Nightshades: a Tourist Guide to the Nightside

This book was not really what I was expecting. It is roughly 200 pages, 60 or so of which are text, the rest being sketches rendered by the author following workings with the Nightside energies, which are fairly well executed. Being subtitled "a Tourist Guide to the Nightside" I was hoping this book would be a detailed account of the author's magical workings, but the text portion is mostly an overview of Nightside energies in general with only the last few pages devoted to his experiences with the workings.The author also makes some statements regarding both Buddhism and psychiatry to which I must take exception. While discussing desire (and its supposed relationship to Buddhism) the author states that "the historical Buddha, who had grown up in such wealth the he could fulfill more desires than his contemporaries, made a point that existence is suffering, and the root of suffering is desire. As usual, old Grumpy only saw half of the picture". While I am no scholar, I have read my share of Buddhist literature and what I find quite often is that the first noble truth is usually translated "there is suffering" not existence is suffering, and the second truth "craving is the cause of suffering" not desire. This interpretation puts quite a different spin on things. Here we have a simple acknowledgement that suffering simply exists as a part of the human condition and the word craving does more accurately reflect the nature of suffering. As for referring to Buddha as old Grumpy, I suspect that the author may mistakenly assume that Buddhism is essentially pessimistic, but anyone who has made more than a superficial study of the literature knows it is not. Acknowledging that suffering exists and that everything is transitory does not mean you need to adopt a fatalistic or gloom and doom attitude toward life. If anything, it can make you appreciate life even more.Fries seems to have a low opinion of psychiatry as well. On page 49 the author states that "every year serious psychiatrists invent dozens of absurd new mental diseases, including stuff like 'oppositional defiance disorder", which makes patients disagree with authority figures, such as psychiatrists. While mental disease are invented by the dozens, the actual evidence for them remains slim. After decades of intense research, the psychiatric industry has failed at proving organic defects in the brains and nerves of patients'. First of all, psychiatrists, do not just "invent" illnesses. Their conclusions must be supported by research and peer review (something which this book might have benefited from). Also, the statement that the psychiatric industry has failed at proving organic defects in the brains and nerves of patients is completely false. Many neuroimaging studies exist which have shown brain abnormalities in people suffering from mood disorders.Overall I do not recommend this book. I found it rather sparse on information relating to the Qliphoth, although some people might find the sketches useful for their own magical workings. For studies related to the Qliphoth, I would recommend the works of Kenneth Grant, Linda Falorio, and Thomas Karlsson instead.

As always, I am very pleased with Jan's work. There are ~70 large pages with an extensive commentary on varied aspects of Nightside awareness, including: its nature as the foundation, rather than the Black Magick reflection of the Dayside; commentaries on explorations; insights into how to integrate its awareness into your everyday psyche and worldview; studied scientific data about brain chemistry relating to subconscious psychology, and much more.Come for the tour, stay for the vistas. There are 70 different inspired illustrations of consummate understanding and artistic vision that comprise the greater part of the book. Not just of the Tunnels of Set (cf Kenneth Grant), but also of a litany of psychic quests and insights received during Jan's extended period experiencing these energies.Required reading for anyone entering upon a study of the Nightside. Along with fellow HML member Limda Falorio's Shadow Tarot as a tool, Kenneth Grant's Nightside of Eden as a comprehensive map of the territory, and this book as an embellishment on one traveled ritualist's journeys, you should be more than prepared for your trip! Includes a bibliography of occult and psychological media to immerse yourself further into the realm of the Ancient Ones.

If you are into occult art or the study of the qlippoth, this book is a must-have. The illustrations alone make it worth the price.

Excellent book.

Very short book but the info is good. Very easy read. Kinda feel like it's a bit over priced for how little reading you get. Part of it tho is to spend time with some of the pictures and color them in and reflect or meditate on it and I think if you actually do that u will gain much more then the price you paid ;)

Nightshades: A Tourist Guide to the Nightside enthält eine Vielzahl der hervorragenden Zeichnungen von Jan Fries und einem sehr interessanten Aufsatz des Autors. Für die Erforschung anderer Spähren wärmstens empfohlen.

Desafortunadamente, se trata de uno de los libros más flojitos de Jan Fries, que suele habitualmente hacer estudios en mucha más profundidad.

Jan Fries art and a great essay. Worth price of book alone.