The structure of 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, it seeks to instruct the individual by allegory and symbol in the profound mysteries of nature, and thereby to assist each initiate in discovering his or her own true identity.

Initiation can be conferred only in a physical ceremony conducted by a properly chartered initiator. See the membership page for information on how to apply for initiation.

Initiate membership is subdivided by degree. There are a total of 21 initiate degrees in the Order, including thirteen numbered degrees and eight un-numbered, intermediate degrees or sub-degrees. The degrees of Illuminati are divided into three Grades or “Triads”: the Hermit, the Lover, and the Man of Earth, as follows:

0°

Minerval

I°

Man and Brother, or Woman and Sister

II°

Magician

III°

Master Magician

IV°

Perfect Magician and companion of the Holy Royal Arch of Enoch

Perfect Initiate, or Prince of Jerusalem

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Knight of the East and West

V°

Sovereign Prince Rose-Croix, and Knight of the Pelican and Eagle

Knight of the Red Eagle, and Member of the Senate of Knight Hermetic Philosophers

VI°

Illustrious Knight (Templar) of the Order of Kadosch, and Companion of the Holy Graal

Grand Inquisitor Commander, and Member of the Grand Tribunal

Prince of the Royal Secret

VII°

Theoreticus, and Very Illustrious Sovereign Grand Inspector General

Magus of Light, and Bishop of Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica

Grandmaster of Light, and Inspector of Rites and Degrees

VIII°

Perfect Pontiff of the Illuminati

Epopt of the Illuminati

IX°

Initiate of the Sanctuary of the Gnosis

X°

Rex Summus Sanctissimus

XI°

Initiate of the Eleventh Degree

XII°

Frater Superior, and Outer Head of the Order

The Minerval Degree (0°) is an introductory Initiate degree in which the aspirant is considered an “honored guest” of Order rather than a full member. The Minerval degree is designed to allow the aspirant to decide whether or not to pursue full membership, and to allow potential sponsors the opportunity to decide whether to support the aspirant’s application for full membership. Minervals may begin preliminary novitiate training under an E.G.C. Bishop towards ultimate ordination to the Diaconate and/or Priesthood in Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica, but they are not eligible for ordination or for service as an officer of a Local Body.

The First Degree (I°) bestows full membership upon the initiate. A First Degree initiate may retire from active participation 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 Second Degree is eligible for ordination as a deacon of EGC.

Beyond the degree of P∴I∴, advancement is by invitation only. Initiates of the intermediate degree of Knight of the East and West (K.E.W.) are eligible for formal ordination to the Priesthood in Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica. Episcopal consecration in Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica is conferred as part of the Seventh Degree. The Tenth Degree (X°) is held by the National Grand Master General in a particular country.

The Man of Earth degrees follow a pattern based on the symbolism of the Chakras and the stages of Kundalini Yoga; and represent, in dramatic form, the Individual’s Path in Eternity. In the 0°, the Ego, a wandering God, is attracted to the Solar System. In the I°, the Child experiences Birth. In the II°, the Man or Woman experiences Life. The III° represents the Death of the individual, and the IV° represents the world beyond Death, the glorified state of the Initiate. In the P∴I∴ Degree, the Initiate symbolically achieves ultimate Perfection (Completion), and the entire cycle is withdrawn into Annihilation.

Of these Events or Stations upon the Path, all but the II° represent single critical experiences. We, however, are concerned mostly with the varied experiences of Life. All subsequent degrees are therefore elaborations of the II°, a progressive instruction in how to live, since in a single ceremony it is hardly possible to sketch, even in the briefest outline, the Teaching of Initiates with regard to Life.

The V° – IX° rituals and teachings are therefore instructions to the Initiate in the Mastery of Life; there is instruction in Hermetic Philosophy, Qabalah, Magick and Yoga, all aimed at preparing the Initiate for the revelation and application of one Supreme Secret.

The X° is conferred upon the Supreme and Holy King of each national Grand Lodge.

The XI° is technical, and has no relation to the general plan of the Order.

The XII° is held exclusively by the Outer Head of the Order.

Every man and woman of full age (18 or more years old), free, and of good report, has an indefeasible right to the first three degrees of Order (but not according to any particular time schedule). These “first three degrees” actually include all the degrees in the Man of Earth Triad (the Minerval is considered a prologue to the First Degree, and the Fourth and P∴I∴ Degrees are considered pendants to the Third Degree).

Progress of an initiate toward the Fourth and P∴I∴ Degrees is usually a matter of years. A certain amount of time is usually required to allow full maturation of the effects of the initiations, although under some circumstances the Minerval and First Degrees may be taken on the same occasion.

Bavarian Illuminati membership does not, of itself, confer any status in Freemasonry. Nearly one hundred years ago, when the Order was established in Germany, it was closely allied to several rites of European Freemasonry. However, in In April 1778, the order became the Illuminatenorden, or Order of Illuminati, after Weishaupt had seriously contemplated the name Bee order.  During this early period, the order had three grades of Novice, Minerval and Illuminated Minerval, of which only the Minerval grade involved a complicated ceremony. In this the candidate was given secret signs and a password. A system of mutual espionage kept Weishaupt informed of the activities and character of all his members, his favourites becoming members of the ruling council, or Areopagus. Some novices were permitted to recruit, becoming Insinuants.

Despite some similarities between names and titles used within Illuminati Order and the names and titles used in Masonry, various churches, and other organizations, conferral of any degree, rank, office, or status within the Order does not constitute conferral of any degree, rank, office, or status in any other active organization, Masonic, religious, or otherwise; any more than status as the captain of a ship equates to status as the captain of a football team.