The Order of the Grail F.A.Q.'s 

1) Q: How can I join the Order of the Grail?

A:  To join an Order of the Grail Commandery you must have reached the age of consent or legal adulthood, whatever that age is in your state or country. To become a member of a Commandery, assuming there is one in your area, you will need to apply to a Commandery listed in our Commandery Directory directly.  In order to start a new Commandery, it is required that you be at least 21 years old, although experience has shown that older Commanders have had the most success in starting and maintain a Commandery. To start an OTG Commandery you need to complete and return a New Commandery Application to The OTG at P.O. Box 3364, Los Angeles, CA  90078-3364, with your Check or money Order payable to D. Owen, OTG Commander for $50.00 US ($15.00 for start-up documents and postage and $35.00 first year’s dispensation fee), and we will be in touch with you to let you know if your application has been approved or not.  We will not cash your check unless your application is approved.  If it is not approved, your check or fee will be returned. 

2)  Q: I understand you also consider yourselves Gnostics, and that your present Grand Commander is a Female Gnostic Priest, does the Order maintain a relationship with other Gnostic Churches?  

A: I [Donna] am a Gnostic Priest in the Ecclesia Gnostica, and have been for almost 10 years. My journey started in Minor Orders more than 7 years prior and included 2 years in the Diaconate.  Our Gnostic Church is an Independent Catholic Church with numerous legitimate apostolic lineages. Our Mass liturgy and other Sacraments are largely derived from the Old Catholic and Liberal Catholic traditions, and is similar to the Tridentine Rite.  If you are interested, you can learn more about the Ecclesia Gnostica by visiting the web site at: http://www.gnosis.org/eghome.htm.   

Even though I am involved in the Ecclesia Gnostica clergy, the Order of the Grail is NOT affiliated with the Ecclesia Gnostica or any church at present, and my opinions and choices regarding other Gnostic Churches and The Order of the Grail are mine alone - I do not speak for the Ecclesia Gnostica. That said, despite the similarity of our names, the Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica (the word Catholic means Universal) is one church with whom both the Ecclesia Gnostica and The Order of the Grail are not affiliated.  Although the OTG is a Chivalric Fraternal “neo-Templar” order, the OTO under Crowley’s direction was and still is very different from, and contrary to, the Templar traditions to which we adhere. We are a Christian Chivalric Esoteric Order, and we do not accept nor desire these “Gnostics" in our Order. Clear boundaries must be drawn between those who seek to serve the Inner Christ and those who would glorify the human ego and call it Master. 

3) Q: So then, you are a Christian organization?

A:  Yes, we are a Christian organization. Our interpretation of Christianity is Mystical, Gnostic, and esoteric, in the sense that we focus on the inner development of the soul and Spirit and seek to facilitate the direct connection of each person to the Divine through prayer, study, discussion, meditation, and the Sacraments (occurring outside the Grail meeting).  The Order of the Grail encourages these developments through initiation, study, and rituals that use both chivalric and Christian prayers, symbols, and mysteries. Origen of Alexandria, an early church father explained it best when he said, "I believe that every man must hold these things/or images, under which the hidden sense lies concealed…It is sufficient however, to represent in the style of a historic narrative what is intended to convey a secret meaning in the garb of history, that those who have the capacity may work out for themselves all that relates to the subject."   

4) Q: Some people have said that this type of group is an occult organization. What does this mean and is it a bad thing? 

A: The word Occult means “to hide, shut off from view or exposure.” The first known use of the Latin “occultare, frequentative of occulere" according to Merriam-Webster was in the year 1500. Synonyms include: belie, blanket, blot out, cloak, conceal, cover, curtain, disguise, enshroud, mask, obscure, hide, paper over, screen, shroud, suppress, veil.  The bible itself illustrates this “occulting or veiling of the spiritual senses” in a well known passage from 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For (now) we see now through a dim window (glass) obscurely (darkly), but then face to face; now I know partially, but then I shall know (myself) according as I also have been known.” In this day and age, the OTG does not need to hide our teachings or practices, but for thousands of years esoteric orders have had to do so or  risk grave peril, from the established Churches and authorities.  Past seekers of the truth often risked their lives to pursue the more esoteric teachings of the Gnostic and Alchemical and Cabalistic traditions. These teaching were and are protected from “profane or uninitiated” eyes, because someone who is not properly prepared cannot receive  these mysteries. In this situation, the example shown to us in the parable of placing “pearls before swine" is appropriate. To recognize and uncover the truth for oneself, certain higher and spiritual senses first must be developed.  It is for this reason that one must “Know Thyself”, as the ancient hermetic adage states, as this is the basis of all true knowledge and spiritual development. 

5) Q:  I understand that the Order of the Grail Commandery work involves the use of ritual. I am uncertain as to what type of Ritual this is, is it a magical or Operative Occult Ritual?  

