Why and where we can enjoy darkness

The Netherlands is one of the lightest countries in the world. The rows of greenhouses and industrial sites burn up quite a few watts day and night. From space, the Netherlands stands out. And however nice these lights can be on dark days, it causes a lot of light pollution. Did you know that light pollution negatively affects nature, animals and also us?

During the Night of the Night campaign, we ask you to switch off your lights. Experience darkness, what it does to you and learn more about what it does to your environment. Many activities are organised, from walks and night animal spotting to candlelit dinners. Maybe there is something fun to do in your area too.

Since the advent of electric lights, we sleep 1.5 hours less on average. Our natural rhythm is disturbed because we find it harder to produce melatonin - our sleep hormone. And it is not just the rhythm of us human animals that gets upset, but also that of the rest of nature.

Birds get confused by light pollution at night and some animals come out of hibernation too early.

If you ask me, the seasons are one of the things that make the Netherlands beautiful. Every season has its charm, lessons and wisdom. Now that the days are getting shorter again and the trees are losing their leaves, it is also time for people to turn inward a little more. In other words, time to face the darkness. We may move with nature. In autumn we let go of the superfluous, in winter we turn inward to be reborn in spring with new plans and fresh life energy. In summer, we enjoy the long days, warmth and light. But now, first, time for winter, where darkness prevails.

This may sound exciting, but it is actually not that bad. Nature is the perfect example to show that after darkness comes light again and vice versa. We are cyclical creatures. It is time to enjoy the darkness; inside ourselves and outside, in the darkest places in the Netherlands.

Our Honeyguides have been to quite a few dark places in the Netherlands. Some are more outdoor adventure, others are more spiritual. Below I lovingly tip you off to four experiences to also experience darkness and darkness, just here in our overexposed little country.

The Netherlands has two Dark Sky Parks. One on Terschelling and one on the border between Friesland and Groningen. In these places, people fight light pollution all year round. It is even so dark there that on a clear night you can see the Milky Way.

These dark places are a celebration of nature. Plants and animals are not disturbed by light pollution here and I myself enjoyed walking around Terschelling; the peace and quiet and darkness were a treat for my eyes. A relaxed feeling that is hard to put into words. Although it was cloudy and therefore few stars could be seen, the peace that the darkness brought was wonderful. And we were lucky, luminous plankton sparkled like a starry sky beneath our feet.

Apart from these two places, there are a few more in the Netherlands where you can do some good stargazing. Honeyguide Laura already wrote a blog about them and Honeyguide Melissa also visited one of the Dark Sky parks during a road trip through Groningen.

At the Honeyguide editors, we are not averse to a bit of self-development. And that includes looking at and exploring your shadow side; the dark parts, your sadness, your traumas. This very nicely reflects that cyclical life, all our emotions are like the seasons. Sometimes there is a storm, sometimes the sun shines.

On this retreat page you will find numerous special experiences that invite you to explore your dark side too. Honeyguide Amanda experienced this at the day retreat of Wise and Own and I was shown a mirror by Chevalja's horses.

Nature is also always a good mirror, especially in combination with a brisk walk. Two years back, I walked the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage in Spain that triggered what it took to face my shadow side. Let's call it the magic of pilgrimage. And that magic can also be tasted in the Netherlands, for instance on the Gelukkigerwijs Pelgrimspad in Utrecht or any of the other Long Distance Footpaths in the Netherlands. You can also walk pilgrimages at night, which is how Honeyguide Laura walked the night walk in Dwingelderveld nature reserve in Drenthe.

Spending one or more days in a forest is of course a great way to unwind. This can be done in the cosiness of a cottage with fireplace, but you can also go on a nature quest on your own. During a nature quest, you experience darkness and darkness in a physical and spiritual way. Throughout time, all kinds of cultures and religions have demonstrated this. For instance, Buddha fasted under Bodhi tree and Moses in the Sinai desert. By spending time alone in an environment that exposes you to darkness, fixed thought patterns fade away.

An interesting way to get closer to yourself and nature. Honeyguide Laura and I also slept one night in the forest. Not really a nature quest, as we had a very pleasant company during our Bushcraft weekend. But still, the homemade shelter was a very special way to experience the darkness of the night. Wondering what it did to us? You can read it here or listen to the Honeyguide Podcast about this adventure.

And this idea of finding yourself in nature and in the dark can of course be done in a bit more luxury. In the Netherlands, there are many beautiful overnight places in nature. Here, too, you can deliberately turn off the lights and turn inward for a while or, on the contrary, enjoy the peace and darkness of the night. These unique overnight spots are often found outside the city and its light pollution, so great chances of a beautiful starry sky!

Another way to consciously experience physical darkness is by being creative with it. Capture it! Honeyguide photographer Angelique gives you five tips to take stunning landscape photos in this blog.

One of those tips is about the golden hour, the moment the sun sets and the transition to the darkness of night begins. Through your lens, you simply see the world with different eyes. What shade do you capture?

Night photography is, of course, also a branch of sport. Honeyguide photographer Adriënne took the left photo on Terschelling and photographer Ngoc shot the right photo on Texel.