Pendulum Divination: Complete Guide to Using a Pendulum for Answers

By Nicole, Founder of Mystic Ryst

Pendulum divination is one of the simplest yet most powerful tools for accessing intuition and receiving guidance. A pendulum—typically a crystal or metal weight suspended on a chain or string—acts as a bridge between your conscious mind and your subconscious wisdom, allowing you to receive clear yes/no answers and guidance on any question.

Used for centuries for dowsing, decision-making, and spiritual guidance, pendulums are accessible to anyone. You don't need to be psychic or have special abilities. The pendulum simply amplifies the subtle movements of your own intuition, making the invisible visible and the unknown known.

This is your complete guide to pendulum divination—what it is, how it works, how to choose and use a pendulum, different techniques, and how to get accurate answers to your questions.

What Is Pendulum Divination?

Definition

Pendulum divination (also called dowsing) is the practice of using a weighted object suspended on a chain or string to receive answers to questions. The pendulum swings in different directions to indicate yes, no, maybe, or other responses.

How Pendulums Work

• Ideomotor response: Unconscious muscle movements guide the pendulum
• Intuition amplification: Your inner knowing moves the pendulum
• Energy reading: Pendulum responds to subtle energies
• Subconscious communication: Bypasses conscious mind to access deeper wisdom
• Universal guidance: Some believe spirit guides or higher self direct the pendulum

What Pendulums Can Do

• Answer yes/no questions
• Help make decisions
• Find lost objects
• Check food or supplement compatibility
• Identify chakra imbalances
• Determine crystal needs
• Provide guidance on any topic
• Verify information

What Pendulums Cannot Do

• Replace professional advice (medical, legal, financial)
• Make decisions for you (they guide, you decide)
• Predict future with certainty
• Work if you're not grounded and centered
• Give accurate answers if you're attached to outcome

Choosing Your Pendulum

Types of Pendulums

Crystal Pendulums

• Most popular type
• Different crystals for different purposes
• Beautiful and energetically powerful
• Examples: Clear quartz (all-purpose), amethyst (spiritual), rose quartz (love)

Metal Pendulums

• Brass, copper, silver, or gold
• Durable and precise
• Good for dowsing and energy work

Wood Pendulums

• Natural and grounding
• Gentle energy
• Good for earth-based questions

Chamber Pendulums

• Hollow chamber to hold herbs, oils, or written intentions
• Customizable for specific purposes

Best Crystals for Pendulums

• Clear Quartz: All-purpose, amplifies intention, versatile
• Amethyst: Spiritual guidance, intuition, higher wisdom
• Rose Quartz: Love, relationships, emotional questions
• Black Tourmaline: Protection, grounding, clearing
• Selenite: Clarity, divine connection, purification
• Lapis Lazuli: Truth, wisdom, communication

Choosing Your Pendulum

• Hold different pendulums and see which feels right
• Trust your intuition
• Choose one that swings easily
• Weight and length should feel comfortable
• You can have multiple pendulums for different purposes
• You can also make your own (any weight on a string works)

Preparing Your Pendulum

Cleansing Your Pendulum

Before first use and regularly after:

• Smudge with sage or palo santo
• Place in moonlight overnight
• Hold under running water (if crystal is water-safe)
• Use sound (singing bowl, bell)
• Visualize white light cleansing it

Programming Your Pendulum

1. Hold pendulum in dominant hand
2. State intention: "I program this pendulum to give me clear, accurate guidance from my highest self"
3. Visualize white light filling the pendulum
4. Thank the pendulum

Establishing Your Signals

Ask your pendulum to show you its responses:

1. Hold pendulum still
2. Ask: "Show me YES"
3. Observe the movement (usually forward-back or clockwise circle)
4. Ask: "Show me NO"
5. Observe (usually side-to-side or counterclockwise)
6. Ask: "Show me MAYBE" or "UNCLEAR"
7. Observe (usually diagonal or erratic)
8. Practice until signals are consistent

Common signals:

• Yes: Forward-back swing or clockwise circle
• No: Side-to-side swing or counterclockwise circle
• Maybe/Unclear: Diagonal swing or stillness

How to Use a Pendulum

Basic Technique

1. Ground and center: Take deep breaths, clear your mind
2. Hold pendulum: Pinch chain between thumb and forefinger, elbow resting on table
3. Still the pendulum: Let it hang motionless
4. Ask your question: Clear, specific yes/no question
5. Observe: Watch the pendulum's movement
6. Interpret: Based on your established signals
7. Thank the pendulum: Gratitude after each session

Proper Positioning

• Sit comfortably with feet flat on floor
• Rest elbow on table for stability
• Hold chain 4-6 inches from pendulum weight
• Pendulum should hang freely
• Keep hand and arm still (only pendulum moves)

Asking Good Questions

Good questions are:

• Clear and specific
• Yes/no format
• One question at a time
• Neutral (not leading)
• Present or near-future focused

Examples:

• "Is this job opportunity in my highest good?"
• "Should I take this vitamin supplement?"
• "Is this the right time to move?"
• "Is this person trustworthy?"

Avoid:

• Vague questions: "Will I be happy?"
• Multiple questions: "Should I take this job and move to a new city?"
• Questions you're emotionally attached to (bias affects accuracy)

Pendulum Techniques and Uses

Yes/No Questions

Most basic use—ask any yes/no question and receive clear answer.

