An e-mail correspondence between Peter-R. Koenig, Tyagi Nagasiva (Nigris)
and William Heidrick, Grand Treasurer General of the "Caliphate"
O.T.O., on the subject of O.T.O. disputes
EDITORIAL NOTE: This following three-way exchange which took
place between August 19 and September 17, 1996 is valuable because it
involves William Heidrick, who in seniority may be reckoned third in
the "Caliphate" hierarchy after William Breeze (Hymenaeus Beta) and
David Scriven (otherwise known as Frater Sabazius X°). It may be
read with profit in conjunction with an e-mail correspondence between
P.-R. Koenig and David Scriven. There are some minor
editorial adjustments, spelling and stylistic corrections consistent
with the collation of the text into a continuous whole, with some
contributions and additional commentary/afterwords by Victor Conquest
who is separately contactable by non-electronic mail through "the
company of heaven" at BM Laylah, London WC1N 3XX, UK.)
Headings in upper case represent titles inserted for editorial
purposes. Indentations refer to further discussions on side issues
which took place at later dates.
PROLOGUE
N: ... [These letters are] sent to Br. Heidrick, whose response I plan to
again share with Br. Koenig upon receipt.
H: I have minimal interest in Peter having my correspondence — except that he
publishes my stuff without my consent, thus ripping me off. He even has a
joke I wrote about him in private email, proudly displayed on his pages with
complete obliviousness to the comment that his text is not on a par with
"Occult Theocrasy" — according to a reader of his Home Page who emailed me
about it.
...
K: Dear Brothers and Sisters, of course, everything that I write may be
published: but please improve/correct my poor English!!!!!
N: So done. My intervening text removed unless pertinent, though I do follow
up on Br. Koenig's words.
PREVIEW OF INITIATIONS
N: What was the reasoning and precise timing (i.e. certain events which
brought it on) behind the withdrawal of the privilege of preview of
initiation rite oaths?
H: It was done a few years ago, with only my vote dissenting in the Areopagus.
The principal arguments I recall all went to the issue of secrecy of the
initiation rituals.
THE O.T.O. CONSTITUTION AND ITS LATER REVISIONS / AMENDMENTS
N: What is the earliest version of the OTO Constitution, who wrote it, and how
was it presumed it could be changed, if at all, by whom, etc.?
H: 1906 e.v., by Kellner and Reuss. The 1917 e.v. revised Constitution was
mostly done by Reuss.---
{{AFTERWORD, 1997: On inspection, apart from the ending this "revised"
Constitution is word-for-word practically identical to the 2 original 1906
versions. After all, Kellner died in 1905 and most certainly has never
heard of the OTO}}
H:---It could be amended by edict of the OHO, but there were provisions for
cammeral amendment as well. The latter is published in Equinox III,10. The
present active form of the Constitution is the OTO International Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws — which can only be amended tri-cammerally
(Areopagus, Supreme Council and OHO all concurring).
N: What was the history of the Constitution between its 1917-1919 versions and
its 1980's revision? i.e. apparently Crowley or someone else rewrote the
thing or amended it from the Kellner/Reuss revisions, no? If so, who was
involved?
H: Some conceptual problems there. Crowley published glosses and summaries of
the 1917 e.v. OTO constitution in the _Blue Equinox_ of 1919 e.v. — the
most obvious being "Intimations...". Other than that, there has been no
revision since. The International Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws are
much like a revision, but amount to a functional attempt to get most of the
constitution into practice for the first time. The thing never worked in
very well under Reuss and Crowley, while Germer mostly ignored it outside of
an occasional remark. To become fully active, the old Constitution requires
2,000 OTO members in a province. There have never been that many in one
country. It has a lot of bugs in it, including some provisions that have to
be different from country to country according to the law of the land.
THE E.G.U.
N: What is the EGU and what is its relationship to the OTO as you see it?
H: I haven't a clue what EGU is. EGC is one part of OTO, mainly responsible
for the Gnostic Mass and interfaced to several degrees for ordination and
consecration.
N: EGU = Eglise Gnostique Universal; obviously French. Br. Koenig appears to
consider this a separate org (or to have been such) from the EGC. He notes
that Sr. Meral indicates her identity of the two in her CoT texts. The
former mentions J.Bricaud in association with this organization, and says
that it was originally 'Eglise Gnostique Catholique', so I'm unsure of the
pedigree/relation. He does connect it via Bricaud to Reuss, however. Your
feedback on this organization and its relation to the EGC would be
appreciated. Thanks.
H: So that's what EGU means. My Finnish email correspondent couldn't remember.
I would still have to see what Phyllis wrote to answer. Possibly that still
wouldn't help. This is a very similar name, just in French instead of in
Latin. Jean Bricaud is not known for being well connected to Reuss, but is
sometimes doubtfully cited as an "Episcopi Vagrantis" [sic!]. Bricaud was
consecrated on the 21st of July, 1913 as a bishop of l'Eglise Gallicane by
Mgr. Giraud (Louis Giraud, consecrated by Jules Houssay himself on 21st
June 1911). Bricaud's bishop name was Tau Jean II. Bricaud consecrated
Victor Blanchard later, under the name Tau Targelius. It's a separate line
from that of Papus, but related (Papus used the name Tau Vincent, as a
bishop). All this was before Papus received a second consecration, which
linked to the Utrecht lines. If Jean Bricaud started EGU, only the name is a
relation to EGC — no other direct connection — indirect, yes, direct, no.
At best, cousins by "marriage", several times removed.
{{AFTERWORD, 1997: Obviously Heidrick has not the slightest historical
informations: Reuss and Bricaud very closely worked together: Bricaud even
wanted Crowley's Gnostic Mass as the Central Religion for all Freemasons.}}
THE "CALIPHATE" E.G.C.
N: What is the official OTO policy (as you see it) regarding the conditions
necessary for the acceptance of such things as postal consecration of
bishops, priests, priestesses, etc.?
H: Not allowed. Consecrations of bishops and ordinations must be done in
proper persona at this time.
N: My question was intentionally more broad than this. I wanted to know *under
what conditions* such a thing *would* be allowed. I am under the impression
(again, from texts by Koenig and memory otherwise) that this was important
to the EGC's history, especially as regards its present Patriarch. Please
advise, thanks.
H: The present Patriarch has such a connection (not exactly that, but similar)
in one of the two lines he claims to the Wandering Bishops. Under Grady's
line, there is no such intangible linkage, all being by laying on of
hands.---
{{APPENDIX: The "Caliphate"-people assume that the so-called
"Caliphate"-letters conferred ecclesiastical authority, as well as
AA-authority.}}
K: Where's the proof for McMurtry having had Crowley's hand somewhere?
Crowley was never a Bishop or of comparable status, though I have seen
Crowley's 'Charter' for W.B. Crow which makes him Patriarch of Crowley's
version of the EGC in 1944.---
N: Br. Koenig makes this statement several times in his paperwork I
notice: that Crowley was never a Bishop and so could not consecrate
any sort of lineage. Could you explain the specifics of this EGC
hands-laying as well as indicate how you came by the knowledge of
its accuracy and purity? Is this also your understanding? If so,
what difference does it make as regards the 'purity' of the
Caliphate OTO's connection to the Gnostic Wandering Bishops?
[Editorial note: for response, see below.]
K:---Why does a Thelemite need apostolic succession? Only orders and
organizations need such a succession in order to have a magical current,
or, as in the case of the "Caliphate", to benefit from so-called
copyrights. That is, money. The "Caliphate"s OTO connection to the
Gnostic Wandering Bishops is only marginal/minimal. If they could not
receive it nowadays, from some very very few 'real' Gnostic Bishops
outside the Thelemic continuum, they have no 'Gnostic apostolic
succession'. It's only in their minds or in their statutes, e.g. linking
their Holy Ghost with some Crowley-OTO-initiation rituals. Funny idea:
linking a Christian concept with some pseudo-freemasonic rites. And to
pretend that this is Thelemic. Does anybody remember the "Gnostic
Catholic Church" Scandal of the late 1980s?
