The 13 Wishes Ritual: A Magical Guide for the Rauhnächte

The 13 Wishes Ritual: A Magical Guide for the Rauhnächte

The Rauhnächte, often referred to as the Twelve or Thirteen Nights between the end of the old year and the beginning of the new, are a time steeped in magic, mystery, and transformation. For centuries, this sacred period has been a bridge between the old and the new, a liminal space where the veil between the earthly and spiritual realms is thin, and dreams and intentions are believed to carry extraordinary power.

At the heart of these mystical nights lies the 13 Wishes Ritual, a practice designed to help you set intentions, release what no longer serves you, and manifest your heart’s deepest desires for the coming year. This ritual is more than writing wishes on paper; it is a spiritual journey that encourages reflection, imagination, and alignment with the natural cycles of life. Research in psychology suggests that writing down intentions increases the likelihood of follow-through by up to 42%, especially when paired with visualization and symbolic action, both of which are core elements of this ritual.

In recent years, interest in ancient seasonal rituals has surged. Studies and surveys show that over 60% of people actively reflect on their goals, intentions, or resolutions between Christmas and New Year, and nearly half report feeling more emotionally open and introspective during this time than at any other point in the year. It is no coincidence that the Rauhnächte fall exactly within this naturally reflective window, aligning ancient wisdom with modern inner needs.

Let's explore the origins of the ritual, its connection to the Rauhnächte, and how you can perform it to bring clarity, intention, and magic into your life.

✨ What Is the 13 Wishes Ritual?

The 13 Wishes Ritual is a tradition that invites you to reflect on the past, dream boldly for the future, and consciously plant seeds for the new year. Each wish represents a personal intention for growth, love, abundance, or joy, and the ritual is designed to harness the powerful energies of the Rauhnächte to help these intentions take root.

The Origin and Symbolism

The origins of the 13 Wishes Ritual trace back to ancient Germanic and Celtic traditions, where the nights between the solstice and the new year were considered sacred. These cultures believed that the veil between worlds was at its thinnest during this time, allowing for communication with spirits, ancestors, and the inner self.

Each of the thirteen wishes corresponds to a night of the Rauhnächte, symbolically aligning with the months of the coming year. Burning the wishes each night is not only a cleansing act but also a way to release energy into the universe, trusting that the unseen forces will guide their manifestation. The final, unburned wish represents the intention that is most connected to your conscious effort—the one that requires your dedication and action to bring into reality.

Why This Ritual Is Practiced During the Rauhnächte

The Rauhnächte are not merely twelve or thirteen days on the calendar. They are a portal of reflection, renewal, and spiritual insight. Traditionally, each night corresponds to a month in the coming year, providing a mystical roadmap for introspection and guidance. During these nights, it is said that dreams hold prophetic significance, rituals are amplified, and the spiritual energies of the world are particularly receptive to human intention.

By performing the 13 Wishes Ritual during this sacred time, you tap into this heightened energy, setting intentions that are not only symbolic but also energetically aligned with the cycles of nature. The ritual becomes both a mirror and a compass: a reflection of what has been, and a guide for what is to come.

💫 The Significance of the Rauhnächte

To fully understand the power of the 13 Wishes Ritual, it is essential to appreciate the mystical nature of the Rauhnächte themselves. These nights, often spanning from December 24th to January 6th, are a liminal time when normal order seems suspended. The darkness of winter and the stillness of nature invite inner reflection and spiritual attunement.

During the Rauhnächte, people have historically engaged in cleansing rituals, dream work, divination, and other practices designed to purify their surroundings and align their hearts with the rhythms of the cosmos. This is a time of letting go, of acknowledging the past year’s lessons, and of preparing oneself to receive the new year with intention and clarity.

Historical and Cultural Background

The Rauhnächte are a tapestry woven from pre-Christian, Celtic, Viking, and Germanic traditions. In these ancient cultures, midwinter festivals marked the turning point of the year. The Celts celebrated Yule, the Vikings held midwinter feasts, and Germanic tribes performed rituals to honor spirits and gods.

Many customs involved protection from wandering spirits, symbolic acts of purification, and observing signs from dreams and omens to guide the months ahead. With the arrival of Christianity, some of these traditions merged with religious practices, creating a rich, hybrid tapestry of cultural and spiritual observances that survives in modern times.

The Energetic Meaning of the Twelve (or Thirteen) Nights

Each night of the Rauhnächte represents a month in the coming year. By dedicating time to reflection and ritual each night, you symbolically plant intentions for the year to come. For example, the first night might focus on January and themes of release and renewal, while the sixth night may correspond to June, guiding your thoughts toward relationships or personal growth.

The optional 13th night, rooted in lunar cycles, is sometimes included to honor the extra “in-between” time: a mystical bonus that allows for deeper connection, intuition, and preparation for the new year’s energy. This is the perfect moment to align your wishes with your soul’s deeper desires.

