Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm

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

On September 10th, 1889, the members of Hamilton Lodge decided to call themselves the “Fairchild Deviltry Committee” and to limit membership to Master Masons in good standing.^[3] This led to the formal establishment of the Supreme Council, also known as 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" (leader and founder of the order) was Thomas Lemuel James.^[4] Other founders included Professor Oren Root, Joseph Frank McGregory, and Naval Officer William Colgate Eaton.^[5] George Beal, with the assistance of Rudolph R. Riddell, authored the original ritual of the order, which was later revised by Riddell.^[6]

M.O.V.P.E.R.'s emblem features a depiction of “Mokanna”, representing the veil of secrecy.^[7]

The emblem and ritual of The Grotto are inspired by Thomas Moore’s poem, Lalla Rookh, which describes a “Veiled Prophet of Khorasan.”^[8]

The contemporary ritual of the Grotto organization draws inspiration from Moore’s narrative but includes Masonic embellishments. Each Grotto branch may 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]

Members wear a black fez with a red tassel, sometimes with a Mokanna head emblem in the center.^[12] A Monarch (the president of a single Grotto) wears a black fez with a purple tassel, while a Grand Monarch wears a black fez with a yellow tassel. Other Grand Officers wear a black fez with a white tassel.^[13][14]

The Daughters of Mokanna, a women's auxiliary organization, was founded in 1919.^[15] Four original subordinate Daughters of Mokanna chapters were also opened, including "Amoo" in Rock Island, Illinois; "Mohassan" in Davenport, Iowa; "Ankara" in Kansas City, Missouri; and "Zal" in Moline, Illinois. Together, they formed the Supreme Daughters of Mokanna.^[16]

To be eligible for membership, candidates must be adult females, relatives of a Veiled Prophet (a Grotto member can also be invited),^{[further explanation needed]} related to a Master Mason in good standing, or be a member in good standing in an organization recognized by the Masonic Lodge (i.e., Eastern Star, Amaranth, etc.).

Different fezzes are worn to signify various ranks within the organization:

• The Regulation Fez is blue and adorned with a red tassel and lettering. This is the standard fez worn by members of the order.
• A red fez with a golden tassel is worn by the The Mighty Chosen One, a distinguished position within the order.
• A Past Mighty Chosen One, someone who has previously held the position of the Mighty Chosen One, wears a white fez with a purple tassel and lettering.^{[citation needed]}

Sometime before 1917, the Mysterious Order Witches of Salem (M.O.W.O.S.) was founded as another female auxiliary to The Grotto. The first “Cauldron,” the term used for a local chapter of the Order, was founded in Chicago, Illinois and was known as Aryan Cauldron No. 1.^[17]

Like its counterpart, the group's stated purpose is fun and fellowship. It also participates in charity activities directed toward improving dentistry for the disabled and those with cerebral palsy.

The M.O.W.O.S. has elaborate rituals only known to initiates - no written account of them exists.^[18]

Membership in this group is by invitation only. To be invited, one must be a female relative or a female friend of a member of a Veiled Prophet (a Grotto member can also be invited).^[19]

• Supreme Council, Grottoes of North America