It may be said, that inside Our Holy Order, it is common knowledge that the OTO is not primarily based on freemasonry, but is a magickal Order. To us, obviously, it is not a Christian and archaic society carrying on outdated, traditional Masonic teachings that should have been superceded by more modern ideas. (These obviously cover Thelema, and the teachings of the Book of The Law, as well as many other ideas participating, and of The ‘Current’).
In order to enlighten others who may not share our common and Fraternal knowledge, I shall present various Order writings, to show the significant difference between the ‘Old Aeon’ Freemasonic orders and Our Order, which is obviously of the ‘New Aeon’ and Magickal in nature.
“While the Masonic order remains unchanged (indeed the Masonic order has changed very little since its inception), the Masonic complex or idea takes on a significant new form when in a organization that would gain notoriety via its principal exponent Aleister Crowley – the OTO. This is historically significant and in my opinion, represents the prime example of the instant and practical transformation from the ‘masonic’ order to the ‘magical ‘ order”’

Although including some ideas that participate in the freemasonic orders by reason of their catholic and archetypical nature, the Order can be shown to have several original and key factors, most notable in the central rite of the Order – The Gnostic Mass.
“.. The OTO Gnostic Mass and its public invocation the the Goddess in the early 20th century clearly demonstrates not only a radical shift in emphasis of the Mass ideal now applied to elevation of woman and spiritual return and ‘activation’ of the Priestess…but a entirely new concept of life and culture fundamental to which is the co-equality of woman and man and perhaps more abstractly, of the masculine and the feminine, and the intermingling and union of these energies…
“.. This is a return to the alchemical idea, but now it is changed with a entirely new mysticism and backed by the new theology and scriptural tradition of Thelema..”

In various types of Intellectual fashion, we can see the limitations posed by the forms, which it has variously taken, as each reached its vogue or Nadir in the progression of man’s search for understanding. Some of these ideas were included in different types of freemasonry.
..’The Mechanists distanced themselves (as would freemasonry and the Enlightenment) from the Alchemists and engaged in a quest to render Nature ordered, rational and subservient to the pursuit of science. What appears is a transition from spiritual experience of the ‘Mysteries’ to their rational explanation. Reason replacing Gnosis. And despite the stated veneration of nature by freemasons, we may also note that the Enlightenment, for the most part at least, neither questioned nor challenged the Reformation and Puritan suppression of Nature, and its principle representation in the western canon, the feminine.”

A Holistic viewpoint of trends in thought through the ages can be used to show patterns, which reveal overall tendencies, rather than direct linear reduction,which in itself is a common feature of ‘Old Aeon’ thinking.

“We know for sure the mind will generate similar solutions to similar problems in different times / settings in humankind’s development and history. Once we start thinking along these lines we identify ‘systems’ of ideas (clusters of commonality) rather than ‘origins’ – our context of priorities, and indeed focus of enquiry shifts. This type of ‘cognitive’ approach and identification still interacts (obviously with other more physical transmissions, such as cultural tradition or multicultural synergy, and the multiplicity of these interactions from the complexities of our historical record.”

The rise of cerimonial magick, as way to understand the secrets of the Universe , and a way to manifest them came as a matter of course in response the unfolding and development( thus the foreshadowing thru symbolism) of the approach of the ‘New Aeon’.
“The development of practical occultism from freemasonry was, I think, the straight forward and inevitable modernist solution of reinventing the symbols of the past in terms of the present.”
“All cultural systems including the ‘exact sciences’ that emerged from the Enlightenment rest on myths. The great riddle (and consequence) of history is that successive borrowing of myth from cultural systems to another, whether linearly or logically “transmitted or transformed, exposes the borrower to every possibility of permutation of the system borrowed.”

The prime factor in the change from Old Aeon to new Aeon ideas occurred as the type of archetype in focus, changed radically in nature.
“... A subtle shift in identification occurred as the ‘solar Dying God’ were more clearly identified and understood as ‘solar- phallic’ gods… there are a number of mystical traditions, for example that seem to approach the idea of what you and I know to be DNA. This is no great mystery for us but until it is squarely located and identified, it will appear to be so discovered in illumination, dream, idea…conclusion, to be explained imaginatively, creatively and in the process, seems to take on a life of its own.”
The central mysteries of life, hidden as they are deep within the very cores of ourselves, are approached and hinted at – if not directly experienced, through the process of enlightenment. The ‘Royal Road’, as experienced in Our Sacred Order’s preparation for gradual unfolding of such, may be the road less traveled, but it is a new and different road then traveled by freemasonry. It is by direct experience of such sacred Magickal rituals as the Gnostic and Catholic Mass, that one directly experiences the Current of the solar phallic gods, earlier spoken of. The understanding of mystery by joy rather than sacrifice, comes to be a real and true reality , rather than a ideal to be dreamt of.