How to Properly Use a Divination Pendulum (or Divination Board)

Pendulums are symmetrical, weighted trinkets—often made out of crystal—that hang from a single chain or cord. For centuries, pendulums have been used as simple (but important) divination tools to help users better understand their intuition and check in with their subconscious mind. The pendulum is thought to both receive and convey information, swinging in different directions to respond to the user’s questions. With the help of spiritualism and astrology experts, we’ll walk you through how to use a pendulum for divination , choose your ideal pendulum , and find good questions to ask .

Pendulum Divination: Quick Steps

Hold the unweighted end of the chain between your thumb and forefinger.
Ask your pendulum to show you its “yes,” “no,” and “maybe” movements.
Focus on the pendulum and ask a yes-or-no question.
Sit with a relaxed posture and patiently wait for the pendulum to move.
Observe how the pendulum moves, and interpret your answer accordingly.
Clear the pendulum for a new question by resting it gently on your open palm.

Section 1 of 7:

How to Use a Pendulum to Divine Something

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1
Cleanse your pendulum and charge it with your energy. While this step is technically optional, it’s a good idea to “ cleanse ” your pendulum before using it for the first time. The simplest way to cleanse your pendulum is to place it on a windowsill in direct sunlight for a full day. You can also leave the pendulum under the full moon or buried in dirt for 24 hours. Alternatively, run it under water, smudge it , or leave it in the presence of a cleansing crystal (like selenite ). Emily Christensen, a spiritual advisor and the founder of Rainbow Raaja, recommends the sun method for “for action or passion” and the moon method “for reflection and healing.” ^{[1]
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Emily Christensen
Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja

Expert Interview}
- Then, charge the crystal with your energy to better connect with it. Hold the pendulum in your palm and close your hand around it. Spend 5-15 minutes sitting quietly or meditating and focusing your energy on the pendulum.
- Optionally, say a prayer or speak to your spirit guides or guardian angels. Ask them for support and guidance while you use the pendulum. It may also help to state your intention within this process.
- “Metaphysical stuff is very intention-based,” notes Christensen. “Intention is really important when you hold a crystal, since you’re kind of creating a relationship with it because it’s a living organism…So, your intention and what you’re putting toward this crystal is going to create that energetic exchange.” ^{[2]
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  Emily Christensen
  Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja
  
  Expert Interview}
- You don’t have to use your pendulum immediately after cleansing and charging it—you can keep it somewhere safe, like in a small velvet bag or silk wrap, or wear it on your body (like a necklace).
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Joanna Gerard is a psychic, astrologer, and entertainer with over 15 years of professional experience in her field.

Emily Christensen has over six years of experience as a spiritual advisor, Reiki master, and the founder of Rainbow Raaja.

Aliza Kelly is an astrologer and spiritual coach who’s been featured in publications like The New York Times and programs like The Drew Barrymore Show .

