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Nocturnal Witchcraft: Magick After Dark
The Powers of Night
Nocturnal Energies differ from those of Daylight and Witches have long known how to take advantage of Lunar Powers and the spiritual entities that prefer the darkness for particular magical operations. This innovative book explores special techniques for working with the Night Powers and the subtle effects of dark symbols You will learn to find your Inner Quiet, Read Minds through the Ether, Dream for Change, Create and Use Thought Forms, Alter Reality through simple Spells and Rites, and use the powers of Magnetism and Suggestion. And you will Explore the Mysteries of Death and to Speak with the Dead. The Dark balances the Light. Do not fear it but equally embrace it.
Nocturnal Energies differ from those of Daylight and Witches have long known how to take advantage of Lunar Powers and the spiritual entities that prefer the darkness for particular magical operations. This innovative book explores special techniques for working with the Night Powers and the subtle effects of dark symbols You will learn to find your Inner Quiet, Read Minds through the Ether, Dream for Change, Create and Use Thought Forms, Alter Reality through simple Spells and Rites, and use the powers of Magnetism and Suggestion. And you will Explore the Mysteries of Death and to Speak with the Dead. The Dark balances the Light. Do not fear it but equally embrace it.
240 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2002
74 people are currently reading
1827 people want to read
About the author
Konstantinos
24 books127 followersKonstantinos Rowley, born in 1972, has been a paranormal researcher for over fifteen years, is the author of six books published by Llewellyn and has a bachelors degree in English and technical writing. A recognized expert, he has consulted for and been a guest on various shows and documentaries on MTV, the SciFi Channel, NBC, History, Discovery Channel, and other networks. A former Physics major, Konstantinos been working on explaining the paranormal using modern scientific discoveries, especially in the realm of Quantum Mechanics.
Some of his research has inspired TV, film, and novels, fleshing out scenes in the film “Black Roses” and the novel “Dead Souls.” He has also appeared in the bestselling videogame "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City." He was lead vocalist of the now defunct band, Bell, Book & Candle, which appeared on three Cleopatra Records compilations: Goth Box, 100 Tears: Tribute to the Cure, and Vampire Themes. It is unclear how soon he will be able to devote time to a musical solo project.
Some of his research has inspired TV, film, and novels, fleshing out scenes in the film “Black Roses” and the novel “Dead Souls.” He has also appeared in the bestselling videogame "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City." He was lead vocalist of the now defunct band, Bell, Book & Candle, which appeared on three Cleopatra Records compilations: Goth Box, 100 Tears: Tribute to the Cure, and Vampire Themes. It is unclear how soon he will be able to devote time to a musical solo project.
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July 28, 2011Nocturnal witchcraft is geared towards people who have a connection to the nighttime energies that are present after everyone goes to sleep. This is in no sense a book on black magic. People can fall into one of four categories and they can change within their lifetime. The first type of people are those who are light good. These are usually people like Jesus or Buddha. Ones who desire to serve humanity with selfless motivation. The second type of people are light evil. These are people who maybe pious on the surface yet cheat in their business dealings. They maybe televangelist who preach the word of good yet use all the charity they collect to buy themselves expensive cars etc. Next is dark evil, these people are just criminals. Last there are those who are dark good and this book is geared towards them. These people tend to be undercover and are usually adepts. They like to wear black and silver and generally gravitate towards the moon. These people are usually active at night. They can be detective or people who work at night.
The book goes through a variety technique that range from doing magic at night, mind reading,skrying, contacting the underworld and casting spells using nocturnal techniques. I myself am not much into scrying but I do like the mental exercises he explains as well as the spell casting.
He warns anyone who seeks to use magic for evil purposes. It is bad karma and you will feel the results. Like many neo pagans who goes on to say that all the Gods are
a reflections of the ultimate source. A deity is like a stream that connects to the source. Our ultimate aim is to reconnect to the source. It takes many lifetimes to perfect our souls but that is what life and magick are all about. We choose what life we will live and what lessons we need to learn before we are even born. We dies but are later reborn until we have perfected our selves in order to be reunited with the source.
