How to Use a Pendulum: A Concise Yet Comprehensive Guide

INSIDE: Pendulums are tools that can help us make decisions, foresee the future, and heal our mind, body, and spirit. Learn how to use a pendulum in this concise yet comprehensive guide.

Have you been intrigued by pendulums, but you don't feel confident about using them?

That's how we all start out, but, with this guide, all of your questions about how to use a pendulum will be answered, and you'll see that it's easier than you'd think!

Let's dig in...

What is a Pendulum?

A pendulum is a weight suspended from a pivot so that it can swing freely.

When a pendulum is displaced sideways from its resting, equilibrium position, it is subject to a restoring force due to gravity that will accelerate it back toward the equilibrium position.

Why Does a Pendulum Swing?

The science behind the pendulum is explained through the forces of gravity and inertia.

The Earth's gravity attracts the pendulum. This back-and-forth swinging force continues until the force that started the movement is not stronger than gravity, and then the pendulum is at rest again.

Understanding the Pendulum in Metaphysics

In science, pendulums are moved by gravity and inertia. In occult, they are believed to be moved by spirits. In metaphysics, they are moved by our energy (kind of like muscle testing). That’s why pendulums are used for divination.

Suitable Materials for Pendulums

A spiritual pendulum can be made from a variety of materials. The nature and quality of these materials play a role in how well, or how poorly, the pendulum functions.

The metals that are most frequently-used to make pendulums are brass, bronze, silver, copper, and gold. Crystals are also commonly used to create pendulums.

Brass Pendulums

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, in proportions which can be varied to achieve varying mechanical and electrical properties. It is a substitutional alloy: atoms of the two constituents may replace each other within the same crystal structure.

Bronze Pendulums

Bronze is an alloy consisting primarily of copper, commonly with about 12–12.5% tin and often with the addition of other metals (such as aluminum, manganese, nickel or zinc).

Silver Pendulums

Silver is the most energy conductive metal on the planet. When you're using a pendulum, you're working with the transmission of energy, and the metal that transmits this energy is a major factor in the pendulum's performance.

Copper Pendulums

Copper in it's pure form, like silver, is a high energy, conductive element of earth. But copper is not a precious metal and is much more abundant than silver. It is the metal that powers modern electronic technology.

Gold Pendulums

Gold is a member of the transition metals and sits in the same periodic table column as silver and copper. Gold is, in fact, one of the first metals known to man with its origin dating back to 3400 BCE by the Egyptians.

Crystal Pendulums

Some of the most common crystals used in pendulums are Amethyst, Clear Quartz, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, and Black Tourmaline, although they can be made out of any crystal. 

All types of Quartz is highly effective when used in a pendulum because Quartz is an amplifier of energy. Just like a muscle test can accurately answer questions your mind doesn't know the answer to, a Quartz pendulum will pick up on the subtle energies that know the answers you are seeking.

How to Use a Pendulum

Using a pendulum is a lot simpler than you may think.

Choose the Right Pendulum for You

First, decide what kind of pendulum works best for you. It’s similar to choosing crystals. Decide what kind of metal or crystal you’re attracted to.

Remember, we’re always attracted to certain things (crystals, metals, Tarot cards…) for a reason, so go with that.

You can use a pendulum with just the metal of your choice, but if you’re opting for a crystal pendulum, take time to choose which crystal suits you and your needs best.  

Cleanse the Space

Before you make good use of your pendulum, it's best if you sanctify or cleanse the space in which you’re going to be using the pendulum. Light some scented candles or incense, and burn some smudge sticks.

Choose a Yes or No Question

Next, choose the questions you want to ask.

Pendulums works best for yes or no questions, and you should make your questions as straightforward, clear, and concise as possible.

Hold the Pendulum Properly

As you begin with the pendulum divination, position your elbow on a flat, steady surface, holding the fob of the pendulum between your thumb and forefinger.

You can do the divination above a map, a sketch, a drawing, a photo, a picture, or a Tarot card. Whatever option you choose, it’s best to keep your arm steady and to clear everything from your mind except the questions you want to ask.

How to Determine Pendulum Answers & Verify Them

As the pendulum starts to swing, take note of its direction.

• Front to back means “yes” (like a head nod)
• Side to side means “no” (like a head shake)
• Moving in a circle means “maybe”

How to Verify Pendulum Answers

You'll need to verify the signals you receive from your pendulum in order to establish a connection with the pendulum.

To do that, simply ask questions like these:

• “Is my name ___?”
• “Am I ‘___’ zodiac sign?”
• “Is my blood type __?”

By asking questions that you already know the answers to, you'll be able to check the answers of your pendulum.

If the pendulum is not giving straight answers, you can cleanse it by passing it through white sage smoke, showering it in sea salt, or placing it inside an Amethyst Geode.

How to Use a Pendulum for Healing

A pendulum is a guide that can make the healing process easier and the solutions come to you faster. 

And it's simple! Here's how...

1. Chose an appropriate pendulum (one that feels right to you).
2. Procure a photo of yourself or of the person whom you’re trying to heal.
3. Use the pendulum on the photo and ask appropriate questions, like “Is my Root Chakra blocked?” or “Does this person have a Sacral Charka problem?”
4. You can then proceed to ask questions like “Is Amethyst suitable for clearing this chakra?” or “Can I unblock this chakra with X solution?”

Alternatively, you can use a pendulum over another person’s body.

If a person is experiencing pain or discomfort somewhere in their body, you can lay them down on their back and use the pendulum right over their body to ask direct questions about healing their body or chakras.

Also you can choose to program the pendulum to do the healing for you by using it as a conduit for healing energy. 

How to Use a Pendulum for Chakra Healing

You can also use a pendulum for chakra healing. Just place a pendulum over a drawing of the body and the chakras and then proceed to ask questions about each chakra while the pendulum gives you answers.

To get more in depth answers about healing, once you’ve located the ‘problematic’ chakra, you can ask questions about how to heal it or the best ways to unblock it.

Of course, remember to keep your questions direct, simple and answerable with yes or no.

You can also inquire about which crystals can heal your chakras. By asking a questions like “Should I heal my root chakra with Red Jasper?” you can make sure to get the most accurate answers.

How to Use a Pendulum for Divination

Divination is when we use supernatural means to seek knowledge about the future or the unknown.

To use a pendulum for divination, the principles remains the same:

1. Determine if your pendulum is cleansed and working properly by asking it questions to which you know definite answers.
2. Then proceed to ask the ‘burning questions’ that haunt your heart.
3. Remember to keep your questions direct and concise.

Knowing how to use a pendulum is not an exact science. You’ll probably be able to feel what is right and what is not working.

You have to trust yourself, your gut, and your intuition, and of course, trust your pendulum.

How to Use a Pendulum for Yes or No Answers: Programming Your Pendulum

If we opt to program our own pendulums, then we need to determine what means “yes” and what means “no” to us.

In order to determine how to use a pendulum in the best and most accurate way possible, we need to match our symbolic language to that of the pendulum.

That’s where the programming comes in. It's similar to when we charge crystals with our intent or our healing energy.

First decide what means ‘yes’, ‘no’ and ‘maybe’ to you and then infuse the meaning into the pendulum. For example, you might feel like ‘no’ would swing back and forth instead of the traditional up and down motion.

Then, use those motions to determine the answers you will get.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to use a pendulum is not only easy; it's fun! Pick one up here and try it out. Remember how fun the Magic 8 Ball was? This is much more entertaining and accurate. Enjoy!