THE GREATER FEAST OF J.DANIEL GUNTHER
Unraveling the Controversial Legacy of the Would-be Thelemic “World Teacher”
J. Daniel Gunther, a controversial figure within Thelemic circles, is remembered primarily for his role in spreading the concept of Duplexity, a philosophical framework that he developed to reconcile the apparent contradictions within Thelema.
His ultra-conservative interpretations of Thelema, which some argue led to the radicalisation of the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.), are also a significant aspect of his legacy. I chronicled it at the time of my resignation from the Order in 2018. This article will delve into the impact of Gunther’s beliefs and affiliations on the broader Thelemic community and his complex relationship with the O.T.O. and the A∴A.
The Obituary Controversy
Upon his death, Sabazius, the Grand Master of the U.S. Grand Lodge of the O.T.O., issued a notably brief and dispassionate obituary, stating unequivocally that Gunther was never a member of his Order. This statement is intriguing and adds a layer of mystery to Gunther’s legacy, given that Gunther was often described within O.T.O. circles as a ‘lapsed or inactive’ Minerval, the initial degree of O.T.O. membership.
The ambiguity around Gunther’s affiliation with the O.T.O. is compounded by his apparent refusal to fully join due to his interpretation of the O.T.O.’s rituals as violating the Tunis Comment. The Tunis Comment, an enigmatic and somewhat controversial piece, suggests avoiding specific texts and certain rituals.
THE COMMENT.
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
The study of this Book is forbidden. It is wise to destroy this copy after the first reading.
Whosoever disregards this does so at his own risk and peril. These are most dire.
Those who discuss the contents of this Book are to be shunned by all, as centres of pestilence.
All questions of the Law are to be decided only by appeal to my writings, each for himself.
There is no law beyond Do what thou wilt.
Love is the law, love under will.
Gunther, aligning himself as the “Head of A∴A∴,” believed that joining O.T.O. beyond the Minerval initiation would breach this instruction unless the O.T.O. altered the conflicting passages. This conflict within Thelemic orders highlights the ongoing tensions between different interpretations and lineages within the community.
Gunther’s Minerval Initiation and The S.F. O.T.O. vs. Motta Trial
Despite Gunther’s stated reasons for not further engaging with the O.T.O., a close reading of the S.F. O.T.O. vs. Motta trial transcript reveals that he did indeed take his Minerval initiation. This involvement suggests that Gunther’s relationship with the O.T.O. was more complex and layered than a simple refusal to participate due to ideological differences.
Moreover, some of Gunther’s followers have reportedly pushed for changes to the O.T.O.’s rituals to reconcile the perceived conflict with the Tunis Comment, facing significant resistance from other Thelemic factions. These disputes further illustrate the intricate web of allegiances and doctrinal interpretations within Thelemic organisations, where debates over ritual practice and doctrinal purity often mirror broader ideological divides, creating a palpable sense of tension and division.
Expulsion and Withdrawal
Another layer to Gunther’s complex standing within Thelemic orders is his reported withdrawal from the A∴A∴ and expulsion from the O.T.O. according to Marcelo Motta, a controversial figure in his own right and a key player in the dissemination and interpretation of Crowley’s works during the 20th century. Motta’s claims, detailed in The Equinox, Vol. V, №4 (1981), suggest that Gunther’s departure was voluntary in the case of the A∴A∴ but that he was forcibly expelled from Motta’s version of the O.T.O. However, given the fractured nature of the O.T.O. and its various competing factions at the time, the legitimacy of this expulsion remains a subject of debate.
Gunther’s Claims of Spiritual Authority and His Channeled Works
He also appeared to hold the belief, as numerous of his followers have conveyed, that the O.T.O.’s authority is intrinsically linked to the A∴A∴, and consequently to himself, as he claimed to be the physical head of the A∴A∴. He asserted that all spiritual authority on this planet ultimately derives from the A∴A∴ and, by extension, from him. However, the weight of his influence seems to have relied heavily on the endorsement of Bill Breeze, known as Hymenaeus Beta, who has served as the Outer Head of the Order (OHO) of the O.T.O. since 1985. Breeze’s recognition is why Gunther’s claims were taken seriously within the community. Within O.T.O. circles, Gunther was referred to by his followers as the “Inner Head of the Order,” a title reflecting his perceived exalted status.
Gunther also disseminated several of his own channelled Class A documents to his followers, which he used to affirm his elevated role. One such document, Liber Portae Secretae, emphasises his unique and supreme position — a work I reviewed a few months ago.
