Winter Solstice & “Smoking” Rituals
The Winter Solstice, typically occurring on December 21st, marks the symbolic rebirth of light, with the shortest day and longest night. The period following the Solstice, known as Rauhnächte (rough nights), is considered the darkest time of the year and holds significance in Celtic, pagan, and Christian traditions. It is a time when the veil between the spirit world and our physical world is thin, allowing us to come deeper into contact with the spiritual world.
Photo by @pole_moscow
Advent, a Christian season preparing for the arrival of Jesus Christ, incorporates pre-Christian rituals like making wreaths from evergreen branches. The four candles on the wreath symbolize approaching light, reflecting the cycle of life and the enduring power of renewal represented by evergreens.
The Dark Nights
Pre-Christian celebrations during the Winter Solstice on December 21st are followed by a period known as rough nights. This time, astronomically determined by the difference between lunar and solar years, is viewed as a dark and holy phase.
The Rauhnächte begins at midnight on December 24th and ends at midnight on January 6th. This is to be a time of stillness, looking within, reflecting on the past year, looking forward to the coming year, and connection to nature.
If we observe these days, but especially the nights, giving attention to our inner selves- our wishes, intentions, dreams, that which we want to let go of, and everything else that stirs within us- we can use this time to create changes in our lives for the coming year by becoming much more clear within. Clarity is power and will move us forward.
Amid today's perception of Advent as a hectic time, smoking rituals offer stress relief and focus, as well as introspection and a sense of knowing. Dark nights customs involve prayers, gratitude, reflection, introspection, and stillness. Smoking, combined with the sprinkling of holy water, symbolizes cleaning and marks the transition from the old to a new beginning, as seen in agricultural cycles. During these nights, one follows prescribed rituals (and at the same time, creating our own), journaling, creating time in one’s day to be alone in nature, sit in stillness, meditate and do what is asked of one according to the day's theme.
Observe your dreams carefully during this time - your dreams during this time may contain powerful messages. It is important to keep a journal (and a dream journal) and write down what is going on within you. What happens during these days has an important meaning- even when it doesn’t seem clear to you now.
Every Rauhnacht night is connected to a month of the year. The night of December 25th (beginning at midnight of the 24th), the first Rauhnächte, is equivalent to the month of January. December 26th is February and so on. It is said that what you dream each of these nights is a message of what that month holds.
The Rauhnächte is a time to let things go and clean house- literally and figuratively. You have the possibility to drop the weights you’ve been carrying and begin this New Year free.
The motto for the Rauhnächte is: "think less; feel, observe and sense more".
Smoking practices
Smoking during rough nights is linked to cleaning, both physically and mentally. Nature's dormant state in winter aligns with the symbolic clearing out of the old to make way for a new cycle. This tradition, rooted in observation of nature, persists among farmers, acknowledging their reliance on nature's benevolence.
Individuals instinctively engage in year-end activities, reflecting on the past, tidying up, and mentally preparing for the new year. Smoking, metaphorically lifting the dusty veil from the old year, aids in mental purification. The scents from smoked substances directly impact the limbic system, triggering emotions and contributing positively to mental well-being.
Photo by @obsoleteinc
Protective and defensive smoking, rooted in old stories and herbal traditions, is practiced during the rough nights. Figures like Percht, associated with Frau Holle, symbolize protection against restless souls during the open gates to the beyond in rough nights. Rules associated with these rituals, like avoiding outdoor activities, aim to avert misfortune.
Specially designed fireproof vessels, like warmers, bowls, and pans, are used for smoking. A metal sieve over a tea light in a warmer, with smoked sand underneath, creates a smoother smoking experience. Food is placed on charcoal or hot embers in a bowl or pan on smoked sand for even smoking. Special tools like tongs and spoons aid in the smoking process.
Enjoy the journey.
