502 lines
16 KiB
Plaintext
502 lines
16 KiB
Plaintext
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FRATER SUPERIOR MERLIN PEREGRINUS Xø
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I. N. R. I.
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Constitution
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of the
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Ancient Order
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of Oriental Templars
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Ordo Templi Orientis
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With an Introduction
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and a Synopsis of the Degrees
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of the O.T.O.
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Albert Karl Theodor Reuss (1855-n-1923), who as Frater Superior Merlin
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Peregrinus Xø served as the second Outer Head of the modern O.T.O.,
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first promulgated the Constitution of the Order in 1906 E.V. The
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following revised version was issued in 1917 E.V.--references to the
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British section of the O.T.O. (M.M.M.) and its journal The Equinox
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show that it was in effect during Crowley's tenure as Xø for English-
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speaking countries. Many innovations introduced by Crowley and
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subsequently adopted by Reuss during the years 1918-n-1919 E.V. may be
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found in the Intimation With Reference to the Constitution of the
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Order, also reprinted in this issue. First published in The Equinox
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III(1) in 1919 E.V., the Intimation greatly amplifies the
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Constitution, and both should be studied for a proper comprehension of
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each. The ``Introduction'' to the Constitution is, in part, a
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paraphrase of Bro. Franz Hartmann's First Instruction, published
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elsewhere in this issue. The original ``Synopsis of Degrees'' is not
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reproduced here since it diagrams the degree system prior to Reuss'
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implementation of Crowley's revisions of the degree system--traces
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remain in the Constitution's references to ``Probationers'' instead of
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``Minervals,'' for example. In place of the original ``Synopsis'' we
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have supplied Crowley's own, revised to reflect the dues and fees in
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effect at this writing. The original ``Synopsis'' will be published in
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a future issue of The Equinox in the context of an historical study of
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the evolution of the system of O.T.O. Otherwise, the original document
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has been republished here verbatim. The Constitution's siting of
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headquarters in Switzerland is another vestige of the Reuss era--
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headquarters frequently moved during Crowley's life, and has since
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alternated between New York and California. The Constitution is
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presently being reconciled with Crowley's Intimation and other
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modernizations since it is being formally implemented. Its publication
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here is intended to aid this process.--H.B.
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INTRODUCTION
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To all whom it may concern--
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LET IT BE KNOWN that there exists, unknown to the great crowd, a very
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ancient Order of sages, whose object is the amelioration and spiritual
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elevation of mankind by means of conquering error and aiding men and
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women in their efforts of attaining the power of recognising the
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truth. This Order has existed already in the most remote times, and it
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has manifested its activity secretly and openly in the world under
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different names and in various forms; it has caused social and
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political revolutions and proved to be the rock of salvation in times
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of danger and misfortune. It has always upheld the banner of freedom
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against tyranny in whatever shape this has appeared, whether as
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clerical or political or social despotism, or oppression of any kind.
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To this ``secret order'' every wise and spiritually enlightened person
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belongs by right of his or her nature; because they all, even if they
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are personally unknown to each other, are one in their purpose and
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object, and they all work under the guidance of the one light of
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truth. Into this Sacred Society no one can be admitted by another,
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unless he has the power to enter it himself by virtue of his own
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interior illumination, neither can any one, after he has once entered,
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be expelled, unless he should expel himself by becoming unfaithful to
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his principles, and forget again the truths which he has learned by
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his own experience.
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All this is known to every enlightened person.
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But it is known only to a few that there exists also an external
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visible organization of such men and women, who having themselves
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found the path to real self-knowledge, and who, having travelled the
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burning sands, are willing to give the benefit of their experience,
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and to act as spiritual guides to those who are willing to be guided.
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While numberless societies, associations, orders, groups etc. have
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been founded during the last thirty years in all parts of the
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civilised world, all following some line of occult study, yet there is
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but ONE ancient organization of genuine Mystics which shows the seeker
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after truth a Royal Road to discover The Lost Mysteries of Antiquity,
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and to the Unveiling of the One Hermetic Truth.
