Supreme Royal Zuanna
Ladies of the Oracle
M.D. of P&P
About
Ladies of the Oracle (LOTO) is a 108-year-old women’s organization based in the United States.
LOTO is a satirical order and often described as a “fraternal playground” promoting “mirth and clean fun.”
Our customs are rooted in the idea of “mystical kitsch from fabled lands” and we offer a space for those who appreciate the unconventional, quirky, and offbeat.
Membership
LOTO accepts applications from those who are over 18, female, nonbinary, or identify as feminine.
Prospective members need not be affiliated with another order. LOTO is neutral with respect to political and religious affiliations and celebrates inclusion and diversity.
Join us and help preserve a cultural artifact that celebrates zany and unconventional women while fostering friendships and good, clean fun.
Locations
Supreme Royal Zuanna
Virtual
LOTO’s governing body is the Supreme Royal Zuanna, led by the Supreme Ashayhi and officers called Supreme Queens. Supreme officers are elected annually from subordinate Zuannas.
Inanna No. 9
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Inanna is the oldest extant Zuanna and saved LOTO from vanishing into history. They meet every other month in person and online and are looking for new Queens to join the fun.
Mau No. 333
Dallas, TX
Mau is made up of of Queens from across North Texas and calls itself the “crazy cat lady lodge,” with unique cat-themed traditions. They meet quarterly with social activities throughout the year.
Dune No. 64
Quincy, IL
Dune is our newest Zuanna and takes its name from a historic Zuanna.
Pioneer No. 1
Nationwide; Virtual
Pioneer gathers Queens from diverse locations and shares the name of the first Zuanna founded by Emma Voorheis.
New Zuanna?
A Location Near You
Are you interested to start a Zuanna with 10 of your craziest friends? Contact us!
Meetings
Zuannas meet four times annually with a minimum of five in attendance.
Social and charitable activities throughout the year are encouraged.
Our legacy continues as we adapt to a virtual environment to foster participation from Queens across the country.
Aesthetics
Aesthetics are a significant part of LOTO’s appeal. Our Order is built upon the concept of “mystical kitsch from fabled lands,” which influences our customs, regalia, and iconic fez. Our fantastical imagery and playful irreverence blend camp with a sense of ritual.
Attire
Since LOTO is a satirical order, our Queens often adorn themselves in wonderous and cozy garments such as muumuus, kaftans, blousey pants, or faire wear.
Fezzes and Emblems
The fez is LOTO’s official regalia and we have perhaps the most sophisticated tassel system of any fraternal order. Each Queen receives a unique tassel with one, two or even three colors.
Subordinate Zuanna Queens wear a white or off-white fez.
The subordinate Zuanna emblem is a red triangle with a golden yellow crescent and the letter “Z” in purple.
Supreme Queens wear a royal purple fez.
The Supreme Royal Zuanna emblem is a crimson triangle with the Great Sphinx in gold on a royal purple background.
Historic Items
Many of the items used in our Zuannas are handmade or inherited historic.
The Supreme Royal Zuanna is eager to receive donations of historic LOTO materials.
Please contact us to donate.
Origins
LOTO was established on March 4, 1916, by Emma M. Voorheis of Syracuse, New York.
Emma was a member of Twilight Rebekah Lodge #285 and a past deputy and officer of the Rebekah Assembly of New York. She wrote our ritual as a “fraternal playground for Rebekahs.” While LOTO was never formally affiliated with the Rebekahs, it provided a space for relaxation and enjoyment for many of its members.
LOTO is satirical in nature and “built upon the old adage that ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.’ We teach “Laugh and the world laughs with you, for all enjoy mirth and clean fun.”
Our texts were written four years before women gained the right to vote in the United States and are priceless examples of how women are, and have always been, innately hilarious, deeply creative, and full of undeniable rascality.
LOTO historically provided a space for women independently of any male order. Our records from 1924 to 2017 offer numerous examples of our activities and charitable endeavors.
There were 28 Zuannas by 1924, with 3774 Queens listed as active members. During its peak, LOTO received numerous requests to initiate new members and charter new Zuannas. In 1963, our order boasted 100 Zuannas across the United States and Canada.
We reincorporated in 2024 in the United States as “Supreme Royal Zuanna, Ladies of the Oracle.” We remain independent and are not an auxiliary to another order.
Today, we celebrate our history as “the world’s only first-wave feminist fez order,” by preserving our unique legacy as an independent fraternal order founded for women and by women.
Outreach
LOTO’s charitable efforts historically focused on supporting those with cognitive disabilities through fundraising and hosting community events to provide fun and entertainment.
We will soon regain our nonprofit status to continue our tradition of service and support a variety of charitable initiatives.
Partnerships
LOTO is entirely independent and not formally not affiliated with any other fraternal order.
LOTO and AMOS, the Ancient Mystic Order of Samaritans, have partnered for at least 100 years but are separate organizations.
Many LOTO Queens are also members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Rebekahs, but these organizations are separate.
Join LOTO
If you’re a quirky gal with a love for the mystical, kitschy, whimsical and slightly off-beat, LOTO just might be for you!
Get involved through a range of activities— creative, organizational, charitable, social, and beyond— and help preserve an 108-year-old artifact of women’s history.
Contact us if you are interested to apply for membership!