The Rite of Adoption, a Masonic rite, originated in France in the 18th century and was first organized in secret societies imitating Freemasonry for the admission of females as members. Lodges of adoption were usually attached to regular craft lodges, but admitted female relatives of Freemasons to a mixed lodge with its own ritual. The number of degrees varied over its history, but the first three bore the meaning of “Israelites”, which belong to the adoption, glory, covenants, giving of the law, worship, and promises.
The doctrine of adoption is central to Christian faith, teaching that the true and living God, the Creator of the heavens, is the true and living God. The Global Digital Compact (GDC), annexed to the Pact for the Future, commits the world’s key players to discussing how to address the challenges of the 21st century. Adopted children’s rights, also known as “adoptee rights”, are legal and social rights automatically given to non-adopted persons.
The Rite of Adoption has a different meaning than generally assumed, as it is a synonym of an “initiation lodge”. The average Lodge has around 40 members, and attendance is around 40. The organization bears a very imperfect resemblance to Freemasonry in its forms and ceremonies, and was established in France for the initiation process.
The Rituals, or Ceremonials, are the means by which members teach themselves about the Craft and follow a designated “rite”. The Rite of Adoption is a Masonic rite that has been practiced in Europe, particularly in France, and has never been introduced into America.
📹 Two Things MASONS are FORBIDDEN to Discuss!
In this video, Scottish Rite Freemason Maynard Edwards, 32 KCCH reveals the two things Freemasons are forbidden to discuss …
What are the three types of Masons?
Degrees are initiation ceremonies in Masonry, indicating progression to membership. The Lodge confers three degrees: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. These degrees are based on the journeymen system, used to educate medieval stonemasons and craftsmen. Degrees are used in colleges and universities today to indicate completion of a course of study. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in each degree before proceeding to the next.
Degree ceremonies pass Masonry’s teachings and principles from generation to generation, serving as sources of knowledge, inspiration, and pride for both candidates and lodge members. Candidates receive respect during all three ceremonies, ensuring they feel comfortable and respected.
What does a Masonic symbol stand for?
The apron, the unique badge of a Mason, is worn by Masons at lodges and public events. The square and compass are the most common symbols in Masonry, representing Freemasons and Masonic lodges worldwide. The letter G, symbolizing geometry, is often seen in the center of these symbols. The plumb and level ensure vertical and horizontal flushness, symbolizing justice, rectitude, and the importance of living uprightly. The trowel, a key working tool in stonemasonry, is used to spread brotherly love and unite a sacred band or society of friends.
The rough and perfect ashlars represent man in his crude form, while the perfect ashlar represents the man who has become more polished through Masonry teachings. Every Masonic lodge has representations of two pillars, replicas of the two columns that flanked King Solomon’s temple entrance. The winding staircase is another symbol inspired by King Solomon’s temple, referring to the steps leading from the entryway to the middle chamber of the temple.
Other Masonic symbols include the beehive, acacia tree, 47th Problem of Euclid, Ark of the Covenant, anchor, cable tow, sheaf of corn, gavel, and blazing star. Hollywood blockbusters like National Treasure and bestsellers like Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code and The Lost Symbol have sensationalized Freemasonry’s symbols, often containing more fiction than fact. For example, the image of the eye and pyramid on the dollar bill does not appear in regular Masonic ritual or symbolism. Instead, the all-seeing eye, sometimes called the eye of providence, is used by Masons to represent the omniscient eye of God.
What is the sacred Masonic symbol?
The All Seeing Eye, also known as the Masonic Eye or Eye of Providence, is a widely recognized symbol of Freemasonry, featured on the American dollar bill since 1797. Introduced in a publication of the Freemasons Monitor, it represents the eye of God and serves as a reminder to Freemasons that God is always watching over their actions and thoughts. Although Freemasons cannot claim an entire letter of the alphabet as their own, they frequently use the letter G in their symbolism.
What is the oldest Masonic ritual?
The Edinburgh Register House manuscript of 1696 is considered the world’s oldest masonic ritual, containing features of speculative ritual. It starts with a catechism for proving a person with the Mason Word is really a mason, requiring the person seeking entry to name their lodge as Kilwinning, attributing its origin to Lodge Mother Kilwinning in Ayrshire. The first lodge is ascribed to the porchway of King Solomon’s Temple, and the form of the lodge is outlined in a question and answer session, often being highly allegorical.
A fellow craft is also expected to know and explain a masonic embrace called the five points of fellowship. The second half of the document describes all or part of an initiation ritual as the “form of giving the mason word”.
The Airlie MS, discovered in 2000 by Dr. Helen Dingwall, is the only manuscript of the Scottish School of Masonry with certainty of its origins. Named after the Earls of Airlie, the MS is of immense importance in understanding the origins of Freemasonry before the Grand Lodge era. Other manuscripts from Scotland and Ireland provide early ritual that largely confirm the text of the Edinburgh Register House manuscript, with the Mason Word being written down as “Matchpin” in the Trinity College text.
