Ormus Lodge
Ormus Lodge FAQ
What is Ormus Lodge?
Ormus Lodge is primarily a non-hierarchical association of illuminists, gnostics, tantrikas, witches, shamans and various other persuasions of magickal folk. The Lodge was founded on 8 December 2007. We are a chartered body of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraim (see below). The charter was granted through T Allen Greenfield, who himself holds a charter for the Sons and Daughters of Aaron Lodge through Tau Michael Bertiaux. We are a Philosophical and Research Lodge working a rather unique form of the Memphis-Misraim Rite.
What is Memphis-Misraim?
The Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraim is an esoteric Rite of Speculative Freemasonry with roots tracing back to the Mystery Schools of Egypt. Count Alessandro Cagliostro (aka “The Grand Cophta”) first introduced Egyptian Rite Masonry to Europe circa 1786. Cagliostro’s Egyptian Rite inspired the formation of other Masonic Rites of Egyptian orientation, most notably the Rite of Misraim (circa 1805) and the Rite of Memphis (circa 1838). These two later Rites united sometime around 1889, marking the formation of a distinct Rite known as the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraim. Some notable members of the Memphis-Misraim Rite have been John Yarker, Theodore Reuss, Gerard Encausse (Papus), Jean Bricaud, Lucien Francois Jean Maine, Hector Francois Jean Maine, Constant Chevillon, Robert Ambelain and Tau Michael Bertiaux.
Is Ormus Lodge Masonic?
Not in the strict sense. We claim no authority or privilege within “Regular” Freemasonry. We are not subordinate to the Grand Lodge of England, the Grand Orient of France, or any other established hierarchical masonic government. While holding due respect to these traditions, we are forging a new manifestation of esoteric research and praxis. We function from a “bottom-up” rather than a “top-down” model. We currently work in conjunction with other Memphis-Misraim Lodges and Temples based in Russia, Croatia, Canada, Greece, the UK, Serbia and other countries as well as cities across the continental United States. These bodies are all chartered through the same lines of Memphis-Misraim. We are all autonomous, yet choose to work together in free communion with each other. There is unity in our diversity.
Is Ormus Lodge affiliated with the OTO, OTOA, Golden Dawn, etc?
No. Ormus Lodge is an autonomous body. Yet, as stated above and elsewhere, we work in free communion with various Memphis-Misraim Lodges and Temples, as well as with other individuals and groups. For a list of some of these, see: Nodes.
What does the name Ormus mean?
“Ormus” means both Light and Gold. It also has etymological roots relating to Serpent (Wyrm\Orm), Horus and Ormuzd. Ormus is also the name of an Egyptian High Priest who was the supposed founder of the Rosicrucians as recounted in Mackey’s Encyclopedia of Freemasonry as follows:
Their founder was a seraphic priest of Alexandria a magus of Egypt named Ormesius, or Ormus, who with six of his companions was converted in the year 96 by St. Mark. He purified the doctrine of the Egyptians according to the precepts of Christianity, and founded the society of Ormus, that is to say the Sages of Light, to the members of which he gave a red cross as a decoration. About the same time, the Essenes and other Jews founded a school of Solomonic wisdom, to which the disciples of Ormus united themselves. Then the society was divided into various Orders known as the Conservators of Mosaic Secrets, of Hermetic Secrets etc. Several members of the association having yielded to the temptations of pride seven Masters united effected a reform adopted a modern constitution and collected together on their tracing board all the allegories of the hermetic work.
To be noted, the date of 96 AD in the above account is incorrect. The actual dating of Ormus was 46 AD, when St. Mark was in Alexandria, Egypt.
E.J. Marconis de Negre, one time Grand Hierophant of the Rite of Memphis, recalls this same legend in his “Sanctuary of Memphis” but adds the following:
The followers of Ormus, up to 1118, were the only trustees of the ancient doctrines of Egypt, purified, of course, by Christianity and the teachings of Solomon. These doctrines they communicated to the Templars. They were in consequence known under the name of “Knights of Palestine” or “Brethren of the Rosy Cross of the Orient”. The “Rite of Memphis” claims these Brethren as its immediate founders.
It is also to be noted that the sentiments expressed in both of the above passages regarding “purifying” the mysteries of Egypt with those of Christianity can hardly be anything other than European bigotry, or perhaps a gloss chosen to express these teachings to late 19th century ears. It would probably be more accurate to say this legendary meeting of St. Mark the Apostle and Ormus the High Priest consisted of a sort of cross-pollination between the Christian and Egyptian Mysteries rather than the one purifying the other.
Of more recent use (late 1970’s), the word Ormus has come to be associated with David Hudson’s “White Powder Gold” (i.e. precious metal elements in their m-state). For information on Mr. Hudson’s work, see his personal site.
All of the above meanings of the word “Ormus” have significance to Ormus Lodge.
For a brief analysis of the name using English Qabalah, see this article.
Does Ormus Lodge offer initiation?
Yes. Ormus Lodge offers initiation in two stages:
1) The Symbolic Lodge - consisting of three degrees. These are Apprentice, Companion and Master. These degrees are taken sequentially and are given in a ritualized context. They are designed to establish a solid foundation for further initiation.
2) The Exalted Lodge - consisting of the 4th through the 97th degrees. It is not required, nor particularly suggested, to take these degrees sequentially. These degrees are received in a consecratory manner through points chauds empowerments and are not ritualized. It is left up to the recipient to decide on which empowerments to take when. The person transmitting the empowerments also offers consultation on these matters if desired by the recipient.
It is to be noted that within Ormus Lodge the degree titles do not signify rank or privilege, but rather, they are convenient classifications for the type of energy activated by the corresponding initiation or empowerment.
What are points chauds?
Points Chauds (pronounced something close to “Pwah Sho”) is French for “hot points”. One way to describe points chauds is as a concentrated force of magickal or spiritual energy often received into some type of object. They have origins from Vodoun traditions, where, I believe, there are often 4 points associated with initiation. Tau Michael Bertiaux expanded these 4 points to 16 for use in his Ordo Templi Orientis Antiqua. T Allen Greenfield expanded the points to 97 and mapped them to the degrees of Memphis-Misraim. The latter model is in use in Ormus Lodge. Along with being mapped to the M-M degrees, the points have also been mapped to certain areas of the body, the Enochian Aires and Parts of Earth and the Acupuncture Meridians. To download a pdf copy of the current listings including diagrams, click here.
When looking at the diagram, do keep in mind that the points chauds are not really points, as in dots on the body, but more like zones or regions. The diagram is a general reference but not 100 percent accurate. It has been my experience, which has also been corroborated with other researchers, that the points chauds can be located differently on different people, and that they can move as well on the same person even. There is also a current working theory that there are 360 points in total, and that the 97 of the M-M Rite are roughly only about 1/4 of the complete system. For more information on the points chauds:
Read T Allen Greenfield’s essay here.
Read Tau Naamah’s essay here.
Where is Ormus Lodge located?
While we do have a web presence, we are not a Cyber Lodge. We have a physical presence in Atlanta, Georgia USA where we hold discussion groups, perform experimental ritual workings and offer initiatic empowerments.
Are there any dues or fees required?
No. Ormus Lodge is not a money making scheme. We do not require any mandatory dues or fees for affiliation, participation, empowerments or anything else directly related to the Lodge. There are no “suggested donations” either. Our philosophy is simple - as things are required, those involved in the Work will come forward of their own accord to assist through the ways and means that are available to them.
How can I contact Ormus Lodge?
Drop a note in the Discourse section of illumiGnosis here. Or send an email here.
