Perchtenacht

Ancestral Holiday

Feast of Saint Nicholas (December 5th)

Perchtenacht falls at a point when disorder can quietly threaten the momentum of the cycle of renewal. It marks the threshold of transition between states of the year, when lingering disorder is deliberately addressed so renewal may resume; what has grown tangled or neglected must be confronted before the renewal of the cycle can continue, for renewal cannot move forward unless what no longer serves it is properly set in order.

In other terms, Perchtenacht is a night devoted to the restoration within the household. The emphasis is practical and embodied: Setting the home in order, and closing accounts that should not be carried forward. This is judgment and honest evaluation applied not for the sake of punishment, but for the sake of alignment. Cleansing on this night reflects purity and readiness, preparing space for what will come next. It sanctifies closure, order, and readiness, ensuring that when renewal fully arrives, it does so into a space that has been prepared with honesty and care.

Inspirations

The Alpine German Perchten and Rauhnächte, and their combination.

Of the Perchten figures, there are two types –

Schönperchten: The beautiful, bright Perchten dressed in silvers and whites. They aid humankind in walking towards the light, and to a new year and beginning, and are said to deliver blessings of wealth and good luck during the Twelve Nights;
Schiachperchten: The monstrously ugly Perchten with fangs and tusks, horns, tails, and beastly, fur-covered faces. These are the bad spirits that come to haunt the living, but in some traditions are said to drive away evil spirits, ghosts, and demons.

Translated, the German word Rauhnächte, means smoked nights. Essentially, folklore dictates that the homes, stables and sacred areas are smoked with incense to drive out evil spirits.

Also defined as a winter exorcism ritual, rites are performed to bless the living spaces. Dried herbs, flowers, and tree saps are burned to drive out spirits from the other realm. The inhabitants pray and repeat the saying “Unglück hinaus, Glück ins Haus”, which directly translates to “bad luck out, luck into the house”.

Activities

Whole house cleansing, physically and energetically
Anounting with luck, cleansing, and protection oils
- Windows, doorframes, mirrors, and hearths are addressed especially, as liminal thresholds
Literally closing open accounts (settling debts, etc) if possible
Reconning accounts (making lists, etc)