Articles
Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica (A practice within the OTO)
The Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica is the ecclesiastical expression of the OTO (Ordo Templi Orientis)
Associated Organizations
- Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO) "Order of Oriental Templars"
- The Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica (EGC)
- Lodges, Camps, & Oases
Associated Terms
- Thelema
- 'Gnostic Mass'
- Aleister Crowley
- Theodor Reuss
- New Aeon
- Prophet of the New Aeon
- Liber AL vel Legis (The Book of the Law)
- True Will
- Magick
- Ceremonial Magick
- Sex Magick
- Egyptian Mythology
- Holy Guardian Angel (HGA)
- 0-XII° (Initiatory Degrees)
Doctrine:
"Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica (E.G.C.), or the Gnostic Catholic Church, is the ecclesiastical arm of Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.). The E.G.C. is a Thelemic religious environment, dedicated to the advancement of Light, Life, Love, and Liberty through alignment with the Law of Thelema."
"According to Thelemic doctrine, the expression of Divine Law in the Æon of Horus [the current age] is 'Do what thou wilt'. This 'Law of Thelema', as it is called, is not to be interpreted as a license to indulge every passing whim, but rather as the divine mandate to discover one's True Will or true purpose in life, and to accomplish it; leaving others to do the same in their own unique ways. The "acceptance" of the Law of Thelema is what defines a Thelemite; and the discovery and accomplishment of the True Will is the fundamental concern of all Thelemites. Achieving the "Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel" is considered an integral part of this process. The methods and practices to be employed in this process are numerous and varied; and are grouped together under the generalized term 'Magick'"
Sources: website of the US Grand Lodge of the OTO
Conclusion
The understanding of 'Gnosticism' that went into the founding of the OTO came from hereseological writings, the accusations made against both the Templars and the ancient Gnostics. It appears that it was the accusations of a sexual nature that appealed to Reuss, and led to the adoption of the Templar name. This was linked to accusations made by Hippolytus about a group of heretics in late antiquity. These include very lurid descriptions of secret rites from an overactive imagination, and common patterns we can recognize from later centuries of “blood libel.” They are not considered to have any basis in fact by scholars.
Aleister Crowley was a gifted and very complex figure of great influence, including massive personality quirks and flaws. He is certainly not a figure to be followed passively. Crowley did incorporate Hermeticism into his thought and practice, derived partly from ancient Hermetism it is the arguably the Gnostic element in the OTO.
In as much as the OTO tends towards being a personality cult of Crowley, it may follow the pattern of other revealed religions that call their revelations 'gnosis.' However, the term 'gnostic' as used in the OTO is derived from the ritual Crowley wrote for the OTO "the Cannon Mass of the Gnostic Church." It was the colloquial shortening of this title to the "Gnostic Mass" that is the source of most contemporary members of OTO considering themselves to be 'Gnostic' as it is the central ritual of the OTO.