CAN ODD FELLOWSHIP BE AN ANTIDOTE TO A**HOLE CULTURE?

They seem to permeate every part of our culture: Entitled, arrogant people, who treat everyone around them like crap, take what they want, do what they want, and rise to positions of power in management, business, government, neighborhood associations, lodges, church boards, and nearly everywhere else. They see mistreating and destroying others as “just part […]

THE ENLIGHTENMENT, NATURE, AND REASON

The universe uses emblems or symbols to reveal itself to humanity. In ancient days, groups of philosophers and mystics used the symbols of the natural world to teach deep philosophical ideas to their initiates. The Rosicrucians, also originally known as Brothers of the Rose Cross, are an ancient Order supposedly connected to the Templars. The […]

Learn the Lodge Officer Jewels- new art by Ainslie Heilich

In order to help with the process of learning which piece of regalia goes where…and to answer the eternal question, “is this one for the Secretary or Financial Secretary?” I have designed this chart, using the same room layout image found in our charge books.

IOOF Ciphers designed by Ainslie Heilich

For a long time I have been a fan of Turbayne’s “Monograms and Ciphers” book so I was inspired to make some IOOF related ones. These are free for any Odd Fellow or Lodge to use for the Good of the Order so long as it is not for personal profit. If you are using these for a shirt I would love it if one was sent my way.

How AMC Installed a Lodge in Every TV in America, & We Missed It -by Ryan Sumner

I didn’t even realize the show existed, until we were several episodes into the season. I was shocked,”How did we not hear about this? How were Lodges not involved in the marketing? How did our Grand Lodge not notify us of it? Every great movement in history always has echoes in art, fashion, media and lifestyle. The West is in the midst of a revival in Fraternal Orders and we must capitalize on the awareness and exposure!” I had to check it out.

The All Seeing Eye and Objective Consciousness

Although pop culture (like the AMC show LODGE 49) idolizes lodge symbolism in general, there is absolutely no way those on the outside can ever understand our symbolism unless they are members of the Order of Odd Fellows. Because no matter how hard they try, they always miss the exact things to which our symbolism points. […]

I Have Never Seen the Righteous Forsaken

King David holds sway over Odd Fellowship, much as King Solomon, David’s son, holds sway over Freemasonry. David is represented in both our Initiatory and First Degrees. In the Initiatory Degree, many believe the Warden plays the role of King David. Others believe the Warden is simply the archetypal wise man. He is old, hard […]