This is part one 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.

What is a Pendulum?

A pendulum is simply a weight that is hung from a fixed point, giving it the freedom to swing in multiple ways from that fixed point. Frequently, there are limitations so that the weight can only swing in two directions. The most commonly seen example of this is with an old pendulum clock as seen at the right, here.

The French physicist, Léon Foucault (1819–1868) came up with an experiment with a large pendulum that wasn’t locked into two directions. Although the pendulum had freedom to swing in any direction, the weight at the bottom, along with the motion of the pendulum’s swing, acted like a gyroscope, keeping it moving in a fixed direction. However, by using markers on the floor beneath it, the pendulum seemed to rotate around the circle of markers at a rate of 11° per hour. This demonstration, first publicly shown in 1851, was a proof that the Earth rotates on its axis. Actually, by the mid-19th century, just about everybody knew this, but it was nice to have the extra proof.

Parts of a Pendulum

In the diagram above, we can see the parts of an “ideal” pendulum.  In the real world, there is no such thing as a pivot without friction or a rod without mass. In fact, for our purposes, rather than a rod we’ll use a chain. This means you could use a necklace with a favorite pendant as the weight or “bob.” As the diagram shows, the bob should be “massive,” so again, as a general rule, the heavier the pendant the better.

The pivot we will use is simply our index finger. Different people have greater success with one hand or the other, so you’ll have to experiment to see which works the best for you. Instead of a solid rod you will use a cord or chain. Since it will be possible to wrap a chain around your index finger, having a longer chain is fine. Longer chains, especially for people beginning with a pendulum, may show a wider and more obvious swing (amplitude ). This can make interpretation easier. I’ll discuss how to make that amplitude greater and more obvious in a later post.

The bob’s trajectory or direction is also important, and I’ll discuss this in my next post.

If you want to experiment with pendulum magick, you’ll need to obtain a pendulum. As I wrote above, you can use a necklace with a heavy pendant. However, most people prefer to have a more traditional pendulum where the weight looks like a surveyor’s plumb bob. The advantage of this is that the bottom end of the bob is pointed. Many gem and stone stores have a wide variety of these wonderful tools. Llewellyn also offers some beautiful ones that you can find through THIS LINK.

How The Pendulum Works: In General

Spirits do not move a pendulum. Higher powers do not move the pendulum. Hidden magnets or secret trap doors do not cause a pendulum to swing. There is only one thing that causes the pendulum to work: you. When you hold a pendulum, the swinging weight amplifies tiny motions sometimes called “micro-motor” motions created by your own muscles.

But this does not mean you (or anyone else using a pendulum) is faking. You are not consciously causing the pendulum to swing. Rather, it is your unconscious mind that results in the motion of the pendulum. A pendulum functions as a simple and inexpensive biofeedback device capable of bilateral communication with your unconscious.

How the Pendulum Works: For Magick

The expression “bilateral communication” is just a fancy way of saying that the biofeedback can go both ways. Not only can you use a pendulum to receive messages from your unconscious (that’s the way most people use a pendulum), you can also use it to program your unconscious mind!

Why is this important? As I explain in Modern Magick (both the current 2nd edition and the soon to be released 3rd edition, available for pre-order now), your unconscious mind is a direct link to the astral plane, and whatever you create on the astral plane must eventually manifest on the physical plane. You can literally program your unconscious mind to create the future you want. This, indeed, is the essence of real magick.

Part Two and Three

This has been the most theoretical post on the use of a pendulum in this series. While waiting for the next part of this series, you may want to dig out your favorite pendulum or obtain one. In the second part of this series I’ll be sharing instructions on how to use a pendulum, including calibrating, designing work sheets, and more. This is the part of the bilateral communication where you get information from your unconscious. 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. You’ll program your unconscious for change.

The Contest

Win a Free Quartz Crystal Pendulum!

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 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:

1. No more than 100 words
2. Only one entry per person
3. Entry must be made within four days following the posting of the third entry in this series of blog posts
4. There is only one judge, me, and the decision of the judge, me, is final
5. 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.

If only 1 person makes a comment, he or she will win by default, so don’t let someone win that way. Enter and walk away with the prize!