Chthonic Auranian Templars of Thelema

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The Chthonic Auranian Templars of Thelema (formerly the Chthonic Auranian OTO) is founded on the premise that the OTO is not only a pyramid of Knight Monks (as emphasized by the Caliphate OTO), or a highly specialized Magical Engine (as emphasized by Kenneth Grant's Typhonian OTO), but is also a family/tribe/network/fraternity of magickians who are each doing their own Will as best as each of us is able, and who are each fully responsible for their actions/stillnesses, thoughts/trances/channelings, and speech/silence.

The Chthonic-Auranian OTO was founded just prior to the September Full Moon in 1985 at the Southern Pagan Lunarfest (SPiRaL) by Bill Siebert, Cliff Pollick, and Sam Webster. Each had been active members of other branches of OTO during their magickal apprenticeships. Cliff was a III° member of the Caliphate OTO, and co-founder of Hadit Chapter of the Caliphate in Philadelphia. Sam was a II° member of the Caliphate, & founder of Aum Ha Camp in Boston. Besides being a Minerval in the Caliphate OTO, Bill Siebert had long been a member of Grant's Typhonian OTO for nearly a decade, during which time he had worked his way from probationer to V°.

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The Gnostic philosophy of CATOT

The light of Gnosis extends outward from each of us. In previous Aeons, Magickal Orders, Religions, and Yogic Schools were formulated by individuals who had tapped-into the Gnosis, & set-about sharing their wealth with others of like aspiration. Illumination extended outward thru catena of initiation to those individuals who had not yet discovered the light of Gnosis within themselves. Some disciples became dependent upon the light emanating from their Master, thus blinding themselves to the light which emanates from within themselves. As Gnostics died, or went on to other endeavors, Schools, Religions, and Magickal Orders in which these Masters had once worked their Will did not simply close-up shop or evaporate into thin air. Beuracracies (whether mundane or transcendental) seek immortality. When there are no Masters to head these Orders, all to often the task is left to Fools or charlatans. In many ways, Secrecy & respect for tradition encourage Hanuman & the Ape of Thoth to stand in the spotlight, while the work of the inner Order goes on un-noticed, save by those few who understand that Gnosis comes from within.

Although there are many Gnostics who prefer to work solitary & away from formal groups, many prefer to work/play/grow within a Sovereign Sanctuary of the Gnosis whose members see themselves and each other as operating within a free-form ever-shifting network of Anarchistic Kings. The core of OTO is not based upon pyramidal politics. It is a multi-dimensional self-luminous spider web with no single spider-god architect and no fixed center around which the universe orbits. Those whose will is to function as Sovereigns of the OTO are both weavers and web (see Book of Lies). Individually & collectively, they gleefully follow stimulating strands which others have woven, as we add their own personal embellishments as we go. They each cherish those inspiring patterns in the web which helped us to access our present level of illumination. As the Knights Templar did before, they keep all roads safe for pilgrims—they warn others away from those individuals and/or practices which they have found to be dangerous, or seductively sedating. They each repair the fabric of the web, inasmuch as each of them feels it is need of repair. And they (individually & collectively) create new and interesting patterns, by which they entertain themselves, each other, and mayhaps increase the general level of Gnostic illumination throughout the multiverse.

The charter of the Chthonic Auranian Templars of Thelema is an outgrowth of its members Wills. It depends neither from nor upon any catena of initiation from any other group. It makes no claim of being chartered by Crowley, Germer, Soror Sprengel, or any other secret chiefs.

"We are bar-Sinister Mad Wand spawn of Babalon the Whore & To-Mega-Therion--666. Choronzon midwifed our birth. We are indeed heirs to Crowley's legacy."

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Grade Structure

The Order has three grades which are attributed to Hermit, Lover, and Wo/Man of Earth, but each Sovereign within the Order is free to create and manifest their own unique system (even if some systems may appear to be contradictory to others). The innermost grade is the first to be encountered. A Hermit is one who has sought the Gnosis within themself and has made their own personal links with the Fountainhead of the Order independent from any external organizations/beings.

The Grade of Lover is the province of those whose Will is to work within the community, fraternity, and fellowship of our Order. No dues, duties, or hazing rituals are imposed upon those who seek out fellowship, but it is up to each Sovereign to work this out for themself! --"He must teach; but ..." (AL:I,38). It is assumed that all candidates for initiation into the Grade of Lover consider themselves to be Masters of the Temple, or whatever they deem to be the equivalent in whatever system of internal initiation they are working. When working with other Masters, there is no need for hoodwinks, dire oaths, or stodgy 19th Century Egypto-Victorian Masonic ritual forms. Love, Will, and Personal Responsibility have always been keywords for this Grade.

to be continuued...

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