Ordo Templi Orientis Phenomenon

The Ordo Templi Orientis Phenomenon

A research project done by Peter-Robert Koenig




A detailed historical field research on the psycho-sociology of a modern secret society called Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.). All about modern day occultism and money; so-called Templars and falsification of history; Gnostics in the kitchen and bedrooms and their expanded consciousness; Illuminati and conspiracy; NeuRosicrucians; religious liberty and sexmagick; their relation with Voodoo and Freemasonry; rituals, correspondences, books and articles.

This study is not an introduction to occult or esoteric topics, although it discusses the magical practices and rituals of the pertinent groups. It is mainly a documentation and sometimes discussion of the behaviour of the participant parties.

This study is a mirror of the many puzzle pieces of a phenomenon that is characterised through the inconsistency and subjectivity of its sources. Apart from legal criteria, every puzzle piece has been used. Folkloristic aspects are part of the psycho-sociology and of the history. 		Ordo Templi Orientis Aleister Crowley Stele of Revealing Cairo 1904 Liber AL vel Legis Book of the Law Aiwass Aiwaz




Fraternitas Saturni Lodge Logen Hammer
 Fraternitas Saturni  Theodor Reuss – Ordo Templi Orientis Phenomenon




The letters O.T.O. (or OTO) stand for Ordo Templi Orientis. The O.T.O. is a pseudo-masonic organization. Neither the use of the letters nor of the full name is unique to any group. Since the founding of the O.T.O. in 1906 in Germany, many groups have appropriated the name, its abbreviations, and acronyms and imbued them with contents to their own taste and liking. There are several rival groups using the name Ordo Templi Orientis or O.T.O. Some of them derive from an “original” that is, a ‘first’, O.T.O. but not all. Not all but a few of them can lay some claim to stem from the “original” i.e. first O.T.O. (of 1906).

The structure of the O.T.O., like that of Freemasonry, is based on a staged series of initiations or degrees. The essence / secrets of the Ordo Templi Orientis-variations are in their higher degrees; strictly speaking only members of these degrees are considered to be members of the O.T.O. proper.
Aleister Crowley: "Of the [highest] Eleventh Degree [of the Ordo Templi Orientis], its powers, privileges, and qualifications, nothing whatever is said in any grade. It has no relation to the general plan of the Order, is inscrutable, and dwells in its own palaces." (Liber CXCIV, 1919) "I am inclined to believe that the XIth degree is better than the IXth degree", diary entry 26 August 1916. 		Aleister Crowley and the Law of Thelema and the Stele of Revealing


While the O.T.O.’s initiatory system is a sort of Kafkaesque bureaucratic club game, it has a religious association under its obedience: The Gnostic Catholic Church. One of the O.T.O.groups intends "to restore Christianity to its real status as a solar-phallic religion." In addition to tax advantages, religion supplies a commodity that is always in demand: salvation. And it would seem that some O.T.O.-variations are simply making themselves bulletproof in the context of the law in some countries.

The technical term for the bishopric in the context of the O.T.O. Phenomenon is Wandering Bishop or Episcopi Vagantes. This status is not defined by any character qualities, not by theological education or theological position. These bishops are not elected by a canonical church, nor proposed as an ordain by a suffragan and not bound to a historical episcopal see or consecrated by an 'official' bishop according to the canonical procedure.

A 'real' bishop is not a successor of a sole apostle as only the synod/college of bishops in toto are heir to the college of the apostles. Therefore: no Wandering Bishop has a 'real' apostolic succession. There is no Holy Ghost in Wandering-Bishop-consecrations. The instrumentum consecrationis is of no apostolic value. Nonetheless, Wandering Bishops are collectors of papers and diplomas.


In all Ordo Templi Orientis versions, the line of succession is vitally important, as it is believed that the leader is the repository of the Order’s magical power, and also has a claim on various copyrights and royalties, especially of Aleister Crowley’s work.





