The Most Dangerous Games: Copper In The Water, Or The Copper Wishes Ritual

Previously: The Elevator Game – Three-Floor Version.

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The r/ThreeKings subreddit isn’t particularly active these days, but in early October 2021, a user going by the name u/HalfAPickle posted a game that I find quite interesting: Copper In The Water, a wish-granting ritual that has something of a fairytale feel to it. For that reason, I also tend to think of it as the Copper Wishes Ritual. According to u/HalfAPickle, they learned about it from a family friend in northern Minnesota; however, the timeframe in which they learned it is specified as only “a while back,” so it’s unclear to me precisely how old it might be.

For what it’s worth, though, it brings to mind an old, old, old piece of European folklore with which many are no doubt familiar: That of the wishing well. There are variations on the practice in numerous different regions and locations, but at their core, they’re all quite similar: Throw something of value — typically money in the form of coins, but sometimes something like fabric, buttons, or full sets of clothing — into a well or body of water, make a wish, and wait patiently. If the deity or entity dwelling in the well is amenable to your wish and your offering, then it might very well come true.

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But there was a practical purpose to putting certain metals in water in times gone by, too: Fresh water isn’t always safe to drink, but putting copper or silver in it can kill any bacteria present that might cause illness if ingested. Prior to modern water treatment and processing, throwing money down the well could literally have been the difference between life and death — or, at least, the difference between good health and ill health. As such, it’s not difficult to see how copper could come to be viewed as having healing properties and associated with longevity.

Additionally, copper mining has been an industry of some importance in Minnesota — especially around Duluth — since the mid-20th century, although copper-nickel deposits were located in the area earlier, sometime in the 19th century. It’s also worth pointing out that Duluth is located right on the shores of Lake Superior, which is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world.

Both of these facts seem… significant, given the requirements of the ritual and where, regionally speaking, u/HalfAPickle originally learned about it.

This one is relatively easy to execute, and carries perhaps slightly less risk that some of the other rituals we’ve looked at here at TGIMM. But you never really know how it’s going to go, so, as always:

Play at your own risk.

Players:

• One principal.

Requirements:

• A collection of objects containing substantial amounts of, or entirely made from, copper. (See: Additional Notes.)
• Access to a body of fresh water — ideally large and remote.
• A loud noisemaker of some sort. (Optional, but recommended.)
• A song — one you know well enough to be able to sing or hum on your own, without accompaniment, for a minute or two.
• A request — or, phrased differently, a wish or desire. (See: Additional Notes.)

Instructions:

The First Visit:

1. Wait until the night of a new moon. (See: Additional Notes.)
2. While you’re waiting, complete any and all planning necessary to proceed with the game: Gather your copper objects and/or your noisemaker; choose your song; determine which body of fresh water you intended to use; sort out your transportation to and from the body of fresh water, if necessary; and, most importantly, choose your request.
3. On the date the new moon is scheduled to occur, choose one of your copper objects, wait until night falls, and take the copper object with you to your chosen body of fresh water.
4. Approach the water. Step right up to the edge, but do not set foot in the water. Take your copper object, and submerge it gently in the water.
5. Remove your hands from the water, leaving the copper object submerged.
6. On the ground directly in front of you, use your finger to draw a “Y” shape in the dirt. (You may stand or sit to do this — whichever is most comfortable for you.)
7. Remaining where you are, with the “Y”-shaped symbol before you, briefly sing or hum the song you have chosen.
8. After you have finished the song, rise if you are sitting, turn around, and walk away from the body of water. Return home. Sleep, if you can.

