Come away this Halloween and travel back a hundred years for a glamorous crossing aboard an elegant ship.
In 1925.
Where enchantment and folklore come alive.
On the Dark Atlantic.
You are listening to.
All Hallows' Eve on the Midnight Liner.
A cozy sleep story for grown-ups,
Where carved jack-o-lanterns illuminate the decks,
Candlelight flickers across an elegant feast,
And the most extraordinary costumes Fill a ballroom.
As an orchestra plays into the night.
Between old traditions.
Fortunes told in tea leaves.
The mysterious allure of the sea,
You may surrender to the magic of this special night.
Discover a little magic of your own.
It's time to dream away.
Welcome to Michelle's Sanctuary.
I'm Michelle and I'm so grateful you've chosen to spend part of your night with me.
Think of my voice as a sleepy ally and longtime friend,
Here to help you cross the bridge to sleep.
Wherever this day has taken you.
Arrive fully in the sanctuary.
Knowing you have nowhere else to travel that's within your imagination.
Where an elegant steamship is already waiting to carry you across a dark mysterious sea.
Before our voyage begins.
Find the position that feels most comfortable for sleep.
Sinking into the support and warmth of this moment.
Sense a shift in the air.
Like a brisk and briny autumn wind.
Moving across the Atlantic.
Draw in a slow,
Nourishing breath through your nose.
Filling your lungs until you feel a natural desire to let it go.
Exhale through your mouth with a soft sigh.
Your breath leads you deeper to peace.
As you inhale and expand.
Maybe feeling a yawn slip in.
Reminding every cell in your body.
It's time to settle into this bedtime holiday.
Inhale and expand once more.
Maybe yawn again.
Familiar sleepy signal passing through you.
As naturally as a wave.
Traveling towards shore.
And exhale with a sigh.
As I count us down.
I feel your countenance soften and grow smooth as though touched by the cool darkness beneath the ship's windows.
Where moonlight glimmers on an endless stretch of black water.
More.
Let that softness travel through your jaw and neck,
Across your shoulders and down your arms to your fingertips.
Wrapped in the comforting weight of velvet.
Against the crisp October air.
3.
.
.
Your back and spine grow heavier.
Sinking into the support beneath you.
Like a great liner settling comfortably into the rhythm of the Atlantic.
To.
Allow that heaviness to continue through your hips and thighs,
Your knees and calves.
As you imagine the soothing sway of a ship upon cool ocean waters,
When you feel that final softness reach your ankles,
Your feet,
And every last toe.
As your entire body is comfortably supported.
As the distance between waking life and this imagined world begins to dissolve.
The night is cool.
The sea is glimmering.
And somewhere upon the Atlantic.
A magnificent ocean liner glides through the night,
Carrying you toward a Halloween and like any you have known as our story begins.
Elegance,
Bliss,
Nostalgia,
And a playful spirit.
With all that in mind.
Who wouldn't wish to be aboard the midnight liner.
For one of the most mystical nights of the year.
For ten years,
The Midnight Liner has made its legendary All Hallows' Eve crossing carrying passengers across the Atlantic,
Traveling East.
Heralded as one of the most magnificent steamships ever to sail the seas.
The moment one steps on the red carpet in the New York Harbor and boards the steamer.
Everything exists in its own world.
The Midnight Liner.
Is a capsule of the era.
Gliding through dark sparkling waters.
Its annual October passage.
Has become a tradition.
Autumn-inspired grandeur.
With lavish masquerades.
Sumptuous candlelit feasts,
Elaborate decor.
And a moment to honor the thinning of the veil.
Returning passengers.
Speak fondly of celebrations past,
Recalling the remarkable costumes,
Fortunes that proved surprisingly accurate,
And mysterious occurrences that have become part of the vessel's enduring folklore.
This year,
In 1925,
The 10th anniversary promises to be the most majestic crossing yet.
With an orchestra assembled for the occasion.
And a magnificent evening of surprises.
Awaiting passengers.
Who have traveled from near and far.
And perhaps like you.
Some have traveled through time and space to be part of this extraordinary night.
Your private chambers aboard the midnight liner.
Have become a cozy luxurious home at sea.
The deep steady vibration of the steamship.
