Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - Star Tours #7: The Southern Cross

Starting point is 00:00:00 Get Sleepy is a production of Slumber Studios. To listen, add free, access our entire catalogue of episodes and support the show directly. Check out our premium feed by going to get sleepy.com slash support. Now, a quick word from our sponsors. From morning hockey with a cup of coffee to Timbits and road trips. Tims and Canadian Tire have always gone together. Now it's official. You can now earn Canadian tire money at Tim's.

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Starting point is 00:00:57 Conditions apply. Visit Scotiabank.com slash H-I-SA. to learn more. Scotia Bank, you're richer than you think. Welcome to get sleepy. When we listen, we relax, and we get sleepy. I'm your host, Thomas. Thanks so much for being here. Apologies if my voice sounds a little strange this week. I've had quite a bad cold over the last few days, and I'm past the worst of it now, but I think you might still be able to hear it in my voice. As they say, though, the show must go on. And tonight, we conclude our beautiful series of star tours, which we've featured every Monday night for the last several weeks. Kela and I, alongside everyone

Starting point is 00:01:55 on the Get Sleepy Team, really hope you've enjoyed all of them. And tonight, for our final voyage, we'll be travelling to New Zealand to learn about a constellation that's important across much of the southern hemisphere, crux or the southern cross. Once we're up in space, we'll hear a beautiful Maori myth that was inspired by the stars. We'll be releasing a full-length stitch version of this series at the beginning of November, So look out for that when it comes to your podcast feeds. This Saturday night will have our October Stitch episode, a two-part trip to Nigeria that you may remember hearing back in July.

Starting point is 00:02:53 Now, hopefully you're already feeling relaxed and ready for tonight's adventure, but if you need to, take some time to get settled in bed when you're ready. close your eyes, breathe in slowly through your nose, then out through your mouth. Each deep breath is a signal to your mind and body, a message that it's time to rest. Imagine that your breaths are spreading waves of relaxation throughout your entire body. all the way from your toes, up through your legs, stomach and chest, into your arms. And finally, your neck and head. Let those feelings of relaxation really sink in.

Starting point is 00:04:29 Now, you can drift off whenever you feel like it. But for the time being, listen to the sound of my voice as we set off on another starry adventure. This is where our story begins. Your journey tonight starts in Kikura, a coastal town on the South Island of New Zealand. Greenish-blue waves crash against the rocky kore. coast of this small town, which has a view of snow-capped mountains. By day, there's much to enjoy in this captivating place, surrounded by the wonders of land and sea. But you're here because of the beauty of this town at night. Once the sun sets, Kikora has some of the darkest skies in the country,

Starting point is 00:06:12 making it an ideal place for stargazing. It's for this reason that Star Tours New Zealand launches from here. You wander along the coast at sunset, watching the beautiful colours of the dusky sky dance on the water as the sun sinks out of view behind the mountains. Following the coastal road, you make your way to the Fife House, a 19th century whaling station filled with local history. As it's right on the coast, you decide to walk there. The cool sea breeze tickles your cheeks.

Starting point is 00:07:16 But you stay warm, wrapped up in a sweater, mittens, and hat, just as the last round. rays of sun melt into darkness, you reach Fife House, a small pink building. Usually, this museum would be closed by now. But on nights when Star Tours launches into space, the museum stays open late, so that travellers have a chance to better understand the land and sea before departing departing for the skies. You step inside the small cottage, feeling cozy and protected from the wind outside. Some of the other travellers have also come a bit early to see the museum before the tour. People smile and nod kindly at each other, but the chatter is at a minimum. Every Everyone wants to be fully present for this magnificent experience.

Starting point is 00:08:47 Strolling through the rooms of the cottage, you learn more about the history of the whalers who inhabited this coast and see how they lived and worked, supporting each other through the seasons. In New Zealand, the indigenous Maori people have a belief that we are responsible for protecting the land, sea and sky. The term Kaitiakitunga means guardianship or stewardship, and in practice it suggests that we need to make sure the earth is cared for and protected for future generations. Before your trip to the stars, you're glad to also be able to experience these. connections to the land and the sea. There's even a small exhibit in the museum, outlining sustainable

Starting point is 00:10:02 fishing practices in New Zealand. As the time of your departure draws nearer, an announcement instructs everyone in the cottage to return to the front door. There you meet your guide, Nat, who welcomes you a warm smile and leads you outside to the boarding dock behind the house. You can feel the excitement in the air as people around you pull out their tickets and talk in hushed tones to their friends, family and travel partners about the journey they'll soon be embarking on. Nat informs you about the safety features of the the trip and then invites you to board one at a time. When it's your turn, Nat shakes your hand

