For most people, "joining the O.T.O." means becoming an initiate member of O.T.O.
Initiation into our Order is only conferred through a physical ceremony conducted by
a chartered initiator within a local body of the Order. Initiate membership is subdivided by degree.
Blazing Star Oasis proudly offers such initiation on a regular basis.
If you are interested in becoming an initiate, there are three formal requirements. You must be:
- Free (e.g. legally able to enter a contract, not imprisoned, etc.)
- of full age (18 for Minerval and First Degree, 21 for subsequent degrees)
- of Good Report (vouched for by two sponsors)
In order to establish "good report", your application must be signed by two sponsors who are
already I° initiates of O.T.O. Prospective sponsors will generally want to get to know you before
signing your application, which may involve your attendance with them at several local body events,
or time spent with them privately. A serious candidate should find it easy to obtain sponsorship
once they get to know our members and have demonstrated something of their character.
Sponsorship in O.T.O. is, however, no light matter and our Initiates are instructed to pay close
attention to the caliber and seriousness of all potential candidates, as sponsorship reflects upon the
judgment of those who agree to sponsor a particular candidate for initiation. For more information
on the importance of sponsorship, see Frater Sabazius' essay.
Formally joining the O.T.O. occurs with taking the First Degree, I°. A First Degree initiate may
retire from active participation in O.T.O., but the spiritual link forged between the initiate and the
Order during the ceremony of the First Degree will remain throughout the initiate's life.
Therefore, prior to this irrevocable step, the aspirant must proceed through the
ceremony of initiation called the Minerval or 0°. This is the initial ceremony in
the journey of the first cycle of initiations known as the Man of Earth (O° thru
P.I.). The Minerval Degree was designed to offer the participant a chance to experience
our mysteries as a “welcome guest” prior to forming any long- term membership commitment.
Initiates of the Minerval Degree may also begin novitiate training for the Diaconate
and/or Priesthood in Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica.
To become an initiate member of O.T.O., a completed application must be submitted
along with the appropriate dues and fees. Dues
pay for USGL membership and are valid for a full year’s membership. Fees cover the
expenses incurred by the Oasis during the initiation itself. These monies are due
no later than the date of the initiation itself, although the Oasis reserves the
right to require advance payment of the fees depending upon degree sought.
The Oasis can receive applications from prospective candidates at any time. Once
your application has been submitted, the Secretary will contact you to let you know
the date, time and location of the next scheduled initiation for that degree. If
that date does not work with your schedule, simply notify the Oasis and you will
have the opportunity to participate in the next planned date for that degree. Applications
are valid for the period of one year from the date of the candidate’s signature.
The Oasis regularly announces planned initiation events on our calendar to encourage
prospective candidates to apply as well inform existing members to facilitate their
attendance.
Questions regarding initiatory membership in the O.T.O. may be addressed to any
Oasis officer or member of the Order at any event or by Email
You can become a Corresponding Associate of the O.T.O. if you don't live near
a local body, or if you want to support the work of Thelema without becoming an
initiate. This is done through the U.S. Grand Lodge. To be a corresponding associate
requires no physical attendance. For a $10.00 annual contribution, corresponding
associates have the opportunity to correspond with other O.T.O. members in the U.S.A.
and other countries, by mail or via the internet.
