This is one of those Wednesday Weirdness posts that resonates strongly with me. As far back as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by the Northern Lights. When the movie Frequency debuted, I was in heaven. If you haven’t seen it, check it out. It ranks among my favorite movies of all time. Not only is the story utterly amazing and the Northern Lights key, but the ending rocked my world! Added plus: Jim Caviezel and Dennis Quaid in the lead roles. *happy sigh*
The Northern Lights also feature prominently in The Terror by Dan Simmons, one of my all time favorite books. An amazing storyteller, Mr. Simmons skillfully uses them to evoke mood and setting so rich, I can easily conjure it years after finishing the book.
In case you’re wondering why the aurora borealis is being featured on a Wednesday Weirdness post, it’s because there are plenty of legends and folktales attached to this wondrous spectacle. There is even speculation the prophet Ezekiel was describing them when he referred to “a whirlwind out of the north.”
The Cree called the Aurora “the dance of the spirits” and the Inuits believed the crackling and roaring of the lights resulted from the ghosts of the dead playing football with a walrus skull.
In Norse mythology, the lights are said to be the reflection from the armor of the Valkyries, immortal warrior women who carry fallen warriors to Odin’s hall.
During medieval times the aurora was often seen as a warning of bloodshed brought on by war or plague. The Danes viewed them as reflections caused by light glinting off the wings of swans trapped in the ice on their way north. In almost all legends, the Aurora is seen as either an omen or a gathering of spirits.
Sadly, I’ve never seen the Northern Lights, but it’s a bucket list item. My husband saw the spectacle decades ago while in Maine. Although he found it interesting, he didn’t feel the same “ooh! ahh!” factor that would have definitely flowed over me.
I have a short story tucked away on my computer in which the lights figure prominently in the plot. It might be time to dust that off and polish it up for future publication.
Have you been lucky enough to witness the aurora borealis? Were you familiar with any of the folklore I shared today? I’ve always been attracted to celestial lights, and this one is at the top of my list. What are your thoughts?
From the Pen of Mae Clair 
The folklore on this is all new to me, Mae. I’ve yet to travel north enough to see the lights … maybe one of these days! Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Glad you enjoy the post, Harmony. The Northern Lights have fascinated me since I was a kid.
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I have not seen them myself but they are also featured in Philip Pullman’s The Golden Compass. In that story, they are called Dust which were basically souls (my interpretation) that were separated from the bodies of living children. I’ve never gotten to see them myself though. I rarely go that far north 😊
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“Dust.” I love that. It’s so interesting when an author spins these lights into a story.
The farthest north I’ve been was southern Maine. My husband was in northern Maine near Canada when he saw the lights. Once and only for him–which is still one more than me, LOL!
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I didn’t know about the Ezekiel connection or the Norse mythology or the medieval beliefs. I grew up in Alaska, so I’ve seen and heard them. You can’t always hear them, but you can hear them when they are putting on a bold display and there isn’t traffic or stuff around.
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Oh, Priscilla, I bet they were amazing to see–and hear. It’s fabulous hearing from someone who has seen and heard them first hand. You are so lucky!
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I’ve been in the right place many times, but never got that lucky. A pilot even announced they were visible out the side of the plane I was not on once. Close many times, but no luck.
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That’s closer than I’ve ever been, Craig. One of these days…
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I love the Northern Lights. They even made it into my latest series. (Why am I not surprised you find them as compelling as I do?) Never saw them myself, though. Hope I get to someday.
Frequency was a great movie. Not a great series. Only got one season, but at least the major issues were resolved at the end.
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Oooh, I can’t wait to see what you did with them in your series! And why am I not surprised that you find them fascinating, too 🙂
I had no clue they made a series out of Frequency. I just looked it up. Looks like they changed the characters and their backgrounds. I think I’ll stick with the movie. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched that!
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Yeah, don’t bother with the series. Not worth your time.
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Seemed that from what I read.
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I’d love to see them in person. My only familiarity with them was from the TV show Northern Exposure (one of my all time favs) years ago. I vote you dust off the story and put it out there.
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I remember Northern Exposure. That was a fun series.
One day, I definitely should do something with that short story. I have another one with Lightships that calls to me too 🙂
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I’ve been so fortunate to see this brilliant display a few times while growing up in Newfoundland. It’s amazing to view. I really hope you’ll experience it, too. Happy Wednesday! 🙂
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Oh, wow! I bet they are absolutely breathtaking to see in person, Natalie. You are so lucky. Like I said…bucket list item for me 🙂
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Doesn’t matter if I understand the science behind the Northern Lights, they still look surreal. I’d love to get them into one of my stories.
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I love when authors weave them into their tales. There’s so much potential and I think the spectacle itself is utterly fascinating.
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I’ve never been fortunate enough to see them the Northern Lights in person, but I’ve always been fascinated by them. One of my favorite literary takes on them is the Pullman trilogy. I’d love to read your story featuring them Mae.
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I’m going to have to look up Pullman’s work. Tessa mentioned it, too. I do love when an author employs them in their work. Dan Simmon’s descriptions of them in The Terror were breathtaking.
One day, I am going to dust off my own short story in which the lights make an appearance 🙂
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When I was a kid, for some reason, the Northern lights made it all the way down to northeast Indiana, and we watched them from our kitchen window for a few nights in a row. I didn’t hear them and didn’t realize they even made a sound, so that was interesting. But they were mesmerizing–at least, to us. I’d never heard the legends behind them, so really enjoyed this post.