Misia Welters is a meditation coach and intuitive reader who’s worked full-time in the field of spiritualism, giving intuitive readings and selling introspective tools, since she was 18.
2
Hold the end of your pendulum’s chain between your dominant thumb and forefinger. Sit with your arms and legs unfolded and your elbow resting on a table. Hold the non-weighted end of your pendulum’s string between the thumb and index finger on your dominant hand. Orient your non-dominant hand so that the palm is open and facing upwards. Let the weighted object on your pendulum hang about 1–2 inches (25–51 mm) above your non-dominant hand. Keep your hands at around your chest height—there’s no need for the pendulum to dangle right in front of your face. ^{[3]
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- If your pendulum chain or string seems too long, wrap a bit of the cord around your index finger.
- Before beginning the actual divination process, run your hand down the length of the pendulum chain. Rest the bottom tip of the crystal or object in your non-dominant palm, and let the pendulum still completely before moving your hand away. If your pendulum starts to move slightly once you pull your hand away, that’s totally fine!
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3
Train your pendulum to establish its “yes,” “no,” and “maybe” responses. There are two ways to train your pendulum so that you can recognize its “yes,” “no,” and “maybe” answers. Firstly, you can program your pendulum with the movements you want it to show. Alternatively, you can ask the pendulum to show you what its “yes,” “no,” and “maybe” movements look like. For the first option, sit very still with a relaxed posture and demonstrate each move while reciting the accompanying words. For example, say, “When I ask a question and the answer is ‘no,’ move like this, from side to side.” Other common movements include a front-to-back motion for “yes” and a clockwise or counterclockwise motion for “maybe.” ^{[4]
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- Alternatively, ask the pendulum (out loud or in your mind) to show you its natural movement for different answers. Once you’re in the proper position, say, “Show me a ‘yes,’ please.” Wait patiently for a few seconds or up to five minutes.
- After a period of time, the pendulum should begin to swing in a direction, whether it be in a circle or from side to side. This is your “yes.” Repeat this step to establish the “maybe” and “no” responses.
- Stay in a relaxed posture without tensing your muscles or consciously making the pendulum move (or stay still). Just let the pendulum hang naturally and move on its own accord.
- You only need to do this step once , the first time you use your pendulum. After that, you should be familiar with its movements and responses.
4
Start off by asking unambiguous, “known” questions to build your confidence. Now that you have your “yes” and “no” answers, ask simple questions that you already know the answers to. Choose questions that are based on concrete, clear-cut facts. For example, “Is my shirt red?” or “Is my name ____?” This step helps you form an intuitive bond between your subconscious and your physical body, and it helps you build confidence and faith in the pendulum tool. Repeat this exercise until you feel confident and assured of your pendulum’s accuracy. ^{[5]
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- Of course, you want to verify that you’re getting the correct answer to these black-and-white questions. It’s normal to get a wrong answer from time to time, but if you’re frequently getting incorrect responses, return to the previous step and double-check what “yes” and “no” look like.
- Check out our troubleshooting section if you’re having further issues with your pendulum.
5
Continue with subjective, feelings-based questions. Now that you’ve established yourself with fact-based questions, continue with subjective questions that factor in your emotions and preferences—e.g, “Did I have a good day today?” or “Do I like apple juice?” Repeat this exercise until you feel comfortable and confident with the movements and responses. This might take a day or a week. Just continue to ask more feelings- and opinion-based questions, such as:
- Am I hungry right now?
- Am I currently having a good week?
- Do I like ice cream?
- Do I like mint chocolate chip ice cream?
- Did I get a good night’s sleep last night?
- Do I believe that a Yeti could win a fight against Sasquatch ?
6
Once you feel confident, ask your pendulum a divination question. Now comes the actual divination! Ask for the answer to questions you don’t yet know the answer to. Start with simpler questions, like “Am I going to be late for school today?” or “Will it rain tomorrow?” Then, start asking questions about personal decisions, such as whether you can trust someone, whether you should move, or whether you should accept a certain job offer. You can also try fun divination exercises, like trying to locate a lost object. Observe the pendulum once it moves to find your answer.
- If the pendulum swings with a lot of force, it’s thought to be answering loudly and definitively. If it swings lightly, the answer may be more flexible or nuanced.
- If you’re unclear about the pendulum’s answer, try to rephrase the question and repeat the process.
- Remember that the pendulum’s answer doesn’t guarantee a certain fate. For example, if you ask if you’ll be late for school, a “yes” answer gives you time to speed up your routine, so that you won’t actually be late for work.
- On the flip side, a “no” answer to the same question might make you dilly-dally or take a longer time to get ready. So, you might end up being late after all!
7

Clear the pendulum after each question by resting it on any surface. After asking a question and receiving an answer, touch the weighted object on your pendulum to the palm of your non-dominant hand. You can also touch it to another nearby surface. This sends a signal to your pendulum that the question at hand has been answered, and that you’re ready to move on to another question.
8
Stay open-minded and relaxed throughout your divination practice. Using a pendulum as a divination tool requires a lot of time, patience, and skill. It can take time to build an intuitive and energetic relationship with your pendulum, and it can also take time for your pendulum to start answering you consistently. Along with being patient, be sure to keep an open mind and stay focused on the questions you’re asking your pendulum. Stay detached from any particular outcome or answer, and let the pendulum guide and advise you naturally. ^{[6]
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- It’s all about “allowing your brain to focus, focusing on that object, and just being still—that’s the most important thing,” says psychic, astrologer, and entertainer Joanna Gerard. “And then, eventually, you’ll start to see.” ^{[7]
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Section 2 of 7:

