Rauhnacht 1: looking back at the year

The twelve nights, or Rauhnächte as they are called in German, are a traditional period between the years. Here, we observe them from the night of December 25 into December 26 through the night of January 5 into January 6.

The very first Rauhnacht opens this special time, which many people use for quiet reflection. Old custom connects each of the twelve nights to one month of the coming year. Following this tradition, the first night offers a symbolic preview for January.

This is not a fixed prediction but rather a theme to consider for yourself as the month unfolds. While our calendar marks these specific dates, you may find other regional traditions that start the Rauhnächte on December 21. The core idea remains the same: it is a quiet time to reflect on the past and prepare for what lies ahead.

The theme for this first evening is a review of your year, with a focus on what went well. Before looking forward, it can be helpful to acknowledge the positive experiences, big and small, that the past twelve months have held. This practice is not about ignoring difficulties but about consciously appreciating what brought you joy or taught you something valuable.

• Quiet afternoons that felt right: Consider the moments that made you smile, the challenges you successfully navigated, or the quiet afternoons that felt just right.
• High points of your year: What were the high points of your year? Bringing these memories to mind helps you close the year with a sense of gratitude and completeness.
• Three things most thankful for: For your reflection this evening, you might ask yourself: What three things from this past year am I most thankful for?

Let your mind wander through the seasons and see what memories surface for you.

A small ritual can help you anchor your reflections for the evening. You do not need any special tools, just a pen and some paper or a notebook you might be using as a Rauhnacht journal. If it helps you feel settled, you could light a candle or make a cup of tea.

1. Find a quiet moment: Find a quiet moment for yourself.
2. Write down three things: Think about the question for the evening and write down three specific things that went well this year.
3. Be concrete: Try to be concrete. Instead of writing 'a nice vacation,' you might recall 'watching the gray seals on the beach during our trip in March.' This simple act of writing things down gives them weight and makes them tangible. It is a way of honoring your own experience and setting a positive, thoughtful tone for the rest of the twelve nights.

Tradition holds that the dreams you have during the Rauhnächte carry a special significance. The dream during this first night is often seen as a symbolic image for the month of January. It can provide a theme, a question, or a feeling to carry with you into the start of the year.

1. Recall your dream: When you wake up on the morning of December 26, take a moment before you get up to see if you can recall any part of your dream.
2. Write down images or feelings: Write down any images, characters, or feelings that come to mind, without trying to analyze them right away.
3. Simply record what is there: Simply record what is there.

If you do not remember a dream, that is completely normal. Instead, just notice your very first mood or feeling upon waking. Was it calm, hurried, cheerful, or something else?

This feeling can also serve as your personal theme for January. Check for yourself how this initial impression colors your view of the month as it begins.