INITIATION AND INSTRUCTION

The structure of O.T.O., like that of Freemasonry and the ancient mystery schools, is based on a series of initiations or degrees, most of which are conferred ceremonially. In the Rituals of these degrees, O.T.O. seeks to instruct the individual by allegory and symbol in the profound mysteries of Nature, and thereby to assist each to discover his or her own true Identity.

The degrees of O.T.O. are divided into three Grades or "Triads": the Hermit, the Lover, and the Man of Earth, as shown in the accompanying table on the following page.

Every man and woman of full age, free, and of good report, has an indefeasible right to the first three degrees of O.T.O. These "first three degrees" actually include all the degrees in the Man of Earth Triad; as the Minerval is considered a prologue to the First Degree, and the Fourth and P∴I∴Degrees are considered pendants to the Third Degree.

The Man of Earth degrees follow a pattern based on the symbolism of the cakras and the stages of Kundalini Yoga. They also represent, in dramatic form, the Individual's Path in Eternity. In the 0°, the Ego, a wandering God, is attracted to the Solar System. In the I°, the Child experiences Birth.
In the II°, the Man or Woman experiences Life. The III° represents the Death of the individual, and the IV° represents the world beyond Death, the glorified state of the Initiate.
In the P ∴I ∴Degree, the Initiate symbolically achieves ultimate Perfection, and the entire cycle is withdrawn into Annihilation.

Of these Stations upon the Path, all but the II° represent single critical experiences. We are however concerned with Life in all its variety, and therefore all degrees above P∴I ∴are elaborations of the II°, a progressive instruction in how to live, 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 V° - IX° rituals and teachings are therefore instructions in the Mastery of Life. There is instruction in Hermetic Philosophy, Qabalah, Magick and Yoga, all intended to prepare the candidate for the sex magical techniques of the highest degrees of O.T.O.

In addition to the official O.T.O. instructions, many of the local O.T.O. Lodges, Oases and Camps offer supplementary instruction to their members. The particular form of this supplementary instruction depends on the character and capabilities of the particular local body; it may be provided in the form of classes, seminars, study programs, or publications.