The 12 Nights | Night 1, December 25th
Welcome, magical one, to the first of the 12 Rough Nights!
Starting at midnight between December 24th and 25th, this first night represents the month of January in the coming year. It is a powerful time to pause, reflect, and release the energies of the past year to create space for the new.
The Theme of the First Night
The theme for the first night is reflecting and letting go and so it is time for an honest check in with the past year and the experiences from the past year. So grab your journal and honestly ask yourself:
How did I experience this year?
What significant changes occurred? Or did the year feel more stagnant than anything?
What were my original wishes for this year? Which ones came true, and which did not?
What experiences did I truly enjoy this year, and what not?
What am I grateful for and what lessons did I learn?
What habits, beliefs, or experiences do I want to leave behind as I step into the new year?
Is there anything you want to make different next year?
Are there any regrets over the past year?
January and the Zodiac Sign Capricorn
This first night is also associated with Capricorn, a sign that symbolizes stability, structure, and grounding so it reminds us that good things take time. Just like seeds that are patiently waiting for the perfect timing to grow, after a freezing winter. It’s a reminder to be patient as 100 small steps still make a pretty big difference in the end. So ask yourself:
What seeds do I want to plant for the coming year?
What small, consistent steps can I take daily to help those seeds grow into something beautiful? Like
Ritual Ideas for the First Rough Night
There are different rituals you can do that first night to embrace the energy of reflection and release, but I like to keep it simple and to do things that slow me down and make me feel relaxed.
Cleansing Bath: I love do make a cozy cleansing bath and prepare the water with magickal ingredients like sea salt, herbs, or essential oils. I then imagine the water washing away all the old energies that I no longer want to bring with me into the new year.
Home Cleansing: Another favorite way of mine to celebrate the first night is to cleanse my home. The idea is that you really want to cleanse your home of stagnant energy and setting the intention on creating a space that feels fresh and inviting for the new year.
Altar: Of course as witches we love Altars. So maybe you want to create a small altar with items that include symbols of the energy that you want to cultivate in the upcoming year. You can also represent your ancestors and your gratitude for the wisdom they’ve passed down. And because now the wheel of fate is spinning you could also include a figure or image, that resonates with these themes. I have an Arianrhod statue on my Altar, as she is the Celtic goddess of fate, which to me is the perfect goddess for honoring this night.
Gratitude List: Even though things may not have turned out the way we expected, I’m sure there are things that you can be grateful for. So make a list with everything you’re grateful for and the lessons you’ve learned this year. This is a wonderful tool to honor the year and therefore honor yourself for all the decisions you made. There is no waste of time, let me just make that clear. :)
Release Fire Ritual: If you like to work with fire in your practice, you can also make a list of everything you want to release and burn it, everything you wish to let go of.
Affirmation for the day
I am ready to close the old year and fully open myself to the possibilities of the new.
Burn your first Wish
Tonight is also the night to burn your 1st wish.
Choose a fireproof bowl or your cauldron and light the note, but don’t open it!
Release your wish to the universe and return the ashes to the earth as a symbolic act of trust.
If burning isn’t possible or preferred, you can tear or cut the note into small pieces. The act of release remains powerful, no matter the method.
Take time to breathe deeply, trust in the universe, and let go of all that no longer serves you. The magic has begun, and the seeds of transformation are ready to grow.
Have a wonderful first night, magical one!
Bebea