H: The above section, eclipsed for convenience. [Editorial note: except
for the final sentence, the above passage has no longer been eclipsed
"for convenience" - i.e., censored - and is restored in full.] Eclipsed
version is just empty hostile talk. Although I haven't a clue what or
which GCC Scandal he's talking about.
{{AFTERWORD, 1997: Remarkably odd, considering the matter was given such
widespread publicity at the time, including discussion in "The Magical
Link" itself.}}
H:---Speaking entirely personally, I don't accept that sort of thing and don't
expect to change my mind on the point. OTO could change it's rules to accept
that sort of thing, but I see no sign of it.
[Response from previous question; see above:]
H: Standing as a Bishop through OTO is an appendant to the VIIth degree,
however Grady was taken into the IXth by Crowley in proper person from the
Ist.---
{{AFTERWORD, 1997: There is no proof that McMurtry was ever taken by
Crowley through the degrees from Ist to IXth "in proper person"
whatsoever. BTW: Crowley never visited any of the Agape Lodges}}
H:---That included the Bishop consecration by the nature of the degree.---
K: PROOF????! I want to see the original statute which rules such.
N: Is there such proof of this, Br. Heidrick? Is there something in the
Constitution of the Order or some other text which supports this
correspondence between gnostic succession and Order initiations?
H: I am an officer of OTO and say so regarding the practices over which I
have a measure of supervision.---
{{AFTERWORD, 1997: In other words, I make it up as we go along and as I
see fit - i.e., they "do what I say"?}}
H:---I am a member and give witness that I was so initiated and so
consecrated.---
{{AFTERWORD, 1997: By McMurtry, whose consecration is itself dubious and
from Crowley, whose consecration again is itself dubious! One asks, "so
what does this prove"?!}}}}
H:---Although these things have recent memorial in the Bylaws,---
{{AFTERWORD, 1997: Very recent memorial in Bylaws very recently written in
1987...}}
H:---this question is a little like asking a duck to prove he's a duck.---
K: This is ridiculous. Shall I quote Gertrude Stein: "A rose is a rose
is a rose is a rose is a rose" ...? This is exactly one of the
manipulation tricks that I have described in my "Proto-Fascistoid
element"-file that I sent you. [to be found in the Scriven/Sabazius
correspondence at this URL]
H:---I'm unclear about the question regarding gnostic succession. Papus or
the ancient Gnostics? No record of most of the actual consecrations as
separate consecrations in my hand in either case — other than Papus
himself, of course — Tau Vincent as noted earlier. Papus was the head
of OTO for France, and we have information that he passed it on. It was
published as such in Papus' life time by Reuss and Crowley, without
Papus' objection to accuracy of that publication.
{{APPENDIX, 1997: This is legally interesting: also Heidrick refuses
to read Koenig's texts, books and publications. Maybe Heidrick
thinks that sticking his head in the sand makes him invulnerable?
But this is legally irrelevant. It does not need one's objection to
judge any accuracy whatsoever. If someone publishes "Heidrick is a
duck" and Heidrick does not object it: does it make Heidrick a
duck?}}
H: I understand that there may be some additional paper on Crowley's
getting it, but I don't have that. I believe Fr. H.B. either does or
knows where it may be, but I don't have it.
{{AFTERWORD, 1997: This apparent unavailability of items is a familiar
refrain coming from the "Caliphate".}}
N: I'm not sure I understand this completely, but I'd like to hear your
commentary on it, Br. Koenig.
K: I have described the situation in my "Stranded Bishop" piece and can
only add: a) Yes, Papus was X° of Reuss-OTO in France, but this does NOT
AT ALL melt the OTO with that French Gnostic Church which was completely
of a Christian nature. b) This manipulative trick from Heidrick would
suggest that a person that is a member of two different organisations
automatically makes these organisations one single organisation. c) I
wonder why Heidrick does not have access to such important papers?!
H:---As to the laying on of hands, Grady did what Crowley did to him, so
stating.---
K: Where? On which part of McMurtry's body did Crowley lay his hand?
H: The same place Grady layed his hands on me. That's all you get — it
was above the waist and below the ceiling.
{{AFTERWORD, 1997: Why so coy?!}}
H:---As to Crowley being a Bishop, this is what he was within OTO.---
K: PROOF?!
H:---We only resumed the separate title of Bishop apart from the Degrees in
the 1980's. Until then it was a part of the IXth and could be conferred at
the VIIth.
N: I'd like to see responses to Br. Koenig's questions above.
H: Read the Gnostic Mass for the claim, unrefuted by Reuss who translated and
published it in German. The word "Bishop" is not used, but the function is
asserted.
N: Your response, Br. Koenig, would be welcome.
K: Well, and the word "concentration camp" also does not appear in that Liber
XV but the function is asserted????? [This is] nonsense. I have Crowley's
VII° rituals, and they are void of such. Heidrick does not(!) have the VII*
Crowley OTO ritual, and therefore this is a projected fantasy. I am looking
at the rituals as I write this email and I assure you, they are devoid of
anything related to Gnosticism.
N: Br. Heidrick, why would Br. Koenig claim to have Crowley-OTO rites which
you, ostensibly a/the lineage of Crowley-OTO, do not have? I understand that
rites between III° and IX° were fairly recently (re?)constructed by the
Caliphate, isn't this true?
H: Crowley wrote an outline and partial draft of the VIIth in the final form,
although there were earlier rituals. Fr. H.B. elaborated the ritual from
that.---
{{AFTERWORD, 1997: With what qualifications and with what right so to
do?}}
H:---Initiations Minerval through VIth were completed in Crowley's hand, and
those are the ones we have continually used. VIIth through XIth were not
completed in final form by Crowley, although some ancillary rituals exist in
those degrees, in full.
N: Br. Koenig, is this also your understanding? Are the rites you have not
"complete in final form" (whatever Br. Heidrick may mean by this)? Until
then it was a part of the IXth and could be conferred at the VIIth.
K: Heidrick wants to disguise the fact that they changed the rituals because
they have been published by King. They changed the passwords and the like
and always pretend that King did not publish all of the stuff. Well, King
left out some minor things, like the VII°, and I guess two sex-instructions
that have been published elsewhere. But in order to remain a "secretive
order", that is the members still having to pay for "secrets", they pretend
that there are still unpublished documents. And in order to avoid further
questions they hint at an ominous "oath" that hinders them from answering.
...
N: It appears, Br. Koenig, that Br. Heidrick claims that the degree/Bishop
association has *always* existed (esp. as regarding the IX°). Are you saying
that it has not?
K: Where in the IX° papers is the Bishop connected to the OTO secrets?
N: I'm unsure of the significance of the question but would like to hear a
response.
H: Peter knows damn well---
K: Such language is always very unveiling!
H:---that I couldn't answer such a question positive or negative regarding the
instructive documents of that degree without breaking my oath.---
{{AFTERWORD, 1997: A skeptical observer might say: Mightily convenient -
considering that (apart from within the "Caliphate" itself) there never
WAS any such connection!!}}
N: Br. Koenig, given that Br. Heidrick is restricted by his oaths from
answering, where do you think that it *might* be so placed? That is,
*if* there is a connection between Bishop and the OTO IX° secrets, say
someone slipped it in somewhere, then where might it be best placed?
K: There is absolutely NO such evidence! It is only in their minds! Or,
(nigris), did you find such a place somewhere? Please tell me.
H:---As for the rest, denying it doesn't invalidate it on Koenig's side. I
state it, as does OTO. Who cares otherwise?---
{{AFTERWORD, 1997: More people than you would care to imagine, Mr. Heidrick!}}
H:---Talk to David Scriven — he's been writing the history of the EGC, partly
published in _Red Flame #2_.
N: I hope you have seen this information, Br. Koenig.
K: I am also preparing a large tome on the Gnostic churches.... I have
Scriven's booklet and it is completely worthless re: history. But it is a
good example of 'sectarian' thinking: bending history into critically-immune
self-referentiality which narrows its value.
N: Br. Heidrick, are you aware of anyone's text which is broad enough to
encompass all perspectives on this matter? Does D. Scriven's text take a
particular slant?
...
