The Magic of Auroras in a Dark, Silent, Frozen Forest

I live in a small village in the middle of Lapland. In fact, most people who live in Lapland reside in small villages. That’s because there are almost no proper cities here at all above the Arctic Circle.

And because there are no cities, there is no artificial light—just lots and lots of darkness in winter. But during this darkness, the sky can sometimes burst into green and purple flames.

Last night, I left home around 7 p.m. and walked into the forest next to our house. I didn’t bring a headlamp or flashlight, as I knew that after a few minutes my eyes would adjust to the darkness. There was a bit of snow on the ground, which helped me see the path. Also, the Moon had started rising.

After walking only about 100 meters, I saw the first flames in the sky.

I sat down and watched the auroras dancing above me.

In the dark forest, full of pure silence, I could hear some soft and distant rustling. At first, I thought it was the auroras making that noise, as they are sometimes said to make strange sounds. But as I sat there thinking, I realized the sound I heard was actually the nearby lake freezing. The temperature was well below zero.

I stood up and continued walking. I wanted to reach the nearest swamp. And wow, it was beautiful.

I sat down again, this time next to a small pine on the edge of the forest. I didn’t want to walk onto the swamp, as it might not have been fully frozen yet. It was safer to stay on dry ground. I was wearing enough clothing, so I didn’t feel cold at all, even while sitting in the snow.

I could still hear the sound of the freezing lake. Then I heard a little snap behind me. I still don’t know what it was, but it was probably just a freezing tree. Trees can make popping sounds when it gets really cold. Walking into a dark winter forest is such an interesting experience: you can even hear the trees.

I texted my husband to let him know everything was okay and that I would be heading home now.

In a Finnish forest, there’s really not much to be afraid of. Reindeer and elks are not dangerous, and wolves, wolverines, and bears rarely come anywhere near you. Most Finns know this, which is why we love spending time in forests—enjoying the silence, pure air, and sometimes the auroras.

Read also

Early Evening Luxury in Finnish Winter: Enjoying the Darkness and Milky Way Right After Work

A Trek Through the Dark Forest – Experiencing the Safety of Finnish Nature

Skiing in the Arctic Night

Are You an Introvert Too? This is Why November in Finland is the Time and Place for Us

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