Starting point is 00:11:18 and brings you to your pod. The comfortable and private spot you'll be able to view the stars from tonight. As with all Star Tours pods, there are a variety of pillows and blankets, so you can set things up just as you like. Nat also points out to the cafe, which is past the pods and through a sliding door. There, you can get tea, fizzy drinks and local snacks for your journey. As Nat welcomes the next guest, you arrange your bed,

Starting point is 00:12:12 choosing the best pillows and blankets, and adjusting the incline of the bed to the perfect level. Like all Star Tours ships, there are windows everywhere you look. So, whether you lie on your back, side, or even stomach, you'll have a clear view of the stars. Once the bed is ready, you stroll to the cafe, knowing your warm nest will be with. waiting for you when you return. All the passengers are boarded now, and you can hear people setting up their own beds. Every now and then, you catch a whisper of quiet conversation.

Starting point is 00:13:17 When you step through the doors to the cafe area, you're greeted with the familiar sounds and smells of a kitchen. Boiling, steamers frothing, soup stewing and freshly baked bread in the oven. You order a honey, lemon and ginger tea and a couple of oat biscuits to bring back to your pot. There, you snuggle under the blankets, making yourself cozy in your comfortable bed. You place the tea and biscuits on the bedside table and take a bite of one of the cookies. It is soft, chewy and sweet as you wash it down with a sip of tea.

Starting point is 00:14:24 The warmth spreads through you, with the sound of the wind outside. You feel especially snug. Matt's voice sounds over a speaker, announcing that the ship will soon be departing, feeling the gentle rumble of the engine. It's not long until you see the small pink cottage, the coastal cliffs, and the mountains beyond getting smaller, as the spaceship floats upwards, even though you've been on a star-tortar's trip before. The feeling of flying away from Earth up into the night sky fills you with awe and wonder. Nat explains that astronomy has always been important to the Polynesians, the peoples indigenous

Starting point is 00:15:37 to New Zealand and the surrounding islands, famous for their sea navigation. Polynesian sailors, often relied on the stars, and the constellation you'll be visiting tonight, Crux, or the Southern Cross, was especially important for navigators. The Southern Cross is the smallest of the 88 constellations, composed of only five stars. The four brightest stars form a cross, which is how the constellation got its name. Despite its small size, the Southern Cross is significant in New Zealand and many other Pacific Island cultures. As you hover higher into the night sky, you can no longer see the ground below. You're surrounded by darkness and the lights of the stars whizzing by. the ship starts to slow down as you get closer to your destination.

Starting point is 00:17:11 The stars seem a bit bigger from here. Bright glowing orbs. The southern cross, called Mahutonga in Maori, can be found at the southern end of the Milky Way. It's visible in the sky of the southern hemisphere. But it can occasionally be seen from tropical parts of the northern hemisphere at certain times of the year. The Southern Cross has great significance in many Southern Hemisphere cultures, Nat tells you. They're excited to share its relevance to New Zealand's culture and history this evening.

Starting point is 00:18:11 Tonight's tale, says Nat. begins at a time before there were even stars in the sky. Indeed, it used to get so dark at night that humans couldn't find their way around or navigate in the darkness. But all that changed with the Maori hero, Tama Rhereti, and his waka, or canoe, Tama Rerati lived on the shore of Lake Topor, which many people tend to pronounce Taupo, a beautiful crater lake in the North Island of New Zealand. Not only did Lake Topor supply enough fish for Tamarerarity and his village, but it was a spectacularly beautiful place to live. Topor was and is the biggest lake in the country, so there was no shortage of places to explore. The people who lived near the lake

Starting point is 00:19:35 could visit volcanic gorges, bays, mountains and greenery all around its shoreline. As Nat is talking, the stars of the Milky Way light up. They form images. The waters of Lake Topor. and Tama Rerati on his boat, exploring the area. One day, when the winter snows melted, and a warm breeze blew over the lake, Tama Rerati decided to go out fishing to replenish his storehouse. He packed his canoe with all the supplies he would need, a fishing rod and spear, a basket, an anchor, nuts, berries, and flatbread to snack on during the day, a blanket and a dry change of clothes. He waved goodbye to his family and then pushed his boat out, slowly paddling to his favorite fishing spot.

