Editing Order of the Solar Temple (section)

=== Ritual ===
Ritual was an important aspect of the OTS's beliefs, described as its "core activity" by scholar Hendrik Bogdan.{{sfn|Bogdan|2006|p=144}} According to [[George D. Chryssides]], what the OTS offered was a "mystical mood" that was available to all, not just those who were "spiritually gifted"; in a way similar to traditional Catholicism, through ritual the core messages of the group could be made available to those who were not well versed in the systems of thought used to understand it.{{sfn|Hall|Schuyler|2000|p=129}} There were a number of initiation rituals, of a Masonic nature – not in being directly related to actual freemasonry, but in their type of ritual practice, which once it was established afterwards spread outside of freemasonry.{{sfn|Bogdan|2006|pp=134–195}} The OTS's initiation rituals were typical of neo-Templar groups but also incorporated aspects of New Age, Rosicrucian and alchemical practice.{{sfn|Bogdan|2006|p=146}}

One initiation ritual, the "Reception Ceremony" of the Hermetica Fraternitas Templi Universali (the name for the OTS in the English speaking world), which was the official initiation into the first degree {{Lang|la|Templi Noviciae}}, member candidates called aspirants are first given a copy of the oath they will take so they can become familiar with it (an uncommon practice for other Masonic initiatory societies).{{sfn|Bogdan|2006|pp=146–147}} The ritual objects used for the ritual include: a Templar cross, a sword, a three branched [[candelabrum]] with white candles, a vase containing a red rose, a red cushion, an altar, a sacred book (e.g. a Bible open to the [[Gospel of John]]), a red [[votive]] candle, and crosses, which are given out to the initiates. The ritual must include six officiants for the initiates. Compared to other Masonic rituals, it starts simply, with the playing of [[Bach]]'s [[Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565|Toccata]] and the lighting of the votive candle, before the assembly is brought in, the candelabrum is lit and the chief officiant of the ritual opens and calls for prayer.{{sfn|Bogdan|2006|p=147}}

The chief officiant then explains the ritual's purpose and tells those present to meditate on the importance of what is about to happen. The aspirants are then brought in, and [[Gregorian chant]]s are played; the chief officiant asks them if they wish to continue. They are informed that by taking the oath it reaches "beyond human limitation", and once they take the oath their life will be towards the "Path of Service, of Light, and Unity", and that the member's "field of consciousness will broaden and your scale of values will change, giving the full significance to the notions of Honour, Loyalty, Courage, Disciple and Effort", whose concerns should now be to "preserve and respect the Consciousness of Life, to maintain Harmony and radiate Love".{{sfn|Bogdan|2006|p=147}} Following this, the Vigia (a role probably restricted to female OTS members) or the chancellor would tell the aspirants the meaning of the ritual items used, before the aspirants are made to approach the altar, kneel on their right knee and place their right hand on the book, and read their oath aloud, before signing it. After this is completed, the chief officiant declares that they have reached the degree and gives them a cross as the emblem of the Order, which they are told has been blessed by an "Official Priest" and that all members should wear it during meetings.{{sfn|Bogdan|2006|p=147}}

Then, at the end, the "Templar Psalm" is read thrice. This psalm is included in many Solar Temple initiation rituals, and reads:{{sfn|Bogdan|2006|pp=147–148}}

{{Blockquote|text={{lang|la|
NON NOBIS DOMINE NON NOBIS / SED NOMINI TUO DA GLORIAM}}
{{translation|NOT FOR US, LORD, NOT FOR US / BUT TO THY NAME GIVE GLORY}}}}

After, the chief officiant extinguishes the flames of the candles and candelabrum and announces the end of his work. [[Hallelujah]] is then played and everyone except the "Master of Ceremonies" and the "Guardian" positions leave.{{sfn|Bogdan|2006|pp=147–148}} Another Order TS (the English aspect of the OTS) ritual, "The Dubbing of a Knight" (not an admission ritual, but probably a second degree ritual), states that the knighthood can only be granted by either the Grand Master (Di Mambro), the Deputy Grand Master, or "a dignitary" appointed by the Order. It is Catholic in nature and includes a [[Mass in the Catholic Church|mass]] performed at the same time. The oath given in this ritual reads thus:{{sfn|Bogdan|2006|p=148}}

{{Blockquote|text=I [blank] swear here and now a solemn oath to nobly serve the cause of the Temple, in a spirit of detachment and humility.

I shall strive in all circumstances to maintain a worthy and just attitude, not only with regard to my co-disciples, but also whenever I represent our Venerable Order in the world.

I promise to respect the sacred rules of the Temple which rule our Venerable Order, to live them permanently in accordance with the Ethic which constitutes its force and to obey the directives of my Superiors without reserve.

I commit my self to respect and conform to the customs and laws of the countries in which I might be called to serve.}}

In another ritual, the "Traditional Ritual for the Donning of the Talar", which is more complicated, the candidate is "purified" and sheds their clothes, standing only in their underwear to "cast[...] off all impurities". Scholar Hendrik Bogdan noted several of its lines as "particularly ominous" in light of the deaths. In one part it is stated that{{sfn|Bogdan|2006|pp=149–151}}

{{Blockquote|text=always remain worthy<br>of wearing this Sacred Robe<br>whatever may happen,<br>even if your physical life is in danger,<br>for you will soon learn<br>that physical life is of no importance.}}

As well as the rituals of initiation, there were mystical or magical rituals.{{sfn|Bogdan|2006|p=145}} Underground sanctuaries were built by the group, hidden behind false walls and only accessible through secret passageways: to enter them, a member would have to take a ritual number of 22 steps (probably a reference to the 22 paths of the [[Tree of life (Kabbalah)|Tree of Life]] in Kabbalah).{{sfn|Palmer|1996|p=311}}{{sfn|Bogdan|2006|p=145}} In one ceremony attended by cult researcher Jean-François Mayer in the summer of 1987, in order to commemorate the [[summer solstice]], the Templars held a bonfire in the French countryside. Following their lighting of the fire, there were instructions and the members turned around the fire only clockwise. Mayer said during the event that it was ritual, whereupon a member corrected him and said it was not merely ritual but "something much more".{{sfn|Hall|Schuyler|2000|p=129}}

One of these rituals was where ranking members could supposedly witness the masters manifest in the underground chambers of the group, in what were actually holographic shows by Antonio Dutoit.{{sfn|Chryssides|2006|p=119}} OTS rituals may have involved [[hallucinogen]]s, and utilized visual effects as well as music.{{sfn|Bogdan|2006|p=144}} Among the utilized effects were lightning effects, through which the masters and ritual objects like the [[Holy Grail]] were seen to appear.{{sfn|Bogdan|2006|p=145}} In order to achieve the community of souls that would survive the apocalypse, the OTS invoked [[sex magic]], in which sexual activities are performed in order to acquire spiritual gain,{{sfn|Chryssides|2006|p=120}} though how much this was actually practiced is unclear.{{sfn|Bogdan|2006|p=145}} A former member alleged that Di Mambro would have sex with members of both sexes, and convinced men in the group that sex with him "reharmonize[d] the chakras". This sometimes involved practices like [[sodomy]].{{sfn|Bédat|Bouleau|Nicolas|1997|p=148}} Jouret was said to do so more readily than Di Mambro;{{sfn|Bédat|Bouleau|Nicolas|1997|p=148}} Jouret was known to have sexual relations with both men and women in the group.{{sfn|Bédat|Bouleau|Nicolas|1997|pp=148, 152–153}}