Travels faintly through the floor beneath your feet.
And its constant hum.
Soothes you to the core.
Tactile sensations of your room.
Are rich with wonder.
And you can't help but run your fingers.
Across the deep midnight blue wallpaper.
Made of silk.
Embossed with golden vines.
Shimmer in the light of fringed wall sconces.
Polished mahogany furnishings.
Gilded mirrors.
And a sapphire velvet armchair beside the brass-rimmed porthole.
Add a sense of royalty and elegance.
A thick Persian carpet.
Cushions your bare feet.
As you prepare for tonight's festivities.
You're bad.
Dressed in ivory linens.
And a midnight blue coverlet.
Edged with gold embroidery.
Promises a wonderful night's sleep.
When the evening comes to its fateful end.
Celebration of the season.
Halloween decorations abound.
Miniature pumpkins.
Arranged on the writing desk.
Delicate paper bats suspended from golden threads above the doorway.
Little velvet black cat.
Sits beside a brass lamp.
Its emerald ribbon tied into a bow.
While a cornucopia overflowing with red apples,
Pears,
And miniature gourds.
Brings the abundance of autumn to this floating sanctuary.
The fragrance of dried orange peel and cloves.
Mingles with the sweetness of ripe fruit.
And fresh linen.
Familiar reminders of the season.
While the forests and fields of autumn remain hundreds of miles beyond the horizon.
Beyond the porthole.
The Atlantic stretches.
Into an almost impenetrable darkness.
Interrupted by the occasional flash of white foam alongside the ship.
The faint shimmer of distant stars.
And a rising full moon.
You rest your fingertips against the cool brass rim.
Contemplating the countless travelers who have crossed these waters before you.
Some carried their hopes,
Dreams,
And stories toward distant shores.
For others.
The sea became their greatest love and calling.
And they could never bear to spend more than a few days in port.
Before returning to the open Atlantic.
Where they felt a sense.
Of freedom and belonging.
Unlike anywhere else in the world.
The vastness of the ocean.
Invites a little wonder.
Especially on this mystical night.
The boundaries between the familiar and the unknown.
Feel playful and sweetly uncertain.
Your costume hangs in the armoire.
Carefully displayed on a wooden hanger.
So every embellishment.
And pressed crease.
Can be admired.
Whatever you have chosen to become.
For this otherworldly gathering.
Whether elegant,
Whimsical,
Mysterious,
Are delightfully eccentric.
You enjoy the pleasure.
Of bringing your imagination to life.
As you lift the costume into your hands.
Your fingertips explore the soft nap of velvet.
Cool smoothness of silk.
And the rich texture of brocade.
Discovering delicate embroidery.
Intricate lathes.
And tiny beads that catch the lamplight.
Along the inner seams.
Perfectly spaced stitches.
Have been pulled tight and secure.
Each detail reflecting.
The patience and artistry of the hands that created it.
As you dress.
The fabric gradually takes on the warmth of your body.
Settling comfortably across your shoulders.
And following your movements with a pleasing weight.
You stand before the gilded mirror.
And make a final adjustment.
Grateful for the freedom of expressing another wonderful part of yourself.
Knowing that the grand ballroom will soon be filled with others.
Embrace the same playful spirit.
Crystal glass sparkles on the polished silver tray.
On the writing desk.
With a folded linen napkin.
Embroidered with a ship's insignia.
And a handwritten greeting from the captain.
Welcoming you to the 10th annual All Hallows' Eve celebration.
A bubbly jewel-toned elixir garnished with a curl of orange peel.
And a fragrant sprig of rosemary.
Was brought to start the evening rite.
You lift the cool,
Heavy crystal.
And savor a leisurely sit.
Enjoying the brightness of citrus,
The sweetness of fruit.
And the lingering warmth of spice.
The captain's little card.
Invites you to make a wish.
For the evening ahead.
When the veil between worlds grow thin.
The spirits of your ancestors.
May help bring your dreams to life.
It's an old tradition.
For many at sea.
One that the midnight liner has enjoyed since its first crossing.
For the final sip.
You allow a moment.
To imagine what you might wish for.
While the distant strains of an orchestra begin to drift through the walls.
With one final glance in the mirror.