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This organization is known at the present time as the: Ancient Order
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of Oriental Templars. Ordo Templi Orientis. Otherwise: The Hermetic
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Brotherhood of Light.
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It is a Modern School of Magic. And, like the ancient schools of
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magic, it derived its knowledge from the East. This Knowledge was
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never revealed to the profane, for it gave immense power for either
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good or evil to its possessors. It was recorded in symbol, parable and
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allegory, requiring a Key for its interpretation.
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For the symbols and glyphs of Freemasonry were originally also derived
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from more ancient mysteries.
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These symbols of ancient Masonry, of the Rosicrucians, the sacred art
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of the ancient Chemi (Egyptians), of Homer's Golden Chain, like those
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of modern Freemasonry etc. are however but different aspects of the
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One Great Mystery. They all require a key to disclose the real
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underlying meaning. There exists however but One Right Key, and
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moreover this one right key must be used the Right Way.
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This key can be placed within the reach of all those who are prepared
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unselfishly to study and work for its possession, if they apply for
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membership to the Order of Oriental Templars (O.T.O.)
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The O.T.O. (Ordo Templi Orientis) is a body of Initiates in whose
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hands are concentrated the secret knowledge of all Oriental Orders and
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of all existing Masonic Degrees. Its Chiefs are Initiates of the
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highest rank and are recognised as such by all capable of such
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recognition in every country in the world. Every man or woman who
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becomes a member of the O.T.O. has an indefeasible right to the first
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three degrees of Masonry.
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The O.T.O., although an Academia Masonica, is not a Masonic Body, so
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far as the Craft degrees are concerned in the sense in which that
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expression is usually understood in England, and therefore in no way
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conflicts or infringes the just privileges of the United Lodge of
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England. English Master Masons in good standing, by arrangement, on
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affiliation, are admitted at reduced charges. Members of the IX degree
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become part-proprietors of the Estates and Goods of the Order. For
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further information see the publications of the O.T.O., and the
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synopsis of the degrees of the O.T.O.
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ANCIENT ORDER OF ORIENTAL TEMPLARS
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Constitution
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ARTICLE I
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UNDER THE STYLE AND TITLE: ANCIENT ORDER OF ORIENTAL TEMPLARS, an
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organization, formerly known as: ``The Hermetic Brotherhood of
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Light'', has been reorganized and reconstituted. This reconstituted
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association is an international organization, and is hereinafter
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referred to as the O.T.O.
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ARTICLE II
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1. The O.T.O. declares that Brotherhood of All Things Created is a
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fact in Nature.
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2. The principle purpose of the O.T.O. is to teach True Brotherhood,
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and to make it a living power in the life of humanity.
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3. The subsidiary aims of the O.T.O. are:
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(a) to spread the doctrines of Hermetic Science, and to initiate its
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members in the Secret Doctrines of Hermetic Science, for which purpose
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its members are as a preparatory measure initiated, passed and raised
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in Masonry:
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(b) to establish and administer schools, lodges, etc. where Hermetic
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Science is taught:
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(c) to build, establish, found, manage and administer Homes,
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Colonies, Settlements, etc. where initiated members may live according
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to the tenets of the O.T.O.
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ARTICLE III
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1. The O.T.O. is part of that great and universal hermetic movement
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which has been active in all ages.
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2. Organizations throughout the world adopting this Constitution
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become integral parts of the O.T.O. upon receipt of official
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notification of their acceptance as such. All such joining
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organizations to be subject to whatever conditions the authorities of
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the O.T.O. may impose.
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3. The Central Office of the O.T.O. is at present in Switzerland, but
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may be removed to any country.
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ARTICLE IV
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1. There shall be One Supreme Office in which shall be vested
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paramount authority regarding all matters which concern the welfare
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and administration of the O.T.O.
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2. The title of the person filling this office shall be ``Frater
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Superior and Outer Head of the Order'', hereinafter referred to as the
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O.H.O.
