
Fortune-Telling with Wax - New Year's Activity Kit
WAX POURING: A perfect New Year's Eve Tradition for homebound celebrations! Molybdomancy – the practice of telling the future by observing the molten properties of lead – and ceromancy – telling the future from identifying shapes formed by melted wax in water – have been used for thousands of years in many cultures, dating back to ancient Celtic and Roman times. More commonly known today as Bleigiessen (lead pouring), or Wachsgiessen (wax pouring), this ancient form of divination is still performed in many Nordic and German-speaking countries as a part of traditional Silvester, or New Year, celebrations. In practicing this ancient craft, a small bit of lead, tin, or wax is melted in a spoon over a candle flame, then tipped into cold water. At that moment, the fortune for the coming year is set! The hardened figure is then removed from the water and examined to determine the future. A handy guide provides interpretations for many potential images that may be seen. For example, if y