N: Where do you draw evidence for the conclusion that the Gnostic succession
was at some point drawn into the initiations of the freemasonic OTO? Did
Crowley write initiations where are not now being used by the Caliphate? Was
it Crowley (with Reuss-objection) who joined the Gnostic-OTO lines?
H: From the rites and usages of the ritual, as well as the instructions for
the Gnostic mass and the continuous practice of OTO. Reuss merged the
Gnostic Catholic Church with OTO — it was there when Crowley joined, as
noted in the earlier matter in the _Oriflamme_. [It was] since Papus, vid.
inf. I don't know when it was made part of the IXth prior to that, but it
was under Crowley during the American trip at the time of WWI. That's why
Crowley wrote the Gnostic Mass.
N: Br. Koenig, comment welcome.
K: Please show me ONE SINGLE document! I don't want only Heidrick's pretending
and claims! I want a document that PROVES it!
...
N: I also got the impression that the apostolic success business was rather
Christian of origin, though I'd like to know more.---
H: It is, by and large. That's why it is of little importance to us.
However, we have it, so we say so.
{{AFTERWORD, 1997: This statement contradicts itself. On the contrary, the
fact is of considerable importance to the "Caliphate", as evidenced by
Breeze's continued stressing of TWO lines of succession...}}
N:---Is this a supposed direct connection to Christ?---
H: No. St. Peter. It does connect to the pre-Christian system of Rome,---
K: PROOF?
N: I wondered about that proof too. Making such grandiose claims we
might presume to ask for it, though I remember you said it was 'on
the order of _Holy Blood, Holy Grail_', or something which implied
to me that there is not very much evidence to be found. Is this like
the OTO claim of connection to the Templars (i.e. thematic/
symbolic/ unsubstantiated)?
H: What OTO claim of connection to the Templars? There's the usual
Masonic bit, but that's hardly more than a fable.
{{AFTERWORD, 1997: Yet the first two sentences of David Scriven
(Sabazius X° of the "Caliphate")'s history of the OTO states:
"...OTO represents a surfacing and confluence of the divergent
streams of esoteric wisdom and knowledge which were originally
divided and driven underground by political and religious
intolerance during the dark ages. It draws from...the crusading
Knights Templars of the middle ages..."}}
N: That last was all I meant. I have seen very little proof that the
old de Molay Templars survived in any form beyond their burnings
except through revival. Where these notions of Baphomet come from,
however, continually intrigues me.
H: My allusion was to the impossibility of proving such things as a
connection between the present Popes and St. Peter — and the fact
of the Papacy using terms and regalia descended from both the
Western and Eastern Empire.
N: I'm sure this is very important, though I am so ignorant of the
history of the Church and its regalia that this doesn't mean very
much to me. I tend to agree that most 'historical claims' made by
religious are quite often wishes or mythic associations without
direct lineage (as the case with 'Jesus Christ', whose historical
existence I seriously doubt).
H:---but that's a "Holy Blood Holy Grail" kind of issue.
N:---If it wanes in and out of the EGC that is associated with Crowley (due to
his not having been a Bishop) then what do you mean by 'apostolic
succession' here?
H: It doesn't waine [sic] in and out, although it isn't particularly important
to us. Crowley was a Bishop.
N: Br. Koenig, it appears that the Caliphate OTO considers Crowley to have
been a Bishop of the church (EGC) with which he was affiliated by virtue of
his degree (OHO, X°) in the Order. Are you saying that this is not
historically accurate?
K: Crowley was not the OHO of the OTO, only OHO of his own breakaway group.
N: Given this assertion, I'm unsure of the logic involved in the
Germer-Metzger-McMurtry affairs, since it sounds as if Br. Koenig is
simultaneously stating that Reuss broke from Crowley and that McMurtry (who
did not wish to break from Crowley) was not the successor via Germer in
default of Mellinger. [Editorial note: see following discussions on the
succession of the "Caliph", etc.]
...
N: I gather from reading Br. Koenig's text that H. Beta received (postal?)
consecration from William Wallace Webb to Lully-Bertiaux-Hogg.---
H: There was such an intangible link in that line, but not in the line
from McMurtry to Beta.
N: Are you aware of this alternative lineage, Br. Koenig, that OTO degrees
(esp. IX° early on) conferred bishopric lineage?
K: Only in their minds, or perhaps new invented statutes. Nowhere (!) in
the original statutes [Bylaws? Constitution?] can one find such
somersaults.
N: Br. Heidrick, was something 'new' constructed at some point which
supports your assertion?
N:---Br. Koenig suggests that when this was challenged, HBeta merely changed
the 'rules of succession',---
H: No. Didn't happen.
N:---,"satisfied that 'Elevation to the Sovereign Sanctuary of the Gnosis'
*ipso facto* makes one a Bishop and leadership of such a body *ipso facto*
makes one a Patriarch." Is this true? Or was there more to it?
H: That's all it ever was, within OTO. Receiving the IXth degree includes that
rite, by laying on of hands, since Papus's days.---
K: PROOF? Since when does one 'receive' the IXth degree? Knowledge of the
'secrets' was enough in the original days (and paying [fees?] of
course). Only when Heidrick found out that the 'secrets' are 'common
knowledge' he linked the IX° to the possession of the 'Emblems and Modes
of Use' and a paper signed by the "Caliphate". This, seen from the
perspective of the original OTO, is nonsense.
N: Reuss, I think, passed on the UK Kingship to Crowley on the basis of
having printed 'secrets' in his _Book of Lies..._. Why isn't what Br.
Koenig saying here accurate?
H: Reuss also required Crowley to take high Masonic degree via Yarker
before he would admit Crowley to the IXth.---
{{AFTERWORD, 1997: Where is the proof of this? Crowley was _already_ a 33*
and a VIIth within Reuss's own masonic system (the OTO) at the time. And
there was no "high Masonic equivalent" for the OTO's VIIIth.}}
H:---He did admit him. All this was long after the publication and the
confrontation. What's the problem? There's even a published procedure
and a different set of fees for such things in a pulled draft of the OTO
material in the _Blue Equinox_ — pulled after the failure of mutual
recognition plea by Reuss to the United Grand Lodge of England. That's
in the OTO file at the London UGL library.
N: Br. Koenig, do you have access to that information?---
K: Yes. of course, 10 years before they received copies from the UGL
via Martin Starr! But it does not touch the fact that the IX° is
"given" either via fucking another IX° or being simply asked and
then given some papers.
N:---Do you agree that there is more to the 'reception' of the IXth degree
than merely knowing the secrets,---
K: No.
N:---but that one would also (in exchange for authority within the Order)
be required to accept restrictions on that authority as for its
dedication, use, etc.?---
K: Question: does Heidrick suggest that their IX° members (those who
have fucked with McMurtry or one of his scarlet women) also are
members of regular Freemasonry?
N:---[re. "since Papus' days:] What is your understanding in comparison
with this, Br. Koenig? Did Papus actually do something different, from
your knowledge?
H:---A "Patriarch" is the top Bishop in OTO.---
K: Papus never (!) made either Reuss or Crowley a Bishop. The events
around Papus will be documented in my forthcoming book.... I do have a
complete set of all(!) the original French-Gnostic and OTO magazines and
thousands of handwritten manuscripts.
N: Br. Heidrick, obviously there is a great deal of difference in regards
what OTO initiation conveys. I would like to know if you are aware when
these initiations began including bishopric consecration, or if they had
this even during the Kellner/Reuss times.
H: Reuss, yes. Kellner probably died before the merger.
N: Is this also your understanding, Br. Koenig? Thank you for your time.
K: Please show me ONE SINGLE proof of that!
H:---Abbreviating the facts and saying "it's only that!" does not alter the
facts. These are my personal comments. Koenig is unlikely to get anything
official from OTO on matters of this kind, even second hand.
N: (to K.) Br. Heidrick informs me that he would like you NOT to publish his
words which you obtain from our correspondence without his permission. I
hope that you can agree to this. Please specify if you cannot. Thanks.
