Incense burning during the nights of smoke: Instructions and cleansing herbs

Smoking nights and the burning of incense in houses and stables are an old custom that was known and practiced in many places, but has been increasingly forgotten today. Although people no longer necessarily try to drive away evil spirits, many still enjoy the relieving and cleansing effect of burning incense in the house.

What and when are the Rauhnächte?

The 12 nights, which are called Rauhnächte, usually begin on the holy night of December 24th to 25th and end on the night of January 4th to 5th.

However, the dates are not completely uniform, as the Rauhnächte vary slightly from place to place. Usually the night of Epiphany, i.e. the night of January 5th to 6th, marks the end of the Rauhnächte.

The 12 nights originally result from the difference between the lunar and solar years. While the moon has already orbited the earth 12 times, the earth still has 11 or 12 days to orbit the sun once.

In addition, the winter solstice takes place on December 21 or 22, which is the longest night of the year. The Rough Nights are therefore the darkest time of the year. Some of these days fall on portal days and therefore have particularly strong energies.

In ancient traditions, it was believed that the connection between the hereafter and this world is particularly permeable at this time. Evil spirits and accumulated negative energies should then be driven out of the house so that a new start can be made to the brighter times and the new year. One of the ways to do this is to fumigate the apartment and house.

Instructions for burning incense during the nights of smoke

This incense burning guide is also suitable for beginners and can be performed during the nights of incense as well as when moving into a new home. We explain step by step how the ritual works and what you need for fumigation in addition to the incense bowls:

• Refractory bowl with smoking sand, coals and coal tongs
• Alternatively: Incense burner with incense sieve, tea lights for the burner, aluminum foil if you want to burn incense or other resins in the sieve

To smoke out your home, first prepare the fireproof bowl or smoking stove. For the incense bowl, light the charcoal and leave it to smoulder in the sand until it forms a white ember. The crushed herbs or incense can be placed on top.

This then starts to smoke quite strongly together. This is used to walk through the house, preferably from bottom to top. All rooms are entered individually and the smoke is spread in every nook and cranny. The windows are closed and the smoke can also be spread with a feather or a leaf.

Then open all windows and doors briefly to remove the smoke and with it the harmful energies and germs in the air. You can then, if you wish, incense with fragrant, pleasant herbs without airing the room afterwards.

Customs during the nights of incense: When should you burn incense?

This can be done as often as you like. Some people burn incense once on Christmas Eve, some on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and Epiphany, some every night. Each night can be dedicated to a different theme and the herbs selected accordingly.

You can also burn messages on small pieces of paper if you want to get rid of something specific, strong and stressful. The incense method can also be used when moving into a new home to clear the air and remove old disputes and burdens.

Herbs & co. for incense burning during the smoke nights: Sage, mugwort, frankincense

Depending on what you want to focus on when fumigating, you can use different types of incense.

The most popular Ayurvedic herbs that are particularly suitable for the time of the Raunächte are the following:

• Sage - Particularly cleansing, has a germicidal effect on the air, ensures calm and cleanses old energies from the air
• Frankincense - brings blessings and increases energy
• Styrax - brings warmth and security and thus removes mental knots, which in turn increases self-confidence
• Mugwort - disinfects, similar to sage, dissolves fears, dispels misfortune and makes a new beginning run smoothly

Preparation & support for smoking

The Rauhnächte are a time of transition from the old to the new year, from dark to lighter times. You can leave behind things you don't want to take with you - both by burning incense and through other rituals.

From a very practical point of view, you can start by completing various unfinished tasks, taking care of work, returning borrowed items and clarifying matters of all kinds.

You can review the past year, think about who has accompanied and supported you recently and say thank you. You can also settle disputes, reconcile or, if necessary, leave people behind. Meditation on certain topics accompanies the cleansing through fumigation and purifies the mind, so to speak.

Meditation exercises help to organize and get rid of thoughts so that you can then concentrate on things that are more important to you. Stressful things are dissolved and this is particularly useful at the turn of the year during the Rauhnächte. One meditation that is suitable for this is the heart meditation, which you can let yourself be guided through.

Customs and spiritual significance of the ritual

The rituals performed during the Rauhnächte are intended to ensure the smoothest possible transition between the old and new year. Old energies are made conscious, bundled and expelled, for which there are various possibilities. Ayurveda also uses the sensitivity and sensibility of the days to cleanse oneself and the environment.

To cleanse your body, you can also take a professional detox cure or Panchakarma cure. This removes toxins and emotional and mental baggage so you can start the new year fresh and light.

It is well known that it is easier to start a story on a blank sheet of paper than on one that is full of words. For a carefree start, you need to cleanse yourself and get rid of everything that weighs you down so that new (or existing) projects can be tackled with renewed vigor. Fumigating the house during the Rauhnächte supports this transition.