The rough nights are a time full of customs and secrets that between Christmas and Epiphany . Often, depending on the region, one speaks of murmurers, bell nights, inner nights or sub -naves.
For many centuries, these twelve nights have been accompanying people in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Scandinavia and other parts of Europe. Depending on the region, they either start on December 21st or 25 and extend over a period of twelve nights.
In this editorial contribution we take you on a journey through the rough night and its importance in our society - yesterday and today. Discover the origins and traditions of this fascinating time in which animals speak and ghosts are up to mischief.
The mysterious rough nights and their meaning
The rough nights are a time characterized by myths, which usually takes place between December 24th and January 6th and has been celebrated by people for many years.
In some regions of Germany, many customs have developed over time that are connected to these nights. The farmers often use these days to rest and care for their animals, as it is quieter in the fields during this time.
But the rough nights are not only important for life in the country, many traditions also take place in the city. For example, frankincense is burned to drive evil spirits or oracle practices to take a look into the future.
The number of twelve plays a magical role in this because it stands for the twelve nights and therefore also stands for the end of the old year and the beginning of the new year.
Food and drinks also play a special role during the rough nights and are often prepared according to old recipes . Although these customs have changed over the years, they are still an important part of our lives today and remind us of our roots.
The origin of the rough nights: an old Germanic tradition
The rough nights have a long tradition that goes back to Germanic times . Some interpretations indicate the Germanic winter and light festivals, while other Celtic and Slavic influences mention.
It is assumed by some historians that the origin and importance of the twelve alternates from the moon in the sun during Julius Caesar's rule (100- 44 BC). This calendar change extended the year by eleven days, which corresponded to twelve nights and at that time called "dead days".
In their core, all origins have in common that one believed that during this time the dividing line between the visible and invisible world was particularly thin. Therefore, the spirits of the deceased, ancestors and natural champions were able to wander freely and have both positive and negative influence on the human world.
Even today, many customs are well -groomed in the rough nights, such as the burning of frankincense or exhausting evil spirits .
In many areas of Germany there are different customs and traditions during the rough nights that are closely linked to the lives of people and their society.
Some of these customs have changed over the years or have even been forgotten, but there are also new interpretations and modern customs in honor of the old traditions.
Origin of the name “Rau (H)”
The exact origin of the term "rough (h) nights" has not yet been clearly clarified. There are various assumptions that could indicate that the name is either related to the appearance of the demons during this time or with the smoke of the house.
Another theory, however, says that the term goes back to the Old High German word "rough" , which "rough" or "game" .
The Perchten and Krampuses are closely connected to the rough nights
What do the 12 rough nights stand for?
The 12 rough nights stand for a special time in the year , which takes place between Christmas and the Epiphany. During this time, the old year symbolically adopted and the new year is welcomed.
The custom of the rough nights has a long tradition and goes back to Germanic and Celtic roots. During this time, various rituals were practiced to drive away evil spirits and to ask for happiness and blessings for the coming year.
This included smoking with herbs, laying protective symbols or oracle practices.
The 12 rough nights are often associated with the 12 months of the year , with each day of the Rauhnacht standing for a certain month. So you should be particularly careful every day of the Rauhnacht and adjust to the energies of the respective month.
December 31 - July: perceive your own feelings | White sage, camphor, pine wood
January 01 - August: Make decisions for the new year | Fair, myrrh, cedar wood
January 02 - September: Check and sort impulses of the last nights | Myrrh, fir
03 January - October: Mindful for what is | Campaign, frankincense, juniper tips
January 04 - November: Be grateful for what is | incense
05 January - December: Recognize the meaning of the impulses of the last nights | Fair, myrrh
In the following video introduction you will get an informative insight into the respective meaning of these mystical days and how to prepare for a transformative journey:
Bizarre rituals and customs - what happens in the rough nights?
The assumption of a connection between the real and the world was partly astonishing rituals and customs during the Raunächt.
Women and children should stay at home in the evening, no laundry is hung up and order in the house should be hung up to keep ghosts away. It should not be whistled early in the morning because this could bring misfortune.
The striking of doors was associated with thunderstorms, hair and nails should not be cut during the murmurer. These traditions have lasted for centuries or have disappeared again.
The custom of blessing houses in the murmurers with holy water has been preserved to this day. Just like four other amazing customs that made it into our modern times ( National Geographic reported).
Smoking and driving out evil spirits
Burn incense and herbs to drive out evil spirits is one of the most famous customs in the rough nights.
The smoking of herbs, resins and woods during the 12 nights serves to free the home of negative energies and to charge it with positive energy for the next year. Smoking not only has a physical cleaning function, but also a spiritual clarification.
In the past, frankincense was mainly used, but now there are popular herb mixtures such as sage or Palo Santo. Burgundy Harz (spruce resin) St. John's wort, mistletoe, mugwort, royal candle, angelica root, yarrow, juniper tips and mint are also popular.
The use of special incense mixtures varies depending on the regional tradition.
Oracle practices and prophecies
In addition to driving out evil spirits and smoking, oracle practices and future interpretation also play an important role in this time. In the past, these practices were particularly popular with farmers because they gave information about the coming year and thus had an impact on their lives.
Today, fortune telling popular in broad sections of the population because they offer an exciting way to take a look into the future.
It is believed that events and dreams give a preview of the coming year during the Raunächt. Each migration represents a month in the new year.
