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Sacred Pipes by James Medicine Tree
The materials of this site are copyright protected, 2004.
Ceremonial Buffalo Pipe, carved for a Salish Tribal Council Elder
In the words of my Chief, Bob Strong Bear, "If everyone had a personal Pipe and used it properly in prayer, we would truly have peace and tolerance in this world." A powerful claim to be sure, but once you understand what the Pipe is, you may just agree.
Please note; for those who question the photographing and writing of these sacred things, please take the time to read through this entire site. I only sell Pipes on a commission, case by case basis. I only create Pipes for those who I am directed to. I also sell sculpture and books.
All Commissioned works are started as soon as a 50%, non-refundable deposit is received. Prices range from around $200.00 to $600.00 USD
It takes approximately two weeks to finish a Pipe, depending on the intricacy of its carving. The proceeds from these sales support the work and mission of the Sacred Pipe I am responsible for. You can find out about this work by visiting links on the web site for my book, "The Way of the Sacred Pipe".
The main purpose of this site is to inform those interested in some basic information about the Sacred Pipe, which is a way of life, not just a artifact or cultural item. The difference between the Ceremonial Pipe and a personal Sacred Pipe are also addressed here.
Bear Clan ceremonial Pipe, black steatite with catlinite eyes. $333.00 USD (sold)
From the introduction to the book, "The Way of the Sacred Pipe" , is the following explanation why I have put these things into print. My exposer to the way of the Pipe has been through the traditions of the Cherokee, Annishanobie, Lakota and Apache nations. I can only relate to you from my experience and those who have shared this wonderful gift, the Pipe, with me.
Eagle Bear Pipe. $444.00 USD (sold)
Personal Owl Pipe, Catlinite with deer antler mouthpiece. $210.00 USD (sold)
Preface from the book, "The Way of the Sacred Pipe" by Jim tree
Traditionally, understanding the way of the Sacred Pipe came from being brought up in a society where its use was a prominent part of daily life.
The way of the Pipe was taught to someone slowly through continued participation in ceremonies where it was used. It took time and commitment to learn all that was needed in order to care for and use it properly. It was and is knowledge that should be passed on carefully and prayerfully.
Recently however, the Sacred Pipe has become available world wide to people who have had little or no real exposure to what it is or what it can do. People are buying pipes in shops and over the Internet regularly. Some may have learned a little about the way of the Pipe by seeing it used at a ceremony or through a book but seldom does this make them aware of what the Pipe really is. I have researched the books that are available about the Pipe, some of them very good, but have found none that address the nature of the living pipe.
There are those which tell how to do ceremony, or some tell some basics of the care of a pipe, but none that I have found explain the things I that I feel are vital for anyone who wishes to use the Pipe.
Because of the currant situation, I feel it has become important that this information become available in written form with hopes that in doing so, it may help stem the trend of misuse of this sacred and powerful gift we received from the Great Mystery so long ago.
It should be understood that using the Pipe is a way of life, not something done just once and a while. The misuse or even the lack of proper care can cause many severe and detrimental things to happen, just as the proper use and care can lead you to becoming the highest expression of the unique wonder you were created to be.
While it is unfortunately true that we are in a time of unprecedented misuse of the sacred teachings of the American Indian peoples worldwide, there are also those who felt it important to pass on these teachings, before they are lost or distorted, through the written word.
These examples include such respected men as Nicolas Black Elk, Frank Fools Crow and Dr. Charles Eastman to name just a few.
We are now in the prophesied “Age of the Pipe” and the Pipes are already spreading around the earth, should we not do what we can to insure they are cared for as best as possible? In writing this book, I do so in hopes that I may honor these men and their example as well as the spirit of the Sacred Pipe itself.
James Medicine Tree, January 2004
Master Pipe Carver, Adam Fourtunate Eagle and Jim Tree at Pipestone Nat'l Monument quarries, Aug. 2000
According to many Native American prophecies, we are now in the "age of the Sacred Pipe". These Pipes are appearing around the world to assist us in the times of transition we face, both personally and as a planet. It has been said that the day would come when the Pipes would be in every land forming a "web" of inter-connecting influence for the benefit of all of creation. We are seeing this come true more and more every day.
Top row: Personal Pipes, Bear
Middle: Personal Turtle Clan Pipe. Bottom: Ceremonial Bear Clan Pipe
All of these Pipes have been gifted to Pipe holders
James Medicine Tree {Jim Tree} is a Non-enrolled Cherokee, Wolf clan, Bear River band. Jim wishes to say Wado {thank you} to his Elders and Chief for their great patience in helping me learn and grow. He looks to them as examples of the kind of Elder he hopes to become.
