A bit of this, a bit of that, a lot of the other.
Hi S.I. I am a Thelemite but dont belong to a 'Thelemic group'. I have studied and worked a fair bit of G.D. but am not a member. I have been in the OTO about 15 years. Lately I am pretty much 'retired' except for whatever personal practice takes my fancy.
It's hard to communicate the experience as it might be totally different to the one you would have, we each carry our own baggage and 'karma' into the future with us and allow it to 'colour' new experiences.
I'd suggest that magical groups are not the only ones surrounded in controversy, if that's going to stop you then I suggest that you dont get involved with politics, local government, the church down the road, any sort of cult, most religions and the local PTA. [And maybe even our own families
]
They charge money, why wouldn't they? A temple is needed or the rental of a hall or even being invited into someones home for the ritual work (can you imagine inviting virtual strangers into your home environment to work magick?), they are either crazy or extemely dedicated. Then there is the temple furniture, tools, regailia, not to mention the endless hours of practice to get a 30 page script word perfect, etc etc.
I'm not suggesting that there are not magical money grabbers out there but I feel that as far as money rip-offs go the New Age movement would put them to shame.
What really has pissed me off is when you do all this for someone, ask for a fee that probably covers no more than 15% of the costs (and non of the trouble or heartache) and then they dont even bother to turn up for the ceremony. grrrr! Then offer some lame excuse that they have just come up with when they have already had 2 months to contemplate it (some times 6 months or longer) and sort out their issues bfore setting a date.
As Mike said (and you agreed) the community is an important factor, like minded people and all that. (Which I suppose is why most of us are here at AT.] I remember being 19 and NEVER encountering anyone in the previous 5 years who had any interest in magick, Thelema, tarot, etc, the first one I met ... wow! (she's still a life-long friend!)
Charters. Yes, ask to see a charter. I have them but people didnt really understand what it meant. Some people contacted magical teachers, 'ascended masters', whatever, and I asked them what were these peoples qualifications and experience? Well, they couldnt answer. Changed the subject and then started to blame me for .... something?
Anyway, where do we suppose these first charters came from? Theodore Reuss (early OTO) supposedly used to sell them. Reading Crowleys writings, he seemed to envisage a good trade in them and certificates. They were often traded back and forwards, of course they are just bits of paper and do not show any sort of attainment in reality (heck, I myself am a 'Perfect Master'
) but they do have another side when they are justified and legit, you can trace a liniage with them.
OTO / AA. yep, 2 different kettles of fish. The AA is an 'inner order', secret masters and all that. [If I am interested in listening to a secret master, I'll make my own link thanks, I dont need to hear someones version of what they are saying] The OTO takes its direction from its head (a human) and its ruling committies. One distinction between them is AA does require some type of perfection and deffinatly proof of attainments while the OTO does not. eg. If you are required to bow at the door before entering and you cannot (maybe your spine has a steel rod in it), that would be accepted as a valid excuse in the OTO and some other similar action would surfice. In the AA you wouldnt get past the door, that's your karma, better luck next time around. [Well, in theory anyway.]
The OTO suggests and guides you, but it's up to you. The AA requires examination and tabulated results. Think you are good at Yoga? OK sit there in Lotus for 1/2 an hour with a saucerfull of water on your head and dont spill a drop, that's AA. There is nothing like this in the writings of the OTO, the OTO suggests a curriculem and offers assistence, but its up to you how you impliment it.
One thing a lot of people miss, or aren't aware of: The OTO is also a social experiment, it's finding and experimenting with new ways of people being able to relate to each other and eventually create societies (see 'Cult Vs Culture' intro to Equinox 3, 10, Hymaneaus Beta). And also the whole degree structure of the OTO is a model for running the many aspects of your own self (see the Constitution of the OTO). The 'Supreme and Holy King' may seem an incredibly pompous title but to excell at ... well, anything really,
we need to find your own internal King and rule the empire of ourselves. There are many other analogies as well eg. The Man of Earth degrees has no say or vote in the running of the order, this can be related to the autonomous functions. The revolutionaries? (Has 'one part' of 'you' never been persuaded to do something that another part doesnt want to do? Habits and addictions are a good example of this process. What is it in ourselves that says, "Go on have a ciggarette, you know you want it." and what is it that says "NO I've given up!")
All I can add is that my expereince in the OTO has been absolutly invaluible, but it was a hard slog, demading and confronting, like a lot of things, you get out what you put in.
For my first initiation I had to hitchike over 600 km to get there, no money. I slept in an alleyway in the city on my first night arrival (2am) I 'busked' with my tarot cards the next moning to get the money to pay my dues and fees. Books were hard to get, etc. etc. struggle ... but = appreciation.
The last few years I have seen people winge and drop out and the slightest speed hump. ... that isnt the way to learn magick or achieve initiation in my opinion.
So yes, check it all out as much as you can, and if you decide to join a group give it a decent fair go, dont expect not to be challenged, stuff is going to come up ... a lot more than sitting at home reading about it. Dont expect to find a group with no dickheads in it or a teacher with no faults.