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Masonic Years

Derinique Kendrick

Registered User
I've heard this being referred to by a few Masons that I have talked to in general conversation. What does this entail and how different is it from the regular year?
 

chrmc

Registered User
Don't think it's really used within the Craft, but below is some info from the UGLE website.

Although there have been a number of Masonic dating systems, the most familiar to Craft Freemasons will be Anno Lucis (A.L.), which is the system that appears on certificates. Anno Lucis (the year of light) is based on a chronology that puts the year of creation as 4,004 B.C. and is traditionally derived by adding 4,000 to the year in question. For example 1717 A.D. the year Grand Lodge was formed would become 5717 A.L., and 2003 would become 6003 A.L. The system was not exclusive to Freemasons having been designed by an Irish cleric James Ussher (1581-1656) many years before the formation of Grand Lodge in 1717. (MC, April 2003)

Also check http://bessel.org/masdates.htm
 
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Companion Joe

Premium Member
It is used on certificates and such, not on minutes or bills or anything (at least that I've ever seen).
There are separate dating systems for the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council, and Commandery.
 

Brother JC

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
It is used in our minute books, on cornerstones, and on certificates. And as mentioned, Appendant Bodies have there own, all of which are listed in the NM Monitor, and perhaps yours, as well.
 
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Brother JC

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
MASONIC CALENDARANCIENT CRAFT MASONS - Commence their era with the creation of the world, calling it ANNO LUCIS (A.L.) "in the year of light."SCOTTISH RITE - Same as Ancient Craft, except the Jewish chronology is used, ANNO MUNDI (A.M.) "in the year of the world."ROYAL ARCH MASONS - Date from the year the second temple was commenced by Zerubbabel, ANNO INVENTIONIS (A.Inv.) "in the year of discovery."ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS - Date from the year in which the Temple of Solomon was completed, ANNO DEPOSITIONIS (A. Dep.) "in the year of deposit."KNIGHTS TEMPLAR - Commence their year with organization of their order, ANNO ORDINIS (A.0.) "in the year of the Order.
"Rules for Masonic dates: Ancient Craft Masons -Add 4000 years to the common era. Thus: 1932plus 4000 gives 5932. Scottish Rite -Add 3760 years to the common era. Thus 1932plus 3760 gives 5692. Royal Arch -Add 530 years to the common era. Thus: 1932 and530 gives 2462.Royal and Select Masters -Add 1000 years to the common era. Thus: 1932plus 1000 gives 2932. Knights Templar -From the common era deduct 1118. Thus: 1932 minus 1118 gives 814.
 

phulseapple

Premium Member
I've heard this being referred to by a few Masons that I have talked to in general conversation. What does this entail and how different is it from the regular year?
When I hear the term "masonic year" I think of the time period that my jurisdiction is active, or has meetings. For me in NY, that would be from September through the end of May.
 
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