Pendulum Magick—Part 1: Win a Free Pendulum!
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:
- 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.
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!
I’d like to use the pendulum to help my social anxiety and improve my confidence. While I have proven to myself over and over that I can perform very well in social situations, I often have irrational fears that I hold myself back with. I could deprogram these fears and replace them with positive and realistic goals.
I’d probably use the pendulum in working with Enochian magick, perhaps as an unusual and different way to scry the aethers and see what results from that.
I know there are many ways one can use a pendulum and there are also a plethora of answers you will recieve. It really is a wonderful tool and my use for it may sound boring, but, I find it to be the best tool for the job. Sometimes I am stupidly indecisive. I simply do not know what to do and that is when I use my pendulum. I present it with both choices and ask it to swing in the yes direction for the one that is best for me and the one that I truly want.
I want to use biofeedback and pendulum work as a way to help get more intune with myself and my magik to make positive changes in my life to overcome the challenges I have found myself faced with. I have already started working a bit with biofeedback meditations but I would like to further that effort with pendulum work… Thank you so much for posting this blog series – I look forward to learning more about pendulum use and bilateral communication.
Brightest Blessings
~Kitty~
When I was a child, the mother of my best friend, who lived across the street, came over to our house as she usually did in the afternoon for coffee. But this particular afternoon she brought with her a pencil and a threaded needle. She stuck the needle in the pencil eraser and proceeded to use it as a pendulum. She used it on me and my sisters to tell us how many kids we would have when we grew up. We were fascinated. I will never forget what she told us. And she was 100% accurate. For me it was three daughters. When I was old enough, I learned what I could about pendulums and keep one with me always. What an impression this one experience had on four little girls!!!!
I love mine,I like to find lost objects.
Using a pendulum really helps me to center and become more connected to source. Sometimes having a pressing issues makes it hard to discern what choices I should make. By using a pendulum, I have to quiet my mind and become refocused on breathing and “allowing” the answers to come.
My main use for Pendulums came about from my own forgetfulness lol, I now have a map of the rooms and furnishings in my home and whenever I loose something or forget where I put things I concentrate on the item wile holding a pendulum over the map, my best experience was finding my Engagement ring when I misplaced it.
I have never used a pendulum for magic but it looks inspiring. I would love to use it to help find illness in my childrens bodies. They can never convey what “hurts” clearly. I think it would also come in handy making desisions as Bree had mentioned.
I use my pendulum with my tarot cards. If I am unsure about a card and what it is trying to tell me, I will use yes and no questions to get a clearer picture about what the meaning of the card is in the spread. I also use it for simple questions that do not need more then a simple yes or no or when choosing between two paths.
I recently used a pendulum to ask the parentage of an unborn child of another. The pendulum gave me the correct answer, even though it wasn’t what I expected.
A friend made me a beautiful crystal pendelum. Prior to receiving this gift I used the pendelum for balancing my chakra or for simple answers to questions. Now I use it for meditation as well. You can feel the power coming off of this pendelum – one of my most prized possessions.
I have rcvd. consistent answers to MORE than “just” Yes/No queries, using a pendulum, whereas other divination tools seem to change answers, even when the same query is presented within minutes of the first.
I use my pendulum for a variety of situations: to determine the best time for a working, to send energy and determine when ‘sufficient’ has been sent and to answer questions. Using a pendulum has also meant that I have become more precise in my spellworking, because one has to be specific in questions with a pendulum.
I use pendulums for map dowsing. Properly programmed and queried, a pendulum is an additional tool I’ve used to find geomantic features on peoples’ property. And you’ve just inspired me to use one in my hunt for a new home. It will come in handy in finding both neighborhood and physical structure.
I’ve always considered my mind to be wired into the multiverse (and my Be-ing a node within it). As I’ve gotten older, the connections become easier to access and use. Pendulums are one of the many ways to gain access to the metasphere.
