Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - Star Tours #3: Pegasus

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Starting point is 00:01:39 You can search by narrator, hear episodes you won't find on Get Sleepy, and even customize your background sounds to create your own perfect mix. As a listener of Get Sleepy, you can unlock all of the content in the least. app free for one month. Just go to slumber.fm.fm slash get sleepy. That's slumber.fm slash get sleepy for instant access to all of the content in slumber, free for one month. Welcome to get sleepy, where we listen, we relax and we get sleepy. I'm your host Thomas. Thanks so much for tuning in. Tonight's story is another tour of the stars,

Starting point is 00:02:34 where we'll learn all about the constellation of the winged horse Pegasus. Our journey begins in Greece in the city of Athens. From there, we'll be going on a relaxing trip to the stars aboard the interstellar. This wonderful series is written by Kayla and narrated by me. So, my friends, let's begin to settle down and give ourselves the time to transition away from our busy day into the calm stillness of the night. I hope you're feeling relaxed and peaceful already. But if you're still making your way to that point,

Starting point is 00:03:33 There's no need to feel rushed. In fact, whatever it is you're feeling right now, I'd like you to just tell yourself to let it be if you're worried about something, if you've got thoughts swirling around in your mind, or if you sense your emotions are a little heightened, try to accept it, and just let it be.

Starting point is 00:04:16 The more we engage in battles with challenging feelings, emotions or anxieties, the more they tend to overwhelm us, particularly in this moment right here, when your intention is to settle down and get some rest. It can be quite disruptive to try and forcibly push away your thoughts. So, take a deep breath with me now. Inhaling slowly and fully and gradually easing the air back out. With that exhale, feel a greater sense of peace and reassurance washing over you.

Starting point is 00:05:20 Whatever's on your mind. Let it be. Now it's time to get some rinsurance. some rest. So you can simply listen to the sound of my voice and follow along for as much time as you like. We're about to set off on another sleepy adventure into space. This is where our story begins. Tonight's tour commences at the National Observatory of Athens. A city where the ancient and modern are always intermingling. It makes the perfect base for the Star Tours Space Station in this region of the world.

Starting point is 00:06:46 The observatory, built in 1842, is surrounded by squat trees and dry shrubs. They're rooted in dusty earth, shining under the moonlight. from your position on the hill of the nymphs, on the outskirts of Athens. You can see the white buildings of the city spread out in the valley before you. The city is surrounded by hills. Athens has retained its Grecian charm for millennia. Stone homes dot the hill. They're mostly the residences.

Starting point is 00:07:41 of scientists and researchers working at the space station. But some belong to families who have lived in this part of Greece for centuries. The hill of the nymphs has a long history. First, it was where ancient Greeks came to worship the nymphs. Fairy-like creatures, common in Greek mythology, who ruled over natural phenomena like forests, rivers, and meadows. In the 19th century, the hill became home to the observatory, a place where the ancient practice of studying the stars and the natural world could continue. Now, this hill has been turned into the base of Greece's space station, And it's from here that Star Tours launches its Greek Tours. From where you're standing, you can see the Acropolis lit up in the night.

Starting point is 00:09:10 The white columns of the Parthalon glow against the dark sky. Built more than 2,000 years ago, this structure still holds intrigue for modern scholars. and visitors. The Greek myths you'll be exploring tonight are even older. These stories were passed from generation to generation, and eventually written down and translated for people all over the world, entering the observatory. You're struck by how refreshingly cool it is inside the thick stone walls. You reach out and touch the stone, appreciating the history held in these walls. Walking to the centre of the observatory, you notice that the domed ceiling is open, giving you a clear view of the night sky sprinkled with stars.

Starting point is 00:10:33 You haven't even boarded the ship yet, but already the place fills you with other words, otherworldly wonder and fascination. The night sky is full of stories, you think. Above you is a metal ramp circling the observatory. Your guide appears from behind a door and addresses your group from the ramp. She introduces herself as Margarita. She's lived in Athens her whole life and has always been interested in the stories of the stars. Now she's delighted to be taking you

Starting point is 00:11:34 on a journey through space. Like so much in Athens, Margarita feels star tours connects the old with the new. Ancient Greek tales of the sky and the latest science of space travel. She tells you the ship is just about ready to board and asks that you line up in front of her. There's an excited murmur in the crowd, as everyone forms an orderly queue. You stand behind a group of grey-haired women who tell you they've been taking trips into the stars for a decade. The friends all live in different places. So every year, They choose a different location for a trip into space. There's a low rumbling noise and a small hiss as the door in the observatory unlatches. A faint bluish-green light shines from the doorway

