Journaling Through the Rauhnächte
The twelve Rauhnächte – from December 25 to January 6 – are a very special time. This tradition has its roots in ancient calendar systems that followed the cycles of the sun and the moon. Because the lunar year is eleven days and twelve nights shorter than the solar year, these days were seen as an in-between time – the days between the years, when the boundaries between worlds were believed to be more permeable.
For me, the Rauhnächte feel like a quiet resting space – a time to look back on the past with kindness and to gently plant wishes for the year ahead. They are the perfect invitation for a few cozy journaling hours.
Journaling ideas for the Rauhnächte
- Dream journal
Write down your dreams during each Rauhnacht in your journal. The dreams of these nights are believed to symbolically reflect the months of the coming year. - Twelve wishes
Write one wish for the coming year in your journal each night. Phrase your wishes as if they have already come true. - Inner reflection
Each Rauhnacht is connected to a specific theme and a corresponding month of the coming year. I have created a PDF for you in which I gently summarize all months and themes with soft journaling prompts. You’ll find the link below.
Writing helps us sort our thoughts and see our own path more clearly.
How to begin
Make yourself comfortable. Light a candle, pour yourself a cup of tea, and open your journal. There is no right or wrong – only your thoughts, just as they are in this moment.
If you like, you can download my Rauhnächte overview PDF for free (German!) and let it accompany you night by night. It is meant as a gentle guide – not a set of rules.
I wish you a calm, warm, and honest Rauhnächte season.