Finnish New Years have a tradition of melting lead in a vat and then dropping a small scoopful into a bucket of very cold water. The lead takes a shape and there is always an elder who knows how to read the shapes it makes. (passed down trade)

There are ways on holdays
Customs new customs of old
Special meanings some are said
Thinking of them in my bed
Like that molten piece of lead

Yes that molten piece of lead
Dropped into ice water cold
Of your new year it would hold
Shapes the woman very old
Only knew what they foretold

Melt the lead and drop it in
See shape right before your eyes
Old woman knows what it means
Tells of happenings and scenes
As if in a trance she seems



Jane Noponen Perinacci