Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - Winter Solstice in Ancient Egypt

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Starting point is 00:03:51 and I have the pleasure of reading it for you. We'll be travelling back to ancient Egypt to visit the Karnak Temple in Luxor, a magnificent spot to view the winter solstice. We'll witness the festivities and rituals that took place at this special time of year. But before we begin our take, Let's take a moment to settle in.

Starting point is 00:04:29 Find a comfortable spot in bed. Adjust your pillows and covers until they are just right. When you're ready, bring your attention to your breath. Notice the natural rhythm of your breathing. Is it slow or quick? Deep or shallow or somewhere in between. Perhaps as you get sleepier,

Starting point is 00:05:15 your breath will slow and deepen, but there's no need to try to change the way you're breathing. Just notice what the breath feels like in your body right now. If you feel your mind start to wander during tonight's tale, you might find it helps to retain. turn your attention to your breath and to simply notice the rhythm again before bringing your focus back to the story. Allow your body and mind to relax as we travel back in time to ancient Egypt many, many winters ago. This is where our story begins.

Starting point is 00:06:48 When the days get shorter and Osiris spends more hours in the sky than Ra, it's time for the priests of Karnak to prepare for the winter solstice. The megalithic temple complex sits on the eastern bank of the Nile River, a few hundred kilometers south of Cairo. Tall sandstone and limestone walls and pillars surround courtyards and house holy relics inside sanctuaries. The water of the river rushes over rocks and around banks, creating music while the priests work. The starry sky and solar system are of great importance to the priests of the God Armand and the Egyptian people. The long nights of the dark winter months make for a great time to study the stars.

Starting point is 00:08:10 Through the movement of the moon, the stars and the gods who rule them, the cycle of life can be observed in a day, a month and a year. With the rising and setting of the sun each day, all the stages of life are seen. The winter solstice is an especially important time for the priests of the Temple of Karnak. This place was built to see the beautiful pink rays of the rising winter sun. When the winter sun hits the special mark of the solstice, the people know the sun will soon spend more time in the sky, bringing warmer weather and an end to the long months of the flooding of the Great Nile River. The Temple of Karnak is located in ancient Thebes and is the capital

Starting point is 00:09:29 of the ancient Egyptian world. It's at this place that Egyptians can worship the gods God Arman, or Amman Ra, in his temple. As the priests see to the temple grounds, sweeping the floors in a rhythmic motion, and preparing to dress the great God for his journey during the festival, they think about the ruler of this temple, Amman, the hidden God. Soon, people from all over the kingdom will come to visit the God, give thanks for gifts that were received, and ask for divine favours for the years to come. It's not often that anyone other than a priest is able to speak directly to the gods.

Starting point is 00:10:36 but on special festival days the priests will carry the statue of Armand out onto the banks of the River Nile so everyone will have a chance to participate directly in worship Amman is the god of creation and is full of contradictions According to the myths, he created himself before creating the world.

Starting point is 00:11:17 Sometimes referred to as the obscure one or the hidden one. Unlike other gods, Armin can't be seen in physical form, but can be felt with the other senses. Perhaps that's what made this god so special to the priests in the dark winter months. The mysterious form of the god can lend himself to any aspect of existence, and the darkness is a perfect time for transformation. Amen is also connected to the sun god Rha, and as this darkest day draws near, it's a reminder of what's to come. The spring and then summer, when Rha will spend more time in the sky.

Starting point is 00:12:26 The priests carry colourful decorations for the festivities as they move. through the walls of the complex. The temple is built with the orientations of the Zodiac. The way the stars hit certain places in the temple and change position on the horizon helps the priests and astronomers observe celestial movement and see the procession of the equinox. It's because of these observations that they know when to celebrate the solstice. Watching the planetary movements helps the farmers know when to plant their crops, providing food for the entire kingdom. And now that the Nile flooding has come to an end.

Starting point is 00:13:32 the fields will be fertile for the farmers to begin their work. But first, they'll have a night of celebration and enjoy watching the sunrise through the temple gates. The Karnak Temple, sometimes known as the Mansion of the Gods, is the largest temple complex in the Egyptian Empire, perhaps in the entire world. Wanting to get everything just right for the festival, the priests come together at the Avenue of Rams, the entrance to the temple complex where the people will gather for the festivities. In other temples in Egypt, these would be statues of sphinxes, creatures with the body of a lion and the head of a human.