THE OFFICE OF THE CALIPH
N: Where did the term 'Caliph' actually come from, prior to the usage with
Hymenaeus Alpha? if in a letter from Crowley, in what context? Did Crowley
have a particular meaning in mind? Did he ever explicitly state this if so?
[Editorial note: Due to the length of the debate which follows, the relevant
sentences of Heidrick's reply are split into paragraphs indicated by
arrowheads {{...}}.]
H: {{Crowley originated the application of the term to OTO. It is from Islam,
being the formal title of the line of authority descended from a lateral
line of the relations of Mohammed, after failure of the direct lineal
descendants.---}}
K: "Caliph" is the term for the 'office' of the prophet. I would like to see
an OTO-statute or a clear official OTO statement that connects the term
"Caliph" to any office of any OTO.
H: This is factually incorrect. "Caliph" has never been used for the "office
of the prophet", particularly not in Islam. Koenig knows my answer. The
Caliphate is a line of succession to Outer Headship of OTO, devised by
Crowley in correspondence, primarily with Grady McMurtry.
N: Has the term 'Caliph' ever been or will it be incorporated into any
Constutution of the Order? Was there ever anything official created beyond
the letters you mention below?
H: The term has appeared in various documents after the Greater Feast of Karl
Germer, including the minutes of the election of the present OHO. It has
appeared in the Bylaws, active form of the Constitution.
{{AFTERWORD, 1997: In other words, everything that is post-Germer and
McMurtry-only based. It has nothing at all to do _per se_ with the old
OTO!}}
CALIPH = HEADSHIP?
H: {{---Crowley explained it to Grady in a few letters, stating that he wished
to insure continuation of the headship of OTO by this means.---}}
K: I would like to see a facsimile of these documents.
N: Are these available to the public or to members in good standing? I would
like to receive a copy, and will take the trouble to forward copies of them
to Mr. Koenig upon my receipt if he doesn't already have his own.
H: Koenig has copies of them. They were published in the old OTO Newsletter
and from time to time in the ML and TLC. I sent copies of them to him years
ago as well.---
K: ...There is no letter specifically stating, from Crowley to McMurtry:
"you are the successor" or "Caliph equals OHO."
N: Apparently Br. Koenig does not find these statements within those
documents. Br. Heidrick, are you saying that they are to be found but
that Br. Koenig has overlooked them? If you could, please provide
vol/issue/pg #s wherein these documents were published as mentioned
above and I will consult them myself within my library and offer what
text I can to support your assertion, since you seem reticent to merely
quote them and explicate your interpretation.
H:---It's not my fault if he can't find them. However, you are welcome to look
through the material here at mutual convenience. I will not send any more
paper of this sort to a copyright pirate.
N (to K): I may be stopping by to see Br. Heidrick sometime within the next 6
months and will procure copies of these documents at that time if I do not
locate them in the publications which he references (which I have here in my
library). I will contact you, Br. Koenig, if I think that there is more
which you could learn from any documents I so obtain.
THE McMURTRY "SUCCESSION"
H: {{---Crowley told Grady to be ready to assume headship of the OTO in the
event of a failure of Karl Germer to either make a success of leadership or
to name his own successor.---}}
K: I don't think this is accurate. Crowley wrote several letters saying that
McMurtry is a Caliph, although Germer is the "Natural Caliph"' (This in one
letter.) However, these terms are nowhere defined as 'successor to Crowley.'
Crowley always wanted Germer to succeed him, as well as Friedrich Mellinger.
Mellinger lived until the 1970's and was a collaborator of Metzger's OTO in
Switzerland.
H: Koenig has copies of these documents, and I am not responsible for the
difficulty he has in understanding them. It is possible that he does not
have the letter from Mellinger to the attorney of the widow of Karl Germer,
in which Mellinger denounces Metzger and states that Metzger failed to work
with him (Mellinger) as Germer directed (published in the TLC Feb. 1993
e.v.)
{{APPENDIX, 1997: this letter is published as a facsimile in Koenig:
"Materialien zum OTO", ARW, Munich 1994, 143-145.}}
K: It doesn't matter whether Mellinger was against Metzger in his later years
because Sascha Germer was "for" Metzger and she was the widow of her husband
and lived together with him up to his death. Metzger had no contacts with
Germer for a decade.
N: Br. Koenig, do you suggest that Br. Mellinger's inaction does not
constitute an 'emergency' within the Order?
K: There was never any "emergency" in the Order. Worldwide there were many
very active OTO Lodges. However, as McMurtry did not know of their
existence, he thought it a good idea to achieve the Crowley copyrights in
order to pay for his beer and other drugs. Mellinger was very active in
Europe!
N: Br. Heidrick, what sort of Lodge activity are you aware was going on during
the period after which McMurtry put into effect his "emergency Caliph"
office?
H: Actually, the emergency was Germer's death.---
{{AFTERWORD, 1997: If Germer was so important that his actual demise
constituted an emergency, why did McMurtry manage to lose touch with him
for seven years? Could the answer possibly be because he (McMurtry) no
longer regarded himself as an OTO member because of his treatment by
Germer?}}
H:---Mellinger's inaction, other than to stop the probate by objection (not
legally binding, but Sasha quit anyway), was his washing his hands of the
situation.
N: Br. Koenig, are you aware that Br. Germer's will contained some sort of
designation as to his successor? If so, could you make a copy of that
available to me? Thanks.
H (to N.): You can have a copy yourself here. Be prepared to spend some time
with the papers. We photocopied 20,000 pages (including a lot of
quadruplicate, but that's still over 5,000) for the trial. A set is still
here in binders. Motta's side got all of that and turned down more. We even
photocopied a letter Motta had written to his own attorney in the 1st
circuit case where Motta admitted nearly getting caught for perjury in that
case — furnished to us by a disaffected member of Motta's SOTO who had
assisted him — copied to Motta, that is. The judge wouldn't let us enter it
in evidence on the basis of attorney client privilege, but Motta volunteered
evidence about it anyway.
N: Br. Heidrick, you also mentioned Br. Mellinger and the slight ambiguity of
succession, if I am not mistaken. I would merely ask what evidence is there
is that:
1) Mellinger was not so selected?---
H: He was. He didn't do anything about it. Crowley wrote to Mellinger,
telling him to hold himself in readiness to possibly succeed Germer --
same as in Grady's case, except that Grady received additional
instructions, duties and did something with it.
{{APPENDIX, 1997: Obviously, Heidrick is blind to the fact that Mellinger
was very active together with Metzger's OTO.}}
N:---and 2) Germer's wife, who outlived him, was not empowered, along with
Mellinger, through Germer's will, to appoint her selection (whether this be
Crowley, Motta or Metzger or whoever)?
H: Germer's widow was never a member of OTO, as she stated in her own
journal.---
{{AFTERWORD, 1997: And yet she also wrote to Motta, "Our Master is dead",
where Master could very well be construed as the "Grand Master" within a
masonic-type order... Legally, it is absolutely irrelevant whether she
was a member of the cat club or the OTO club: her voice has the
strongest stand regarding her husband's Will: and she favoured
Metzger as the OHO.}}
H:---Mellinger had warning that he might have the duty of leading OTO, but
he never had documents of authority in that capacity, as far as I know.
Last Will and Testament of Karl Germer made no mention of
appointment to head of OTO, but only stated in regard to OTO that
Mellinger was to act as co-executor with Sascha Germer in regard to the
OTO papers and other articles in the possession of the Germers.
Apparently there is nothing else but this. Germer's will did not name a
successor or provide any procedure or authority to determine a
successor. In fact, that will states that the property of the OTO is to
go to the "heads of OTO" — such usage clearly indicates "the members
most in authority", since Germer expelled Grant in part expressly for
claiming that there was more than one OHO.
{{AFTERWORD, 1997: On what evidence is this based? There is no indication
of any such "express" reason in the actual letter Germer sent. (see
_Materialien zum OTO_, page 225.)}}
N (to K): Br. Koenig, are you aware that Br. Germer's Will contained some sort
of designation as to his successor? If so, could you make a copy of that
available to me? Thanks.