  • Discussions  on the Nature of the O.T.O. Phenomenon.
  • Articles  on the History of the O.T.O.
  • German-English books.
  • Miscellaneous around the O.T.O. Phenomenon.
  • Metastructural infotainment — YouTube clips.
  • MP3 / YouTube recordings of the protagonists.
  • Photographs and Documents.
  • Search Engine through the O.T.O Maze.
  • What's New? – A list of new items, updates and corrections.
  • O.T.O. Phenomenon: Definition, Concept, Legal Situation
    		• Heinrich Tranker Baphomet Rosycross      juste cruci suevixus est Fraternitas Saturni Räucherpfanne censer



    This site is about the German Fraternitas Saturni, the Golden Dawn, Memphis Misraim (one of the "mother"-Orders of the Ordo Templi Orientis), the Gnostic Catholic Churches (of French origin), the German Order of the Illuminati, the Anthroposophy, the mostly Pan-American Fraternitas Rosicruciana Antiqua, the QBLH, A.M.O.R.C., the Austrian AAORRAC, German Pansophia, the Choronzon Club (a sort of homosexual O.T.O. off-shoot), Ordo Templi Orientis Antiqua as an example of gnostic inflation with uncountable outpours and affiliations: eg the 'Monastery of the 7 Rays' and 'La Couleuvre Noire';  a new American O.T.O. founded in 1977 (called 'Caliphate'), the Society O.T.O. (in Brazil and the US), the Typhonian Ordo Templi Orientis (these days called Typhonian Order), the Swiss O.T.O., also about the Solar Lodge of the O.T.O. and Charles Manson; Abramelin and Holy Guardian Angels: Aiwaz, LAM, Baphomet and its equivalent: the egregor GOTOS of the Fraternitas Saturni.

    Discussions about spermo-gnosticism, the Elixir of Life and homeopathy, Aleister Crowley's religion called Thelema and the protofascistic and misogynist elements of occult culture; a presentation of never before published rituals (of the original Ordo Templi Orientis: a variation of the Hermetic Brotherhood of Light) and texts lost in the archives until now.

    Read about scurrilous legal opinions and fights and get puzzled by the Ethnological approach to all this.     		Aleister Crowley and the Stele of Revealing




    Secrets of the Rosicrucians, Templars and the Illuminati

    Secrets of the Rosicrucians, Templars and the Illuminati, Peter-Robert Koenig






    Discussions on the Nature of the O.T.O. Phenomenon




    The suitability of methods for thinking about occultism and esotericism is linked to results. So long as those insights stay discursive, innovative and useful, any method — however informal or offbeat — is not only appropriate but even required. Thus scientific analysis becomes a conversation between subject and researcher, and can only ever yield tentative results. Wayward ideas can and should be viewed from a wayward perspective.

    Reading Michael Foucault, Roland Barthes and Jacques Derrida will not hurt you.     		Johannes Goeggelmann, Saturnius, Fraternitas Saturni



    The Technology of Sex

    Spermo-Gnostics and the Ordo Templi Orientis — Introduction to the "Ascetic and Libertine Gnostics"   [version July 99]. Clément de Saint-Marcq: The Eucharist, 1906.
    The Correct Gnosticism: The ascetic roots of the O.T.O. Conqueror of the Grail — Arnoldo Krumm-Heller. The Secrets of the O.T.O.-groups.     		O.T.O. and Pan
    Aura of the O.T.O. Phenomenon.
      Tradução portuguesa: A Aura do Fenômeno O.T.O.
    Halo of Flies, a contribution to Richard Metzger's "Book of Lies". Part One of Smoke Gets In Your Aiwass. All about Angels and Abramelin. Ecstatic Creation of Culture. Use of the Internet — A questionaire.
    Playgame of an O.T.O.-Fatamorgana — Statistics, Censorship, Name Dropping. 2011. Fetish, Self-Induction, Stigma and Rôleplay. 2011. Gaps in the Script of Esotericism: Hypocrisy and Hypercrisis — Oscar Wilde: Ambition is the last resort of failure. 2012.
    The McDonaldisation of Occulture [update 1999]. Das Milieu des Templer Reichs — Die Sklaven Sollen Dienen. Hanns Heinz Ewers — Lanz von Liebenfels — Karl Germer, Arnoldo Krumm-Heller — Martha Kuentzel — Friedrich Lekve — Hermann Joseph Metzger — Christian Bouchet — Paolo Fogagnolo — James Wasserman. Unbequeme Aspekte in der Geschichte des O.T.O. und Thelema. Version 2011.     		TWO ESSAYS ON THE WORSHIP OF PRIAPUS; RICHARD PAYNE KNIGHT; THOMAS WRIGHT; ESSAY ON THE WORSHIP OF THE GENERATIVE POWERS DURING THE MIDDLE AGES OF WESTERN EUROPE
    The Creative Power. Golems and Homunculi. Nosferatu's Baby — Too Hot To Handle   [the reader should be familiar with the articles below as this deals with spermo-gnosis again].
    Saturn-Gnosis — a portrait of the Fraternitas Saturni and its magical link to the Ordo Templi Orientis. Saturn's Art of Living and Loving.