How to Properly Use a Divination Board

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Hold your pendulum over the board, ask it a question, and observe its path. Some practitioners use divination boards as an additional tool to expand the range of answers that a pendulum can give. Typically, a divination board has letters, numbers, and common responses (like “yes” and “no”) written in a circular pattern. To use the divination board, hold your pendulum in a neutral position in the center of the board. Ask a clear and specific question, then watch the path of the pendulum. If it swings over a specific letter or number, note it in your mind or jot it down on a piece of paper. ^{[8]
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- Then, return your pendulum to its neutral position and continue with the same question until a complete word, phrase, or answer has formed.

Section 3 of 7:

How to Choose a Pendulum

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Buy or make a pendulum out of a weighted object and a length of string. There are lots of options to choose from when it comes to pendulums—and they don’t have to be fancy or expensive! You can buy a commercial pendulum from any metaphysical store that sells spiritual books , tarot cards , crystals , incense , and similar paraphernalia. Crystal pendulums are especially common, but they can also be made from metal or another durable material. Alternatively, make your own pendulum by attaching a paperclip, ring, washer, or other small, weighted object to one end of a 4–5 inches (10.2–12.7 cm) string or chain. ^{[9]
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- If desired, choose a pendulum weight that’s made from a meaningful or intentional material. For example, you might choose a crystal pendulum with specific properties that appeal to you: e.g., clear quartz for clarity, rose quartz for love and understanding, or amethyst for “intuition, creativity, and anxiety relief,” adds mediation coach and intuitive reader Misia Welter. ^{[10]
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  Expert Interview}
- “Rose quartz is particularly good for [questions related to] love, self-love, forgiveness, and self-esteem,” says astrologer and spiritual coach Aliza Kelly. ^{[11]
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- Christensen specifically recommends any “aura quartz…[that’s] titanium-plated…What that does is it adds the properties of this new mineral, silver, to the original properties. And, usually, silver is enhancing the properties” of the quartz or crystal. ^{[12]
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  Emily Christensen
  Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja
  
  Expert Interview}
- Ultimately, “you can read every crystal book on the market,” says Christensen, “[but] crystals…are unique…[and] will vibrate, pulse, or change temperature when it can be of use…Learn to connect with the life force of the crystal and allow it to guide you.” ^{[13]
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  Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja
  
  Expert Interview}

Section 4 of 7:

Questions to Ask During Pendulum Divination

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Stick to mostly yes-or-no questions for pendulum dowsing. Unless you’re using a divination board or another tool, pendulums can pretty much only answer yes-and-no questions. So, stick to any question or query that can be phrased in a “yes or no” format. Aside from that, phrase your questions very clearly and focus on your feelings and mindfulness behind each question. Here are some example questions you can ask when using a pendulum for divination:
- Is this the right time to ask for a promotion?
- Am I communicating effectively with my partner?
- Should I take a trip this month?
- Will I enjoy the plot of this book?
- Will it rain where I live tomorrow?
- Is it in my best interest to purchase this item?
- Is it in my best interest to attend the ____ event this weekend?
- Is right now a good time for me to use this pendulum?

Section 5 of 7:

What to Do If Your Pendulum Doesn’t Work

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If your pendulum isn’t working, try adjusting certain aspects of your practice. Sometimes, you’ll get the wrong responses to known questions—like your name, age, or other fact-based queries. Or, you might just feel out of tune with your pendulum’s responses to subjective questions. In either case, you can try the following tweaks and see if they improve your divination results: ^{[14]
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- Re-train your pendulum on the “yes” and “no” movements, or redo the training step and better observe how the pendulum responds to you.
- Try again later, when you’re feeling less tired, agitated, emotional, negative, or stressed.
- Move away from any electrical equipment or devices that emit high frequencies.
- Rephrase your questions to be simpler, more specific, and more direct.
- Concentrate more intently on your pendulum and question.
- Use a different pendulum that may be more compatible with your energy.