You can use various methods to find what the new year will bring using various methods such as card laying or throwing card layers or rune stones The casting of lead (more tin or wax today) is a popular ritual at the end of the year, which has its origin in the old murmurets. It has been preserved over time and is still practiced.
In an old ritual, the murmurers also said the weather beforehand. It is an early form of peasant rule , as we still use it in everyday life today.
Animals also play a role in this: For example, through the behavior of the rooster on the first day of the new year you can find out whether your own life will improve in the coming year or not.
Dream interpretation
also applies to the interpretation of dreams during the murmurs: every night symbolizes a month in the coming year. It is common today to write down the dream after awakening and check what has come true in the course of the year.
The dreamer should pay particular attention to symbols, recurring situations and emotions.
A detailed treatment of dream interpretation, its symbolism and instructions for your own dream analysis can be found at https://traum-deutung.de/12-naechte/
The thirteen wishes of the murmurers
Another tradition is to write 13 wishes on small pieces of paper .
From December 25th, a note is burned in a fire bowl every day so that higher powers can take care of the fulfillment of the wishes.
However, the last remaining 13th wish must be fulfilled by yourself.
The perch run
This custom is still widespread in southern Germany and Austria and has its roots in old popular belief before Christianization. It is said that between the years the gate to the world of the dead opens and ghosts and demons have the opportunity to linger on our earth and harm people.
For this reason, according to Sage Ms. PerchtMs. Holle in some places ). She rewards diligence and order as she punishes disobedience and disorder.
Together with her entourage - the devil, the good beauty (symbol of life, light and order), musicians, dancers and Schlenzern (who are supposed to annoy the audience) - she drives evil through bell ringing, drumming and other loud noises.
Perchten runs with terrifying masks and fire are widespread in southern Germany and Austria
In modern perch runs, people gather with creepy masks and fur coats. With cowbells, drums or rods chase the spirits away. If you are easily hit as a spectator by a Schlenzer, it should bring luck, fertility and health.
New Year's Eve fireworks have developed from this tradition : the loud noise at midnight serves to keep ominous spirits away from the coming year.
By 2021, the Customs Portal Krampuszeit.at on appointments and events around Perchten runs in Austria. Unfortunately, the editorial team is currently in a break and we could not find any other central point of contact with an event overview.
For many Upper Austrian regions, the Servus Magazin on the hustle and bustle of Teufel, Perchten, Berigln in December and January.
For Germany, it is best to find out more in the online edition of your respective local newspaper.
Special food and drinks during the rough nights
During the rough nights there are not only customs and oracle practices, but also special dishes and drinks that are consumed at this time.
A particularly popular dish are sauerkraut and sausages , but also sweet delicacies such as tunnels or gingerbread should not be missing.
These traditional dishes often have a symbolic meaning for life in the rough nights: the sauerkraut stands for survival in winter and for a long service life, while the sweet taste of pastries promises happiness in the new year.
Certain drinks such as mulled wine or MET part of the tradition of harsh nights. Today, these specialties in many regions of Germany are still celebrated and serve as an important part of social life during this special period of the year.
Regional differences in the harsh nights: from northern to southern Germany
There are many customs in the rough nights that vary from region to region.
In northern Germany, these nights are often referred to as "twelve holy days" and are considered a time of cleaning and new beginning.
In the country , people believe that the animals can speak during this time and you should treat them particularly well. The farmers also use this time to increase their supplies and prepare for the coming year.
Social customs play a larger role in southern Germany There you go from house to house and wish you a happy new year while you are distributed by luck or gingerbread.
What do you do in the rough nights?
If you believe the vernacular, you should avoid certain things in the rough nights.
For example, you shouldn't wash or hang up laundry because this could bring misfortune. You should also fail to sew or knit so as not to mess up the threads of fate.
In addition, you should not start new projects or conclude contracts, since these could not be long -lasted in the troubled period of the rough nights.
It is advised to be particularly careful and mindful during this time and to focus on your own thoughts and dreams.
The visiting of cemeteries or entering churches after midnight is also avoided. Instead, you can concentrate on cleaning rituals and clean the house and clarify energetically. It is also a good time for meditation and reflection on the past year and for future plans.
Overall, it is about respectfully dealing with the spiritual importance of this time in the rough nights and getting involved in a calm and contemplative atmosphere.
Immerse yourself in the world of mysterious rough nights
The rough nights are a time full of customs and traditions that are still cultivated in many regions of Germany. From December 24th to January 6th, these mystical days are going, in which the boundaries between the worlds blur and ghosts are supposed to be up to mischief.
People have developed different rituals over the centuries to protect themselves from these evil forces or even to drive them out.
Today life is no longer as strongly shaped by these customs as before, but many people still remember the stories of their grandparents and at least partially keep the traditions.
In their entirety, the Raunächt are a period in which people strive in numerous countries and regions of Europe to prepare for the upcoming year and to gain spiritual experiences.
Whether you believe in the magical value of these days or not, the Raunächt offer an opportunity for reflection, cleaning and realignment with regard to the coming year.
If you are more interested in the Raunächt and your customs, you should definitely immerse yourself in this magical time between the years and experience how it is when you leave everyday life behind for twelve days and live entirely in the world of rough nights.
Owner and Managing Director of Kunstplaza. Journalist, editor, and passionate blogger in the field of art, design, and creativity since 2011. Successful completion of a degree in web design as part of a university study (2008). Further development of creativity techniques through courses in free drawing, expressive painting, and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market through years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with actors/institutions from art and culture.
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