Starting point is 00:13:02 into the room, temporarily dimming the light of the stars. As you board the ship, Margarita helps you and the other passengers to find your pods. When you enter yours, you're delighted to find it looks so cozy. There's a soft bed and a pile of pillows ranging from firm to soft for you to choose from. There's also a control on the nightstand, which lets you adjust the firmness of the mattress. You can alter the angle too, choosing to either sit, recline, or lie down fully in the bed. While you get your bed set up to your liking, Margarita lets you know that there is a cafe on board. To find it, follow the aisle between the pods and go through the next door. There, you'll be able to order fragrant herbal tea.

Starting point is 00:14:29 Tees and light snacks for your nighttime adventure. Once you found the perfect fairness for your bed and arranged your pillows just right, you wander to the cafe to pick up a tea and some popcorn. The walls of the ship are decorated with various constellations based on Greek myths. The dots of the stars have been connected, so you can see the characters they were based on. You walk by the constellations of Andromeda and Sagittarius before entering the cafe. While there's complete quiet in your pod, the cafe is filled with the chattering of passengers, and the sounds of steam and boiling water, as the attention is filled with the chattering of passengers.

Starting point is 00:15:38 the attendant prepares beverages for the guests. Behind the counter there is a giant photo of the Pegasus constellation. The artist has drawn lines to connect to the dots, so you can see how it looks just like a winged horse. You're intrigued to learn more about this character, and what his position in the night sky meant to the ancient Greek. You order a camomar tea and popcorn and chat with a man in line behind you who's excited to be going on his first Star Tour's journey. He tells you he's been fascinated by Greek myths since he was a child and has been waiting for the opportunity to go on a tour of the stars.

Starting point is 00:16:50 But as the cafe attendant pours your warm popcorn into a paper bag, Margarita asks all guests to return to their pods for take-off, with a camomal tea and snack bag in hand. You retreat to your pod and settle into bed. You can still see Athens below. The ship hovers just off the edge of the space station, giving you a bird's-eye view of the city. The engine starts to rumble gently as the ship takes off. The craft hovers higher into the sky, and you watch the glowing acropolis disappear into the darkness below.

Starting point is 00:17:57 The ship cruises smoothly, moving high. higher and higher, until all you can see are the stars. Margarita speaks over the intercom, letting you know that the captain is finding the best position to view the Pegasus constellation. Pegasus is one of the biggest groups of stars in the night sky. It was catalogued in the second century C.E. by Ptolemy, an astronomer who lived in Alexandria. As you get deeper into space, the stars seem bigger, like glowing orbs, rather than just small dots in the sky. You gaze at their shimmering shapes,

Starting point is 00:19:04 filled with wonder. As you think of all the bits of the universe, you've had the pleasure to explore, explore so far as the ship comes to a stop. You notice the stars of the Pegasus constellation right in front of you. There are no lines here to help you see the shape, but your imagination fills in the gaps, and you visualize the winged horse soaring through the night sky. The ship hovers in outer space. It rocks gently back and forth, making you feel relaxed and secure under your blankets. Tonight, says Margarita, we'll be exploring the tale of Pegasus and Balaraphone. Her voice is smooth as it comes over the speaker. As she talks, a white light on the window, of the ship connects the stars, so you can clearly see the shape of the winged horse.

Starting point is 00:20:33 The way Ptolemy did hundreds of years ago, Pegasus was the child of Poseidon, the god of the sea, and Medusa, a gorgon. Gorgans may be known for turning people to stone, but they were also used as protection. Many Gorgon faces appear on amulets and buildings from ancient Greece, to protect their wearers and inhabitants. Pegasus was said to have the ability to create water wherever he stomped his hoof, perhaps a power inherited from his father. Several rivers and springs in Greece are named after the horse, and he was a beloved mythological character in much of the Greek world. One such spring was located on the hill of the Muses in Athens.

