The winter solstice wish-burning ritual that’s better than New Year’s resolutions

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After the year we've had, the idea of outsourcing some decision-making to the universe feels less like woo-woo nonsense and more like a legitimate coping mechanism.
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I’m not someone who casually throws around words like “manifestation” without at least a little internal cringe. But I’ll also tell you, unprompted, that I’m an Aquarius rising, moon in Capricorn, which obviously explains everything about why I’m both deeply skeptical and weirdly open to stuff like this. I contain multitudes, okay?
So when I kept seeing this winter solstice ritual pop up on my socials—one where you burn wishes under the winter moon—I was intrigued. Mostly because after the year we’ve collectively had, the idea of outsourcing some decision-making to the universe feels less like woo-woo nonsense and more like a legitimate coping mechanism.
The ancient practice behind this winter solstice ritual
The ritual making the rounds on Reels and TikTok is rooted in Rauhnächte (pronounced ROW-nahk-tuh), a German tradition observed during the “smoke nights” between Christmas and Epiphany. Historically, people burned incense to ward off evil spirits during this mystical in-between time when the veil between worlds was supposedly thinnest. The modern version is less about supernatural protection and more about radical trust, which honestly feels a lot more useful, IMO.
This practice is probably woven into tons of different ancient traditions, but this isn’t meant to be a history lesson. The German version traditionally starts on Christmas, but personally? The solstice-to-New-Year alignment feels more like my jam. And guess what? There’s no wrong way to do this. Make it yours.
How it works
Here’s what you do: Write down 13 wishes on separate slips of paper. One for each month of the coming year, plus one extra. Don’t overthink it. These can be big (financial security, a career change) or small (finally learning to make decent pasta, yelling less when no one can find their shoes).
A tip from the manifestation crowd: write them in present tense, as though they’re already reality. So instead of “I want to get strong enough to do a pull-up,” try “I can do a pull-up like a total badass.” Does it feel ridiculous? Maybe. But also, what do you have to lose?
Fold them up so you can’t see what’s written, toss them in a bowl, and shuffle.
Starting on December 21—the winter solstice, the longest night, when everything turns back toward light—you pull one slip each night without looking and burn it. Light a candle, hold the paper over the flame, and watch it go. (You can also toss it into a fireplace or simply rip it up into tiny pieces.) You’re handing it off to whatever you believe in: the universe, the goddesses, your own subconscious doing its mysterious thing. The point is to release control and trust that this wish will unfold without you clinging to it like your life depends on it.
On New Year’s Day, you’re left with one final wish. That one? That’s yours to handle yourself. The one thing you’re not delegating to the cosmos. The one you’re committing to actually work toward.
Why this hits different
What I love about this practice is that it’s the opposite of the typical New Year’s resolution grind. Instead of an exhausting list of self-improvement projects that make you feel like garbage by February, you’re choosing both surrender and responsibility. You’re acknowledging that some things are beyond your control while also committing to showing up for the one thing that absolutely is.
You can do this solo—a few quiet minutes each night to sit with yourself, light something on fire (always therapeutic), and let go. Or gather your people, write your wishes together over wine, and reconvene in January to see who got stuck with what. Either way, it’s less about blind faith and more about creating intentional space for hope.
And look, after the year we’ve all survived? I’ll take whatever rituals I can get.

















































































