What are your end-of-year traditions? Do you have any?
Something like reflecting on the past year and preparing for the new?
Decluttering your home, deep-cleaning your house or filing away documents that have been sitting around for months?
Over the past few years, I fell in love with an old tradition to close out the year and welcome a new one:
The time between the end of December and early January has a long history that includes different rituals. There is a window of 12 holy days between Christmas Day and Epiphany or Three Kings’ Day (sometimes also referred to as “Twelfth Day”). In Germany, where I’m from, this time is called “between the years” but commonly it’s known as the “Twelve Days of Christmas”.
During this time, we celebrate “Rauhnächte”. While researching for this article, I found out that in English it’s referred to as Twelfthide, the season of Epiphany. Interesting!
Anyway, let me tell you about the “Rauhnächte”, based on what I learned online.
These Twelve days symbolise the twelve months of the coming year and are supposed to predict the coming year.
The word “Rauhnächte” literally translates to “smokey nights” or “wild/hairy nights”, depending on different sources. They start in the night from December 24th to 25th (actually 12am on the 25th) which is the first Rauhnacht.
So what do you do during those nights?
One of many rituals of the Rauhnächte is about making 13 wishes for yourself that you send out to the Universe. It’s a beautiful idea to focus on what you want for yourself and what you imagine the next year will bring for you.
Every night, for 12 nights, you take one of your wishes and you burn them. That way, the wish will be transformed and handed over to a higher power, like the Universe, which is now taking care of them.
The 13th wish is for you to take care of.
Want to do the 13 Wishes Ritual intentionally this year?
I created a simple, guided printable you can use with your family (or on your own) to slow down, reflect, and write your wishes for the year ahead.
How does this work?
Ahead of December 25th, sit down with a piece of paper and write down what you wish for. But be aware that there are some rules that are important to follow when deciding on your wishes.
- The wishes should be about you and not anybody else.
- Stick to a concise statement and make it concrete.
- Use present tense language and write them as if this wish is already reality. So instead of saying “I want 20 new clients next year”, write “I’m working with 20 perfectly aligned new clients in my business.”
How do I decide on my 13 wishes?
This is where you want to take some time to reflect on your past year. Find a comfortable space, light a candle, put on some nice music, have a cup of tea ready…
Think about what went well and what didn’t over the past 12 months. What were you aiming for and what have you achieved?
Try to focus on what’s the highest priority on your list for the future. Come up with as many ideas as you want and narrow them down to the 13 that stand out to you the most.
The magical ritual
Once you’ve made your choice, write every wish on a small piece of paper. Fold the paper so you can no longer see what’s on it. Put the wishes in a bowl or a jar and every night, starting from Midnight on December 25th, take one piece of paper and set it on fire.
Please make sure you have a fireproof vessel at hand for this!
On January 5th, you’ll burn your 12th wish. After that, there should only be 1 piece of paper left in your jar or bowl. That one, you are allowed to open and read.
This wish is meant for you. It will be your responsibility to make this one come true, the universe will take care of the rest. It could be that this will be the hardest wish to take care of but don’t let this discourage you!
Want to do the 13 Wishes Ritual intentionally this year?
I created a simple, guided printable you can use with your family (or on your own) to slow down, reflect, and write your wishes for the year ahead.
How do you feel about this tradition? Are you going to give this a try? The link above leads you to a guide I created to help you follow the ritual with intention and focus.
I’ve come to realise more and more that the Universe is really looking out for me. So doing this ritual is just another step in trusting this higher power around me and focusing on my goals.
Message me if you have any questions or would like connect over this ritual with me!
FAQ
I found this ritual late — after December 25. Can I still participate?
Yes. Absolutely.
The dates are part of the tradition, but the intention is what matters most. If you find this ritual a few days late — or even after January 5th — you can still do it in a way that feels meaningful.
You might choose to:
- start on the day you find it and continue for twelve nights
- adapt the ritual to fit the remaining days
- or focus more on the reflection and intention-setting than the calendar itself
What matters is that you approach it with presence and honesty — not perfection.
What if I miss a night?
Nothing is ruined. Life happens. You might forget, fall asleep early, travel, or simply not have the space one evening.
If you miss a night, you can:
- do it in the morning right after you woke up
- continue the next evening
- or pause and pick it back up when it feels right
The ritual isn’t a test of discipline. Missing a night doesn’t undo the intention you’ve already set.
Can I write wishes for someone else?
Ideally, no. The wishes are meant to be about you — your life, your direction, your responsibility.
This doesn’t mean you can’t hold loving intentions for others. But the ritual itself works best when it stays focused on what is within your influence and agency.
Writing wishes for others often shifts the ritual from reflection into control — and that’s not its purpose.
How specific do my wishes need to be?
Specific enough to be meaningful — but open enough to unfold.
Vague wishes (“I want to be happier”) don’t give you much to work with.
Overly rigid wishes can leave no room for growth or surprise.
A helpful question to ask is: How would I notice this wish showing up in my real life?
You’re looking for clarity, not certainty.
What do I do with the 13th wish?
The 13th wish is the one you keep. It’s the wish that stays with you — not as a task to complete, but as something to live alongside throughout the year.
Many people find this wish asks for:
- attention
- consistency
- boundaries
- or small but conscious changes over time
If you’d like support staying in relationship with this wish, I created a short companion guide called The 13th Wish, designed to help you carry it through the year without forcing or micromanaging it.
That said, you don’t need anything extra. Awareness alone goes a long way.
Do I need to believe in the universe or spirituality for this ritual to work?
No.
You can approach this ritual spiritually, symbolically, psychologically — or simply as a structured moment of reflection.
When this post mentions “the universe”, you can read that as:
- timing
- circumstances
- coincidence
- or the way clarity influences decisions
The ritual works because it helps you articulate what matters — and then loosen your grip on controlling the outcome.
Can I reread my wishes during the ritual?
No, don’t read them before you burn them. Not knowing which wish you’re handing over, is part of letting go of control. You’ve already done the important work by writing them clearly. Trust that.
If curiosity comes up, notice it — and let it pass.
How do I make the ritual “count” each night?
By keeping it simple. You don’t need to add meaning, interpretation, or extra rituals. A quiet moment, presence, and care are enough.
Many people find it helpful to:
- do the ritual at roughly the same time each night
- keep the setting calm and uncluttered
- approach it as a pause, not a performance
Over time, I’ll be creating optional additions for those who want gentle context for each night — but the ritual stands fully on its own without anything extra.
Always remember: This ritual isn’t about doing things perfectly. It’s about paying attention — and letting that be enough.