    Regarding Crowley's antidemocratic, racist and misanthropic writings, followers point out: "The reason [...] aspects of Thelema are omitted [in public discussion] indicates the actual problem with presenting Thelema as a religion and attempting to get Thelema sanctioned by the government or approved by the public: Thelema is ultimately in contrast to and transgressive of normative society. Thelema rejects the morals and values of normative society and acts to transgress and violate these norms. From the inclusion of intoxicants in ritual, to the positive view of sexuality, which frequently is seen as promoting promiscuity, to the pro–authoritarian and Nietzschian aspects of Thelema, normative society has much to reject in Thelema and conversely, Thelema encourages its adherents to reject most aspects of normative society."




    The Slaves Shall Serve - Aleister Crowley - SS Runes Skull Nazi - Equinox - The Templar's Reich



    Articles on the History of the Ordo Templi Orientis




    Carl Kellner, Theodor Reuss, Clément de Saint-Marq, E.C.H. Peithmann, Ernst Tristan Kurtzahn, P.B. Randolph, Rudolf Steiner not being a member of the O.T.O., Franz Hartmann (no member of the O.T.O.), Aleister Crowley, Karl Germer, Arnoldo Krumm-Heller, Herbert Fritsche, Michael P. Bertiaux, Hermann Joseph Metzger and his Ladies, Grady L. McMurtry, Friedrich Lekve, Friedrich Mellinger, William Wallace Webb, Eugen Grosche, Henri Birven, Joanny Bricaud, Leopold Engel, Franz Bardon, Charles Manson and the Solar Lodge of the O.T.O., 'Caliphate', Heinrich Traenker, Kenneth Grant, Marcelo Ramos Motta, William Breeze ... Carl Karl Kellner Renatus Hermetic Brotherhood of Light H.B.L. Ordo Templi Orientis O.T.O.
    Carl Kellner



    Some protagonists of the O.T.O. protagonists of the Ordo Templi Orientis - Carl Kellner, Theodor Reuss, Clément de Saint-Marq, E.C.H. Peithmann, Ernst Tristan Kurtzahn, P.B. Randolph, Rudolf Steiner not being a member of the O.T.O., Franz Hartmann (no member of the O.T.O.), Aleister Crowley, Karl Germer, Arnoldo Krumm-Heller, Herbert Fritsche, Michael P. Bertiaux, Hermann Joseph Metzger and his Ladies, Grady L. McMurtry, Friedrich Lekve, Friedrich Mellinger, William Wallace Webb, Eugen Grosche, Henri Birven, Joanny Bricaud, Leopold Engel, Franz Bardon, Charles Manson and the Solar Lodge of the O.T.O., 'Caliphate', Heinrich Traenker, Kenneth Grant, Marcelo Ramos Motta, William Breeze



    Introduction Details about Carl Kellner: Never a member of any O.T.O.
      Josef Dvorak: Carl Kellner   [collected gossips and speculations about Kellner's life, Franz Hartmann, Hatha Yoga and Baphomet].
      Deutsche Version: Carl Kellner.
    Short biography of Franz Hartmann .
    Joanny Bricaud: Notes Historique sur le Rite Ancien et Primitiv de Memphis-Misraim .
    Theodor Reuss — a sort of biography  [updated].


