from the choral section of H.K. 1131s anthem, the undulating mantra could now be shaped to accompany the serpentine walk of the Priestess all the way to the tomb [see below].

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The triangle figures reappear in subsequent movements of the piece, and the upward triangle always appears with the downward, with only two exceptions: the two obligatory points in the Mass where the Body and Blood of God are indicated:

Note that the upward triangle symbolizing fire is indicated for the Body of God, where the downward triangle symbolizing water is indicated for the Blood of God. (These could conceivably be reversed at the discretion of those officiating, if there is preference to symbolize fire with the downward triangle and water with the upward triangle, following The Book of Lies, Chapter 69.) I also intended to keep the texts as simple as possible, and to use only neutral vowel sounds and small phrases directly from Liber XV. This helps to keep focus on the action of the Mass, and to have the music be a comment on what is happening in the ritual, rather than an action totally separated from the ritual. Nowhere is the all-too-familiar church moment where a miked-up cantor says, Please turn in your hymnal to number 465 and interrupts the regularly scheduled program for a musical interlude. The seamless flow from one action to the next in the Gnostic Mass seems to call for music that simply provides an aura around what is already taking place. The climax of the entire work is of course the Anthem of Fr. H.K. 1131, and the humming section that immediately follows to mark the final obligatory point of music in Liber XV was designed as a distant echo of one of the Anthems most distinguishing harmonies:

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This is also the final appearance of the musical hexagram, and at this moment it most strongly points toward the possibility of gnosis and the consummation about to take place. Interestingly, at NOTOCON this moment was followed by moist eyes and a happy sigh of relief from the singers around me, when it was obvious that we did it. And that was itself a kind of gnosis. For that, I am grateful to all the sisters and brothers who helped to make it all possible, not the

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least of whom was the Grand Master himself for his generous support and feedback. May we all look forward to the possibility of having music carry us toward gnosis more and more in the future. [Readers interested in obtaining the full sheet music for Gnostic Mass I should email the composer at soundsorceress @yahoo.com.]

Love is the law, love under will.

THE ECSTASY OF PERSEPHONE

by Sophia Vera Horodysky Mezzotint

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REFLECTIONS ON MASSATHON
by Frater Porphyrogenitos (Brother Sacha M.)
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
I was recently honored with the opportunity to attend my first ever Massathon at Star Sapphire Lodge. For those of you who dont know, Massathon is an annual O.T.O. event in Southern California that features eleven performances of Liber XV over the course of roughly forty-eight hours. It was exhausting, but it was a good kind of exhaustion; one might say I felt exhaust in the voluptuous fullness of the inspiration. Indeed, this inspiration is seemingly endless. For nearly a week after the event, I saw the symbolism of the Mass every time I so much as glanced at a Tree of Life diagram or picked up a book. Im inclined to view the Mass itself as a form of initiatory experience. How much more so it must be after attending nearly a dozen of them! Being a relative newcomer to Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica but not to Thelema, I feel as though I am in a position to offer a perspective on this event that my more experienced brethren may have overlooked, having already achieved these insights long ago. For example, many of you have already served in every office of the Mass, some of you over 100 times in a single office alone. For someone with that level of experience, I would imagine that standing up in front of a congregation while performing a ritual comes quite naturally. On the other hand, I am currently working on memorization of the role of deacon and have only been a child twice. Like many people, I experience a large degree of anxiety from public speaking, let alone performing a scripted ceremony, potentially in front of dozens of strangers. Having encountered others in the Order in this situation, I know Im one of at least a few that are actively working to lessen this anxiety before performing in a live Mass. Perhaps one of the most valuable experiences I had during Massathon was the ability to see mistakes made during Mass. None of these resulted from clergy incompetence; rather, such mistakes occur naturally from time to time during any sort of live performance. Seeing some of the best and most experienced ritualists Ive ever encountered make occasional mistakes was quite reassuring. Armed with this knowledge, any mistakes I make when it comes time for me to perform in the Mass will seem less catastrophic. Rather than allowing it to ruin my performance, I can now focus my energy on making a smooth recovery so the rest of the Mass isnt affected. Nearly as valuable as seeing a few mistakes was the opportunity I had to see many remarkable successes, despite the wide variety of interpretations of certain portions of the script. Perhaps one of the most breathtaking moments I experienced during any of the Masses was when Frater ALP LV, acting as priest, sang the beginning of the anthem. It seemed to take me back to a point in my childhood when my worldview was filled with nothing but wonder, love, and imagination. Besides inducing inspiration, seeing so many different interpretations of certain parts of the Mass provided a fresh perspective that allowed me to see layers of meaning that I had missed. Another interesting experience was participation in the silent auction. This allowed me to catch a first-hand glimpse of some of the psychology behind fundraising efforts. There were some very interesting items for sale, including a handmade Kali statue that ended up selling for a few hundred dollars. Because the auction was a fundraiser, people sometimes justified spending much more than the value of the items they were receiving. However, if asked to donate that same amount and receive nothing in return, most people probably wouldnt have done so. Even simple incentives such as leftover Mass incense or Thelemic postcards were all it took to generate donations. Thus, proper incentivization seems like a good thing to keep in mind during fundraisers and similar functions. This information was of particular interest to me, since I run a San Diego Thelema group that I hope will one day become an official O.T.O. lodge. Social events like Massathon are vital if we are to succeed in our goal of building a strong Thelemic community and establishing the Kingdom of Ra-Hoor-Khuit. To that end, I highly recommend that anyone who is part of a local body outside of Southern California consider organizing a similar event in your area if at all possible. The opportunities it will provide, both for personal growth and the growth of your local body, will make you glad you did.

Love is the law, love under will.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR

AGAP VOLUME XIII, NUMBER 2: A IN d B IN c Dies G Anno IV:XX (Saturday, July 14th, 2012 EV)
We want: news and articles, original rituals and artwork, temple photos, reviews of all kinds, local body reports, local body publication reports, publication announcements, and anything else pertinent to Thelema, Ordo Templi Orientis, and the activities of our members. See our submission guidelines at www.otousa.org/agape.html. Contact agape@oto-usa.org for more information.

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VISIT AGAP ON FACEBOOK!

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Over the next few months I will be making several changes to Agaps Facebook page. My goal is to create a place where readers can directly offer feedback and suggestions. Did you like a recent article or feature? Let us know. Is there something about Agap that you think we can improve? Put it in a post. Have a question about submissions? Send us a message. You feel like sending the Agap team suggestive photos of your cat? Put them on the wall. All feedback will be taken into consideration (well, maybe not the cat photos). I will also be posting artwork and excerpts from upcoming features. The goal is to create an environment where every U.S. Grand Lodge member has direct access to the Agap team. As our editor often reminds me: Agap is the magical record of O.T.O. in the United States. Help us continue to produce a publication that we can all be proud of. So, tomorrow, when you are wasting half of your day on Facebook, stop by and offer your thoughts. Just a heads up, Agap does not play Farmville, etc. Were a dignified publication.

Love is the law, love under will.

Terry Murdock

PUBLICATION ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE CENTER OF THE FIRE A MEMOIR OF THE OCCULT 19661989
by James Wasserman Ibis Press, 2012
In this daring expos by a survivor of a unique era in the New York occult scene, James Wasserman brings us into a world of candlelit temples, burning incense, and sonorous invocations. He also introduces us to the company of such avant-garde luminaries as Alejandro Jodorowsky, Harry Smith, Kenneth Anger, and Angus MacLise. The founder of New York Citys TAHUTI Lodge of O.T.O., Wasserman traces its early history. In addition, he meticulously chronicles the copyright contest over the Crowley literary estate, of which he was an important participant. Long slandered for his effort to heal the temporary breach between the Orders of A.A. and O.T.O., James Wasserman finally sets the record straight. Reconstructed from personal memories, magical diaries, multiple interviews, court transcripts, witness depositions, trial evidence, and extensive correspondence, this book elucidates a hitherto misreported and ill-understood nexus of modern magical history. It also shares tales of a mythical moment in American life as seen through the eyes of an enthusiastic participant in the counter-culture of the day.

TO BE RELEASED ON JUNE 15th!

Agap welcomes announcements of book and music publications by members of U.S. Grand Lodge. Please send your copy and cover image to the Editor at agape@oto-usa.org.

