In recent years, rough nights have become more important again. A look at the rituals selected for these twelve special nights. (Manuela Molk)
FIELD CHURCHES. The twelve nights between Christmas and Epiphany are also called Rauhnächte, whose origin lies in Celtic and Germanic customs and results from the difference in the days of the lunar year (354 days) and the solar calendar (365 days). To balance this difference, the Celts added eleven more days, which have a very special energy and are very suitable for rituals. Geomancer and engineer with a degree in architecture Kristina Grandits presents some of these rituals that make busy nights a very special moment.
Introspection in silence
“The hard night gives us the opportunity to consciously let go of things that are no longer useful and to invite nourishing things into our future lives,” explains Kristina Grandits. “Introspection in silence strengthens the connection with the soul and makes it clear that we humans hold the threads of our destiny in our own hands. Rituals help us bring about change with simple actions.”
Fire ritual
For example, a fire ritual gives us the opportunity to connect with the fire in our lives. “You burn what can go and nurture what calls to you,” says the geomancer. You can write situations and topics on pieces of paper and place them in the fire. “You can then consciously connect with the power of fire and ask for the fire of life to be strengthened or rekindled.”
Visions spin
Of course, the time of difficult nights is also very suitable for spinning dreams. “You can write, paint or even record in a collage what you would like to invite into your life. These can be concrete desires or feelings that you want for the future,” continues Grandits.
Incense rituals
Smoking also plays an important role at this time. You can smoke incense on any twelve nights you wish and turn it into a ritual. All you need is a bowl of incense, charcoal, sand, and incense herbs such as mugwort or white sage. So, as you smoke, imagine the smoke removing negative energy from your home and making space again for positive energy.
Information:
Book tip: Caroline Deiß: Difficult and mysterious nights. Rituals, recipes, instructions for smoking for 2021-2023. Published by mvg-Verlag.