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!
My entry:
At the farmer’s market I go to there is a great variety of “fresh produce” which, when you cut open, is something one would send to one’s in laws. So, I fill my screw-open pendulum with fresh fruit of whatever I’m buying and it tells me if the fruit I’m about to buy has the same freshness inside (I simply dowse it over the fruit itself).
This has, in retrospect, gotten me some amusing comments and really good fruit =P
I have used a pendulum successfully for spirit communication using a peice of paper with the alphabet and the numbers 1-10 arranged in a circle, similar to a spirit board. A friend of mine has used her pendulum to find small pieces of gold in the mountains near her home in California-much to the chagrin of her boyfriend and his metal detector!
I have been a witch for 30 years and a high priestess to my own coven in New York. I have found that a pendulum is an invaluable tool for predating yes and ne answers for the future. In some cases it help me to people I know make decisions that were life changing. As in all deviation tools you must use these things for the good of mankind. I us my when I was in Iraq to see what was coming forward for my Unit, and I unfortunately knew one of us would not make it back the same, unfortunately, it was me! I did go on after my discharge from the U.S. Army. I also, found that many are like me and need of answers; I use the pendulum to help them find out how to go forward after an injury. This is not a sob story it is in affect a blessing in decrease that with the pendulum and the third eye I am strong than I could have ever been!
hi donald,
i like your attitude! ;o) and i like the ‘investigative explanations’ you have come up with.. thanks
i have used pendulums for a variety of reasons. in healings i use them to assist in pinpointing an area in need of ‘extra’ attention or to assist in divining the point of illness/imbalance. i have used one to give more clarity of a place/object on a map. many are the times i have used a wedding ring (or the like) to perform the ‘gypsy ring’ “trick” to divine the gender of a baby or future babies.. odd but strange, this has ‘always’ given correct answers! a simple ‘yes/no’ answer to a question can also be divined with a pendulum. many say the pendulum ‘must’ be well balanced to divine accurately but how can this be true if we can use a worn old ring as a tool (pendulum) to divine correct/accurate answers?
of course, we ‘program’ the pendulum first to be sure we are ‘seeing’ the correct answers too.. i believe we can also use coins, ballbearings, etc.. for use as pendulums. so, in essence, your theory of ‘how’ it works is a very interesting one!
thanks for sharing and i look forward to reading more of your blogs.
cheers, Sharon :o)
[…] the first post of this series I described a little of the history of the pendulum as well as how it works. In the second post of […]
For eight years I have been carrefuly studying Michael´s “Eleven lessons”. I have become an acomplished magician by my self. To prove the power of High Magic I am pursuing the world´s largest Emerald field (not a mine but a complete field). Only three fields have been found in this country which is by far the world´s largest producer.I am living in Colombia South America and have dedicated my life to this endeavour. I have spent millions of dollars already in this quest; all this money has come to me thropugh my magick skills (thank´s Don!!).
When this inmense source of wealth is found, I intend to use it to get people interested in white magick by proving it is far more powerful than anything else. I am now going to start using a pendulum (my family has used this oracle for generations) to assist my quest. Over 2 milles of tunnels have been dugg, just to give a small sample of the titanic proportions of this 100% Magically run mining proyect. Please excuse my precarios use of the English language.
I am new to all this and was finding my life trails very stressful at a time when i was open to anything, a friend of mine had used pendulum magic for a while and suggested i give it a go, so i brought a rose quartz pendulum and wasnt sure at first what to do,then the lady i brought it of mentioned using it to ask angels questions, i had already been told that micheal was my angel so i tried,not everything has happened the way i thought it would but i always get a sense of peace when i use mine, i wouldnt be without mine now and i am hoping to learn to use it better.
I use my pendulum for communicating with my guardian angels. Yes, no, maybe… I do know that I control the pendulum but i also know that my guardians want the best for me just as I do. It gives me great pleasure in knowing that the answer I receive is by all understanding from my higher (astral) form but also that I have spent time communing with my heavenly guards.