Starting point is 00:21:57 Close to where we began this tour, the hill was home to the Muses, the goddesses of the arts, other things. It was said that anyone who drank from the spring was gifted with inspiration and creativity. Margarita continues with the story. One day, wandering the hills outside of Athens, Pegasus met the hero Bolerophon. They became good friends, wandering the hills and fields together, and cooling off in fresh rivers, or at the seaside, the friends spoke of travelling all over the world together, and after weeks of talking about it, Balerophon gifted Pegasus, a golden bridle. They were ready to explore. They visited the temples of the gods, Poseidon, Athena, and Zeus, grand marble buildings that had been built in homage all over the country. Pegasus's wings

Starting point is 00:23:40 made it easy to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. They could go off on a big adventure, and still be home in time to share meals and honeyed meat with their friends. An enchanting evening was spent Went with Polyaides, the seer, and Pegasus always enjoyed visiting his brother, Chrysar, so they could swap adventure stories. They landed in markets where they ate freshly caught fish and sipped on herbal teas, and they wandered through the agorah, watching potters mold beautiful vases and jars, and blacksmiths shape hot metal, inspired by the god Hephaestus. With Pegasus's wings, the entire ancient world was theirs to discover and explore. They watched men dress as satyrs, horses, and bees

Starting point is 00:25:06 in the great comedic plays of Aristophanes. And they listened to the lyrical The miracle sounds of the lyre, echoing around high-vaulted music halls, soaring through the skies. They watched sailors navigate smooth blue seas, trading wares in every port, and underneath the sea, they saw Poseidon ride his chariot, pulled by Hippocampai. Creatures that were half-horse, and half fish. As your guide continues the story, shapes and colors dance on the window of the spaceship, bringing ancient Greece to life in the night sky. Floating in space, you feel immersed in the ancient world as the images of that time animate around you. You can almost smell the sense of herbs and flowers, the salty sea and the dusty earth. One day, Margarita continues,

Starting point is 00:26:44 Pegasus and Belerophon decided they wanted to go on their greatest adventure yet. To Mount Olympus, the home of the gods in ancient Greece. It was rare for mortals to visit such a place. But neither of the friends was quite mortal. Pegasus, being the child of a god and a gorgon, was already immortal. Balaraphan, being the son of Poseidon, was a demi-god. The two friends packed plenty of food and water for the long journey. Even with Pegasus's wings, it would still take several days to get to the peak of the mountain. When the friends were ready, Valerophon climbed on Pegasus's back, the horse flapped his wings,

Starting point is 00:28:00 propelling them both into the sky, flying higher and higher. They watched the temples, markets and houses. grow smaller below, as they made their way to Mount Olympus, flying away from Athens and into the mountains. They inhaled the fresh air, enjoying the reprieve from the hot streets of the city centre. The wind brushed Pegasus's mane and streamed through Belarifon's hair, as they went higher, all sounds of the bustling city disappeared and were replaced by the wind whistling through mountain passes. The Anamoi, gods of the wind, were always strong up here. Pegasus and Belerophon stopped for the night.

Starting point is 00:29:18 Landing on a flat rock, they laid out a blanket and unpacked some of the snacks they'd brought. Nuts, salty cheese, and dried figs, along with some crusty bread. Balarifam made up a bowl for Pegasus to eat from, and together they enjoyed the feast, looking out at the mountains all around them. That night they laid back on the blanket and fell asleep, the stars. When they awoke the next morning, a strong wind blew around them. Pegasus sat on his haunches and noticed a face in the wind. Good day, Boreas, said Pegasus. The god of the North wind greeted the friends. Zeus has seen your mission, the wind whispered. He has sent me to guide you

Starting point is 00:30:46 the rest of the way to Olympus. Belarifon climbed on Pegasus's back, the horse spread his wings, and with a gust, Oureus lifted him off the rock, high into the sky. The god of the north wind guided Pegasus above the clouds. And together, the friend's sword to the highest peak of the highest mountain. With the wind's help, they'd reach the home of the gods by evening. As the sun started getting lower on the horizon, they spotted the first sign of Mount Olympus, a glint of gold in the distance. At first, Pegasus couldn't tell if it was part of the acropolis of of Olympus, or just the sun. But as they flew closer, Bolerophon pointed out to the roofs of the palaces of the gods.

Starting point is 00:32:18 The palace of Zeus, made of shining gold and silver, rose above all others. Boreus led them to a grassy patch of land in front of the golden gates of Olympus, even through Through the gates, Pegasus and Belarifon were amazed by the hordes and homes, twinkling under the rosy light of the setting sun. The wind got whistled at the gates, and they slid open, revealing the splendor of Olympus in full view. Pegasus and Belarophon slowly walked down the path before them. The houses of the gods were all made of buying gold and silver.

Starting point is 00:33:28 Nymphs sprang from house to house, surrounded in white light. While the colourful sky made the buildings and grassy fields glow, standing tall above the houses of the gods, was the grand palace of Zeus. glorious led them through the courtyard, which was filled with fruit trees and flowers of red, pink, yellow, purple, and blue. And then on into the hall of the palace, Pegasus and Belerophon admired the throne room, where each of the twelve major gods had a chair to sit on for council meetings. Boreus wound through the rooms of the palace, until they found Zeus in the dining hall.