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MYSTERIA MYSTICA MAXIMA

ECCLESIA GNOSTICA CATHOLICA

UNITED STATES GRAND LODGE OFFICERS DIRECTORY

U.S. NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: Sabazius X P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 ngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. DEPUTY NATIONAL GRAND MASTER GENERAL: Lon Milo DuQuette P.O. Box 3111, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0705 dngmg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND SECRETARY GENERAL: Fr. Hunapu P.O. Box 2313, Maple Grove, MN 55311 gsg@oto-usa.org U.S. GRAND TREASURER GENERAL: Hank Hadeed 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. #444 Portland, OR 97214-5246 gtg@oto-usa.org www.oto-usa.org/treasury U.S. GRAND TRIBUNAL: Fr. Harmateus, Secretary 3350 E. 7th St. #207, Long Beach, CA 90804 grand_tribunal@oto-usa.org U.S. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, U.S. SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL, and U.S. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS: P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032 U.S. ELECTORAL COLLEGE: Dann Buchanan, President P.O. Box 12653, Oklahoma City, OK 73157-2653 ec_president@oto-usa.org Deborah Woody, Secretary P.O. Box 5741, Glendale, CA 91221-5741 electoral_college@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. INITIATION SECRETARIES: Fr. Saturnus Baphomet and Sr. Naamah P.O. Box 48569, Minneapolis, MN 55448 initiation@oto-usa.org U.S. E.G.C. SECRETARY: Fr. FreeShadow P.O. Box 93, Clarksville, MD 21029-0093 egc@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PARLIAMENTARIAN: Sr. Helena P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502 parlamentarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. OMBUDSMAN: Michael Kolson 719 Highland Dr., Seattle, WA 98109 206-306-6487 ombudsman@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. QUARTERMASTER: Sr. Ishara quartermaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. WEBMASTER: Craig Berry webmaster@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LIBRARIANS: Matthew T. Marfield and Sr. Sophia 3212 1/2 Honolulu Ave, La Crescenta, CA 91214 librarian@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ARCHIVIST: Fr. P. P.O. Box 6635, Jersey City, NJ 07306 U.S.G.L. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: Fr. Do volunteers@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. LOCAL BODY PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY: Sr. Ananael Agape Lux P.O. Box 76966, Atlanta, GA 30358 publications@oto-usa.org O.T.O. PRISON MINISTRY: Father Solomon, Coordinator P.O. Box 4215, Culver City, CA 90231 prison_ministry@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER: Fr. Lux ad Mundi O.T.O. U.S.A./Thelesis 1627 N. 2nd Street, Suite 220 Philadelphia, PA 19122 pio@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION: Fr. Julianus P.O. Box 4123, Pittsburgh, PA 15202 agape@oto-usa.org U.S.G.L. EDUCATION COMMITTEE SECRETARY: Kayla Block education@oto-usa.org

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VOLUME XIII NUMBER 2

SUMMER, 2012 EV

CELEBRATING OUR CENTENNIAL YEAR

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VOL. XIII No. 2

FROM THE EDITOR

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Care Fratres et Sorores,

The Official Organ of the United States Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis

CONTENTS
From the Editor From the Grand Master From the Electoral College A Note to the Clergy O.T.O. Centennial at W.B.L. NOTOCON Update Centennial Interviews Publication Announcements Get Something Started! Book Review Brother Richard Ravish, 1952-2012 EV U.S. Grand Lodge Officers Directory Executive Editor: Sabazius X Editor: Frater Julianus Assitant Editor: Terry Murdock Proofreading: Julia Sonka Production & Distribution: Sister Marlene Editorial Address: P.O. Box 4123 Pittsburgh, PA 15202 agape@oto-usa.org Cover: Sarah Mooshian dances at the centennial celebrations at William Blake Lodge. Photo by Terry Murdock
Agap is published quarterly by Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A., a California not-for-profit religious corporation with business offices at P.O. Box 32, Riverside, CA 92502-0032. O.T.O. U.S.A. is a duly recognized Grand Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis, an international religious organization with business offices at JAF Box 7666, New York, NY 10116, and corporate headquarters at 24881 Alicia Parkway E-529, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. Donations, legacies, and bequests made to Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. are tax-deductable to the extent permitted by law. Agap is distributed to all O.T.O. members in good standing in the U.S.A., and is available for download in PDF format at the U.S. Grand Lodge website: www.oto-usa.org/ agape.html Copyright 2012 EV Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved and assigned to the respective authors. The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors.

2 3 4 6 8 10 11 13 14 17 18 19

Most magical orders dont last very long. For one reason or another they either blow up like over-pressurized water heaters or split apart like so many amba. Yet here we are: celebrating one hundred years of the MMM (the modern O.T.O.) Despite assorted crises and near-death experiences our order has not only survived but grown into a worldwide organization that actually seems capable of fulfilling even the more grandiose dreams of our founders. This is all the more remarkable when you consider that we are Thelemites: notoriously cantankerous and anarchistic as a litter of kittens. How did we manage it? Could we really be doing something right? Maybe there is something to this New on business after all. So, for our next issue we are planning a special feature: a timeline of O.T.O. history, and wed like you to help. We already have the obvious milestones like the founding of grand lodges and the transitions of grand masters. What were after now are the events that are less obvious. What do you think are the significant milestones in the history of our most holy order? The publication of certain books? The establishment of such-and-such a governing body? The chartering of a new lodge where none had existed before? Please log on to the Agap Facebook page and tell us! Our editorial team will sift through your suggestions and you will see the results in our Fall issue. Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, Frater Julianus Editor, Agap
SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR

A IN h B IN c Dies C Anno IV:XX (Wednesday, October 31st, 2012 EV)

We want: news and articles, original rituals and artwork, temple photos, reviews of all kinds, local body reports, local body publication reports, publication announcements, and anything else pertinent to Thelema, Ordo Templi Orientis, and the activities of our members. See our submission guidelines at www.otousa.org/agape.html. Contact agape@oto-usa.org for more information.

AGAP VOLUME XIII, NUMBER 3:

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FROM THE GRAND MASTER

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. 2012 ANNUAL MEETINGS
Many thanks to Soror Lutea and Golden Lotus Oasis for hosting our annual United States Grand Lodge joint governing body meetings over the weekend of July 14-15th. All went quite smoothly, and a great deal of good work was accomplished. program. The form letter received by all Corresponding Associates from I.H.Q. makes it quite clear that they have no special status or privileges in O.T.O., and are not to consider themselves O.T.O. members in any sense. Partly to clarify some persistent misconceptions about U.S.G.L.s Prison Ministry program (both inside and outside the program), I published a brief article about it in the May 2006 EV issue of Agap, which set forth the mission of the Prison Ministry, as I intended it, as follows: 1. To minister to the spiritual needs of Thelemites in prison, through correspondence and, where possible, pastoral visits. 2. To represent Thelema as a valid and positive form of religious expression to corrections officials. 3. To help prevent prisoners from misrepresenting Thelema to corrections officials and to other prisoners, through correction of prisoners own misconceptions and through direct communications with prison officials.

NEW SOVEREIGN GRAND INSPECTORS GENERAL/BISHOPS

On the evening of Friday, July 13th, three new Sovereign Grand Inspectors General and Bishops of the Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica were made: Brother David Shoemaker, Sister Genevieve Mikolajczak, and Sister Kerry K. Congratulations to all three.

MAN OF EARTH DELEGATE SELECTION: UPDATE

Regarding the revised process for selection of Man of Earth Delegates, 22 out of 48 local bodies have selected their representatives to the Man of Earth Delegate Nominating Panel as of the date of this writing, and two local bodies have declined the privilege. The Panel will commence operations when two more representatives have been selected, which will likely be the case by the time of this issues publication.

MEDIATION TRAINING MODULES

The Mediation Training Development Committee has completed a series of modules which provide guidance on how to approach and conduct mediation among our brothers and sisters. These modules are currently available to local body masters, members of R+C Chapters, and members of the Senate; and may be obtained from the document control officer.

