One should never "run" to a Sacred Pipe only in such bad times and ignore it in times good. Medicine, to be of any value, should work for a person all the time. To remember the Sacred Pipe only when needed as a crutch, is a wrongful act and disrespectful of its great powers. It is not one's teddy bear nor security blanket thought of only in times of stress or cloudy days.

A man or woman's truth is in his or her soul and is revealed to the Creator when the pipe is smoked. If you or your words are not true, do not smoke the pipe. If your spirit is not good or you seek to deceive, do not smoke the pipe. The Creator always knows the truth about yourself, and when not in good relations with the Creator, something may happen to you to teach you a lesson.

When one is handed or offered a pipe, one treats it gently as one was first cuddled and nurtured by his or her mother. If one is new to the pipe, it should not be "smoked" without some explanation as to its meanings and teachings. The purpose of the pipe is not to smoke it, but to unite with it.

The most traditional way to participate in a pipe ceremony is not inside, but outdoors with one's shoes and socks removed. In order to feel the full experience of the pipe, we need to let our feet touch the Mother Earth directly, just as we should always be direct with our human mothers and let nothing come between. We, then, become the connector between the Mother Earth and Father Sky—a human channel or conduit for the spiritual flow.

Although sacred pipes come in several shapes and sizes, just as people do, they all have certain common elements with symbolized meanings. So do all people share a mutual humanness and a bond of unity with each other. Differences of size, shape and color are irrelevant and not important in the recognition of our relatedness.

In daily living, it is common for mankind to add its own egocentric influences to material objects and possessions, especially in the creation of ritualistic interpretations of spiritual truths. Decoration and ornamentation can sometimes only mask or cloak naked truths. Therefore, one should be careful not alter the appearance of the Sacred Pipe by adding anything that would detract or take away from its natural, inherent beauty and simplistic form. This comes from one's ego.

Beads and flashy colors should be discouraged in lieu of a more sacred interpretation and understanding rather than emphasis on a worldly conscious motivated by artistic or collector value.

The pipe's bowl is from the same red clay The Creator used to make our kind. The red clay is of Woman kind and is from the Mother Earth. Just as a woman bears children and brings forth life, the bowl bears the sacred tobacco to bring forth smoke.

The pipe bowl's stability and durable quality of stone is something one must strive to learn by being faithful and strong in character. The roundness of the bowl symbolizes the circle of the Mother Earth, and the Great Circle-of-life among Her living things. The center of the bowl represents the universe itself.

The stem symbolizes man. Strong and rigid, the stem is from the plant kingdom and like man, it supports the bowl just as a man supports his woman and family."

The stem, being a link between two ends, represents a direct path or channel we have to the Creator and the universe, with nothing that stands in the way between.

Considering the Great Circle-of-life, with the Creator residing at the center of the Sacred Circle, the pipe is like one spoke in the wheel that joins us with our Maker. The elongation of the stem indicates the long narrow path of life on which all of us must walk. The straightness of the stem epitomizes the sacred connection of people with their Maker—a pathway in which straightness of tongue, honesty and purity must dominate one's every thought.

The hole in the stem signifies the open heart and minds we must have to let the spirit touch us. It is round so that when prayers are sent, they round the universe in a circle to reach each and every one, to enfold them with the smoke.

The feathers hanging from the pipe signify the heavens and all things that fly. Tied at the junction are four eagle feathers representing the Great Spirit and Great Mysteries of the Father Sky. They are most sacred because they come from one who above all others, soars to the highest places, teaching us to fly in the same manner with our spirits, rising skyward into the everlasting place of the infinite Cause-of-our-being. We must follow the eagle's flight to make our lives more beautiful. They also represent the powers of the four directions, four seasons, and the four ages of man. Although four in number, they are only one spirit. The loose feathers hanging from the stem represent other bird life and their spirits.