N (to H): I notice that in Br. Koenig's text he claims "Metzger propagated
Thelema only to ingratiate himself with Germer."---
H: That's an unlikely theory. Metzger continued very fine Gnostic Masses
at his Abbey after the deaths of both the Germers, Karl and Sascha. He
maintained a wonderful collection of archives and continued publication
of Thelemic material. It's still there under management of his people.
Koenig aught to know, since they kicked him out of that too.
N: Is this assertion accurate, Br. Metzger? Have you been expelled from
the Caliphate OTO (apparently at your request?) and from the Metzger OTO
also? Could you explain the reason for these expulsions? Are you or have
you ever been a member of any other OTO-related organizations?
K: I was never a member of Metzger's OTO and therefore can't have been
expelled. Heidrick wrote me, saying he intended to kick me out of
his version of the OTO, but since I had already paid money in
advance he wanted to know what to do with it. I replied: "do what
thou wilt", and Heidrick responded with a funny letter professing
astonishment that I wanted to get expelled and that I was therefore
no longer a member. I never found out what he did with my money.
{{APPENDIX, 1997: regarding Metzger's ingratiation with Germer: this is
reported by several wittnesses who heard Metzger expressing such and
there are several written documents by Metzger and his allies to the
same effect.}}
H: Don't you mean "Koenig"? To be fair, he merely dared us to expell him,
and we took him up on the dare, having ample grounds.---
N: What were these grounds?
K: Heidrick learnt that my researches were going to be published and
that it would not(!) turn out to his favour. I had a guest for one
week at my home by the name of Andrea Lacedonia Bacuzzi. She was
sent over to Europe to install an independent Grand Lodge.---
H: Nonsense. Andrea made arrangements to go to Europe to resume
initiations, pursuant to the last OTO document Grady signed on
his death bed. She didn't make it in time, but Tony Iannotti did
it in her place. Later, she moved to Europe to live with her
husband J.Bacuzzi in Lugano. Andrea helped with initiations for
a while but retired from involvement for several years. She is
more active again, but no longer living with Bacuzzi or using
his name.
N: I thought you might want to have an alternative view of this,
Br. Koenig.
K: Re. Andrea Bacuzzi and the planned independent European Grand
Lodge: Well, this was the reason why she stayed at my home for a
week: it is substantiated by a pile of letters with other
European "Caliphate" members and an audiotape of a meeting of
the English "Caliphate"-members. I know that the project of an
independent European Grand Lodge was planned behind the backs of
the American "chiefs" Heidrick and Breeze and when I
communicated it, nevertheless, to the "chiefs", Andrea yelled at
me that she was now in trouble and has to find a way to get out
of it. Andrea "received" her IX° while fucking McMurtry and she
reportedly was glad that McMurtry did not die from the act.
Later she was Heidrick's lover. Her first husband was expelled
because he tried to rape a boy, her second husband chased her
out from his home.
Appendix February 1998 by Joe Collins
In June of 1987 e.v. (the 6th I think) Sr. Andrea was the "high-ranking
dignitary" at a meeting in the upper rooms of the Bloomsbury Tavern in London.
The topic was precisely that of the setting up of a European Grand Lodge.
There were a number of representatives from the mainland including Arild
Stromsvag from Norway. Gerald Suster and James Barter were also present, as
were some Yugoslavians [eg Alenka Bonet]. Andrea behaved in so extraordinary a
fashion during her visit that she came very close to being laid out flat by
Rose A Starr, but unfortunately D. Rietti talked her down from her very calm
"white fury", (few have lived to tell the tale after seeing her eyes turn
steely grey!). The event left many of us wondering just what it was we were
actually aspiring to here! If Andrea was a good example of the COTO's "right
stuff" then we were perhaps wasting our time. It was hard to accept that we
were expected to show respect to that prima-donna, who did nothing to earn it.
Suster felt that Andrea's position regarding the establishing of a proper
Guild System suggested a "New Aeon Mafia" developing in International OTO to
generate funds and launder money. Perhaps he had a point. All in all it was a
very odd couple of days. I remember it particularly well because I chaired the
meeting.
CONT. ONLINE CORRESPONDENCE
K:---She saw some of my archive and yelled at me: "You have to
whitewash your study" to the favour of Heidrick's version of
history. I even have Heidrick's letter where he wanted to prevent a
publication of the above event ('whitewashing story'). Of course I
don't whitewash anything, and no one in the world can prevent me
from publishing what I know.
N: Br. Heidrick, would you make brief comment on the above, especially
who A.L.Bacuzzi was, why you ostensibly sent her to Europe, if you
did, and what she claims occurred, etc.?
H:---When I used the above language in my letter informing him of the
expulsion, I got a letter back from him explaining that his English
wasn't very good and he didn't mean that! Nice chuckle.
{{APPENDIX by Koenig, 1997: This is not true. Heidrick completely
distorts facts. It seems that I have to publish the pertinent letters
as facsimiles}}
H: As to the Swiss, all I know is that they told us they didn't want him
back. I don't know if that means they expelled him, but I suspect it
does.
{{APPENDIX, 1997: K: I can only repeat myself: I never was member of
the Metzger group and never intended to become such.}}
H: Koenig insisted that we publish notice of his expulsion for a while,
but we generally don't do that. Grant's bunch actually has pre-printed
expulsion certificates...
N (for K):---"Thus Germer considered Metzger as his sole successor, as he
wrote in a letter and as was confirmed by Germer's widow."
H: This letter doesn't exist, as far as I know.
K: I can send you a copy. I have even published it in my 'Materialien Zum
OTO'.
H: I saw that book, but not this letter.---
N: If you'd like a copy of this I'll ask him to send you one. [to K:] I'd
like one myself for my files, Br. Koenig, and append my address to the
end of this email (which is cc'd to you).
H: I'd be happy to look at it....
N: Br. Koenig, please send me a copy of that letter at your next
convenience (along with the highlighted excerpt of the Germer Will
showing direct succession) and I will make a copy of it available to Br.
Heidrick (my address appended to this document once more).
N: My address for Brother Koenig to send copy (highlighted please) of text
of the Germer will which expressly dictates succession:
nigris (333)
Haus Kaos
871 Ironwood Dr.
San Jose, CA 95125-2815
H: Thanks, but I won't be sending anything to Peter. If you want a copy of
Germer's will, I'll send it to you if you promise not to send it to
Peter.
N: No thank you. I'll get that bit from him if he chooses to send it.
H: Please remind me Wednesday, when I'm back in San Anselmo. I have no
objections to your typing a copy and emailing that. It's less than a
full page. Peter has it already.
N: I know he has it, which is why I say I'd rather leave that to him. It
is his claim that I seek to confirm, so his highlighting will be the
more imperative. Thanks.
H:---Why didn't Metzger produce it, if it did?---
K: Metzger didn't produce it because he had other things to do and only
Sascha Germer's transcript and her opinion were produced while
quarrelling with Mellinger after Germer's death.
H:---It would have settled the whole matter — assuming it existed and hadn't
been withdrawn by subsequent writing. Too late now, of course.
N: I'd like your response to these questions, Br. Koenig. Thanks.
K: It is never too late, Mr. Heidrick. The copyright decision is only valuable
for the 9th Circuit. In every other 'country' one has to rule anew according
to the laws of that country — meanwhile there are more documents around
than in 1985.
THE "CALIPHATE" LETTERS
H: {{---To this end, Crowley wrote a series of letters to Grady, giving him
various authorities---}}.
N: Are you aware of these letters, Br. Koenig? Do you think that Br. Heidrick
would lie about them?
K: Only as his representative for California and as representative for the US
in case Germer did not intervene. Germer had a low opinion of McMurtry,
forbade his working along OTO-lines, and closed the Agape Lodge in 1953.---
H: There was never any "forbade his working along OTO-lines" and Agape
Lodge simply faded out without final formal closure.
N: Do you claim that this is untrue, Br. Koenig? If so, do you have some
sort of documentation which directly contradicts it?
K: Agape Lodge officially was closed on 7 September 1953.
N: Br. Heidrick, do you have any idea what Br. Koenig means by
'officially' here? I gather he thinks there was some formal closure.
