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

Published on 12.12.2023 from Finde Dein Yoga

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The previous blog post was about the tradition of Rauhnächte , where they come from and what the special time between the years is all about. The following focuses on the individual nights , their meaning and some rituals . How can we prepare for a new year, free ourselves from old burdens and positively shape our future?

As already described, the rough nights are about always taking time for yourself, getting a little closer to yourself, clearing up the past and becoming ready for new things . There may also be some questions that need to be answered. We will now go into the topics and aspects of the individual nights in more detail and give a few tips on how we could deal with them. In each post in this blog series you will also receive a little inspiration about which classic rituals could help you fulfill these tasks or answer questions.

First of all, it will be about the first three rough nights, specifically from December 24th to 27th. The first Rauhnacht from December 24th to 25th symbolizes the month of January next year. This night is about the basis of your life, your foundation and roots. We look back on the last year, let go of old things and ask ourselves how we can strengthen our family . We meet our ancestors and honor them because they paved our path.

For example, give your parents a gift or light a candle for everyone in the family.

You can also ask yourself the following questions and answer them for yourself:

What forms my foundation in my life and what needs to be healed?
What can I rely on?
What strengthens me and my foundation and what unbalances me?
How do I meet my ancestors?

The second Rauhnacht from December 25th to 26th takes place in February of the following year and serves to address the topics of one's own strength, higher self and inner voice. This night we become quiet, find peace and find our inner strength and our home within ourselves.

For example, meditate that night and think about what is important to you and what forces of nature you value. For example, you can create a collage where you record these things to remind yourself that you are protected by these forces.

You can also ask yourself the following questions and answer them for yourself:

What does my inner voice want to tell me?
What can I do to better perceive my inner voice?

Let's come to the third Rauhnacht , the night from December 26th to 27th. This stands for March of next year with the themes of opening your heart and opening yourself up to the wonders of life . This is about our heart energy and about opening ourselves to others and our inner being.

For example, that night write down your wishes and goals for the coming year. It can also be a nice idea to light a light for each wish.

Also ask yourself the following questions and answer them for yourself:

Who has been a support in my life this year?
Who inspired me, who brought me happiness and joy?
Who or what cost me energy and strength?
What are my heart's desires?
What gives me deep joy and fulfillment and makes my heart jump?
Who do I give love and friendship to? Who is giving it to me?

Ritual for your rough nights: incense and rough night candle

As promised, there is also a ritual in every blog post in this series that you could use for yourself. Before we begin: If you have important experiences during the rough nights, have dreams or inspirations, then write them down in a book. This way you can look at them again later and see what inspiration they gave you for the new year. What messages emerged for you? What new insights are you taking with you into the new year?

We start our series in the traditional way with the ritual of smoking and the Rauhnachtskerker. In earlier times, this tradition, which is thousands of years old, served to protect against illness and disaster. Entire houses and yards were fumigated with various herbs to drive away evil. For example, myrrh, frankincense, lady grass and juniper were used. You too can smoke your apartment or house between the years to scare away negative energies and invite positive ones.

In addition to those mentioned above, the following plants are also well suited. Mugwort, spruce resin, orange peel, elderberry, lavender, mistletoe, sage or Palo Santo. You now walk through your living space with your incense, for example an incense bowl, blowing the smoke into every corner of the room. As you do this, imagine everything negative in the room dissolving and transforming into something great and positive.

You are welcome to formulate and express your own wishes for what is to come or write them down for yourself. When performing this ritual, it can also be nice to light a candle at the very beginning and invite yourself to engage in the following rituals and allow the divine, magical or mysterious within you.

Are you curious about what other rituals there are to prepare for a new year? And what happens in rough nights four to twelve? Then stay tuned and take a look at the following articles in this series.