Yuletide Molybdemancy!

[equinox2]

Hi All !


Hey, a friend just told me about a cool tradition they do for Yule. They have Yule bonfires, as many Pagans do, and they melt lead in the fire. Then, they pour a little molten lead into water with straw in it, and it makes strange shapes. From the shapes they "read" what the new year will hold for them. This is called "molybdemancy", which is the greek root for "lead". :fpartay:

Of course, I'm completely naturalistic, so I see it just as a fun thing to do, but hey, whatever works.

You can also do "Stannomancy" which is the same thing, except using Tin instead of lead. Also, you can add small amounts (like a pinch) of several other metals to the melt and they will dissolve in the molten metal, just like salt in water. Each person can pick a little of the other metals based on what they hope for for the new year. Some other metals are:

Copper - with it's high conductivity, this can represent intelligence and quick thought.
Iron - represents strength
Silver - represents good monetary fortune
aluminum - represent flexibility
Zinc (in pennies) - represents efficiency
Nickel - in nickels - represents serendipity

The metal can be melted in the fireplace, bonfire, or even with a propane torch. An iron can (like a soupcan) can be used to hold the metal. Just be sure that nearly all your melt (like over 90%) is either lead or Tin.

Have a blessed Yule!

[SilverClaw]

Ok I heard of "molybdemancy", in an article I was reading on teaf leaf divinations, but did not it was a yule tradition. That sounds interesting.

[Goddess Rhiannon]

very cool yule idea....thanks

[Dashifen]

Just, by all that's holy, be careful with the lead :) Burns from moltent metals never go away.

[Khuinaset]

I think you can also do something similar with wax, which is probably a lot safer...and you might be able to color coordinate it?

thanks for reminding me...that's a cool Yule idea :D (although, I *will* be doing it with wax, because me + molten metal isn't a comforting thought :p )

edit: actually, anyone have a link for a good list of symbol interpretations for this? I just looked and couldn't find anything good anywhere...although, then again it might work better with your own meanings for the symbols.

[BrigidMoon]

Awesome although no way to do that -- perhaps there is a group that is doing the yule fire thing in town though........Hm.

[Verthandi]

Interesting. You do learn something new every day! Thanks for sharing that.

[banondraig]

the hot lead doesn't give off nasty fumes?

[*Rain*]

This is an Austrian tradition that they do on New Year's Eve. They call it Bleigiessen which means lead-pouring.

There are some links to the meanings here
http://www.mysticwicks.com/showpost.php?p=1228323&postcount=2

You buy special kits over there which have some lead beads, a spoon for melting them, a candle for heating the spoon and a list of meanings. I have one upstairs somewhere.

[equinox2]

Hi All, and Merry Yule!

Banondraig wrote:


the hot lead doesn't give off nasty fumes?


Not that we can see or smell, I have reasons to guess that the toxicity isn’t a big concern. First of all, the vapor pressure of lead at these temperatures is low (that’s why lead doesn’t boil until 3,180 degrees F).

Also, my college roommate is around hot lead all the time at work (he works at a car battery factory). He has to get tested for lead, but that’s after being around it every day for 8 hours a day! That’s a far cry from 1 day out of the year. So the bottom line - it looks OK, but I can’t know for sure. If you are concerned, then have some ventilation or if you’re still uncomfortable use tin, bismuth or zinc instead.

Dashifen wrote:


… be careful with the lead! Burns from moltent metals never go away.

Yes, be careful, that stuff is HOT!!! Burns are burns. I’ve had minor burns from molten metal that have healed and gone away, but Dashifen is right to urge caution. (In fact, a very scary stunt to do is to soak a finger in water, then VERY QUICKLY dip it in & out of molten lead - the water boils making a vapor barrier that protects the finger. Don’t try it yourself though.)

Brigidmoon wrote:


Awesome although no way to do that --

Most of these metals can be purchased cheap at a scrap metal yard. Any metal can (like a soup or tunafish can) will usually work to hold them.


Thanks for the link, Rain!

Hey, I’m having an awesome Winter Solstice! We opened our presents, and such…… Take care-