The mysterious time of the rough nights

Between Christmas and the Three Kings there are twelve very special nights, the so-called rough nights . This time between years is a time of cleansing, change and new beginnings. It is a sacred time as well as a time of miracles and mysteries. We are calmer these days, reflecting on the past year and looking forward to the coming one. We come to our senses, create mindfulness, set new goals and move on from the old.

The Rauhnächte are “nights of reflection on the past, anchoring in the present and focusing on the future”

Elfie Courtenay

The rough nights begin in the Night of December 25th and ending on the morning of January 6th. Each of the twelve nights in this period represents a month in the following year. The 1st Rauhnacht from December 24th to 25th stands for the 1st month of the year, January. The 2nd rough night for February and so on. Every rough night lasts from midnight until midnight the next night.

The individual days and nights are often viewed as oracles for the coming year. So everything that comes to mind, comes to mind or happens to us on one of these nights or on one of these days can come true in the corresponding month of the next year. It is even said that by dealing with the rough nights consciously, we have the opportunity to positively influence and help shape the coming year.

But for some people this time may seem scary. Especially around the rough nights on the 24th/25th. December , December 31st/December 1st January and 5th/6th January there are numerous superstitions. They are considered dangerous in some places, which is why certain rules should be followed. For example, there should be order in the house and an old custom warns against doing laundry during this time. White laundry in particular should not be washed, let alone hung up. But why actually? According to legend, the spirit realm is said to be open between the years so that the spirits can leave. If white laundry is washed and then hung up, this is considered a symbol of death and a bad omen for the coming year. According to myth, the spirits steal this linen and use it as a shroud for a member of the house.

Where does the tradition of Rauhnächte actually come from and what does it mean?

The roots of the twelve rough nights between Christmas Eve and Epiphany lie in Germanic and Celtic tradition. In the Germanic calendar there was a lunar and a solar year. The lunar year is a year with twelve lunar months and 354 days. The solar year that has been counted to date, on the other hand, has 365 days. This means there is a difference of twelve nights and eleven days between the lunar and solar calendars. And this is where the magic of these days and nights arises. Because these do not exist according to the lunar calendar, it is said that the laws of nature are suspended during this time and the gates to the mystical, spiritual world are wide open. This means that the connection to our ancestors is more tangible during the rough nights and very special energies can be felt consciously or unconsciously. But ghosts can also leave their realm and visit people. On January 6th, this special gap between the years will close again and we can start a new year.

The origin of the name of these nights is not entirely clear. The term can probably be traced back to the Middle High German word rûch, “hairy” .   This probably meant the demons and spirits that were omnipresent at that time. However, there is also a possible reference to the fumigation of the stables, which was traditionally carried out by priests or court farmers at this time. Another name is Losnächte - “los” comes from “lose” or “predict” .

Ultimately it's about a little break at the end of the year.

“Stop, come to yourself, let go of the old and allow yourself a time of rest in order to then face the new with creative strength.”

Elfie Courtenay

Rauhnächte: A look into the future

The time between the years not only serves to come to terms with the past , but also to look into the future . According to legend, dreams, animals or certain places could serve as a mouthpiece for the other world and show people something about their future.

To this day, some rituals have persisted in this context, which offer us an opportunity to gain an insight into the future and to prepare ourselves personally for the coming year. In some places, demons, witches and devils with hand-carved artistic masks and fur robes still parade through the streets at this time to drive away evil spirits.

Which rituals can you personally carry out during the rough nights?

We will go into this in more detail in the following blog articles. In addition to explanations of the individual nights and their meaning, we will present a series of rituals on how you can prepare for the coming year and end with the old.

But we do have a little tip for preparation: The ritual of the 13 wishes, for example, is a very popular Rauhnacht ritual, which you can do before the first Rauhnacht.

Curious? This way:

The first three rough nights: roots, inner voice and heart opening

Rough nights four to seven: end with the past and be ready for the new

Rough nights eight to ten: a new beginning

The last two rough nights and the final day on January 6th

How about a relaxing yoga session during the rough nights?

Find your personal yoga course here.

And another tip for a special yoga course on the topic:

Rauhnacht Special - The magic of the rough nights

And now: Stay tuned and come back to our blog!

We wish you peaceful rough nights and a good transition into the new year!