Section 6 of 7:

Is pendulum divination real?

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Pendulum dowsing isn’t science-backed, but many people believe it's a useful tool. There’s no science or evidence to back up divination practices, including those that involve pendulums. Even people who believe in spiritual rituals might question pendulum dowsing, believing that the “answers” are simply coming from the involuntary movements of their bodies. To this, practitioners of pendulum dowsing say that, yes, a pendulum’s answers do come from body movements. However, they claim that this is the whole point—the movements are affected by subconscious messages and cues from one’s higher self and divine energy. ^{[15]
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- Whether it “works” or not is really based on your opinion and experience—so do with that what you will!

Section 7 of 7:

Other Uses for Pendulums

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1

Spirit Communication To use your pendulum for spirit communication , start by setting a clear intention, such as “I intend to receive truthful answers from my guardian angel.” If applicable, state the specific name of the spirit you want to contact, especially if it’s a loved one who’s passed on. Then, ask a clear, simple, yes-or-no question and interpret the pendulum’s response. Before you finish your practice, thank the spirit for its guidance and communication. ^{[16]
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Clearing Chakras One of the “healing” properties ascribed to pendulums is the ability to clear one’s chakras , which is believed to improve your overall physical health, emotional stability, and mental clarity. ^{[17]
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Go to source} To attempt this practice, let your pendulum dangle 1–2 inches (25–51 mm) above each of your seven chakras . In each location, observe the pendulum’s swing and interpret its movements. If a certain chakra’s energy seems blocked (e.g., the pendulum is very stagnant, erratic, or swinging in a counter-clockwise movement), clearly instruct the pendulum to clear the blockage . ^{[18]
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- Wait for the pendulum to change to a smooth, clockwise motion, which indicates a healthy chakra.
- Then, move on to the next chakra. However, before finishing your practice, return to any previously-blocked chakras and confirm that they’re now unblocked.
3

Supplementing Other Divination Tools Pendulums can help you narrow down the interpretation of another divination process. For example, let’s say that you’re using tarot cards and have drawn a card that feels vague or unclear. You could use the pendulum to better understand and interpret that card by asking yes-or-no questions like “Does this card represent a specific person in my life?” or “Does this card pertain to my future, rather than my past?”

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What if when I ask a question that I already know the answer to and the pendulum answers incorrectly?

Community Answer

Usually, you need to cleanse the pendulum. You can try putting it by a burning white candle for a while, cleaning it with saltwater, putting it in the moonlight for a night, or a few other things.

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When I use the pendulum, will it stop when I ask it to?

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When you ask for an answer, it swings and shows you. When you ask for it to stop, it stops, and is ready for another question. The pendulum responds by bringing truth from your highest self, your highest consciousness, which some say is the collective conscious.

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Do I have to ask my pendulum to show me yes and no every time I use it or just once per sitting/self reading?

Community Answer

It's best to ask the pendulum every sitting. You don't need to ask it every time you use it.

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Warnings

Do not let the pendulum control your life. Intuition comes naturally for every person, so you do not need the pendulum all the time. In fact, sometimes logic will beat intuition. Always trust your own mind and heart!

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[1]

Expert Source

Emily Christensen
Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

Joanna Gerard
Psychic, Astrologer, & Entertainer

[8]

[9]

[10]

Misia Welters
Meditation Coach and Intuitive Reader

[11]

Aliza Kelly
Astrologer and Spiritual Coach

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

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[18]

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How to Properly Use a Divination Pendulum (or Divination Board)

Pendulum Divination: Quick Steps

Steps

How to Use a Pendulum to Divine Something

How to Properly Use a Divination Board

How to Choose a Pendulum

Questions to Ask During Pendulum Divination

What to Do If Your Pendulum Doesn’t Work

Is pendulum divination real?

Other Uses for Pendulums

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

You Might Also Like

References

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