The Next Visit:

1. The next day, go about your life as usual. When night falls, however, choose another copper object, and return to the body of fresh water with it — and your noisemaking device, if using — in hand.
2. Approach the water at the same spot on the shore as you did the previous night.
3. Look into the water where you left your first copper object.
   • If the copper object is still in the water: The ritual has failed; do not proceed. Vacate the premises and return home. For you, the game ends here. You may try again another time — but if you do so, make sure you use a different body of fresh water. Do not return to this body of water until at least a full year has passed.
   • If the copper object is in the water and floating: The ritual has failed; do not proceed. Vacate the premises and return home. For you, the game ends here. You may try again another time — but if you do so, make sure you use a different body of fresh water. Do not return to this body of water until at least a full year has passed.
   • If the copper object is somewhere on the shore: The ritual has failed; do not proceed. Vacate the premises and return home. For you, the game ends here. You may try again another time — but if you do so, make sure you use a different body of fresh water. Do not return to this body of water until at least a full year has passed.
   • If the copper object is gone: The ritual has succeeded; you may proceed.
4. Take your second copper object, and submerge it gently in the water.
5. Remove your hands from the water, leaving the copper object where you placed it.
6. On the ground directly in front of you, use your finger to draw a “Y” shape in the dirt. (You may stand or sit to do this — whichever is most comfortable for you.)
7. Remaining where you are, with the “Y”-shaped symbol before you, briefly sing or hum the song you have chosen.
8. After you have finished the song, lean in close to the water  —but do not touch the water— and listen.
   • If you hear nothing: Rise if you are sitting, turn around, and walk away from the body of water. Return home. Sleep, if you can. When you wake, return to The Next Visit: Step 1 and repeat The Next Visit: Steps 1 through 8, bringing a different copper object with you to the body of water each time, until you hear something from the water during Step 8. Then proceed to Step 1 of The Conclusion.
   • If you hear… something: Proceed to Step 1 of The Conclusion.

The Conclusion:

1. If you heard nothing when you listened to the water,
2. If you heard something coming from the water, identify precisely what the sound is:
   • If it is a growling noise, or if it sounds threatening in any way: DO NOT PROCEED. Vacate the premises IMMEDIATELY. If necessary — you will know if it becomes necessary — activate your noisemaker. Make as much noise as possible — and run. Do not return to the body of water until at least a full year has passed. For you, the game ends here. It is not recommended that you try again — even at a different body of water.
   • If it is voice speaking gently to you: The ritual has succeeded; you may proceed.
3. After you hear the voice, make your request: Speak it aloud; then rise if you are sitting, turn around, and walk from the body of water. Return home.
4. Wait; if you are fortunate, your request may come to pass. Maybe not immediately; maybe not the next day; but… eventually. If you are lucky.
5. Do not return to the body of water until at least a full year has passed.

Additional Notes:

There is no way of knowing precisely how many copper objects you will need. You may only need one; or, you may need many nights’ worth. Assemble more than you think you need; it is better to have more than necessary than not enough, especially if your circumstances are such that, once you begin the ritual, you will lack the time required to find more.

NOTE: Pennies in the United States minted after 1982, inclusive, contain only 2.5 percent copper. As such, they are not recommended for use as one of your copper objects. However, pennies minted before 1982 — with the exception of 1943 steel cents — contain at least 95 percent copper, and are therefore suitable for use in this ritual.

You will not be able to retrieve the copper objects at the conclusion of the game. Be sure you are okay with losing the objects with which you choose to play before you submerge them in the water.

The dates of upcoming new moons may be easily determined by consulting a moon phases calendar, such as one made available by the Farmer’s Almanac or one available at the online resource Time And Date.

Regarding your request: Keep it simple, and do not ask for things involving love or wealth. Also, remember: It’s a request, not a demand. Don’t be rude, and don’t be greedy. You are not entitled to the granting of your request. You are not entitled to anything at all.

Regarding The Body Of Fresh Water:

If you complete the ritual successfully, do not return to the body of water at which you performed it, for any reason, until at least one calendar year — all 365 days — has passed. After the conclusion of the waiting period, you may return as you like.

If you must terminate the ritual early, do not return to the body of water at which you performed it, for any reason, until at least one calendar year — all 365 days — has passed. After the conclusion of the waiting period, you may return as you like, although you would do well to watch your step around this body of water in the future.

If you must terminate the ritual early in The Conclusion: Step 2 specifically, do not return to the body of water at which you performed it, for any reason, until at least one calendar year — all 365 days — has passed… but ideally, do not return to it all. Ever.

Choose your water source wisely.

The Copper Wishes Ritual: FAQ.

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