You arrange a warm outer garment.
Around your costume.
Place the glass down on the tray and step into the corridor.
Beyond the door to your floating haven.
Golden wall sconces.
Illuminate richly patterned carpets.
Polished mahogany doors.
While arrangements of autumn foliage.
And miniature pumpkins.
Decorate the passageway.
The briny essence of the Atlantic.
Mingles with the faint sweetness of pumpkin and cranberries,
Baking in the ship's kitchen.
You exchange smiles with fellow passengers.
Emerging in their extraordinary costumes.
Uh huh.
A sweeping staircase adorned with copper ribbons and garlands of autumn leaves.
Descends beneath a chandelier.
With thousands of crystals.
With glowing jack-o'-lanterns.
Arranged along the broad landings.
And the happy murmur of conversation.
Rising from below.
As you make your way.
Toward the festivities.
A beautifully lettered sign beside the entrance.
To an intimate tea salon.
Catches your attention.
Inviting passengers.
To have their fortunes read.
In honor of All Hallows' Eve.
Beyond its open doors.
Little tables dressed in burgundy velvet.
Glow from taper candles in hurricane laps.
The fragrant steam of freshly brewed Darjeeling leaves.
Rises from delicate porcelain cups.
Hand-painted with autumnal designs.
The romantic orchestral melodies.
And the distant crash of the Atlantic.
Create a dreamy soundtrack.
As you drift into the parlor.
Take a seat on an emerald velvet stool.
Curious to discover what secrets might be waiting.
At the bottom of a teacup.
At a little table beside the window.
Sits Claudia.
The woman who's gift.
Has made her a beloved part.
Of the Midnight Liners Halloween tradition.
She is draped in flowing layers of silk scarves.
And velvet the color of Merlot.
With gold fringes that sway,
She moves her hands.
Her long fingers are adorned with rubies.
Turquoise and moonstone rings.
Her long wild hair.
Spills beneath a close-fitting hat.
Embroidered with hundreds of minuscule glass beads.
Catching the candlelight.
Whenever she turns her head.
Claudia comes from five generations before you.
Of tea leaf readers and clairvoyants.
In the old world.
Her mother and grandmother.
Taught her this mystical art.
And how to recognize the stories.
Hidden within the leaves.
Before finding her way aboard the midnight liner.
She spent years reading fortunes.
For those preparing to leave their homelands for America.
Offering glimpses of new beginnings to travelers.
Whose hearts were filled with fluctuating hope and uncertainty.
She keeps a small chest of letters they sent in return.
Sharing news of the lives they had built and the predictions that had come true.
Claudia welcomes you with a warm,
Knowing smile.
And asks you to think.
Of what you might like to learn tonight.
She pours the Darjeeling tea from a silver pot.
To the porcelain cup.
She then lifts the cup.
And slowly rotates it between her ring-adorned fingers.
Studying the patterns.
Clinging to its interior.
Among scattered leaves.
Discovers a crescent moon.
A constellation of stars.
What appears to be a lantern rising above the waves.
She smiles at the image of a journey.
A rather fitting prediction.
Aboard an ocean liner.
For leaning closer.
Examine a curious formation of words.
Near the bottom of the cup.
Her expression softens.
She tells you.
That this all hallows eve.
Holds a secret.
One that will reveal itself upon the dark Atlantic.
Before the night is through.
She sees a light.
It belongs entirely to you.
Something that has always existed within you.
Though its form may surprise you when the moment arrives.
Perhaps it will appear as a cherished memory.
A long forgotten dream.
Or something your imagination has yet to discover.
But Claudia assures you.
But you will recognize it when you see it.
She places the cup.
Gently down on the saucer and it clinks.
She gives your hand a reassuring squeeze.
The cool bands of her gold rings brushing against your skin.
She wishes you a memorable All Hallows' Eve.
Beyond the tea salon.
The festivities have commenced.
In a spectacle of glittering colors.
Soaring music.
And imaginative costumes.
Phantasmic stewards stand guard at the entrance to the Grand Ballroom.
Where revelers gather.
Beneath a soaring dome of glass.
High overhead.
The stars shimmer against the navy black October sky.
As the second full moon of the month.
Rises high in the sky.