I use a pendulum now to help educate. I have some young friends who like to come over and work with my pendulum, and have their cards read. We all sit around and pass around the cards and say what we think it means. They are always so surprised when they see that they can “work” a pendulum. I feel this brings a better understanding of paganism and magic, and helps them to see it isnt evil or bad. Many have the wrong idea about paganism and I feel if I can educate a few, then maybe they in turn could educate a few more. So I would definately share this pendulum with them.
My mother received the idea from her father before passing away. Since then my mother past a few yrs ago but i somewhat remember how it all works. I believe it was some cork actually and a string. There was no yes or no cross made out on paper laying out below. You just asked “which way is yes”. All the above from those i’ve read pretty much sum things up for me.
One thing my mother did teach me is how you can use your body as well. You stand up straight, feet together, arms straight out, now close your eyes. Ask which way is YES. It feels like your going to fall on your face but their a weird force that wont allow it to happen. My mother always said GOD will not let you fall as your channeling through him.
You simply proceed to ask different questions until you are finished and have the answers you either were or werent looking for.
Daniel
I had the opportunity to use a Pendulum and it was the coolest thing I ever seen. I would use this for this figure things out that I wasn’t sure of. I am going to learn how to use tarot soon. I wish to win a pendulum and help others out of difficult situations too.
Thanks you and many blessings
My experiences with the pendulum have been useful. Rather than “divine” with a pendulum, I choose to “divine” from my higher powers and intuitive guides for my answers.
In client readings using the pendulum for confirming spiritual input is useful for new people not accustomed to my work.
Often times with a medical intuitive reading, clients prefer I use the pendulum to confirm my readings with differing places in the body/mind.
I show clients an “in the clear” (no movement) w/pendulum, then show them a clear yes, and clear no. I display the fact that I don’t manipulate the movement, nor do I even look at the pendulum. I trust my guides to provide appropriate confirmations.
My use of a pendulum has been dubbed “The Confirminator” by clients.
Peace.
I would like to learn an alternative to tarot as well. I have wanted a pendulum for some time but where we live it is impossible to find one. I haven’t shopped online yet as I have been sick/busy/etc. Interests get lost sometimes within the mundane.
I have never had a Pendulum. My mother has told me since I was a young girl that I have special power. I would like to learn how to use one. This is all new to me.
WOW, I’m so excited after reading part I, I can’t wait for the next two! I have always believed in wiccan ways and recently my sister-in-law started getting into it. She bought me a very nice pendulum as a gift but I never really wanted to use it. I always believed it was the person holding it that made it swing (subconsciously). Your writing says I was right but also explained the benefit behind this fact. I am so looking forward to part II so I can calibrate my pendulum and create worksheets to work with mine. Thank you for sharing this information with all who seek it. Can’t wait to share this with my sister-in-law she will be as ecstatic as I am. I know a beautiful quarts pendulum would be especially nice to use in pendulum magic due to it’s special properties.
As a Certified Hypnotherapist, I find that using a pendulum to help determine one’s subconscious motivation can be extremely helpful. Smoking cessation is a good example. One will not quit smoking unless they want to. Determining the level of commitment gives me tools with which to customize the hypnotic intervention. It can also save time, expediting the changes desired.
I would like to use it to divine where I’m supposed to be. I don’t feel like I’m living where my life would move forward. I would like to know what part of the country would be more spiritually benefical to me along with my physical well being. Since it can also be used for meditation, I would like to try that. I also have 5 adult grand daughters that need some direction, along with my 4 adult grand sons. they are in their late teens and early 20s and, for some reason, are willing to take direction from me, their grandmother.
I love to use my pendulum to find things. I have done this from my own home when I misplaced something, finding trinkets etc, like a metal detector…but I have also used it to dowse for the locations of cases of missing people and I write those places down to see how accurate it was when that information is released. On the flipside, I like using my pendulum as well to go over a globe and see where the next potential earth shift (earthquake, volcanic eruption, etc)will be and it has been pretty accurate.
