Magical Path of Initiation

The O.T.O. initiations are physical ceremonies, or Dramatic Rituals. In Magick Without Tears, Crowley explains the nature and basic symbolism of O.T.O. initiations as follows:

Let us begin at the beginning. What is a Dramatic Ritual? It is a celebration of the Adventures of the God whom it is intended to invoke. (The Bacchae of Euripides is a perfect example of this.) Now, in the O.T.O., the object of the ceremonies being the Initiation of the Candidate, it is he whose Path in Eternity is displayed in dramatic form.

What is the Path?

  1. The Ego is attracted to the Solar System.

  2. The Child experiences Birth.

  3. The Man experiences Life.

  4. He experiences Death.

  5. He experiences the World Beyond Death.

  6. This entire cycle of Point-Events is withdrawn into Annihilation.

In the O.T.O. these successive stages are represented as follows:

  1. O° (Minerval)

  2. I° (Initiation)

  3. II° (Consecration)

  4. III° (Devotion)

  5. IV° (Perfection or Exaltation)

  6. P.I. (Perfect Initiate)

Of these Events or Stations upon the Path all but 3 (II°) are single critical experiences. We, however, are concerned mostly with the very varied experiences of Life.

All subsequent Degrees of the O.T.O. are accordingly elaborations of the II°, since in a single ceremony it is hardly possible to sketch, even in the briefest outline, the Teaching of Initiates with regard to Life. The Rituals V°-IX° are then instructions to the Candidate how he should conduct himself; and they confer upon him, gradually, the Magical Secrets which make him Master of Life.

Obligations of Membership

Members of the O.T.O. are of full age, free, and of good report. There are modest dues obligations to the International and National O.T.O., and there are often dues obligations to one’s local O.T.O. body.

Red Flame Encampment

Red Flame Camp is a chartered camp under the jurisdiction of O.T.O. International.  We hold initiations in the City of Edmonton.  For further information regarding initiation, please e-mail Frater Xapa or contact O.T.O. Canada.