I have enjoyed using the pendulum for finding the direct answer but I have also been known to use it to find out whether my children have spoken the truth, yes right in front of them, just to watch their faces as it would turn back and forth, it’s worth it all, especially when they tried to pull a fast one on me… Boy do they change their tune and Before I even take it out, I would say…”ok…do I need to take the pendulum out?
For the most part it work well and after a few times I didn’t have to use it… & even caught them using one of their own.
Good memories…:-)
For the most part simple yes and no answers. Answers that im afraid to confront myself yet know my subconscious mind has no fear in asking or answering.
I would like to have an alternative to my tarot cards. Sometimes a simple yes or no is all that is needed, without the pomp and circumstance of tarot. I already use fire divination, and my tarot, but would like to be skilled in multiple forms!
I use pendulums to locate lost items. When I was preparing to evacuate my area when a Hurricane was heading our way back in 2005, Hurricane Katrina/Rita I was so busy loading my car with precious items, magickal items I wanted to take with me that I misplaced my keys. I pulled out my pendulum to scry or the keys. It directed me to the exact area the keys had fallen into and I was able to retrieve them and hit the road….thank Goddess for the power of dowsing and pendulums
Pendulums have been used for various purposes (mostly in a divination of finding lost items, answering simple yes/no questions, determining a direction to take in life, etc.) for many many years. Myself, I use my pendulum to practice telekentetics by placing the pendulum hanging free on a stand and focusing on it to make it move.
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I live in Washington, DC which means that because of tech security, my GPS craps out a lot. I keep a nutmeg pendulum with me and a small paper map of the city. When my GPS isn’t working, I use it to find my way until it does.
Well, since I have never used a pendulum, I think I would probably use it to learn more about them. I’d start off by asking it where I lost my library book (2 months ago!), and go from there. I find the best way to learn about something is to dive right in and practice with it.
I use mine to help me confirm a question, or an answer.
When I find a pendulum that “speaks” to me, we become connected immediately. I often wear my pendulum around my neck like a necklace. The pendulum is my divination of choice because I can be so creative. I can use the “yes” or “no” questions, or I can swing the pendulum over a map or diagram to find lost objects. My favorite magickal use for my pendulum is to create rituals…from blending aromas to create incense and oils, to some kitchen witchery for cakes and ale. My pendulum is an extension of me. We are a team.
I do a lot of reiki healing. I have found that pendulums can help me determine how best to work with someone (including my children). Many times the person I am working with doesn’t have the words to describe their true problem or they truly haven’t delved into the source. The pendulum can help me work it out. This is especially helpful when I do distance reiki for people over the phone.
to work on my ability to concentrate. And to help calm my mind. The pendulum is a wonderful tool to use for scrying but it is also great to calm one down just by watching it swing back and forth letting your mind fade as it swings.
We use our pendulums for everything from finding out what our plants in the garden need or are deficient in to where the baby has hidden the last set of car keys as we are going out the door. They have been also a great tool to use for helping the kids(and us) calm their minds and focus when brains and emotions are scattered.
I am a new practitioner and I am in the process of learning to use the pendulum. Once I can master the proper use I will use it to expand my craft. Knowledge is a tool that too many fail to expand upon, and the use of the Pendulum, Runes, Tarot Cards are all critical in finding balance with all around us.
I have yet to try using a pendulum, although i have considered buying one. I have begun a very long journey of self awarness and understanding and i think having a pendulum would be a wounderful to tool for this. Good Luck Everyone!
Hello:) The Pendulum is simply a “must” if one is a Pagan, like myself. Each of our tools is special, unique in their craftsmanship, and therefore, their uses. Sometimes I find myself so busy, as if I need to be in three places at once….as soon as I get a minute for myself, I use the Bloodstone Pendulum{my Birthstone} to help me learn which of my Chakras may need opening.Like my Athame, Crystals, Sweet Grass, & so many more items of my Path, the Pendulum is personal. I use mine, as the Goddess asks, with honesty,simplicity, & love. Blessed Be, Merry Met!