Anubis and other deities identified as death are meant to help us when we die. They take out the anxiety and explain to us what is going on. When people die they experience two deaths. First is the death of the body and then a few days later the astral body dies. After the astral body dies the souls can go to two places. One place is the lower realm where troubled souls work out their karma before moving on. Summerland is where the untroubled souls go. Sort of like a paradise.
Overall great book. He discusses the days of power and explains how to celebrate them at night. He also describes how to set up a nocturnal altar. It does not require many tools. The altar is where you rest your tools. First you will need a black handled Athame. black is good because it absorbs all the different colors and energy. When performing at night it is wise to have a black ritual outfit that is used strictly for doing magick at night. The night time magician also need a nocturnal portal for this you use a magick mirror which is glass with one side painted black andd these are available at new age shops. On each side of your nocturnal portal you can place a black taper candle. Silver ones can be used to full moon celebrations. A censer for incense should be placed in front of your portal. Pictures of you God and Goddess can go behind the censer on the right and left side.
Next for your rituals are temporary tools. These are incense sticks (sandalwood,or lavender), a red candle, glass of water and sea salt. The book is loaded with techniques and is simpler then other ritual set up I have encountered. I advise that you read the book and take out what is use full.
The book goes through a variety technique that range from doing magic at night, mind reading,skrying, contacting the underworld and casting spells using nocturnal techniques. I myself am not much into scrying but I do like the mental exercises he explains as well as the spell casting.
He warns anyone who seeks to use magic for evil purposes. It is bad karma and you will feel the results. Like many neo pagans who goes on to say that all the Gods are
a reflections of the ultimate source. A deity is like a stream that connects to the source. Our ultimate aim is to reconnect to the source. It takes many lifetimes to perfect our souls but that is what life and magick are all about. We choose what life we will live and what lessons we need to learn before we are even born. We dies but are later reborn until we have perfected our selves in order to be reunited with the source.
Anubis and other deities identified as death are meant to help us when we die. They take out the anxiety and explain to us what is going on. When people die they experience two deaths. First is the death of the body and then a few days later the astral body dies. After the astral body dies the souls can go to two places. One place is the lower realm where troubled souls work out their karma before moving on. Summerland is where the untroubled souls go. Sort of like a paradise.
Overall great book. He discusses the days of power and explains how to celebrate them at night. He also describes how to set up a nocturnal altar. It does not require many tools. The altar is where you rest your tools. First you will need a black handled Athame. black is good because it absorbs all the different colors and energy. When performing at night it is wise to have a black ritual outfit that is used strictly for doing magick at night. The night time magician also need a nocturnal portal for this you use a magick mirror which is glass with one side painted black andd these are available at new age shops. On each side of your nocturnal portal you can place a black taper candle. Silver ones can be used to full moon celebrations. A censer for incense should be placed in front of your portal. Pictures of you God and Goddess can go behind the censer on the right and left side.
Next for your rituals are temporary tools. These are incense sticks (sandalwood,or lavender), a red candle, glass of water and sea salt. The book is loaded with techniques and is simpler then other ritual set up I have encountered. I advise that you read the book and take out what is use full.
May 30, 2010
This is a really good witchcraft book - GENERAL witchcraft. Not exactly what it looks like, is it? But it is. I don't see any reason why anyone who wants to start practicing witchcraft couldn't pick this up and begin, regardless of their personal taste in clothing colors. Just pick out the colors you want things on your altar to be instead of all black and silver, and if you like, use other god-names than the strictly night and darkness gods listed herein. Of course, night and darkness gods and goddesses are quite popular among witches of many stripes, and anyone who happens to be working after 9 PM at night, as is likely to be the case sometimes with any witch. :) I particularly like the scrying training in this book, which is excellent. That alone is worth buying it.
