The Order of the Star of the East is a Masonic organization that has an avowed purpose of charity, brotherhood, education and science. With over half a million members worldwide, the Order of the Eastern Star is one of the largest brotherhoods to which men and women can belong. In general, membership in the Order is restricted to men who are already Freemasons and their female relatives, although some women who are members of specific Masonic orders may also qualify.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Qualifying for Member State
Step 1. You must be at least 18 years old
The Order of the Eastern Star is an order associated with Freemasonry. Therefore, many of the requirements to enter the Order are the same as those required by Freemasonry. For example, as with Freemasons, members of the Order of the Eastern Star must be adults, i.e. 18 years or older, to be able to join.
Note that some Masonic lodges may have set a minimum age for entry of up to 25 years. These local rules do not affect the minimum age required by the Order of the Eastern Star, which is always 18 years old
Step 2. Believe in a supreme being
Although Masonic organizations are not religions or cults in and of themselves, they do have spiritual components. For this reason, the Order, like any other Masonic organization, asks members to believe in a superior being. This belief does not have to be well defined; however, explicitly atheist people are not allowed.
Note that, like all Masonic organizations, the Order of the Eastern Star is open to people of all faiths. All that is needed is to believe in a supreme being, whose form and name will remain private
Step 3. If you are a man, you must be a Master Mason
Men who want to join the Order must already be fully recognized as Master Masons (it is not enough to be Apprentices, nor Companions in the Trade). The process of becoming a Mason requires learning and recognizing Masonic values, memorizing Masonic catechisms, and much more. For a detailed guide on how to join Freemasonry, read our guide on this. Note that, to become a Freemason, you must:
- Being a man
- Be over 18-25 years old, depending on the lodge (21 is the commonly required minimum age)
- Have a good reputation
- Believe in a higher being (see above)
- Be able to financially support yourself and your family (if you have one)
- Live an ethical and moral life
- Have a deep desire to improve yourself, your community and the world.
Step 4. If you are a woman, you must be the relative of a Freemason
Women are usually not allowed into Freemasonry. They can still join the Order of the Eastern Star if they have a qualifying relationship with a man who is an affiliated Master Mason. These relationships include most family ties (by blood or by marriage). A woman who is related to a Master Mason in one of these ways can join the Order:
- Wives, daughters (including legally adopted daughters), mothers, widows, grandchildren, stepmothers, sisters, stepsisters, stepdaughters, daughter-in-law, grandmothers, great-grandchildren, grandchildren, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunts and first or second cousins.
- Also note that female applicants must maintain the same ethical and social standards as male applicants.
Step 5. Alternatively, become an active member of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls (OIAR) or the International Order of the Daughters of Job (OIFG)
Women who do not have any of the aforementioned relationships but who are active members of the OIAR or the OIFG can still join the Order of the Eastern Star. Both of these organizations are Freemasonry-affiliated youth organizations that allow girls aged 10 (OIFG) and 11 (OIAR) to enter.
Note that the Organization of Triangles or the Young Star Constellation (two organizations present only in New York state) also provide the opportunity for women to have membership status
Part 2 of 2: Joining the Order of the Eastern Star
Step 1. Talk to a current member
If you meet the requirements described above, you can apply to join the Order of the Eastern Star. The easiest way to do this would be to talk to a friend or relative who is already a member. This person will most likely be familiar with the local lodge and can give you the advice you need to make an informed decision.
Furthermore, this person could be an important reference figure. Since members of all Masonic organizations must have a good reputation, a word given by someone who is already a member could greatly increase your chances of success
Step 2. Contact the local lodge
You do not necessarily have to know a member of the Order to apply. To begin the process, call the lodge that is closest to you. The exact instructions and requirements of each lodge may vary, so contacting her directly is a good way to make sure you have all the information you need to join.
- If you are not sure which lodge of the Order of the Eastern Star is closest to you, consult the official list on the Order's website. This contains links to all regional pages of every lodge of the Order in the world, which includes various lodges outside the United States and Canada.
- Each of the regional lodge pages in the list should contain information about subordinate lodges near you. If you can't find one, try contacting the regional Grand Lodge directly.
Step 3. Submit your entry application
Like the Freemasons themselves, the Order requires applicants to complete and submit an official application which will be reviewed for membership. Usually the application is a small official form (which you receive directly from the Order) which demonstrates your eligibility and your desire to become a member. The procedure can vary from lodge to lodge, but, in general, you will need to give this basic information:
- Basic personal information (name, contacts, etc.)
- A recognition of the belief in a higher being
- An acknowledgment that you live in the jurisdiction of that lodge
- Information about your Masonic status (or kinship with a Freemason)
- Sometimes the official documentation of your Masonic status (or that of your relative)
- A small application fee (usually returned if rejected).
Step 4. Try to get the majority of the lodge votes
Applications are received and carefully read by the lodge once they have been sent. If you are found eligible, the lodge members will vote on your application. This vote determines whether or not you will be admitted to the lodge. If you are judged as a person of good reputation and high moral, ethical and mental qualities, you will likely be accepted.
Note that most lodges allow you to ask for admission more than once, even if you are initially refused
Step 5. Start attending your lodge meetings
Once you have been admitted to the Order of the Eastern Star, you will be notified (and your application fee will remain in the lodge coffers). The meetings of Masonic organizations are secret, so it is not possible to know what you will talk about or what you will do at the first meeting (apart from that, know that it will be something safe, dignified and in line with the high moral standards of Freemasonry). However, it is worth noting the following official information regarding membership of the Order:
- Members can choose how long to spend on the Order
- Your financial well-being does not determine your membership
- There is no compulsory work for members of the Order
- Members are not required to compromise their faith or patriotism to maintain membership.
Advice
- The organization has line officers. The Degna Matrona and the Degno Patrono lead the group for a limited period of office.
- Members do social activities such as breakfasts, parties, and go to social functions at other lodges.
- The meetings are held with the door closed as for Freemasonry.
- The Order of the Eastern Star is not a religion. It is a brotherhood made up of male and female members.
- Those interested can take part in "open" meetings or installations to learn more about the organization.
- Members participate in philanthropic and charitable activities.
- The Order was founded in 1850 by Dr. Robert Morris, who was a poet graduate of Freemasonry.
- The Order of DeMolay is an affiliated fraternity for boys.
- Retirement homes are available for older members.
