ATLANTA YORK RITE PHA

The Order of the Eastern Star is a

fraternal organization that both men and women can join. It is based on teachings from the Bible, but is open to people of all theistic beliefs. Members of the Order are aged 18 and older; men must be Master

Masons and women must have specific relationships with Masons. Originally, a woman would have to be the daughter, widow, wife, sister, or mother of a Master Mason. Under certain circumstances as prescribed by the Grand Master, a woman may join through what is referred to as

“Open Bloodline”.

The Heroines of Jericho is an androgynous degree conferred in America on Royal Arch Masons, their wives, mothers, widows, sisters and daughters. It is an auxiliary to, and under the governance of, the Chapter of Holy Royal Arch Masons. The purpose of the Court of Heroines of Jericho is intended to instruct its female recipient in the high and noble

principles inculcated in the degrees which will appeal to the better instincts of the human mind and to make known to them the claims which they have upon the protection of their husbands, fathers and companions and to communicate to them an effectual method of proving those claims.

The Ladies of the Circle of Perfection is an auxiliary to and under the governance of the Council of Royal and Select Masters. The object of the organization is to: unite the female auxiliaries of the York Rite Bodies into a band of fraternity; to practice the art of ritual and ceremony; to promote wider diffusion of the principles of morality and friendship by established and significant emblems; to encourage the influence of females toward the purposes of instituting and increasing social enjoyments by aid of the Grand Council ties; to make better the condition of wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, widows, and the helpless orphan of Royal & Select Masters; and to afford increased facilities to provide benevolence and charity in relieving distressed travelers throughout the world.

The sister house to the Magnanimous Order of the Knights Templar, in some jurisdictions also known as The Order of the Heroines Templar Crusades, was founded to commemorate the history and traditions of the Women of the Crusades, and the contribution they made to this cause, and to perpetuate and foster the high and Noble qualities of unparalleled valor and heroism.