March 6, 2018
This is literally just a beginner's book on witchcraft. Some of it pertains to dreaming and night magick. Not worth it.
April 30, 2008
When it comes to using magic in World or WarCraft, you have two choices. You may embrace the light and be a mage or hide in the shadows and be a warlock (as of this writing).
Well, When I began reading about Wicca, all I had been learning was aspects of the light and I felt out of balance. All I was reading about was The Light side.
There were some references to the Dark aspects but they never really went into detail. I know Scott Cunningham would have been happy to share that knowledge. Then I was browsing a Barnes & Noble store shelf in Lexington, KY and came across this book with a dark cover and silver lettering (Which is flaking off).
Nocturnal Witchcraft: Magick After Dark by Konstantinos.
I said, "Finally, A gateway to understanding the Dark Side."
It is almost like being a Jedi Apprentice and learning about both The Good side and The Dark side of The Force and taking the path to The Dark Side, but without burning to a crisp on Mustaphar and being rebuilt and refitted with black cybernetic armor and a breathing apparatus.
After reading this work, I finally felt the balance I was looking for as the book also appealed to my dark nature.
Well, When I began reading about Wicca, all I had been learning was aspects of the light and I felt out of balance. All I was reading about was The Light side.
There were some references to the Dark aspects but they never really went into detail. I know Scott Cunningham would have been happy to share that knowledge. Then I was browsing a Barnes & Noble store shelf in Lexington, KY and came across this book with a dark cover and silver lettering (Which is flaking off).
Nocturnal Witchcraft: Magick After Dark by Konstantinos.
I said, "Finally, A gateway to understanding the Dark Side."
It is almost like being a Jedi Apprentice and learning about both The Good side and The Dark side of The Force and taking the path to The Dark Side, but without burning to a crisp on Mustaphar and being rebuilt and refitted with black cybernetic armor and a breathing apparatus.
After reading this work, I finally felt the balance I was looking for as the book also appealed to my dark nature.
July 9, 2012
While this book did a lot to touch on some aspects of practice that get left out in fluffier works, for the most part I felt like this was geared toward the "Gothier than thou" crowd, and found the tone a bit smug and annoying in places.
Listen, some people are night people, and some people are day people, and while the author did try to restrain himself, there was a bit too much "What a special Hot Topic snowflake I am!" in this for me to take it totally seriously.
The author's desire to preserve his mystique may have caused him to leave out some practical information, and some intense workings were mentioned and expounded upon a bit, but were never really given the kind of attention they deserved, considering their gravity.
The good parts however, are pretty good, and while I don't agree with the execution always, I do understand the spirit in which some of this was intended, and did incorporate some of the rites into my practice for a while. It's a book to pick and choose from; read the thought provoking parts, try to use the bits about drama without lodging your head up your ass, and be ready to overlook some pretentiousness.
Listen, some people are night people, and some people are day people, and while the author did try to restrain himself, there was a bit too much "What a special Hot Topic snowflake I am!" in this for me to take it totally seriously.
The author's desire to preserve his mystique may have caused him to leave out some practical information, and some intense workings were mentioned and expounded upon a bit, but were never really given the kind of attention they deserved, considering their gravity.
The good parts however, are pretty good, and while I don't agree with the execution always, I do understand the spirit in which some of this was intended, and did incorporate some of the rites into my practice for a while. It's a book to pick and choose from; read the thought provoking parts, try to use the bits about drama without lodging your head up your ass, and be ready to overlook some pretentiousness.
January 29, 2015
unrealistic. This writer I saw at a bookstore speaking once for his books, seems like he's just trying to cash-in and doesn't do his homework.
August 6, 2018
Interesting, appealing and with useful information and examples for each lesson, but I'm not 100% sure everything will work. I'm not too convinced, even after the author encouraged the readers too many times to experiment the results by themselves. I may give this a try someday, although I'm already using a couple of techniques already, and they are resulting.