Chief Bob Strong Bear Green Corn Dance, 2000 The late Larry War Eagle, Spiritual Elder
Jim Tree is a spirtual advisor for the Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of Pipemakers as well as on the Board of Advisors for the E.T.Seton Institute. {Black Wolf}. He works offering spirtual assitance to Native Men who are within the Montana Prison system and serves on the Advisory Board for Montana Youth Homes. Jim travels around the world perfoming Pipe ceremonies at the request of local indigonus people and is the author of the book, "The Way of the Sacred Pipe."
He makes traditional animal effigies {totems} and Pipes mainly in the mound builders style.
Disc style effigy Pipe. $290.00 USD (gifted to Pipe holder)
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Personal Frog effigy Pipe, Black Steatite with tourquois inlay in Blue Pine stem. $295.00 USD (sold)
Big Medicine, $100.00 USD (sold)
The effigies are available for sale to anyone, Pipes, with the exception of the non-functional ones described later, are only created on a case by case request. The materials used have been obtained according to our ancient traditions, gathered by hand with honors and gifts offered back to our Mother Earth for her provision. I use mainly the red pipestone from
The Non-functional Pipe pictured above, "Transformation", was sold during a fund raising auction to assist those going through cancer treatments for $600.00 USD
Thunder Pendant, White Steatite inlayed with Red Pipestone. $85.00 USD (sold)
Thunder Heart series Pendant, catlinite inly and Turquoise. $85.00 (sold) Howling Wolf effigy, Starheart series. Pipestone with Turquoise inlay. $122.00 USD (sold)
Red Pipestone
Personal Pipe, Owl in Tree. $385.00 USD (gifted to a Pipe holder)
In Jim's tradition, once a Pipe has been brought into service by smoking, it must never be put on display or assembled unless it is to be used in prayer. To do so is to start a process which must find completion; if not in the intended way it may find expression in ways detrimental to the one who assembled it. Jim makes personal prayer Pipes, Ceremonial Pipes as well as non-functional pipes that are works of art for display. The non functional pipes are made from stone that has flaws which would make it unusable for ceremony. Effigies and other sculptures are made from left over pieces of stone or pieces that could not otherwise be used for Pipes.
Flying Eagle personal Pipe, a Blackfoot couples wedding present. $385.00 (sold)
All these Pipes are sacred in nature. The Ceremonial Pipes are given to Pipe caretakers in the traditional way by another Pipe holder or Elder and are not available to the public in general. Commisions for Personal Pipes are concidered on a case by case situation.
Adam and Raven preparing for a Pipe awakening ceremony.
Having a Pipe given to you or buying one does not make you a "Pipe carrier". To become one who cares for a Ceremonial Pipe takes years of training and carries great responsibility with it. It is a life of service and sacrifice, not an office or title. It is important to understand that it is the Pipe that has the Medicine or power, not the person who cares for it. A good test of a true Pipe holder is whether they do the ceremonies with the Nation they claim to be associated with and never, ever is money charged for any Pipe ceremony.
Another Turtle effigy Pipe, cedar stem with antler mouthpiece. $389.00 USD (gifted to a woman sundancer)
A Womans "Moon Time" Pipe. Bowl and mouthpiece made of Elk Antler, stem made of redwood with fur trim. $222.00 USD (available)
The Pipes made for display, such as the one below, have the smoke hole sealed so that there is no path for the "breath of life" and the stem is permanently fixed to the bowl. Since the pipe will never "breath" or be awakened and thus become a sacred instrument of prayer, it may be displayed in an honorable way as a work of art. I also make some of these display pipes as replicas of old Pipes that are on display in museums and galleries. These are offered to the museum for just the cost of the materials to encourage the return of the original to the Tribe or family it came from for proper care. As mentioned previously, many of these replicas are made from stone that has flaws that would make them unusable in ceremony, but still honor the beauty of the sacred stone.
"Flight of the
All work is done by hand without power tools and each effigy or Pipe is a one of a kind work of sacred art.
WADO! {Thank you} for visiting this site.
This site is dedicated to the memory of Grandmother Lillian "Windrider" Nevarez,
Maya "Grandmother", Pipe holder and Member of the Cherokee Medicine Society.
Please feel free to contact me through the e-mail address below with questions about the Sacred Pipe or to discuss having an effigy/totem created uniquely for you.
Announcing the release of
To view sample chapters click on:
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MY FAVORITE LINKS:
Wolftown.org Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of Pipemakers
E.T.Seton Institute Buffalo Lodge Sacajawea Gallery
Amazing Zuni Carvings!
SITE LAST UPDATED
05/05/08
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