What is the oldest rite in the Catholic Church?
The Greek Liturgy of St. James is the oldest and original of the Antiochene liturgies, which are part of the Antiochian Rite, a family of liturgies used by the patriarch of Antioch. The Apostolic Constitutions is the primary source for the history of the Antiochene Rite, which contains two liturgical outlines and the oldest known complete liturgy. All Antiochene liturgies follow the same basic structure, including Syriac, Palestinian, and Byzantine liturgies, with key constants.
What is the purpose of an initiation rite?
Teenagers face a significant developmental task of fitting in and being accepted socially by their peers. Initiation rites are crucial for meeting the needs of teenagers and the group, as they build relationships, understand the history and culture, and understand the group’s history. These rites are comprised of pro-social behaviors that build social relationships, empathy, civility, altruism, and moral decision-making. A survey showed that 98% of students, both girls and boys, reported involvement in at least one community-building initiation activity.
Half of the students reported only this type of initiation activity. Students were more likely to be involved in positive initiation rites and not hazing if they were female, had a higher GPA, did not know an adult who was hazed, or thought hazing was socially unacceptable. They were involved in sports, scholastic groups, music, art, or theater groups, or social organizations. Students understood the importance of community-building activities to initiate new members, and by a three-to-one margin, they responded with community-building activities when asked about activities not listed on the survey form.
What does the Masonic orb symbolize?
The Masonic Orb, which is shaped like a spherical universe, features a cross symbolizing the four cardinal points. This symbolism demonstrates the Masonic belief in universal principles.
What does it mean to be adoptive?
An adoptive parent is someone who adopts a child, often raising them by grandparents or family members instead of their biological parents. Once the adoption is finalized, the adoptive son enjoys all the rights of a natural son. However, sometimes, relationships between adoptive foster parents and infants are disrupted to reunite sibling groups, making it challenging to find adoptive parents.
What is the meaning of Masonic initiation rites?
Solomon’s Temple is a central symbol of Freemasonry, a religious organization that holds that the first three Grand Masters were King Solomon, King Hiram I of Tyre, and Hiram Abiff. Masonic initiation rites involve reenacting a scene set on the Temple Mount during the degree. Every Masonic lodge is symbolically the Temple for the duration of the degree and possesses ritual objects representing its architecture.
Historically, Freemasons used signs, grips, and passwords to identify legitimate Masonic visitors from non-Masons. Today, Freemasons use dues cards and other forms of written identification. This symbolism overlaps with symbolism in the Latter-day Saint Movement.
Why do Masons say so mote it be?
The Old Charges and other sources conclude a section with the phrase “Amen, amen, so mote hyt it be – so saye we all for charity” or “may it be so” or “so shall it be”. The term “mote” is derived from the Old Anglo-Saxon word “motan”, meaning “to be allowed”. The expression “So Mote It Be” is a masonic “amen” that was first found in the Regius Poem of 1390 and the Cooke manuscript of 1400. The two expressions have virtually acquired their meanings over centuries of use.
In England, “Amen” is used at Grace before refreshment after a ceremony, while “So mote it be” is used within the lodge room as indicated by the ritual. In Australia, “So Mote It Be” is used in the lodge room and either at Grace.
What is the adoptive rite?
The Adoptive Rite is a book of instructions for the organization, government, and ceremonies of chapters of the Order of the Eastern Star, arranged by Robert Macoy, Grand Secretary of the Supreme Grand Chapter. The book provides a comprehensive history of the Order, arranged alphabetically by the names of its chapters. The book was published by Masonic Publishing Company in 1868 and is copyrighted by the Masonic Publishing and Manufacturing Company. The rituals of the Eastern Star are a testament to their dedication to their beliefs and practices.
📹 Q&A: Order of the Eastern Star
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My husband is now master of his lodge and he told me I will be now asked to join ( our state needs younger members). I thank you greatly for your primer to what I will be in for. I am very ready to dedicate myself to the tenants of Poverty, Obedience, Service and Modesty. May all that hunger be fed and all that shiver be clothed.
Love the tie Brother! Thanks for the link. I learned quite a bit from this article. My wife is in the process of joining OES. My Lodge does not have an associated chapter, so she is joining the chapter near where we live. She got introduced to OES by some ladies in her exercise class as they found out through conversation that I was a MM. I have yet to decide is I will join, I will wait to hear from my wife and see how she feels about it. We like to have “our own things” and “things we do together”, so we will see how she feels about OES!