    Theodor Reuss Peregrinus Ordo Templi Orientis O.T.O.
    Theodor Reuss
    		Aleister Crowley Baphomet Ordo Templi Orientis O.T.O.
    Aleister Crowley



    		Carl Kellner: Yoga. Eine Skizze über den psycho-physiologischen Teil der alten indischen Yogalehre. Ordo Templi Orientis. O.T.O.


    English version: O.T.O. — Early Years and Development.
    Deutsche Version: Zur Geschichte des Ordo Templi Orientis.
    Versione italiano: Ordo Templi Orientis — I primi anni e la sua evoluzione.
    Traduccion castellano: O.T.O. — Original y su Desarrollo.

    Theodor Reuss, Rudolf Steiner, Aleister Crowley     		Reuss O.T.O. Lamen



    The Ordo Templi Orientis Phenomenon — Aleister Crowley coloured by Richard T Cole



    Biography of Aleister Crowley: Consider the O.T.O. non existent. Rudolf Steiner: Not a member of the O.T.O. Spencer Lewis and the O.T.O. which is a chapter of my Der O.T.O. Phaenomen RELOAD, about Spencer Lewis, Theodor Reuss, Aleister Crowley and Heinrich Traenker. Baphomet and Rosycross. Eduard Munninger: Roses in Austria. The early history of A.M.O.R.C. and A.A.O.R.R.A.C. in the German speaking countries, Munninger appointed as successor by Arnoldo Krumm-Heller.
    Of Booksellers And Other Grand Masters of the O.T.O.: Detailed biographies on Heinrich Tränker, Karl Germer, Henri Birven, Spencer Lewis, C.H. Petersen, Eduard Munninger — and their relation with the O.T.O. under Reuss, Crowley and Metzger — containing Henri Birven's "Obituary on Karl Germer" with interesting details about Crowley in Berlin in 1930.
    H.D. H: Mein Besuch bei Heinrich Traenker. A.M.O.R.C., Martin Erler, ORA, Heinrich Traenker, Pansophie, H.J. Metzger, Schweizer O.T.O., Schikowski.English translation: My visit to Heinrich Traenker.




    In Nomine Demiurgi Nosferati Johannes Goeggelmann (Saturnius): Beispiel einer Skandalisierung. Die Geschichte der F.S. aus der Sicht des Boulevard ?

    Constitution of the Secret Lodge Fraternitas Saturni, 1928.
    Closing of the "Pansophic Lodge", 1928.
    Die GOTOS-Büste.

    Johannes Maikowski: Grossmeister und Maler. Traduction française: L'autobiographie