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3. The person (male or female) filling this office shall serve for
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life, or until his or her resignation.
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4. The person filling this office shall appoint his or her successor.
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ARTICLE V
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1. The Frater Superior and Outer Head of the Order (O.H.O.) shall be
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the Sole Executive Officer of the Order O.T.O.
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2. The Frater Superior and Outer Head of the Order (O.H.O.) shall
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have the Sole power of filling all general offices by appointing
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persons to occupy the same, and shall have the power of removing any
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general officer at will.
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3. The Frater Superior and Outer Head of the Order (O.H.O.) shall
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have power to declare the policy of the O.T.O., and to direct and
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manage the affairs of the O.T.O.
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4. The Frater Superior and Outer Head of the Order (O.H.O.) shall
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have the right to cancel or suspend the Charter of any subordinate
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organization (lodge, chapter, senate, temple, home, school, etc.) and
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shall also have the right to suspend or dissolve the membership of any
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person whenever such action is, in his or her opinion, for the
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interest of the O.T.O.
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ARTICLE VI
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1. There shall be an Advisory Council (Cabinet) consisting of twelve
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members, inclusive of the O.H.O., who is the ex-officio Chairman of
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the Cabinet.
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2. The duties of the Members of the Cabinet shall be to aid the
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O.H.O. in promulgating and establishing the measures emanating from
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that office.
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3. The Chairman of the Cabinet together with two members thereof
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shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
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ARTICLE VII
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1. There shall be an Executive Committee of Three (Supreme Council),
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whose duty shall be to administer the affairs of the O.T.O. under the
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general supervision of the O.H.O.
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2. The Treasurer General, the Secretary General, and the O.H.O. are
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the three ex-officio members of the Supreme Council and the Executive
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Committee.
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3. All official acts of the Executive Committee (Supreme Council) are
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void and of no effect when disapproved by the O.H.O.
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ARTICLE VIII
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1. Should any vacancy occur in the office of the O.H.O., the Cabinet
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shall have power to perform the duties of that office until the
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successor to that office takes possession of the same.
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ARTICLE IX
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1. The O.H.O. shall be the Custodian of the Archives and Library of
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the O.T.O.
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2. The O.H.O. may appoint agents for any purpose and endow them with
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whatever powers he or she may elect to delegate under his or her hand
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and seal.
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ARTICLE X
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1. There shall be a Finance Committee of Three, whose duty shall be
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to raise money and direct the disbursement of same. The Treasurer
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General is the ex-officio Chairman of this Committee.
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2. The official acts of this Finance Committee are subject to the
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approval of the O.H.O. and are void and of no effect when disapproved
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by the O.H.O.
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3. Every member is expected to contribute to the funds of the O.T.O.
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according to his or her means, but the following Dues or Fees, to be
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paid in advance by the members of the O.T.O. are fixed as minimum
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contributions (as per Manifesto M.M.M. 1912).
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Entrance fee. Eight guineas, forty dollars, or 200 francs.
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Subscriptions:
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(a) Probationers: 2 sh.; 50 cents; 2 francs a month.
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(b) Students 5 sh.; 1 dollars; or 6 francs a month.
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(c) Initiates; 10 sh.; 2 dollars or 12 francs a month.
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The O.H.O. has power to reduce these fees and dues in special cases.
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For diplomas are charged
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(a) Students class; 50 sh.; 15 dollars; or 65 francs.
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(b) Initiates Class: Five guineas; 30 dollars; or 130 francs each.
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Charters for Lodges of more than 10 members cost 25 guineas each
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Charter or 100 dollars or 650 francs.
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No money paid into the Treasury of the O.T.O. can be reclaimed by
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either individual members or lodges etc. under any pretext whatsoever.
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ARTICLE XI
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1. Any person of full age (male or female) who has signed the
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preliminary pledge form, and has been approved by the O.H.O. may
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become a member of the O.T.O.