H: Odd that that isn't in the Lodge records. Where does Peter get this
one?
N: I'd like to know that also. Br. Koenig, how did you determine that the
Agape Lodge officially closed on that date?
K: This is an outrageous lie from Heidrick: the pertinent paper from Karl
Germer is in the "Caliphate"'s archive, see list of that archive, page
50: "Karl Germer, closes Agape Lodge as Xth degree". Furthermore this
fact has been confirmed several times throughout the years by several
high ranking "Caliphate" leaders.
K:---McMurtry's opening of any Lodge (Agape or not) was done with no authority
and can only be considered "the New Foundation of 1977"...I do have these
letters, but I would not use the term 'lie' for what Heidrick is doing. He
tries to preserve his fantasies built around the founding of a new Agape
Lodge which has no magical current.
H: Opinion. Stupid opinion, at that. I opposed moving the Grand Lodge from
Thelema to Agape, mildly. Agape Lodge has given way in its turn, being now
only the US National Grand Lodge. Cheap shot, that bit about "no magical
current".
{{AFTERWORD, 1997: It wasn't, but even if it was, does that make it
necessarily _untrue_!?!}}
N: Apparently Br. Koenig does not accept that the letters to which you refer,
explain to McMurtry that Crowley wished to insure continuation of the
headship of OTO by means of the titular "Caliph" office' and 'that he should
be ready to assume headship of the OTO in the event of a failure of Karl
Germer to either make a success of leadership or to name his own
successor.'---
H: Right. He doesn't comprehend what he reads very well. A professional,
notably a IXth Federal Circuit Judge, found no difficulty in
understanding the papers.
K: ...In his own text he explains "Caliph" as related to the abbreviation
to the state (California) in which Agape Lodge was located (a pun).
N: I'd like to see these documents myself, please. Weren't they the basis
for the 9th Circuit Court's decision?
K: Yes, they were, but the [Californian IXth Circuit] court did not know
about the rulings of the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals.
H: This is either a lapse or a lie. The 1st Circuit District Court (not
the Court of Appeals, Koenig doesn't understand these terms) case was
cited frequently in the IXth Circuit Case, including in the Findings,
Conclusions of Law and the Judgment. The IXth District Court ruled that
the Ist District case was binding on Motta and SOTO, but not on us,
since we were not parties in that earlier case. To insure that no
remaining question would come from it to the Courts of Appeals, the
Judge allowed full testimony on the issues of the Ist District Court
anyway.
K: Heidrick and Motta made an agreement out of court not to mention
Metzger or Grant as possible OHOs because Heidrick and Motta knew that
they would lose the case if the court knew about them. (This I have in
writing from a witness to the out of court settlement.)
N: Did this out of court settlement take place, Br. Heidrick?---
H: No settlements of any kind in that case. Motta fought it all the
way to the Supreme Court. The court did take Metzger and Grant into
account.
N: Br. Heidrick, you mentioned that you thought Br. Koenig did not
understand the 'circuitry' of the court system, or something
similar, and I'm unsure myself that I understand either of your
contentions in this regard. Could you briefly explain your
understanding of what courts ruled in relation to succession issues
and how far what they ruled should carry beyond the US, for example?
Does it have anything to do with the Geneva Copyrights standards
which link US and Europe?
N.--Do you think that if Metzger/Grant had been taken into account the
court would have ruled in your favour? ... I'd like to get your opinion
on this matter and determine with some precision why it is that all of
these OTOs are fighting with one another. Pertinent to that is the
question of HBeta's lineage and the controversy about 'postal
consecration'. I asked Br. Heidrick whether this was accurate and he
replied that ... [Editorial note: discussed within section headed "The
"Caliphate" E.G.C.", q.v.]
H: This never happened, and both Metzger's and Grant's claims were
discussed in the trial, as well as provided in the form of documents in
the exhibits. I answered questions on the witness stand about Germer's
expulsion of Grant. All this is in the official court transcripts.---
N: Have you seen these transcripts, Br. Koenig? Do you say that Br.
Heidrick is mistaken about them? Perhaps you can write to the court
and procure a copy for your files if you don't already have one.
K: These transcripts also show that the lawyers had the opinion that
documents had been suppressed (Motta vs. Weiser, 535).
N: Br. Heidrick, are you aware of any data to this effect? if not,
perhaps Br. Koenig can send me excerpts from the transcripts wherein
he finds this suppression-suspicion.
H:---Motta and I only exchanged spoken sentences once in our lives. The
occasion was during a recess in court. Motta looked over at the
plaintiff table, took me for a lawyer (I was in a black suit) and asked
if it would be alright if he went to the bathroom. I responded that I
thought it would be alright, but that I "regretted" to be one of the
plaintiffs against him, not an attorney — a matter of courteous
response to a dumb mistake. Motta responded "Never regret anything". End
of conversation.
N:---Do you claim that these allegations are false, Br. Heidrick? If so, I'll
ask Br. Koenig to substantiate them in some way. I presume you two have had
this discussion previously, so if you know something about the items he is
likely to bring forward it would seem efficacious if you could say something
about them beforehand.
H: These allegations are false, in the sense of half-lies.---
{{AFTERWORD, 1997: But not true, in the sense of half-truths?!!}}
H:---Grady did have those authorities, published in the OTO Newsletter in fax.
The language went beyond "representative". A subsequent letter removed
Germer's power of prior review, but did allow Germer to veto. Germer
directed Grady to act on these documents during Crowley's life time, in the
matter of Jack Parsons at Agape Lodge. Germer gave Grady a written approval
to form a nucleus for a new Lodge in the 1950's and proposed a corporation
with Grady as one of the three directors to run OTO. These matters are
documented here in photocopy over Germer's signature — although nothing
came of it until long after Germer died.
N: I think these comments are substantiated by your own text, Br. Koenig.
{{AFTERWORD, 1997: Hardly. And didn't Germer also strongly berate McMurtry in
a December 1959 letter for "sponging on the order" for the last twelve
years"?!!}}
WAS McMURTRY A "NATURAL" CALIPH?
H: {{---Finally, Crowley wrote to Grady with the instruction that Germer was
"the natural Caliph", would be A.C.'s direct successor, but that Grady
should continue himself in readiness to succeed Germer.---}}
N: Since McMurtry did not answer this letter, Crowley subsequently arranged
Friedrich Mellinger as the successor to Germer. Is this to what you were
referring, Br. Heidrick, in your previous correspondence, when you said:
(H): "Crowley also made somewhat lesser efforts to alert Frederic Mellinger to
the possible need of taking headship of OTO, but did not give Mellinger any
formal letters of authority."?---
H: Koenig is wrong in stating that Grady did not answer the letter in
question. There were several such letters, and Grady continued
correspondence with Crowley until shortly before the latter's death. The
reference to a similar letter to Mellinger is the one I made. However,
Crowley continued to remind Grady of this plan for Grady's succession
after the similar correspondence with Mellinger. Mellinger was a back
up. As things turned out, Mellinger did nothing in this regard.
N: Br. Koenig, from reading your text and that of Br. Heidrick, it does
seem somewhat clear that Crowley was attempting to establish a
'fall-back' chain, should those immediately in line not be capable or
willing to assume OHO do so in proper timing. Do you dispute this?---
K: Germer knew of all the other active OTO Lodges and McMurtry
appeared on the scene 20(!) years after Crowley's death. In these 20
years there were many OTO Lodges active.
N: Br. Heidrick, are you aware of the active Lodges of which Br.
Koenig speaks? Were these something other than 'Crowleyan' lineages
(perhaps something which the Caliphate disputes?)?
N:---Given that he had Mellinger/ McMurtry in mind and that Mellinger did
not activate his authority, does this not constitute an 'emergency
situation', given which McMurtry was in his rights to resume OTO as OHO?
[Editorial note: see earlier section, "The McMurtry Succession".]
N:---If so, and there is such a letter of authority, or some recorded process
of succession, would this substantiate Br. Koenig's claim? He would merely
have to justify his basis for his claim that it was so "arranged", true?