The following is a list of Gunther’s ‘Secret’ codicils and texts, some of which have been included in his publicly available books, as preserved in the O.T.O. Archives:
- Gunther, James Daniel — Ceremonio de Rosae Crucis: October 21, 1974. A ceremony of Tiphereth intended for daily performance by the Zelator Adeptus Minor. (4pp tsx. J.J.W. H.B.)
- Gunther, James Daniel — Codex CVIII: Circa 1975. Classified as a “Class A” document. (10pp tsx. J.J.W. H.B.)
- Gunther, James Daniel — Codex LII: Circa 1975(?). Another “Class A” document. (19pp tsx. J.J.W. H.B.)
- Gunther, James Daniel — Codex LXXVI: Undated, 1975. Offers a solution to Liber AL II:76 by Khemmu Neb, includes Codex LXVI, a commentary on Liber Stellae Rubeae, and Codex XXXVI, a commentary on the Star Sapphire, as appendices. (66pp TSX JJW HB)
- Gunther, James Daniel — Codex XXVI: Circa 1975(?). A “Class B” document. (4pp tsx. J.J.W. H.B.)
- Gunther, James Daniel — Notes [to Pylons]: Circa 1975(?). A commentary. (22pp tsx. J.J.W. H.B.)
- Gunther, James Daniel — Sepher QShTh: Circa 1975(?). A “Class A-E” document. (3pp tsx. J.J.W. HB)
These documents serve as a testament to Gunther’s influence and his attempts to establish his doctrinal authority within the complex landscape of modern Thelema.
The Rise of ‘Duplexity’: A Botched Attempt at Reclaiming Thelemic Authority under Gunther’s Vision
Gunther also appeared to believe and frequently argued, particularly in his talks, that Marcelo Motta was indeed the rightful Head of Thelema and the “Follower” mentioned in Sascha Germer’s well-known letter. Gunther viewed his influence over figures like James Wasserman and Bill Breeze as evidence of a deliberate effort to reclaim the O.T.O. and restore what he considered the proper perspective on Thelemic authority.
This notion was formalised in the mid-2010s by O.T.O. member Dathan Biberstein under the term “Duplexity.” This concept seeks to make this viewpoint more acceptable by advocating for the O.T.O. to further standardise its endorsement of Gunther’s specific interpretation of the A∴A∴, dismissing all other A∴A∴ lineages as “false” because they do not acknowledge Gunther’s supreme authority as the World Teacher and the preeminent spiritual figure of our times.
A comprehensive critique of this endeavour and its numerous contradictions can be found in a scathing review of Keith Readdy’s One Truth, One Spirit, a book released in the late 2010s. Critics see Readdy’s work as another attempt to manipulate the narrative, primarily targeting new O.T.O. members to entice them into what effectively becomes an “exclusive club.”
Notably, Keith Readdy is the last “visible” trustee of the Boleskine House Foundation. Although he has publicly declared on multiple occasions in recent years that he has no affiliations with either the O.T.O. or A∴A∴, claiming his involvement with Boleskine is purely antiquarian, his author’s blurb suggests otherwise. This discrepancy adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing debates over legitimacy and authority within contemporary Thelemic circles.
Others and I have tried to demonstrate this perspective’s logical and historical difficulties. Instead of an actual debate on the substance of any of our points, we are uniformly met with hostile forestalling — attacking us for even daring to question whether Gunther is the messianic authority he claims to be. I have nothing against those who choose to follow Gunther and his group, but telling the rest of us we are wrong without providing any substantive reasons is frustrating, to say the least.
If someone claims to be a World Teacher whom all Thelemites need to follow uniformly, they are positioning themselves as a target for scrutiny. If their foundation is weak, neither they nor their followers can blame others when their attempts to impose that authority are met with resistance.
A Diminishing Legacy: Gunther’s Decline into Delusions and the Need for Belonging
Gunther’s legacy remains that of one exciting book, Initiation into the Aeon of the Child, and a slew of others where the promising ideas of the first book progressively get watered down as the author clearly falls more and more into his own delusions of grandeur.
I am reliably informed by some of his ex-students that in his last years, he would entertain the idea that he was either VVVVV incarnated, or Frater Achad reincarnated (or both) and that the members of his lineage were the “true Thelemites”, always reincarnating together to keep on the Great Work.
But at the same time, I am aware that the need to belong to something special remains the biggest drive for many drawn to the world of occult Orders, ranking way above the need to discover themselves or contact the Other.
J.Daniel Gunther is dead.
May he be granted the accomplishment of his True Will.
And may whoever succeeds him be able to clean this horrendous mess we all have been subjected to for far too long.