I love pendulums. To me, I see I see the personality of the crystal, and I feel like the personality helps us find what we truly need. I believe it connects with our unconcious and asks, “What do you truly want attracted into your life?”, and guides us to it.cells
I discovered my ability to use a pendelum quite by accident & without intent.
I would hol things connected to a string, chain, etc. that was weighted in the end & noticed the weight would swing. I began formulating a use for this before I became aware, (consciously) of it being a Magickal practice.
I have used it with great success in providing insight & giving correct answers, mostly for others having the person ask silently, but seem to influence it’s movement for myself.
If I were given one I hope that it will be more accurate in providing personal guidance, which I really need now!
I will honor & appreciate this gift if given!
Blessed Be
I found this blog very informational. Pendulum’s, to me, have always been an esoteric link to the “The Great Mystery”, but how to read that link will always be somewhat of a mystery to me as well. I love how you explained that the only one moving the pendulum is “you” (that being the one holding it).. I have always felt that is was the vibration of the individual that caused the pendulum to move, that every thought, word and feeling we have vibrates at a differant level, therefore the pedulum moves with it. What interest’s me, is that is it ever possible to get an answer void of our ego? For example, I ask the pendulum a question and at the same time my very bones in my body are feeling the answer they WANT to hear.. Does that in turn cause the pendulum to move to the vibration I want it to move to? Very curious about this.. I have alot to learn yet I think…
While you are PHYSICALLY moving it, the direction comes from your unconscious. So what is influencing your unconscious? In some people, indeed, it is the ego. For others, however, it is the higher self or perhaps non-physical entities. Through meditation and clearing the mind you can limit the impact of the ego. However, here’s a more interesting test. Have someone write down a question on a piece of paper and seal it in an envelope. You shouldn’t see the question. Hold onto the pendulum and ask for an answer to the question. Since you don’t know the question, the answer has to be free from ego.
I am going to use my new pendulum to find a place to live and a new job. I will let her go over the map and decide where I am going to live then grab up the classifieds and let her go over that. I will then have the house of my dreams and a job of my dreams!
I love crystals. I have believed in them since visiting the healing casa of John of God in Brazil, where at night the very air is filled with crystals when you snap your flash and they show themselves on all of your photographs. While a crystal pendulum is the only form of crystal I do not have, I have believed in pendulum power ever since I lost my glasses on a wilderness hike in the Black Hills. I didn’t know how I would get down from the top of our mountain without them, especially as dusk was approaching and I needed to see the dangerous path clearly to avoid getting injured. In desperation, a thought occurred to me and I removed my black onyx bracelet and used it as a pendulum to locate my glasses. I moved in every direction, following the yes and no of the pendulum. When the bracelet swung wildly, I looked down and there they were. Both my partner were stunned and have believed in pendulum power ever since. I would love to own a beloved crystal pendulum helper to guide my way through life’s mountainous paths.
I have one pendulum that I realy love and enjoy using. A great friend of mine scrys with her necklace. I would love to be able to give her this remarkable crystal to enable to add to her ‘collection.’
I have a pendulum that a friend gave to me, I remember doing this as a young girl and I believe an aunt showed me how. I have not used it as much as I had planned..Yet!! I want to use mine as a way to start my day in doing the best I can for patients I take care of(being a nurse) and helping myself have a Blessed Day!
Many of us are running after the ideal pendulum which will finally allow us to be bang on anytime!
Does that make sense?
The right tool in the right hand probably makes sense until the moment our intuition gets so razor-sharp that instant knowledge just flows naturally out.
May the magik of this cristal help me to achieve this goal and then pass it to a new sincere student to continue the transmission.