PRISON MINISTRY
The U.S. Grand Lodge Prison Ministry was established, as such, in 1997 EV. Prior to that time, Brother Bill Heidrick had operated an informal correspondence program in which he personally conducted most of the correspondence with prisoners, and delegated some of it to volunteers in different parts of the country. At that time, prison inmates could request A.D.V. status at no charge, which stood for Association in Durance Vile. It was a form of Associate Membership in Ordo Templi Orientis, and offered a free subscription to The Magical Link and correspondence with volunteer O.T.O. members. Associate Membership, including A.D.V. status, was abolished by the Areopagus in 2003 EV and replaced by International Headquarters Corresponding Associate

From our perspective, recruitment has never been a goal of the Prison Ministry. Upon their achieving their freedom, former inmates become eligible to apply for initiation in O.T.O., just like anyone elsebut any past participation in the Prison Ministry program gives them no special privileges in that regard. Over the years, we have noted that the rate of Prison Ministry correspondents pursuing further contact with O.T.O. after their release is actually very low. A few do seek out the fellowship of their fellow Thelemites after their release, and of those, a still smaller number decide to apply for initiation. There is a special procedure that must be followed when anyone who has been convicted of a felony applies for initiation in O.T.O., whether they have been involved with the Prison Ministry or not. Around 1999 EV, I instructed the Initiation Secretaries at the time that each Minerval application that came in with the Have you ever been convicted of a felony? blank filled in with anything other than no would require my personal review and approval before the initiation could be scheduled. In such cases, the applicant is required to provide a brief letter describing their case, and justifying why he or she should be admitted to our order. Each sponsor must individually provide a similar letter, indicating that they are fully aware of the candidates history and deem him worthy of initiation anywayand why. In addition, for the last few years, the Initiation Secretaries have been performing background checks on all felony applicants using official data obtained from state websites and/or officials. If the applicant is found to have provided false information, their application is denied without any further consideration. Continued on next page e

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Further, as will be shown in the next revision of the C.O.L.M.H., it is our policy that any individual who has been convicted of murder, attempted murder, rape, or child sexual abuse is automatically on Bad Report until such Bad Report is lifted by the Executive. In 2010 EV, partly as a result of negative experiences with a few individuals with past felony convictions interacting with our local bodies (one of whom was an initiate memberinitiated in 1993 EV) we instituted some changes to the way the Prison Ministry program is operated. Primarily, we began asking correspondents about the crimes of which they had been convicted, along with particulars of their incarceration. Under the program established prior to U.S.G.L., making such inquiries was not allowed; and U.S.G.L. dutifully continued that custom until it became quite clear that the information was necessary. Upon receiving an inquiry, we now send each inmate correspondent a questionnaire requesting information about their case and current situation. If they choose not to return a completed questionnaire (which is their right), then the Prison Ministry has no further dealings with them. If they do, their information is recorded and they are subscribed to a newsletter specially prepared for the Prison Ministry program. Information provided by the inmates is spot-checked against the on-line databases to ensure accuracy. Providing false information results in termination of communications and nonmember bad report. We provide no support for study groups

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in prison facilities, and we discourage correspondents from forming them. Performing pastoral visits to prison facilities is no longer a priority for the program, and will only be considered under rare circumstances. As the program goes forward, we will be instructing participants that if they are ever to approach a local O.T.O. body after their release, they are to first send the local body master a letter introducing themselves, and identifying themselves as former Prison Ministry participants. Failure to do so would be grounds for non-member bad report. Having received such a notification, the local body master could request pertinent information on the person from the Prison Ministry coordinator, and then decide whether to allow the person to participate in their activities. Also, I have recently instituted an advisory panel for the Prison Ministry, comprising the past two Prison Ministry coordinators, an attorney, a law enforcement officer, the Public Information Officer, and myself. Id like to thank Father Solomon (Brother Erik F.) for his service as Prison Ministry coordinator for the last three and a half years, and welcome Brother Chris G. as the new Prison Ministry coordinator. If any readers are interested in helping with the Prison Ministry newsletter, please write to the Volunteer Coordinator. Note: those who have served time as prison inmates are not, at this time, eligible for service as Prison Ministry volunteers.

Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, Sabazius

FROM THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. NINTH DEGREE REVOLUTIONARY
Members in good standing of the Sovereign Sanctuary of the IX in the United States (who are not serving as an officer or voting member of any Governing or Administrative Body under the jurisdiction of U.S. Grand Lodge) wishing to volunteer to stand for election to the office of Revolutionary by the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C. See page 19 for contact information.

HOSTING ELECTORAL COLLEGE MEETINGS

Local bodies that are interested in hosting meetings of the Electoral College are encouraged to write the President of the E.C. See page 19 for contact information.

UPCOMING ELECTORAL COLLEGE MEETINGS

The Fall 2012 EV Electoral College meeting is to be held on Saturday, October 6th at Sekhet-Maat Lodge (Portland, Oregon). Winter 2013 EV Electoral College meeting is to be held on Saturday, January 12th via online medium.

SANCTION FOR APPEAL

Brothers or sisters of our order who wish to pursue appeal of a verdict of the Grand Tribunal may write to individual members of the Electoral College to request sanction be given to take their case to the Areopagus of the Eighth Degree (per Liber CXCIV, section 16) via email links found at: ec.oto-usa.org/ECelectors.html.

The deadline for submission of items to be considered (for the Fall 2012 meeting) is September 15th, 2012 EV. Please mail

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The Electoral College, at its Summer meeting, held on July 14th, 2012 EV, took the following actions concerning duties in its charge: Local Body Closures None. None. Change of Body Status Change of Body Masters Mastership of NOX Oasis in the Valley of Ogden, Utah was transferred from Soror Babalon to Brother Gawain effective July 14th, 2012 EV. New Local Body Charters Camp was chartered in the Valley of Indianapolis, Indiana with Brother Jay Michael Lee as Master, effective July 14th, 2012 EV. Glory of the Stars Camp was chartered in the Valley of Asheville, North Carolina with Sister Ananael Agape LVX as Master, effective July 14th, 2012 EV. The College wishes to express its appreciation to the past and present masters of each of these bodies. We wish each of them the best in their new offices and endeavors.

Mastership of Aum. Ha. Lodge in the Valley of Chicago, Illinois was transferred from Brother Henry Anderson to Brother Gordon Kinloch effective July 14th, 2012 EV. Mastership of Vortex Oasis in the Valley of Tacoma, Washington was transferred from Brother Ted Gill to Soror Diana effective July 14th, 2012 EV.

submissions to the Secretary of the Electoral College. See page 19 for contact information.

ELECTORAL COLLEGE WEBSITE

The official Electoral College website can be found at: ec.oto-usa.org.

ATTENDING ELECTORAL COLLEGE MEETINGS

Dues-current members in good standing of V and above are welcome to attend and observe the in-person Electoral College meetings. We request that those planning to attend contact the master of the hosting body so that adequate arrangements can be made.

COMMUNICATION WITH THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE

I would like to invite any initiates with specific concerns or questions regarding the operation of the Electoral College, to write to either the President or Secretary of the E.C. For contact information, please see page 19. It is my goal as President of the Electoral College to take effective measures bringing about better communication between the E.C. and the membership of all local bodies. Any input provided to this end is warmly welcomed. I believe that communication is of benefit to the entire order in our mutual goals and aspiration toward enlightenment in all forms. All postal mail correspondence with the Electoral College Secretary should be sent to the address listed on page 19.

FORMS
Bodymasters seeking up-to-date forms for the Annual Report, Change of Mastership Application, Application for Oasis Status, Application for Lodge Status, or closure forms, will find them by contacting the document control officer at doc_control@oto-usa.org.

Love is the law, love under will.

In the Bonds of the Order, Dnn Bvchnn President, Electoral College O.T.O. U.S.A. Speech in the Silence is the official podcast of Blazing Star Oasis in the San Francisco Bay Area. We focus on the topics of Thelema, Aleister Crowley, and Ordo Templi Orientis while also touching upon the subjects of Magick, Yoga, and Initiation. The podcast includes lectures, music, interviews, discussions, and readings of the Holy Books of Thelema and other important texts written by Aleister Crowley. Download or subscribe at iTunes or at speechinthesilence.com or visit our YouTube channel at youtube.com/speechinthesilence.

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A NOTE TO THE CLERGY

by Frater FreeShadow, U.S. E.G.C. Secretary Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
While International Headquarters has had an Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica Secretary for decades, the office of the E.G.C. Secretary under U.S. Grand Lodge was first announced by Grand Master Sabazius in the Volume V, Number 1 issue of Agap on May 1, 2003 EV. This office has kept a record of all E.G.C. ceremonies reported to it since that time. However, while there is certainly vibrant activity with regard to the E.G.C. ceremonies performed under U.S.G.L., the reporting of those ceremonies has not been as diligently performed. Therefore, this note is submitted as a reminder to officiating clergy that this office requires reports of the ceremonies performed within 30 days of the event. Also, this office is always in need of all previously unreported E.G.C. ceremonial activity. sumes baptism and confirmation ceremonies are performed for adults, unless otherwise informed. Reports of such ceremonies performed on persons under 18 years of age must include the candidates date of birth and an acknowledgement that the parental/guardian consent letter was obtained and submitted to the local body where the ceremony was performed to be kept in their local files. Baptism is open to any person at least 11 years old; confirmation is open to any person who has been baptized and attained the age of puberty.] Date of the ceremony. Local body or location of the ceremony. Full legal name and E.G.C. rank of the officiating officer. Supervising Bishop of the officiating officer (if applicable).

