The Sacraments

 An act, most usually, though not of necessity involving the consumption of consecrated host and wine, by which the virtues are administered to the people. It is not required to be confirmed into the EGH, or declare harmony with the Understandings, in order to communicate. 

 The act of accepting membership in the The EGH.  This is a personal sacrament in which the individual recognizes a spiritual bond and intellectual kinship with other members of the Communion.  It is by definition open only to those who are principally at harmony with the Understandings. 

The renunciation of beliefs or spiritual or magical claims which may have been imposed unjustly in the past.  The ceremony of unbaptism places the authority and collective will of the church behind the act of freeing and cleansing.  Unbaptism can be applied to any ritual, initiation, or set of beliefs which were imposed unfairly, both as a child or adolescent, and as an adult through social pressure, manipulation or which were accepted through previous ignorance.  The Sacrament of Unbaptism may be bestowed on any who wish it, freely, whether or not they are Communicant within the EGH or accept the Understandings. 

 The celebration of the baptism of wisdom.  This may be administered at any time, by request, and be administered more than once in response to the inner experience of the individual of the light of Gnosis.   The Sacrament of Baptism may be bestowed on any who wish it, freely, whether or not they are Communicant within the EGH or accept the Understandings.   

The sacrament of Union, Matrimony, or Marriage is between two or more individuals.  There shall be no limitation on which individuals, on in which patterns, they may be cojoined, nor on what shall constitute an individual.  The Sacrament of Union may be bestowed on any who wish it, freely, whether or not they are Communicant within the EGH or accept the Understandings. 

The acceptance of the duty and obligation to administer the virtues within and without the community, to devote oneself to the growth of the community through hard labor and through teaching, and the obligation of living as an example. 

The Sacrament of Ordination is held to be internal and personal, however the recognition and celebration of Ordination within the Church is subject to the approval of the Prelacy, and open only to those who are principally at harmony with the Understandings.

 This sacrament may not be administered to another, or by another, but may only be experienced by the self.  Even the words which are used to describe this sacrament are an approximation, and while may be equated to the knowledge and conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel, it embraces also many similar concepts, in whatever terms, or cultural paradigm they are expressed.  

Because this sacrament is personal it is not celebrated, however an individual may ask for the participation of the Clergy in arranging for Feasting, or other celebration of an individual’s experience of this sacrament as they will.

 The sacrament of Consolation is passed down from the ancient Gnostics, but practiced somewhat differently among Thelemites.  It is the recognition of the imminent or recent passing of life, and provides any needed support for the quick and the dead "that they may be granted the accomplishment of their true Wills; whether they will absorption in the Infinite, or to be united with their chosen and preferred, or to be in contemplation, or to be at peace, or to achieve the labor and heroism of incarnation on this planet or another, or in any Star, or aught else."  

While the EGH provides a liturgy for Consolation, it is by nature personal, and must be conformed to the will of the individual receiving it, or if they are departed to the will of those nearest to them.

 Baptism or Confirmation of any persons under 18 years of age or the local age of majority in the US, or under the local age of majority in other jurisdictions, requires prior or contemporaneous written permission of the custodial parent(s) or legal guardian(s).  

We do not support baptism or confirmation of individuals who are not able to comprehend the Understandings of the Order and the Law of Thelema.  The age for this is subjective and may vary on a case by case basis. As it cannot be accomplished without the permission of the custodial parent(s) or legal guardian(s), we recommend a sincere three-way conversation between the minor, custodial parent(s) or legal guardian(s), and Ordained Clergy, in order to determine to the satisfaction of the Ordained Clergy member that the minor is able to comprehend the Understandings and the Law. 

As with adults, provided the minor is able to comprehend both Understandings, and the basic nature of the Law, they are not required to be communicant with EGH, or accept the Understandings to be baptized.

No member of the Ordained Clergy is ever obliged to baptize a minor.

Presence of Minors at any activity of TTO is governed under the Policy on Absolute Separation of Minors and Adult Content.