Pendulums for Beginners: 6 Helpful Tips for Successful Dowsing
“If you’re new to the art of dowsing, getting started can feel a little bit awkward. What you need to remember though, is that with some patience and practice, you’ll find that dowsing will probably feel natural to you once you start to get comfortable and more familiar with your pendulum. Check out these beginner tips and you’ll be using a pendulum successfully before you know it!
ARTICLE BY KELLY MAHIEU
Although the art of dowsing has been in practice for ages, there are many people who have never even heard of it. Many of Mimosa’s customers are familiar with pendulums, but it’s still not uncommon for a curious shopper to approach the counter every once in a while with one in hand asking, “What’s this for?”
Pendulums have been in use for thousands of years, and for all sorts of reasons. Giving the dowser a “yes” or “no,” a positive or negative, by way of a simple swinging motion – pendulums are frequently used to locate lost objects, to uncover hidden health issues, to select homeopathic medicinal treatments, to indicate whether or not food is spoiled, to get an answer to a pressing question, to make a decision, to open and balance the chakras, and for a variety of other reasons too numerable to count.
While there are many theories about how dowsing works, the truth is that this form of divination will always remain somewhat of a mystery. Dowsing has been widely studied and many conclusions have been formed on how it works. Some people believe that dowsing produces answers straight from the Divine. Others believe that pendulums and dowsing rods pick up on the energies of the situations or objects in question in order to reveal answers.
The theory that is generally accepted by most people, though, is that pendulums are tools used to unearth information hidden deep within our subconscious minds in order to transmit it to conscious awareness. Simply put, many of the answers we seek we already know at the subconscious level. The pendulum brings that wisdom to light so that it may be used for our own greater good.
How can I start to use a pendulum to dowse, you might ask? Well, whether you are just beginning to work with a pendulum or you’re a seasoned dowser, you might find that the following tips will make your future dowsing experiences more successful ones.
Tip #1: Choose a Pendulum that “Fits” You
Pendulums come in all sorts of styles and varieties, so it’s important that you take your time in selecting the right one for you. You can make your own pendulum simply by tying a small item such as a paperclip, bead, crystal, or other found object onto the end of a string or a strand of beads. You can also purchase a pendulum. Just check out the nearest new age store (hint hint: Mimosa is a great place to find the perfect pendulum!) where you’re sure to find a large variety to choose from. While shopping for a pendulum, pay attention to what “speaks to you.” If you find that you’re drawn to a particular gemstone, color, or style – just go with it. Test them out and narrow down your choices by considering the way each one feels when you hold it in your hand.
Tip #2: Always Use Your Dominant Hand
This may seem like an obvious one, but if you’ve never held a pendulum before – you might not know to do this! Some pendulums have a small ring, loop, bead, at the end of the chain or string for you to grasp between your fingers, others may not. If there is a small object for you to hold on to, gently pinch it between your pointer finger and your thumb on your dominant hand – that is, the hand that you generally use most often. If this doesn’t feel comfortable for you, you don’t have to grasp the object. Instead, slide your pointer and finger down the chain or string approximately ½” and let the ring or object that you were holding just rest on your finger. Your grip should be relaxed, and the pendulum suspended at the other end of the chain or string should hang without tension.
Tip #3: Learn How to Read the Swings
When dowsing with a pendulum, a clockwise motion typically indicates a “yes” or a positive answer. Counter-clockwise generally indicates a “no” or a negative answer. In some cases, your pendulum may not move in an obvious circular pattern – and that’s okay. Subtle motions can also be interpreted. An up and down motion is generally considered affirmative while a side to side swing is usually translated as negative.
Tip #4: Clear, Ground, and Center Yourself
Before you start playing with your new pendulum friend, be sure to take a few minutes to clear, ground, and center yourself. Turn off your cell phone and find a quiet place to play with your pendulum free from distractions. You can use whatever methods of clearing, grounding, and centering that you prefer – but whatever you do, don’t neglect to incorporate these important steps into your dowsing routine.
Tip #5: Start with Basic Questions
When you first start working with a pendulum, you might be in a hurry to dive into the “deep end of the pool,” so to speak. Avoid doing this if at all possible and just keep it light while you’re learning. You may want to begin by asking questions that you’re conscious mind already knows the answers to. Suspend your pendulum over a “test” object such as a coin and ask, “Is this object a key? Follow that question with one that you know to be true, “Is this object a coin?” Keep experimenting with your pendulum until you start to feel more comfortable with it. Once you start to feel like you’ve got the hang of it (no pun intended!), you can move on to more serious queries.
Tip #6: Practice Makes Perfect
If you really want to master the art of dowsing, spend time working with your pendulum every day. Even the busiest of schedules can spare a few minutes each day for a little practice. Carry your pendulum with you in a small cloth pouch while you’re out and about. You can dowse anywhere, and the time spent with your pendulum on your person will only increase the special bond that you have with it.
When you’re working on developing your intuition, becoming familiar with how to use your crystals in different divination practices can be really helpful.
That’s why, in my Crystals for Intuitive Tarot Course, I’ve shared practical techniques for working with crystal energy to discover the deeper wisdom of the Tarot!
