Northern Lights Of Nova Scotia: Sleep Story Meditation

Fall asleep fast and relax your mind with this guided sleep meditation and calm bedtime story.

You are listening to the Northern Lights of Nova Scotia and in this guided visualization,

You will travel by catamaran to the rocky coastline and lighthouse of Cape Foreshoe accompanied by your beloved dog.

You disembark and take in the spectacular Northern Lights that illuminate the sky in broad brush strokes of chartreuse and deep purple.

You walk through sandy dunes and find a rock where you sit with your pet.

There you listen to the waves lap against the shore beneath the spectacle of Aurora Borealis.

You retreat to the cozy splendor of the Light Keepers cottage that you have rented for this retreat nestled by the fire.

A wall of windows look out onto Yarmouth Harbor and the dazzling light show put on by Mother Nature.

Safe and warm you drift into a deep healing sleep.

It's time to dream away.

I would like to welcome you to Michelle's Sanctuary.

I am Michelle and as you are listening,

You may think of my voice as that of a dear friend and trusted guide.

I am here to remind you that your imagination is in use all the time.

And so often you may use it to fuel worries,

But right now,

In the sanctuary of your room and mind,

You are free to use your imagination for your own greater good.

With a sleep routine,

You may be the artist behind every image and thought that carries you over the bridge between your waking and sleeping life.

And at any point in this story,

If you feel like letting go of my voice and returning to hear more of the story later,

You are free to do whatever feels right.

This time is exclusively for you and you deserve to do whatever feels best.

You've earned this moment and have prevailed through another day.

And in the comforts of your room,

In the safety of your bed,

You may wiggle out any impressions of your day.

Nestle like a bird fluffing her feathers before settling into her nest.

Let your body become heavy and close your eyes as you sink into a state of relaxation.

Take in a deep breath and feel your whole torso rise like a balloon inflated with helium.

Open your mouth into a big yawn and let it all out.

Sigh the air out of your lungs and get heavy as you sink into your bed.

And then inhale again and yawn if that feels good.

You can yawn and wiggle and do whatever you want in this judgement free space.

You are free of anyone else's opinions.

And you are free of your own.

And then sigh the air out.

And as you do you visualize you are sitting atop the deck of a catamaran.

Your breath condenses in a silky stream of air that forms a silvery lavender cloud.

The maritime air smells briny when you inhale and feel the cool damp air as it forms droplets in your nose.

Leads form on your lips and taste like a cold metal spoon that delivers a salty broth to your warm mouth.

You listen to the waves break against the lustrous white exterior of the boat.

Dressed in a puffy parka you feel the warmth of your cashmere scarf that is tucked within the tall collars of the coat.

Your gloveless hands are buried in the soft thick fur of your dog who sits between your legs and relishes the massage you give to soothe her.

Her glassy eyes look like luminous coal as they gaze curiously at the sea.

You and your pup are the only passengers on this quiet ride from the coast of Maine to the Canadian town of Yarmouth.

And while spring is around the corner,

The bite of winter remains in the air.

It feels especially brisk on this clear night.

While sunlight hours are increasing each day,

The sun still lowers early and just hours before you watched it disappear beyond the navy blue horizon.

Your body has acclimated to the rocking motion back and forth and this movement has lulled your mind into a state of quietude.

Movement is a solve.

And for so much time you have remained stationary and longed to explore magical sights captured in photos.

This is the best season to experience Aurora Borealis and the captain of the vessel had a twinkle in his eyes when he explained that the night in store for you will be beyond your wildest of expectations.

You look to the indigo blue sky,

Freckled with silver white stars that shine brightly down on the vast darkness of the bay.

The waxing gibbous moon is day shy of being full and reflects brightly on the dark waters of the bay of Fundy.

The waterway is considered one of seven natural wonders of North America and has the highest tides of anywhere on earth.

Over time the tides have created breathtaking sea cliffs and rock formations.

It is a popular summer refuge for whales,

With more than 12 species that may be found swimming in the area in the peak months of tourism.