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Judi, I’ve heard of them dipping down into the States on rare occasions. What a special memory you have! Not only did you get to see such a spectacular display, but it was made all the rarer for reaching into Indiana. Amazing!!
Thank you for sharing!
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I’ve never seen the Northern lights or the movie you mention. Are they real or man made? I would love to see them. Thanks for sharing another interesting weirdness.
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I definitely believe they are real, Balroop. I dipped into the science of them when I wrote my short story back in the day. As interesting as that was, it’s the folklore and the beauty of them that fascinate me the most. Like you, I would love to see them! 🙂
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I have always been fascinated by the nothern lights. I once saw a flash of green in the sky years ago which was a very minor verison of it. It is something I have always wanted to see and on my list of things ro do at the very top or a trip to Alberta to see it and visit where my grandmazwas born. I didn’t know any of the legends behind the lights. I’m wondering how I missed the movie Frequency with Dennis Quaid? I will be watching that! Thanks Mae:)
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Even that flash of green must have been so fascination to see, Denise. And I didn’t realize your grandma was from Alberta. When you go, I do hope you see the lights. And as for Frequency, I can’t recommend it enough. WHAT AN AMAZING MOVIE. I watched it so many times I’ve lost count!
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I’m so inspired by the folklore you shared, Mae! DH and I were both born in north-central Alberta and have had the pleasure of seeing, and hearing, the phenomena many times. It literally takes your breath away to watch them dance across a midnight sky.
I hope you get the opportunity one day.
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Wow, just hearing you describe them gives me goose bumps. You are so lucky, Jacquie. I do hope to catch the site someday!
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Like you, I have never seen the Northern lights. I certainly would like to though. Excellent post, Mae.
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Glad you enjoyed my look at the lights, John. Fingers crossed we both get to see them someday!
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For sure, Mae.
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Oh boy I want to see the Northern Lights (or Southern which might be easier from my neck of the woods). One day maybe. Great post as always, Mae.
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Yeah, I think the southern would be easier for you, Jess, and probably just as spectacular! 🙂
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Probably… though you don’t hear much about the southern lights.
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I didn’t know about the folklore attached to these lights. I haven’t seen them (would love to). Several years ago, in a rare phenomenon, they were visible in parts of Texas but I didn’t see them. My brother was fortunate enough to see.
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In Texas?!?!? OMG, Joan, that is amazing. Your brother is one lucky guy!
Like you, I hope to see them someday.
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It was an extremely rare event. Yes, my brother is lucky. He’s also seen the Marfa Lights.
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Wow, he is really lucky, having gotten to see both of those phenomenons!
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They are a beauty to behold. I have seen them multiple times. I don’t want to incite jealousy, Mae but I lived in northern Alberta, Canada…so it wasn’t unusual to see them in late summer, early autumn and in the depth of winter. I appreciate the folklore you have shared here. I wasn’t aware of any those references. I absolutely love that Aurora is the Cree word for “Dance of the spirits”. So beautiful. I hope you get to see them one day soon!
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OOh, but I am jealous! In a good way, LOL. I love hearing from people who have actually seen them. What great memories you must have. Even reading about your experiences is stunning. Thank you so much for sharing. I do hope to see them someday and enjoy the “dance of the spirits.” 🙂
Thanks so much for visiting and sharing, Lisa!
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The northern lights would be a breathtaking experience. They figure in my first book, and I especially love the myth about the Valkyries. Thank you for sharing something so meaningful to many, including me.
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I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, Flossie. The Northern Lights have always held a special place in my heart (even though I haven’t seen them). It’s wonderful to know I’m not the only one!
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I am not familiar with any of the folklore here, Mae, but The Northern Lights are HIGH on my bucket list! Thank you for sharing and I look forward to the day that I get to experience this phenomenon for myself!
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You and me both, Jan. I would so love to see them. Om the interim, I love reading about them in fiction and even experimenting using them in my stories too! 🙂
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I’ve seen the Northern Lights a couple times. Once when we were driving back from a volleyball game, and when I went on a Germany/Austria trip with my aunt and uncle; we saw them from the plane. They are amazing! I’ve never heard any of the folklore you mention, but in the movie ‘Brother Bear’ the aurora plays a huge role in the spiritual realm. Great movie, even if it is a kid’s movie.
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HI, Julie! Sorry I am so late in responding. I have been mostly offline while sheltering at home. Hopefully, I will be back to blogging on a regular basis again next week.
You are so lucky to have seen the Northern Lights–and TWICE yet!!
I will have to look up Brother Bear. There are a lot of kid movies I enjoy.
Hope you have been staying safe and well!
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I’ve never had the opportunity to see these but would love to. I loved, loved Frequency. A great movie I’ve seen three times. I’ll have to look up The Terror.
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Sorry I’m late in replying, Noelle. I’ve been mostly offline during this whole pandemic thing! I would love to see the Northern Lights, too. And I’m always thrilled to know someone else enjoyed Frequency as much as I did. I can watch that movie over and over!
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So how have you been? It looks like we won;t be fully opened until at least the end of June. We had a hair cutting session with my stylist and three of her customers out by our pool today. She has lost about $8 K in income so far and the subsidies and unemployment checks have not yet arrived. Our small businesses have suffered!
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Oh, no. How awful about your stylist. I know our small business are hurting too. Right now it looks like parts of PA might reopen on 5/8. Still kind of up in the air. I can’t even imagine waiting until the end of June. UGH!
Did you release your new book yet?
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The book is about to go to the printer. One or two more things to do..Thanks for asking!
Hang in there!
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Yay! Good to hear!
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