As the new calendar year begins, bright with promise, it’s difficult to not want a peek – just a small one – into what fate has in store for us. In Germany and Nordic countries a fortune-telling technique called Bleigiessen is traditional on New Year’s. This is a form of molybdomancy, from the Greek molubdus (lead) + manteia (divination), where molten lead is poured into cold water and the resulting shapes, or the shadows of the resulting shapes cast by a candle flame, are interpreted as omens or auspices of the future.

Using molybdomancy as inspiration, I have created a divination cocktail that uses chocolate instead of lead in a crystal clear chocolate cocktail. Chocolate is associated with celebrations, luxury, love and success, and to this we will also include vanilla for comfort and a dash of cardamom for clarity.

“Wouldst thy fortune like to see? Perchance this drink will show it thee…”

In preparation for this divination ritual, in addition to the cocktail ingredients below, you should find an altar cloth, preferably in black or another dark color that will highlight the white chocolate we will be using as the medium making it easier to read. You will also need a candle, preferably white or silver as this is moon goddess clairvoyance magic. This drink will effectively be our crystal ball, so it is also important to choose a glass that is clear and smooth so as not to interfere with the divination elements.

Chocomancy Cocktail

1.5 oz. chocolate vodka

1 oz. vanilla vodka

.5 oz. white creme de cacao

dash cardamom bitters

.5 oz good quality white chocolate

~1 teaspoon coconut oil (more or less, to desired consistency)

First, we prepare the chocolate. Crumble white chocolate in a small microwavable bowl with a bit of coconut oil and microwave 30 seconds, stir and then heat 30 seconds more until melted. Add more coconut oil until you get a nice melted consistency where it falls in a stream from a spoon. You want it “drizzlable”. Set aside.

Next we mix the cocktail – add each of the ingredients to the shaker, though we will not be shaking this one. It’s very important that it is stirred instead to maintain the clarity. When your ingredients are in the shaker, stir them clockwise – we’ll be peering into the future so we want to go forwards! While stirring, intone the following incantation:

“In this crystal potion show

all the fates would have me know”

Strain into a cocktail glass and carry that to the surface you have covered with a dark cloth along with the dish of melted chocolate. Give the chocolate a good clockwise stirring, repeating the incantation and concentrating on what you seek. Drizzle the chocolate into the cocktail.

Drizzle as much or as little as feels correct to you and then stop…have a look…

What do you see?

Sip the cocktail and study the shapes…an excellent list of shapes and their meanings can be found here.

What stood out here were these three flowers growing out of the mass below. But there is also a serpent slithering in the mass. I believe that this portends three standout moments of good fortune or success for me in the coming year, but great care will need to be exercised as the snake is a bad omen.

If your omens are good ones that you wish to help manifest, eat the chocolate, if they are things you hope to avoid coming to pass, throw it away.

I also tried holding the glass up to the candle flame for shadow interpretation, but didn’t have much luck – but I encourage you to try it!

Happy New Calendar Year!