The structure of O.T.O., like that of Freemasonry and the ancient mystery schools, is based on a staged series of initiations or degrees, most of which are conferred ceremonially. In the Rituals of these degrees, O.T.O. seeks to instruct the individual by allegory and symbol in the profound mysteries of Nature, and thereby to assist each in discovering his or her own true Identity. The degrees of O.T.O. are divided into three Grades or “Triads”: the Hermit, the Lover, and the Man of Earth, as follows:

The Third, or Man of Earth, Triad:

• 0° Minerval
• I ° Man and Brother or Woman and Sister
• II° Magician
• III° Master Magician
• IV° Perfect Magician and Companion of the Holy Royal Arch of Enoch
• PI° Perfect Initiate, or Prince of Jerusalem

Outside All Triads  Knight of the East & West

The Second, or Lovers, Triad:

• V° Sovereign Prince Rose-Croix, and Knight of the Pelican and Eagle Knight of the Red Eagle, and Member of the Senate of Knight Hermetic Philosophers
• VI° Illustrious Knight (Templar) of the Order of Kadosh, and Companion of the Holy Graal Grand Inquisitor Commander, and Member of the Grand Tribunal Prince of the Royal Secret
• VII Theoreticus, and Very Illustrious Sovereign Grand Inspector General Magus of Light, and Bishop of Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica Grandmaster of Light, and Inspector of Rites and Degrees

The First, or Hermit, Triad:

• VIII° Perfect Pontiff of the Illuminati / Epopt of the Illuminati
• IX° Initiate of the Sanctuary of the Gnosis
• X° Rex/Regina Summus Sanctissimus (Supreme and Holy King or Queen)
• XI° Initiate of the Eleventh Degree (This degree is technical, and has no relation to the general plan of the Order.)
• XII° Frater /Soror Superior, and Outer Head of the Order

The Man of Earth degrees follow a pattern based on the symbolism of the chakras and the stages of Kundalini Yoga; and represent, in dramatic form, the Individual’s Path in Eternity. In the 0°, the Ego, a wandering God, is attracted to the Solar System. In the 1°, the Child experiences Birth. In the II°, the Man or Woman experiences Life. The III° represents the Death of the individual, and the IV° represents the world beyond Death, the glorified state of the Initiate. In the PI. Degree, the Initiate symbolically achieves ultimate Perfection (Completion), and the entire cycle is withdrawn into Annihilation.

Of these Events or Stations upon the Path, all but the II° represent single eritical experiences. We, however, are concerned mostly with the varied experiences of Life. All subsequent degrees are therefore elaborations of the If°, a progressive instruction in how to live, since in a single ceremony it is hardly possible to sketch, even in the briefest outline, the Teaching of Initiates with regard to Life. The V°- IX° rituals and teachings are therefore instructions to the Initiate in the Mastery of Life; there is instruction in Hermetic Philosophy, Qabalah, Magick and Yoga, all aimed at preparing the Initiate for the revelation and application of one Supreme Secret.