A small bag of hide, buffalo or deer, is sometimes tied to the stem. Along with some horsehair and fur, they represent the spirits of all animal life and their swiftness of thought, high wisdom and powers. Contrary to popular belief, commercial or processed tobacco was not traditionally used. Instead, other natural materials such as red willow bark, cedar, sage, Kinnikinnick and herbs were blended into a smoking mixture and blessed before filling the pipe. Each particle of the smoking mixture is representative of all things and beings included within the universe. Each particle of the mixture represents some specific being in the universe.

In ceremony, the pipe is always filled in the same manner. Before preparing the pipe, one offers a pinch of smoking mixture to first honor each of the four directions, then to the Mother Earth and the Father Sky. Also, a pinch is offered for all who strive to serve the will of the Creator. Only, then, is the smoking mixture placed in the pipe. The filling of the pipe signifies the joining of all the forces of creation: the living and non-living creatures on Mother Earth, in the Father Sky, and human beings.

When filled, the pipe becomes the total universe. All powers contained within the grains of tobacco are, now, drawn inward to a single focal point and placed within the bowl. Thus, every part of the pipe is a living tribute to the Great Spirit and Its many manifestations.

Traditionally, only one pipe is blessed and partakes in a ceremony. After the pipe has been blessed, it is offered to the Great Spirit, our Giver-of-life. The pipe is lighted, puffed and smoke offered to each of the four directions, to the Mother Earth and Father Sky. Absolute silence must reign for all those who choose to partake in the ceremony. Those who "smoke" the pipe unite themselves with it, bringing the wisdom and power of the universe within their being.

These and all the things of the universe are joined to those who smoke the pipe— all send their voices to the Great Giver-of-life and Knower-of-all. The smoke, like an invisible mist, is the silent bearer of a heaven-sent voice. When one draws the smoke into your body, he or she will be cleansed, purified and made whole. When the smoke leaves ones mouth, it rises to the Creator. One's dreams, desires, hopes, and prayers will be taken to the Creator in the smoke.

All of life and the six directions join in sending it as a prayer to the Great Mysteries. Holding the stem upward, a curl of thin smoke is seen to rise slowly upward, "For You, Great Spirit, and for all our relations."

To offer smoke, the elements of the Mother Earth (the pipe bowl), air, fire and water (the human saliva that touches the stem) need to come together, without which, we could not live. When one draws with breath from the pipe, the smoke travels the length of the pipe to touch us in response. Notice that the smoke is ready and waits upon us. This brings to mind that not only does the Great Spirit have Its part to play in life, each of us has our own responsible role in life.

When finished, all present remain in silence while the pipe is wrapped in red cloth, keeping the parts separate.

Similar to the Christian concept of ask and you shall receive, when we initiate action, the Creator always acknowledges us and responds to all our needs and desires when we are ready and when it is time. The Great Spirit never abandons us. The smoke also travels directly from the bowl to our mouths, internally, silently, unseen and invisible to others. This teaches that there is great power in things that are silent, and that in silence, there is great power.

The moon and sun rises in silence. All things grow in silence. Communication with the spirit world is best without words and is conducted in silence. Words do not blend in harmony and disturb the surroundings. Words come from one's mind, and not from one's heart.

The pipe is not merely a symbol of sacred things. The pipe itself is sacred. Not everyone is called to be a pipe bearer. The person who chooses to carry the pipe and practices the pipe ceremonies and traditions has a great responsibility to his or her brothers and sisters; his or her land, nation and especially to the Mother Earth.

A pipe bearer does not 'own' the sacred pipe he or she carries. He or she carries it until it is time comes for him or her to pass it to the next pipe bearer. A pipe bearer acquires special powers of insight from the pipe and an ability to counsel and advise others on the sacred path of life. Should a pipe bearer fall from grace and become a liar or thief, or deceitful, the sacred pipe may repossess these special gifts or powers. Then, there is a possibility that the bearer may incur misfortune.

A pipe bearer must be ready at all times to accept the responsibility of the pipe, its lessons, and any demands it may make upon you. If treated properly and respectfully, it will also become your teacher and guide ~and a worst enemy if used wrongfully.