Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law
In our system, as described in The Book of the Law there are Three Grades: the Hermit, and the Lover, and the Man of Earth. But for convenience, each is treated as a Triad and subdivided into various degrees.
The introductory degrees of O.T.O., from 0° (Minerval) to P.I. are collectively known as the "Man of Earth Triad." All persons who are free, of full age and good report have an indefeasible right to these degrees.
These degrees are a dramatisation, veiled in Allegory and illustrated by Symbols, of the life of the individual human. This scheme runs roughly as follows:
| The Degrees of the Man of Earth Triad | ||
|---|---|---|
| 0° | Minerval | Incarnation. |
| I° | Man and Brother / Woman and Sister (Lustration) | Birth. |
| II° | Magician (Consecration) | Life. |
| III° | Master Magician (Devotion) | Death. |
| IV° | Perfect Magician, Companion of the Holy Royal Arch of Enoch (Perfection) |
Resurrection. |
| P.I. | Perfect Initiate, Prince of Jerusalem (Annihilation) | ?! |
Progress through these degrees usually takes a period of years, although Minerval and I° may be taken together, as may IV° and P.I. (there is a minimum of nine months in I°, and a year in each of II° and III°). Beyond this, admission is dependent on invitation from the appropriate governing body.
Now, concerning the Man of Earth degrees; with the exception of the Second, all these represent single critical experiences. But our concern, as a manifested or "outer" order is precisely with the subject of the Second degree. It is not, however, possible to communicate in the course of a single degree the whole teaching of initiates on the varied experiences of Life. The degrees beyond P.I. are therefore in a sense a progressive elaboration of the Second; that is, they contain further instructions on how to live.
Between the Man of Earth and Lover triads is the intermediate degree of Knight of the East and West. The second, or Lovers, triad comprises the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh degrees plus certain intermediate stages.
| Outside of all Triads | |
|---|---|
| K.E.W. | Knight of the East and West |
| The Degrees of the Lovers Triad | |
|---|---|
| V° | Sovereign Prince(ss) of Rose Croix |
| Senate | Knight of the Red Eagle / Knight Hermetic Philosopher |
| VI° | Illustrious Knight Templar of the Order of Kadosch, Companion of the Holy Grail |
| Grand Inquisitor Commander | |
| Prince of the Royal Secret | |
| VII° | (a) Theoreticus, Very Illustrious Sovereign Grand Inspector General |
| (b) Magus of Light, Bishop of Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica | |
| (c) Grandmaster of Light, Inspector of Rites and Degrees | |
The Hermit triad comprises the Eighth and Ninth degrees, the highest operative degrees in which the supreme secrets of the Order are communicated. The X° is an administrative degree for the national heads of the Order. The XI° is apart from the general plan of the Order and nothing further concerning it will be said in this place. The XII° is an adminstrative degree for the Outer Head of the Order.
| The Degrees of the Hermit Triad | |
|---|---|
| VIII° | (a) Perfect Pontiff of the Illuminati |
| (b) Epopt of the Illuminati | |
| IX° | Initiate of the Sanctuary of the Gnosis |
| X° | Rex Summus Sanctissimus |
| No relation to the general plan of the Order | |
|---|---|
| XI° | |
| Supreme Authority in O.T.O. | |
|---|---|
| XII° | Outer Head of the Order (O.H.O.) |
For Perfection abideth not in the Pinnacles, or in the Foundations, but in the ordered Harmony of one with all.
—Liber LXI, 32.
Love is the law, love under will.
Adapted from material produced by US Grand Lodge of OTO. © Ordo Templi Orientis. Key entry and HTML coding by Frater T.S.