A dowsing pendulum is an object suspended by a cord, used for obtaining information which the normal senses are unable to access on a conscious level.

The pendulum should be symmetrical. This allows the swing to be more even and, more sensitive and therefore more effective. The pendulum, is an extension of the person using it, may be influenced both consciously and subconsciously making the responses inaccurate. Wishful thinking or a preconceived outcome, however slight, can be magnified making the use of the pendulum in that instance ineffective. One must take steps to prevent this. Insufficiently specific questioning can result in senseless responses.

What is a pendulum for?

It is a tool used for obtaining information from beyond normal consciousness. It helps to tap into the Higher Self and enhance intuition. There are various theories about how and why the pendulum works, and why better for some than others. There is no magic involved. It utilizes the natural process of tuning-in to the Higher Self. When we are too engrossed in everyday life and materialistic worries, our powers of intuition diminish.

The intuition we had as children diminished with age in a lot of us as a result of negative programming. We forget who we are. We lose the ability to listen to the Higher Self. There are different techniques to reconnect with the Higher Self, and using the pendulum is one of these. As you become more proficient or adept, the intuition becomes so strong that you begin to know. To increase awareness and raise the consciousness is to make that connection to the Higher Self. The pendulum can be used in healing, energy balancing, detecting imbalances in energy fields, finding missing objects and other uses.

Does it matter what the pendulum is made from?

Yes, and to some extent no. It also depends on the person using the pendulum as well as the purpose, or intention of the dowser. To obtain a simple yes or no response, it should not matter. On the one hand it is the mental state of the dowser that can influence the pendulum and so the result. On the other hand it can be the material composition of the pendulum and the design, which can influence the result. This property, the shape, form, design can be used to advantage in analytical dowsing as well as in healing. This is where energy pendulums become special pendulums for more specific functions.

This ‘How To’ guide is a brief introduction to pendulums allowing a beginner to get some insights into basic pendulum use and to be able to make a choice of suitable pendulum. There are many methods and personal preferences as well as theories and explanations. You can make up your own mind by experience

How do I use a pendulum?

  1. The yes/no technique
  2. Chart and map dowsing techniques
  3. Energy dowsing
  4. Analysis
  5. Treatment

Digital Vastu

Very simplistically, these are some of the motions which a pendulum could trace and can be seen to be as follows.

Whilst these look obvious, the descriptions are written below

A. Clockwise or circular right

B. Counter-clockwise or circular left

1) The yes/no technique is most common in pendulum dowsing and may be achieved in several ways. See examples (a) and (b).

Digital Vastu

Very simplistically, these are some of the motions which a pendulum could trace and can be seen to be as follows. Whilst these look obvious, the descriptions are written below

A. Clockwise or circular right

B. Counter-clockwise or circular left

C. Diagonally left

D. Side to side

E. Diagonally right

F. Back and forth

Hold a pendulum cord between thumb and forefinger about three to four inches above the pendulum and let it hang more or less motionless. Ask a question mentally for a reaction to the answer ‘yes’. Wait a few seconds for a reaction, which could be one of the motions described above.

Again, let the pendulum hang and mentally ask for a reaction to the answer for ‘no’. The pendulum should move but in another manner or direction. The fingers and arm should not be held rigidly, and any small arm or finger movements should be allowed so that the pendulum will move! Some people have a very noticeable twitch or spasm in the arm, sending the pendulum into motion immediately. The idea is for any movement to be unconscious and not directly influenced by wishful thinking.

Various reactions will be obtained by different people, male or female, as well as left or right handed, and you should be able to establish your own convention. For example, some people find A to be yes and B to be no or vice versa. Others find yes to be C and no to be E, or vice versa. Any combination of these examples can do. You will find your own natural preferences, which may be best for you. After all, it is the accuracy of results that count.

For those using a pendulum for the first time, don’t worry if you do not get a consistent reaction or no reaction at all. A little practice will find results, but don’t force it. There are programming techniques also, but for the beginner who doesn’t seem to be able to get started; it could be that some de-programming may be called for! That is, allow it to happen without fear or prejudice. Look at it this way. If you are hungry, you know it and you know your body is telling you something, and there is nothing supernatural about it. The same with the pendulum, it is purely a matter of perception and a hunger or need

Example (b).

Draw a semi-circle of about three inches radius and divide it into two segments by drawing a vertical line and a horizontal line through the centre. Inside the left segment write the word “no” and the minus sign (-), and inside the right segment write the word “yes” and the plus sign (+).

Hold the pendulum above the centre resting the elbow on the table if you feel more comfortable that way. Propping up the elbow does not mean that the pendulum will remain still; it depends on the arm being firmly relaxed, not tensed.

Ask the pendulum to swing in the direction of “yes” and give it a start in the forward direction if you have to. Do the same for “no”. This method has the effect of programming the pendulum and you to accept the layout as described. Similar methods are taught by various dowsers and again it is best to do what is comfortable and feels right.

A certain amount of intellectualism will happen with any method used but once the mind accepts the intent then the programming is complete and work can go ahead. Glance away briefly if it doesn’t move as sometimes staring at the pendulum keeps it in one place. It is like riding a bicycle, once you move and get the feel of it, you just know and do it automatically. We do not advocate the pendulum taking over your life, but use it wisely as a tool for learning and transformation.

The vertical line can be used to be programmed for “neutral”, waiting for an answer if one prefers to start with the pendulum swinging, as it will then “kick” over to the right or to the left. The horizontal line can be used to program the “don’t know” response. Chart dowsing uses this type of technique to good advantage. You just change into whatever mode is suited for the work at hand with a suitable pendulum.

Choosing a pendulum

The methods of choosing a pendulum are varied and there is a simple rule of thumb to observe. That is – whatever works for you is the best for you – as, after all, it is results that count. Having said that, for some forms of energy dowsing one would require a pendulum which is made of a particular material, in a specific shape or form, and well balanced for a smooth action.

Choose a basic or general dowsing pendulum for general dowsing, e.g. yes and no questioning. This could be a conical or rounded pendulum. Both are precision made to have a good feel in use and have pointed ends to enable them to be used also for dowsing over charts and for map dowsing. These are made of brass, a material which is more neutral than say, wood, glass or crystal.

Energy dowsing can take the form of colour therapy and chakra balancing with a view to healing on various levels. Choose the Isis pendulum which is also good for beginners. The Isis generates white and all colours in the white light spectrum. It is self-cleansing by virtue of the white light emanations. The Osiris pendulum should be used with caution, and certainly not by those unfamiliar with the strong energies it can emit. It is not intended as a beginner’s pendulum but for experienced healers and therapists.

The Karnak pendulum is excellent for tuning in to mental questioning and analysing. Analysing energy fields can be done with any pendulum if the right questions are formulated, but with energy pendulums there is no questioning as such, but rather statements. Responses are various and the answer is within the total response cycle.

The Universal Pendulum is most efficient and effective for this type of dowsing and healing. It is very easy to learn to use the universal pendulum and those new to pendulums find it surprisingly accurate. This is because they have no preconceived attitude towards how a pendulum works or should work. Experienced therapists in other fields of healing have put the Universal Pendulum to great use. The Mermet pendulum has also proved to be a most effective tool for homoeopaths since the cavity within the pendulum can be used for transmitting remedies of any potency.

Note. There is no doubt that some precautionary measures are needed to prevent the drain of energy at the expense of the dowser, for instance in healing and water divining. It is also wise to check actually and intuitively, if any intervention is for the highest good of all parties. Permission should be sought otherwise it is an invasion of someone’s space (Even if they are not present!)