Hear me tomorrow, 7/16 from 7-8 pm Pacific on Occultist Radio through this LINK.
This is part two of a three-part series discussing the pendulum and how to use it for magick.
For information on the contest to win a free pendulum, read on to the end of this post.
Using a Pendulum
PREFACE: In my first post on pendulum magick I discussed what a pendulum is and the technology of how it works. I wrote, “Spirits do not move a pendulum. Higher powers do not move the pendulum… There is only one thing that causes the pendulum to work: you.” In reading this over I realize it may have been misconstrued.
What I wrote is accurate. It is your unconscious mind that causes your muscles to move in tiny amounts. That is amplified by the motions of the pendulum. What I didn’t write is the answer to some basic questions: what influences your unconscious mind? How does the unconscious mind know the answers to questions and have the ability to give advice based on things your conscious mind doesn’t know?
As I explained, your unconscious is a direct link to the astral plane. It is here that you can contact non-physical entities such as spirits, angels, etc. It is here that the unconscious can tap into the akashic records, a super-library with records of all things. Your unconscious mind does cause the pendulum to swing, but things such as spirits and higher knowledge influence the unconscious mind, giving it a wider range of knowledge from which to send messages to your muscles.
Holding Your Pendulum
The less potential for undesired conscious control of the pendulum the better. Most people simply hold the end of the chain or cord attached to the weight or bob of the pendulum, letting the bob hang down. Here are some examples of what I suggest you do NOT do. It allows for excess conscious control of a pendulum:
Instead, I suggest that you hold the pendulum between your thumb and index finger, but allow the chain or cord to go over your finger as shown below:
Finally, bend your elbow and rest it on a table. In my opinion, this is the optimal way of using a pendulum, but you can hold it directly or without supporting the elbow.
As you begin to work with the pendulum, try working with either hand. See which works the best for you. That’s the one you should use.
Calibration
Some people believe that a pendulum works the same way for everyone. I don’t even like the same cereal for breakfast every morning. There is no reason to assume that the pendulum is always the same for everyone or stays the same. To solve this, begin each pendulum session with a calibration.
Simply hold the pendulum as described over a blank, unlined, piece of paper. With your free hand, stop the pendulum from random motions, holding it in the equilibrium position (see diagram in previous post). When the pendulum is fairly still, say aloud in a commanding voice, Show me “Yes.” In a few seconds the pendulum will start to move. If you visualize a clock face on the paper, it may swing forward and back, marking the 12:00 to 6:00 axis. It may swing left to right on the 9:00 to 3:00 axis. It may swing at an angle, such as the 2:00 to 8:00 axis or 11:00 to 5:00 axis. Alternatively, it may swing in a circle, either clockwise or counterclockwise.
Some people may think it’s not moving. In fact, it is moving, however the motions are simply so small you cannot see them. If you either can’t see the motions, or they are so small that they are unclear, say aloud in a commanding voice, Larger. If you still can’t see the motion, repeat this command. Some people have to repeat the “larger” command several times.
Whatever the pendulum shows, this is the way the pendulum will move for you during this session. There is no “right” or “wrong,” just what the pendulum wants to show. Draw a line or a circle with an arrow indicating the route of the pendulum and label it “Yes.”
Repeat this process for “No.” While this is generally opposite the “yes” indicator, it is not always so. Repeat the process again with the command, Show me “Unclear.” You will end with a paper that may look like one of the images below:
Practice 1:
The next step is to simply practice. Ask any yes/no questions. At first, just try it. don’t count on accuracy. If you can’t see a response, use the “larger” command. In a session or two you will be surprised at just how accurate you will become.
Practice 2:
Move beyond simple binary, yes/no questions. Make a page with a straight horizontal line. Above the line draw an arc from one end of the horizontal line to the other, so you have half of a circle. From the center of the arc, draw a line to the center of the horizontal bar. Draw a line from each half of the arc to the center of the horizontal. Repeat this until you have 26 spaces. Insert one letter of the alphabet in each of the spaces. (If people use different alphabets, change the number of spaces accordingly.)
Make your equilibrium point at the center of the horizontal bar. Now you can ask questions and have the pendulum spell out an answer. If you can’t see the pendulum indicating a letter, use the “larger” command. Still the pendulum by holding it steady with your free hand at the equilibrium point after each letter is revealed.
You can also make a diagram as above, but divide it into just four sections. Label each section with the name of one of the magickal elements: Air, Earth, Fire, or Water. Or use one of the year’s seasons. Or divide it into 8 sections and label them with the Sabats of Paganism. Make one with ten spaces that you number from 0 to 9 in order to get numbers. Make one with 12 spaces to work with time.
