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Reconnecting the Sacred Hoop- the Open Pipe Ceremonies
Vienna, Austria

In January of 2008 the first Open Pipe Ceremony was held in Vienna, Austria, in co-operation with the PFI-Austria and Keepers of the Sacred Traditions of the Pipe International. The idea was, and continues to be, to bring different peoples of differing traditions and beliefs together to share time together in prayer and honoring of the Divine Creative Spirit, as well as the Ancestors and Spirits present in all of nature, reconnecting the Sacred Hoop, and bring the Pipe to all nations, as was originally intended. Fifteen to twenty persons were in attendance at this first ceremony, and from this first ceremony a steady core of attendees has evolved and kept the the Ceremonies going well beyond its first year.

The Pipe in general, and Amequohi Tawodi (the Seahawk Pipe) had been in Austria already for some time before this, and various ceremonies had been held sporadically as needed. It was felt, however, that there was a greater need for the Pipe to be made available to all peoples, thus the idea of the regularly-meeting Open Pipe Ceremonies was born. January was chosen for the kick-off month, not because it is the beginning of the calendar year (which it is), but rather since it is the first month after the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, and considered by many traditions to be the day when the sun is born. Being the time of the light growing stronger, it was decided this was the ideal time for the Open Pipe Ceremonies to begin.