The grandfathers on my mother’s mother side going back hundreds of years were all Masons, and they were NOT devil worshipers, nor are the Eastern Stars, they love and serve Lord Jesus, if they were what some are saying, Lord Jesus would have not allowed them to continue. Electa lady may have represented Mary sister of Martha and Lazarus, or even Lydia, seller of purple, what do you think?
Like the tie, W∴ Bro.! Quick question: I heard a couple weeks ago from a Past Worthy Patron that new eligibility requirements for women are coming down from the General Grand Chapter. He said that in the near future, instead of having to be related to a Master Mason or having to spend at least three years in Rainbows or Job’s Daughters, a woman wishing to join will only require the endorsements of two Master Masons in good standing. Have you or your wife heard anything about this change?
I believe my family members were eastern stars we derive from the stats of Scotland raised Presbyterian my mother and her sister were taken to church for eastern star classes! Any information would be appreciated!! A few years ago someone paid for me to go to Rosacrucian school I did not return the literature due to not knowing why would someone send me to rosacrucian school
Awesome article! This really answered a lot of my questions. I’m looking into joining my local chapter as my great grandfather was a master mason for 50 years & my great grandmother was a member of the OES. I do have to ask, I am curious why 1 woman wouldn’t also need to be at the Freemason meeting? Since you mentioned the discussion of scripture taking place at the OES meetings, I am assuming discussion of scripture takes place at a Freemason meeting as well. I’d also assume the same rationale of having a male present for the OES meetings would apply for Freemasons needing a women at their meetings to help their interpretation of the scripture. Could you provide some insight on this topic? Great article!👍🏻
Great article as always Jered, love the tie by the way,and you done an awesome job on my last question so here I come with another,I recently read about”Green”degrees of York rite, have you heard of these, anyway my question is what are they and are they practiced in America?, More so the southern jurisdiction,thank you and I’m looking forward to your response! God bless
Greetings from California! I don’t know if you are still monitoring or working on this website, but I thought I would add some information for you and other interested parties. Most of what you said is correct up to a point, but not the entire story. In fact, I would dare to say that most Eastern Star people don’t even know the full story. The Order of the Eastern Star was the initiatory degree of the eventual 3 degree order of what was originally known as the “Adoptive Rite of the World.” It was to be a three degree order intended to reflect the three degrees of the blue lodge. After the first degree was instituted, Masonry came under a huge amount of criticism for involving women. They were accused of taking women out of the home, giving them airs above their station, and other such nonsense. The second degree, called, “The Queen of the South,” was created to address this issue. It takes place in the court of King Solomon, who has been given a mandate from God to share certain information with other leaders. The Queen of Sheba visits to receive this special information, but Solomon says, “Sorry, you’re just a woman.” One by one the members of the court stand up to defend women, citing references from scripture that shows they are trustworthy, intelligent, righteous, and have been called by God at different times to serve His purposes. In the end, of course, Solomon says, “I see I have been wrong, etc.” The third degree, created about 10 years on by Robert McCoy was The Order of the Amaranth.
I have a question about (re)joining a masonic lodge in relation to tattoos and or bady art. I have a facial tattoo on my forehead ((NOT by choice, was drugged at a party as a teenager) I was previously an entered apprentice in Florida (before the tattoo) and have since come to greatly regret leaving Florida and my lodge. I wish to continue my education. would my tattoo block me from joining ? (crescent moon on forehead) ((edit– Your tie looks good))
I ask how can something be good and evil???????? The flaming star, which, when turned upside down, is the hierolgyphic (sic) sign of the goat of Black Magic, whose head may be drawn in the star, the two horns at the top, the ears to the right and left, the beard at the bottom. It is the sign of antagonism and fatality. It is the goat of lust attacking the heavens with its horns.”
hello. would jabez richardson count if he isn’t my direct ancestor but close family or one of the richardsons in texas their cousins? how would i find out if my father was, he carried a masonic card in his wallet and showed his membership he was a master builder is what i thought it said but i was a kid when i saw it and i wouldnt know which lodge?
7:37 this is my biggest contempt towards “secret societies” Y’all aren’t secret anymore and not just all lessons, but even “master” interpretations can be easily accessed by anyone who knows how to look. Maybe it’s because I’m connected with too many “masters” who I know aren’t masters of themselves much less an order of human souls who desire a better life. If I were to remake it, there would be no structured body. There would be people coming together based on discovery and shared interpretations. No rules on external appearances or internal mechanics. If your soul aligns, that is what matters. Anyone can worm their way through a system of restrictions and choke points. It takes true wisdom to ascend with no ladder to climb.
How did the eastern star originate in the west?? Lol. That’s number 1 #2- I don’t believe shit in the Bible any more. Too many contradictions which led to toooo many questions that no humans can answer. However it does states that the three wise men noticed a star in the east. Eastern star?! Not a coincidence. Checkmate!!!