    Felix Lazerus Pinkus  —   Hermann J. Metzger's spiritual father and Grandmaster of the O.T.O. in Switzerland.
    Thelema in Appenzell ? (containing an interview with Hansruedi Giger).
    The Psychosophical Publishing Company: Metzger's publishing firm and connection to Franz Bardon, Lanz Liebenfels, the Ordo Militiae Crucis Templi, Memphis Misraim, the Argenteum Astrum, and his thoughts on Thelema.
    H.J. Metzger's Manifesto 1963 — With biographical notes on Karl Germer.
    Karl Germer: Never the OHO of Crowley's O.T.O.
    Illuminati and Templars — Also about Walter Englert, a 18th of the Fraternitas Saturni. Carl William Hansen — Denmark.
    Heinrich Traenker — Bookseller in Germany. With links to texts. Henry Birven – addicted to Crowley?
    Friedrich Lekve — Dreamland Thelem Chassidim — Martha Kuentzel. With links to texts.
    C.H. Petersen — Abramelin in the Abbey of Thelema.
    Gnosis on Stage: Friedrich Mellinger. With H.J. Metzger's Manifesto of 1963. Kenneth Grant and the Plan 93 From Outer Space.
      Tradução portuguesa: Plano 93 do Espaço Exterior.
    Charles Manson and the Solar Lodge of the O.T.O. — Reports by witnesses and the FBI.
    History of the 'Caliphate': Mysteria Mystica Maxima. A Song of the Whitewash.
    About Jack Parsons in Nikolas and Zeena Schreck: Demons of the Flesh.
    News about the 'Caliphate', a firm or club from 1977 and its version of the instrument of "apostolic succession"  (with a MP3 tape).
    All we want is a 'Caliph': Minutes of the Special Ninth Degree Caliphate Election Held September 20/21, 1985.
    Oscar R. Schlag: self-styled 'last grey eminence'. Jane Wolfe, Marcelo Ramos Motta, Choronzon, Karl Germer, H.J. Metzger.
      Thelema and suppressed homosexuality.
      Traduccion castellano: Thelema y homosexualidad reprimida.
    One O.T.O. in Brazil. Marcelo A.C. Santos: A Verdadeira História do 'Califado' no Brasil.
    Some Spicy Smacks in Russia.
    Rocket to Uranus Anal Intercourse and the O.T.O. / Per Aftera Ad Astra — the XIth degree: Choronzon Club, Ordo Templi Orientis Antiqua, Ordo Argenteum Astrum, QBL Alchemist Church, Rite of Mitylene.
      Russian translation .
    "Ljuben je zakon" or "ljubav pod voljom"? — The O.T.O. in ex-'Yugoslavia'. An example of member activities.
    Moosebump: the 'Caliphate' in Canada.
    Stranded Bishops — Gnostic Churches in the kitchen. History of the O.T.O.A.: Inflation of Gnosis — Ordo Templi Orientis Antiqua, Michael Bertiaux, Manuel Lamparter, La Couleuvre Noire, Monastery of the Seven Rays, Choronzon Club.
      How William Breeze lost an Apostolic Succession.
      My Own O.T.O.A.
    Selling out O.T.O. groups in Italy.
    Stephan Hoeller: Position Paper Concerning the Thelemite or Crowleyan Gnostic Churches. About the importance of magical succession without schisms; about valid and proper intention of consecrations, and that one Mass no Church doth make.

    National Grandmasters and OHOs of the O.T.O.






    Move your mouse over the thumbnails and click to activate the flash pictures





    An objective researcher will benefit from these Court conclusions The Maine Decision, the California decision, The New Court of Last Resort Contents, Austrian rulings on Copyrights, German rulings on Copyrights, the International Copyright Situation, X versus the 'Caliphate', Anthony Naylor, Phaenomen Verlag, Starfire Ltd, Peter-Robert Koenig ...Grady Louis McMurtry — Ordo Templi Orientis — Caliphate




    Selection of Comments – Joscelyn Godwin, Ellic Howe, Albrecht Goetz von Olenhusen, H.T. Hakl, Wolfram Frietsch, Thomas Lueckewerth, Otto Buchinger, John Patrick Deveney, Erik Davis, Richard Metzger, Jean-François Mayer, Michael D. Eschner, Bill Heidrick, William Breeze, Christian Bouchet, Kenneth Anger, Ben Fernee, Michael Staley, Michael Aquino, G.M. Kelly aka Martin, Jerry Cornelius, James Graeb, Richard T. Cole, George Elliott, Genesis P-Orridge, Gion Cavelty, Bradford Verter, Angela / Angie Bowie, Christopher Hyatt, Ingo Heinemann, Manfred Ach, Dominik Tischleder, Harald Szeemann, Phyllis Seckler, Helen Parsons Smith, Gerald Suster, Timothy d'Arch Smith, Mark Parry-Maddocks, Johannes Maikowski and others.






    MP3 / YouTube recordings:
    Marcelo Ramos Motta speaking; Oscar Schlag speaking; the voices of W.W. Webb, Michael P. Bertiaux and Annemarie Aeschbach (the female successor to the OHO H.J. Metzger in Switzerland); and a grandson of Carl Kellner remembering his grandfather: with a lot of documents.

    Photographs and Documents:
    More than 100 photographs and documents: Carl Kellner, Theodor Reuss, Arnoldo Krumm-Heller, Marcelo R. Motta, Oscar Schlag, charters, letters, manuscripts ...

    What's New?
    New items posted to the O.T.O. Phenomenon website, updates and corrections  [starting in March 2000].

