The Common Good: Mad Max and Little Lord Fauntleroy

The Common Good. “It is possible that people should combine for the common good; hence we have societies…united by a compact, which protects their members.” There are several things in the above quote that an Odd Fellow can observe. However, I’ll focus specifically upon the idea, put forth in the quote, of a social contract. […]

Bro. Mathew Yingling and the “Columbus Factor”

While it is true that idle curiosity caused me to join, what I found in the organization is what kept me coming back. It kept me going to meetings, researching, looking for ways to improve myself and my Lodge. My Lodge and the Order it belongs to impressed me in a way that nothing in the world ever has. It has presented me with the privilege to meet some of the greatest people I have ever met. Doing the work of the order and moving through the chairs has been one of the greatest honors I have ever been able to experience outside of fatherhood and my marriage to Jessica who shares in Odd Fellowship with me.

On the Edge of Revival

My theory is that the Gen X and Millennial generations are looking for something outside of formal religion that is fun, mysterious, and meaningful to help make sense of the chaotic world we live in today. People like me got intrigued by the history and the mystery of all of the symbols and rituals and it drew me to the order. I needed to feel like I was a part of something larger than myself. Something that was serious but didn’t take itself too seriously. Something that helps the community. Something that gives me a purpose and reminds me to do the right thing. Odd Fellows is all of those things and more.

The Heads of Giants

The Heads of Giants Human myth is full of giants. From the giant in “Jack and the Bean Stalk” to “David and Goliath” to the modern mythical giant “Godzilla.” But what do giants represent to ancient humanity and modern sensibilities? One of the ways we can begin to interpret the idea of “giant” is thinking […]

Odd Fellows Art Show!

I have seen the rose. I have seen the leaves.

Check this out through an Odd Fellow’s eyes.

Working With “Truth,” the Imperial Virtue

Working With Truth Our third degree, as everyone knows, is the Degree of Truth. Odd Fellows are told that “truth IS the imperial virtue.” But how do we know what truth is? How do we arrive at “truth?” Is there anything that can be called “THE truth?” Your Conductor’s goal here is to simply raise […]

Stick Cluster

Chains of Bigotry

Lessons and Charges From the Odd Fellows Companion, 1867, page 78-83 Updated language and syntax. Edited. Odd Fellow…go forth as a leader in the cause of the oppressed. Under such a cause, you may attack– with power and effect– the high, thick walls of Prejudice which shuts us away from our fellow humans; you may […]

Artwork: Reworking Old Images. Vol I.

Several years ago, I acquired this cast iron trivet/plaque. Despite the damage to the dove and the rough appearance I had fallen in love with this depiction of the heart in hand. It gave the appearance that the hand was giving the heart over, while still protecting it in its gentle embrace, like cradling a small bird. It is a simple yet powerful image. The bearer is both thoughtful and generous, careful yet ready to aid others. As Odd Fellows, we cannot just help anyone who comes to altar of aid.

All Seeing Eye

I won’t go into the meaning of the all seeing eye for Odd Fellows, but I will say that this symbol is everywhere these days: on clothing, as graffiti tags, as art, etc. So how is this symbol perceived by modern culture? Mostly, it seems to be seen as a representation of oppression. It represents […]

Category: Symbolism/Philosophy