The pendulum is awesome and inspiring. Since, you tell that it can read and interpret my subconscious mind to my cognitive mind or conscious mind; then, for me I would use it as a tool to promote happiness in all beings I come in contact with. I would assert an optimistic-positive, goal-oriented influence on my own being with the pendulum, then transfer it to others. It would behoove everyone to include not only our own welfare but that of all others for the planet and it’s people, to reach its highest good!
I have been studying wicca and many aspects for almost 5 yrs and am interested in the pendulum as there is no right or wrong way to do it, as it is your own body and subconcious that moves it. I have used even needle and thread to pick out numbers to play on lottery, won my money back which told me stop playing the lottery I am wasting my money.
I myself am new to paganism and divination. I see the pendulum as a beautiful way to tap into my subconscious to see whats there. A journey of self you might say. There are so many things about ones person that affect everything about ones self I would like to get to the very core of what is me without social and other factors.
I would use the pendilum to find out about what i will eat ormake for dinner. Or when my friends are indecisive about something, i can help them with what they need, but its mostly about the food
I started with a plastic ball on a chain because i was intrigued by the pendulum. It has helped me locate missing objects. i hang them so that if they start to move i know there is an energy shift nearby. I am trying to learn more about how to use it and get in tune with my higher self. I noticed that the article shows using sand. I love that idea and i can’t wait to try it.
i dont need yes and no answers. i just find it entrancing.
hello all and blessing too
the sick and needy.
i hope i win this comp , i
believe this pendulum belong,s
to me.
i can only say what i feel as
looked at the pendulum for the first time
i feet a awakeing inside my mind eye.
my finger,s are tingaling as i look at
the pitcher of the pendulum.
my life is upside down at this time
i need too find my spirt guild , as i turly mead help from the higher forcess.
please god let your golden light cover me
so i may help other,s
best wisher,s to all.
ps/ please tell your family member,s that you love them and watch thire mood get happer( it doe’s not cost anything too say i love you and i am prod of you all each day.) this is a simple thing to say but some how it slip,s
our mind,s now and again i and my family say these word more than most i personly think it work,s and hold,s our family,s togetter .
blessing too all, that read this .
kindest regard,s
patrick in liverpool
I would use the pendulum to help link to my subconcious mind. As a child I was able to do this. But as an adult I closed myself off from magic and my subconcious. I have been working to get back to where I was as a child. I have also been an active gardener so I’m still connected to my herbs and flowers. I think the pendulum would help in my journey.
I have never used a pendulum before and I am curious about its use. I have been thinking of buying one, but I have not made up my mind which to buy. Therefore I am stalled because of indecision. If I won one it would be great.
Thank you.
first you must charge the pendlium i need the stone picked exspecaly for me count the letters of my name and devide by three. interesting insent it. Just kidding i know how to work it others dont have the spark. that i do .this little light of mine im gona let it shine.
I used my pendulum to open my psychic abilities. I believe I blocked them in my childhood after seeing a ghost in my bedroom. I will have to test the ego theory you mentioned to another commentator. The idea of a non- human entity being responsible for moving my pendulum is a bit unnerving, because the answers are incorrect.:-o
I understand mind over matter and power of suggestion. The mind is very powerful. My hopes are to connect with the Akashic Records. I really love crystals, but don’t need it. So Best of luck everyone!
When I was a teenager, my mom made a pendulum out of a threaded needle into the eraser of a pencil. She would use it on the wrist of the person asking the question. She was good at it. I was so amazed by it. Now years later, I still use and LOVE the pendulum. I take it with me everywhere. My mom has one also and when the warm weather hits, we go to the cemetery together taking our pendulums and we talk to the spirits there. We have had great results. Their good for finding lost objects also….
I contestant#86 and I see the contest was in 2010 And is most likely over.
But if the girl, Alicia, who posted right after me about the pencil is getting updates I just wanted to tell her about my experience with the pencil pendulum. It’s interesting really.