The Atlantic stretches.
And endless glittering ebony.
Occasionally illuminated.
By the lazy edge of waves.
Alongside the ship.
Crystal chandeliers.
Hang down from the gilded framework of the dome.
Constantly in motion.
The liner cruises through the deep sea.
Towering arrangements.
Of autumn foliage.
And scarlet.
Copper and gold.
Spill out of ancient brass urns.
The warmth of the ballroom greets you.
The mingled fragrances of exotic perfumes,
Newly lit candles,
Cinnamon sticks,
And cloves.
While the rich,
Romantic notes of the orchestra fill the air.
The musicians are dressed to resemble the characters in the Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
And play from a raised stage.
Overlooking the dance floor.
Everywhere you look.
Costumes are works of art.
Each revealing something.
The imagination and humor of the person wearing it.
A woman dressed as a Tiffany stained glass lamp.
Glides past in a gown of emerald,
Sapphire,
And ruby beads,
Her face mysteriously concealed beneath an elaborate mosaic lampshade.
While a gentleman.
Dressed as a grandfather cloth.
Pauses to bow before a woman.
Whose silver gown and crescent-shaped headdress.
Transform her into the moon.
Nearby,
A champagne coupe comes to life.
In a sculptural ivory costume.
Adorned with strands of crystal bubbles.
She's accompanied by a gentleman dressed in a deep green ensemble.
To resemble a champagne bottle.
A sequined peacock spreads out her fan of iridescent feathers.
Accompanied by a date.
Dressed as the midnight sky.
Performers on stilts.
Wander through the gathering.
Towering autumn trees.
Bringing the beauty of land to the voyage.
And proving they've more than earned their sea legs.
Dancers dressed as silver moths and black-winged ravens.
Move gracefully between the tables.
There are witches in velvet.
Celestial beings.
Playful black cats.
And characters borrowed from fairy tales.
Each costume offers.
Another little surprise.
As you wander through the galaxy.
Along the perimeter of the ballroom.
Long banquet tables.
Stretched beneath black linens.
Each arranged to accommodate 30 guests.
Beneath the glow of towering silver candelabras.
Cornucopias overflow with apples,
Pears,
Grapes,
And polished chestnuts.
Surrounded by miniature pumpkins,
Dahlias,
Drilling ivy,
And garlands of autumn leaves.
Little black paper silhouettes of cats,
Witches,
And crescent moons.
Decorate the place settings.
The soft clinking of crystals.
Mingles with conversation and laughter.
While candle flames flicker gently.
And the movement of the air.
The orchestra moves from a sweeping waltz.
Into a lively fox trot.
And the polished dance floor fills with couples.
Whose costumes seem to acquire a life of their own.
Beneath the magically shifting lights.
Silk skirts ripple across the parquet.
Beaded fringes sway in time with the music.
And the long tails of velvet coats.
Follow their wearers.
They're at return.
A few guests stand along the edge of the floor.
Delighted to watch the procession of characters.
Moving through the golden glow.
You find a comfortable place.
Take it all in.
Feeling the subtle sway of the ship beneath you.
Contrast.
Of the immense silence.
The vast night sky above the Atlantic.
And the warmth of this room.
It brings a deep sense of peace.
There is something so dreamlike.
About all these souls coming together.
And those floating palettes.
Were thousands of miles of dark water.
Surround a world filled with laughter.
Candlelight.
And the pleasures of Halloween night.
Among the evening's most cherished traditions.
The All Hallows Eve charm cake.
Presented on an ornate silver stand.
Decorated with candied orange peel,
Sugared violets,
And little marzipan pumpkins.
The cake carries its own old custom of fortune-telling.
With tiny charms traditionally concealed within its slices.
Each representing a possibility.
For the year ahead.
Little silver coin.
Promises prosperity.
A ring foretells romance.
Miniature ship suggests travel.
And a tiny key symbolizes a new opportunity.
A door waiting to be opened.
Guests gather around.
Sharing stories of charms found on past crossings.
And the fortunes they foretold.
Within your slice of cake you discover a tiny silver ship.
A symbol of adventure.
New horizons.
And wonderful journeys yet to come.
As the evening continues.
The ballroom seems to glow more richly beneath the chandeliers.
