Sophia Wesley

The other evening I was laying in bed scrolling Instagram when I came across a reel about a Winter Solstice Ritual. Curiosity piqued, I listened— and almost immediately, I knew I wanted to participate. 

It is an old European folk practice known as Rauhnächte (pronounced ROW-nik-ta). It originates from Germanic, Alpine, and Central European traditions, and predates Christianity. 

As I began researching, I discovered that this ritual goes by many names: The Twelve Sacred Nights, The Twelve Night of Christmas, 12 (or 13) Wishes Ritual, Solstice Wishes Burning, and more. Over time, as it has moved through different cultures, variations have naturally emerged. 

What I’m sharing here is the version that appears the most traditional— and the one I personally plan to practice.

The 13 Wishes Ritual

Step-by-step:

1. On December 21st (to the days leading up to it), write 13 wishes, each on a separate slip of paper.
2. Fold the papers so that the wishes cannot be seen.
3. Place them in a bowl, box, jar, or pouch.
4. Each night from December 21st to January 1st:
   • randomly draw one wish
   • burn it without reading it
   • elease it to the universe, divine, spirit— whatever you believe in
5. On January 1st:
   • one wish remains
   • read it
   • this is the wish you actively commit to manifesting yourself

Guidelines for the Wishes

Traditionally, the ritual suggests:

• writing wishes in present tense
• keeping them clear, but not controlling
• focusing on outcomes rather than methods
• avoiding the “how” — leaving that to the Universe
• making wishes only for yourself, not others

Why Thirteen?

The number 13 hold deep symbolic meaning:

• it represents the lunar year (13 moon cycles)
• it symbolizes completion + transcendence
• it honors liminal, “outside of time” spaces
• it acknowledges what cannot be forced or controlled
• it recognizes that life moves beyond planning

In this way:

• 12 wishes represent the 12 months— earthly time
• 1 wish represents divine timing or soul destiny

Why This Ritual Feels So Powerful

Symbolically, the Rauhnächte reflects:

• surrender versus agency
• trust versus control
• fate versus free will
• cooperation between you and the universe

It is deeply tied to:

• liminal time (the space between years)
• endings and beginnings
• divination
• reflection
• intention-setting

What a beautiful concept, right?

I’m surprised I hadn’t encountered this ritual before, but I’m grateful it found me now— at precisely the right time. I’ve already written my 13 wishes, and they are currently resting in a jar, waiting for the Winter Solstice to arrive. 

I took it one step further and wrote all of my wishes in an email scheduled to send to myself on December 1, 2026. It will serve as a reminder to practice the ritual again and as an opportunity to reflect on which wishes— perhaps all of them— came to fruition.

Do you have any end-of-year rituals you return to? Does this one feel like something you’d like to try?

I’d love to hear your thoughts.
S 🌙