Officiating clergy are requested to report their ceremonial activities to this office by email at egc@oto-usa.org. Such reports should be carbon copied to their supervising bishop and all the pertinent local body officers (master, secretary, and/or E.G.C. secretary) where the ceremony was performed. Officiating clergy are required to report their performance of the following ceremonies: baptism, confirmation, ordination(s), marriage (both non-legal and legally recognized); reports are also required on the supervision of novices (initial reports and changes). Officiating clergy have the option to report their performance of the following ceremonies: last rites and feast for fire, water, life, and death. Reports of baptism, confirmation, and ordination should include: Candidates full legal name, ceremonial name (if any), and M.M.M. degree (if any). Nature of ceremony performed. [Note: this office as-

The Gnostic Mass temple at William Blake Lodge, in the Valley of Baltimore, Maryland. Photo by Robert Brett Sherry

Reports of marriage ceremonies should include: Full legal names of those being married, their E.G.C. rank (if any). Date of the ceremony. Local body or location of the ceremony. Full legal name and E.G.C. rank of the officiating officer. Supervising bishop of the officiating officer (if applicable). Scan of the officiants registration to perform marriages from local government. [Note: this is necessary if the officiants authorization from the local government is a separate registration document from the marriage license itself (a situation which varies by locality), but is not required if the officiant is only solemnizing a marriage without governmental recognition.]

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Reports of supervision should include: Novices full legal name, ceremonial name (if any), and M.M.M. degree. Type of novitiate training being provided by the supervising bishop [priestess, priest, or deacon]. Date the supervising bishop accepted the novice for training. Reports of last rites should include: Full legal name of the communicant, E.G.C. rank (if any), M.M.M. degree (if any). Date of the ceremony. Location of the ceremony. Full legal name and E.G.C. rank of the officiating officer. Supervising bishop of the officiating officer (if applicable). Reports of feasts (i.e. of fire, water, life, and death): Full legal name of candidate, E.G.C. rank (if any), and M.M.M. degree (if any). Nature of the ceremony performed [Note: reports of ceremonies performed for the feast days of fire, water and life must include the candidates date of birth and an acknowledgement that the parental/guardian consent letter was obtained and submitted to the local body where performed to be kept in their local files. Reports of the greater feast for death must include the date of death.] Date of the ceremony. Local body or location of the ceremony. Full legal name and E.G.C. rank of the officiating officer. Supervising bishop of the officiating officer (if applicable). To aid presiding clergy with reporting, this office will make available a ceremonial report form and a parental/ guardian consent form,both of which can be obtained through the document control officer. Thank you for your assistance in these matters.

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NATIONAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS BOOKS

UNITY UTTERMOST SHOWED! PROCEEDINGS OF THE SEVENTH BIENNIAL NATIONAL ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS CONFERENCE: SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, AUGUST 7-9, 2009 EV
United States Grand Lodge, O.T.O., 2011 EV

Unity Uttermost Showed! offers a selection of papers from the seventh biennial National Ordo Templi Orientis Conference (NOTOCON) of the United States Grand Lodge of O.T.O., held in the Valley of Seattle, Washington, in 2009 EV. The papers cover diverse topics including Enochian magick, sacrifice in Aztec mythology, the sacred geometry of an astral cathedral, producing ritual theater, personal responsibility in magick, promulgation of the Law of Thelema, textual analysis of The Book of the Law, and more. Other highlights include the original ritual, the Feast of Babalon, and the address given by U.S. National Grand Master Sabazius.

Love is the law, love under will.

BEAUTY AND STRENGTH: PROCEEDINGS OF THE SIXTH BIENNIAL NATIONAL ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS CONFERENCE: SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, AUGUST 10-12, 2007 EV
United States Grand Lodge, O.T.O., 2009 EV

STILL AVAILABLE:

Includes addresses and articles by Sabazius X, Richard Kaczynski, Lon Milo DuQuette, James and Nancy Wasserman, Dionysius Rogers, Frater Hrumachis, and many Others of equal Merit, if less Fame. Both collections are available from Amazon.com and CreateSpace.com.

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ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS CENTENNIAL AND WILLIAM BLAKE LODGE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
by Brother Robert Brett Sherry Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
During a decade of immense political and social unrest, declining European empires, a war engulfing the continents, and the ill-fated loss of an unsinkable giant, a progressive esoteric society was emerging. This child of two men, Carl Kellner and Dr. Theodore Reuss, would flourish into something greater than either could ever have imagined when a young occultist named Aleister Crowley appeared, bringing with him a New on of Love and Will that opposed the restrictions of earlier times. 2012 marks the official one hundredth anniversary of the MMM, the British Section of this noble order fondly known to us as Ordo Templi Orientis. down under and within the Asian Pacific. The Grand Master declared this the Century of the Priestess. Sister Kerry K. followed with a heartfelt recollection of William Blake Lodge history and pictorials showing the construction of their exquisite new lodge facility. Afterwards, a group of ritualists led by Brother Terry Murdock performed a Centennial rite spotlighting the initiatory grades of O.T.O.

Saturday afternoon continued with a lecture by notable author James Wasserman titled A Contemporary History of Thelema in which Brother Jim described past O.T.O. copyright struggles, great friendships within the order, his days at Weiser What better place to Books, and the great loss of celebrate this huge milestone Jack Parsons. Next on the list than at William Blake Lodge of distinguished presenters in Baltimore, Maryland, Whose side are you on? Sarah Mooshian and Soror Threnoidia offer (via Skype) was U.S. Grand where a momentous com- centennial attendees a tough choice at William Blake Lodges Heaven Master Sabazius X who memoration was already and Hell party. Photo by Robert Brett Sherry. remarked on the continued underwaytwenty years of posterity of U.S. Grand successful contribution to the Thelemic community. Lodge and the newly forming Man of Earth delegate selecIn usual O.T.O. style under the auspices of Sister Kerry tion panel consisting of representatives from all 48 U.S. local K. (event director) and Frater FreeShadow (lodgemaster), fel- bodies. Frater Superior Hymenus Beta brought the days leclow initiates from across the country and even abroad enjoyed tures to a close with a riveting presentation on Talismans and a weekend filled with fraternity, formal dining, a themed gala, Trusts: Mysteria Mystica Maxima at 100. Additionally, the the Gnostic Mass, book signings, rituals, and scholarly pre- Frater Superior shared a captivating collection of photographs sentations. From the start, the lodge was abuzz with excite- revealing many glory days of the Order. ment awaiting the arrival of Frater Superior Hymenus Beta. Evening arrived and William Blake Lodge quickly transThe kickoff started Friday night with a salacious Heaven formed from classroom into a fine dining experience with and Hell party boasting cocktails, hors doeuvres, and yes a banquet based on the first class menu served aboard the belly dancing! On Saturday after a zesty Mexican lunch, R.M.S. Titanic on April 15, 1912 complemented by EdwardGrand Master Shiva X from Grand Lodge Australia delivered ian period cocktails including The Side Car and Hanky a potent podcast message (available at www.otoaustralia.org. Panky. au/flow) detailing exciting O.T.O. development in the lands A restful nights sleep at the Hyatt, coupled with Sunday

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brunch and mimosas at the temple, invigorated the brethren for another day of activities commencing with a book signing by renowned authors and initiates Richard Kaczynski, Vere Chappell, and James Wasserman. Giving his sore hand a rest, Brother Richard offered a lecture based on his new book, Forgotten Templars: The Untold Origins of Ordo Templi Orientis, preceded by celebratory remarks from United Kingdom Grand Master Hyperion X. Brother Tony Iannotti, O.T.O. Archivist, concluded the lecture series with a touching presentation entitled The Warrior, the Troubadour, and the Lady: Themes in the Life and Times of Grady L. McMurtry.

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A (Gnostic) Mass of (William Blake Lodge) Masters: B.J. Swayne, Paul Hume, Frater FreeShadow, Kerry K., and Christeos Pir. Photo by Robert Brett Sherry.

