When are the rough nights?
The rough nights are a magical time between the years. It is the last six nights of the old year and the first six of the new year (December 25th - January 5th).
Each night represents a month of the New Year. So, the first night of December 25th to December 26th represents January... and so on...
This special time is suitable for letting go of the old and focusing on the upcoming year. It is also often described as a very mystical time when it is particularly important to pay attention to signs. The gates to the "other world" are open and we can easily connect with our ancestors, spiritual helpers or even our own inner world.
Where do the rough nights come from?
It is not known exactly where the rough nights originated. This tradition probably goes back to the Germans and Celts. Even then, the time between the years was a very special phase that was celebrated with various rituals. It was also said that during these 12 nights the laws of nature are suspended. During this time there was or is a lot of room for magic, visions of the future and much more that the mind cannot explain.
The word "Rauhnacht" comes from rauh (wild), from smoke, and from the Middle High German word ruch (hairy, furry) - this meant the appearance of the demons that could emerge at that time.
Why is it 12 rough nights?
The rough nights are also referred to as the threshold time between the old lunar calendar (354 days) and the new solar year (365 days). This difference results in 11 days and the 12 rough nights.
I personally find it a wonderful time to calm down and reflect on the old year. To consciously align myself for the new year and to formulate my wishes and goals clearly, but above all to feel them.
Not for nothing has it developed in such a way that many people take the days off between the years. It is precisely from this origin that it is the appropriate time for rest and introspection. Unfortunately, we have almost forgotten that in our culture.
So I would like to cordially invite you to be aware of the rough nights this year.
how can you do that
Rauhnachts ritual - 13 wishes
A well-known Rauhnacht ritual is the 13-wish ritual. To do this, you write down 13 of your heart's desires on small pieces of paper. I recommend doing this over a nice cup of Ritual Cacao. Because as you know, he opens your heart. That way your desires can really come from the center of your body instead of the mind. I also recommend that after each wish you write down, dive into the energy of how it feels when that wish has come true.
Then every Rauhnacht you burn a wish and give it to the universe to fulfill. You open the last note (number 13) after you have burned all other wishes. You can take care of this wish yourself in the new year.
I've been doing this ritual for a few years and it's always a highlight.
I also recommend paying more attention to your dreams during this special time and maybe even writing them down. Also, be mindful during the day and watch for signs. As the name origin suggests, it is also a wonderful time for fumigation and purification. So feel free to take the time to cleanse yourself and your home physically and energetically.
As mentioned in the introduction, each Rauhnacht or the day associated with it stands for a month of the New Year. In the following you will find a small overview of the quality of the individual days and the associated months. It is best to answer the questions of the individual days intuitively, without thinking too much.
24th of December
THEME
review
QUESTIONS
What am I grateful for this year?
What can I still let go of in the old year that no longer belongs to me?
LITTLE RITUAL FOR TODAY
Smoke and purify your rooms
1. Rough night
WHEN
25./26. December
STANDS FOR
January
THEME
Base & Roots
ASK
What do I want to invite in the new year?
SMALL RITUAL
Smoke yourself and take a cleansing salt bath
2. Rough night
WHEN
26./27. December
STANDS FOR
February
THEME
Higher Self / Creator Power
ASK
How do I want to work in this world and share my light?
SMALL RITUAL
Silence and/or walking meditation in the forest
3. Rough night
WHEN
27./28. December
STANDS FOR
March
THEME
heart opening
ASK
What wishes live deep in my heart and would like to come true in the next year?
SMALL RITUAL
You can probably guess ;-) Very good opportunity for a cacao ritual
4. Rough night
WHEN
28/29 December
STANDS FOR
April
THEME
transformation
QUESTIONS
Who or what gives me energy and who or what robs me of it?
SMALL RITUAL
Write down everything that drains your energy on a piece of paper and burn it with the intention of letting go. Write down everything that gives you energy on another piece of paper and promise yourself to make more space for it in the coming year.
5. Rough night
WHEN
29/30 December
STANDS FOR
May
THEME
love & friendship
ASK
Who is good for me and who do I like to be with?
SMALL RITUAL
Spend time with your heart person today, without a cell phone and without distractions. Maybe with a cup of cacao, so that you really meet and give time.
6. Rough night
WHEN
30./31. December
STANDS FOR
June
THEME
Let go
ASK
What else can be brought to a conclusion this year?
SMALL RITUAL
Write down what else you can let go of or bring to a conclusion this year. Celebrate after each graduation with a glass of sparkling wine or cacao, with music or whatever else is good for you.
7. Rough night
WHEN
December 31 / January 1
STANDS FOR
July
THEME
Intuition & Inner Wisdom
ASK
How much am I listening to my inner voice? (1-10)
SMALL RITUAL
Take time for a little meditation today. Sit in your favorite place with or without cacao and concentrate on the point between your eyes (third eye). What images come to mind?
8. Rough night
WHEN
1st/2nd January
STANDS FOR
August
THEME
New beginning & fullness
ASK
Who do I want to be this year?
SMALL RITUAL
Give away small lucky symbols to one or more people today.
9. Rough night
WHEN
2nd/3rd January
STANDS FOR
September
THEME
Clarity & structure
ASK
In which areas of my life do I wish for more clarity and structure?
SMALL RITUAL
Today is a wonderful day to sort out and create order. Put on your favorite music and enjoy making room for something new.
10. Rough night
WHEN
3rd/4th January
STANDS FOR
October
THEME
Vision & soul path
ASK
What is my vision for this world and what can I do to make it a reality?
SMALL RITUAL
Sit down with or without Ritual Cacao and connect with your inner self. Imagine what a world looks like in which your vision(s) are lived. Bathe in the feelings that arise.
11. Rough night
WHEN
4th/5th January
STANDS FOR
November
THEME
Farewell & new beginning
ASK
What would like to go out of my life to make room for something new?
SMALL RITUAL
Today, consciously say goodbye to things, people or behaviors that no longer serve you. Set a sign of new beginnings.
12. Rough night
WHEN
5th/6th January
STANDS FOR
December
THEME
Cleanup & Unfolding
ASK
Which moments of the last 12 days were magical for me?
SMALL RITUAL
Take your time to end the rough nights with a celebration.
Write a little manifesto: How will I look and be this year to be the brightest version of myself?
If you want, then let's celebrate the 12 rough nights together. From December 24th, we will go into the respective rough night every day on Instagram ➚ and answer the reflection questions together.
We wish you a wonderful time between the years. Slow down, enjoy and take care of yourself - you are the most important person in the world.
PS If you are also interested in the topic of "Annual Circle Festivals", then please have a look at our blog posts on Imbolc, Ostara / Spring Equinox, Beltane, Litha, Lughnasadh/Lammas, Mabon, Samhain and Yule
