It's the end of October already and Samhain/Halloween is upon us. This Time of year has been pretty tough for me since my dad passed away in 2008. He was a big part of my life and I was not ready for him to go. Really though, when is anyone ever ready to lose one of their parents? I've been reflecting on the impact my dad had on my life a lot the past couple weeks and remembering some of the silliest things, things that seem really insignificant when they're happening, but things that stick in the mind for some reason none the less...

Over the last year, I have spent far too much of my time and energy trying to make ends meet so to speak. While finances are a major worry for pretty much everyone these days, it was more of a singular focus for me, and it caused a major imbalance in my life and my energy.

Last week, my husband and I went on a much needed vacation. We took the time together, to not only re-balance, but also to reconnect with each other and with nature.

A couple weeks ago, I was sleeping soundly when I woke suddenly. I felt a very strange sensation, and out of instinct, I sort of pushed with my hands and shook my body as if trying to get something off of me. I rolled over, a little groggy still from waking, and saw a shadow sort of hovering in the corner of my room.

What I did next was again out of instinct, but I find it rather curious... I pointed at the shadow and said "Dissipate", almost as if issuing a command, although I have no idea why I'd say that specifically. After this, the shadow faded away and in just moments I drifted back to sleep.

As I was sleeping before this all happened, I honestly wasn't sure for a couple days if this incident was real or a dream. It took me a few days to decide, but it was nagging at me too much to leave it be. I still keep replaying it in my head. I have no idea what this shadow was or what it was doing when it woke me, but what I find most interesting is my instinctual reaction. I don't know where that all came from. Dissipate isn't a word I would normally use so I'm baffled as to why I'd use that word. I'm also completely astonished as to how quickly I was able to fall asleep afterward.

I've ALWAYS been afraid of the dark. In the past, when something strange would happen at night, I'd be so terrified that I'd not be able to sleep for days or even weeks afterward. My calm after this event is new to me. Even now, looking back over all of this, I feel a sense of peace and even accomplishment more than fear. In some way I feel comforted to know that even when I'm not fully awake, I'm able to protect myself. What I protected myself from exactly seems to matter less(a little) than the knowledge that I did though.

Tiger Iron is a combination of Hematite, Red Jasper and Tiger's Eye so it carries the metaphysical properties of all three of these, plus a few of it's own. Over the past few years, it has become one of my most relied upon stones, and in fact is one of the first stones I started working with when I discovered my affinity toward using them for healing and other magical/metaphysical purposes.

Tiger Iron is extremely helpful for dealing with family stress and emotional burnout. My first encounter with tiger iron was shortly before my father died, and it really helped me deal with the loss. There were many nights I sat holding my tiger iron sphere, just letting it draw the emotional turmoil out of me.

It is helpful for people who are chemically sensitive and those who are sensitive to noise pollution as well. It's a fantastic stone for grounding and centering and will help bring clarity to difficult situations. It also promotes creativity and helps bring out your inherent talents. I find that it helps build self confidence and will power, and in this way makes you more confident to use your talents also.

As with most stones, tiger iron needs occasional cleansing. It would be beneficial to set it in the sunlight for cleansing and recharging. The tiger's eye component of this stone is connected to the sun, so this would be the preferred method for both and is one of the simplest methods.

This stone is very close to my heart, as it is helpful to me in so many ways, and I would recommend it for anyone looking for some stability. After researching this stone yet again to write this, I've found even more reasons I should have this one with me nearly all the time. I hope you'll find it as beneficial as I have.


Source: "The Encyclopedia of Crystals" by Judy Hall

Sometimes you just have to get smacked in the head by a magical 2x4 to really get the point. Today was one of those times I guess. I went to catch a movie with my husband and our two best friends. The movie was a blast! After the movie, we were pulling out of the theater parking lot when my husband and I both saw a deer at the edge of a small stand of trees in the vacant lot across the street. That would be odd enough since we were in a rather busy part of Houston, which isn't even close to being near a forrest of any kind, but to top it off, my husband identified it as a young Red Stag. Red deer are NOT native to Texas. They are raised in the state for hunting on some of the private ranches but honestly we weren't any where near a place that would have them, we were in the CITY.

Last evening, I attended a full moon circle with my husband and our friends. The evening began with a guided meditation, lead by our hostess, Ingrid. It is rare that I get visual pictures when I meditate, often I hear things or just get bits and pieces of information. This time however, it was different. I felt for the first time as if I were literally transported to another place and time.

I'm going to periodically delve into stones and their lore, and healing associations. To start this off, I've chosen the stone I feel the greatest connection with.