Starting point is 00:14:47 But in honour of Arman, who is associated with rams, these figures have the body of a lion and the head of a ram. The priests walk down to the rows of tall sandstone statues, marvelling at the talented artisans who call Egypt home, and who have made so many wonderful works of art that will be remembered for centuries to come. They enter the first gate, slowly making their way towards the inner temple complex. They leave decorations on the walls and statues as a way to say thanks to the gods for all they've received this year. passing through the courtyards and ceremonial halls, the priests continue through each of the six gates, the inner chambers of the temples getting smaller and darker as they proceed, just

Starting point is 00:16:08 like the days of the year leading up to this moment. Rows of columns tower into the sky as they pass through the sixth gate and reach the most important sanctuaries. On one side is the temple of Ramses III, statues of pharaohs lining the outer mud-brick wall. On the other is the Hyperstile Hall, the largest religious building in the world. They enter Ramsey's Temple, hieroglyphs and bright wall paintings, providing a delicate sense of warmth, as the priests burn incense and leave offerings here. With only a few hours of daylight, the priests work quickly, wrapped in woolen robes to stay warm in the cool winter air of the Mediterranean. When they are done, the priests move back through the courtyard over to the other side where they enter the hypostyle hall.

Starting point is 00:17:43 The large colourful columns in this part of the temple create a sense of being in a stony forest. The priests wander through in silence, in awe of this beautiful place they are able to spend time in. The inscriptions and reliefs on the columns praise the gods, and pay tribute to the people who live and work in Egypt, having contributed to the construction of the temple. Finally, the priests reach the sanctum sanctorum, where the grand statue of Amon is housed. They are especially mindful of how they cover the God, not only to show him respect, but because on the day of the festival they will carry Armand from his place here out to the people, giving them a chance to speak directly to the God.

Starting point is 00:19:08 The covering will keep the statue safe in its venture out into the wild. Armand's statue has a beard and is wearing a headdress with bright blue feathers, the colour of the primordial waters. When the priests are finished, they stand for a moment to admire their work, gazing up at the great God and leaving their own offerings at his feet. On the day of the festival, they'll only be in service of the people, so now is their time to commune with Amen. When they've finished their work, they wander back outside and leave Armand's temple,

Starting point is 00:20:15 heading to the sacred lake. Here is where they'll make the final preparations for the festival with a ritual washing. During the festival day, the priests will not only lead the ceremony, they'll serve food to any of the Egyptian people who join in the celebrations. While the priests are spiritually preparing by the lake, the temple staff make and need dough, feeling the cool mixture on their hands that will soon feed so many. The kitchen is a flurry of activity. Onions and lettuces are chopped, lentils are boiled, and the smells of baking bread fill the air.

Starting point is 00:21:20 Of course, they can't forget some of the sweet treats that will be handed out on this festive occasion. In contrast to the silent work of the priests, the temple kitchens are filled with chatter and laughter. It's a joy to be able to come together on special occasions. The rhythm of the preparations feels like an old friend. chopping, mixing, kneading, rolling and baking. The hours until the festival eve pass by merrily. The night before the solstice, people travelling from all over the region begin to gather at the temple gates. Here, they'll be able to witness the solstice sunrise in the morning.

Starting point is 00:22:39 Old friends greet each other, extended families reunite, and children play, running around until they're out of energy, and then sitting down to a game of backgammon. with their grandparents, uncles and cousins. The priests walk amongst the people, handing out bread and sweets and answering any questions that people have about the celebration. Amman is an especially important god to the Egyptian people

Starting point is 00:23:26 and not only because he is the Creator. Unlike the other gods that live in their own realm and only come to earth on special occasions or through a pharaoh or priest, Armand's presence can be felt everywhere, not with the eyes, but with the other senses. Perhaps it's because of his close connection to the people that Arman's following is one of the most powerful and popular in all of Egypt. The dark night will be long, but with so much to celebrate, nobody minds. the black sky, stretching over the length of the winding Nile.

Starting point is 00:24:30 People build fires and gather around under blankets, telling stories, catching up with old friends and sharing thanks for all the good things that have happened in the past year. bark and crackle, and smells of fresh bread and beer mingle with the scent of the waters of the Nile, the river that supports and dictates so much of the rhythm of life in this place. As the night becomes quieter, the priests return to the temer. Campbell's halls to sleep. Campfires turn to coal and ash. Gentle breathing from under wool and cotton blankets can be heard from all directions. The Nile continues to flow like a A lullaby, putting the people of Egypt to sleep.

