A Northern Lights Reflection during Earth Week

Apr 25

This week (and every week), we have the pleasure of celebrating Earth and all of its beauty for Earth Week. No matter where you are in the world, it is important to pause and honor the vastness of Earth’s splendor, and it shouldn’t be taken for granted. In today’s world, it can feel only natural to get lost or stuck in the doom and gloom of Earth’s seemingly inevitable future due to climate change. What Ecological Belonging centers on is the importance of recentering, re-remembering, and re-newing a sense of interconnectedness with yourself, each other, and the natural world.

Recently, one of our staff members had a chance to re-ground their own sense of wonder and connectedness with Earth through a once-in-a-lifetime visit to Iceland, where she had the opportunity to view the Northern Lights — Aurora Borealis. Scientists predict that 2024 will be a remarkable year of Northern Lights sightings. It couldn’t be more true. None of the images you see below have been edited in any way, shape, or form.

Read her reflection below:

“Gazing up at the dancing ribbons of light in the northern sky, I couldn't help but feel a profound sense of awe and humility wash over me. The Northern Lights, with their ethereal beauty, seemed to transcend the boundaries of earthly concerns, inviting me into a deeper connection with the natural world. In that moment, surrounded by the quiet majesty of the Icelandic landscape, I felt a profound sense of Ecological Belonging — a recognition of my place within the intricate web of life. As I stood there, enveloped in the shimmering glow, I couldn't help but reflect on the interconnectedness of humanity and nature, realizing that our existence is intimately intertwined with the rhythms of the Earth. This grounding experience served as a powerful reminder of our responsibility to nurture and protect the planet that sustains us, fostering a deeper sense of belonging not only to the natural world but to each other as well. In witnessing the Northern Lights, I found myself humbled by the sheer magnitude of the universe and inspired to cultivate a greater reverence for the interconnectedness of all living beings.”

As you take a moment to view these pictures, we invite you to reflect on this natural interconnectedness through the following questions:

As you gaze into your own sky, what comes to mind for you? How do you feel in your body? In your mind? In your heart and your soul?
Generations upon generations have looked to the sky with questions — sometimes in sheer wonder, at times in search of questions or answers, and other times perhaps with other stories in mind altogether. What are some of these local folklore stories, knowledge, or wisdom between humanity and the sky or world beyond? Are there any rituals or practices associated with the sky? What does the sky mean to you and your community?
What moments in your own life provide you with a profound sense of connection and belonging to the natural world?

Northern Lights Sighting in March 2024 - Reykjavik, Iceland