Starting point is 00:21:05 He watched the water rippling around the bow of the canoe as he moved. One slow stroke at a time, down the south shore of the lake. Once he got to his favorite spot, he tossed the anchor into the lake, set up his rod, and leaned back, taking in this stunning scenery while waiting for the fish to bite. Tamarererati was grateful to live in a place that provided so much abundance. For him, his family, and his community. He listened to the gentle lapping of the water against the boat, and felt the sunshine on his face and chest,

Starting point is 00:22:09 basking in the warmer weather, and the knowledge that longer, sunnier days were soon to come, where he'd have more time to spend outside, when he'd caught enough fish, Tamma decided to head back to the village, but there was a strong headwind, meaning paddling back was rather difficult. Instead, he decided to relax on the lake a little while longer and wait for the wind to pass or change direction. After all, it was a beautiful day, and he was enjoying being out on the lake. He was in no hurry to return home. He lay back in his canoe, looking up at the sky, watching the floating white clouds drift overhead. The boat rocked back and

Starting point is 00:23:30 forth in the water. And the movement soon put him to sleep. Tamararity dreamed. He dreamed of the water, the seas and lakes that were so important to his home. He dreamed of the forests and mountains that surrounded the villages on the lake. He dreamed of his own village. The meeting place place, the homes, the sacred fires, and the smiling people. Even in the dream, they filled his chest with a fuzzy warmth. And last, he dreamed of the sky, but not any sky he was familiar with, Not the white clouds floating in blue, nor the full darkness of night. He dreamed of something that seemed like it was out of a fairy tale, a black sky with distant glowing lights, creating a map that could help people find their way home in the dark.

Starting point is 00:25:11 The dreams were so wonderful that Tama Rarity slept all day. When he eventually woke, the sun was sinking behind the mountains, and the wind had blown him to the opposite shore, with darkness setting in. It wouldn't be safe for him to return tonight. As much as he wanted to go home to his family, it would be pleasant. to spend the night sleeping outside, Tamarererati paddled to the nearest shore and pulled his canoe onto the pebbled beach. By the time he'd gathered wood to make a fire, the sun was nearly all the way down below the horizon. He pulled one of the fish from the basket and prepared it to cook,

Starting point is 00:26:23 feeling the warmth of the fire on his face as the surrounding air got cooler, roasting the fish over the flames. The fresh smell mingled with the charcoal scent of the fire, making his mouth water. When the fish was ready, he put it on a rock to cool and then pulled it apart piece by piece with his fish. fingers. He placed the warm, oily fish in his mouth and chewed slowly, savoring every bite. Nothing tasted better than a fresh catch. With such a lovely meal, he'd sleep well tonight. The breeze ran through the trees

Starting point is 00:27:30 and the water rippled against the beach, combined with the crackling of the fire, It created a soothing lullaby, but as Tama gazed into the fire, feeling his body relax, he noticed something. How the stones at the bottom of the fire glowed against the darkness of night. It was almost as if his dream had come to life. Maybe, instead of spending the night here, he could try something new. He could use these glowing stones to find his way home. Tamarerati used a spare basket to scoop the glowing stones out of the fire.

Starting point is 00:28:39 Then he placed the basket in his boat and pushed back out onto the lake. The glow from the stones gave off just enough light to see where he was going. He thought that if he left a trail of glowing stones, he'd be able to track his route and get back home. But if he dropped him in the water, they'd be extinguished. So how could he leave a trail? if, instead of the water, he could follow the river of the sky and make his path home from there.

Starting point is 00:29:38 Tamarererity had never been to the river in the sky before. But there was a first time for everything. He followed the shore of the lake all the way to the river and turned his canoe into the entrance, Using the glowing stones and the last light of dusk to guide him there, as his canoe glided out of the water and into the sky, a grin spread across his face. It felt like he was flying above the lake, hovering in his canoe and looking down at the darkness. The sounds of the lapping waves faded away and were traded for silence.

Starting point is 00:30:44 It was so peaceful in the sky. Then Tama began to toss the glowing pebbles into the sky river. To his delight, the pebbles stuck, acting as lanterns that helped him see the land below and navigate home. Witnessing the land he lived on from this vantage point gave him a whole new appreciation for the beauty of the place he called home. And when he looked back, he noticed that the wake of his canoe was leaving behind a dusty white trail in the midst of all the pebbles. The dark sky lit up like this was a magnificent sight to behold, and Tama Rarity was able to safely sail home. Navigating, thanks to the light of the new stars, he arrived just as dawn was breaking,

