How to make a pendulum at home with what you already have

What you need for a homemade pendulum

A homemade pendulum has just two parts: a weight and something to hang it from. The weight can be almost any small, compact object; the hanger can be thread, thin cord or a fine chain. If you like, add a bead or a ring at the top end so it's easier to hold.

Gather what you have on hand before you begin. It's worth trying two or three different weights, since each one moves a little differently, and comparing them helps you find the one that suits your hand.

• A weight: a ring, key, hex nut, stone, crystal or charm
• Cotton thread, waxed cord, fishing line or a fine chain
• Scissors and, if you're wrapping a stone, thin wire and pliers
• Optional: a bead or small ring for the end you hold

Choosing a weight: ring, key, hex nut or crystal

The weight of a DIY pendulum should be compact and roughly symmetrical, so it hangs straight and swings without wobbling. Ideally it's heavy enough to keep the string taut but not so heavy that your hand tires after a few minutes.

• Ring: the classic homemade pendulum. Thread the string through and knot it; it hangs very straight.
• Key: easy to tie through the hole; more symmetrical keys swing better.
• Hex nut or metal washer: heavy, cheap and well balanced, great for practice.
• Pointed crystal or stone: the closest thing to a store-bought pendulum, and the tip makes a chart easier to read.
• Charm or pendant: if it already has a loop, you're nearly done.

String or chain: material and length

What the pendulum hangs from matters as much as the weight. Cotton or waxed thread is flexible and quiet; fishing line is nearly invisible and doesn't tangle; a fine metal chain feels steadier. Skip thick or stretchy cords, which dampen the movement.

As for length, many people use about 6 to 10 inches from fingers to weight. A short string gives quick, small movements; a long one gives wide, slow swings. Leave some extra when you cut it so you can wrap it around a finger until you find your length.

Step by step: a ring or key pendulum

Making a pendulum from a ring or a key takes less than five minutes, and it's the best way to start. Follow these steps and try it right away.

• Cut about 14 inches of thread or chain.
• Pass one end through the ring or the hole in the key.
• Tie a firm double knot and trim the excess.
• At the other end, tie a small loop or a bead to hold on to.
• Pinch the loop between your thumb and index finger and let the weight hang.
• Check that it hangs straight and still before you use it.

Step by step: a wire-wrapped crystal

If you have a stone or crystal without a hole, you can turn it into a pendulum by wrapping it in thin wire, a simple jewelry-making technique. Watch the wire ends: tuck them in so they don't poke you or scratch the stone.

• Pick an elongated stone, ideally one with a point.
• Cut about 16 inches of thin copper or craft wire.
• Wrap the stone two or three times, working from the base up.
• At the top, twist the wire into a small loop.
• Trim the excess and tuck the ends in with pliers.
• Run the string or chain through the loop and check the balance.

Balance: how to tell if it hangs straight

A balanced pendulum hangs in a straight line below your fingers and comes to rest within a few seconds when you let go. If it tilts to one side or spins on its own without stopping, the attachment point is off center or the weight is very uneven.

To fix it, move the knot or loop toward the center of the top of the weight, or try a more symmetrical object. With a wrapped stone, adjust the wire turns until the point faces straight down. A handy trick: hang it over a line drawn on paper and check that the tip sits right above it.

Test and calibrate your new pendulum

Every new pendulum needs calibrating before you ask it anything, and a homemade one is no exception. Hold it still, ask it to show you your yes, your no and your unclear, and watch which movement appears for each.

Then check with two or three questions you already know the answers to. Don't be surprised if your homemade pendulum responds differently from a store-bought one: each weight and length changes the rhythm. Our guide to calibrating a pendulum covers the full process.

Why any object can work

Any hanging object can serve as a pendulum because what moves it is your hand. The ideomotor effect, described by William B. Carpenter in 1852, explains that when we think about a direction we make tiny movements we don't notice, and the weight magnifies them.

That's why your grandmother's ring can work as well as an expensive crystal. What changes is your connection to the object, and that's no small thing: a pendulum that means something to you invites you to use it with more attention and care.

A pendulum without a pendulum: your hand on Paths

If you have nothing handy, Paths offers the your hand engine: you hold your phone like a pendulum, or on a computer the pendulum hangs from your mouse pointer, and your own micro-movements move it over the chart.

It's a fun way to watch on screen the same thing that happens with a homemade pendulum. You can save your calibration in My pendulums and start with the yes or no chart.