Starting point is 00:25:59 The priests are the first to wake in the morning before the crack of dawn. The day of the solstice is finally here, and nobody wants to miss the sunrise. They exit to the temples to the crisp dawn air, and walk out through the gates, singing and ringing bells to wake up the sleeping crowds. People yawn and rub their eyes. Some even roll over and try to go back to sleep before being shaken awake by their loved ones. When the sun sets, they can rest again. But for now, nobody wants to miss the magnificent solstice.

Starting point is 00:27:05 A line of light cracks on the horizon, and the sun begins to rise. The crowd looks. on in awe as it hovers between two massive pillars and casts a bright beam of light through the gates of the complex. They watch in silence as they see this beautiful piece of architecture lit up by the sun. begin to perform the ceremony of welcoming the rising sun, inviting Ra to continue spending more time in the mortal realm across the coming months. In the cold winter months, the god lived mostly in the underworld. But now he will be spending more time on earth.

Starting point is 00:28:18 Incantations are quietly chanted by the priests as they move their arms and hands toward the rising sun, performing the ritual that opens the senses. The ritual symbolizes birth and renewal, making those gathered for the festival think of all all the new things to come in the next cycle of seasons. The sun continues rising in the sky, and by midday it illuminates the inner sanctum, where the statue of Armin awaits. The priests enter the temple, and together they move the statue of the statue of of Amon onto a float. They carry it through the colourful temple gates until they reach the

Starting point is 00:29:28 temple entrance where the people are situated. Taking in the representation of the God, the people wait their turn to speak directly to Amman. For most of the year, only the priests can access the inner temple where the God lives. But now, anyone can greet the God to leave an offering, give thanks or ask for help. It feels especially joyful to get a glimpse of the hidden God, who offers to offer. who often can't be seen by mortals or even other immortals, though he can often be felt through the other senses or be seen through his work helping those in need. As they move through the crowd, the priests listen carefully, both to the questions of the people,

Starting point is 00:30:47 and the answers from the God. Depending on the directions they receive from Armin, they may tip the statue at a certain angle or answer directly with words. The sun continues to twinkle over the temple. Those who aren't speaking with the God, Watch the movement of the sun, singing songs and enjoying the food handed out by the temple's staff. The sun is at its furthest point from the equator today, in the tropic of Capricorn.

Starting point is 00:31:39 But despite it being the shortest day of the year, it's a time for hope and renewal. Just as each morning the gods return from the underworld to bring a new day, the winter solstice feels like the morning of the year, when the sun god returns from his winter slumber, and will start to stretch the days out to be longer and warmer once again. It will set the stage for other festivals celebrating rebirth in the year to come, like the Weppet Rempet Festival on New Year's Day that celebrates the rebirth of Osiris. On this day, the priests will lead a beautiful song, The Lament of Isis. Then there's the Opet Festival which takes place in the summer months

Starting point is 00:32:56 and is one of the most important to the followers of Armin. Once again, at that time, the statue of Armin will leave the temple and take a ride down the Nile to consult with the reigning king. Around Egypt, the architecture of the temples is set up to celebrate important days. For example, at Aswan's Abu Symbol temples, the sun's rays fall on the temple of King Ramses to celebrate the anniversary of his coronation. But on this special winter day, when everyone who wanted to has received a chance to speak with Amon, the priests return the statue to the temple, removing the veil and letting the representation

Starting point is 00:34:09 of the god rest until the next special celebration. Outside the walls of the temple, the sun is starting to set, but the celebrations are far from over. The people of Thebes and the surrounding cities of Egypt are enjoying this chance to take a break from their usual routines. Tomorrow, they'll return to their homes, tend to their fields, open their market stores, or design some of the beautiful architecture of the empire that will bring awe and wonder to the world for thousands of years to come. But for now,

Starting point is 00:35:12 The people have the long night ahead, to feast, celebrate, and spend time with their family, friends and community. The festivities last long into the night, but gradually the people begin to return to their homes or encampments to sleep. Snuggled under warm woolen blankets, they hear the sounds of joy and festivity, mixing with the rushing of the Nile River and the wind rustling through the desert bushes, as they drift off into a restful slumber. We're going to be.

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Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - Winter Solstice in Ancient Egypt

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