A FEW WORDS WITH THE MASTER

Following this most successful celebratory weekend, I had the privilege of chatting with current bodymaster, Frater FreeShadow about the past and future of William Blake Lodge. Brett: Frater FreeShadow, would you share some special memories of William Blake Lodge during your tenure as Lodgemaster? FreeShadow: My tenure has focused primarily on acclimating William Blake Lodge to a 24/7 space, instead of perday rentals. Some of the growing pains while transitioning from rental spaces and living rooms into our current space include maintaining balance between the financial tightrope act of paying our various bills and improving our location from a bare warehouse into a habitable environment. As such, most of the special memories revolve around the work that has gone into constructing our space to suit our needs: from building our E.G.C. temple space and meeting room to adding plumbing for our toilet and kitchen, from improving the electrical circuitry for our large air conditioning units and stove to acquiring our many furnishings. I personally find the robustness of communal growth that William Blake Lodge has gone through over the course of our four years of renting our space quite fulfilling. Brett: How do you envision William Blake Lodge over the next 10 years? Are there goals and/or important projects you would like to accomplish? FreeShadow: Things have a way of changing over the course of a decade, but we will likely be using our current space for most, if not all, of those years. We have been slowly growing our Building Fund, which is a savings account specifically for buying our own standalone building; but it is a slow, alchemical process and will be many years yet before we have the required sum devoted toward such a purchase. In the meantime, we will remain in our current space and continue to improve and finalize construction, such as finishing our shower project for the bathroom. Continued on next page e

Brunch at the centennial celebration with attendees from New York, Indiana, and Ohio: Kittie Palakovich, Jay Lee, Ron Con, Eric Patterson, and Frater . Photo by Robert Brett Sherry.

An O.T.O. event would be incomplete without a grand finale, and William Blake Lodge amazed with an inspiring performance of the Gnostic Mass with the team of Past Masters Soror Hypatia (Priestess), Brother Paul Hume (Deacon), and Brother Christeos Pir (Child), current Master Frater FreeShadow (Priest), and current Deputy Master Brother Von Hohenheim (Child).

William Blake Lodge volunteers (left to right): B.J. Swayne, Frater FreeShadow, Sherri McLaughlin, Justin Towson, Stephanie OlmsteadDean, Kerry K., Voron Erich Langsdorf Xarya, Sarah Mooshian, and George Poute Bedi. Photo by Robert Brett Sherry.

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There is also the posfloors and tables to the prosibility that we may viding of delicious foods. It be able to extend into was quite enjoyable to have neighboring space and so many out-of-town guests thus enlarge our temple and dignitaries attending; and meeting spaces; but it was especially enjoyable this is solely dependent to have a number of them on membership growth presenting (both in person and activity. and remotely via Skype or Brett: The O.T.O. Centennial audio-visual presentation) event at William Blake about local, national, and inLodge was a tremendous ternational items of historical success. Do you have a import to and for the O.T.O. few special words for as a whole. all the presenters and Brett: Frater FreeShadow, The centennial celebration offered sustenance and joy courtesy of volunteers? kitchen volunteers Stephanie Olmstead-Dean, Sarah Mooshian, and Im sure I speak for the entire FreeShadow: I greatly ap- Frater FreeShadow. Photo by Robert Brett Sherry. order when congratulating preciate all the donaWilliam Blake Lodge on a tions and many volunteer efforts that made this event job well done. Your members and volunteers made evsuch a success from the heavy-lifting grunt work to the eryone feel very welcome, and you delivered a superior exhausting dish cleaning, from the maintaining of clean level of hospitality. Hats off and Happy Centennial!

Love is the law, love under will.

NOTOCON IX UPDATE
by Anna Tsu, Onsite Chair Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
It is my great pleasure to announce that the website for NOTOCON IX is now live at the following address: ix.notocon.org. Registration and vendor proposals are all likewise live and included within the above address. We have the honor of hosting the 2013 NOTOCON here in Sacramento, California, from August 9th until August 11th. I, as Onsite Chair, and our dedicated and talented group of volunteers from the three Northern California O.T.O. bodies (418 Lodge, Blazing Star Oasis, and Sirius Camp) look forward to welcoming you to Northern California for a full weekend of Art, Science, Knowledge, Wisdom, and Understanding, with a good dose of Love, Fellowship, and Joy thrown in for good measure. Our theme for this event is Neither East nor West, which is a paraphrase from Liber AL, Chapter 1, verse 56, and which we are taking as inspiration to celebrate the great diversity and depth of the traditions from which Thelema has drawn. If you have previously attended a NOTOCON, you already understand the value of this biennial event. If you have not, please speak with those who have. NOTOCON offers an unparalleled opportunity to meet and interface with the best Thelemic hearts and minds from around the country (and perhaps a few from outside the country) a chance to be inspired by the virtue and strength of dedicated initiates outside our own locales. Please visit our website for further details of this events theme, location, and other particulars, and/or to investigate the possibilities for involvement as an attendee, speaker, or vendor. Further invitations and information will be posted to national lists in the coming months. I sincerely look forward to welcoming you to Sacramento in August 2013!

Love is the law, love under will. 10

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CENTENNIAL INTERVIEWS WITH RICHARD KACZYNSKI AND JAMES WASSERMAN

by Brothers Robert Brett Sherry and Terry Murdock Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Richard: O.T.O. has been fortunate to have very knowledgeable, shrewd, talented, magical, organized, and committed people leading its revival from the 1970s onward. In the forty years since, weve lost some of our leading lightslike Grady McMurtry, Helen Parsons Smith, and Phyllis Seckler. Over the next 25 years were going to lose a lot more of the people who brought us to where we are today, and that P P P will be a huge change. The Great Work will nevertheless Terry: Brother Richard, Agaps fearless Assistant Editor puts Brothers Kaczynski and Wasser- continue, as knowledgeable, man to the question at William Blake Lodges centennial celebrations. looking back over the Photo by Robert Brett Sherry. shrewd, talented, magical, great revival of O.T.O., organized, and committed what has been our single greatest accomplishment and people continue to rise to leadership in O.T.O. Its conwhat has made you the most proud of our order? tinuing knowledge from generation unto generation. But Richard Kaczynski: Without a doubt, O.T.O.s biggest acit will still be interesting to see how the order looks when complishment has been establishing ownership of the the present page of history has turned. Crowley copyrights. In his will, Crowley left his copy- Brett: Brother Richard, what inspired your latest publication rights to O.T.O. for the express purpose of perpetuating Forgotten Templars? the Great Work. This was complicated, however, by the Richard: I started out writing a paper on Henry Klein, the fact that Crowley was declared bankrupt in the 1930s, O.T.O. co-founder whom nobody really knew anything and as such he did not technically own his copyrights. about. But in the course of fleshing out his story and So O.T.O. had to go through some legal maneuvering how he fit into O.T.O. history, I uncovered a tremendous to manifest Crowleys intention. Accomplishing this amount of additional information that had never previhas put us in a position where weve been able not only ously been reported. It radically changed my understandto produce definitive editions of Crowleys works, but ing of how O.T.O. came to be, and who its founders were. also to help serious scholars with their Crowley-related I knew this was a story that had to be shared. research. In the acknowledgements to the new edition of Brett: Brother Richard, I want to thank you for your unrelentPerdurabo, I talk about how in the 21st century Aleister ing dedication to O.T.O. and for providing Agap with an Crowley has been re-evaluated in several different scholexcerpt from Forgotten Templars [beginning on page 14]. arly fields, and this re-evaluation is due in part, I believe, Im positive our readers will thoroughly enjoy it. to O.T.O. establishing itself as the rightful administrators of Crowleys literary estate. P P P In addition, Im especially proud of the fact that O.T.O. has raised the fundsexclusively from its mem- Terry: Brother Jim, what do you think will be the greatest bershipto preserve Frieda, Lady Harriss artwork for challenge facing the order in the next 25-50 years? the Thoth Tarot and save these works from further dete- James Wasserman: I think the greatest challenge facing the rioration. order will be finding the right balance between creativity Terry: What do you think will be the most significant changand regimentation. Too many rules inhibit exploration. es and challenges facing the order in the next 25 to 50 Too few rules allow anarchy. As our property holdings years? Continued on next page e During the cenennial celebrations at William Blake Lodge, Brother Terry Murdock and I had the privilege of chatting with two influential members of Ordo Templi OrientisBrothers Richard Kaczynski and James Wasserman, both of whom have made significant contributions to our great order. They shared some thoughts from the past and aspirations for the future.

