Looking back on the past and gaining an insight into the future: both should be possible during the Rauhnächte. They begin at midnight on December 24 and end at the same hour on January 5. In ancient Germanic tradition, each night of this interim period represents a month of the coming year and provides clues as to what will happen. Many Rauhnacht rituals have only been passed down orally, but some are still practiced today in a modified form. For example, noisy processions used to be held on New Year's Eve to drive out old things - nowadays, firecrackers do the job.
Rough nights rituals for heart and soul
1st Rauhnacht From December 24 to 25: Strengthening roots
This night represents the month of January. It is about strengthening your roots, your origins. A beautiful custom: light a candle for your family and ancestors to give them a light and say thank you.
2nd Rauhnacht From December 25 to 26: Feel the power
It is dedicated to the month of February and is intended to help us to better feel our own self and our inner strength. This can be achieved with the help of meditation: breathe deeply, listen to yourself.
3rd Rauhnacht From December 26 to 27: Open your heart
The month of March is in focus - and our heart: if we open it and realize what its true desires are, we can formulate our plans and goals for the new year more precisely and tackle them more effectively. Courage for detail is required here.
4th Rauhnacht From December 27 to 28: Dare to change
April: Spring - the best time to say goodbye to negative habits. Remind yourself of them once again - and then mentally "dissolve" them and replace them with positive ones.
5th Rauhnacht From December 28 to 29: Celebrate friends
This night represents the month of May. Major theme: friendship. Friendship with others, but also friendship with ourselves. Let's reflect on how much friends enrich our lives and make us stronger.
6th Rauhnacht From December 29 to 30: Letting go of the old
This night is dedicated to June. Your question is: What do we want to leave behind in the old year so that we can enter the new one completely free and carefree? Write everything down - thoughts, memories, things - pause and then burn the note.
7th Rauhnacht From December 30 to 31: Dreaming new things
July. We have left the old behind, now we dream of the new year and what it has in store for us. If you like, you can use tarot cards or an oracle on this night.
8th Rauhnacht From December 31st to New Year: Wishing well
The night stands for August. We celebrate the New Year and send good wishes to our loved ones. And we have fun, doing only what we really feel like doing.
9th Rauhnacht From January 1st to 2nd: Finding peace
This night is associated with the month of September. On this night, everything should be light, bright and perfect. We find peace and clarity and can gather new energy as a result. A good idea for this night: think about each of the coming 12 months and "bless" them. Think about your goals and focus as much positive thought-energy as possible on them.
10th Rauhnacht From January 2nd to 3rd: Setting goals
It stands for the month of October - and for visions for our lives. We can consider whether we are using our time wisely, which activities shape us and what we should perhaps change in order to make a positive change to our life situation.
11th Rauhnacht From January 3rd to 4th: Clarifying questions
Now it's all about November. On this night, we ideally deal with the big questions of life: Why am I here? What do I want to free myself from and what is important to me? What should I do for myself, what for others, and what resources do I need?
12th Rauhnacht From January 4 to 5: Receiving the future
It stands for December. We "cleanse" ourselves and our home of everything that weighs us down and prepare for the "Night of Miracles" from January 5 to 6: According to legend, a holy wind blows there, blessing the house and its inhabitants. To let it in, windows and doors are opened wide. Something new begins!
You might also be interested in this: