December 25th to January 5th is a magickal time. It is a time called ‘Rauhnächte’ in German. The rough nights is the time between the years, a time in which we prepare ourselves for the coming year. It’s a time of magical encounters, visions, serenity, introspection and clear insights.

These Nights have their origins in the cultures and customs of the Germanic tribes and Celts and the knowledge of the magick of this time is still a living tradition in Germany today! Many of us have grown up with weather lore such as “Scheint am 25. Dezember die Sonne, bringt sie fürs neue Jahr Glück & Wonne”, which translates into English as “If the sun shines on December 25th, it brings luck and happiness for the new year”. Because many of our grandparents and parents lived in alignment with these rules.

It is assumed that the word Rauhnächte originates from the word ‘räuchern’ which means incense burning in English, which has always been a central part of many Celtic and Germanic festivities.

What are the 12 Nights?

But what makes these 12 nights so special? The rough nights are the 12 days and night outside of space and time: during these 12 nights, the veils that hide the spiritual world become thinner. But why?

There are 29.5 days from one new moon to the next. This means that a lunar year has 354 days. Our solar year, however, has 365 days (30-31days*12 months). And this results in a difference of 12 days - the Rough Nights. Days and nights that do not really belong to the old year, but not really to the new one either. It’s days and nights, outside of space and time. Each of these 12 days represents a month of the upcoming year. And each of these days is associated with different themes that bring the old year to a close and form the basis for the new year. No two days or nights are the same.

Nowadays, these 12 nights are primarily associated with rest, reflection, introspection and realignment. And I invite you to do just that from December 25th. I invite you to use this magickal time for yourself. I invite you to pause, look back on the past year and focus on the new year equally.

How to work with the 12 Nights & German Folklore

Because these 12 nights are there to pave a new path for you, it is important to end the old year on a good note - both internally and externally. This could mean:

• To bring back what you have borrowed, or get back what you may have borrowed to someone.

• Pay bills that may still be unpaid.

• Keep promises you have made this year.

• Talk to people you love if there is something standing between you and them and try to leave any grudges behind.

• Clean your home (because new things need space).

Ancient traditions also say that only the wheel of fate should turn during this time outside of space and time. Therefore, all other wheels should stand still: nothing was ground, no laundry was washed or spun. And hanging up laundry was also avoided during this time so that no spirits would get caught up in it.

And last but not least: Get everything you need for the coming days and nights, because the Rough Nights should be a time of contemplation and not end in stress.

What you’ll need for the 12 Nights*

The most important companion you will have during these 12 nights, is a journal.

Get ready to record all your observations, insights and experiences in this book. Write down everything that seems extraordinary to you and that you encounter during this time. Dreams, visions, people, even the weather! Because all of this is attributed a magical meaning.

Here is also an additional shopping list with things that you may need for these nights:

• Vision board: pictures, pens, photo cardboard, etc.

• Paper & Pen

• Items for your Altar set-up (I have a statue of Arianrhod that I adore for this time of the year)

• Incense burner & Incense

• Fireproof bowl / Cauldron

• Feather or fan to direct the smoke

• Matches, lighter,

• Candles

• Gemstone grid

• Cord & scissors

• anything you use in your witchy practice anyways you may stock up on :)

*all of this is optional. If you only want to use your journal, that is totally fine. Remain authentic in the rituals you decide to perform. It's not about doing a lot, but about doing what feels right for you. :)

The Ritual of the 13 Wishes

Let me share share a very special & traditional ritual with you that you can prepare before the 12 nights begin. It is the ritual of the 13 wishes. And this is how it works:

1. Write down 13 wishes for the next year. They should be very meaningful to you! It is also important to write down wishes for yourself and not to wish for others. Formulate your wishes positively in the present. For example, I have a job that I enjoy. Feel into each wish and feel the positive excitement, the tingling in your body and then fold them all together.

2. Now put all your wishes in a cloth bag, or a wooden box or another container.

3. Each day during the Rough Nights, draw one wish without opening or checking which wish it is. The essence of this ritual is to release your desires to the Universe (God, Source, or whichever name resonates with you) and trust it to take care of them.

4. Now burn your wish in a fireproof bowl or your cauldron (if you don’t want to burn it, you can tear it apart, or cut it)

5. The wish that remains at the end is the one that fate has destined for you. That's what the old traditions say. That’s the wish you have to take action on yourself.

In my next blog post, I will share the first of the 12 Nights with you and how you can harness the magick of this day!

Have a wonderful time magical one!

Bebea