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expand, we become more legally vulnerable to our memberships behavior. It is problematic. Our very success becomes our greatest challenge. There is also the problem of laziness and arrogance. As people and institutions age, they can lose the initial sense of experimentation that engendered their successrigidity replacing flexibility. Terry: Looking back over the great revival of O.T.O., what has been our single greatest accomplishment and our greatest misstep? Jim: I think The Holy Books of Thelema has been our greatest single accomplishment in the religious aspect of our work. I think the unanimous election of the present Caliph was our greatest accomplishment in insuring the continuity of the order after Grady McMurtrys death. I think the copyright victories by Hymenus Alpha and Hymenus Beta were crucial to being able to control our message. I think the greatest failure of O.T.O. has been our unwillingness to publicly criticize the modern fallacy of AA lineages. I appreciate the thinking behind thisallowing people maximum freedom to make choices, including bad choices. But I believe we have a doctrinal obligation to point out pretenders, misguided spiritual interpretations, and erroneous behavior. Terry: What do you think will be the most significant changes in the order during the next 25 years? Jim: On the positive side, I think the greatest accomplishment to come will be our own well-funded publishing imprint. Whether this is done in alliance with a commercial publisher or through the help of an acceptable financial backer, I think it is critical that we always have the ability to publish fine-quality, printed Crowley books. I also think we need to own property where we can archive materials, establish libraries, maintain Temple space, and have classrooms. I think a central headquarters is appropriate for each country, and even each region in larger countries. This will allow decentralized and duplicate storage in the event of natural and political disasters. On the negative side, I fear we risk becoming overorganized. If the bureaucrat and ass-kisser becomes the preferred candidate for advancement, it will spell death for the Order. We must not reward conformity, thereby losing creativity and passion. I also fear we could begin to mistake quantity for qualitya natural tendency of groups. I dont measure success by numbers. While I am very well aware that the Law is for all, I also know that Her servants are few and secret. I think our job as Ordo Templi Orientis is to vibrate the Word of the Law in rituals, media, print, art, science, education, politics, and the marketplace. I think we are designed to beand should bethe elite. Terry: If you could pick three accomplishments, policies or projects that you would like to see completed in the next 25 years what would they be? Jim: 1. A publishing company dedicated to keeping Crowleys books in print at all times 2. Breaking ground for the golden-domed headquarters

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on a hill, as described to me in 1976 by Helen Parsons Smith as she shared her long-held vision 3. An electronic media outreach abilityeither through well-connected order members or media people attracted to the orderso that we can get our message out to a wider and younger audience through film and television. And, I would like to see an even more successful popular music outreach as well. Terry: What accomplishment in the past 25 years has made you the most proud of our order? Jim: Hymenus Betas establishment of the U.S., United Kingdom, and Australian Grand Lodges with their respective X Kings. Brett: Brother Jim, during your presentation at William Blake Lodge, you mentioned Grady would be proud of us. Would you share more details about this for our readers? Jim: Grady wanted results. I think the fact that his successor as O.H.O. has managed to win copyrights and trademarks worldwide validated Gradys sacrifice. Grady died in 1985, on the very day our legal victory [over Marcello Motta] in the U.S. was declared. He died from lasting complications of a health problem that had been made worse 18 months earlier during the first battle of the 25year copyright war. I think Grady would have been extremely happy to see us establish three Grand Lodges and move International Headquarters to a separate status. I think he would be proud of our publishing activities, particularly Liber ABA, Liber Aleph, and the other Crowley classics that Hymenus Beta has issued with such amazing erudition. I also think Grady would be happy to see some of the products from non-Crowley authors such as myself, Lon DuQuette, Richard Kaczynski, Dan Gunther, and others. While none of us is at Crowleys level of spiritual attainment, Grady understood that Thelema needed to live and grow in a responsible manner. He would have appreciated H.B.s effort to reach out to scholars and artists and to have established O.T.O. as a research center for historians and intellectuals throughout the civilized world. Brett: You mentioned many significant friendships that have developed over the years within the Order. Could you give a few examples? Jim: My most important friendships in the old days are described in In the Center of the Fire. Certainly Bill Breeze, Dan Gunther, Richard Gernon, and Grady McMurtry were at the top of that list. They were friends, teachers, and allies. But such friendships also included Bill Heidrick, Bill Padgett, Michael Kramer, Bokar, Tony Iannotti, Kent Finne, Nancy Wasserman, Wileda Wasserman, Lola D. Wolfe, Nancy Brooks, Jim Garvey, and many others. We shared a passion for excellence. A dedication to the highest standards of Magick and Mysticism, as well as working for the highest benefit of O.T.O. and AA. What is perhaps even more important are the friend-

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ships Ive formed sincewith newer, younger members, whose love and dedication to the order I truly respect. Although I am forbidden from using your names because of the editorial constraints of Agap, you know who you are! The fact that so many new people keep showing up year after year just fills me with hope and gratitude. Ours is a living, breathing tradition based on The

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Book of the Law and Liber Oz. If we can keep those two documents constantly in our sights, we will succeed. Brett: Brother Jim, Agap really appreciates you taking the time to answer all of our questions with such enthusiasm and detail. Your passion is inspirational. Thanks for everything!

Love is the law, love under will.

PUBLICATION ANNOUNCEMENTS FORGOTTEN TEMPLARS: THE UNTOLD ORIGINS OF ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS
by Richard Kaczynski Published by the author, 2012
An unlikely cocktail of actors and musicians, doctors and merchants, anarchists and sexual reformers populated the occult underground of the late nineteenth century. One by-product of this strange brew was the magical order known as Ordo Templi Orientis, or the Order of Oriental Templars, with its controversial mix of esoteric Freemasonry, yoga and sex magic. While its name is familiar thanks to its second Grand Master, Edwardian enfant terrible Aleister Crowley, its origins have subsisted as shadowy mytho-history. Until now. This revelatory study brings into sharp focus the perfect storm of personalities, movements, and circumstances that gave rise to one of the largest and most influential secret societies of our time. It is a story that has waited a century to be told.

IN THE CENTER OF THE FIRE: A MEMOIR OF THE OCCULT 19661989

by James Wasserman Ibis Press, 2012

The founder of New York Citys TAHUTI Lodge of O.T.O., Wasserman traces its early history. In addition, he meticulously chronicles the copyright contest over the Crowley literary estate, of which he was an important participant. Long slandered for his effort to heal the temporary breach between the Orders of A.A. and O.T.O., James Wasserman finally sets the record straight. Reconstructed from personal memories, magical diaries, multiple interviews, court transcripts, witness depositions, trial evidence, and extensive correspondence, this book elucidates a hitherto misreported and ill-understood nexus of modern magical history.

Agap welcomes announcements of book and music publications by members of U.S. Grand Lodge. Please send your copy and cover image to the Editor at agape@oto-usa.org.

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GET SOMETHING STARTED! AN EXCERPT FROM FORGOTTEN TEMPLARS: THE UNTOLD ORIGINS OF ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS
by Richard Kaczynski Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
The title of the following excerpt is taken from one of Aleister Crowleys letters where he recalls that John Yarker, Grand Master of the Ancient and Primitive Rite, chartered and charged him to get something started. While Yarker may have had a revival of the Ancient and Primitive Rite in mind, Crowley contends that Yarker knew and approved of his plans to incorporate those rituals into the system of Mysteria Mystica Maxima, the British Section of Ordo Templi Orientis. This extract from Forgotten Templars (starting on page 264) gives some insight into the tentative first steps of MMM, and the role that Yarker played in mentoring Crowley, from Masonic regularity to the importance of paying dues. As early as March 1911, Yarker and Crowley were discussing the possibility of reviving some of Londons dormant Ancient and Primitive Rite bodies, Mount Sinai No. 1 (Chapter, Senate and Council) and Rose of Sharon No. 6 (Chapter and Senate).1 On August 7, 1912, Yarker wrote to Crowley enclosing herewith a (free) Dispensation to enable you to proceed.2 While Yarker may have been looking for a literal revival of these two bodies, Crowley interpreted his dispensation more figuratively: Mt. Ararat etc. are Fannies Funny Little Ways, Fanny being John Yarker, Crowley wrote.3 To A.C., it was Just Yarkers flowery way of saying, Build up the whole show afresh from the start,4 or, as he paraphrased Yarkers meaning in another letter, Do what thou bloody well want to, only for Gods sake get something started!5 None of this is to suggest that Yarker did not know what was going on. Not only was he in correspondence with Crowley during this period, but he had been a contributor to both the Oriflamme in the early 1900s and, more recently, to the Equinox: his lengthy and damning review of A E. Waites The Secret Tradition in Freemasonry appeared as late as March 1912.6 With both journals announcing the existence of Ordo Templi Orientis in 1912, this could hardly have been a secret from Yarker.
Agap wishes to thank Brother Kaczynski for permission to reproduce this excerpt from his new book.