A: No.  The Ritual Work of the Order of Grail uses a very gentle Rosicrucian Cabalistic and Christian ceremony; it falls into the category of Theurgy or Divine Invocation. In the OTG Convocation ritual there is an opening and closing, and between these are an Invocations to the Divine, time allotted for presenting esoteric study materials in a lecture/discussion format on the ICES Libers or a related topic, a guided meditation (usually using readings from John Matthews "At the Table of the Grail") with some optional meditative background music, and prayers honoring Christian Saints who embody OTG principles. There is also a sharing of blessed bread and wine; similar to Agapes in Martinist Circles. This is not a Eucharist; it is a fraternal sharing of blessed wine and bread, as in early Christian gatherings.  In addition to this, we have a new "Full Moon" Ritual which is optional. The Ritual is beautiful and inspiring, and uses prayers from Christian, Jewish, Manichean and Biblical sources. 

6) Q: You refer to the OTG as a "neo-Templar Order". What is your relationship to the Knights Templar?  

A: The primary similarities are that we are also a Christian- Gnostic Chivalric Order and that we use the Latin form of the Psalm 113:9 (according to the Vulgate numbering), which corresponds to Psalm 115:1 in the King James Version. The Knights Templar used this psalm as a special prayer and motto: “Non nobis Domine, non nobis, Sed nomini tuo da gloriam!” In English, this is translated as “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Thy Name give (be the) glory."  

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of self-styled "Templar" Orders...those claiming descent through the Charter of Larmenius, the Masonic Templars in the York (English) rite, and numerous others. If there was one (and only one) in existence today that could actually prove  descent from the ONE Original 12th century Order of the Poor Knights of the Temple of Solomon, it would certainly give THAT particular group a credibility that NO presently known "Order of Knights Templar" that I am aware of can claim. We therefore do not claim an authentic Templar origin, even though we may actually have one via certain streams of our own filiation...  

7) Q: I Understand that to join the Order of the Grail, I must either join an existing Commandery or Start a new Commandery, but my initial reaction has been that I am not worthy to start a Commandery or more exactly that I am not prepared. Is there is a Commandery that I could attend as a visitor to better understand the ritual as I consider starting my own group? 

A: If there is a Commandery in your area and you would be willing to travel to for a few meetings that is fine, however, most of our New Commanders do not have that opportunity.  We include many helpful documents with your new Commandery materials to help you with  your duties as a new Commander. Of course, this requires you to follow your intuition as well as our guidelines and practical advice. If a person had to be worthy to be a Priest or even a leader of a simple Christian worship ceremony, there would be no leaders.  None of us are truly worthy, yet the work must continue regardless. 

8) Q: In my experience with the esoteric and New Age/New Thought I have concluded that being a "leader" can be an "ego-trip” or ego trap, how can I accomplish this without falling into this trap?  

A: I find it commendable that you are a bit worried about the potential for an ego-trip.  Not putting oneself in a position to tempt the ego is only a way to temporarily avoid the work that must be done to overcome it. Unfortunately, you must be tempted in order to temper it, and to become a better person for it. This is not my first experience with esoteric or occult communities, and yes, they all have ego issues because we are all human. However, it is when we can work together for our mutual benefit and overcome these obstacles that we can make spiritual progress for ourselves and everyone concerned.  As we grow older and hopefully more mature, we are less interested in our own triumphs than the good of the whole. Whether or not you choose to start a Commandery is your decision.  We are not seeking Power or Glory or a huge, unmanageable public organization. We are only looking for those willing to assist a few people in assisting themselves a few other people to expand their spiritual horizons in a basically healthy and sane manner. 

9) Q: I understand that by virtue of being a Master Mason and/or Martinist S.I., I can apply to become a Qualified Initiator and be able to confer the first two degrees. I see the form to fill out for becoming a Servant. So, how do I go about taking initiation?  

A: In this circumstance, by filling out the servant’s “oath” you and your officers are accepting self- Initiation into the first degree, until the complete initiation can be given to you in person. If you are already a Master Mason or a Martinist S.I. then  “officially” you are already an Initiate; however what is an apple in name and by definition is not necessarily a “good” apple, if you take my meaning. Thus, if one makes the engagement (oath and pledge) in Good Faith, knowing in advance that we mean no harm to you or to anyone else; it cannot be otherwise then that by their signature, an honest word assures us of their  good intentions and initial commitment. If you are accepted as a Qualified Initiator, you will be sent the Initiation materials for 1st degree, also called Commandery Initiation, which we advise you to read and meditate upon along with the visual symbols we will provide you., after one year of membership, and having initiated at least one new member to the grade of Servant, you may then apply to the Grand Commandery to receive and use the Second Degree Initiation. 

10) Q: I understand how my role as a Master Mason and/or Martinist S.I. will allow me to become a Qualified Initiator. I still have reservations about conferring the degrees without having received the first degree initiation from another initiate before conferring this degree,  what would happen with my commandery and officers if I choose to wait until I received the degrees myself? 