Starting point is 00:32:14 leaving the Sky River behind. He returned to the lake and pulled his canoe up onto the shore. When he returned home, his family and friends greeted him with warm hugs and handshakes. They couldn't wait to tell him about the magnificent thing they'd all seen that night. The darkness lit up with such beauty. Tama told everyone his story. They couldn't believe he'd traveled to the Sky River. and been the cause of the awesome phenomenon they'd experienced. But no one expected the lights in the sky to last for another night,

Starting point is 00:33:20 after all the stories and greetings were finished. Tamara Rarity realized he was tired from his adventure, so he went to bed and soon fell fast asleep, When he woke, it was dark again, and Ranganui, the Skyfather, was waiting for him in his home. Tamer greeted the Skyfather with awe and respect, and then asked him why he'd come to visit. Ranganyui told Tamer how happy he was when he saw the pebbles lighting up the sky. Previously, people could only appreciate the sky during the day, but with the lights, they would be able to gaze at the sky at any time of day or night.

Starting point is 00:34:39 More than that, people would be able to navigate at night. Ships on long journeys or explorers wandering far and wide could find their way home home. home, with the help of the trail of glowing embers in the sky, Ranginui asked Tamarerati if it allowed his canoe to be permanently anchored in the night sky, to help keep the stars in place and provide a path for sailors or wanderers. Tama agreed wholeheartedly. Together, they took the canoe up to the sea. sky river once again, and the villages watched on from the land below. Tamarer Rarity waved at his friends and firmly, and they waved back, smiling with awe,

Starting point is 00:35:53 as they watched his canoe float into the sky. When they had reached the place where the wake of the canoe was brightest, Tama threw his anchor into the Sky River to keep the boat in place. The four corners of the anchor lit up the sky, making the constellation of the Southern Cross and helping people to navigate for years to come. The Skyfather returned Tama Rarity to his home and all the people of the village thanked them for the gift.

Starting point is 00:36:48 Then, Tama gathered his friends and family. They all brought warm blankets outside and made beds on the beach, so that for the very first time, they could fall asleep, gazing up at the star-studded sky, As Nat finishes the story, the five stars of the Southern Cross glow outside the window. Tamarerati's boat fades into the Milky Way. Or, as some in New Zealand call it, the Great Sky Canoe. Nat tells you that the Southern Cross isn't only important in New Zealand.

Starting point is 00:37:51 This small constellation is significant across the southern hemisphere. It appears on the flags of Australia, Papua New Guinea and Samoa, as well as on New Zealand's. The Southern Cross is mentioned in the Australian National Anthem and in the mythology of many cultures around the world. A reference to four bright stars in the southern sky can even be found in the divine comedy, written by the Italian poet Dante Alagieri in the 14th century. Is it a coincidence? Perhaps not.

Starting point is 00:38:52 The Southern Cross was visible from the Mediterranean region three thousand years ago and was part of the Centaurus constellation. So, while Dante wouldn't have witnessed the Southern Cross himself, he may have been aware of it. The constellation was even visible in Britain 5,000 years ago, before the stars gradually lowered below the European horizon. In the Andean cultures of Peru and Chile, The Chicana, or Inca cross, is an important symbol found in textiles and architecture in many ancient sites.

Starting point is 00:39:56 While experts don't know the exact origin or meaning of the cross, it's possible that it represents the Milky Way and Southern Cross. The Chicana was likely seen as a bridge to the cosmos. and a union of the underworld, the world of man, and the world of the gods. In your pod, you let your eyes drift closed. As Nat finishes explaining the significance of the Southern Cross, the stars seem to dance behind your eyelids. The ship hums beneath you as it prepares for the descent back to earth. You feel almost like you're floating in the sky river, as the ship

Starting point is 00:41:07 rocks gently back and forth, helping you feel more and more relaxed in your bed. As you lie there, you reflect that stories of the stars have influenced and connected people around the world. For thousands of years, stars have helped civilizations understand when to plant and harvest crops, how to navigate, and how to understand the world around them. You feel a sense of gratitude for your adventures with star tours, helping you to get closer to the stars themselves and better understand the stories behind them. You allow your breathing to become heavy, knowing you're safe in your pod, and think of all the people around you on this adventure, wishing them a restful night's sleep. Then your mind wanders to the people

Starting point is 00:42:37 on the earth below, and all of those generations before, and how everyone is connected through the stories of the night sky, which signals to us all that it's time for rest sinking into the pot, you return to the present moment, the feelings of comfort from the blankets and pillows you've chosen and the humming and rocking of the interstellar ship. You continue breathing deeply until you drift off into a restful sleep.

Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - Star Tours #7: The Southern Cross

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