Interesante, atractivo y con información útil y ejemplos para cada lección, pero no estoy 100% seguro de que todo funcione. No estoy demasiado convencido, incluso después de que el autor animara a los lectores muchas veces a experimentar los resultados por sí mismos. Puedo intentarlo algún día, aunque ya estoy usando un par de técnicas, y están resultando.
Interesante, atractivo y con información útil y ejemplos para cada lección, pero no estoy 100% seguro de que todo funcione. No estoy demasiado convencido, incluso después de que el autor animara a los lectores muchas veces a experimentar los resultados por sí mismos. Puedo intentarlo algún día, aunque ya estoy usando un par de técnicas, y están resultando.
February 23, 2020
While this book was occasionally a tiny bit above me in terms of witchcraft ability (I’m a complete beginner with not much idea of where to start), it was great in terms of explaining which gods and goddesses are great for nocturnal spells, how a nocturnal circle differs from the “traditional one” and step-by-step explanations of casting circles, creating spells and invoking the divine. I believe that this would have to be one of those books I’d come back to once I have the basics down. It definitely gave me a better idea of what I can do and how important it is to be specific with your intentions.
March 31, 2015
I found this book to be really fun and the author's writing full of personality.
I haven't tried out his "mind reading" exercises, but they sound like they'd be really fun to try. This is a very non-intimidating introduction to the darker side of witchcraft (not black magic as other reviewers have noted, in fact he opens by defining Good-Dark and sounding an awful lot like a Dungeons and Dragons alignment guide in the process).
It's very detailed without being overly prescriptive.
All in all I think this book could proudly share a bookshelf with The Spiral Dance by Starhawk and Power of the Witch by Laurie Cabot and is an excellent accompaniment to these volumes. It is also complete enough to stand alone as one's first book on the topic. You wouldn't necessarily need any others for quite some time, if ever, depending on how much you value others' experience of the numinous versus making your own observations.
Highly recommended to any new witches or experienced witches seeking some fresh perspective!
I haven't tried out his "mind reading" exercises, but they sound like they'd be really fun to try. This is a very non-intimidating introduction to the darker side of witchcraft (not black magic as other reviewers have noted, in fact he opens by defining Good-Dark and sounding an awful lot like a Dungeons and Dragons alignment guide in the process).
It's very detailed without being overly prescriptive.
All in all I think this book could proudly share a bookshelf with The Spiral Dance by Starhawk and Power of the Witch by Laurie Cabot and is an excellent accompaniment to these volumes. It is also complete enough to stand alone as one's first book on the topic. You wouldn't necessarily need any others for quite some time, if ever, depending on how much you value others' experience of the numinous versus making your own observations.
Highly recommended to any new witches or experienced witches seeking some fresh perspective!
July 1, 2024
This book would be more appropriately titled “Nocturnal Wicca” rather than “Nocturnal Witchcraft.” It’s possible that the author might be one who thinks that Wicca and witchcraft are the same thing. Other than that (and the author’s slight “this is the only true way” attitude) some of the rituals and magickal techniques in this book are pretty interesting and definitely worth experimenting with. If you’re Wiccan this is probably a great book for you if you want to embrace the darker (but in aesthetic only) parts of the Craft. If you’re not Wiccan and were hoping for some ideas to practice a darker form of witchcraft, you might not want to bother with this one. There are some interesting ideas that might be worth learning about, but there’s just a lot of Wicca to wade through to get there. (Not that Wicca is a bad thing! Just not my thing.) Not an awful read, but I was very disappointed upon learning that this was a book about Wicca and not, in fact, a book about witchcraft.
March 6, 2011
Konstantinos teaches us that magick after dark, at the dark of the moon, need not be what is widely considered to be "black". It is simply another aspect of the moon's phase, & as such, is aligned to a different type of working. Keeping one's mind open & learning different paths makes one a more educated witch.
