Pendulum divination (also known as pendulum dowsing or scrying) is a method of obtaining answers to questions, determining probabilities & possibilities, and a useful way of receiving guidance, much as you would by using tarot cards, scrying mirrors, oujia/spirit boards, runes, advanced methods of rod dowsing and etc. The main difference is in the tools themselves and the way you go about obtaining your answers.
(Note: There are many other advanced uses for pendulums, please see our "Additional Considerations" section below.)
A pendulum is a communication device. It cannot do anything without a human operator. Anything that can be hung and swung freely from string, chain, and etc. will work as a pendulum. Wedding rings (and other such very important and personal items) perform marvelously, but just about anything can be used
with good results.
Different Types of Pendulums
Scrying pendulums come in many shapes, sizes and materials. Trends in the current market indicate that pendulums crafted from gemstone material are presently the most popular.
Other materials you might find in pendulums offered for sale:
Metal - brass, chrome, silver and silver-plate, pewter
Wood - machine or hand-carved and crafted pieces.
Clay - man-made polymer clays and natural.
Glass - hand-shaped lampwork, blown, molded and more.
Everyday- type objects and found items may also be used. As mentioned in our introduction, very personal items can be used with wonderful success and accuracy. You might also use a found object such as a weighted feather. If you have the experience, desire and skills, consider hand-carving your own pendulum from a piece of wood.
Pendulums range from the very simple and unlikely in style on up to elaborate masterpieces paintakingly created by talented artisans.
Use what feels "right" and works best for you. You may consider building a small collection of pendulums, each one used for particular purposes and subject matter.
After making or obtaining your pendulum, you will be ready to begin scrying! Gather up your pendulum and move to a quiet spot where you’ll be uninterrupted for a while.
Instructions:
You’ll need to "align" your pendulum. Begin by relaxing and centering yourself. Grasp your pendulum chain/ string between thumb and forefinger, about 2-3 inches from the end (or give yourself about 5-7" of swing...find what’s comfortable to you.)
Begin gently rotating your pendulum in a small circle over the center of your working surface. Ask..."which direction is "No." After a time, your pendulum
will begin straying from its circular rotation and move itself in a line. It may be vertical (up/ down)...it may be at an angle or even horizontal (side to side, east/west.) When you believe that you have your answer, confirm it by asking again.
Repeat this process for other "directions," such as "yes," "repeat," "unknown," or any other indicator that you wish to incorporate into your scrying. It helps to have something that can be used as a permanent scrying surface such as a hand-drawn or printed chart which you can mark with your directions. Pendulum boards are also a beautiful and convenient option: they can be customized to reflect
your preferred "directions," or purchased already defined so that you don’t have to go through the "aligning" process. Keep in mind, aligning is recommended for a more personal experience so custom-made boards built to your specifications are recommended.
Begin scrying! Remember, as with any divination method, pendulum scrying takes practice. The more you use your tools, the more comfortable you will
become and the quicker and clearer your answers will come. Start with easy questions that you know the answers to, in order to "tune" and align your board, pendulum, skills...and confidence in yourself, your tools and the accuracy of what you’re doing. Noone knows exacly why or how pendulum scrying works (though there are many theories), but it does work.
Practice, practice! ...and have fun!
Pendulum Charts and Boards
As with scrying pendulums, surfaces that can be used for dowsing upon are practically limitless.
As mentioned in our instructions, hand-drawn and printed charts can be used, as well as premade boards. The only basic requirement for a scrying surface is that it is one that you feel comfortable with and that works well for you.
The indicator words positioned upon your surface or board, are not locked "in stone." In another words, there is no ONE correct placement or layout. Again, use what feels "right" to you.
Free printable pendulum charts or sheets to help you get started are available in many places across the internet. We provide a full-size, free version of a basic chart in our "freebies and printables" section.
Please feel free to print off as many copies as you like and modify it to your own specifications.
For examples on how the board/ sheet can be marked and how a finished board may look, you’re invited to browse through our finished "pendulum boards" for ideas.
*Artworks and designs on our boards, of course, may not be duplicated as they are our original and copywrited designs
Additional Considerations
The scope of this article does not include all of the myriads of ways that a pendulum may be used or other more complicated considerations: we wanted to keep it short, sweet and stick to the basics.
Additional uses for pendulums (not a comprehensive list):
*Chakra work
*Healing
*Purposeful Spirit Communication
*Magic and spellwork
Many advanced users also incorporate other factors into their dowsing such as:
*The direction that they are facing
*The day of the month
*The color of their pendulum (colors have specific meanings)
*The material composition of their pendulums (different base-material can be more suitable for certain intentions and topics.)
Though the "how-to’s" of pendulum dowsing is a simple process, the art of and possibilities for usage can get quite complicated. So just as with most anything, you can pursue the practice as far and as deeply as you wish to.
If you have any questions, please contact us. We’re always happy to help out in any way that we can.
helpdesk@wickedvarmintdesigns.com
*Permission for non-profit reprint is given provided that this article is republished intact and in its entirety, noting author and also internet origin: http://www.wickedvarmintdesigns.com 
