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Have you ever listened to the English Christmas carol The Twelve Days of Christmas and wondered what they are singing about? The Twelve Days of Christmas are also known as Twelvetide, The Omen Days, The Twelve Quiet Days or The Twelve Holy Nights, and they refer to the special period of time between the old year and the new year.
These twelve nights arise because on the one hand there is the solar calendar with 365 days, and on the other hand there are the twelve moons with 354 days, 29.5 days per month. This results in a difference of twelve nights – twelve days that are neither part of the old year nor part of the new year and therefore "outside" of time. It is believed to be a period during which time "stands still" when the veil between the worlds is thin, and therefore it is a highly spiritual time.
Officially, the Twelve Days of Christmas
begin on the night of Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, December 25, and conclude on
Epiphany, January 5, at midnight which is also known as Three Kings Day or Twelfth Day.
Alternatively and going by the name of Yuletide or the Twelve Days of Yule you can also celebrate this mystical time beginning
on Yule (the Winter Solstice) which falls on December 21, and ending on January 1. This is also where the custom of burning a Yule log for the duration of 12 days comes into play.
In my case, I usually celebrate the Twelve Days starting on Christmas Day, but this decision is entirely up to you.
During the Twelve Days it is believed that the Wild Hunt begins and Odin roams the skies with his army of the dead to frighten man and beast. At this time, people should stay indoors in order not to be carried away by the raging Wild Hunt. But people also thought of the departed souls and prayed for them so that they would be freed.
For that reason it was and still is common to put candles on the window sill or by the door and to smudge the home to protect yourself from unwelcome spirits that pass by. We are also particularly close to our ancestors during this time and we can honour them through thoughts and prayers. This time is also particularly good for making wishes and oracles.
In fact, the Twelve Days are even said to predict the course of the new year. Basically, each of the twelve days is said to
correlate to how each month of the next year will be, so December 25
represents what January will hold for your, December 26 represents
February and so on.
It is a time of peace and silence, of introspective and reflection. All work should be left undone, if possible. So it's best to take the days off during this period, and spend the time at home, recalling the old year, thinking of your resolutions for the coming near, or just reading a good book!
Today I want to share with you the daily rituals that you can do during the magical time of Twelvetide or The Twelve Days of Christmas. These rituals are separated into general rituals you can do every day, and rituals that are specific to each day of the Twelve Days.
I recommend doing this every day, either in the morning or at night.
Spend Time in Silence
Read through the card that you chose and add the meaning to your journal for the day. I invite you to also write down your thoughts and interpretation of the card.
Similarly to the oracle cards, drawing a spirit animal is another wonderful practice during Twelvetide. One of the books on Twelvetide rituals I've read features a picture of 12 animals that you can draw each day, consisting of a fox (true discernment, unveiling your inner strength), a raven (exploring new territory, not taking things too seriously, being playful), a squirrel (being diligent in a relaxed way), a blackbird (balance between listening and speaking, beauty in simplicity), a stag (courageously following your inner wisdom), a mouse (sharing with others, big heart), a buzzard (expanse, freedom, overview), a deer (gentleness, grace, full of childlike innocence and curiosity), a rabbit (caution, daring to do what is important to you, but hiding in case of danger), a swan (growth, change, transformation), a boar (digging deep, what really fulfils you?), an owl (gift of seeing, making the invisible visible),
You could either print out google images of these animals and treat them like you would oracle cards, or you could just write the names on different pieces of paper, and pick one each day.
Another option would be to see which animal(s) you encounter each day during this period. Perhaps a robin, a cat, a rabbit or even a deer? Look up characteristics that are associated with these animals, and write them down in your journal.
For instance, the robin redbreast stands for encouragement, comfort and help. Symbolizing the beauty of life, it reminds us to direct our attention to the beautiful sides of life.
Light a Candle
During this darkest time of the year, lighting a candle or several candles are a symbol of hope. They show us that the light will always win, no matter how dark the shadows around us.
Like I mentioned in the beginning, candles are also seen as a means of protection against dark energies. A lovely idea would be to keep a light burning in a lantern in front of your house during the duration of the Twelve Days.
