There is something special about summer nights. Is it the overabundance of captivating scents? Is it the absence of noise? Or the contrasting freshness after the daytime heat? If you are a nyctophile, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
Nyctophile (noun) is a person who has a special love for night and darkness. This unusual word has Greek origins – ‘nyktos’ literally means ‘night’ and ‘philos’ stands for ‘love’ (as you may already know since there are many other interesting ‘phile’ words).
Now, if you are a nyctophile, just like I am, then you will probably relate to the below experiences.
One thing I particularly don’t like about summer is the heat. And every nyctophile will agree with me.
After the sunset, the temperature goes down, and the annoying swelter finally breaks. And there is nothing more revitalizing than a breath of night’s cool air after a hot summer day.
While the night’s air is refreshing, its smell is almost hypnotizing. Thousands of flowers, trees, and herbs produce a myriad of scents that blend in beautiful harmony. Summer night’s smell is full of poetry.
It’s not only the air and the scent that are very special about the nighttime. It’s also the absence of people’s voices, car sounds, and other city noises.
The quiet that governs the hours of darkness is deeply meditative. In the absence of noises, you can finally relax and think.
It makes perfect sense that a lover of the night would also have to be a night owl. Does all this special atmosphere make a nyctophile’s mind stay overactive at night or does it happen for some other reason?
Whatever the case, a nyctophile will feel more full of energy at night. If you are one, then the flow of your thoughts never stops, and the best ideas come to you in the hours of darkness. All this makes it difficult to fall asleep.
3 a.m. is the hour of writers, painters, poets, overthinkers, silent seekers, and creative people. We know who you are, we can see your light on. Keep on keeping on!
-Unknown
It’s not only your brain that is way too active at night, but your whole creative self seems to awaken by nightfall. New ideas are flooding your mind, big questions arise, and deep thoughts won’t let you sleep.
You may feel the inspiration to do something creative, such as writing or painting. You could even have some nocturnal activities or hobbies to practice, such as skywatching or nighttime swimming.
As a nyctophile, you will have a special love for stars, the moon, and other celestial bodies. A summer night is the best time for gazing at the starry abyss, which seems to speak to your innermost being.
It feels as if some distant homeland is out there, looking at us through the unreachable stars. Staring at the starry sky on a summer night is among the most profound experiences that give you the inspiration to think about things that are bigger than yourself.
Sometimes I sit alone under the stars and think of the galaxies inside my heart and truly wonder if anyone will ever want to make sense of all that I am.
-Christopher Poindexter
The absence of light and noises at night is both comforting and mysterious. It’s in the darkness when we turn inwards and ponder about big questions. It’s the shadows that make us question the reality and wonder about things that are beyond our everyday happenings.
I’m sure that at their core, all nyctophiles are deep thinkers and lovers of mystery.
Are you a lover of the night? Can you relate to the above?
View Comments
Thank you for a wonder article. Well written.Carol
I am and have always been a night person. The world at large praises larks and tries to push owls into becoming larks. Thank you for the lovely article and that owls have worth as creatures of the night - for there is beauty in both light and dark.
I never knew. That explains a lot.
Guess,if this article was not written and mysmyself not have read it,I would never have known.Thanks, now I can tell / ask friends that I am a Nyctophile, are they?Am sure Some will be perplexed.
This has always been me. Love the night. My night buddy is a telescope - and a dog.