How To Choose The Right Pendulum For Your Needs

July 27, 2023 Rebecca Haynes

If you have been shopping for pendulums at all, you will quickly see that there is a vast array of different colours, shapes and materials used in the making of this divination tool and everyone seems to have different opinions on which ones are best.

If you have not been shopping for pendulums, and you, for some reason do not know anything about them, here is a quick rundown.

What Is A Pendulum?

According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica. a pendulum is a "body suspended from a fixed point so that it can swing back and forth under the influence of gravity". Anything fitting this description can be classed as a pendulum, however in this instance we are referring to a weighted symmetrical pendant made of either wood, crystal or metal, terminating in a point and suspended by a string or chain, used as a divination tool in Wicca, Witchcraft, Reiki & Tarot. Pendulums are also used by Clairvoyants and by everyday people looking for answers in their own lives.

Like all tools, pendulums come in a variety of different shapes, sizes, and materials. Because of this it can be difficult to select the right pendulum for your needs. One that will give you accurate and meaningful answers.

Types Of Pendulums & Their Properties

In general, there are 4 main types of pendulums, classified by the materials used in their construction. Each of these materials brings its own unique properties as well as benefits and possible pitfalls.

The 4 types Of pendulums are:

Traditional pendulums:

Traditional pendulums consist of a weighted object attached to a chain or string. A plum bob is a traditional pendulum. This type of pendulum offers versatility and simplicity. They can be purchased at hardware stores and the length of the string can be adjusted. They are used in building for finding levels which means that they are durable compared to the more fragile crystal pendulum. One of the downfalls of a pendulum such as a plum bob is that they tend to be fairly plain and uninspiring and depending on the brand, can be expensive. They tend to be attached via string, therefore may also not last as long as one attached with a chain.

Crystal pendulums:

Crystal pendulums are made from various types of crystals (however they are quite often made from quartz, such as clear quartz, smoky quartz, rose quartz etc) and as such they carry the vibrations of their specific stone. Because of this, you may want to look at the different properties of the crystals and see whether or not you would benefit from their energy in your divination. For example if you are asking about loved ones you may want to use a rose quartz crystal pendulum and tap into the loving energy of rose quartz.

On the other hand, especially in today’s market, a lot of the crystals being sold are actually fake- either coloured glass or sometimes even plastic. This is why when choosing a crystal, it is sometimes better to see them in person and feel their energies prior to purchasing them. Another thing to consider before purchasing a crystal pendulums is the ethics in relation to mining the crystals. Due to the massive interest in crystals over the last few decades, our Mother Earth has been significantly affected by unethical mining practices. This is one of the considerations that we personally feel one should consider prior to purchasing a crystal pendulum.

Metal pendulums

Metal pendulums, like the plum bob are made from various types of metal and are available in various shapes, such as conical or round. They are usually attached to a metal chain; however, they can also be attached to a string. Metal pendulums are durable, making them good to travel with. This makes metal pendulums ideal if you are using them a lot. Metal is also a conductive material, making them a conduit for your own energy. Also, because metal pendulums are normally cast, unlike the carved wood or the faceted crystal pendulums, they are generally more stable, thus providing a better swing and potentially more accurate readings.

Wooden pendulums

Wooden pendulums are pendulums which have been carved from different types of wood.

They provide a beautiful connection to the natural world and contain the grounding energy of the wood element. They are generally harder to come by (at least in Australia) and tend to be lighter and less balanced than the other pendulums. These properties make their swing less pronounced and thus harder to work with.

Knowing the attributes of the various types of pendulums can help you select the right one. Once you have considered each type you may want to look at these final questions:

Are you intuitively attracted to this particular pendulum?
Is the pendulum centred with the weight distributed evenly around the central chain. This will ensure that it swings freely.
Is the length of the chain/string long enough to swing freely?
Is the pendulum easy to use and comfortable to hold?
How and where do you plan on using your pendulum?
Do you have any ethical considerations towards the purchase of different materials?
Does a particular material align with your personal beliefs and practices?
Does it fit your budget?

metal pendulum held above a compass drawn on a piece of parchment

Remember, at the end of the day, whichever pendulum you choose has to be something that resonates with you and your values. If you already have a favourite pendant necklace, it too can be used as a pendulum! You may even decide that you want to have different pendulums for different occasions, for example, you may want a metal pendulum for travelling and a quartz crystal pendulum for divination at home.

Personally, whilst I own crystals that I have accumulated over the years, I have chosen, as a business, where possible, to not purchase crystals or crystal pendulums due to the unethical practices of the mining companies as well as the unethical practices of certain wholesalers selling questionable products. It is one small act, but it aligns with my philosophy.

I encourage you to develop your own philosophy, do your own research and craft your ideal divination practice that aligns with your higher purpose.

If you have any insights you would like to share, leave us a comment, we would love to hear from you!

If you are looking to purchase pendulums, check out our pendulum collection here.

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