Crowleys idea for populating the revived Rite was to draw on the ready supply of students who had proven themselves to be serious and dedicated through their work in the AA. Indeed, it was this proposal that prompted Yarker to send Crowley the previously mentioned Dispensation on August 7 so that he could do this in the proper way. As Yarker wrote in his cover letter to the Dispensation, I quite approve of your appointing 7 members 3090 and 12 of the 1118, or more if you see fit. You must levy upon them such fees as will enable you to pay working expenses, & the fees for certificates.7 The names of these prospective seven and twelve new members are not given, but clues appear in the membership rolls in the Golden Book for the first meeting of Mysteria Mystica Maxima.8 Here, we find listings for three national headsReuss for Germany, Crowley for Britain, and James Thomas Windram (18771939) for South Africa.9 Expatriate Australian concert violinist and Crowleys lover at the time, Leila Waddell (18801932), was brought in as Grand Secretary General, and her name was signed to the Mysteria Mystica Maxima Manifesto as L. Bathurst IX, Grand Secretary General.10 The Supreme Grand Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General was constituted by the following: 1. George MacNie Cowie (18611948), a Scottish art editor and president of the Edinburgh Deaf and Dumb Benevolent Society, joined the AA in 191111 and would serve as Crowleys Grand Treasurer General. 2. Dutch painter Leon Engers Kennedy (18911970) was the adopted son of a multi-millionaire who lived on a substantial family allowance.12 Having studied art at the Sorbonne and Acadmie Julian, he came to occultism in his quest to paint something deeper than merely the outward physical appearance of his subjects. The result was the psychocrome, a painting of his subjects aura or soul. He would join the AA on September 23, 1912, and prove to be an important ally of both Crowley and the Ancient and Primitive Rite, serving as Patriarch Grand Secretary General in England.13 3. Eduardo Frosini was Italian Grand Delegate for the

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Spanish Rite, having been appointed in 1908 by Isidoro Villarino del Villar, a legate of the Universal Gnostic Church of Joanny Bricaud (18811934), and appointed 96 by Yarker as Grand Master General of the Philosophical Rite of Italy (a reduced version of the Memphis-Misraim Rite). 4. John Daniel Reelfs had joined the AA on July 5, 1910, and hoped to set up a Grand Lodge for Switzerland; however, Frosini had already granted this authority to Professor Emil Schaub of Basel; Crowleys suggestion was for Schaub and Reelfs to work cooperatively and establish two Grand Lodgesone serving French-speaking members, and the other serving German-speaking members.14 5. Arturo Reghini was an associate of Reelfs who would, on October 20, 1913, make Crowley an honorary member of his Rito Filosofico Italiano ; in later years, Reghini would switch allegiance to Traditionalist esotericist Julius Evola (18981979). 6. Matthew McBlain Thomson (18541932) was a Scottish Freemason and editor of the Scottish Freemason from 1894 to 1896 before moving to the United States in the late 1890s15 and founding the American Masonic Federation and the Confederated Supreme Councils of America. He claimed to have received the Memphis and Misraim degrees in Scotland,16 and his Scottish Grand Council of Rites claimed to control, amongst others, the Rite of Misraim, the Rite of Memphis, the Ancient and Primitive Rite, and the Order of Sat Bhai.17 He was an acquaintance of Yarker, who had been a contributor and correspondent to the Scottish Freemason18 and who had sent Crowley a copy of the A.M.F.s journal, the Universal Free Mason, with the comment, To me its great merit is this: it is the only Yankee or Canadian j[ourna]l in which I could get anything decently printed.19 At Thomsons instigation, the A.M.F. formally established friendly relations with the Order, which appointed him 33, 90, 96 as Grand Representative General.20 As mentioned in Chapter 9, Thomson and his colleagues would be convicted of fraud in 1922, each fined $5,000 and sentenced to two years in prison. 7. H. Breitling, of whom I have been unable to locate any information. Finally, the members of the Mystic Temple in the MMM Golden Book included Benjamin Charles Hammond, who remained active in England during the 1910s while A.C. was in U.S.A.; Robert John Adams, who would join the AA on March 14, 1913; Lewis Bertram Yardley, who joined the AA on September 4, 1913, and would subsequently serve as Grand Secretary General in South Africa under Windram;21 and Anna Wright, to whom Crowley would dedicate his translation of Baudelaires Little Poems in Prose for her brilliant and intoxicating assistance in the task of revision22 and to whom he would address his epistle Concerning Death.23 She was evidently confronting her own mortal-

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John Yarker as Crowley knew him. This photograph appeared in From the Masters Chair: In Memoriam. Very Illustrious Brother John Yarker, VII (Guild); 33 S. R.; 97 A.A.P.R., The Co-Mason, April 1913, 5(2): 65 71.

ityeither through sickness or agebecause during his 1917 Amalantrah Working in America, Crowley would ask the astral wizard, Is Anna Wright alive?24 Another prospective member mentioned in Yarkers correspondence (but not the MMM Golden Book) was Reginald Berti Haselden (b. 1881), a Cambridge alum25 and one of the earliest applicants to the AA. He joined on August 4, 1909, and was one of the few to pass to Neophyte. In August 1912, however, populating the rite was still just a plan. And, as Crowley laid out the specifics to Yarker, it seemed like a plan doomed to failure. The details are not recorded, but the surviving correspondence indicates that it involved Crowley waiving the fees for all new members. Yarker would have no part of it, telling his protge on August 12, I do not care to be grand Hierophant of a Falstaffian Ragged Regiment. [...] If the body can only be formed in the way you propose, I must withdraw the Dispensation, for you would by the method you propose only bring the Rite into contempt. I would therefore rather it should expire altogether in honor. I can go no further than this, that you receive as many Rose Croix as you like at a fee of 2 guineas of which

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10/6 is payable for [the] Certificate, then we can talk about the higher degrees for those who deserve advancement, and the fees to be charged. If they are so mean as to begrudge 2 guineas for a degree in which 5 g[uinea]s is the price, do without them. No certificate leaves my hands til the recipient has been registered in the Golden Book with a proper description, upon payment of the fee.26 Yarker followed up the next day with another letter reiterating his feelings. You seem to be acting with great liberality yourself, but I do not see in your letters how it helps to establish in good order the A&P Rite, except so far as to provide a home for a Rite in which there is no regularity in the establishment. [...] I wish I could get you to understand the importance of this; let the beginning be with regular Craft Masons, however small their number, & a fee of 2 g[uinea]s for 1118. [...] The certificates are costly, besides the parchment we have to pay 1/ each for printing. I cannot afford the expense.27

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gust 18, 1912, British artist Eugene John Wieland (c. 1880 1915) was among those that Reuss and Klein received to the 18 as a Knight of the Rose Croix at Heiligen Gral Loge. He and his wife, Ethel, were also among the early participants in Crowleys circle in London; with Crowleys help, Eugene set up the publishing imprint Wieland & Co. for Crowleys works at this time, while Ethel contributed her poems to the Equinox. With the question of membership eligibility resolved, all was able to proceed. John Yarker to Aleister Crowley, 31 Mar. 1911, O.T.O. Archives, reads, I would give a Dispensation to receive up to 3090, to revive last named body [Rose of Sharon No. 6], at say 3.3.0 (or as desired) of which 21/ would be remitted me cash for certificate, the balance retained for expenses. 2 John Yarker to Aleister Crowley, 7 Aug. 1912, O.T.O. Archives. 3 Aleister Crowley to W. B. Crow, 3 Jul. 1944, Yorke Collection, Warburg Institute. 4 Aleister Crowley to W. B. Crow, 16 Jul. 1944, Yorke Collection, Warburg Institute. 5 Aleister Crowley to W. B. Crow, 21 Jun. 1944, Yorke Collection, Warburg Institute. 6 John Yarker, Reviews, Equinox, Mar. 1912, I(7): 4137. Arthur Edward Waite, The Secret Tradition in Freemasonry (London: Rebman, 1911). 7 John Yarker to Aleister Crowley, 7 Aug. 1912, O.T.O. Archives. 8 R. A. Gilbert, Baphomet & Son: A Little Known Chapter in the Life of the Beast 666, Darcy Kntz (ed.), 3rd ed. (Edmonds, Washington: Sure Fire Press, 1997). 9 Windram was an accountant who became a Probationer of the AA on August 11, 1910, and was one of the very few who passed to Neophyte. As national Grand Master of South Africa, Windram took the motto Mercurius. 10 L. Bathurst, IX, Manifesto of the M.M.M. (London: Mysteria Mystica Maxima, [1912]). For more on Waddell, see Kaczynski, Perdurabo. 11 For dates of AA membership given in this section and elsewhere, see Mortlake Collection of English Life and Letters, 1591-1963, Accession 1969-0024R, Rare Books and Manuscripts, Special Collections Library, University Libraries, Pennsylvania State University. 12 Crowley, Confessions, 779. 13 For more on Kennedy, see Kaczynski, Perdurabo. 14 See Materials Toward a History of O.T.O. (1), Magical Link, spring/summer 1995, 9(1): 39. 15 Thomson appears in the 1900 U.S. Census, Montpelier, Bear Lake, Idaho, roll T623: 1B, enumeration district 14. 16 [Matthew McBlain Thomson], In Explanation, Universal Free Mason, Jan 1909, 1(8): 1267. 17 Scottish Grand Council of Rites, Proceedings of Sup. Council Sov. Grand Ins. General 33 (Ayrshire, Scotland:
1

