Mission Statement of Phoenix Oasis
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law
Phoenix Oasis is an active body of Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.) in the Montreal area. As a duly chartered body of O.T.O. International, Phoenix Oasis accepts applications from prospective candidates to the Minerval degree (0°) of M∴M∴M∴
The Oasis’s goals are to foster fraternal and sororal bonds amongst its initiate members through social, ritual and initiatic activities and the promulgation of the Law of Thelema. We recognise the importance of self-development through the graded system of the O.T.O. and believe fraternal guidance encourages the unfolding of every aspirant’s personal path.
At each initiation, the candidate is exposed to the mysteries of the universe and of their innermost self. In ancient times, the maxim “Know Thyself” was inscribed in the pronaos (or forecourt) of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi and it remains at the heart of the modern mysteries within our Order.
Our Oasis currently offers local initiation from 0° to P∴I∴ (Perfect Initiate). The pattern of these degrees follows the path of the individual through eternity. The soul is first attracted to the solar system in the Minerval (0°). The subsequent initiations offer the experience of an eternal soul going through Incarnation (I°), Life (II°) and Death (III°). The IV° introduces the initiate to the world beyond death and the P∴I∴ Degree is where the cycle is completed unto Annihilation.
For more information on the Order’s initiation structure, you can visit the following page on the United States Grand Lodge website: https://oto-usa.org/oto/initiation/
Although not a teaching Order, the O.T.O. offers a suggested curriculum for each station on the initiatic track which initiates are encouraged to study. Our core subjects include: mysticism, meditation, ceremonial magick, qabalah, tarot, dramatic ritual as well as the philosophy of Thelema which is summarized in the greetings found at the top and bottom of this page: Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Love is the law, love under will.
Phoenix Oasis also regularly welcomes visitors interested in knowing more about the Ordo Templi Orientis.
The EGC
The Ecclesia Gnostic Catholica (E.G.C.) is a part of O.T.O. which was initially integrated into the Order by Theodor Reuss through his consecration by Dr. Gérard Encausse (Papus) in 1908 e.v. The E.G.C is an explicitly religious Thelemic environment dedicated to the advancement of Light, Life, Love and Liberty through the Law of Thelema. The central activity of the E.G.C. is the celebration of the Gnostic Mass, Liber XV, which was composed for the O.T.O. by Aleister Crowley in 1913 e.v.
The ritual itself is centered around the Eucharist, inviting participants to make a proclamation of the human being’s own divinity. Its symbolism is complex and linked to the insights and teachings found within the initiations of O.T.O.
Phoenix Oasis regularly celebrates this inspiring ritual of the Gnostic Mass within its temple. Women and men are encouraged to join the ranks of E.G.C as novitiates Priestesses, Priests, Deacons and Deaconnesses and Children, all roles required to perform the Mass.
Members of the O.T.O. in good standing are eligible for clerical training and ordination in the E.G.C.
The Creed of the Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica
I believe in one secret and ineffable LORD; and in one Star in the company of Stars of whose fire we are created, and to which we shall return; and in one Father of Life, Mystery of Mystery, in His name CHAOS, the sole viceregent of the Sun upon Earth; and in one Air the nourisher of all that breathes.
And I believe in one Earth, the Mother of us all, and in one Womb wherein all men are begotten, and wherein they shall rest, Mystery of Mystery, in Her name BABALON.
And I believe in the Serpent and the Lion, Mystery of Mystery, in His name BAPHOMET.
And I believe in one Gnostic and Catholic Church of Light, Life, Love and Liberty, the Word of whose Law is THELEMA.
And I believe in the communion of Saints.
And, forasmuch as meat and drink are transmuted in us daily into spiritual substance, I believe in the Miracle of the Mass.
And I confess one Baptism of Wisdom whereby we accomplish the Miracle of Incarnation.
And I confess my life one, individual, and eternal that was, and is, and is to come.
