This past weekend, I felt led to perform a ceremony with the Malstrom Pipe after having walked the labyrinth at the JMU arboretum.
With the temperature dropping outside, it was time to move these ceremonies inside for the season.
So as I’ve done before, I cleared my desk and prepared it for working with Pipe.
Began arranging the various items needed for it, placing them with care in their normal spots.
That’s when a cup fell over, spilling the liquid within.
The liquid went everywhere, and it was only with speed I was able to get the items out of the way and keep them dry.
I realized the Pipe wanted me to perform the ceremony at my personal altar.
Problem with that space with regards to the Pipe … despite the fact it is my personal space when the Pipe is more than a personal Pipe … is that it doesn’t have the space I normally need when spreading out everything used used with the Pipe, let alone the Pipe itself.
But where there is a will, there is a way.
And the will was the will of a sacred Pipe.
Keep in mind that if a Pipe does not want to be smoke, you will NOT be able to smoke it.
I still remember vividly how this Pipe shaped the Pipe bundle that would protect and travel with it.
I could feel that it wanted the altar space to be used for the ceremony.
So, I found a way to use the furs to broaden the lip outside the altar space to make it large enough for the Pipe to rest safely AND comfortably.
Then smudged the space, lit the candles and began.
The Pipe felt grateful and smoke was lifted with prayers.
A Pipe will tell you what it needs, wants and would like to say to you … IF you learn to listen.
Sometimes what it says is simple, such as where or how to conduct ceremony with it.
Other times its more complicated, such as helping to show lead you onto and down a path that is the right one for you in that moment.
~ The Pathfinder