Starting point is 00:34:41 He was sharing nectar and ambrosia with Athena, the goddess of Athens. The gods welcomed the visitors and offered them a seat at the table. They put a bowl of nectar in front of Pegasus, who already belonged to the immortal. realm. But they gave Belerophon a choice. If you eat the food of the gods, Athena explained, you'll never be able to return to the world of mortals and enjoy all of the things my lovely Athens has to offer. Belerophon looked at the beautiful walls of the palace and thought of all the wonders on

Starting point is 00:35:39 Olympus. But then he looked at his friend Pegasus and remembered the joy they'd had, exploring the world below. So he declined the food. Pegasus and Belarophon spent the next few days exploring the mountain of the gods. They met Hera and Aphrodite, as well as Hephistus and Demeter, who all welcomed them to their homes and praised Bolerophon for his decision to return to the world of the mortals. On their third evening, Poseidon returned to Olympus from his home in the sea and invited the two friends to spend the night with him on the mountain. The three talked long into the night, for it had been years since Pegasus and Belerophon had seen their father. They shared tales of their adventures on land,

Starting point is 00:37:09 and Poseidon told them stories of the world beneath the sea, of nymphs and Nyatts and Hippacampi, and all manner of wondrous things the friends would never have imagined, They slept soundly that night in their father's home. Remembering, they were not only good friends, but half-brothers as well, and out through the window, they could see the stars twinkling closer than normal. The next morning, Bolerophon announced that it was time for him to return to the world of mortals. They'd run out of the food they'd packed for the journey, and he was ready to go back to his true home.

Starting point is 00:38:21 Poseidon offered to bring Belerophon back to Athens himself, but Pegasus was welcome to stay on Olympus for as long as he liked. Pegasus had fond memories of his adventures in the world below. But now he was ready to spend more time with his immortal family on the mountain of the gods. He said a warm goodbye to Belerophon. And the friends promised they would meet again some day soon. Poseidon took Belerophon back to Athens, where he explored the Agarra, learned. philosophy and went on great adventures that would be remembered for many years to come. Meanwhile, Pegasus got to know the gods of Olympus and struck up a special friendship with

Starting point is 00:39:39 Zeus, much like he had with Belerophon in the mortal realm. Pegasus explored the world of immortals with Zeus. They travelled to ancient. ancient cities, observing the mortals living below, and they met mythological creatures from all over the world. Pegasus helped Zeus carry his lightning bolts, making it easier for them to travel together. Zeus loved having the winged horse by his side, but he knew that Pegasus sometimes missed his old friend, B'lerophon, and they knew that while Balearfon was having his own great adventures in the mortal world, he too missed his winged horse. One day when Zeus was naming the stars in the sky,

Starting point is 00:40:58 he saw a cluster that looked almost like a winged horse. So he decided to name the stars in the sky. name it Pegasus. Now, any time Belerophon looked up at the night sky, he'd see his friend shining down on him, and Pegasus knew that he would always be watching over his old friend. One of the most interesting things about the Pegasus constellation, says Margarita, is that it's known for being a window into faraway galaxies through its cluster of stars. Perhaps a nod to the winged horses thirst for adventure. Pegasus and Belerophon were remembered in the Greek world through stories, plays, and works of art, and the horse's spot in the night sky ensures they'll be remembered for millennia to come. As Margarita finishes the story, the lights on the windows

Starting point is 00:42:31 of the ship fade away, leaving you once again with a clear view of the night sky. It feels marvellous to be surrounded both by darkness and shining stars at the same time, Taking another sip of your Camamau tea, you snuggle deeper under the blankets. An announcement on the ship tells you that you'll soon be beginning the descent back to earth, but the captain will be taking the slow route, so you won't arrive until morning. of time for a long night's rest. Margarita thanks you for joining her on this journey and tells you she'll be on board all night, available for any questions. She's also delighted to have breakfast with you in the morning to further discuss the story, so you can let any curiosities flow to

Starting point is 00:44:06 into the back of your mind until then. Knowing all of your questions can be answered in the morning. As you gaze out at the stars, you find your eyes getting heavier and your breath becoming slower. You allow your eyes to close as you let the hovering ship gently rock you. rock you into a deep slumber.

Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - Star Tours #3: Pegasus

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