Adventures in Divination: Molybdomancy

 Divination by lead is called molybdomancy. (“Molybdos” is Greek for lead.) This divination involves melting lead (Note 1) and pouring it into a bowl of cold water. After the shape is set, it is interpreted.

 

Lead casting is usually done at New Year’s Eve (with Christmas also being a popular time). It is popular throughout Northern Europe and the Balkans. In Finland, it is called “uudenvuodentina,” and in Germany, “Bleigiessen.” Kits for lead casting are sold in stores for New Year’s divinations.

 

Lead, a heavy metal, symbolizes everything that is desired to be left behind. At New Year’s, it would indicate what would be left behind in the old year. Also, lead casting can be used to ward off the evil eye.

 

In Germany, Silvesterblei (lead casting) kits are available in department stores. The kits have lead figures and a spoon. A list of meanings of the shapes and a poem to recite are also included. A candle and a bowl of water needs to be supplied by the diviner.

 

Before melting the lead, the diviner recites a poem, a saying or a prayer. (Note 2). Then they focus on the question being asked. Taking a spoon with a piece of lead, they hold it over the candle flame. (Lead melts at a low temperature.) After the lead melts, it is dropped into the bowl of water. Before pouring the lead, the person says “It is not by my hand, it is the hand of Almighty God.” The shape formed is interpreted for the fortune. The shape can also be held up to the candle flame and the shadow that is cast is read. Also, anything that remains in the spoon can be interpreted.

 

Notes:

Note 1. Since lead is poisonous, tin or wax can be substituted.

Note 2. A prayer could be the Lord’s Prayer.

 

A saying could be “What does the Future hold for me? May the Future bring me only good things!”

 

A poem in a Silvesterblei set:

“In der Silvester-Nacht

wird das Blei zum Schmelzen gebracht.

Es wird gekippt in Wasser, kalt und klar;

rate, was stellen die Figuren dar?

Schau sie an, so wie sie sind;

rätst die Gestalt du nicht geschwind.

Halt sie hinters Licht,

das Schattenbild dir mehr verspricht.

Kommt es dir nicht in den Sinn,

schau auf dieses Büchlein hin.

Es sagt dir frank und frei,

so allerlei…!”

 

Works Used:

Goodman, Nik W. D., “Ceromancy, Metalomancy.” Independently Published. 2021.

–, “Leadcasting: Molybdomancy: The Oracle Art of Metal Casting.” Independently Published. 2022.

 

_, “Molybdomancy: A New Year’s Eve Tradition,” Ulukayin, 26, December, 2021. Web.

https://ulukayin.org/molybdomancy-a-new-years-eve-tradition .

 

Reichmann, Ruth, “The German Custom of Bleigiessen,” German and German-American Customs, Traditions, Origins of Holidays, Web. https://www.mrshea.com/germusa/customs/bleimean.htm.

 

Vuckovic, Aleksa, “Molybdomancy: Divination and the Search for Omens in Molten Lead,” 19 November 2021, ANCIENT ORIGINS. Web. https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/molybdomancy-0016088.