Have you noticed the news and social media is all abuzz about STEVE, the purple and green light ribbon in the night sky that was discovered in 2016? Turns out STEVE (short for Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement) is smearing green streaks across the sky and nobody knows why. 

Even if there was a scientific explanation to this mystery, the meaning behind this solar phenomenon will always be a matter for interpretation and belief, just like the meaning behind the gifts in the song, Twelve Days of Christmas. 

Some Christians believe the seventh gift of “seven swans a-swimming” symbolizes the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit – wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord – while some Indigenous American tribes associate swans and their feathers as a symbol of harmony and spirituality. 

Perhaps religion and spirituality are one in the same, or at least closely related, just like STEVE is closely related to its northern cousin, the Aurora Borealis – both continue to inspire awe, the imagination and a feeling that we’re all somehow connected to something bigger. 

Sometimes we don’t need to know all of the answers to life’s mysteries and it’s best to leave somethings to the imagination. Even if you’ve never had the opportunity to gaze up at the Aurora Borealis, I encourage you to close your eyes while listening to my song, Aurora Borealis, and see where your imagination takes you. You might be surprised!

(This is the seventh of a daily 12-part blog series offering positive and inclusive messages throughout the festive season, along with songs from Sandra's newly released Christmas album, Aurora 12. Catch up on previous posts by visiting Sandra's blog.)