Notes

A secondand majorproblem was that most, if not all, of Crowleys proposed candidates were not even Masons. Since the high degree rites of Scotland, Memphis and Misraim were open only to Master Masons, this rendered Crowleys candidates ineligible for membership in Yarkers rite. While Yarker maintained that he technically had the power to confer the three Craft degrees, he voluntarily abdicated this power in the interest of keeping peace with the United Grand Lodge of England. Yarker, however, had a solution to the conundrum: If you can get Reuss in his German Lodge to Certificate your men as M[aster] M[asons] as if they were recognized on German soil, I can accept them, because I myself gave Reuss and the others power to receive Craft Masons.28 However, given that not only Reuss but Crowleys nineteen prospective members were in London, not Germany, this was impractical. Fortunately, Yarker had a solution for this, too: To get a Craft Warrant from either Germany or France will not do at all. Grand Lodge would at once anathematize you and damn the whole thing including your A[ncient] & P[rimitive Rite] members, which we are bound to follow by charge. The only thing I can see for you is to get Reuss to Initiate the whole series en bloc, declaring your meeting place for the day German soil and in his jurisdiction, & grant them German certificates as if received in Germany. I think he would do it. No doubt he may require some fee for the lot, he would be entitled to it, and all that I can say is that if any refuse to pay it they are unworthy of any degree; and if they are so very poor that they cannot afford to pay anything, they are (by all Constitutions) utterly unfit for acception.29

This is evidently exactly what happened next, as on Au-

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Grand Council, 1908), 5. Scotch Masonry, Universal Free Mason, Feb. 1912, 4(8): 16976. John Yarker to Aleister Crowley, 15 Apr. 1911, O.T.O. Archives. For Yarkers contribution to the Universal Free Mason, see page 184. Ordens-Nachrichten, Oriflamme, Sep. 1912, 7: 23. See also Scottish Grand Council of Rites, Proceedings of Sup. Council Sov. Grand Ins. General 33 (Ayrshire, Scotland: Grand Council, 1910), which reproduced a letter of reply from Paul Eberhardt of June 18, 1909, which reads I would be pleased for you to appoint me, or else Bro. Dr. Carl Lauer, Ludwigshafen (Rhein), as representative, and to instruct me which of your Supreme Council I am to appoint as representative and Hon. Member of our Supreme Council (23). Thomson traveled to Europe in early 1911, in the course of which he was received and entertained by Eberhardt, S.G.C. of the Scottish Rite in Germany (The Editors Visit to Europe, Universal Free Mason, Apr. 1911, 3(10): 14752). Reuss and Klein thereafter appointed Thomson Grand Representative General of the Scottish Rite, Ancient and Primitive Rite, and of the Orientalischen Templar Orden in October 1912. See Copy of Patent from the Grand Orient of the German Empire, Universal Free Mason, Jan. 1913, 5(7): 144; this transcription contains numerous typographical errors, but aside from the addition of the name OTO, its wording is identical to Krumm-Hellers appointment as Grand Representative General. Materials toward a History of O.T.O. (1), Magical

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26 27 28 29

Link. Although the sheets were printed in 1913, the book was not published until 1928. For more details, see Charles Baudelaire, Aleister Crowley, and Martin P. Starr, Little Poems in Prose (Chicago: Teitan Press, 1995). Baphomet, Concerning Death: An Epistle of Baphomet to the Illustrious Damezel Anna Wright, Companion of the Holy Graal, Shining Like the Moon, that She and her Sisters May Bring Comfort to All Them That Are Nigh Death, and Unto Such as Leave Them, International, Dec. 1917, 11(12): 365. The Amalantrah Working, TS in OS F5a, Yorke Collection, Warburg Institute, University of London. Birth record, Q3 1881, Hackney, Greater London, 1b: 455, GRO. J. A. Venn, Alumni Cantabrigienses (London: Cambridge University Press, 19221954), lists Haselden as matriculating in 1899, working in the London Stock Exchange, and serving as a lieutenant in World War I. The 1911 U.K. Census, Kew, Surrey, England (RG14, piece 00138) lists him as an authorized clerk to stock jobbers. John Yarker to Aleister Crowley, 12 Aug. 1912, O.T.O. Archives. John Yarker to Aleister Crowley, 13 Aug. 1912, O.T.O. Archives. John Yarker to Aleister Crowley, 16 Aug. 1912, O.T.O. Archives. John Yarker to Aleister Crowley, 29 Aug. 1912, O.T.O. Archives. [This excerpt Richard Kaczynski 2012]

BOOK REVIEW
In the Center of the Fire: A Memoir of the Occult 1966-1989 by James Wasserman Ibis Press, 2012 (308 pages, hardcover, illustrated)
For his latest book, Brother Wasserman offers his magical autobiography and winds up giving far more than simply a personal narrative, fascinating as that narrative often is. He chronicles the beginnings of his spiritual quest in the psychedelic sixties, his adventures in New Yorks burgeoning occult scene in the seventies, and his successful career in the publishing industry. Along the way we are treated to guest appearances by Harry Smith, Herman Slater, Peter Levenda, Phyllis Seckler, and many other figures in the occult world. The book is positively full of anecdotes offering rare insights into people most of us have only heard about. Also of great importance is Wassermans brutally honest chronicle of his struggle with drug and alcohol addiction. These sections are especially moving, as are Wassermans accounts of the friends (far too many) whose struggles were less successful than his own. As far as history is concerned, In the Center of the Fire is really important for its first-person coverage of the development of the modern O.T.O. Wasserman began his Thelemic career as a student of Marcello Motta and he was intimately involved in the struggle for control of Crowleys legacya struggle that no book has covered in such detail before. Here Wasserman explains why he transferred his allegiance to Grady McMurtry and why he supported Gradys legal fight over the Crowley copyrights. He also explains why the implementation of Liber CXCIV, the blueprint of our order as it exists today, became so important. Aside from these events, he also recounts the early days of Tahuti Lodge, the growth of O.T.O. on the east coast, and the election of the present Frater Superior. The authors insights to these events make In the Center of the Fire critical reading for anyone interested in the history of Thelema. My only quibble with this book is that it is far too short. I found myself wishing for more details on almost every point and I hope Brother Wasserman will favor us with a sequel in the near future. Frater Julianus

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BROTHER RICHARD RAVISH, 1952-2012 EV

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
At his home on September 15, 2012 EV. Reverend High Priest Richard Ravish also known as Magister Azaradel of Salem, Massachusetts, breathed his last, passed into Spirit and became his body of light. First initiated into the Wiccan priesthood in 1970 EV, and later welcomed as an Elder into an Alexandrian and hereditary lineage in Kent, England, Richard was one of the original Witches of Salem. In addition to being an active Freemason (he served as chaplain of Starr King Lodge in Salem for 25 years), a Rosicrucian, a hermetic initiate, Heirophant of the Strength of Hadit (his private Enochian temple) and a Thelemic Magician, Richard attained the grade of Adeptus Major in the Thelemic Golden Dawn. Within the past eight years Richard became a member of Ordo Templi Orientis and a novice priest in the Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica. As founder and co-owner of White Light Pentacles/ Sacred Spirit Products Inc. and proprietor of his store, Nu Aeon, Richard earned his livelihood designing and providing the tools of Witchcraft and alternative spirituality to stores and individual practitioners worldwide. His most powerful mystical vision came into manifestation as his newly-opened gallery of stellar art, light and Magick which he named The Cosmic Connection [photo below]. He designed the gallery to be a spiritual condenser of the astral light and a finely tuned ritual instrument for those who are ready to believe in and work with higher spiritual realities. Richard Ravish is survived by his wife of 31 years, Reverend High Priestess Amy Gypsy Ravish, his daughter Asherah Aphrodite Ravish and stepdaughter Kitoto Von Hebb, his sister Sandra McCandless, cousins, nieces and his familiar, Cosmo Skyrocket Ravish. He will be sorely missed by many as he travels beyond the veils. Brother Robert Brett Sherry.

Love is the law, love under will.

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Photo by Jennifer Prestage

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VOL. XIII No. 2

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