Pipe Carriers
There are two types of pipes. A personal pipe can be owned by anyone, and be used to
pray on his or her own behalf. It should not, however, be shared. Pipe Carriers, on the
other hand, carry a pipe on behalf of the people. If there is need, the Pipe Carrier will
use the pipe to pray for the people, to call in the spirits for a gathering or ceremony, or
perhaps for healing or teaching.
In the First Nation tradition, a Pipe Carrier is born to the task. There is no way to earn
this privilege - it is something you were given before you arrived on this Earth.
The Symbolism Of The Pipe
The bowl of the pipe, with its hole for accepting the pipe stem, represents the
woman; the stem, then, represents the man. Joining the pipe symbolizes a
union and a balance between male and female aspects of
the world. At the same time, the stone of the bowl
represents the spirits of the inorganic things of our
world, while the wooden stem represents the
organic beings. While other symbols may be
added through carvings or decorations, these are
very powerful, and are present in all pipes.
The Pipe Ceremony
An entire ceremony surrounds the use of the personal pipe for praying, which allows you to adopt the correct frame of mind for the prayer.
Prior to handling the pipe, ensure that you have smudged. Also, when the pipe is removed from its container, it must be smudged as well. When you join the pipe, be aware that you are creating a sacred moment in time. As you handle the pipe, use your left hand to hold the bowl, and your right to hold the stem.
Loading the pipe is done in four steps, each honouring the four directions. During each step, offer a pinch of tobacco to that direction, and address the spirits of the direction, asking them to hear you when you pray. Place the tobacco into the pipe bowl and repeat for the next direction.
When the pipe is loaded, it should be lit from a sacred fire, use it to light a small twig, or a sweetgrass braid.
As you smoke the pipe, again acknowledge each direction as you take a puff. Release the smoke deliberately; as it rises toward the sky, it takes your prayers with it. If you wish, smudge yourself by guiding the smoke over your head with your free hand. Between each direction, turn the pipe stem in a circle clockwise to honour the four cardinal directions.
Finally, when the tobacco has been consumed, separating the pipe is a way of telling the spirits that you are finished. Clean the ashes out of your pipe, and dispose of them in a thoughtful way: for example, in a sacred fire, or at the roots of a tree. Carefully wrap your pipe and put it away. As you do all this, be aware that your prayers have been heard, and offer your thanks for the attention of the spirits.
Should you be involved in a pipe ceremony conducted by a Pipe Carrier, the pipe may be passed around. If so, you accept the pipe stem with your right hand and the bowl with your left. Take a puff, and again release it thoughtfully as a prayer. Turn the pipe stem clockwise through a full circle, and then pass the pipe to the next person stem first. If for some reason you do not wish to smoke the pipe, or if the tobacco has been exhausted, then you can simply touch your shoulders with the pipe stem and pass it along.
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