The Modern Odd Fellow's Guide
What if the story of the Good Samaritan is about YOU and your personal suffering? Taken as a whole, The Good Samaritan story can be about your own “inner suffering.” Those nights you are alone and cry yourself to sleep. Your anguish at not being able to achieve your goals, or that nagging addiction part […]
Read More Following Yourself On The Jericho RoadCONSIDER THE POOR. (Adapted and edited for the 21st century reader from The Symbol and Odd Fellows Magazine, 1845. I used 19th/early 20th century photos and drawings to keep with the tone of the article) We call the attention of our readers to the following excerpt, from a report, made by the Episcopal city missionary, Bro. […]
Read More CONSIDER THE POOR, 1845.I have often been asked if I consider myself to be more of a traditionalist or a reformer when it comes to Odd Fellowship. I actually don’t consider those to be a contradiction, however. Odd Fellowship itself has evolved considerably over the years, from the “convivial society” of the 1700’s through the height of ritual and symbolism during the 1800’s and the charitable and service focus of the 1900’s. I do not yet know what this century will bring, but I do know that there is much of value in our past.
Read More Traditional Odd Fellowship, by Michael GreenzeigerA terrific video about why we, in the 21st century, are considered by some to be the loneliest people in world history. This video interview has adult language.
Read More THE LONELINESS EPIDEMIC: Make Odd Fellows Your Tribe.To answer the title question, I’m not sure. Just tossing this idea out there, so I may change my mind. I first became aware of the notion of an Odd Fellows pledge period through the reading of the Davis Lodge #169 of California website. Davis Lodge #169 has new candidates go through a pledge period, […]
Read More Should Your Lodge Have A Pledge Period for Candidates?I started thinking about the physical and spiritual sacred space of the Lodge and how it acts to bring people together. During the Opening Ritual we physically seal the room by securing the doors and covering the windows from the outside world and its influences and we spiritually strip ourselves of who we are on the outside and take on the mantle of our respective office.
Read More Coming Together Where the World is Shut Out – New Art by Ainslie HeilichThe issue of religion in Odd Fellowship pops up often these days. And for those who aren’t Odd Fellows, nearly all members understand The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is NOT a church. In fact we have less religion in our Order than many other fraternal orders. It’s just that many U.S. Odd Fellows want […]
Read More Odd Fellowship, Religion, and CompromiseI have been thinking a lot about the motive that gives one entrance to the Mysteries. A while ago I had a dream in which a teacher directed his attention to me: “Do you think a tradition with so many schisms can really offer anything towards your spiritual development?“
That is a question that I would like to explore in this paper.
Read More ON THE THRESHOLD OF THE PATH: CONTEMPLATION ON THE MOTIVE THAT ADMITS ONE TO THE MYSTERIES OF THE AGELESS WISDOM – by Teike Van BadenThis TED Talk reflects upon ideas of the Initiatory Degree: Here’s a TEDx Talk from Australia and ties to the Degree of Friendship. This kid has a great idea, and one that a lodge somewhere might be able to work on…in fact why not get your Grand Lodge to move this forward? Every lodge […]
Read More 5 less than 12 Minute TED Talks for Odd FellowsA Mystic Master once said, “To visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead, and educate the orphan is the command of our laws, and a duty which we require.“ There’s not a better statement than the one above for a new Odd Fellow to hear. The statement is both a warning and an […]
Read More Advice For InitiatesCan you do without human sympathy? Humanitarianism is the view that all human beings deserve respect and dignity. Humanitarians work towards advancing the well-being of humanity as a whole. It is the antithesis of the “us vs. them” mentality that characterizes tribalism. Humanitarianism drives people to save lives, alleviate suffering, and promote human dignity. Humanitarianism […]
Read More Odd Fellowship, Humanitarianism, PREACH IT!!I have been working on some minimalism/geometric monoline designs to represent the Degrees of Odd Fellowship. It was tough to figure out what symbols to include or exclude, but I am pleased with the overall inclusion.
These designs are available in the Heart in Hand Store, and are able to be placed on tons of unique products if tshirts aren’t your thing. As always, all proceeds benefit my home Lodge.
Read More New Symbol Shirt Designs by Ainslie Heilich
Heart in Hand 