Dear Soul Arcanum:
I am interested in learning more about the pendulum as an effective tool for finding answers. I have used an antique ring as my pendulum, and seem to get very definite answers with this, but I would like to hear from you on this subject. Thank you so much for the positive way in which you share your knowledge!
Alee
Dear Alee:
Using a pendulum is one of the simplest ways to begin to develop your psychic ability. This is something that anyone can do. Also, pretty much anything that can be suspended on a string can be used as a pendulum. You can buy a fancy crystal one at most metaphysical/New Age stores, or you can use a pendant/necklace or a ring on a chain. You can even just tie a nut (as in nuts and bolts) to the end of a string. Pendulum’s are handy. Many double as key chains, so they’re with you wherever you go.
You can ask a pendulum virtually anything, and you can have an answer in an instant. We often “hear” the big warnings and messages that Spirit and our intuition send to us, but there is too much chaos and mental chatter in our worlds for us to pick up on all the subtle messages we’re constantly receiving. You can ask mundane questions (such as, “Which movie will I enjoy more? Movie A? Movie B?” or “Should I buy the pink one or the blue one?”) and also more important questions (such as, “Is he lying to me?” “Should I sign up for that class?” “Should I see a doctor about that pain?” “Is there a spiritual lesson in this experience for me?”)
As with all divination work, begin by establishing a positive link to Spirit. You can do this by simply calling upon forces of love and light to assist you. Make sure your energy is high and clear. I was taught that if my integrity and intentions were high and pure, then I had nothing to worry about in terms of negative energies, and this has proven true. If you’re feeling afraid or skeptical, try reading something uplifting and spiritual in nature before you begin. Reading about psychic development will affirm the work you’re about to do.
Once you’ve gotten “connected” this way, you must “prime” your pendulum by establishing the “language” it will use to communicate with you. You do this by simply telling it, “show me yes.” Tell it to show you yes, and then note what it does. It may go in a clockwise circle, or it may swing back and forth, toward you and away from you. These are the most common forms of “yes,” but whatever it does for you is fine, so long as you can distinguish it from “no.” Then, of course, ask the pendulum to show you “no.” It will likely either go counter-clockwise or side to side in front of you, like a head shaking “no.”
Practice with it a bit, until you feel confident and comfortable that you know how your pendulum will communicate answers to you. You can also add in other options, such as “show me that this can’t be answered,” (which is usually a dead stop, but it can also be a circle if your “yes” and “no” are linear).
Now it’s time to establish your intentions. You can state your intentions mentally, out loud, or write them down to make it really official. Again, ask for help from spirits of love and light, and state very clearly what you’re trying to accomplish or find out. Also, I was taught to “ask permission.” This would go something like, “Spirits of love and light, great and benevolent forces of the universe, may I ask if it would be wise and beneficial for me to accept this job offer?” If the answer is “no,” you can then ask follow-up questions to try to understand why you can’t know this now. You might ask, “Is the answer yet to be determined? Is it not in my best interest to know right now?” (etc.) If the pendulum stops dead, don’t push it. Trust that the Universe is watching out for you, think happy thoughts, and go on your way.
If you’re very attached to getting a certain answer to your question (if you can’t be objective), and you’re not accomplished at shifting your state of consciousness in order to rise above the desires of the ego, you may want to ask someone else to ask the pendulum for you. Otherwise, you’re likely to “make” the pendulum move as you wish it to, whether you’re aware that you’re doing it or not.
This brings us to a controversial matter. “Who” or “what” exactly is making the pendulum move? How does this all work? Some say that the user actually makes the pendulum swing through imperceptible muscle movements, that beneath our conscious awareness, our higher selves are directing the pendulum and thus answering our questions. The pendulum is thus just a visible form of intuition. Others suggest that outside forces are acting on the pendulum, and therefore that spirits, guides and angels can be lending a hand. Even others allow that outside entities may be helping, but we’re still moving it via our own muscle power. What matters the most, of course, is that the answers are reliable, truthful and helpful to us.
What many beginning pendulum users don’t realize is that you don’t have to limit yourself to “yes” and “no” questions. You can also write out possible answers and let the pendulum swing over them. There are some great ready-made charts such as the alphabet, various vitamins or foods, herbal remedies, different systems of the body, etc. for dowsing. With these, you may discover a food allergy or the source of a physical ailment. I recommend the charts of Dale Olson. His “Pendulum Charts” and a couple of his books on using the pendulum are available at amazon.com.
There is no limit to what you can do with a pendulum. Since it’s a form of dowsing, you can even use it to find your misplaced keys. Just follow the direction of its swing, and when it changes direction, you change too.
Allow yourself to be inSPIRed! Act on the ideas that pop into your head while using your pendulum, and you’ll never be “lost” for long again!
– Soul Arcanum
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