January 29, 2019
I think it was an overall good read and worth the read but at times I felt as if he was just going over a script.he did however have good technics on skrying and building up energies. As for this being the darker side of the craft other than night time rituals it is not. would like to read other books from him to see if they have the same rehearsal feel to them .
March 30, 2013
Kind of hokey with all the references to "the night". Some of the exercises are decent and can be used to good enough effect. Not one I would tout as an essential reference book but if you can find a cheap used copy it wouldn't hurt to have around.
July 6, 2018
Fun and Informative
Konstantinos describes how to take magical shortcuts to develop your craft and how to make the most of your connection to the night. I would recommend this book to any practicing pagan who feels drawn to the night.
Konstantinos describes how to take magical shortcuts to develop your craft and how to make the most of your connection to the night. I would recommend this book to any practicing pagan who feels drawn to the night.
March 11, 2011
One of the strangest books I've ever read, and also the most pointless. There are about a thousand better books on this topic out there. Don't waste your time.
January 11, 2014
A catastrophy!! Badly written, pretentious, wannabe, not informative. Complete waste of time!!
January 18, 2016
This book opened my eyes and heart to so much....
February 19, 2017
An excellent insight into the Craft after dark. For me this really does strike a cord and I would suggest anyone drawn to the craft and the night read it along with other craft books.
Currently reading
October 27, 2024I own a physical copy of this book, so my review is for the paperback.
I resonate with Konstantinos due to him being Greek, I have eclectic beliefs, that includes the Roman, Greek, Norse pantheons, Dark Goddesses & Daemons I know of one of my past lives in Ancient Rome, so what the author is saying about Gods & Goddesses resonates with me.
The path of night & being a nightkind resonates with me as well.
I don't believe in the New Age love & light, positive only vibes, toxic positivity, that denies that the dark part of the self even exists, these types of people don't do shadow work and it shows, they are the most likely to experience spiritual psychosis.
This is a good book to start with if you are new to practicing witchcraft, it's good to learn the basic principles of witchcraft first, then you can focus more on what does or doesn't resonate with you and what works best for you as a individual person, solitary witch, not all witches believe in Deities, not all witches celebrate the sabbats, solstices or equinox's either, it depends on the type of witch they are and the type of witchcraft they practice, not all spiritual paths includes witchcraft though.
I own the author's other books, so I am intending to read them next.
I have read the first portion of the book, it's interesting even though the explanation for the godform assumption & casting & circle, banishing ritual seems a bit complicated & I wouldn't say it's beginner friendly if you're new to the craft.
I need to study & learn the basic principles of witchcraft, protecting my energy, consecrating objects/items that will be magical tools, or statues & other items that represent the Deities or offerings I want to give to Deities I want to work with.
Raising energy, grounding energy etc .
There is a lot to learn.
I don't have privacy to openly practice witchcraft like I want to unfortunately.
There are various methods for establishing a strong bond/connection with Deities over time, but it takes a long time to develop.
If you have psychic/intuitive/empathic abilities it will make it a lot easier to use your intuition & spiritual to communicate with the Deities you want to with, it will be a lot easier to perceived their energy, presence & influence whenever you interact with them.
I resonate with Konstantinos due to him being Greek, I have eclectic beliefs, that includes the Roman, Greek, Norse pantheons, Dark Goddesses & Daemons I know of one of my past lives in Ancient Rome, so what the author is saying about Gods & Goddesses resonates with me.
The path of night & being a nightkind resonates with me as well.
I don't believe in the New Age love & light, positive only vibes, toxic positivity, that denies that the dark part of the self even exists, these types of people don't do shadow work and it shows, they are the most likely to experience spiritual psychosis.
This is a good book to start with if you are new to practicing witchcraft, it's good to learn the basic principles of witchcraft first, then you can focus more on what does or doesn't resonate with you and what works best for you as a individual person, solitary witch, not all witches believe in Deities, not all witches celebrate the sabbats, solstices or equinox's either, it depends on the type of witch they are and the type of witchcraft they practice, not all spiritual paths includes witchcraft though.
