Rauhnacht: Old customs for a contemplative time full of magic!

Rauhnacht: Old customs for a contemplative time full of magic!

Reinsberg, Österreich - The rough nights are a fascinating ritual that includes old traditions and modern practices. With a deep root in the European folklore, these nights mark a time of transition and reflection from December 24th to January 6th. In this mystical phase, it is believed that the boundaries between the worlds are permeable, causing ghosts and ancestors closer. In particular, the nights around Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are considered significant because they offer an opportunity to complete the old year and prepare for the new, as in the report of described.

The central element of the rough nights is smoking. Various herbs, resins and spices are burned to drive out negative energies and promote positive influences. This practice not only serves cleaning, but also to strengthen well -being. Frequently used ingredients include St. John's wort, lavender and incense. In particular on the Holy Night and New Year, smoking traditionally takes place in many households in order to preserve yourself and the home from mischief. Christoph Frühwirth explains that smoking is also symbolic of the 'smoking of the atmosphere' in order to illuminate your own future and pave the way for new moments of happiness, such as