Temple of Thelema has two levels of First Order bodies, or working groups: Temples, which are fully operating initiatory bodies, and Pronaoi (singular, Pronaos) — literally pre-Temples, Temples-in-the making.
It is against the policy of Temple of Thelema to solicit members. One reason for this is that, for initiation to be valid, each person must make his or her own inner decision concerning the matter, without undue external influence. Nonetheless, we are making available information on these developing circumstances, in the event you wish, now or in the future, to become involved therein.
As stated above, a Pronaos may not perform initiations. Various provisions are therefore made for the initiation of approved candidates in newly developed areas.
One option is that approved candidates may travel to a Temple of the Order for the actual initiation ceremony. At the present time, a Temple exists in Los Angeles and Pronaoi exist in San Francisco, Toronto, and New York City.
Another option is that, if several candidates are approved for initiation at one time (so that this option is economically feasible), senior members may fly in from other areas to perform the initiations under the central authority of Nuit Mother Temple No. 0. This requires certain additional steps, but may be the best approach for a given area.
When sufficient initiated membership exists in either of these geographic areas, the members will be authorized to form a fully-warranted Pronaos — which is a ceremonial and teaching body authorized to meet, perform ongoing ritual of a specified kind, perform certain public ceremonies, etc. However, a Pronaos is not an initiating body, and (at that stage) either approved candidates would need to travel to another location for their initiations, or Mother Temple officers would fly in to perform the work at the Pronaos site, as described above.
Once a Pronaos develops a certain maturity and stability, and meets the criteria for Temple status, it is fully warranted as a Temple and then performs its own initiations and Degree Work locally.