The letters O.T.O. (or OTO) stand for Ordo Templi Orientis. The O.T.O.

is a pseudo-
masonic organization. Neither the use of the letters nor of the full name is unique
to any group. Since the founding of the O.T.O. in 1906 in Germany, many groups have
appropriated the name, its abbreviations, and acronyms and imbued them with
contents to their own taste and liking. There are several rival groups using the
name Ordo Templi Orientis or O.T.O. Some of them derive from an �original� that is,
a �first�, O.T.O. but not all. Not all but a few of them can lay some claim to stem
from the �original� i.e. first O.T.O. (of 1906).

The structure of the O.T.O., like that of Freemasonry, is based on a staged series
of initiations or degrees. The essence / secrets of the Ordo Templi Orientis-
variations are in their higher degrees; strictly speaking only members of these
degrees are considered to be members of the O.T.O. proper.
Aleister Crowley: "Of the [highest] Eleventh Degree [of the Ordo Templi Orientis],
its powers, privileges, and qualifications, nothing whatever is said in any grade.
It has no relation to the general plan of the Order, is inscrutable, and dwells in
its own palaces." (Liber CXCIV, 1919) "I am inclined to believe that the XIth
degree is better than the IXth degree", diary entry 26 August 1916.
Aleister Crowley and the Law of Thelema and the Stele of Revealing

While the O.T.O.�s initiatory system is a sort of Kafkaesque bureaucratic club

game, it has a religious association under its obedience: The Gnostic Catholic
Church. One of the O.T.O.groups intends "to restore Christianity to its real status
as a solar-phallic religion." In addition to tax advantages, religion supplies a
commodity that is always in demand: salvation. And it would seem that some O.T.O.-
variations are simply making themselves bulletproof in the context of the law in
some countries.

The technical term for the bishopric in the context of the O.T.O. Phenomenon is
Wandering Bishop or Episcopi Vagantes. This status is not defined by any character
qualities, not by theological education or theological position. These bishops are
not elected by a canonical church, nor proposed as an ordain by a suffragan and not
bound to a historical episcopal see or consecrated by an 'official' bishop
according to the canonical procedure.

A 'real' bishop is not a successor of a sole apostle as only the synod/college of

bishops in toto are heir to the college of the apostles. Therefore: no Wandering
Bishop has a 'real' apostolic succession. There is no Holy Ghost in Wandering-
Bishop-consecrations. The instrumentum consecrationis is of no apostolic value.
Nonetheless, Wandering Bishops are collectors of papers and diplomas.

In all Ordo Templi Orientis versions, the line of succession is vitally important,
as it is believed that the leader is the repository of the Order�s magical power,
and also has a claim on various copyrights and royalties, especially of Aleister
Crowley�s work.