Molybdomancy
The lead casting ( also ancient Molybdomantie, from the Greek Μόλυβδος ( molybdos ), lead ' and μαντεία ( manteia ), divination ') is an oracle and divination - Customs, which is now practiced mainly in little more serious way on New Year's Eve. It was already widespread among the ancient Romans, the first nation to operate on a larger scale, the lead smelting.
Description
Lead pieces are heated in a spoon over a candle or other small fire until they are only just melted. The molten metal is then poured into a bowl of cold water provided, where it solidifies immediately into bizarre shapes. The shape and the shadows of the frozen pieces of lead is used for divination. For this purpose, the shape or the shadow is freely associated. The interpretation follows roughly the same rules as that of the coffee grounds reading. Positive forms indicate good, negative forms of bad events or circumstances. For ease of interpretation, the standard New Year's Eve lead packs importance lists is added, the interpretation notes give ( eg heart = to fall in love; flowers = new friendship ). The main purpose is to be predicted the future of the lead caster.
Process of melting
The solidified piece of lead
Health risk
Lead is toxic as a heavy metal. The uptake of lead in the human body, because of its toxicity lead to long -term health effects that may affect the well-being considerably. When lead casting, lead can enter in different ways in the body, are, for example, if the spoons and vessels used therein disposed not correct or continue to be used when lead fumes are inhaled or if after contacting the mass of lead the unpurified hands to food or the mouth advised. However, the absorption through the skin is only difficult in pure lead possible for lead compounds quite possible. It is also important to note that lead has already been added in small quantities in the form of lead vapor or of lead dust when breathing through the lungs, and hence into the body. The toxic effects of lead in the human body is thus perpetuated that even accumulate small amounts of the heavy metal in the body very long-term and difficult to be excreted. Another health hazard when pouring lead may be occurring hot lead spatter, which can cause severe burns.
As a less harmful alternative to lead is particularly suitable tin. Tin is not toxic, firstly, on the other hand, the melting point of tin is 231.9 ° C with significantly lower than that of lead ( 327.5 ° C). A still lower melting point, 183 ° C, is achieved with a eutectic solder alloy of tin and lead (in the range of 50-90 %). A special New Year's Eve cast was developed by the Viennese firm Perzy who also invented the blanks in the form of good luck charm, a byproduct of the snow globe production. Non-dangerous substitutes the wax or Teiggießen.