The Eastern Star is an organization that is closely associated with Freemasonry, though they are separate organizations. Women are not allowed to join regular Freemasonry lodges, so the Eastern Star provides a way for female relatives of Masons to participate in similar activities and philosophies.
The official name of the Eastern Star organization is The Order of the Eastern Star. It was established in the United States in the late 1850s as a Masonic-affiliated organization open to both men and women. Membership is open to Master Masons in good standing and women with specific Masonic affiliation.
To be eligible for membership as a woman, a candidate must:
- Be related to a Master Mason by birth, marriage, or adoption (i.e. daughter, widow, mother, sister, niece, etc.)
- Be the wife of a Master Mason in good standing
- Have been a member of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls or Job’s Daughters International and be at least 18 years old
Men who wish to join must be Master Masons in good standing in their lodge.
The Eastern Star uses many of the same symbols as Freemasonry, with an emphasis on the women from the Bible. The emblem features a pentagram and the letters F.A.T.A.L. which stand for the motto “Fairest Among Thousands, Altogether Lovely.” Each point on the star represents biblical heroines – Adah, Ruth, Esther, Martha, and Electa.
Meetings of the Eastern Star chapters often take place in Masonic lodges, though they operate independently. There are rituals, oaths, and ceremonies that reflect Masonic traditions and teaching. Members are organized into local chapters that operate under the authority of state-level Grand Chapters.
Though not technically a secret society, the Eastern Star maintains an aura of secrecy in its closed meetings and rituals. Members take solemn oaths to keep the ceremonies private. Topics discussed include morality, ethics, human dignity, charity, and service.
The Eastern Star distinguishes itself from Freemasonry in several ways despite the close affiliation:
- It is open to both men and women, not just men.
- It is a separate body and organization from Freemasonry with its own leadership and governance.
- The rituals and ceremonies differ, though they share similarities in themes, symbols, and lessons.
In summary, the Eastern Star is an organization for Master Masons and their female relatives that promotes spiritual and moral development. It provides a way for women to participate in Masonic-like activities. Though separate from Freemasonry, the two organizations maintain a close fraternal bond.
Origins of the Eastern Star
Several conflicting accounts exist of the origins of the Eastern Star in the United States. Here are some of the commonly cited origins:
- It was founded in 1850 by lawyer and Freemason Rob Morris based on his belief that women should also have access to Masonic-like teachings and activities.
- It developed from French Lodges of Adoption which initiated women into Freemasonry in the 1700s.
- It evolved from the Hidden Mysteries social club for Master Masons and their wives formed in 1846.
- It was informal gatherings of Masons’ wives called “Eastern Star Clubs” prior to the official establishment of the Order in 1850.
Rob Morris was clearly a central early figure who standardized the ceremonies and rituals used by Eastern Star chapters. But there were likely informal gatherings of women with Masonic affiliations prior to Morris’ work in founding the official organization.
The Eastern Star spread rapidly across America in the late 1800s. It offered women and Masons an opportunity to strengthen the moral character of their community and provided a social outlet. By the start of the 20th century, nearly every state had an established Grand Chapter to govern local Eastern Star chapters.
Today, there are estimated to be over 500,000 members of the Eastern Star across the United States and chapters around the world. The international headquarters are housed at the Eastern Star Temple in Washington D.C.
Membership and Organization
Each local Eastern Star chapter must have a Masonic Lodge to sponsor it. The governing body is called the General Grand Chapter, which oversees state-level Grand Chapters. Grand Chapters have authority over the many local chapters in their jurisdiction.
To join the Eastern Star, a candidate must:
- Believe in a Supreme Being
- Be at least 18 years old (though some states allow younger petitioners)
- Be sponsored by two current Eastern Star members
- Complete a petition and investigation process
- Be elected to membership by current members
- Participate in an initiation ceremony
Men must be Master Masons to qualify. Women must have the appropriate Masonic affiliation through family or spousal relationship. If they do not, they can still join if they have gone through either the Rainbow Girls or Job’s Daughters program.
The officers in local chapters mirror those seen in Masonic lodges. The highest-ranking woman officer is the Worthy Matron, with the highest-ranking man being the Worthy Patron. Other officers have titles such as Associate Matron, Associate Patron, Secretary, Treasurer, Conductress and Associate Conductress.
Titles may vary between chapters, but the overall hierarchy and leadership roles are similar throughout the organization. The Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron oversee chapter meetings, initiate new members, and represent their chapter at state-level events.
Members are expected to pay annual dues to maintain membership privileges. Regular attendance at chapter meetings is encouraged but not necessarily required. Members who fall behind on dues or miss too many meetings may have privileges suspended until they rectify the situation.
Secrecy and Rituals
Despite being an organization open to both sexes, the Eastern Star maintains an air of secrecy around its rituals and activities. Meetings are closed to the public, and private initiation ceremonies welcome new members into the Order.
