Liber CXCIV is subtitled “An Intimation with Reference to the Constitution of the Order.” Most Americans think of “Constitution” as referring to a legal document that lays out fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed. BUT it also means “the composition of something.” Like our most Holy Order.
Here’s a look at the first item in our Constitution with explanatory notes:
* 1. This is the Constitution and Government of our Holy Order; by the study of its Balance you may yourself come to apprehension of how to rule your own life. For, in True Things, all are but images one of another; man is but a map of the universe, and Society is but the same on a larger scale.
- Learn then that our Holy Order has but Three True Grades; as it is written inThe Book of the Law: The Hermit, The Lover, and the Man of Earth.
- It is but for convenience that these grades have been separated into Three Triads.
- The Third Triad consists of the degrees from Minerval to Prince of Jerusalem. The Minerval degree is a Prologue to the First; the degrees subsequent to the Third but pendants to it. In this, the Man of Earth series, there are then but Three Degrees; and these Three are One.
The degrees – each one of them having its own initiation ritual are Minerval, First Degree – or Lustration, II* aka Consecration, III* or Devotion and IV* and Perfect Initiate.
In more practical terms:
Minerval intiiates – can attend Minerval initiations, attend NOTOCON, enter the EGC novitiate, receive Agape newsletter
I* initiates – may attend and Officer First degree and Minerval initiations, are able to Sponsor First degree and Minerval candidates, and establishes a magical link with the Order – forming an eternal tie whereas the link formed with Minervals fade with time and the desire of the initiate to disassociate from OTO (explain what happens if you decide to leave the Order), serve as a Local Body Officer as Treasurer, Secretary or other local offices.
In each successive degree you become eligible to attend and Officer initiations of that degree and lower degrees and to Sponsor candidates likewise
II* – you’re able to be ordained a Deacon in EGC, if you’ve been baptized and confirmed in EGC
III* – you’re eligible to apply for an initiation charter
IV/PI* – no additional superpowers
The initiation rituals for Minerval through III* are conducted by Chartered Initiators. IV and PI must be conducted by Sovereign Grand Inspectors General