With candlelight reflected in the polished silver.
The glass dome revealing a canopy of stars.
As the orchestra weaving familiar melodies.
Through the conversations of passengers.
You have traveled from so many different corners of the world.
The fragrance of sandalwood and amber.
Joined by the occasional trace of sea air drifting through an open doorway.
Costumes form their own waves of silk and beads.
Brushing against you.
As you dance until you can dance no more.
A heady feeling of tiredness.
Comes in like a non-threatening rogue wave.
It's a desirable invitation to step out into the brisk ocean air.
Beyond the ballroom.
Promenade deck stretches beneath the canvas of millions of stars.
Where the Atlantic Ocean extends in every direction.
Its dark waters.
Gathering wide silver bands.
From the blue moon.
The music follows you through the doorway.
Growing softer as you wander toward the railing.
Where a few guests are taking part.
In one final Halloween tradition.
Laughing and clinging to one another at the stern.
One by one.
They make their wishes upon the sea.
Casting them into the night.
For the belief that the ocean having carried travelers across the world for centuries.
Might carry their wishes.
Somewhere wonderful too.
You linger as the last costumed guests depart.
Leaving you alone.
The immense beauty of the Atlantic.
And a gentle vibration.
Of the ship beneath your feet.
The cool mist meets your skin.
Imparting its salty essence on your lips.
You approach the railing.
Finding your balance.
With its smooth wood beneath your palms.
Somewhere between the stars above.
And the fathomless depths below.
You feel a sacred connection.
To all who have come before you.
On this Halloween night.
When the veil between worlds is said to be at its thinnest.
Call upon the love and timeless wisdom of your ancestors.
Inviting their support.
As you envision what you most desire.
Time dissolves.
And everything happens at once.
You to connect.
With the energy of possibility.
Perhaps a dream you have carried for years comes to mind.
A yearning only beginning to take shape.
And the opal light of the full moon.
A shimmering vision.
Rises from the water.
Appearing like a holographic film.
Coming to life.
To reveal a glimpse of what could be.
For a few extraordinary moments.
You see your wish.
As though it has already come true.
Surrounded by the love.
Of those who came before you.
And the promise of all that lies ahead.
Fades into the night.
It remains warm and light within your heart.
You linger in its reassuring feelings.
Taken out of the spell.
Only when you hear the approaching joyous laughter of a couple.
Ready to cast their own wish out at sea.
They wish you a happy Halloween.
And you wish them good night.
Turning inside to the quiet corridors and winding stairs.
That's lead to your stateroom.
When you arrive.
Your stage room welcomes you.
With the thoughtful touches of an evening turndown service.
The bed has been prepared.
The pillows freshly fluffed.
And a small silver tray awaits on the bedside table.
With a chocolate truffle shaped like a smiling jack-o-lantern.
And a handwritten note.
Wishing you pleasant dreams.
The bedside lamp casts a buttery glow across this haven for dreaming.
The bathroom has been supplied.
Fresh thick towels.
A beautifully wrapped bar.
Of cinnamon cedar soap.
You step beneath the wonderfully warm shower.
Letting the water wash away.
The last traces of the evening's festivities.
Wrapped in a velvety robe.
You complete your bedtime rituals.
Before slipping into your softest nightclothes.
Call sheets welcome you.
As you settle beneath the covers.
Feeling the gentle movement of the ship.
Carrying you farther out at sea.
Beyond the window.
The ocean stretches into the darkness.
And you feel wonderfully far.
From the ordinary world.
As your eyes grow heavy.
The evening begins to return.
And fragments of dreams.
The ballroom beneath its magnificent glass dome.
Glittering costumes.
The orchestra playing beneath the stars.
The silver ship hidden within your slice of cake.
All the enchantment of this festive night remains dancing in your mind.
Blissfully bringing you.
To the soft edges of sleep.
And somewhere in the deepest part of the night.
Your wish is traveling across the waves.
While you drift farther into sleep.
Safe and comfortable.
Board this grand liner.
Carried through the heart of the Atlantic.
Toward another beautiful tomorrow.
Finding hope.
Finding enchantment.
Finding serenity.
Finding sleep.
It's time to dream away.
