As the year draws to a close and the days become quieter, the Rauhnächte begin – a special time of pausing between the years. These twelve nights starting on December 24 have long been regarded as a powerful threshold period in which we are allowed to come to rest, reflect, and consciously let go. The Rauhnächte invite us to turn our gaze inward, to complete old themes, and to mindfully prepare the new year. Those who use this time consciously can consciously align themselves with the new year – connected with themselves and in harmony with the rhythm of the year.Since I began practicing the Rauhnächte, I have felt more grounded, more present, and more secure over the course of the year. Time does not rush past me, but accompanies me step by step. And with this blog article, we would like to invite you to do the same.
The origin of the Rauhnächte
The historical origin of the Rauhnächte lies in ancient Central Europe. A lunar year comprises only 354 days and therefore differs from the solar year by about eleven days. These “excess” days were considered a special time outside the familiar order, a phase between the years in which the usual rules of everyday life were suspended. It was believed that during these nights the boundaries between the visible and the invisible world were more permeable. Work came to a standstill, people observed their dreams, searched for signs, and prepared themselves inwardly for the coming year. Rituals such as fumigating houses and stables served protection, cleansing, and the clarification of energies. With Christianization, the Rauhnächte were later embedded in the period between Christmas and Epiphany, yet their original character as a time of retreat, intuition, and conscious alignment has been preserved to this day.
The Rauhnächte today
In our modern world, many people experience the Rauhnächte as a soothing counterbalance to the fast-paced everyday life. It is a time in which it is less about doing and more about being. Instead of achieving goals, it is about consciously pausing, looking back, and listening inwardly. The Rauhnächte invite us to mindfully reflect on the past year, to honor experiences, to feel gratitude, and at the same time to let go of what no longer wishes to be carried. At the same time, they open a space for intuition, dreams, and quiet impulses that are often overlooked in everyday life. The Rauhnächte traditionally begin on December 24 and end on January 4.
How can I celebrate the Rauhnächte?
To celebrate the Rauhnächte, it does not take much. The most important thing is the inner attitude. A quiet moment in the evening, a candle, a silent space, and the conscious decision to listen to yourself are often already sufficient. Many people find it supportive to write down their thoughts and feelings. Journaling becomes a powerful tool during the Rauhnächte to find clarity, make inner processes visible, and encounter oneself with more depth. Yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, or gentle rituals can also help to relax the body and open the mind. Incense such as sage, frankincense, or palo santo can accompany this time, but it is not a must.
Journaling tips for the Rauhnächte
Each of the twelve Rauhnächte traditionally stands symbolically for one month of the coming year. Below you will find twelve journaling questions that can accompany you through the Rauhnächte. They invite you to gently reflect on the past year and to align yourself step by step with the new year.
1st Rauhnacht – 24.12. | January – Roots & foundations
How can I ground and stabilize myself more deeply?
With which inner attitude do I want to enter the new year – inwardly and outwardly?
2nd Rauhnacht – 25.12. | February – Relationships & closeness
Which relationships truly nourish me?
Where do I hold on out of habit instead of out of love?
3rd Rauhnacht – 26.12. | March – Courage & decisions
Where do I wish for more clarity in my life?
Which decision am I postponing – and what is holding me back?
4th Rauhnacht – 27.12. | April – Growth & new beginnings
What wants to grow within me right now?
What supports me in continuing to develop?
5th Rauhnacht – 28.12. | May – Creativity & joy of life
When do I feel truly alive?
Where may I be more playful and allow more joy?
6th Rauhnacht – 29.12. | June – Balance & self-care
In which areas of my life do I feel unbalanced?
How do I currently deal with my energy and how can I protect it better?
7th Rauhnacht – 30.12. | July – Truth & inner voice
Where am I not yet fully living my truth?
Which inner voice wants to be heard?
8th Rauhnacht – 31.12. | August – Abundance & self-worth
What does abundance mean to me – beyond performance and productivity?
Where may I stand up for myself more confidently?
9th Rauhnacht – 01.01. | September – Order & focus
What in my life longs for more structure?
What distracts me unnecessarily?
10th Rauhnacht – 02.01. | October – Shadow & transformation
Which parts of myself do I reject or avoid?
What hidden strength might lie in these shadows?
11th Rauhnacht – 03.01. | November – Intuition & trust
When was the last time I trusted my intuition?
Where do I wish for more inner stability and where may I trust life more?
12th Rauhnacht – 04.01. | December – Vision & outlook
How do I want to feel at the end of the coming year?
Which inner attitude should accompany me through the new year?
We wish you a magical time between the years – enjoy the Rauhnächte and receive with an open heart and an open mind what reveals itself during the twelve days and nights.
Would you like to share your experience with the Rauhnächte? Then we look forward to your comment or a message.