This course includes 15 in-depth lessons, covering topics like…
- An introduction to crystals & the Tarot
- Crystals for setting the stage and creating sacred space for readings
- Crystals to ground & center you as the reader
- Crystals to call in the elements for magical support
- Crystals to awaken your intuition before a reading
- Wearing crystal jewelry as a personal talisman for intuition & communication
- Working with crystals to provide more depth to your card readings
- Incorporating crystals into your readings for others
- Creating your own crystal Tarot set (Tarot & crystal correspondences)
- Working with your crystal tarot set
- Creating crystal essences for embodying the archetypal energies of the Tarot
- Creating a crystal grid for Tarot meditation
- Crystals to keep your cards clear & shielded between readings
- 10 Best crystals for Tarot readings
- A Tarot spread for learning about the energy of a crystal
As crystal healers, it’s important for us to continue to explore new ways to develop and tune into our intuition. Working with crystals and the Tarot can help you gain the clarity and wisdom you need to go even deeper with your readings. This blending of modalities will also help you stand out from other readers and offer something truly special and unique to friends, family, and clients who come to you for guidance. You’ll learn more about all of this when you sign-up for my Crystals for Intuitive Tarot Course!
Are you interested in becoming a Certified Crystal Healer? Find out more about the CCH and Advanced Crystal Practitioner Program HERE!
I will have to respectfully disagree with tip #2. I am a “lefty” and yet feel much more comfortable using using the pendulum in my right hand. I was taught to use my dominant hand, and felt like I was “forcing” it. When I changed hands, it felt more organic and free-flowing.
Thanks for your comment Bobbie! That is great that you know what works best for you. Thanks for sharing!
Do you still offer the Pendulum Dowsing Certification?
Hi Amy, thanks for your comment. Yes we do, you will find details of the different classes by clicking here. Crystal blessings!
This is a very comprehensive about using your pendulum. I like your perspective.
Thank you, Nancy! Crystal blessings!
I have just been shown how to dowse yesterday. Wow. I am kinda blown away! The force is strong. I’m intrigued!!
Thanks for your comment, Lisa! Crystal blessings 🙂
I have one that I Skrye with she is a beauty. When I ask her to sho yes it goes counter clockwise and no is clockwise. Is this ok also?
Absolutely! Each person will find that the direction of a “yes” or “no” answer may change (from day to day, or from pendulum to pendulum). It’s always a good practice to ask your pendulum to show you a “yes” movement and show you a “no” movement before beginning a divination session for the most accurate results. Crystal blessings!
Great post, you have pointed out some great details, I also think this is a very wonderful website.
I bought my pendulum several wks ago a beautiful copper one. I haven’t yet begun learning it yet, because I’m trying to learn crystal grid at moment. I will definitely learn how to use my pendulum very soon. Your information has been very helpful.
Abundant Blessings
Hi,
I have started using a pendulum during healing, at times its circles clockwise over areas and other times strongly anti clockwise, how do I learn what this means? I’m not asking questions during healing just going over the body
Thanks
LOVE this!
Also loved the tip of using your dominant hand. Something I never knew.
Whenever I begin working with a new pendulum, I first make sure that it WANTS to work with me. And I ask it to show me what YES is and what NO is. Most of mine go forward and back for yes, and clockwise circle for no. 🙂
Yes, absolutely Jenny! It’s always helpful to get to know a new pendulum before working with it 🙂 Crystal blessings!
I haven’t gotten a pendulum yet, waiting for one to speak to me…I have a feeling it will be selenite. Thank you for the tips, it’s all great info for the beginner. So glad I read the comments, as I got a few other perspectives. Thanks for posting this information.
I have been using a pendulum for quite some time, and agree with all you have said. My particular pendulum, however, swings in a sideways movement for yes, and up and down for no. As you said, this is okay. If my pendulum doesn’t move, I take it to mean that it doesn’t know the answer, or that I have not asked an appropriate question. I especially like it for clearing myself of negative energy (and others, too, if I first have permission from the pendulum)
Thanks so much for sharing Lorna! Crystal blessings 🙂
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I am excited to begin dowsing. Many happy vibes to you and yours?
Oh no! I mistakenly finished the last sentence of my comment with a question mark! I thought I was posting a smiley emoji.
Oops! It’s perfectly alright – we understood the intention 🙂 Crystal Blessings! <3
🙂 Of course! That is very exciting. Thank you for your kind words. <3 Sending positive vibes to you and yours as well! Crystal Blessings
I recently got my first one and when I asked for a yes and no mine did the same as yours! Your comment made me feel better, I was worried because I assumed it would be the same type of movement but wasn’t! I’m glad to know I’m not the only one!
That’s so great to hear! Way to make the leap to get one and try it out. 🙂 Happy that helped as well. <3 Crystal Blessings!
I have been told that your pendulum must be in synchronize with you.
How do I do it? Is it true?
There are some helpful tips in this blog post! 🙂 It can be good to spend some time with it, and ask it simple yes/no questions to familiarize yourself with the direction it moves for each response. Taking notes can help you find patterns and get better in tune as well! <3
Question, what happens if your pendulum is hanging ( on a display) but only moves when its on there when your around( only a few pendulums move at once whenever I am there) Do you know what means? Thanks!!
Hi Christina! Such an interesting experience, thank you for sharing. My initial thought is, was there a gust of wind or anything that would cause them to move? Are there any other items that are also moving, is it possible there is another explanation? If not, maybe do a cleansing of the pendulums, the space, and yourself, and see if the moving persists. It’s possible it could be telekinesis, or another otherworldly type of explanation, but hard to know for sure! Crystal Blessings <3