Olney H. Richmond and His Order of the Magi

Published October 13, 2024

Olney H. Richmond and his Order of the Magi represent one of the most enigmatic expressions of occult mysticism and magical practice to emerge from the fertile grounds of 19th-century America. Set against the backdrop of Chicago, Illinois, a city electrified by the Columbian Exposition of 1893 and the convergence of religious and spiritual traditions at the World Parliament of Religions, Richmond stood as both mystic and magician, bridging the worlds of astrology, cartomancy, and, as some allege, the more arcane arts of witchcraft. His life's work, encapsulated in writings such as The Mystic Test Book, extends beyond mere esoteric theory into the creation of a living mystical order—the Ancient Order of the Magi. Yet it is within the hidden chambers of this Order, in what we now understand as the Inner Temple, where the deeper, more secretive rites, perhaps those associated with witchcraft, were practiced.

The Outer Court and the Inner Temple 

The Order of the Magi was structured with an almost architectural precision, divided into an exoteric Outer Court and an esoteric Inner Temple. Like many mystical and spiritual orders of the time, this division was not merely one of administration but of spiritual progression. To the outer world, the Order presented itself as an astrological religion, a manifestation of what Richmond termed the “Religion of the Stars.” This astrological focus was an open teaching, offered to any who might appreciate it. Here, Richmond taught the celestial arts, focusing on the belief that the stars held keys to the destiny of humanity and the universe. This system of thought was deeply influenced by ancient teachings, but also by the astrological revival taking place in 19th-century America, as seen in the works of contemporaries such as Thomas Burgoyne’s Brotherhood of Light and Hiram Butler’s Esoteric Fraternity. 

However, Richmond’s real genius lay in his development of a unique system of cartomancy. His The Mystic Test Book unveiled the secrets of psychic reading using an ordinary deck of playing cards, a system that, to this day, remains in use among practitioners of the esoteric arts. In The Mystic Test Book, Richmond refers to himself as the “Grand Master of the Inner Temple of the Ancient Order of the Magi,” signaling to the initiated that there was a deeper, more profound layer to the Order’s teachings—one that would only be revealed to those who had earned the right to penetrate the Inner Temple.

It is here, in the Inner Temple, that the real mystery begins. For while the Outer Court dealt with astrology and the manipulation of cosmic forces, the Inner Temple is alleged to have housed practices far older and more secretive—those of witchcraft. Richmond, in his writings and teachings, subtly hints at the existence of a secret tradition, one that had been passed down to him through initiation by his own aunt, a lineage that traces back to the hidden streams of European witchcraft.

Occult Climate of 19th Century

To fully understand Richmond’s involvement in witchcraft, one must first look at the occult climate of the late 19th century. Witchcraft, as we understand it today, had not yet reemerged in the public consciousness as it would in the mid-20th century with figures like Gerald Gardner and the rise of Wicca. However, the practices of folk magic, cunning craft, and esoteric traditions that formed the undercurrent of European and American witchcraft were very much alive, passed down through hidden lineages and secret initiations. It is said that Richmond, initiated into this tradition by his aunt, incorporated these practices into the Inner Temple of his Order.

Richmond’s choice to use the title “Grand Master” rather than “Magus” further connects him with this witchcraft tradition. In many coven structures, particularly those of the British Isles, the male leader of a coven was traditionally known as a Grand Master. This linguistic connection suggests that Richmond’s Inner Temple may have functioned not only as a mystical lodge but as a coven of practitioners who engaged in magical rites, some of which may have included what is now termed sex magick.

This connection is further reinforced by the language Richmond uses in The Mystic Test Book. He speaks of the members of the Order as being “faithful through fire, through water, through earth, through air,” evoking the classical elements that form the foundation of many magical rituals, particularly those used in the casting of a circle. The directional invocation—East, West, South, North—is unmistakably similar to the language used in witchcraft to mark sacred space. Whether Richmond borrowed these concepts independently or through his initiation into witchcraft remains a mystery, but the similarities are too striking to ignore.

The Inner Secrets: Sex Magick and the Mysteries of the Body 

It is within the Inner Temple that the true secrets of Richmond’s Order resided. While the outer world saw the Order as an astrological society, those within the Inner Temple practiced rites that delved deeper into the mysteries of the body, soul, and the interaction of spiritual forces. There are hints—whispers, really—that some of these rituals involved sex magick, a practice later popularized by figures like Aleister Crowley but which had been practiced in secret occult orders for centuries.

Sex magick, in its essence, is the use of sexual energy to fuel magical workings and spiritual transformation. It is the channeling of the most potent human force—the life force—into the service of higher goals. While Richmond never explicitly wrote about such practices, certain passages in his works and the recollections of those initiated into the Inner Temple suggest that these rites were part of the secret workings of the Order. The references to fire, water, earth, and air, combined with the directional invocations, suggest a system of ritual magic that may have included sexual elements designed to raise energy and direct it toward specific spiritual or magical goals.

The Legacy of Arline Richmond and the Witchcraft Tradition

After Richmond’s death in 1920, the torch of the Order was passed to his close confidante, Arline Richmond. She continued the work of the Order, initiating a number of individuals into its mysteries, including Donald Nelson, who would go on to operate an occult bookstore in Chicago and continue spreading the teachings of the Order. It is through Arline that the witchcraft tradition, practiced in the Inner Temple, was passed to future generations. Though much of this tradition remained secret, it eventually found its way into the larger occult community, influencing modern witchcraft movements.

What is perhaps most striking about Olney H. Richmond’s Order of the Magi is the degree to which it has remained a true Secret Order. Unlike many other occult organizations of the time, the Order has largely avoided public scrutiny. Its existence is known, but its inner workings—the rituals, the magical practices, the connection to witchcraft—remain hidden, locked within the memories of a few remaining initiates.

Summary 

Olney H. Richmond’s Order of the Magi stands as a testament to the complex, multi-layered nature of American occultism at the turn of the century. What began as an astrological society quickly transformed into something far deeper—a sanctuary for those seeking to explore the hidden currents of magic and witchcraft. Richmond’s legacy, carried on by Arline and others, continues to echo through the annals of occult history, a reminder that beneath the surface of every esoteric order lies a world of mystery, power, and ancient secrets waiting to be uncovered. And it is in the Inner Temple, where witchcraft and magic entwined, that Richmond’s deepest mysteries remain—guarded, yet eternally potent.

[DISCLAIMER:  Any explanation, information, opinion, terminology, theory, and/or any cardological method or reference included in this article are not necessarily approved of or endorsed by the International Association of Cardology. This article's publication on the IAC website is purely for entertainment and informational purposes only.]