Greetings,
This is my experience using a make-shift pendulum: My husband and I live in a 54 year old house on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Since living there spirit(s)communicate to me by visions, physical contact, voices, and even direct me to dig on our property to find metal objects, etc. With my make-shift pendulum I tried to discover who and why I was being contacted or if I could even help the spirit(s) cross over. One spirit came forth (young boy) and calls himself Jeremy Buchanan. When I stopped using the pendulum, I stopped hearing from Jeremy.
Bright Blessings,
Debra An
On a large sheet of paper I have drawn a circle divided into 4 sections representing the 4 directions. Within that circle I have it divided into 8 sections representing the 8 pivotal times of the year. Also within the larger circle are sections representing the months of the year. Each of the sections, the pivotal times and the months, are assigned runes which represent the powers that are present during those times. The circle can be divided even further into days of the lunar cycle and further still into the time of day. By using the pendulum I can find out what cosmic powers are being influencial at the present or in the future, when the best time to do something is, or when a particular even might happen. This “map” can also be used to cast runes on.
My first encounter with anything like a pendulum would be as a sleepover game. We would have a ring in a chain and ask yes or no questions about crushes and boys, and future lives but don’t ask me now because I don’t remember a thing. Then I hanged one on top of my belly to see what the sex of my baby would be (like it would matter). Now I use it to find things I have misplaced around the house that drives me crazy. It has helped a lot with my sanity. Damn menopause.
I am a Reiki Master I use the pendulum to heal chakras, setting the light body back to its original blueprint,from the Raymond Grace projects. I’ve learned how to check for energy levels,and negetive entities.remove hexes,spells,etc. Find lines of Geopathic stress-water veins. And balance with the universal energy-Polarity,And the list goes on. I can also give you the website to go to so you can learn also.
I use a pendulum for personal n professional purposes. When I feel I need more clarity I go to my pendulum, to get answers, I have found this is one of the best ways one of my guides likes to communicate.
I am also a Healing Artist n use in my Professional practice…I use to clear, balance, n re-energize chakras, n also to find the problem areas, specify what treatment to use, n so much more!!!
I have several pendulum, some with an old and checkered history. I use them when I do intuitive reading occasionally, just to confirm something that I’m getting. I also use them for dowsing, finding lost objects and, keeping myself in line. You know, those time when you know what the right thing to do is, but you’re tempted to go in another direction. Keeps me honest!
I like to use the pendulum for basic yes/no answers. It is also handy to help me choose between different items, like rocks to purchase. Or I can ask which food is good to eat, which juice will be best for my body, stuff like that. It is cool because it is such a simple device. Though it is taking me a while to develop expertise, the practice is fun!
I just think the pendulum is an excellent tool for both advanced and beginners. It’s a great introduction into the realm of things both unconscious and astral for those willing to seek out their spiritual path. I am a still a novice working to find something that tunes into me spiritually and I’ve always been curious about the pendulum and its many, many talents it can introduce to me! This a great opportunity for me to try out something that can help me tune into myself and the secrets within me that have long been locked away.
My sister and I, when we were younger, would use a simple threaded needle to scry answers from the universe. We would ask simple questions such as “Am I going to pass the math test tomorrow?” We held the threaded needle over the palm of either hand. If it swung back and forth it was no, in a circle it was yes. As we got older it was a ring on either a chain necklace or on a string. In India, where I lived as a child, it was used on a pregnant women to scry the sex of the unborn child.
I’m writing a song but needed to fill in verse and bridge notes.
