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Fortune-telling...

Fortune-telling...
...from molten lead and tin mix (aka molybdomancy) is an old and popular tradition in New Year's Eve. Holding the molten piece of metal between the candle light and the wall, one tries to see her/his future in the shadows.

Nowadays this is more like a social game and way to have fun. Other members of family saw there dragons, but I saw horses. Thus seeing the Year of the Horse already started.

UPDATE 2018:

I joined Ipernity in November 2013, and back then this was my first "New Year's take" here, showing an old New Year's tradition popular in Finland. The tradition now somewhat ended this year, because EU regulation 2017/1510 forbids to sell consumer products that contains lead or any other harmful metals.

Happy and hopefully less polluting New Year 2019 (Year of the Pig), folks!

Further readings:

Molybdomancy
COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2017/1510
Finland warns retailers about high lead content in solders

Fred Fouarge, Erhard Bernstein, Jan, Gillian Everett and 11 other people have particularly liked this photo


21 comments - The latest ones
 Sami Serola (inactive)
Sami Serola (inactiv… club
Actually, Sari (my wife) sees there a long haired praying woman facing left =)
10 years ago.
 Wierd Folkersma
Wierd Folkersma club
Oh we forgot totally about that, we have done it many years and it is a fun tradition.
10 years ago.
Sami Serola (inactiv… club has replied to Wierd Folkersma club
Yes it is =)
10 years ago.
 Gudrun
Gudrun club
I see a seahorse:-)
6 years ago.
 Sylvain Wiart
Sylvain Wiart
Do the same with a flower !
5 years ago.
Sami Serola (inactiv… club has replied to Sylvain Wiart
Great idea! =)
5 years ago.
 neira-Dan
neira-Dan club
c'est une vraie curiosité !! Merci pour l'explication
5 years ago.
 ©UdoSm
©UdoSm club
Nevertheless, I wish you a Happy New Year ...
5 years ago.
 Xata
Xata club
I see a seahorse there... maybe you will explore pristine worlds then...
Didn't know about this very interesting tradition, glad you shared.
5 years ago.
 Gudrun
Gudrun club
I saw a seahorse 11 months ago and still see it but I also see the praying hands;-) Happy New Year, Sami!
5 years ago.
Sami Serola (inactiv… club has replied to Gudrun club
I noticed, and I agree =)

Happy New Year 2019, Gudrun!
5 years ago.
 M♥rJ Photogr♥phy !! ( Marj )
M♥rJ Photogr♥phy !!… club
Looks like a Praying Mantis to me .......Amazing how we all survived all those years ago .....happy new year Sami & to your family !!
5 years ago.
 PhLB - Luc Boonen
PhLB - Luc Boonen club
don't a lot of people start the year with burnt fingers?
5 years ago.
 Clickity Click
Clickity Click
Oh that could be a "hot" experience. Thanks for sharing the tradition Sami. In the shadow I see a fairy with her hands folded in prayer . Perhaps some of our prayers will be answered in 2019!! (one must never give up hope)
5 years ago.
 Esther
Esther club
That is an interesting custom. I suppose that you could use tin foil, but it would not be the same.
5 years ago.
Sami Serola (inactiv… club has replied to Esther club
That is actually a great idea! =D

Sort of self made fortune ;-)
5 years ago.
 Amazingstoker
Amazingstoker
Interesting and attractive image, and something I'd not heard of before, may have to give it a go . . . and a happy, and healthy new year to you
5 years ago.
Sami Serola (inactiv… club has replied to Amazingstoker
Thank you Amaz, and Happy New Year 2019! =)
5 years ago.
 Gillian Everett
Gillian Everett club
Great tradition. Happy New Year, Sami!
5 years ago.
Sami Serola (inactiv… club has replied to Gillian Everett club
It is/was, Happy New Year 2019, Gillian =)
5 years ago.
 Jan
Jan
Interesting tradition. Keep safe. Happy New Year
5 years ago.

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