Dowsing with Pendulums – a Lesson

Part of my work at my UU church is determining the youth Sunday curricula for the year. This year we’re doing a Harry Potter-themed curriculum that I’m creating from two sources, and weaving with my own Pagan knowledge and resources.

Our weekly classes often are subjects that Harry might have taken, and this week’s Divination class was about pendulums and dowsing – both traditional dowsing, as for water/minerals in the earth or looking for objects, and divinatory dowsing or seeking information from your subconscious. This is one of the lessons that didn’t come from another source – I’ve created this one from scratch, and am happy to share it as a spiritual practice anyone can share with others.

Program Outline:

• Intro information on pendulums and dowsing
• Making your own pendulums
• Cleansing and calibrating pendulums
• Traditional dowsing activities
• Divinatory dowsing activity

Materials needed: String and charms for pendulums (see note below); printable pendulum maps (available free online; I used this one: http://bit.ly/2RmoDJ7); a deck of playing cards, coins, and objects for pendulum activity.

Note on materials – the string chosen should be relatively slender and flexible, but not so thin that it will snap easily. Hemp string works very well (gotten at a craft store, I used a package with a variety of colors). Chain is often a preferable material as it swings a bit more freely, but for the ease (and cost) of working with children, string is easier to work with. The charms can be almost anything, but it is recommended that they be weighted symmetrically. I chose fun pendants from a craft store that I thought the kids would enjoy: animals, colorful charms, etc. Beads for the top of the pendulum are optional, and a fun way for kids to further personalize their pendulums.

Introducing Pendulums 

• Pendulums are a real-life tool used by witches, Pagans, and others who practice magical arts
• Pendulums can be used for divination like tarot cards to tap into your subconscious and communicate with a part of yourself that has access to the collective unconscious. 
• Pendulums can also be used for more traditional dowsing – the art of finding water or minerals in the earth, or locating objects. People who dowse for water used to be called “Water Witches”

Pendulum Making

Give each participant a 1’ section of string (can choose what color). Let them each choose a pendant to use as the weighted end of their pendulum. Make sure younger witches and wizards have help as needed from teens or older classmates. Tie the pendant to one end of the string. Now have students select a bead for the top of their pendulum, and tie that to a point on the string about 6 – 8” from the pendant. Tie a knot at the top of the bead and snip off any remaining string. 

Cleansing and Calibrating Pendulums
Once pendulums are made, talk about how to cleanse magical tools:

• 24 hrs in a sunny window
• Bathed in moonlight for a complete moon cycle (new to new or full to full)
• Buried in salt or earth for several days
• Smudged with sage or incense
• Kept on your person for 1 week

The more you use your pendulum the better results you will get!

To calibrate their pendulums have participants find “yes” and “no”: take up your pendulum in your dominant hand, and lean that elbow on the table to keep your arm from moving inadvertently. Ask (out loud) your pendulum to show you “yes”, and then “no” swings. Younger participants can give their pendulums a tap to start them moving, but encourage older participants to get them moving simply by asking (remind them to be patient and keep trying at home if they don’t see movement right away).

Once yes and no swings have been recognized (may be different for different people), they can start using their pendulums to dowse!

Pendulum Dowsing Activities*

Divide the class into groups of 2 for the dowsing activities.

Attract and Repel – Place 2 coins of the same denomination on the table in front of you. Hold the pendulum between the two coins. You will find that the pendulum will start to move and oscillate between the two coins. Once you see the to-and-fro movement, have a partner replace one of the two coins with the other, while the pendulum is still oscillating. 

You will immediately notice that the movement of the pendulum changes sharply as if the new coin were repelling the pendulum. Once you have noted the change, have your partner replace the original coin, and you will find the pendulum will return to its original oscillation.

Find the Object – arrange several objects on the table in a row. While your back is turned have your partner pick up one of the items and hold it in their hands for 15 or 20 seconds and then replace it. Dowse each of these items in turn, silently asking you pendulum if this is the object your partner held. If you get good at this, try having your partner just think of one of the objects instead of touching it. 

Guess the Card – have your partner pull one card from a deck pf playing cards and look at it, but not show you. Start by asking if it is a red card. Then narrow down to suit. Once suit is determined, see if it is a court card. If not, go through each number until you get an affirmative.

Pendulums for Divination

Asking your pendulum yes or no questions is the best way to start using your pendulum for divination work. The answers come from your subconscious (which has access to your higher self) through your energy vibration, which is what makes the pendulum move.
Hand out the pendulum mats, and have pairs of witches and wizards answer questions for each other using the mats.

In Closing

Pendulums are one of the easiest magical tools to make and are definitely one of the most portable. And tools we make ourselves are going to be the most effective and powerful tools we use. While it takes particular skills to make an athame or a deck of tarot cards, pendulums are quick and easy, and can be made from almost anything! Encourage your participants to continue working with their pendulums and build a connection with them.

*Activities from: “The Art of Dowsing” by Richard Webster