The Twelve Nights (also Rauhnächte, Smoke Nights or the Twelve Days) are the twelve nights between 25 December and 6 January – an ancient European tradition at the threshold between the old and new year. During this time, the veil between the worlds is said to be especially thin: spirits roam, oracles are consulted, and incense rituals protect home and farmstead.
The name probably derives from the intense incense burning (smoking) of this time, with which home, stable and family were protected. Each of the twelve nights is said to symbolise symbolically one month of the coming year. Traditionally, different incense herbs are burned on each night, corresponding to the theme of that month – from purification and protection to love and fertility to power and wisdom.
Use: Classic Twelve Nights incense materials are frankincense, myrrh, juniper, mugwort, elecampane root and St. John's wort. Burn incense through all the rooms of the house on each of the 12 nights.
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