I thought how can I use a pendulum to finish this song & win a prize! I used a 8 note wind chime as a pendulum. I brought it inside (so the wind wouldn’t be a factor), set my ipod on record ,
asked for the rest of the song & held it up. I held it pretty steady and found that the notes came as soon as I closed my eyes. Fortunately the notes came slowly so I didn’t need the Tascam to sort it out
I use pendulums all the time to figure out what I should do about certain things. I feel that I get the answers that I need when I need them. I am finding that since I started my friends are asking me to use it on them as well.
I awoke with great enthusiam and anticipation. The day has finally come, a day off work. So excited to go and try some suggestions from various books I have been studying. I packed a journal, a pen, some of my favorite essence, amethyst crystal and a blanket. I also took some of the books I have been reading, the Llewellyn’s Magical Almanac and Wicca A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham. I cleansed my aura and practiced my breath. I set out to find a tree to sit under and get to know. Walking passed all the flowers and the ocean air finding it’s way into every deep breath I take in I find the most beautiful spot under the prettiest tree. Here I meditated, learned and wrote feverishly. What a beautiful way to spend the day. One of the subjects I read about was A Short and Sweet Guide to Pendulums by Gail Wood. I searched all over my apartment to try to make my own to no avail. By the way Budget Witchery by Melanie Harris is great. So I placed myself infront of the computer to do some research when some how found myself here writing this little story about an ordinary witch looking for her first pendulum. THE END.
I’m new to this I would like to learn more about Pendulum Magick. From reading others comments there seems to be a lot areas I can learn about. I think by using a pendulum first maybe it will get on the right path.
For me, any divination tool is about one thing: knowing myself. I use a pendulum the same way I use the tarot, to help plumb my own thoughts and feelings. It’s not very creative or original, but its works for me 🙂 I use the tarot for more freeform questions and ideas where I need general advice. I like the pendulum for when I’m making choices.
Please see my video and help me analyse what the pendulum is doing. I would like to hear from you.
I like to use mine for helping others. I have helped people find things, predicted pregnancy and other good events as well as bad. I would like to give one to my brother as a welcome to the path of Paganism that he found on his own, without my help. To me, a pendulum should be a gift to get others to help others as well. 🙂
HI Everyone,
I would love how to learn to use a Pendulum because it will eliminate doubts and answers questions. I believe also it will help me connection with my higher source and help me develop my psychic abilities. I will use it to help myself clear negative energies. Once I know how to use it for myself then I use it to help others. I have a friend that does SRT healing and she does with a pendulum. Is fascinating to me how you can solve emotional issues and do clearing with it too. It will be a beginning of something new for me..
Love and Gratitude Yari
While living in Italy, learning the ways of the Strega, a coven mate’s daughter was rushed to the hospital with an appendicitis. They called her father at work. He rushed to the hospital and sent someone to tell her mother that Judy was going into surgery. At the time phones were few and far between in Italy in the 80’s. They found us at another friend’s house, making three of us having coffee. The rush of confused energy and mind chatter was overwhelming. I had my pendulum. We had to reach the higher mind through the clutter and noise of shock and stress. The pendulum said and kept saying “pomander.” It said Judy was OK. She was being helped. It calmed me to the point that I connected with Judy and could see her in the OR and all those around her during the surgery. We sent her loving, calming energy which she later said she could feel. We did make her a pomander. We filled it with healing herbs and crystals as instructed by the pendulum. We then consecrated it and each of us filled it with energy. The pomander was placed in Judy’s hospital room and her fast recovery astounded all the doctors. The pendulum is the best way to reach your higher consciousness in times of great turmoil or lack of concentration.
100 words this time!
A friend’s daughter was rushed to the hospital, with an appendicitis. When we received the news, the adrenaline rush was overwhelming. The pendulum! We had to reach the higher mind through the stress. The pendulum said “pomander.” “She was OK, being helped.” It calmed me. I connected with and could see into the OR. We sent loving, healing energy. We made the pomander, filled it with healing herbs and crystals, consecrated it, filled it with energy. We placed in the hospital room. The fast recovery astounded all the doctors. All instructions we receivd from the pendulum.