Searching for unusual New Year supplies
Hello all.
After spending (too much of) the morning calling various industrial supplies companies getting none the wiser, I wonder if there is someone out there who can help me find what I'm looking for.
Where I come from, we have a New Year's Eve tradition meant to predict the fortunes of the coming year. This is done by smelting pieces of tin (usually horse-shoe shapes sold specially for the purpose) on the stove in a small, long-handled steel pan, and then casting the liquid metal into a bucket of cold water while saying aloud the name of the person whose fortune is being looked into.
The shape the tin takes as it solidifies is then analyzed and interpreted at length according to the traditional meanings attached to different formations, and further judged by looking at the shadows each piece makes when looked at in candlelight.
This ritual is performed as close before midnight as possible, but never after the year has changed.
Ideally, the cast is kept throughout the year and the same one melted for the next year's prediction, adding another new piece if necessary.
You get the idea...soldering blocks perhaps, or welding wire cuttings? I need small metal pieces that will melt at stove-top temperatures without emitting anything that will poison us :)
And, of course, there's no time like the last minute...
If someone of you has an idea of what & where, please let me know asap!
I would like to continue this tradition even here in Qatar.
Happy and prosperous New Year to you.
Was preparing to make a trip to the elctrical souq but someone whom I asked before has already found me some soldering wire...as for the interpretations, for us they are definitely passed on by the grandmothers!
Alexa, perhaps you can find the instructions you're looking for on the Internet? I found you can actually order the stuff (including the pan!) on the net but was too late for that as usual...
Anyway it's a problem solved :D
Happy New Year 2008 to all QL-Member.
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I just assumed you would have the translation available already. Sort of handed down the generations.
But no matter, as you say - let's accept what the new year brings and just make the best of it!
Happy new year to you too. May 2008 be filled with blessings and prosperity.
*** Light travels faster than sound. That's why most people appear bright until they open their mouths.
in Musheireb should have soldering wire.
If you use lead traditionally, well problem solved, methinks!
*** Light travels faster than sound. That's why most people appear bright until they open their mouths.
have you considered lead? You could use soldering wire which will melt on a stove. The flux will give off some smoke but should evaporate quickly. Also, I doubt it is dangerous in any way - unless you drink the stuff!! LOL
*** Light travels faster than sound. That's why most people appear bright until they open their mouths.
That sounds really cool! Sorry though I don't know where u can get the tin.
I'm not always right, but I'm never wrong :P - Garfield
If you go to one of the many electrical shops you might find tin wire. Or you could go to "AlFarisiya" round about and youll find a shop that sells horses and horse accesories. You caan pick up small tin horshoes. Im thinking they will melt at stone temperature. Or call Qtel at 180 english and ask them. Good Luck and Happy New Year
"When you find yourself in a desperate situation.....Oh forget it."-zada