Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #610787 in Books
• Published on: 1990-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

Customer Reviews

Finally, a concise History of the OTO & Thelema Connection
Confused by numerous web sites ? Web sites disappear, leaving you even more confused ? If you want to research the (in)famous org, known as the O.T.O. ("Ordo Templi Orientis"), this is the book you need to get started. I once believed the OTO was a lot different than it actually is, due to various factions claiming the name "OTO." However, this book clears everything up and relates the story of the Lawsuit that settled the matter, once and for all. The "Official" OTO, with legal rights to the name, and Tax-exempt status, is explained & explored, in-depth, in "The Equinox : The Review of Scientific Illuminism : The Official Organ of the O.T.O. [ Volume III ] Number 10."

I have been researching occultism, religion, anthropology, etc. for over ten years, and this is the only book I have ever found that gives an adequate, accurate and concise explanation of the OTO, Thelema, & Crowley's Raison d'etre.

Anyone can build a website, but this book contains the Legal information, related to the OTO, Crowley's estate, etc.

The Bonus materials are good reading and make-up for the dryness of some of the technicalities involved in explaining the history of the OTO. This volume contains "The Book of The Law," clarifications about the religion of "Thelema," & Masonic / Templar connections to the organization of the OTO.

Anyone researching religion, occultism, "Secret Societies," Crowley, Thelema, Masonry, Anthropology or Sociology should definitely put this one on their wish list.

This is not the most exciting book you will ever read, but it IS crammed with information, in an easy to ingest format. Also, purchasing this book is like buying several for the price of one!

A Good Introduction to the Ordo Templi Orientis and Thelema
If you think you might be interested in the OTO and you want to know what the order is about I suggest this is the best place to start. It gives the history and evolution of the Ordo Templi Orientis and several papers explaining its goals for the future as well.
This book also contains many of the important books of Thelema and the OTO. It contains The Book of the Law, Liber Oz (The Rights of Mankind), The Law of Liberty, The Manifesto of the OTO, The Gnostic Mass and many other papers to introduce you to the OTO. Some of the material included also introduces the reader to books of the A.'.A.'. (The Order created by Crowley) because both orders are involved with the Equinox publications.
After reading this book the reader should have a pretty good idea if they want to get more in-depth into the works of Crowley, the OTO, or the A.'.A.'. This book is a good place to start, and scratch the surface of a deep and rich system. Much further study is required to fully understand the system, but after reading this book at least you should know if you want to know more.
The OTO is growing and had many wonderful members. If you like what you read here you might want to contact one of the local OTO branches near you for more suggestions on reading material, or even to become a member. One of the main goals of Thelemites is to find and do your true will (whatever that might happen to be). No one at the OTO is going to make anyone go against their true will (THELEMA means will). One of the other main concepts of Thelemites is AGAPE (Agape means love) and the experience I have had with OTO members have been friendly, loving, and kind. These are of course only my opinions and experiences with Thelema and the OTO and I do not speak for the OTO. Others may have very different opinions that are just as valid. If what you read in The Equinox Volume 3 Number 10 interests you --- you might want to have your own experiences and further develop your own opinions. Personally I don't see any down side to finding your true will and knowing why you are here on this planet. Only you can find out what your true will is, and no one at the OTO is going to try to tell you what your true will is. The OTO can possibly refer you to methods that have helped others find their true will, and there is a good chance that they may work for you as well.

Great intro to OTO and Crowleys work
Good volume with lots of OTO and Crowley goodies.
I enjoyed reading it, and it's definitely useful to have in your library.

Especially good as an intro to the OTO and Crowley's work.