The 12 Rauhnächte. A magical time.
Where does the tradition of the Rauhnächte come from?
The roots of the Rauhnächte (the twelve days of Christmas) lie in Germanic and Celtic tradition. The name is thought to be taken from (ruch) rough, wild or from (rauch) smoke or incense. To compensate for the difference in the number of days between the solar year (365) and the lunar year (354), the Celts added 11 intercalary days and consequently 12 nights. This is a time when the laws of nature are more or less suspended and the gates to the “other world” are open. A connection to everything ethereal will be particularly perceptible.
How we can prepare for the Rauhnächte.
All members are committed to integrating biodiversity conservation into their sustainability strategy and operational management. It is the time to purge oneself of many things, declutter, clean, pay off debts, return borrowed items, shed burdens and clear up any unfinished business. Be mindful of your dreams, contemplate and meditate. This helps to bring about visions for the coming year. And that is a good basis for dealing with everything destined to happen in the new year.
And, positive elements and energies can be strengthened by burning incense in your house or apartment on 24.12. while reflecting gratitude and thankfulness. For this, choose sage, juniper, myrrh or frankincense.
13 wishes for the coming year
The 21st of December is the day to make a list of wishes for the coming year. Select 13 wishes from this list. Then write each one down on a piece of paper. These wishes will be with you throughout the Rauhnächte. For each of the 12 nights, you take one of the pieces of paper and burn it, without ever looking at it again. By doing so, you are passing your wish on to the universal consciousness.
The ashes return to Mother Earth. The wish on the last day should be one to look after yourself.
The Rauhnächte period begins on the 25th of December. During this time, write down your dreams immediately after waking. The rituals are not bound to any time of day. They do not have to be “fulfilled” at midnight.
The 1st Rauhnacht: January
The first Rauhnacht on the 25th of December is also the first day of Christmas. It represents January, the first month of the new year. The most important issues are concerned with arrival and preparing everything so that the good resolutions become reality. Foundations are laid, the base fortified and roots are deepened in the astrological sign of the zodiac Capricorn. Cleanse yourself and incense the rooms. Bathe in sea salt, for example, and incense your rooms with frankincense or sage.
The 2nd Rauhnacht on the 26th December, the second day of Christmas, represents the month of February. The days are getting longer and we are moving closer to spring. Seeds are sown and are ready to sprout as soon as light and warmth begin to unfold. This day is then about connecting with one’s own inner light, peace within oneself and confidence that the seeds will emerge and grow. This is how new things can develop in the sign of the zodiac Aquarius. Find yourself in the silence. Simply walk outside and enjoy the nature or go to your place of meditation.
The 3rd Rauhnacht (27th December) represents the month of March
The third Rauhnacht, in the sign of Pisces, which is associated with the month of March, is all about departure and new beginnings. Nature is awakening and the first plants are starting to appear. This day is a time to turn towards this miracle, to pause and to open your heart to all that is new. Move into the heart. Breathe the light into your heart and imagine how it flows into you, how it expands inside you and fills you with love.
The 4th Rauhnacht (28th December) represents the month of April
The fourth Rauhnacht represents the variable month of April, the zodiacal sign of Aries. The unpredictable nature of this month, which is evident in the constant fluctuations in the weather, requires a great deal of composure. Everything is in a state of transition. The year is coming to an end. Old things can leave, new things emerge. It is a special night in which everything that may not have gone well in the previous nights can be resolved. Write down everything negative, rewrite it positively. Then burn the negative notes. Visualise a violet flame that burns everything that is not good.
The 5th Rauhnacht (29th December) represents the month of May
The fifth Rauhnacht, in the astrological sign of Taurus, is associated with the month of May. The abundance of nature and life reveals itself in full splendour. Happy times that we experience together. Together with others, but also “together” within ourselves. Friendship and self-love are the topic for this day. Use incense with white sage and frankincense. Take time this day to spend with someone you love.
The 6th Rauhnacht (30th December) represents the month of June
The sixth Rauhnacht symbolises the middle of the year, the month of June, in the sign of Gemini. Spring gives way to summer. The days get longer and longer until the summer solstice on 21 June, when they get shorter again. Where there is light, there is also shade. This is what this change of times demonstrates to us. It’s all about balance. Write down everything that you do not wish to take with you into the new year. And burn the note. Tidy up, declutter and burn incense.
The 7th Rauhnacht (31st December) represents the month of July
The seventh Rauhnacht on New Year’s Eve, in the zodiac of Cancer, is already entirely under the influence of the new year. The day of celebrations and festivities is dedicated to the anticipation of all that is to come. It concerns feelings, the inner voice, the soul, home and the awakening to the new. Burn frankincense in your home. Bathe and cleanse yourself of everything old.
The 8th Rauhnacht (1st January) represents the month of August
People wish for a happy new year today, in the eighth Rauhnacht, in the zodiac sign Leo, being associated with the month of August, the height of summer. Abundance, energy, as well as relaxation and leisure play a significant role here. Abundance, new beginnings, implementation of ideas are the main topics. Send blessings for the new year, offer good wishes and bestow symbols of good luck. Get together with friends, go out and enjoy nature.
The 9th Rauhnacht (2nd January) represents the month of September
The energy is changing in the ninth Rauhnacht. Until New Year’s Eve it was directed inwards, now it is slowly turning outwards again. A change is taking place. Everyday life returns for many people. There are things to organise, to structure and to orientate oneself anew. The quality of this night and the associated sign of the month Virgo support this process. Between summer and autumn. It is a time to pause, to connect with one’s inner voice and to dwell, patience is needed. After all, energetically it is still winter. Light a light and bless the new year. Do everything that strengthens your inner centre, whether eating well, practising yoga or going out and enjoying nature.
The 10th Rauhnacht (3rd January) represents the month of October
The tenth Rauhnacht is in the sign of Libra and is associated with October. A time for saying goodbye, but also a time of maturity, abundance, harmony and wisdom. The Rauhnächte are slowly coming to an end. Now is once again the moment to meditate on your own vision. Meditate on your vision and burn frankincense.
The 11th Rauhnacht (4th January) represents the month of November
The 11th Rauhnacht symbolises the month of November in the astrological zodiac sign of Scorpio. It is a time of goodbyes, letting go, of death and transformation. However, goodbyes and new beginnings are closely related. Only when we succeed in letting go completely can we begin again. And open ourselves to the new. Meditate on your goals in life. And on the meaning of life.
The 12th Rauhnacht (5th January) represents the month of December
Energetically, the twelfth Rauhnacht, in the sign of Sagittarius, is associated with the month of December. It is the darkest month, but at the same time a new cycle with more light begins with the winter solstice. Awakening, growth and wisdom are revealed. On this special night, you can resolve everything that has not gone well in the previous nights. Write down negative things, rephrase them positively and burn the piece of paper with the negative content. Burn incense and in a purification meditation imagine a violet flame burning everything that is not good.