A:  If you do not choose to become a Qualified initiator, even though by your Masonic or Martinist experience we would allow you to become one, you would be in the same position as someone who is starting a commandery without having the benefit of past experience in Initiatic orders. You could not confer any Initiations until the Third Degree Knight or Dame Initiator degree was conferred. You may still qualify to have the fist two initiations waived, or included in the one initiation you receive from a Knight or Dame initiator in Person. If there are not any  Knight or Dame Initiators, in your area, this might require you to wait longer than the minimum requirement of one year of regular ritual meetings and completion of the first two levels of Libers, or to either travel to or bring an Initiator to you as the expense of your Commandery. This would also mean that you would not be able to add others to your group who were not accepted as qualified initiators as permanent officers.  

11) Q: How do I create Officers if I cannot initiate anyone yet?  

A: If they are also Master Masons or Martinist  S.I., they may also sign the Engagement and become your Officers, or they can choose to receive the initiation from you once you are an Initiator and that becomes possible, in the meantime they may serve as temporary officers, by taking the same oath and obligation as you did to found your commandery. 

12) Q: Since it is allowed to be a Master Mason or a Martinist S.I. and initiate in the OTG, can you please explain the relationship of the OTG to Masonry and Martinism, and if you are related to any specific Martinist Orders? 

A: We are not related to any specific Martinist Orders, and we decide both Masonic and Martinist eligibility fro the role of Qualified Initiator on a case by case basis. Fraternal Chivalry in the way that we practice it does have a  similar relationship to Masonry and Martinism in the sense that in the Order of the Grail there are also 3 degrees: Servant, Squire and Knight. These are not directly equivalent to the 3 degrees of Blue Lodge Masonry, that of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason, or the 3 degrees of Martinism. As Blue Lodge Freemasonry is practiced in this day and age in most of the Male Obedience’s, it can be said, that the OTG does have little in common with it, however, other forms of Masonry, especially certain forms of French Masonry and Esoteric Masonry, that incorporate both Alchemical and Cabalistic imagery into their ritual experience and understanding of freemasonry have considerably more in common with us. In other words, if you are a M:: M:: there will be recognizable signposts, but essentially the path is leading towards a universal understanding, based on your own personal understanding and experience and possibly even using some of the tools you picked up along the way in Masonry or Martinism.  Ancient chivalry required 3 vows; those of Obedience, Poverty, and Chastity, which were taken by the Knights Templar and other knightly Monastic Orders, In the Order of the Grail we also require that at each grade one of these vows are taken, however, in our Order, these vows are both interpreted and observed differently, but the lessons they confer form an important part of our three degrees. 
 

13) Q: What, if any, is the regalia for the Order of The Grail?  

A: All initiated members (including OTG Commanders, Officers, and members) who have signed the oath and obligation wear the Grail Apron: a green “Chalice “upon a white background tied over their street clothes. Green was the medieval color of fidelity. During Initiations, at which no visitors or uninitiated persons are allowed to be present, Commander and Officers are encouraged to wear robes (albs) over their street clothes, with the Grail apron is worn over their robes. 

14) Q: Will operating an OTG Commandery be acceptable to my Grand Lodge or Martinist Lodge?

A: Not usually. Some will see the OTG as a form of Clandestine Masonry, but it is not, even though it intends to offer no such threat.  Nevertheless, I would not advise announcing your intentions to your Grand Lodge as they might be suspicious for the wrong reasons. To tell you the truth, we are considerably MORE SELECTIVE about those whom we accept for membership than most of the male, mixed or feminine Free-Masonic obedience’s that I’ve come across, but then, we are looking for particularly rare qualities. You will need no blessing from your grand lodge, but if I accept your application and you request to become a Qualified Initiator, you will have to provide me with some verifiable and legitimate proof of your Masonic status or Martinist Initiation before you are given that responsibility and privilege. We will, however, keep this information confidential. If you are worried about being accused of clandestine activities, you might consider running your Commandery under an assumed name. I hope I have been clear: we offer no competition to Masonry, and we are not looking for worldly power or status. I have offered the Qualified Initiator status to Master Masons in order to involve more sincere seekers into the initiatic workings of our rite.  The degree of Knight or Dame, however, cannot be given by a Qualified Initiator, only by a duly invested OTG Knight or Dame.  

15) Q: How are we to recruit new members?  

A: OTG Commanderies are designed to be fairly small, intimate groups, and as they also serve as study group for the ICES Materials, it is best if they are not too big. Ritual Meetings (Convocations) can be held by as few as one or two persons, and there are some new Commanders who have, on occasion, run through the entire Convocation by themselves. As for recruiting, it will depend upon where you decide to hold your meetings. If it will be in a private residence, you will need some way of screening strangers before inviting them into your home. You might schedule a local event through Meet Up or another similar online resource to discuss, for instance; Esoteric Masonry, Alchemy, Chivalry, Alternative Christianity, and see who shows up. Be very careful in promoting this to your Masonic friends, as I would hope you wouldn’t want to cause them trouble with their respective lodges, but your Husband, Wife, siblings or significant others might be a good place to start. I have other suggestions in the informational package I send out to new commanders, and I am always looking for new ideas and suggestions to attract appropriate people into our Order.