First of all I only thought it could only be done during pregnancy to indicate if your having a boy or girl. So when I was pregnant with my first my boss did the pencil test on my wrist. Back and forth for boy and circle for girl. What I saw it do was start to move back and forth a very little bit,, stop, and then go in a circle. But I’ve never seen this done before.. So my boss said a girl. And she had never seen it wrong.
Now sound 7 months I had to know what it was and then I one day I referred to him as a him.I demanded an ultra sound which ultimately saved his life. His lung cavity wasfilling up with ffluid and 2 more weeks maybe 3 he would ultimately have been a still born. We took him out by c section that put in a shunt and we waited til the lymph node to seal and took him home
It was my second child that was a girl. So that pendulum was in fact right.I think it was indicating boy but he wasn’t suppose to live. I don’t have to wonder if I tampered with the will of fate. Fate showed me a sign with the pendulum, gate prepped me to deal with the pain and fate showed me signs the whole time. The day of the ultra sound,I new something was wrong. but his recovery was a breeze. he is 15 and very gifted smart, unfortunately very narrow minded, he needs an awakening. My whole family does.
That’ my experience with the pencil test. I’m so glad to hear it can be used for more. I will have to definitely try this. thanks.
I use a pendulum for work as a spiritual medium and psychic intuitive, I ask questions through my guides and get confirmation through the pendulum, whether or not this is a direct communication from spirit or a direct communication through me that registers through my body is irrelevant it has been a powerful tool at gaining important confirmations for people I read for. I have used a pendulum to find lost items; specifically a diamond earring with a stem back lost in gravel which would have been impossible. I have used my pendulum to find other lost items as well.
I am new to magick and would love to use a pendulum to diagnose and heal people and animals. And it would come in handy during a zombie apocalypse! 😉
Hi, my name is Wendy and i live in Florida. i have always been interested magic and i would love to start by winning this pendulum for magick. if i’m lucky enough to win it, i would start by changing the abusive life that i am in, by finishing college and getting my degree and live a more fulfilling life with a wonderful job and new husband.
I have a natural connection to crystals. I use a pendulum to have inner piece, and to contact my inner self. It opens doors for me into the psyche world.
Gives meaning to my deepest thoughts and desires and allows me to make clearer decisions in my life.
I am blessed, and so are you through our minds the doors of great meaning and success are open.
Blessed be.
i use pendulms for my own spiritual insights i am a earth angel and have always known i have certain talents and gifts my intuition has never failed me and ive alwayz been into all the tarots crystals equilibrium readings and would love to have my own special pendulum it would be so benificial to me kind regards joanne
I have always wanted to use one and add one to my tools. good luck to everyone!:-)
Recently I lost my brother and grandfather (grandparents raised us) a few months ago my grandmother was found with nebulizer hooked to her mouth and her eyes rolled in her head. Her lungs collapsed and heart stopped. The paramedical team brought her back. Finally months hospitalized she knows us! And is home!!!! I am trying to heal her and I’ve been studying online weeks upon weeks notating in my book.. I love that woman with all my heart and agreed to let me heal her. This pendulum would help our journey and my higher learning.
I used mine to show my young granddaughter that I could find out when she was telling the truth or not… one day after getting a answer from her that I knew wasn’t the truth (having spoken to her mother) I explained to her we would ask her angels the truth.. using yes or no questions we quickly established the truth she learned a valuable lesson that day… she was 3 years old ..
I have been given many signs that I create my life. I want use my gifts and share with the world. I am ready to replace negative thoughts with my truth. The pendulum has just announced a new initiati
I would like to win this pendulum for my mum. Her use for the quartz crystal pendulum will be to dowse for lotto numbers. My mum has two teeth which needs urgent attention of expensive treatment. It costs ten thousand dollars. She found out that if she uses the pendulum to dowse for lotto numbers, she might win the lotto. She made her own pendulum out of a purple AA+ battery with string and tape but so far it hasn’t worked. So she needs the pendulum to help her win big money!