You feel a similar draw to the water and it tugs on your heart.

The sea in bay is so easy to romanticize.

Stories about whales and seafarers.

In the white noise of the surf,

You hear a feminine whisper that beckons to you.

Stay for a while.

Conveniently this has been your plan all along.

You've needed this getaway to a quiet place with a rich history of welcoming travelers.

This moment feels timeless and you suddenly see historic vessels appear on the water like holograms,

Guided by weary seafarers,

Longing for the stillness of land.

They appear like a nautical mirage and you are captivated and so is your pup until they evaporate into the darkness.

So much of life is spent longing for something more.

That you take this moment to appreciate all that you have.

Because this journey began with an intention to relish and savor every moment.

A wondrous night ahead where you may do whatever your heart desires.

And as your mind floats to thoughts of gratitude,

The first streak of the northern lights illuminates the sky.

Aurora Borealis is caused when electrically charged particles from the sun enter the earth's atmosphere through holes in the magnetic fields of the north and south poles.

Riding on the solar wind,

They collide with gas particles to put on a show of dancing lights.

At first you see a slowly moving streak of light green.

It widens across the sky,

Undulating like the waves in the Bay of Fundy.

The catamaran continues southerly towards the Cape.

You see the silhouette of a rocky coastline in the near distance.

The boat is guided by the light of the Cape Foreshoe lighthouse.

The watchtower shaped like an apple core.

The red striped white lighthouse has guided seafarers to land since 1840.

Golden light brightly beams from the tower and slices through the darkness while illuminating the rugged volcanic rocks of the shoreline.

The rock formations are like smaller replications of mountains with pointed peaks and sharp angled slopes.

The catamaran begins to slow down,

Inching closer to a private dock between the historic lighthouse and the cottage you rented for your getaway.

A wind comes off the bay and you relish the cool air.

It causes your face and nose to tingle and brings a feeling of aliveness to your body.

So often throughout your normal life,

You have become numb to the physicality of being in your body.

You zone out during mundane tasks and are absorbed in electronic distractions.

But here,

Beneath the northern lights,

Isolated with your pup on a moving vessel,

Every sensation is heightened.

You are conscious of every experience.

Perhaps that is what brings you such contentment when you travel.

This amplification of your senses etches memories in your mind as sharp and detailed as an artist's sketch of a landscape.

You look to the sky,

Now erupting in shades of vibrant pink and purple.

The colors flow like saturated watercolor paints.

So fluid they move gracefully with the pulsing rhythm of a heartbeat.

Captain Sam docks the boat and comes to help you grab your bag.

He places the strap of your luggage in one hand,

While your other hand grasps the well worn leash of your dog.

The colors of the northern lights become more vibrant and spread wider across the sky.

The captain's sun-weathered face erupts in a warm smile,

And his eyes sparkle like a child.

The beauty of Nova Scotia and the northern lights forever enchants him.

Since first witnessing them decades ago,

When Nova Scotia felt quieter and more remote,

He helps you disembark and you find balance on a dock that creaks softly beneath your feet.

Your pup is hesitant at first,

And then bravely leads you towards the rocky shore.

You wave goodbye to the captain,

And he wishes you and your dog well as you begin your walk towards the cottage.

The landscape is rugged,

And you take a wet sandy path that weaves like a golden ribbon between the ebony jagged volcanic rocks that glisten in the moonlight.

You walk through dunes covered in snow-dusted grass that rustles in the cool breeze.

You come to a quiet area surrounded by glassy tidal pools that reflect the amethyst and soft green tones of the northern lights.

The same is true for the glistening rocks and shimmering sand,

And you watch a rainbow of color bounce back from the night sky to the gleaming landscape of the Cape.

You hear the soft crash of waves against the shoreline beyond the dunes,

And again hear the whisper,

Please stay a while.

Your dog's ears rise as well,

And her reaction is always so cute and endearing that it causes you to smile.

