In Bavaria, Germany and other parts of Europe, there is a localized tradition known as Rauhnächte, which translates as either the “rough nights” or “nights of smoke,” depending and lasting twelve nights beginning on the winter solstice or Christmas Eve, depending (this is a lunar vs. solar calendar thing).
As with other celebrations that fall at this point in the year, people believed that the veil between worlds is thin, letting spirits and ghoulies roam; it’s also seen as a time of magic, divination and miracles. Lore holds that people would use smoke (“rauh”) to drive out demons, which are known for their rough, furry (“ruch”) appearance. First recorded in the 18th century, the Rauhnächte tradition saw a revival in the 1980s. Today, this time is seen as a chance to reflect, drive out the bad and set intentions for the coming year.
Light It Up
Almost all traditions surrounding the winter solstice involve bringing light into your home to push back the bleakness of winter’s long nights. Candles, hearth fires, fairy lights, lanterns and more can help illuminate these rough, wild nights.
Incense
Using smoke to push out negative energies is a time-honored practice. People would sometimes have priests come with incense to keep evil spirits away from their livestock during this time. You can replicate this with your own incense or a smoke cleansing ritual.
Write Intentions
Write thirteen wishes or intentions for 2025 onto slips of paper and place them in a jar. On each of the twelve nights, pick a slip of paper at random and, without reading it, burn it. This will leave you with one wish or intention. Read it. Focus on how you can make it happen for yourself in the new year.
Rewrite the Negative
Make a list of negative memories from your year. On a separate piece of paper, reframe the memory into a positive; perhaps write down a lesson learned or a good memory from that time, such as someone helping you through it. Burn the list of negatives and save the list of good things.
The Months
Each night symbolizes the corresponding month – the first night for January, the second for February, and so on. Take some time to reflect on your memories from that month and your hopes for it in 2025. Many people have their own rituals for each lot night.
Lot Nights
As each day corresponds to a month in the coming year, the weather is often thought of as a prognostication or “lot.” Calm, clear weather on the third night, for example, would suggest a calm and trouble-free March. Some people also assign a theme for each month – January might be the foundation for the year, February might be love – and see the “lot” as a foretelling of that aspect of their life in the new year.
Divination
Even if you’re not a believer in divination, there are fun ways to participate in this tradition. Make an onion calendar by cutting an onion in half before midnight. Separate six layers from one half of the onion, one layer to represent the first six months of the year; place each layer in a (labeled) bowl as a “cup” and fill with a teaspoon of salt. Repeat with the other half and final six months. Leave them sit overnight; the amount of moisture drawn out represents that amount of precipitation for each month. You could do lead casting if you have a metal with a low melting point – or substitute with wax. Melt the metal over a candle and pour into a bowl of water; study the shapes to look for omens. Looking for love? Head to the crossroads at midnight; supposedly, an apparition of your one true love will pass you by… just don’t speak to them or watch them walk away, as this could mean their death! Also be wary of the Wild Hunt happening overhead; it concludes with the end of Rauhnächte.
A Rauhnächte Miracle!
It’s a tradition to believe that there is magic in Rauhnächte. Look around for miracles – big and small.