January 13, 2012

Aurora Borealis


I have always been fascinated by the sky and its canopy. When I was a little girl, I remembered learning about the Aurora Borealis, and in my head, I pictured this phenomenon as grandiose as it actually is. Part of my fascination with Scandinavia and the Artic Circle revolves around the spectacle referred to as The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), which take their name after the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek name for the north wind, Boreas.

Northern Lights Northern Lights Nordlys over Grytøya Ersfjord - Northern Lights in august

The Aurora Borealis most often occurs near the equinoxes. The Northern Lights have had a number of names throughout history. The Cree call this phenomenon the "Dance of the Spirits". In Europe, in the Middle Ages, the auroras were commonly believed a sign from God . The lights are at their most frequent in late autumn and winter/early spring.

Northern Lights - Nordlys over Grøtfjorden

Theoretically, the best spots to see the lights are above the Arctic Circle in northern Norway.  You can find resorts and other places catered just to this phenomenon, and Northern Lights worshippers do everything from cross-country skiing to building snowmen.  You can also experience the aurora at sea. Snowmobile safaris are also available during the Winter months.  I would love to see them.  I have been daydreaming of visiting Scandinavia, and the Northern Lights is something I would include in my itinerary.




















This, of course, is an atmospheric spectacle worthy of witnessing once in a lifetime.  What do you daydream about?  Is it something this lofty or something more earthy? 


Images via Flickr

2 comments:

  1. You can see the Northern Lights in Sweden as well, but I haven't seen it. I live in the south of Sweden, and I have never been as far north as you have to go to see it. But I shure would like to!

    ReplyDelete
  2. It has been a dream of mine to see the northern lights but everytime i try to have a vacation it just doesn't work out or I end up going somewhere else. I heard of a Cruise to Alaska that allows you to see them but i'ts a 7 day trip and I would love to go but it hasn't worked out for me: Nature allows you to connect to the beauty of creation and enjoy the world spiritually.

    ReplyDelete