You find a smooth rock that is the perfect size and height to sit and enjoy the mystical spectacle that unfolds around you.

You place your bag to one side of your body,

And your pup jumps and settles against the other side.

You relish her furry warmth as she leans into you,

And you wrap your arm around her.

You look to the waxing gibbous moon and think about all the souls to come before you,

And used the moon to guide them.

You think of the lunar pull on the tides,

And feel the connection as it extends to you at this moment,

Surrounded by the shiny tidal pools that ripple beneath the caverns and the delicate bridges formed within the black rocks.

Some of the rock formations look like black candle wax that has dripped down tapered candles and hardened over time.

You notice magenta and royal blue and teal hues that join the dancing array of the northern lights,

Flickering and gracefully moving like candle flames struck by a soft current of the night air.

The air is marked by a rich fragrance of sea creatures and seaweed distilled and intensified in the shallow water of the tidal pools.

You take in a deep breath and sigh,

And feel your body become heavy as it sinks into the cradle of the gritty rock beneath you.

And as you exhale,

Your pup points her nose to the moon and lets out a spontaneous howl.

You have never heard her howl before,

But this journey together has awakened something primal within her.

You imagine she is calling out to her ancestors,

To the wolves that once roamed the landscape of Nova Scotia freely centuries ago.

When she is done,

She looks at you as if nothing unusual happened,

And her eyes are smiling.

You bring her muzzle to your cheek and scratch her neck.

She buries her cool wet nose in a gap between your neck and soft scarf and it makes you laugh.

Feeling tired from the long journey by sea and now by land,

You rise and grab your bag and the leash to continue to the other side of the narrow cape.

Your boots balance on the uneven terrain and you feel the soul's grip the wet,

Coarse sand.

The northern lights begin to disappear,

But they are known to come and go throughout nights like this.

You walk around a tall dune and make out the lightkeeper's cottage that you have rented.

The land is barren surrounding it and reminds you of homes built by pioneers in the west.

Instead of tumbleweeds,

Thick blue-green grasses grow tall and make shushing sounds in the breeze.

You undo your dog's leash and watch her run free and unencumbered towards the cottage.

Her hind legs kick up the sand in golden clouds that sparkle in the moonlight.

You saunter down the winding path that leads to the historic cottage constructed in 1740.

It is one of the oldest homes in Nova Scotia.

The façade of the home is covered with gray shingles that have been weathered over time.

The original shingles were made of cedar and dipped in buttermilk to leave a grayish tint to the home.

You follow the path towards the property and walk past an evergreen tree or two that grows atop rolling hills covered in a lace-like coating of pearly white snow.

You inhale the smell of spruce and salty air.

Your dog arrives at the front porch of the cottage before you and again you hear the invitation,

Feel free to stay for a while.

You walk up a burgundy and sapphire blue flagstone path to the porch and climb the creaky stairs.

Your legs feel a soft burn and tiredness that comes from a day of activity.

You greatly look forward to warming up by a fire.

The dampness of the night has set into your bones and muscles and you brace yourself in a hug as you approach the front door.

You enter a key code and hear a beep as the lock disengages.

You open the front door into a lofty living space.

You flip a dimmer low to set the perfect lighting.

Antique lamps turn on and illuminate the room in a soft and cadescent glow.

Many of the lamps are made of colorful stained glass in soothing blue and green tones.

They have been collected over many eras and some lamps in the collection were once lit with candles before the advent of electricity.

They have been modernized for the home.

You remove your boots and place them on a mat and then take off your coat and scarf and hang them on nautically themed hooks that resemble anchors.

You place down your bag and remove your pups food from it.

As always,

She is your priority.

And you walk to the open kitchen to find two bowls.

You fill one with cold water from the sink and the other with dry kibble.

The sound of the pellets falling into the dish excites your dog and she comes running with her tail wagging at full speed.

She happily eats and your attention turns to the living room.

Large windows run from floor to ceiling on three walls.

And from them you can see the lighthouse on one side and the sparkling water of the Bay of Fundy on another.

