The Builders of the Adytum (BOTA, also spelled B.O.T.A., BotA, or B.o.t.A.) is a school of the

Western mystery tradition Western esotericism, also known as esotericism, esoterism, and sometimes the Western mystery tradition, is a term scholars use to categorise a wide range of loosely related ideas and movements that developed within Western society. These ideas a ...

based in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world ...

which is registered as a

non-profit A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

tax-exempt Tax exemption is the reduction or removal of a liability to make a compulsory payment that would otherwise be imposed by a ruling power upon persons, property, income, or transactions. Tax-exempt status may provide complete relief from taxes, redu ...

religious organization. It was founded by Paul Foster Case and has its roots in both the Hermetic Order of the Golden DawnBarrett, David V
"Builders of the Adytum"
in Clarke, Peter Bernard (ed.). ''Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements''. Psychology Press, 2006. and the Masonic blue lodge system.Hulse: Western Mysteries;p.148 It was later extended by Ann Davies. The B.O.T.A. teaches by correspondence, covering

esoteric Western esotericism, also known as esotericism, esoterism, and sometimes the Western mystery tradition, is a term scholars use to categorise a wide range of loosely related ideas and movements that developed within Western society. These ideas ...

psychology,

occult tarot Tarot card reading is a form of cartomancy whereby practitioners use tarot cards to purportedly gain insight into the past, present or future. They formulate a question, then draw cards to interpret them for this end. A traditional tarot deck con ...

, Hermetic Qabalah,

astrology Astrology is a range of divinatory practices, recognized as pseudoscientific since the 18th century, that claim to discern information about human affairs and terrestrial events by studying the apparent positions of celestial objects. Di ...

, and

meditation Meditation is a practice in which an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm ...

techniques. It also holds a variety of ritual services and study groups, some open to the public.l Official BOTA website
/ref> Worldwide membership is around 5,000.

Origins of the name

“

Adytum The adyton ( , 'innermost sanctuary, shrine', ) or ( Latin) was a restricted area within the cella of a Greek or Roman temple. The ''adyton'' was frequently a small area at the farthest end of the cella from the entrance: at Delphi it measur ...

” is Latin for “Inner Shrine” or “ Holy of Holies” and “Builders” refer to the emulation of the Carpenter from Nazareth, Jesus, who some members of the B.O.T.A.B.O.T.A
What is B.O.T.A.?
/ref> believe was adept in the mysteries of building a living temple without hands ().

History

The Order was founded 1922 by Paul Foster Case. Case was a senior memberGolden Daw
l Golden Dawn Biographies
/ref> of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in the United States. After a disagreement with Moina Mathers, head of the Golden Dawn and widow of MacGregor Mathers, he left the Golden Dawn along with some former members and formed a separate order. With the death of Paul Foster Case his secretary Ann Davies became the head of B.O.T.A.. The order flourished and expanded to Europe and Australia.

Beliefs

B.O.T.A. believes that the Qabalah is the mystical root of both ancient

Judaism Judaism ( he, ''Yahăḏūṯ'') is an Abrahamic, monotheistic, and ethnic religion comprising the collective religious, cultural, and legal tradition and civilization of the Jewish people. It has its roots as an organized religion in th ...

and the original

Christianity Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the world's largest and most widespread religion with roughly 2.38 billion followers representing one-third of the global popula ...

. People of all faiths are accepted if they are mystically inclined. For members of the B.O.T.A., the means whereby higher consciousness, illumination and enlightenment may be gained include both theory and practice. These teachings and practical secrets constitute what the Builders of the Adytum refer to as Ageless Wisdom. It is called “Ageless” because they believe it is not susceptible to the mutations of time. Ageless Wisdom is not viewed by the B.O.T.A. as primarily a product of man’s thinking. It is “written by God upon the face of nature” and is always there for men and women of all epochs to read, if they can.

Regional organizations

B.O.T.A. has Study Groups and Pronaos healing ritual work in many cities throughout the world: # Northeast US # Midwest / Southeast US # Southwest US / Rocky Mt. # Northwest US # Southern California / Arizona / Nevada # South America & Mexico # Australia and New Zealand # Europe

Study groups

These groups are open to all and afford an opportunity to interact with those who share a common spiritual teaching and practice. The purposes for the Study Groups include (1) developing fraternal Love and Harmony, (2) developing higher consciousness, (3) incorporating the principles of Ageless Wisdom in everyday life, (4) learning to enjoy together the operation of the One Will (the will of God), and (5) providing an open door to the Mysteries to all who genuinely seek them.

Group ritual

Group Ritual Work has long been used in the

as a dynamic means of bringing about spiritual and fraternal insights. Open only to B.O.T.A. members, this ritualistic work occurs after

initiation Initiation is a rite of passage marking entrance or acceptance into a group or society. It could also be a formal admission to adulthood in a community or one of its formal components. In an extended sense, it can also signify a transformation ...

into Pronaos which includes an

oath Traditionally an oath (from Anglo-Saxon ', also called plight) is either a statement of fact or a promise taken by a sacrality as a sign of verity. A common legal substitute for those who conscientiously object to making sacred oaths is to g ...

of secrecy. Its aim is to impress symbolism more effectively upon the aspirants' psyches through dramatic enactment, bringing the static images of the B.O.T.A. tarot deck into motion.

References

Sources

*Hulse, David Allen. ''The Western Mysteries''. Llewellyn Publications; 2nd edition, 2002.

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Builders Of The Adytum Magical organizations Religious belief systems founded in the United States