RAUHNÄCHTE in RURAL GERMANY - Twelve Days of Christmas Customs - Pagan Feast

What if there were 12 nights in the peak of winter that predict the course of your whole new year? Well, hello friends. I hope you're fine. Today I'm gonna show you the magical German traditions of the Raunechte or 12 nights of Christmas. An ancient pagan feast that has its roots in the time of the Celtic tribes. This video is also a collaboration with my friend Rebecca from The Witch's Cookery, who really became an expert about the Raunechte, but more on that later in the video. The Raunechte begin in the night from December 24 to December 25. Or at least it's the official beginning in our place here in southwest Bavaria. There are some regional differences of the beginning and duration, but here they start on Christmas Eve. It is a time of introspective, reflection and preparation for the next year. Each of the 12 days stand for one month in the new year. So December 25 represents January, December 26 February and so on. There are also lots of oracle and divination practices that are traditionally held during that time. More on that in Rebecca's video. The word origin of Raunechte is probably the German word Rauch, which means smoke. And Nechte means nights, so it maybe translates to smoke nights. I say maybe because there are different theories for the word origin of Raunechte. But the one with Rauch or smoke seems to be the most logical to me, as it's a widespread tradition to smoke cleanse the house during that time. People did that and still do it with all different kinds of herbs. And I took spruce needles, because I like the smell of them, and I just had them on hand. Back in the days, the smoke cleansing should expel demons and evil spirits. But as most people don't believe in those things anymore, we can also see it as a purification of our place or getting rid of old energies. After that, the custom is to open the window and let the fresh wind of the Raunechte take away the old energies together with the smoke and bring in new freshness and purity. I think the Raunechte are a wonderful feast to get clear about your goals, reflect on your life, and calm down during the darkest days of the year. It's just natural to do that, because nature also looks like it's taking a break superficially. Nothing is growing, and the forest animals and birds are very silent and withdrawn. But it's not that there is happening nothing. The plants and animals are actually gathering strength to prepare for new growth in the following months. So the Raunechte should be a time for us in which we do it like nature and prepare for the new year. But for us, it's more a mental than a physical process. As I said in the beginning, each of the 12 days of the Raunechte stands for one month. So I have that diary here, where I write down what I feel, think and experience each day. And well, the pagan belief is that these things are a little preview of the related month. So I'm writing that down here. As today is December 28, it's also April, because we are on day four of the Raunechte at the moment. Something I love to do during the Raunechte is to craft a vision board. So for those of you who are not familiar with it, a vision board is a sheet of paper where you stick or draw things on it you want to accomplish. And I do that always for the new year, so what I want to accomplish in 2021. But why should we do that? Well, it is proof that when you visualize things with pictures or anything, you are more likely to believe that they can come true. And when you are believing it more, you are also more likely to do the things you need to do to accomplish it. And then accomplish it in the end. So now I want to show you my vision board I crafted. It's a little bit big for the camera. So in the top corners of my vision board, I put two things that are maybe just there because of corona. This picture shows just a group of people having fun with their friends in a park. And I really miss that. And I just hope it's possible in 2021 in summer to go on little parties and feasts again. And yeah, see my friends more. So then I have a picture of a seaside with birds and sunset. And that's because I want to go on a vacation in Croatia. And that's also there because of corona. In another year I would just book it. But now I can't book anything, any vacation. So I just put this picture there and hopefully we can travel again in the summer. Now the things I can actually accomplish and I have in my hand if it will happen or not. So I have a little picture here that shows herbal medicines and herbs. And I just put it there because I want to increase my knowledge in herbalism. I already know something from my dad and my grandmother. But I want to learn more. So I put it there. I will see it every day and then I just need to pick up the herbalism book. Then of course something that is always on my vision board and will always be until I live there is my big life dream. So I want to buy an old farmhouse here near the Bavarian Alps and near my parents place. And yeah, just renovate it and have my animals there, some horses and live there together with Michael and maybe some kids in the future. I don't know. I know it's not that realistic that I will accomplish that in 2021. But we never know. And it's on my vision board every year. So hopefully it will happen soon. So the last thing I have in the top right corner is all these pictures of this wonderful harvest and the rabbit. And they are there to resemble abundance. Because you might know that in pagan beliefs the rabbit stands for abundance. And I mean with that a lot of things. Like abundance with our harvest in my grandma's garden. Or abundance with love and joy and time. Yeah, time is so important. I always have the feeling that I have a little too less of it because I have to do so many things. But time just for me or my friends is so precious. So I hope for more of that in 2021. You might know that I'm a student and I have no income. Just outcome if that is a word. Yeah, I really hope that in 2021 there is also more abundance on my bank account. I hope that next year my channel gets monetized so I get some money from YouTube. Better than nothing I would say. And yeah, maybe you can help me share my channel with your friends and family. I would be so grateful. As I mentioned in the beginning, this is a collaboration video with Rebecca from The Witch's Cookery. Hi lovelies and welcome in my kitchen. I am Bex, the witch of The Witch's Cookery. I have been a practicing green kitchen and cottage witch for 17 years and love to share my knowledge and passion for magical food, mother nature's beauty and a cozy home with my online friends. On my channel we create spells with kitchen witchery, learn tips and tricks for half witchcraft, roam through misty meadows and enchanted forests and perform herb infused spells that all come with a magical as well as a psychological aspect. I also take you along through my days, inform of witchy vlogs and share how I practice my craft on a daily basis as a full-time working stay-at-home mom. If that sounds interesting feel invited to have a little peek and stay if you feel at home. I've already seen her whole video and know how interesting it is so make sure to check that out. I put a link down into the description box. Okay friends, I wish you a happy new year and hopefully a very nice calm and reflective time and maybe a little new year party with your closest friends or family and yeah we will see us in 2021. Bye!