During initiations, candidates promise to safeguard the secrets and private affairs of the Order. However, the actual content of the rituals is fairly easy to find online or in books. The secrecy serves more as a solemn tradition rather than hiding extensive confidential information.
When entering a meeting, members use modes of recognition like handshakes, gestures, and passwords to prove their membership. But visiting members from other chapters are usually freely admitted without going through formal examinations.
The initiation ceremony revolves around candidates learning moral lessons by taking symbolic journeys inspired by events in the lives of five biblical heroines – Adah, Ruth, Esther, Martha, and Electa. They represent the virtues of duty, loyalty, service, faith, and love.
Other ceremonies are performed for installations of new officers and conferral of degrees. The teachings focus on reverence for God, respect for authority, honor, service, morality, and care for family.
While not explicitly Christian, ceremonies include prayers and references to the Bible and teachings of Jesus Christ. The Eastern Star serves to promote spiritual growth and character development inspired by biblical lessons and Masonic philosophies.
Traditions, Customs, and Activities
Local chapters of the Eastern Star host regular meetings to conduct official business, welcome new members, and deliver moral instruction. The specific customs and activities may vary by chapter, but there are some common traditions practiced.
Meetings usually open and close with a gavel knock from the Worthy Matron. Members stand and sing songs to open and close the session. Thesongs “Open Our Meeting Right” and “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder” are frequently sung.
The American flag is prominently displayed alongside the Eastern Star banner during meetings. Members salute the flag and may recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Readings from Scripture are common during meetings, though standard prayers and rituals may come from Masonic texts rather than the Bible directly. References to the five biblical heroines are liberally used in ceremonies.
Charity and community service is a strong focus for many chapters. Donations are collected during meetings, and volunteering for charitable projects is encouraged. Many chapters sponsor scholarships.
Social gatherings, banquets, and informal parties may supplement the official chapter meetings as another way to bond and support each other.
Members wear formal robes during initiation but may wear anything from casual clothing to dressy attire at normal meetings. Officers don jewels and sashes to signify their rank.
As a whole, chapters try to promote moral living, religious faith, community service, self-improvement, and strong character among members. The traditions and activities all aim to fulfill those objectives.
Relationship to Freemasonry
The fraternal bond between the Eastern Star and Masonry is very apparent through the symbolism, rituals, membership eligibility, and structural connections. However, the two are wholly separate organizations.
Women are not permitted to join regular Freemasonry. So the Eastern Star provides a way for female relatives of Masons to participate in a fraternal-like environment and apply Masonic teachings into their lives.
Similarities between the two groups include:
- Use of Masonic symbols like the square and compass in Eastern Star imagery
- Presence of Altars holding the Bible in meeting rooms
- Lodges provide sponsorships for chapters
- Teachings on morality align with Masonic beliefs
- Masonic center houses headquarters of the Eastern Star
But the Eastern Star operates as a distinct organization, including:
- Separate leadership structure at national, state, and local levels
- Unique rituals and ceremonies
- Different meeting protocols and member expectations
- Women hold highest leadership roles
- Membership eligibility extends beyond just Masons
Joint activities between Masonic lodges and Eastern Star chapters are common. But the Eastern Star remains an independent Order. Membership in one does not require joining the other.
Criticisms and Controversies
Due to its Masonic connections, secrecy, and exclusion of non-Christians, the Eastern Star has faced criticisms over the years, including:
- Exclusion of men who are not Master Masons and women without Masonic ties
- References to Jesus Christ in ceremonies seen as exclusionary toward non-Christians
- Perceived elitism, racism, and prejudice in membership policies and practices
- Keeping initiation rituals and meetings private
- Possible connections to the occult, offensive symbols, and anti-Christian beliefs by critics of Freemasonry
The Eastern Star maintains its practices are benevolent and open to all who meet qualification requirements. But requirements for Masonic affiliation have excluded non-whites and non-Christians at times.
Some conservative Christians allege connections to the occult and paganism based on the pentagram symbol and secrecy. However, most mainstream denominations do not object to Masonry or Eastern Star affiliation.
The Masonic connections and exclusivity remain controversial. But the organization has worked to promote inclusivity and tolerance in recent decades while maintaining its core principles and rituals.
Conclusion
The Eastern Star is an organization open to Master Masons and female relatives that promotes morality, faith, community service, and self-improvement through Masonic-inspired rituals and teachings. Chapters operate independently but maintain fraternal bonds with Masonic lodges.
The secretive nature, Christian focus, Masonic ties, and exclusive membership policies have faced criticism over the years. But the organization remains committed to its founding ideals of character development, religious reverence, and charity.
The Order of the Eastern Star offers its members, both male and female, a unique opportunity to live by moral standards established by Freemasonry through ceremonies and activities not found in regular Masonic lodges. For well over a century, it has provided a way for some women to participate in Masonic-like fraternity.