Q&A for How to Join the Order of Eastern Star

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  • Question
    What qualifications do I have to become an Eastern Star?
    Community Answer
    18 years old, family member a mason/Eastern Star, majority votes from Chapter members, can attend meetings and pay dues.
  • Question
    If my great-grandparents were both members of the Masonic Temple in Hamilton, Ohio, and I joined when I was 10 through the Job's Daughters, can I become an Eastern Star member if they have passed on?
    Community Answer
    Yes. If you left JD honorably, via age limit or marriage, you should have been made a Majority Member. There is a ceremony for that, and they should have given you a slip for your wallet verifying you as a Lifetime Majority Member. Contact your bethel about that. As long as you can prove you are related to a Master Mason, even if he has passed on, you can be considered for Eastern Star.
  • Question
    Can I become an Eastern Star if I am the daughter of a Master Mason?
    Community Answer
    If your father is in good standing with his lodge, then yes you can. On the petition you list how you are related and what lodge they belong to. The person on the committee will verify he was in good standing.
  • Question
    Can I become an Eastern Star member if a grandparent was one?
    Community Answer
    If your grandparent was a male, he would have been required to be a Master Mason before entering Eastern Star, so he would be your relation that would allow you to enter OES. If your grandparent was a female, she would have been required to be related by blood to a Master Mason, which ultimately means so are you, and therefore you would be eligible to join as well.
  • Question
    What are the initiation rituals for the Order?
    Community Answer
    Members are not allowed to disclose this information. However, it is based on rituals that have lasted hundreds of years.
  • Question
    My grandfather was a 33rd Degree Mason in Knoxville, Tennessee, and my grandmother was a woman's member also. How do I find information about their membership so that I may join a local lodge?
    Laura A
    Community Answer
    Call the grand lodge in Tennessee and give their first and last legal names, they will look it up and give you information and answer any questions you might have.
  • Question
    What is the fee to join the Order of the Eastern Star?
    Community Answer
    Each Chapter is different. The best way to find out is to Google your state's Grand Chapter website and contact the Grand Secretary.
  • Question
    If my mother-in-law is a member, can I join?
    Community Answer
    You can if you have a Masonic relation either living or deceased in good standing. That relation can be by blood or marriage.
  • Question
    Can I become active again if I have been a member, but have not been active?
    Community Answer
    As long as you have been paying your dues, you are a member and are welcome to be as active as you can be.
  • Question
    How can I find out who heads the petition?
    Community Answer
    You could try contacting the local organization directly.
  • Question
    Is it possible to join the Order of Eastern Star if I don't have an affiliation to a male member?
    Community Answer
    By your question I'm assuming you're female. As a female, you'd have to either be related in a specific way to a master mason or you have been a member of the Rainbow Girls, Job's Daughters, the Organization of Triangles, or the Constellation of Junior Stars. You could possibly join one of these organizations: they have an age limit of 20. If you're older than that, your only other option is to become related to a member, possibly through marriage.
  • Question
    Is it true there are human sacrifices?
    Community Answer
    No, nobody is ever sacrificed. All religions are respected, although many teachings are based on the Bible, and all federal, state, and local laws are followed.
  • Question
    Am I too old to join if I am in my 40s?
    Community Answer
    No, most chapters in our jurisdiction (AF & AM) allow new applicants up to age 55; but other affiliations may have different age restrictions, or none at all. An applicant must be in good health with an accompanied Doctor's Health Certificate.
  • Question
    Can transgendered people join?
    Community Answer
    As a point of order, all Eastern Star members are encouraged to love one another, and the only requirements are that you believe in a Supreme Being (of any kind), you have a Master Mason as a blood relative, and that you are of good moral standing. There shouldn't be any other factors that would disqualify you. By all means, do apply.
  • Question
    Where do I mail my application and fee if I live in Muskegon, MI?
    Community Answer
    Find your nearest chapter by searching for 'OES Michigan Chapters' and you'll get a complete listing.
  • Question
    My mother was an Eastern Star member and my father was a Mason. Both parents are deceased and I'm really interested in becoming a member now. How do I join?
    Community Answer
    Contact the lodge your father was affliated with or the Grand Lodge of that state. They have a listing.
  • Question
    If my grandmother was an Eastern Star and has passed on, could I still join?
    Community Answer
    If your grandmother was an Eastern Star, she would have been related by blood to a Master Mason whom she used as her Masonic-relative to join. Use her name on your petition, and explain that you are unsure of her relation. The chapter should be able to look up your grandmother's petition, and therefore you should also be eligible to join.
  • Question
    Could a grandmother bring in a granddaughter to the OES? Could a biological sister bring in her sister?
    Community Answer
    Female relatives of Master Masons are eligible for membership in Eastern Star. Therefore, if your grandmother was OES, she would have had a blood relation Master Mason, which means the granddaughter would also be eligible through the same bloodlines. On the petition for membership, the granddaughter could reference her grandmother's name, and the chapter should be able to retrieve the grandmother's petition to confirm the Master Mason's name.
  • Question
    If I have a family member who is a mason in another state, can I use their credentials to become an Eastern Star?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you just need to know their name, and ideally where they attended. When you have contacted your local chapter, they will want that information and they will confirm it.
  • Question
    If my brother is a Master Mason, can I join?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you may apply and if you fit the criteria of that organization, you are able to join because of your family affiliations.
  • Question
    How can I get reinstated?
    Community Answer
    Contact your local chapter and see what the procedure entails to become reinstated.
  • Question
    If a family member was a member of Eastern Star and is deceased, can I fill out an application using her as my reference?
    Community Answer
    No, but if she was a member, you would be related to a Mason as well. Figure out who she used as her relation for her petition. If she joined OES because she was a Rainbow Girl, she might not have had a Masonic relative.
  • Question
    What is the secret handshake of the Order of the Eastern Star?
    Community Answer
    This information is only shared between members of the Order of the Eastern Star.
  • Question
    How can I transfer to another chapter?
    Community Answer
    Demits are possible and dual memberships in more than one chapter is also possible.
  • Question
    Can I join if I know people that are members?
    Community Answer
    If you also meet membership requirements yourself, of course. While you will certainly make new friends in an organization like OES, it's wonderful to already have friends as members.
  • Question
    Can an adulterer become an eastern star?
    Community Answer
    Yes, they can, as long as they're voted into the log/chapter. If the person is investigated prior to accepting membership though, they won't be allowed to join.
  • Question
    Do I have to wear a dress for initiation?
    Community Answer
    If you are female, yes. If you are male, no. If you are male you are required to wear a suit coat.
  • Question
    Is there an age limit to joining the Order of the Eastern Star?
    Community Answer
    There is no maximum age, but you must be at least 18 years of age to join and have a masonic affiliation, by blood or marriage.
  • Question
    My father was a Mason, but he passed away. He wanted me to join the Eastern Star. How do I proceed?
    Community Answer
    Just contact your local chapter. Joining is quite simple. You will fill out an application that includes your father's name. They will meet with you and most likely welcome you with open arms.
  • Question
    Can I be a member if no one in my family is a Mason?
    Community Answer
    There is almost always a Mason somewhere in everyone's family. Most chapters will be happy to point you in the right direction to help you find one.
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