Experiment! Have fun. Discover what you can learn.
Parts One and Three
This has been the basic post on the practical use of the pendulum. For more theory, go back to the first post of this series. While waiting for the next part of this series, you may want to dig out your favorite pendulum or obtain one and start practicing. With practice you’ll discover how your unconscious communicates with you. In the third part of this series I’ll explain how to use a pendulum for magick, where you’ll learn how to send information to your unconscious and program your unconscious for change.
The Contest Continues
Win a Free Quartz Crystal Pendulum!
I’d like to thank the dozens of people who have already entered this contest!
If you haven’t entered, make your entry now. Everyone still has a chance to win.
The Prize: The prize for this contest is a magnificent, quartz crystal pendulum. The bob is made of pure quartz, and although I don’t have a jeweler’s loupe, I can’t see see any flaws or inclusions. Although this is not a picture of the one you will receive, it looks very much like it and I think the prize is better shaped. The crystal is about 1″ long and about 3/4″ at it’s widest. The silver-tone chain is over 8.5 inches long.
How to Win: Winning is easy! All you have to do is write in the comments to one of these three posts on Pendulum Magick the purpose you have for using a pendulum for magick. As usual, there are some rules:
- No more than 100 words
- Only one entry per person
- Entry must be made within four days following the posting of the third entry in this series of blog posts
- There is only one judge, me, and the decision of the judge, me, is final
- Therefore, in order to assure fairness, no employees of Llewellyn or people who personally know me are eligible to win. You may certainly add comments, but you cannot win the prize.
What I’m looking for: Originality. The most original use of a pendulum for magick will win. I can tell you right now that sob stories from people who consider themselves “victims” won’t stand a chance. Since I have no way to check the truth of your entry, you may as well be creative and have fun…but don’t go over 100 words.
I use the pendulum to pick out a crystal for a person tu use as an amulet. I usualy pick a selection of crystals that match desired characterists. Thats the logic part of the job. Then I use the pendulum and start by asking if there is the most usefull stone amongst the ones I have chosen. If yes, I continue to ask „Is this the most usefull stone for X right now?“ for every crystal.
When a friend wants to share time-critical information, but is being watched by his conservative girlfriend, a quick wink from his side and I leave. He then projects what he wants to share while I dowse over a standard tarot deck, bicycle cards, an oracle deck and five zener cards. Then I use the pendulum to dowse left or right and divide the pack in two over and over until I’m left with one card. I dowse whether I need another card from that pack otherwise move on to the next pack.
The next step is to decipher the message.
I am from a long line of believers in the use of pendulums.
For instance, My grandmother would use a needle and thread as a pendulum. She would test,as in your blog, which would be “yes” movement and “no” movement.
She went a step farther. She would check for “boy” or “girl”. She then would hold the needle over the belly of every pregnant woman in our family, and some believing close friends, and be able to tell them if they were going to have a boy or girl. Blessed be! She the pendulum was right every time!
She and I were born with a “veil”. I was always told that I had a “sixth” and “seventh” sense. She tought me how to use the technique. I haven’t, because I have a “knowing”, but, I have at baby showers, it makes a fun game out of it. I am right all the time. Usually if the pendulum circles…I don’t tell them it usually means that there will be health troubles with their baby, and sometimes miscarriage. All I can do is cry at that point.
My grandfather did “water witching” people from around the community would call on him to “witch” for their well. He was right. He showed me as a child and I was able to feel the “witch bone” a couple times. But, with him is was so strong it almost broke the “witch bone”. At 7 years old I was really impressed, to say the least.
I am a true believer in pendulums and “witch bones”. I have recently been made aware of my “powers”, if you will. My new husband of 3 years has been wiccan for years. He continually points out my abilities. He says, “You’re such a natural witch!” In a loving way of course.
Great information and well explained !
the topic is very much relevant and gave some of the important facts of using a pendulum and hope everyone will use it for good and not for personal gain.
i am using pendulum in finding lost things and in finding answers to yes or no questions. after pendulum divination, I usually use my tarot to confirm the answers that i have received using my pendulum… by the way my pendulum is made of wood beads and a red crystal with feather handle… you can see the picture of it at http://www.vampirefreaks.com/danino
Can two people ( husband and wife) share the same pendulum?
Also, can one only ask questions pertaining to themselves, or can you ask questions about another person, a family member or close friend?
Thank you!
Hi, Claudia.
Yes, anyone can use any pendulum. Just be sure to calibrate it as described above.
You most certainly can ask questions about yourself.
I appreciate your article, I was looking at crystals recently at a show, and simply could not put the pendulum down, It works, and I can feel it pull towards answers if I use a diagram.