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2. Every application for admission must be sent in writing to the
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Central Office, whether the office be in Switzerland or elsewhere, or
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to one of the authorized local organizations.
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3. The members of the O.T.O. are classified as:
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(a) Probationers (embracing Theosophists etc.)
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(b) Students or Lay Brothers (Masonic Members)
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(c) Initiates or O.T.O. members proper.
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For further particulars see synopsis of degrees of the O.T.O.
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4. Applications for diplomas and charters must be accompanied by a
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remittance covering the statutory fees and dues. All diplomas and
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charters must be issued under the hand and seal of the O.H.O.
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5. Three or more members may apply for a Charter to form a
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subordinate lodge or organization.
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6. No person may be a member of two lodges at the same time.
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ARTICLE XII
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1. Every subordinate lodge or organization shall have the right to
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conduct its own affairs according to its own wishes and bye-laws,
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provided that its acts and bye-laws are not contrary to the letter or
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the spirit of this Constitution.
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2. The Bye-Laws of subordinate organizations, lodges etc. must be
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submitted for approval to the O.H.O., and are null and void if
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disapproved by the O.H.O.
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ARTICLE XIII
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1. A Congress of the O.T.O. may be called by the O.H.O. to assemble
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at such place and time as that officer may designate.
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2. Each subordinate organization, lodge, etc. shall be entitled to
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ONE vote in the Congress for its first three members, and one
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additional vote for each succeeding two members.
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3. The O.H.O. shall have power to prevent the discussion of, or
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action on, any subject which in the judgement of that officer is
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against the welfare of the O.T.O.
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ARTICLE XIV
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1. It shall be the duty of the Cabinet to provide Bye-Laws for the
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O.T.O., and its subordinate organizations.
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2. No Bye-Laws shall become operative until approved by the O.H.O.
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ARTICLE XV
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1. There shall be a Literary and Masonic Association connected with
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the O.T.O. to be known as: The Esoteric Rosicrucians. All its official
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publications shall be issued with the hermetic cypher: I. N. R. I.
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There are at present two official organs:
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The Oriflamme and The Equinox.
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2. There shall be a department of the O.T.O. for the purpose of
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teaching Hermetic Science, to be known as the ``Hermetic Science
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College.''
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3. There shall be a department of the O.T.O. for the purpose of doing
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practical humanitarian work in specially appointed profess-houses to
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be known as the ``Homes of the O.T.O.''
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ARTICLE XVI
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1. There exist 4 different seals which are used by the O.T.O. The
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respective symbolic meanings of these various seals will be made known
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to the members in the course of their studies. One of these seals is
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for the general use of the O.T.O.; and one, to be used exclusively by
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the O.H.O., is called the Secret Seal (S.S.).
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ARTICLE XVII
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1. The Constitution may be amended by a three-fourth vote of a
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Congress. But no amendment shall take effect and become law until
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approved by the O.H.O.
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In cases of emergency the O.H.O. has supreme power to amend this
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Constitution by ``Edict'' under his hand and seal, which is to be
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recorded in the Golden Book of the O.T.O.
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ARTICLE XVIII
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Initiates of at least ten years good standing may apply for a six
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months' free residence in one of the established Homes. Applications
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will be dealt with by rotation. The final decision for granting a free
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residence to any applicant rests with the O.H.O.
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ARTICLE XIX
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This Constitution was first proclaimed, published and issued under the
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hand and seal of the O.H.O. in London (England) on January 22nd, A.D.
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1906, Anno Ordinis 788, Anno V.L. 0,000,000,000.
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This revised edition of the Constitution has been approved by me, and
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is now issued under my hand and seal this twenty second day of January
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A.D. 1917, Anno Ordinis 799, on Monte Verita, in the Republic of
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Ticino (Switzerland).
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Merlin, 33ø 96ø Xø
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Fra Superior and
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Outer Head of the O.T.O.
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Argosinus 33ø 95ø IXø
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Qaestor
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Parcevale 33ø 95ø IXø
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Cancellarius
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