Moon Lodge

What does it mean if a lodge is called a “Moon Lodge.”? Where did this term originate? Which lodges in the State of Mississippi still congregate and operate as a Moon Lodge?

During early 18th century Masonic expansion throughout the colonies, especially in rural communities without an abundant access to electricity, Lodges would fix their meetings around the full moon. The moon provided the membership with the natural illumination necessary to travel the several miles of rough terrain to attend their Lodge.

While many Grand Lodges across the United States have legislated Moon Lodges out of existence, other have allowed them to prosper, deeming it in accord with the ancient customs and traditions of Freemasonry. Moon Lodges often fix their stated communications on or just before a full moon, thus, it might be possible for a Moon Lodge to hold 13 stated communications during the course of a year.

The first mention of a Moon Lodges can be found in the 1410 Cooke Manuscript, one of the oldest Masonic documents in existence. During the Colonial era it is noted that Moon Lodges were operating in Philadelphia, Boston, and Tennessee. By the turn of the century over 3,000 Lodges were operating by the illumination of the full moon. Due to the difference between lunar and regular calendar dates, most Lodges now practice a much more regular schedule for their stated communications.

Beth Eden Lodge No. 205, Louisville, Mississippi, congregates and operates as a Moon Lodge. Dispensation was issued in 1855, and chartered on January 21, 1856. The Lodge moved its operations in 1895, and officially changed their name in 1904. According to the Blue Lodge Directory, they hold their stated meetings on the Saturday of or before the full moon.

The Mississippi Lodge of Research DXL (DXL being the Roman numerals for 640) was chartered in 2010, and also congregates and operates as a Moon Lodge. At the 2010 Annual Communication the Grand Lodge body ratified an amendment to its Statutes to permit the Mississippi Lodge of Research to not only move it stated communication frequency to a quarterly basis, but also allow the Lodge to assemble anywhere within the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi. The Mississippi Lodge of Research is dedicated to the investigation, archival and preservation of our Masonic organization.