The Magic of the Rauhnächte 2025 & the 13 Wishes Ritual
What if 12 Nights between the Years could Make Your Dreams Come True in 2026?
Reach for your Dreams and write down 13 Wishes for the Rauhnächte - the 13 Magical Nights
An extraordinarily magical window of time opens every year between December 21 and January 2: twelve nights steeped in ancient tradition, mysticism and potential for transformation.
The so-called Rauhnächte are the most potent time of the year for self-reflection and manifestation. They invite you to pause and plant seeds for 2026. Whether you are new to this sacred practice or looking to deepen your experience, these nights offer a magical opportunity to align with your dreams and intentions.
Origin and History of the Rauhnächte
The Rauhnächte, or what I call “The Twelve Nights of Magick” have their roots in Germanic and Celtic traditions. Historically, these nights were seen as the time when the veil between our world and the spiritual world was the thinnest. People believed that their dreams during this time held special significance and that any rituals would be more powerful. Each night was said to correspond to a month in the coming year, making it a time for deep self-reflection and intention-setting.
The name "Rauhnächte" is thought to originate from the German word "Rauch," meaning "smoke”. It refers to the tradition of cleansing homes with sacred herbs and incense. It was a way to ward off negative energies and create space for new beginnings.
One of the most known practices during this time is the 13 Wishes Ritual.
Manifest your Dreams with the 13 Wishes Ritual
The 13 Wishes Ritual: Manifest Your Dreams
The 13 Wishes Ritual is at the heart of many Rauhnächte celebrations. This simple but profound practice helps you to dream big for the year ahead and really focus in on what you want to achieve in 2026.
Step 1: Prepare Your Space
Create a sacred space in your home. Light candles, burn incense or use essential oils to set the mood. If you have a favorite crystal, talisman or item, place it nearby.
Step 2: Write down Your Wishes
Take a moment to reflect on what happened in 2025 that you want more of and your general life vision. Write down 13 wishes for your magical 2026 on separate pieces of paper. These wishes can be anything from personal growth and career goals to love, health or adventure.
Write in the present tense as if your 13 wishes have already come true. For example: “I have a fulfilling career.” “I have written a book.”
Step 3: Fold and Release
Fold each piece of paper and store them in a special place, for example in a box in your sacred space.
Starting on the first night (the night of December 21, for others it is December 24), take one wish and burn it in a fireproof bowl or fireplace. While it burns, imagine that your wish has already come true and life will deliver your wish to you. Repeat this each night until only one wish remains on the final night.
Step 4: The Final Wish
The last wish, left unburned, is believed to be the one you have to manifest yourself. It lies in your responsibility. The life, universe or whatever you believe in will take care of the rest. Carry this wish with you into the new year as a reminder of your intentions and as a source of inspiration.
Other Rauhnächte Practices to Deepen Your Journey
THE LAND OF REMEMBERING: Continue after the 12 Magical Nights
The Rauhnächte are a threshold: a sacred pause between what was and what wants to be. If you feel that this time awakens something deeper in you, you’re not imagining it.
Some journeys don’t end after twelve nights. They continue, inward.
I created a magical online journey inspired by the spirit of the Rauhnächte:
a gentle initiation through three enchanted realms to help you remember your magic and reconnect with your life purpose.
A magical journey through three enchanted realms: THE LAND OF REMEMBERING
🌲 The Enchanted Forest: where you soften, listen, and come home to yourself
🏰 The Magical Castle: where you meet your gifts, dreams, and soul truth
🌊 The Golden Sea: where clarity and your next chapter emerge
It’s called The Land of Remembering. And it finds you when you’re ready.
In addition to the 13 Wishes Ritual, there are many other ways to consciously walk through the Rauhnächte.
Here are a few gentle practices you can weave into your days and nights:
1. Journaling
Each night corresponds to a month in 2026. Journaling is a powerful tool. Reflect on one theme each night, explore themes such as letting go, different areas of your lifes, your dreams, shadow work and others.
Journaling is a beautiful practice for self-discovery during the 12 Magical Nights
If you’d like gentle guidance for your reflections, I’ve created a free Tarot Journal for the Rauhnächte: with intuitive prompts and card-inspired questions.
3. Dream Work
Keep a dream journal by your bed and write down any dreams or symbols you remember. These may hold messages or guidance for the year ahead. It is said that the night that corresponds with the month of 2025 also predicts potential themes you will experience in this month.
4. Tarot and Astrology
Tarot is a powerful tool to support you on your self-discovery journey during the 12 magical nights
Tarot and astrology can act as mirrors during the Rauhnächte — offering insight and a deeper understanding of the themes unfolding within you.
Used gently, these tools don’t predict the future, they help you listen more closely. They can illuminate patterns and invitations already waiting for you in the year ahead.
If you feel called to receive personal guidance, I offer 1:1 tarot readings. Held as a reflective, heart-centered space to explore your questions and intentions for 2026.
Not to tell you what will happen, but to help you hear what you already know. You can explore my 1:1 tarot readings as well as tarot gift cards here.
4. Cleansing Rituals
Burn sage, palo santo or other cleansing herbs to clear your space and energy. This is a powerful way to release negativity and create room for new blessings.
Why Celebrate the Rauhnächte?
The Rauhnächte are more than just a tradition. They offer a structured yet magical way to reflect on the past year, let go of what no longer serves you and dream without limitation - and to build an action plan for your best year yet.
Free Daily Guidance: Walking the 12 Magical Nights Together
Join me for a free online journey through the 12 Nights of Magic
This year, I am inviting you to join me for a FREE guided journey through the Rauhnächte in my WhatsApp Group. Each day, I will either share:
Journaling prompts
Tarot readings
Guided Meditations & more
Let’s walk this magical path together and make 2026 your most transformative year yet. The Rauhnächte are calling - will you answer?