If you like, you could even set up a small altar in your home, perhaps in a cosy corner of your living room or in your bed room, where you place a candle, your journal, your oracle cards, and other meaningful objects like crystals or a vase of flowers.
By the way, great crystals for Twelvetide include clear quartz, green aventurine, rose quartz, sodalite, amethyst, red jasper, fluorite, moonstone, carnelian, black tourmaline, howlite, hematite obsidian, and shungite.
Burn Incense
Did you know that the German name for the Twelve Days probably translates to "Smoke Nights", Raunächte (Rauchnächte) in German? This refers to the custom of people burning incense in their homes and churches throughout this period, which is believed to drive out evil influences and old energies.
If you like, take some incense – or a smudge stick – and cleanse your home that way.
Create a Vision Board
With each day of the Twelve Days representing each month of the new year, what better way to manifest your dreams and desires by creating a vision board for the new year! When you visualize your dreams like that, you are more likely to believe that they can come true. And when you are believing it more, you are also more likely to do the things you need to do to accomplish them.
So grab a poster board or a piece of paper, and glue on all sorts of pictures that inspire you and that represent the things you want to bring into your life over the next year. (Or, create a virtual vision board on your computer.)
I usually use Google images or Ecosia for this. Pixabay is another great source for images, or of course Pinterest. For example, I collected a bunch of pictures (and by a bunch I mean 942, whoops) that represent what I imagine my dream home to look like.
Whatever it is that you want to bring into your life, make sure to use photos that are going to inspire and excite you, and evoke the feelings you'll get when you have manifested that into your life.
Thirteen Wishes
The last wish however, you will have to fulfil yourself. Write it down in your journal to remind you of your task for the coming year.
While
Twelvetide is all about stillness and looking inward, there is
something magical about spending some time outside each day, be that
sitting in your garden or on your balcony for a while and soaking in all
the sun you can get, or going for a walk in nature
– preferably in solitude. Last winter we were blessed with this winter
wonderland, and it brought me so much joy and bliss to walk around in
the crunching snow, marvelling at how different and magical the world
looked!
SPECIFIC RITUALS
Christmas Eve / December 24:
This Holy Night is a wonderful opportunity to clean your home and decorate festively. You may prepare a special meal, maybe leave some offerings for the animals and spirits. In the evening you may go to the service or have a small gratitude ceremony, looking back and reflecting on the year.
What was good this past year? What blessings did you receive? What are you grateful for? What did you experience and learn? Which experiences were particularly momentous? Who was by your side this year? What changed? What did you accomplish or finish this year? What is still pending? What are you leaving behind, what are you taking into the new year?
The official beginning of the Twelve Days of Christmas starts at midnight on the 24th of December, going into the 25th.
1st Night / December 25 / JANUARY:
Today's theme is "foundation". Look at your roots, your family. On what foundation are you standing? What is in balance, and what isn't? What seeds do you want to sow? What do you want to achieve and realize in the new year? What do you want to let go of? What requires healing?
Bless and honour your ancestral roots. Look at what you need to heal.
You may light a candle for your family and ancestors, and give thanks to them.
2nd Night / December 26 / FEBRUARY:
This day focuses on your higher self and your inner guidance. What will accompany you into the new year? Who is by your side? Who do you want to have contact with? What spirit animal will be with you? Which tree or plant or crystal will give you strength? Which element is predominant? What are your goals for the new year? What questions are burning inside you? What still needs to be resolved? What does it mean for you to be at peace with myself?
Meditate on what questions weigh on your mind. Take your time. Become quiet and listen to yourself for at least five minutes. Write down whatever you receive.
What blessing do you want to give? To whom can you send light and blessings? What do you want to harvest in the new year? What do you want to achieve in the new year? What do you need to be healthy? How can you connect with my inner core, your center? Do you dare to trust your gut feeling? What do you need to be well?
What memories have you processed, what do you still need to work through?
What would you like to let go of?
What still needs time?
What new insights will you take with you into the new year?
How would you describe these past twelve days and nights in summary (1 sentence)?
Enjoy this magical time ♡
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