    Le Phénomène Ordo Templi Orientis. Exposé en français.     		1917 Theodor Reuss O.T.O. Constitution




    Encores



    Eating at the McKoenig: Enjoy The McKoenig Menu 2006.
    2008: Honesty is the best Policy: How the 'Caliphate' O.T.O. and William Breeze lost in a legal case.
      Deutsche Version: Ehrlich währt am Längsten: Warum der O.T.O. gegen Peter-R. Koenig verlor.
    David Bowie and the Occult  [version 2017].
      Gnosis als Hype. Short German update with outlines of an interview with Angie Bowie. First published in DU, November 2003.
    Steele Savage: David Bowie — Outside, Aleister Crowley, And the Holy Grail.
    Andreas Huettl und Peter-R. König: "Satan — Jünger, Jäger und Justiz".
    Marco Pasi: Lo Yoga in Aleister Crowley.
    Marco Pasi: Aleister Crowley und die Versuchung der Politik.
    The O.T.O.-Foundation: A new FS begets a new OTO — Censorship and Inquisition.
    A section called "Collections of Re-Collections" where 36 thelemites recall 'how they became member' or remember other experiences with HOOR, the Society O.T.O., the FRA, the 'Caliphate', the OTOF, etc.
    Gabriel Montenegro's correspondence with European Thelemites in the 1960s.
    Marcelo Motta's "Letter to a Brazilian Mason" (Portuguese and English version).
      Bibliographic Note and Addendum to "Letter to a Brazilian Mason by Marcelo Ramos Motta".
    Claas Hoffmann: Projektive synthetische Geometrie in Lady Frieda Harris Tarotgemälden und in Crowleys Buch des Gesetzes   [ English version].
    Ernst Tristan Kurtzahn, Mitglied von Reuss' O.T.O.: Die Gnostiker und die Unsichtbare Kirche  [1925].
      English translation: The Gnostics. — About the Gnostic Catholic Church, Androgyn + Gynandria, E.C.H. Peithmann, Peryt Shou, and the immissio membri virilis in vaginam in avoidance of the ejaculatio seminis.
    Rafal T. Prinke: Polish Satanism & Sexmagic.
      German version: Polnischer Satanismus und Sexualmagie.
    Zbigniew Lagosz: NA OBRZEZACH RELIGII I FILOZOFII CZESLAW CZYNSKI.

    Not O.T.O. related: Rudolf von Sebottendorff: Der Talisman des Rosenkreuzers. With a preface by Albrecht Goetz von Olenhusen.     		Collage: Eugen Grosche (Gregor A Gregorius) Grandmaster of the Fraternitas Saturni - and Salome with the Head of St John the Baptist. Transgender, Spermo-Gnose and Sexmagick. Original by: Lucas The Elder Cranach. At: Bob Jones University Collection, Greenville, SC, USA





    German-English books on-line





    Der Kleine Theodor Reuss Reader  (statutes, the Oriflamme, rituals and sexmagical writings) — German original version. Das O.T.O.-Phaenomen  (the complete History of the O.T.O. groups).
      The complete English online version of this book: The O.T.O. Phenomenon.
    Ein Leben fuer die Rose  (the biography of Arnoldo Krumm-Heller, plus an analysis of Reuss', Crowley's and Krumm-Heller's sexmagick: a comparison with the Fraternitas Saturni).
    ABRAMELIN & Co.  (about Holy Guardian Angels and other UFOs).


    		Der O.T.O. Phaenomen RELOAD — Peter-Robert Koenig

    Print: Der O.T.O. Phaenomen RELOAD.




    Address to buy some
    books about the O.T.O. Phenomenon:

    A.R.W.
    Manfred Ach
    Gunta-Stölzl-Str. 9
    D - 80807 München
    Deutschland / Germany

    Online ordering via email


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    Scattered On The Floor while
    Browsing Through The Rituals

    		The O.T.O. Secret






           Reuss' Memphis Misraim Emblem

    		one of Reuss' O.T.O. seals



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    My intent is to mirror puzzle pieces of the O.T.O.-phenomenon. If you have annotations, corrections, suggestions or complaints do not hesitate to contact me:   mail.

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    Avoid the fate of Gregor Samsa — regular visits to this site will keep unsightly metamorphoses at bay.



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