The Aurora Borealis: The Beautiful Northern Lights in Folklore and Myth

As we’re focusing on the Folklore of the Skies this month, it seemed only right to start with a celestial phenomenon that becomes a lot easier to see as the nights draw in. Yes, we’re looking at the northern lights, or aurora borealis.

Annoyingly, I am yet to see the northern lights. The one time they were visible with the naked eye across the whole of the UK, I was in bed with a migraine.

I know, I know, strange lights in the sky, with one individual unable to see them, is how Day of the Triffids starts.

We will focus on folklore from Britain and Scandinavia. There are Indigenous legends, but they’re not mine to tell. But if you’re reading this and you’re Indigenous, please feel free to share anything you feel called to share in the comments!

Let’s explore the aurora borealis and its folklore in this week's episode of Fabulous Folklore!

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Find the images and sources used on the associated blog post: https://www.icysedgwick.com/northern-lights-in-folklore/

Watch my chat with Ùna Maria Blyth: https://youtu.be/euu7P8Be4VE

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