Ordeals are formalized rites of passage into the Mysteries, Teachings, and Traditions of The Order for Initiates. Each of these psychological and spiritual equations is solved by the individual on a solitary basis or with the guidance of other Initiates and Magisters. The Ordeals are a regimented , sequential system of learning and Ascention that directs adepts through the mirror Gates of Zhep'r. They may be likened to grades and degrees in a scholastic institution or within occult groups such as the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn or Freemasonry.

The Seeker Achieves Initiation by bringing the Mysteries into their sphere of understanding. Verification of the understanding occurs through the achievement of specific results. Mastery of the Temple of Nod Mysteries is an Individual and personal process, not a Family endeaver. It is the achievement of a spiritual Ascension, not a social label or title that implies one Individual's superiority over another. Each Mystery is a form of agreement and attunement within the Current and should only be done at the Individual's own pace.

Temple Worthy means becoming an Initiate member of The Order. Initiate membership is available to every man and woman who is free, at least 18 years old, and of good report (see below). Temple Of Nod Initiations are conferred through a physical ceremony conducted by a chartered Initiator. Initiations are almost always held at Temple of Nod local bodies, except for those which are to be done in solitary. The Introductory Initiation into The Temple Of Nod is known as the Neophyte or 1st Degree.

see also: An Introduction to Ritual

The structure of The Temple Order, like that of Freemasonry and the Ancient Mystery Schools, is based on a staged series of Initiations or Degrees. In the Rituals of these degrees, Kindred Fraternal Brothers seek to instruct the Individual by allegory and symbol in the profound mysteries of Magick and the Occult, and thereby to assist each Initiate in discovering his or her advancement in Zhep'r, Light, Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, and Power on the Foundation of Universal Brotherhood.

Therefore, The path to becoming an Initiate Member of The Temple of Nod or Knights of the Temple Order involves contacting a nearby or otherwise convenient local body which conducts Neophyte Initiations, obtaining an application for Initiation from that body, and submitting it along with the appropriate dues and fees. In order to establish "good report", your application must be signed by two sponsors who are already Third Degree Initiates of The Temple of Nod. Prospective sponsors will generally want to get to know you before signing your application, which may involve your attendance with them at several local body events, or time spent with them privately. The degrees of The Temple of Nod are divided into Three Classes or "Triads": The Page Class, The Knight Class, and the Priest Class, as follows:

Application for Initiation

First Triad: The Page
Zero Degree = Seeker
First Degree = Neophyte
Second Degree = Magician
Third Degree = Master Magician (Magus)

The Third Degree bestows full membership upon the Initiate. A First Degree Initiate may retire from active participation in The Temple of Nod, but the spiritual link forged between the Initiate and the Order during the ceremony of the First Degree will remain throughout the Initiate's life. An Initiate of the Third Degree is eligible for Ordination as a Templar Knight in The Templar Knighthood of Nod.

Beyond the Degree of III advancement is by invitation only.

The Structure of the Temple of Nod

Our Mystery School is organized in Temples to which may belong men and women of all races and social levels. Any human being who can pass through the Initiatic Ordeals has a right to the I*. The Temples are under the responsibility of Masters of Temple or Magister Templi, who may be of any race sex or social position and who are monitored by regional Director. The Outer Circle Temple Master is a State Representative and the Director is in charge of more than one State.
(this ,in the U.S.A.)

The Temple of Nod is divided into three Circles:

Outer Circle: Includes the I* degree through III*

Initiation to the next Circle can only be done by recommendation of a Director to the Supervisor General or O.H.O. with official invitation.

Inner Circle: from the IV* to VI*

Secret Circle: from the VII* to IX*

Beyond these grades there are two more of a purely Administrative nature: The X degree , to which belong the Heirophants, Magister Templi, Magus, Maga, Priest and Priestess who are National Grand Masters and the O.H.O.

The O.H.O. is the International Grand Master. And the XI degree, whose Authority is purely Spiritual , is out of the normal structure of the Order unless emergency calls He or She Forth. His or Her function in the world is absolutely secret to all those but the National Grand Masters and none of them know if they really know!

No member of the Order can publicly acclaim their Grade openly after IV degee expect the National Grand Masters & the XI* The XI* observes no rules but acts under emergencies according to His or Her Oaths From the Inner & Secret Circles.

The size and extent of Our Movement is permanently secret to the profane world. Our Secret Head, (who may or may not be the XI*) communicates directly only with the National Grand Masters who communicates directly with our Directors,(or in some cases Outer Circle Lodge Masters, III* who communicates only with our Lodge Masters who communicates with our Lodge Members.)

Although we cannot, in a website meant for the general public, unveil the nature of the work of the grades, especially in the inner and secret circles, a brief description of the titles (which indicate the main activity or some cases a blind) of each of the grades may be useful to intutiative temprements.

I attraction to the solar system (birth).
II Thelemic Behavior on Earth (life).
III Lordship of Earth (Death).
IV Freeman or Freewoman.
V Squire of Nod
VI Knight Templi (Temple Knight)
VIII Deacon or Deaconess.Inspector.Herald.
IX Priest or Priestess.Judge.
X Holy King or Holy Queen. Outer Head of the Order.


In reality, there exist only Three Grades for those of us who are called Temple of Nod Initiates These correspond to the Circles:

Page class includes from the I* to the III*

Knights from the IV* to the X*, the members of the XI* to hold an office below their grade in the hierarchy, but they cannot reveal that they hold the XI*

The Temple of Nod's monthly fee is one percent of the monthly income of any member and this one percent is accumulated by the members of the Temple Master & thirty percent of this goes to the Director and ten percent of this goes to the Grand Master. If a Temple only has one member the full one percent goes to the Grand Master. Expense accounts can be delegated to any member of any grade at any time by permission by any member of the Secret Circle with approval of the Grand Master. Contributions are not screened, but if by a concurrence of circumstance it becomes evident that some member is deliberately contributing less than one percent of his or her total monthly income, that person is immediately expelled and barred from re-admission.

Besides the monthly fee, members are encouraged to contribute to the smooth workings of the Temple to which they belong, either with toil or gifts. Advancement in the degrees however, does not depend on donations, or from the size of one's monthly fee: It is gauged from the evidence of moral and intellectual dedication to the Order. Advancement in the grades brings increased responsibility, and therefore demands strength of character and purity of Motives. The Keynote is service. Both the reading curriculum and the rules established in this Manifesto are subject to change by Us at any time.