H: It's irrelevant to Koenig's claim, since Mellinger did nothing. If Frederic
Mellinger had come forward and sought to activate his letters, there would
have been some sort of discussion as to which should succeed. As he did not,
there was not. As long as Mellinger lived, the point could have been
pressed. Mellinger died before Grady, still doing nothing about it. In fact,
Frederic knew of Germer's death well before Grady was informed. He had his
opportunity unopposed. He chose to forget about it.
{{AFTERWORD, 1997: To strike while opportunity knocks? Is this the reasoning
behind the tactics of the "Caliphate"? That - whether right or wrong - one
must seize the moment or else lose it forever? And why does Heidrick know
what's going on in other people's mind, eg Mellinger?}}
CROWLEY'S USE OF "CALIPH": A PUN OR NOT A PUN?
H: {{---This latter characterization of Germer as "Natural Caliph" is
different from the Islamic, indirect line, usage. I've long thought that
Crowley also had a pun on California in mind...}}
H: ... Calif = abbreviation of California. Caliph = Englishing of an Islamic
word roughly equivalent to "Follower" or "One who comes after", specifically
the lateral line of descendents in that case of the sister of Mohammed. I
entertain the conceit that Crowley also may have seen the pun, but there is
no evidence of that and ample evidence of the construction I support.
Although I am not sure that I told this pun to Koenig, I think I may
have.---
{{APPENDIX, 1997: Is Heidrick the mother of all jokes?}}
N: Br. Koenig, don't you think that the usage of 'Caliph' as compared to
'Calif' indicates that it was more than just a pun, given the Muslim
understanding of this term?
K: Of course this might have been the case, but even if Crowley intended
to use the term "Caliph" in its original meaning of "follower of the
prophet", it has nothing to do with the OTO, which has no prophet, which
is a pseudo-freemasonic order. It is Thelema which seems to need a
prophet. "Caliph" can only be seen in the context of Thelema, but
Thelema must be seen as separate from the OTO. It was only the breakaway
group under Crowley that adopted Thelema. Reuss got rid of it all in
November 1921 and wanted other successors than Crowley.
N: Given that Reuss wanted to dispense with Crowley (what is your position
on this assertion, Br. Heidrick?), and that Br. Koenig's claim that
Crowley's lineage was a 'breakaway group' is accurate, doesn't it seem
logical to you that this business about 'caliphs' would remain in
contention?
H: Even if the Crowley lineage of OTO was break-away, which I do not
consider to be correct in any sense, that would have no effect on the
succession within Crowley's line of OTO itself, including the term
"Caliph".
N: Isn't this true, Br. Koenig? It is something which I didn't understand
of your mention previously. There appear to be several issues here which
you have at times brought together as multi-pointed spears against the
Caliphate OTO (as to its legitimacy in regards the EGC, the OTO, and
even to its own succession). Do you have some reason for this composite,
or are you simply opposed to the existence of the Caliphate OTO on all
those grounds and sought to make this clear?
K: There are several kinds of level to discuss the OTO-Phenomenon:
regarding the term OTO: a) it is uncertain that Reuss continued the OTO
according Kellner's line, b) it is most certain that Crowley's OTO is a
breakaway group from Reuss' OTO (because Reuss wanted to separate the
OTO from Thelema), and c) the "Caliphate" is a new founding. Therefore
it is of no use (or simply manipulative) to speak from "the OTO" while
there are only several OTO-groups.
H:---You may see these documents in fax or photocopy — let me know when you
can come by and we will arrange a mutual convenience. There is a photocopier
here.
K: In his own text he explains "Caliph" as related to the abbreviation to the
state (California) in which Agape Lodge was located (a pun).
N: I'd like to see these documents myself, please. Weren't they the basis for
the 9th Circuit Court's decision?
K: Yes, they were, but the [Californian IXth Circuit] court did not know about
the rulings of the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals. [Editorial note: see
discussion in "The "Caliphate" Letters" for continuation.]
EPILOGUE
N: ...To other matters more severe:
I am seriously considering reviewing Br. Koenig's texts, to be found at the
following URLs, within the Thelema93-L elist as an alternative and/or
precursor to the King material or the alternate which you and I devise:
Spermo-Gnostics and the Ordo Templi Orientis
Ecstatic Creation of Culture
I'd like to hear how you think this would compare in regards my marring of
my relationship with the Caliphate OTO should I omit direct quotes of King's
work while doing a review of the ideas and text of Koenig's text here
listed. Are his texts (however fallacious they may seem to you) also
'forbidden'? :> I *do* find within them a very clear similarity to the
VII/VIII/IX° secrets as stated within the King Secret Rites. He has offered
to send me copies of the Crowley rites he mentioned which you said are not
'in formal completion' (something similar). I may eventually take him up on
that, though I'd like to know if I'd be in effect severing my connection
with the Caliphate OTO in so doing. Thank you for your reflections and
advice my kin, nigris (333)
H: ...As before, this is all my personal talk without prejudice to OTO. [Most
omitted in this sending by nigris.] I'm intending to tail off this
discussion now with only a few minor points which I also have interest in
pursuing.
K: ...Thank you for your time. I am always prepared to answer further
questions sincerely.
- POSTSCRIPT -
K: Are you aware that Heidrick is even now trying to copyright the AA?
(Heidrick on Compuserve 13-Jul-1985)
N: No I am not, though it doesn't surprise me much. You must either mean he is
trying to obtain trademarks on "AA" or that he is copyrighting AA materials.
K: Both.
N: He is also attempting to dissuade me from reviewing portions of King's
text. I may jump around him and my Order by reviewing *your" text instead,
since it seems to present similar information in a more extensive light. If
people want to argue against it I'll be happy to see that. The discussion is
my objective. I don't care at all about the copyrights and trademarks, nor
lately about my membership, though I do my best to retain it for as long as
possible within my will.
K: Please ask about that new X° business with the X° of America, called
"Sabazius X°". Breeze recently made a X° for the US, called Sabazius.
Traditonally, a X° can only be made by the OHO. But neither McMurtry was,
nor Breeze is, OHO.---
N: It does appear that the identity of "OHO" is in contention, yes.
K:---It is the man who wrote an outrageous false OTO history at
http://www.cinenet.net/oto/
N: Would you like to review that history with your commentary? I would be
happy to edit it in English and have you review before issuing it to the
world.
{{APPENDIX, 1997: This led to the correspondence with
Scriven/Sabazius, at this URL.}}
...
K: Did you, last year, post some Heidrick-fantasies to the Internet? Yesterday
I found a letter from Ken Ward from the newsgroup alt.magick,tyagi... and
two Heidrick-answers re Martinism (Martin E. Jacobs) and Rosicrucians
(Cynthia Sheldon). It is unbelievable how Heidrick can distort the facts.
N: As I am very ignorant about these subjects I have at times I'm sure been
blinded by the Heidrick-fantasies as you call them, and this is one of the
reasons that I value my correspondence with you. I have posted Br.
Heidrick's text to various forums, yes, hoping to elicit ALTERNATIVE
perspectives and occasionally doing so, but nothing which compares to your
complex alternatives.
K: For example, Krumm-Heller NEVER founded the OTOA which was founded by
Jean-Maine (an alleged X° made by Papus). The gnostic and sexmagickal
systems of the OTOA and Krumm-Heller's FRA/OTO are COMPLETELY different. But
Heidrick can't understand anything that is outside of his small limits.
N: I will quote this to Br. Heidrick and ask him why he might have said these
things, seeing what he says about your assertions. ..You can find most of
them, which I've archived, at:
ftp://ftp.hollyfeld.org/pub/Esoteric/Usenet/Thelema/
Is there a way for you to view these? There are many files there, and all
which end in ".bh" are written by Brother Heidrick
...
K: What about the spicy communication between you, Heidrick and me?
N: I'm archiving that in Usenet archives (/Usenet/Thelema). I will probably
either archive it or delete it. I don't see that there is any resolution
betwixt you possible. Perhaps I'll put it in the Hollyfeld archive.
K: Why do you want resolution? But Hollyfeld archive is fine, as well.
