Accidental Gods

The Magic of Darkness: learning to love life in the night with author Leigh Ann Henion

Nov 19, 2025
Join New York Times bestselling author Leigh Ann Henion, who delves into the wonders of nocturnal nature. She shares how our night vision and senses can awaken through darkness and recounts the features that inspired her journey into the night. With fascinating tales of encounters with nocturnal creatures, Leigh Ann discusses ways to foster a love for the dark through community action and responsible lighting. Learn how embracing the night changed her life and sparked a deeper connection to the natural world.
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INSIGHT

Night Vision Ripens Over Hours

  • Leigh Ann Henion found night vision and other latent senses improve incrementally over hours, not just 20–30 minutes.
  • Spending deliberate time in darkness reveals human sensory abilities previously ignored.
ANECDOTE

Glowworms In Plain Sight

  • Henion discovered neon-blue glowworms living in Southern Appalachia after walking the road in total darkness with adjusted eyes.
  • These organisms had been present for years but were invisible under artificial light.
ANECDOTE

Moon Garden Surprise

  • Henion's friend Amy unintentionally planted a period-appropriate moon garden that attracted hawk moths and other night pollinators.
  • Amy was moved to tears seeing large moths appear as soon as she looked after dusk.
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