I own the author's other books, so I am intending to read them next.
I have read the first portion of the book, it's interesting even though the explanation for the godform assumption & casting & circle, banishing ritual seems a bit complicated & I wouldn't say it's beginner friendly if you're new to the craft.
I need to study & learn the basic principles of witchcraft, protecting my energy, consecrating objects/items that will be magical tools, or statues & other items that represent the Deities or offerings I want to give to Deities I want to work with.
Raising energy, grounding energy etc .
There is a lot to learn.
I don't have privacy to openly practice witchcraft like I want to unfortunately.
There are various methods for establishing a strong bond/connection with Deities over time, but it takes a long time to develop.
If you have psychic/intuitive/empathic abilities it will make it a lot easier to use your intuition & spiritual to communicate with the Deities you want to with, it will be a lot easier to perceived their energy, presence & influence whenever you interact with them.
July 23, 2023
Ridiculous may seem like a harsh word, however it is the best and only way to describe the comparison between the title and what was actually written. If seeking a journal from an early 2000's witchy cult fan. Look no further! They will tell you exactly how they like to do each spell, incantation, and celebration their way, and of course to use any other way would just be crazy! The back and forth snide comments towards other practices was, humorous. Although, it was strange to read a whole page dedicated to how there wasn't enough time to write out any actual information that would be helpful to learning about nocturnal witchcraft and instead opted in to write 200 pages of self reflection.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2025
good info on scrying but too wiccan. it assumes wiccan beliefs like the threefold law to be a universal truth for everyone. i liked the following sections though:
dream magick
thoughtforms
suggestion
mystique and glamour
contact dowsing
i heavily disliked the afterlife section it details a whole system with seemingly little evidence outside of UPG? idk i may be wrong but any system that claims to neatly wrap up the mystery of what happens after death in a neat package will make me raise an eyebrow
dream magick
thoughtforms
suggestion
mystique and glamour
contact dowsing
i heavily disliked the afterlife section it details a whole system with seemingly little evidence outside of UPG? idk i may be wrong but any system that claims to neatly wrap up the mystery of what happens after death in a neat package will make me raise an eyebrow
November 26, 2017
I have this book, as well as a few others by this author. To me, they presented interesting topics on a subject that I usually do not get too deep into. I tried a ritual and it worked the very first time that i used it, so I was quite impressed at that.
September 12, 2020
Being on hoopla, I expected something of the caliber of steampunk magick. This was not terrible, however. It’s not without it’s flaws and cheesiness. I did appreciate the whole dark is not evil discussion. Some interesting stuff for those who are not all sunshine and roses.
December 23, 2020
Un libro muy completo y detallado que hay que leer con calma, para cualquiera que sienta curiosidad por el mundo de la noche. Presenta conocimientos de manera didáctica y con sus diferentes unidades aspira a ser una referencia de lo oculto.
June 2, 2018
Gostei. Apesar de o autor dizer que é uma religião, mas que não é Wicca... ficou parecendo a Wicca, só que mais voltada para a noite rsrs.
October 23, 2019
Enjoyed reading very much. Learn a lot and will reread to make notes.
March 16, 2020
A very interesting book, I read this in one day as I was so intrigued by it.
December 9, 2022
Amazing book! So much useful information especially for practitioners interested in darker witchcraft or well, "Nocturnal Witchcraft. Would definitely recommend.
March 16, 2025
da rileggere
February 14, 2017
If you feel more attuned to the darkness of night, if you feel more alive and alert at night, if you don't fear the darkness but embrace it instead, then this book is for you! Konstantinos has his own flair and his personality shines in his work. I would recommend this book to anyone exploring a darker, nocturnal/goth magickal type of path. I enjoyed this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews