Pendulums for Beginners: 6 Helpful Tips for Successful Dowsing

Beti Paunoska
Mar 26, 2022
4 min read

Updated: Jun 24, 2022

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.