English

Noun

molybdomancy ‎(uncountable)

1. Divination by interpreting shapes formed when molten lead is dropped into water.
   • 1957, Robert Plank, “Spontaneous Projection of Meaningful Forms”, in Journal of Projective Techniques, page 146:

     The place of molybdomancy is also to be located in the uncertain border area between spontaneous and solicited projection.

   • 1971 January, Tak Hallus, “Homage”, in Analog Science Fiction / Science Fact, page 67:

     There was a happy group in Tallahassee swapping wives on the basis of molybdomancy.

   • 2003, Raymond Buckland, The Fortune-Telling Book, page 199:

     Dropping hot lead or tin into water was another method occasionally employed by the Etruscans in a version of molybdomancy, much like ceromancy.

Quotations

• 1713, Fabricii Bibliographia Antiquaria

  Molybdomantia, ex plumbi liqvefacti divers motibus.

• 1727, Bailey, The Universal Etym. Eng. Dict.

  MOLUBDOMANCY [molybdomanteia of molybdos Lead, and manteia Divination, Gr.] a divining, an observing the motions, Figures, &c. of melted Lead.

• 1931, de Givry, Lock tr., Picture Museum of Sorcery

  Molybdomancy was divination by melted lead; drops of it were allowed to fall into water, and the resulting noises and hissings listened to.

Translations