AUMGN, AUMGN, AUMGN.
Website of interest
The
Invisible Basilica of Sabazius : https://sabazius.oto-usa.org/gnostic-mass/
Questions & Answers
What does being a member of the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.) involve?
Deciding to become initiated in the O.T.O. indicates you are ready to make a commitment to accomplish the Great Work. It may of course have different meanings for you. Maybe you also aspire to find a community of like-minded persons who are themselves on the path of self-realization. Becoming a Minerval, the 0° initiation, means you are an honored guest of the Order. If at some point you wish to undergo the First Degree initiation, you will then be considered a full member. At that point, the bonds to the Order are considered to be permanent, even if you were to leave the O.T.O., much like other significant transitions in life are enduring.
Becoming a Minerval also means you become a part of Phoenix Oasis, a local body of the O.T.O. and a select fraternity of individuals in the Valley of Montreal. You can then participate in all of our public activities as well as in activities solely reserved for initiates of the Minerval level and up. Public activities include social events such as pub crawls, potlucks, Occult Movie Nights as well as rituals such as the Gnostic Mass and educational activities like workshops on occult subjects or conferences.
An initiate of the O.T.O. is a member of a large international community. You can choose to take part in activities in any O.T.O. body in the world.
Activities reserved for initiates include monthly meetings, initiations and initiate-only workshops, classes and rituals. Subjects we cover range from all the fields of occult knowledge which the Aspirant to the Great Work may seek and that are part of the curriculum for members of our holy Order.
How can I become initiated?In order to become a Minerval, a person must be sponsored by 2 members in good standing of the Order of the First degree or above. This can be obtained by visiting our Oasis at public events and engaging with members. This is a good way to see if the O.T.O. can be a part of your life. Eventually, by making known your intention of being initiated, you may find someone receptive to your wish for a sponsor.
It is recommended you check the page for the initiation and yearly dues of each degree on the USGL webpage as these are subject to change. The conversion rate in Canadian dollars applies: https://oto-usa.org/oto/dues-fees/
Do I need to believe something in particular?There is no requirement of belief. Thelema is related to the philosophy of scientific illuminism, the idea of experimenting for oneself the validity of phenomena, natural or supernatural. The only thing required in order to be initiated is that the candidate must accept the Book of the Law as written without wishing to change it. Even from the Minerval initiation, you are asked to uphold the ideals of freedom of the Book of the Law. The interpretation of that book is left for the Aspirant to determine.
Reading list for people new to Thelema (and not so new)
Aleister Crowley was an immensely well-read man who was also a prolific writer. It may be overwhelming to find your way around all the texts he wrote. Many of the texts by Crowley, published throughout his lifetime in The Equinox and other publications, are named “Liber” (meaning “book”), with a roman numeral attached to it to identify them. Many of those Libri (Liber in plural) are available freely online in the O.T.O. US Grand Lodge Library: http://lib.oto-usa.org/
The Book of the Law was received by Crowley from a praeternatural entity named Aiwass in 1904. It remains the text at the heart of Thelema and necessary reading for someone seeking admission into the O.T.O. Poetic and considered by many to be enigmatic, it describes the nature of our universe and that of the self.
This book was written by Crowley to offer a text accessible for new magicians wishing to practice magick. It is presented in an epistolary form, as an exchange of letters with a woman Aspirant who was a correspondent of Crowley and who wished to receive instruction in magical practices and meditation.
Although a massive volume, Book 4 is an invaluable resource for any magician and practitioner of the occult. Many rituals of Thelema, methods for meditation and other practices are described therein.
The message of the Book of the Law in a nutshell.
A Manifesto of freedom and the basis of ethics in Thelema
The text of the central ritual of the O.T.O. and the basis of the Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica.
The primer on the meditation techniques Crowley borrowed from the East and included in his system for achieving the Great Work.
*** If you have questions, please contact our secretary at the contact page on this website. ***
Love is the law, love under will