N: I didn't want to expend unlimited energy on it, feel I have delved into the
subject as much as I can handle presently ("history" isn't something which I
really like very much — that can be "your" ball of wax), and I would rather
focus on the "esoteric secrets".
...
N: I have erased everything below [sic] this line and not looked at it.
K: How strange but wonderful! Here's the solution (that you can send to
everyone that has an ear): The "Caliphate" accepts Germer's stance as OHO
although they consider his performances are doubtful. (Which in my eyes,
makes their acceptance only lipsync).
N: I'm not sure what you mean by "his performances are doubtful". It is
somewhat awkward to my English-only ear and perhaps a tad ambiguous.
Performances of what? How does this have any effect on anything?
K: Why is McMurtry not considered automatically expelled (Liber CI;25) when he
filed suit against Motta?: the "Caliphate" thinks it was not a suit between
members but between two different OTO-versions.
N: Very lovely!
K: Heidrick's statement that Crowley broke up the 1917 Constitution into three
commented libers is not met with other high ranking members. They now call
their "Caliphate" not the "real" OTO but a _"reconstitution" of OTO_.
N: First I've heard of this. Thanks.
K: There is the gossip/oral tradition in the "Caliphate" that IXth members
have the right to initiate although this is not substantiated by any paper
neither from Reuss nor Crowley. McMurtry then indicated on his IX° charters
(those he issued) that his IX°-initiated "members" were not to exercise
their powers until after his death.
N: That fits with some things I've seen in the past in my local community.
There do appear to be conservative changes going on there.
K: There are NO members of the Solar Lodge now members of the "Caliphate". It
is approven that there exists NO VII°-IX° paper/instruction that includes
bishopric.
N: This is meaningless to me. What is "the Solar Lodge"? Do you mean that
there are no "proven" lineage continuation that you accept to VI° members?
K: I am looking forward to hearing again from you - especially about your
thoughts and comments on all the stuff that I have sent you and the info
that you have by now...
N: I'm now (as I hope you are seeing) beginning a sex-magick critique within
Thelema93-L and funnelling this out to Usenet as I so desire. This will
include occasional reference to the Emblems [and Modes of Use] text, "De
Arte Magica" and some of F. King's materials. I am not presently interested
in a wrangle with the COTO as regards copyrights and so am going to
concentrate on rephrased or "non-threatening" materials I create myself or
find in writers such as you or Kenneth Grant. Your commentary on any/all of
it will be welcome.
...
K: You are free to use every part of my letters in any way you want!
N: That is very kind of you.
My objectives include a full disclosure of all OTO "secrets" and sex magick
information such that public discussion may proceed from it and people may
obtain this sexo-technology easily and use it for their benefit.
K: ...My main objective is to document EVERYTHING that happens in the OTO
(groups); this includes documentation of all secrets (no pun).
N: Great, then we have a common bond.
N: I understand. Your role is important in opposition to the lies. Please
understand that I have *two* roles where the Order is concerned:
1) As Revolutionary member from within (as long as I can stomach sticking
within it)
2) As neutral librarian collecting data from a variety of sources which
express themselves in Thelema93-L and Usenet conversations in a manner
clearly reflecting their opinions (no matter how false these may be).
K:---b) I have to express my astonishment about the fact that Heidrick is
telling such outrageous lies and manipuative propaganda to the world....
N: Nothing new, from what you've been telling me.
K: It reminds me definitely of the Scientology.
N: I've been involved with Scientology, and later COTO, and I haven't noticed
yet the similarity between them other than some organizational things
(structure, but both drew from similar sources) and an occasional promotion
of their "Official Views" (which again many religious organizations engage).
I'm watching for signs of the type of cult-activity I saw in Scientology.
Haven't seen it yet.
...
K: The IX° is a parody of the Christian Eucharist with further refinements of
the techniques related to the consumption of the Elixir: absorption through
the mucous membrane of the roof of the mouth, rather than swallowing it.
Because the delicate protein fabric enveloping the essence will get broken
down by the acids of the digestive system before it had a chance to
integrate into the mind-body symbiosis. Therefore it is a "danger" to put
the elixir into brandy (as I described the practise of some "Caliphate"
members in my "Spermo-gnostics and the OTO"-lecture on my Web site). Also it
needs to be prevented from coming into external contacts. Grant also
notices: "The sacrament should be passed forth from mouth to mouth."
Finally, the ritual must be performed by both sun (male's winged flame) and
moon (female starlight) always unto Nuit, sometimes assuming the Godforms in
the Stele. That's all. If you need the elixir for magickal acts: let drop
the sperm and vaginal fluids out of the vagina upon a par chment with the
Abramelin squares and the "wish" will be fulfilled.
N: I'll be quoting the text above in Thelema93-L sometime in the near future.
K: In NO IX° paper is something mentioned like a bishopric consecration. There
is no need for such because when it is assumed that the sperm contains the
Holy Logos then every man and woman who eats that sperm receives the Holy
Logos. Even if Heidrick disguises the lack of bishopric (referring to oaths
and nonsense like that) in any IX° paper: there is no such.
To "receive" the IX° (be "recognized" as a such) you only have to know the
alchemistical and hinduistic word shells for the words "Vagina", "Penis",
"sperm", "orgasm" etc etc (best is to take over Crowley's new defined
euphemisms for these: and this (besides the financial aspect) is the ONLY
reason why you have to run through the lower degrees of the OTO) and know
how to describe the whole act in bloomy and pompous words. That's definitely
ALL about the IX°. After that you have to regularly pay the fees and you
can really feel "elected: and "chosen". According to the new invented
statutes and constitutions of the "Caliphate", the IX° of McMurtry's days
(not the Breeze IX°) can vote something called OHO — although in the
original OTO only the X° can elect the OHO. It is clearly defined what a X*
is in Liber CXCIV paragraph 17 - but only until recently the "Caliphate"
also starts to accept other definitions. Although Heidrick does NEVER admit
it, the "Caliphate" recognises Metzger's standing as X° for Switzerland and
the leaders of the COTO (without Heidrick) recently paid a visit to
Metzger's heir in order to have her (it is a woman) help to elect an OHO. In
vain, of course ==> There is no OHO, only several self-styled IX° and X° in
several countries all over the world. To have an OHO ALL these X° must
unanimously elect the OHO.
N: Thanks for the info. I'm unsure if I'll use it this time, though I may
archive this batch of information.
K: What do you think about my "proto-fascistoid elements" draft that I sent
you earlier?
N: I like the attitude you were taking with it. I think that it was a helpful
goad within the recent discussion within the Thelema93-L list with T.
Maroney concerning the dwindling of the current in public discussion and the
general atmosphere of "Thelemic culture". I'd suggest that you elaborate
some with examples of some of your claims, polish up the English if you want
it to be taken seriously by those of the "serious Thelemite community", and
issue it within one of your publications or those of Thelemic organizations
at your disposal.
K: It reminds me of Heidrick's letter to you dated 9 Dec 1995.
N: The element which you are underscoring is definitely there, though I'm not
sure how strong it is within my Order as yet. "Fascist" usually implies some
sort of politics, and the only politics of which I am aware which COTO
members *must* engage is that concerning rituals, how they are performed,
whether and with whom they are discussed. Since I don't find such discussion
valuable (since I have often not wanted to hear about the rites before going
to them and seldom if ever wanted to be one of the people putting them
together), I doubt I'll hit as hard on this line as you seem to be doing,
perhaps merely collecting ritual texts relating to the "secret sex magick
workings".
K: Hoping to hear from you again.
N: It is a pleasure as always, Br. Koenig.
- END OF DOCUMENT -
The 'Caliphate'
Playgame of an O.T.O.-Fatamorgana, Statistics, Censorship, Name Dropping
Fetish, Self-Induction, Stigma and Rôleplay
The Gnostic
Churches The McMurtry
Succession The Templar's Reich - The Slaves Shall Serve Proto-fascist Elements
in the O.T.O.
My own Threepenny Opera
More about all this in: Andreas Huettl and Peter-R. Koenig: Satan - Jünger, Jäger und Justiz
O.T.O. Phenomenon navigation
page | main page
| mail
|