Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm

Part of a series on
Freemasonry
Overview Grand Lodge Masonic lodge Masonic lodge officers Grand Master Prince Hall Freemasonry Regular Masonic jurisdiction Anglo-American Freemasonry Continental Freemasonry
History History of Freemasonry Liberté chérie Masonic manuscripts
Masonic bodies Masonic Masonic bodies York Rite Order of Mark Master Masons Holy Royal Arch Royal Arch Masonry Cryptic Masonry Knights Templar Red Cross of Constantine Scottish Rite Knight Kadosh Societas Rosicruciana Order of Royal and Select Masters Grand College of Rites Swedish Rite Order of Saint Thomas of Acon Royal Order of Scotland Order of Knight Masons Research Lodge Corks Side degrees The Shrine Royal Order of Jesters Tall Cedars of Lebanon The Grotto Masonic groups for women Women and Freemasonry Order of the Amaranth Order of the Eastern Star Prince Hall Order of the Eastern Star Co-Freemasonry Masonic youth organizations DeMolay A.J.E.F. Job's Daughters International Order of the Rainbow for Girls
Views on Masonry Anti-Masonry Anti-Masonic Party Grand Anti-Masonic Exhibition Masonic conspiracy theories Christian attitudes towards Freemasonry Papal ban of Freemasonry Taxil hoax
People and places Masonic Temple James Anderson Prince Hall William Preston Thomas Smith Webb Albert Mackey Albert Pike John the Evangelist John the Baptist William Schaw Elizabeth Aldworth List of Freemasons Lodge Mother Kilwinning Freemasons' Hall, London Mark Masons' Hall, London House of the Temple Solomon's Temple Detroit Masonic Temple List of Masonic buildings
Related Masonic ritual and symbolism Great Architect of the Universe Square and Compasses Pigpen cipher Eye of Providence Hiram Abiff Chamber of Reflection List of Masonic Abbreviations Sprig of Acacia Masonic Landmarks Pike's Morals and Dogma Propaganda Due Dermott's Ahiman Rezon Volume of Sacred Law
By country Barbados Belgium Canada China Croatia Denmark France Finland Germany Iceland India Indonesia Israel Italy Japan Lebanon Luxembourg Malaysia Malta Mexico North Macedonia Philippines Portugal Romania Russia Scotland South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sweden Thailand Turkey Ukraine Venezuela United States
v t e

The Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm (M.O.V.P.E.R.), often known as "The Grotto," is a Masonic body founded in 1889 by Herman LeRoy Fairchild and the members of Hamilton Lodge in Hamilton, New York.^[1] M.O.V.P.E.R. describes itself as a "social organisation for the Master Mason." Although its members must be Master Masons, M.O.V.P.E.R. "is not and makes no claim to be a part of Symbolic Craft Masonry."^[2]

On September 10, 1889, Fairchild, along with other members of Hamilton Lodge #120 in Hamilton, New York, formed a group known as the "Fairchild Deviltry Committee." Membership was limited to Master Masons in good standing.^[3] The group's popularity grew, leading to the formal establishment of the Supreme Council, the Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm (M.O.V.P.E.R.), on June 13, 1890.^[3]

The first "Grand Monarch" (the leader of the order) was Thomas Lemuel James, ex-Postmaster General of the United States.^[4] Other founders included Professor Oren Root of Hamilton College, Joseph Frank McGregory of Madison University, General William M. Nest and Fairchild, both of Hamilton, New York, as well as Naval Officer William Colgate Eaton.^[5] George Beal wrote the order's original ritual with help from Adon N. Smith and Rudolph R. Riddell, who later revised the ritual to include mythological elements and Persian imagery.^[6]

M.O.V.P.E.R.'s emblem features a depiction of "Mokanna," symbolising the veil of secrecy, which represents the mysterious nature of the Order, reflecting the lessons that members of the Grotto are encouraged to explore.^[7]

While the emblem and ritual of the Grotto are often believed to be inspired by Thomas Moore’s poem, Lalla Rookh, which tells the story of the “Veiled Prophet of Khorasan,”^[8] the modern ritual of the Grotto organisation actually draws inspiration from Masonic traditions and incorporates elements that allude to Moore’s themes. Each Grotto branch is allowed to add its own interpretation of the story.^[9]

M.O.V.P.E.R. is guided by a philosophy that is deeply rooted in the concept of “Good Fellowship”^{[1][10][clarification needed]} which, according to The Grotto, represents a “spirit of wholesome fun.”^[11]

As with M.O.V.P.E.R., different fezzes are worn to signify various ranks within the organisation.

The Daughters of Mokanna, a women's auxiliary organisation, was founded in 1919.^[12] Four original subchapters, Daughters of Mokanna, were also opened.^[13]

To be eligible for membership, candidates must be adult women, relatives of a Veiled Prophet, and in good standing within their community.

As with M.O.V.P.E.R., different fezzes are worn to signify various ranks within the organisation.

Sometime before 1917, the Mysterious Order Witches of Salem (M.O.W.O.S.) was founded as another female auxiliary to The Grotto. They named their Chicago chapter the "Aryan Cauldron No.1."^[14]

Like its counterpart, the group's stated purpose is fun, fellowship, and charity activities.

The M.O.W.O.S. has rituals only known to members.^[15]

Membership requirements are identical to the Daughters of Mokanna.^[16]

• Supreme Council, Grottoes of North America