📜 How to Perform the 13 Wishes Ritual Step by Step

Performing the 13 Wishes Ritual is a deeply personal and magical experience. While the steps are simple, the ritual’s power comes from intention, mindfulness, and connection to the spiritual energy of the Rauhnächte.

1. Preparing Your Space and Intentions

Begin by creating a sacred space where you feel safe, calm, and inspired. Light candles, burn incense, or play soft meditative music. Some practitioners include crystals, talismans, or personal items that hold significance. The goal is to establish a physical and energetic environment that supports reflection and manifestation.

Take a few moments to center yourself, breathe deeply, and set the intention for your ritual. Imagine the Rauhnächte energy surrounding you, ready to assist your wishes in taking root and growing.

2. Writing and Folding Your 13 Wishes

Take thirteen small pieces of paper and write down one wish on each. Write in the present tense as if the wish has already manifested: “I have fulfilling work,” “I enjoy deep, loving relationships,” or “I live in vibrant health.”

Once written, fold each paper carefully. Place them in a jar, bowl, or special box: a sacred container where your wishes will reside until they are released into the universe.

3. Burning One Wish Each Night

Starting on the first Rauhnacht, the evening of December 24th, burn one wish each night in a fireproof bowl, imagining the intention being released and guided toward manifestation. Continue nightly until the evening of January 5th, which is the last Rauhnacht.

Do not read the wishes aloud—trust that the universe receives them in their purest form. This nightly act symbolizes letting go, surrendering control, and allowing your desires to take shape naturally.

The final wish, remaining on the last night, represents the intention that is most connected to your conscious effort; the one you will actively nurture throughout the coming year.

4. The Final Wish: Your Personal Responsibility

On the last night, one wish remains unburned. This is the wish that is yours to manifest actively; it requires your focus, action, and dedication. Keep it close as a reminder throughout the year, and return to it whenever you need inspiration or guidance. The final wish bridges mystical intention with practical effort, merging spiritual insight with conscious action.

🔔 Additional Rauhnächte Practices to Deepen the Ritual

The 13 Wishes Ritual is enriched when paired with complementary Rauhnächte practices that amplify reflection, intuition, and spiritual clarity.

Journaling and Dream Work

Keep a journal beside your bed and note any dreams or insights that arise during the Rauhnächte. Each night’s dreams are said to correspond with the coming month and may offer guidance, warnings, or encouragement. Journaling also allows for deep reflection on the past year, helping you identify patterns, lessons, and areas for growth.

Incense, Sound Meditations, and Cleansing Rituals

Burn herbs like sage, lavender, or juniper to purify your space and release stagnant energy. Pair this with sound meditations using gongs, singing bowls, or even soft music to open your mind, clear tension, and invite spiritual insight. Walking through the smoke while focusing on your intentions can create a sense of renewal and alignment.

Tarot, Astrology, and Other Spiritual Tools

Tarot cards, astrology charts, and other divinatory tools can enhance the experience by offering guidance and clarity. Pulling a daily card or consulting the astrological transits of the Rauhnächte helps illuminate opportunities and challenges for the upcoming months, allowing you to align your wishes with the energies at play.

🕯️ How to Make the 13 Wishes Ritual More Meaningful

The true power of the 13 Wishes Ritual lies not only in the act itself but in the depth of your connection to it.

Reflection, Intuition, and Letting Go

Take each night as a sacred invitation to look inward. Allow yourself to feel fully, release old fears, and trust your intuition. The ritual is not about forcing outcomes but creating space for transformation and receiving guidance from within.

Aligning Your Wishes With Your Personal Vision

Each wish should reflect your heart’s true desires. Be honest and intentional: write for yourself, not for what others might expect. The ritual works best when wishes are authentic, inspired, and aligned with your life path.

Integrating Insights Into the New Year

After the Rauhnächte, carry the insights and energy you have cultivated into your daily life. Revisit your wishes, observe synchronicities, and take practical steps toward your goals. The magic of the ritual continues as you live intentionally, manifesting the seeds you planted during this sacred period.

🪄 Stepping into the New Year: The Transformative Power of the 13 Wishes Ritual

The 13 Wishes Ritual is a mystical and transformative practice that allows us to honor the passage of time, reflect deeply, and step into the new year with clarity and purpose. By connecting with the sacred energies of the Rauhnächte, embracing ritual, and aligning with our heart’s true desires, we create a bridge between dreams and reality; a bridge built from intention, trust, and magical possibility.

Embrace the Rauhnächte, write your wishes, release them with reverence, and step confidently into the year ahead, knowing that each night’s energy carries your intentions forward.


With Love,
Caitlin & Gerly,
Soul Sisters Tarot