Pendulum Charts

Use printed charts for more complex answers:

• Percentage chart: 0-100% for measuring energy, compatibility, etc.
• Chakra chart: Identify which chakras need balancing
• Letter chart: Spell out words or names
• Number chart: Get specific numbers
• Custom charts: Create for any purpose

Finding Lost Objects

1. Hold pendulum over map or floor plan
2. Ask: "Is the object in this area?"
3. Move systematically through spaces
4. Pendulum will indicate yes when over correct location

Food and Supplement Testing

1. Hold pendulum over food or supplement
2. Ask: "Is this beneficial for my body?"
3. Or: "Is this the right dosage?"
4. Pendulum indicates yes or no

Chakra Balancing

1. Hold pendulum over each chakra
2. Observe movement
3. Strong, clockwise circle = balanced
4. Weak, erratic, or counterclockwise = imbalanced
5. Use crystals or healing to rebalance

Crystal Selection

1. Hold pendulum over different crystals
2. Ask: "Is this crystal right for me now?"
3. Pendulum indicates which to choose

Advanced Pendulum Techniques

Percentage Measurement

Use pendulum over percentage chart to measure:

• Energy levels
• Compatibility (relationship, job, location)
• Truth level of information
• Chakra balance percentage

Timeline Questions

Ask about timing:

• "Will this happen within 1 month?" (yes/no)
• "Within 3 months?" (yes/no)
• Continue until you narrow down timeframe

Multiple Choice

Write options on paper, hold pendulum over each:

• "Is Option A best for me?"
• "Is Option B best for me?"
• Strongest yes indicates best choice

Pendulum Healing

• Hold over body to detect energy imbalances
• Use to direct healing energy
• Clear and balance chakras

Tips for Accurate Pendulum Readings

Preparation

• Ground and center before using
• Clear your mind
• Set intention for highest good
• Cleanse pendulum regularly
• Work in quiet, calm environment

During Reading

• Stay neutral—don't want a specific answer
• Keep arm and hand still
• Ask clear, specific questions
• Trust the first response
• Don't keep asking same question

Maintaining Accuracy

• Practice regularly
• Verify answers when possible
• Don't use when emotional or biased
• Take breaks if pendulum feels "off"
• Cleanse after intense sessions

Common Pendulum Problems

Problem: Pendulum Won't Move

Solutions:

• Relax and breathe
• Check if you're grounded
• Cleanse the pendulum
• Try different question
• Make sure you're not holding it too tightly

Problem: Inconsistent Answers

Solutions:

• You may be too attached to outcome
• Question may be unclear
• Pendulum needs cleansing
• You need to ground and center
• Answer may truly be "maybe" or "unclear"

Problem: Answers Don't Match Reality

Solutions:

• Check your bias—are you influencing it?
• Rephrase question more clearly
• Remember: pendulum shows possibilities, not certainties
• Free will can change outcomes
• Practice and develop skill

Problem: Pendulum Swings Wildly

Solutions:

• Ground yourself
• Cleanse the space
• Protect your energy
• May indicate strong energy or emotion around question

Pendulum Ethics and Best Practices

Ethical Guidelines

• Don't use pendulum to manipulate others
• Respect free will
• Don't make medical diagnoses
• Use for guidance, not absolute truth
• Don't become dependent on pendulum for every decision
• Ask permission before reading for others

When Not to Use Pendulum

• When you're emotional or upset
• When you desperately want specific answer
• For questions about others without permission
• For medical, legal, or financial advice (use as supplement, not replacement)
• When you're tired or unfocused

Protecting Your Energy

• Ground before and after use
• Set intention for highest good
• Cleanse pendulum regularly
• Create sacred space
• Call in protection if desired

Making Your Own Pendulum

Simple DIY Pendulum

You can make a pendulum from:

• Ring or pendant on a chain
• Crystal wrapped in wire on string
• Key on a string
• Any small weight on thread or chain

Requirements

• Weight should be symmetrical
• Chain/string 6-8 inches long
• Should swing freely
• Comfortable to hold

Pendulum Care and Maintenance

Regular Cleansing

• After each use (quick cleanse)
• Deep cleanse weekly or monthly
• After intense or emotional sessions
• When pendulum feels "heavy" or "off"

Storage

• Keep in special pouch or box
• Store with protective crystals (black tourmaline, selenite)
• Keep in sacred space
• Some prefer others don't touch their pendulum

Recharging

• Place in moonlight (especially full moon)
• Place on selenite charging plate
• Hold and send loving energy
• Use with intention and gratitude

Common Pendulum Questions

Can anyone use a pendulum?

Yes! No special abilities needed. Just practice and trust.

How long does it take to learn?

You can start getting answers immediately. Accuracy improves with practice over weeks and months.

Can I use someone else's pendulum?

Yes, but it's best to have your own. If using another's, cleanse it first and ask permission.

What if I get different answers to the same question?

Either you're too attached to outcome, question needs clarification, or situation is genuinely unclear/changing.

Should I trust pendulum over my intuition?

Pendulum IS your intuition amplified. They should align. If not, trust your gut.

Final Thoughts

Pendulum divination is a simple yet profound tool for accessing your inner wisdom and receiving guidance. The pendulum doesn't have magic powers—YOU do. The pendulum simply makes your intuition visible and tangible.

Start simple, practice regularly, and trust the process. Your accuracy will improve with time and experience. Remember: the pendulum is a tool for guidance, not a replacement for your own discernment and decision-making.

Your inner wisdom is always available. The pendulum just helps you hear it more clearly.

Do you use a pendulum? What's been your experience with pendulum divination? Share below!