Carry the Light of Friendship, Love, and Truth- by Ainslie Heilich

Here is a new motivational/inspirational image I made. Please feel free to share it in anyway you like! In FL&T Ainslie Heilich Tuscola #316

The Odd Fellows and Freemasons: Different Paths to the Same Goal

That’s what I wanted to introduce into our meetings at Homer Lodge—some deeper discussion into the self-improvement aspects of Freemasonry, the history, the esoteric teachings, and the symbolism found in our ritual traditions.

It occurred to me while I was scheduling speakers and topics for discussion, that there might be lessons the Odd Fellows and the Freemasons could learn from each other.

Part II Odd Fellows, Stoics, and Marcus Aurelius

Read Part I Stoicism was a popular philosophy of personal ethics in ancient Greece and Rome. It was popular until around the third century AD. It has been defined as “a moral philosophy that emphasizes the discipline and mastery of the emotions in order to reach a wiser, rational, and peaceful mindset.” There is an overlap with […]

Speech to the 2017 Delegates to the Pilgrimage Trip by David Scheer

Speech to the 2017 Delegates to the Pilgrimage Trip by David Scheer Peninsula Lodge #128, Portland, Oregon http://www.keepportlandodd.com First off, let be begin by saying thank you to our delegates. All three of you are amazing, and I am so proud that you represented us on the Pilgrimage trip this year. Now, I’ve been asked […]

Odd Fellows, Stoics, and Marcus Aurelius Part I

Stoicism was a popular philosophy of personal ethics in ancient Greece and Rome. It was popular until around the third century AD. It has been defined as “a moral philosophy that emphasizes the discipline and mastery of the emotions in order to reach a wiser, rational, and peaceful mindset.” Recently, Stoicism has seen a sort of […]

Recutting the Gem that is Odd Fellowship

Odd Fellowship is a unique gem cut from the sacred cave of wisdom. When you take a rough gem you then have to carefully cut the shape and facets using years of experience. We achieved our beautiful form of our philosophy in the 1800s and in it we set this jewel in the shining setting […]

What the Odd Fellows of Tomorrow Could Look Like

So many feel powerless in their daily lives, from dead end jobs and corporate slavery to societal expectations and financial limitations, people are craving empowerment over their chaotic lives. Odd Fellows can do all that and more. We just have to look inward to see the built in value that we have to offer our members that is currently being ignored.

Be the Match

You could the Match that ignites passion for Odd Fellowship in your Lodge!

For We Are But Shadows

For we are but shadows, floating for a moment over time soon to be dissipated by the light of eternity. Our sight is darkened by ignorance, our understanding by passion. Void of wisdom, we know it not. The lambs with wolves shall graze the mead, the steer and lion at one crib shall meet, and […]

What Every Struggling Lodge Needs. A Rainmaker Revival

For too long things have been allowed to settle. Leadership became a chore and seen as taking one’s turn in the big chair. Thousands of Lodges slowly began to rot on the vine in neglect under the long hot summer sun in the August of our Order as the fertile spring and summer gave way. But we can’t just walk away. There are still so many strong Lodges scattered out there and some that could be easily brought back from the brink with a little water and nurture.

All Earthly Greatness Goes Away

This is not a solid world in the way we may think of it. Sure, we see rocks as solid, concrete as solid, steel and other metals as solid. Yet, as our skull and bones emblem reminds us, all things decay, disintegrate, and transform. This is a reminder that the natural world around us is […]

Origins and Meanings of the Three Links

In this evolving research piece, I explore the many possible origins of the Three Links. They all have their merits and perhaps one of them is the truth. I also try to delve into the more esoteric symbolism behind the image and the lessons it has to teach us as we contemplate it. Much of this piece is up for interpretation and I welcome any dialogue on this subject.