The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

HOW TO PRAY WITH THE PIPE THE HOLY WAY.

YOU PRAY WITH THE PIPE IN THE 6 DIRECTIONS WITH THE PIPE
IN YOUR LEFT HAND AND THE TOBACCO IN YOUR RIGHT HAND. FIRST
YOU FACE THE WEST. THE WEST IS WHERE THE THUNDER BEING LIVES
AND THIS IS THE PLACE WHICH CRISES COMES FROM DEMANDING DECISION.
THEN YOU PRAY AND PUT THE TOBACCO IN THE PIPE. YOU THEN GET
ANOTHER BIT OF TOBACCO AND TURN TO THE NORTH. THE NORTH IS
WHERE THE WHITE GIANT LIVES WHO BRINGS PURIFICATION. YOU THEN
PRAY AND PUT THE TOBACCO IN THE PIPE. YOU THEN GET SOME MORE
TOBACCO AND FACE THE EAST WHICH IS THE PLACE OF THE RISING SUN
AND THE SOURCE OF WISDOM. YOU THEN PRAY AND PLACE THE TOBACCO
IN THE PIPE. YOU THEN GET SOME MORE TOBACCO AND FACE THE SOUTH.
THE SOUTH IS THE PLACE WHICH PEOPLE TURN TO FIND LIFE. YOU THEN
PRAY AND PLACE THE TOBACCO IN THE PIPE. YOU THEN GET SOME MORE
TOBACCO AND FACE THE HEAVENS. THE HEAVENS IS THE PLACE OF GRAND-
FATHER GOD SYMBOLIZED BY THE EAGLE. THE EAGLE SYBOLIZES
OMNISCIENCE AND IMMORTALITY BECAUSE IT SEES ALL. YOU THEN PRAY
AND PLACE THE TOBACCO IN THE PIPE. YOU THEN GET SOME MORE TOBACCO
AND FACE THE EARTH. THE EARTH IS THE PLACE OF MOTHER GOD SEEN
AS THE PLACE OF FOOD AND HOME. YOU THEN PRAY AND PLACE THE TOBACCO
IN THE PIPE. BT DOING THESE SIX STEPS YOU HAVE MADE THE PLACE IN
WHICH YOU STAND THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE AND BY SMOKING FROM
THE PIPE YOU UNITE YOURSELF WITH THE UNIVERSE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 11-03-1985