The Pipe Ceremony
The bowl of the pipe represents the earth. Carved into the stone is the animal effigy representing your animal medicine and all the four-legged, winged and water animals that live upon Mother Earth. The stem of the pipe is made of wood, and this represents all that grows upon the earth. All things of the universe are represented by the grains of tobacco and are joined to you and brought to one single point – the bowl of the pipe – which really is the universe. Together with the people, they are all related; one family the pipe holds them all together. All who smoke the pipe send their voices to the Great Creator of life. When the ceremonial pipe is used properly it has enormous power. There are fixed rules to be carefully observed in lighting it, passing it from one person to another, in disposing of the ashes, and in doing the pipe ceremony properly