You can see the starry sky and vibrant moon from the comforts of an overstuffed sofa.

You walk to a fireplace that has been modernized and turns on with the flip of a switch.

You rub your cold hands together before the marmalade flames that dance in the white brick fireplace.

Your fingers tingle as the numbness disappears and feeling slowly returns to them.

You retreat to the couch and sink into the downy cushions.

There is a coffee table made of white washed driftwood.

It is unique and memorable and you run your fingers along the smooth grains of the piece.

And as you do,

You can hear and feel the waves of the ocean that weathered it down.

Much like you've imagined hearing the echo of the sea in the hollow space of a conch shell.

Like much of this journey,

It feels as if articles you encounter are sharing their personal stories and the story of the cape through impressions that go beyond the logical mind.

You are granted with a knowing.

There is a wicker fruit basket wrapped in iridescent cellophane and it bears a card that reads your name in calligraphy and the message that led you so far is written as well.

Please stay a while.

You untie a blue satin ribbon and peel away the cellophane listening as it crinkles.

You grab a piece of your favorite fruit and savor the sensation of each bite.

The juice of the fruit nourishes you and you feel the sweet liquid hydrate your throat as it trickles down into your stomach.

Your dog comes to join you and you invite her to the sofa.

You finish the last of the fruit and then relax with her,

Sinking into the pillows and soft cushions.

You bring your feet onto the sofa and find a soft chenille blanket in your favorite color that is draped on the back of the furniture.

You wrap it around you and your pup and watch the dancing flames of the fire.

Your attention turns to the windows and outside you see the northern lights have once again come to life.

Remniscent of a grand finale of a 4th of July fireworks display,

The colors are more vibrant and diverse than before.

Magenta and electric blue,

Teal and chartreuse,

The colors glow like neon lights.

There are two skylight windows above the living room and you look to them to observe the wafting lights and twinkling stars.

Peering through the windows,

You feel as if you are inside a rocket,

Ready to fly through the ribbons of colorful light.

Your dog rests her warm chin on your legs and her thick lashes fall upon her furry cheeks.

When she closes her eyes and sighs,

You pet her head and find yourself becoming quite tired.

Your eyes softly focus on the lights of the sky.

The lights of the antique lamps and the light of the fire.

And your imagination takes flight.

You feel as if you are floating through a rainbow of colors,

Free to drift and wander like a vessel at sea,

Free to surrender to the tides of time and of relaxation as you simply let go.

You take in a deep breath and yawn and stretch your arms overhead before they fall back on the soft pillows.

You imagine riding on the sofa through the skylights,

Through the cool air on this magical night where anything seems possible.

You visualize floating above the reflective waves of the sea that sparkle like millions of mirrors floating on a pool of indigo ink.

In this dream fantasy,

You float across the stars and ride across the green and purple lights of Aurora Borealis with the slick ease of a sled going down pristine,

Snowy hills.

You follow the sensation of going with the flow and gliding across the sky and then you feel yourself sinking into the comforts of the sofa and returning to the cozy,

Warm,

Historic lightkeeper's cottage in a place where it is safe to dream.

In a place where you cuddle with your beloved companion,

Feeling snug and safe,

Your eyelids fall heavily upon your tired eyes and you drift towards sleep.

The magic and beauty of the northern lights and the maritime landscape will enliven your dreams when you cross over into your sleeping light.

You may dream of yourself at this moment,

Observing yourself nestled by a fire in a cottage beneath the neon display of Aurora Borealis.

Your body feels heavy and tired and you simply surrender to the bliss of this moment.

You feel at peace and more relaxed than you have felt in a very long time.

This feeling is what you have sought and what you so very much deserve.

And I am going to count you down to a night of healing,

Dream filled sleep.

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Finding peace,

Finding respite,

Finding harmony,

Finding balance,

Finding rest,

Finding sleep.

It's time to dream away.

Good night.

Good night.

Good night.

Good night.

Good night.

You