Entry No. 2 — the Dallas file — filed under: Thelema
Bubastis Oasis, O.T.O. (public Gnostic Mass)
An officially chartered body of Ordo Templi Orientis, active since 1988 and the oldest continually running O.T.O. group in Texas (9th oldest in the U.S.). They periodically celebrate Liber XV, the Gnostic Mass, a dramatic Thelemic ritual, publicly, alongside classes and Thelemic-holiday events open to non-members.
The story
Texas isn't usually where you expect to find the lineage of early-twentieth-century British occultism, but Bubastis Oasis has been operating continuously in the DFW Metroplex since 1988. That makes it the oldest active Ordo Templi Orientis group in Texas and the ninth-oldest in the United States. Operating under the U.S. Grand Lodge, they practice Thelema—the spiritual system outlined by Aleister Crowley around the central rule, 'Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.'
While the order's degree initiations remain behind closed doors, Bubastis regularly opens its sanctuary for Liber XV, better known as the Gnostic Mass. Crowley penned the text in Moscow in 1913 as the central rite for the Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica, structuring it like a high mass but swapping orthodox dogma for Thelemic cosmology. Alongside the Mass, the oasis hosts open classes on Tarot, astrology, and scripture, plus casual social outings like park hikes and group dinners.
You won't find a street address on a map or a sign above a suburban door. To keep their physical space secure, the group operates without a publicly listed location; exact directions are sent only after you reach out via email or RSVP through their public Meetup group. It isn't theatrical paranoia—it's just how a century-old ceremonial tradition survives inside North Texas sprawl.
What it's like
Attending a public Gnostic Mass isn't a passive spectator show, so don't expect to slip into a back pew unnoticed. The ritual is participatory: you'll stand, recite a shared creed, and follow the Deacon's cues before stepping up for communion, which consists of a goblet of wine and a small cake called a Host (if you don't drink alcohol, request the non-alcoholic alternative beforehand). Wear quiet, respectful attire—this is a sincere religious service for the congregation, not a costume party. Because addresses are unlisted, contact them well in advance; showing up unannounced is impossible.
The move: Check their Meetup or site for the next publicly open Gnostic Mass and attend together; it's a genuinely strange, theatrical ritual you can witness as outsiders, then debrief over drinks afterward.
📍 Before you go There is no published street address: Bubastis Oasis is centered in the DFW Metroplex, and you learn where events happen by emailing the body or joining their public announcement list, so reach out well ahead rather than just showing up. Only dates marked public are open to non-members. The Gnostic Mass is participatory, not a spectator show: you recite a creed, follow the Deacon's cues, and most attendees take communion (wine and a small cake; a non-alcoholic option exists if you ask beforehand). Reading the ritual text first helps, and dress with quiet respect since it is a sincere religious rite.
- 📍 Dallas / DFW Metroplex
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Hours: Public events only on scheduled dates; check Meetup/site in advance
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- The Labyrinth — Pair an evening ritual with an afternoon browsing green-painted rooms stocked with ritual herbs at Dallas's oldest witch shop in Lower Greenville.
- The Satanic Temple DFW (Deep Ellum gatherings) — Contrast Crowley's early-1900s liturgical ceremonialism with the non-theistic civic gatherings held by The Satanic Temple DFW in Deep Ellum.
- La Viuda Negra — Debrief the dramatic mass over small-batch mezcal tucked behind the disguised wedding-shop facade of this Old East Dallas speakeasy.
- Chango Botanica — Compare high ceremonial magic with working Afro-Caribbean folk healing at Francisco Diaz's cash-only Oak Cliff botanica, open since 1977.
Good to know
How do I get the physical address for an event?
Bubastis Oasis does not publish a street address publicly. You must join their public Meetup group or email the body directly ahead of time to receive event locations.
Do I need to be a member to attend a Gnostic Mass?
No. Events marked as public on their calendar—including public performances of the Gnostic Mass, study classes, and social meetups—are open to non-members.
What happens during communion?
Participants take communion consisting of a small cake and a sip of wine. A non-alcoholic option is available if you request it from the officers prior to the start of the ritual.
Is there a dress code?
There is no formal uniform for guests, but attendees are asked to wear clean, respectful clothing appropriate for a formal ceremony.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: bubastis.oto-usa.org · meetup.com
last checked: 2026-06-06