Spirit Communication: Pendulums

Pendulums are a common and easy way to communicate with spirits. They’re a great way to get a quick yes, no, maybe answer. While this is a valid way to communicate with spirits, it’s very unlikely that you’ll get any profound answers. I reserve using the pendulum only for yes and no questions, though it’s possible to use it in a letter-spelling way or to employ other creative uses to get complete answers. The following guide is based on my experiences and what has worked best for me. Please feel free to explore additional resources to get a better understanding! This guide is also based on yes and no answers only since I’ve never had that great of an experience using the pendulum with a letterboard.

Step 1: Selecting a Pendulum

The first step is to select a pendulum. You can honestly use anything if it’s a weighted item that can swing freely. In a pinch, a necklace with a weighty pendant would work well as a pendulum. If you’re looking to get something more “traditional,” it’s recommended that you get something with a good amount of weight. In my experience, a light pendulum will be more susceptible to any twitch of your hand and create more confusion as the pendulum just starts swinging every which way. This would end up frustrating me and my spirits. Finally, after finding a pendulum with a good amount of weight, the pendulum swings in one direction despite any minute twitches.

There are also pendulum sets that come with a stand that would benefit from a lighter pendulum since this kind of pendulum would rely on the littlest movements to move around. However, with pendulums that you’ll be using with your hand, we want to counteract the little twitches.

Personally, I have found the best results with a weighted pendulum held by hand.

Step 2: “Programming” Your Pendulum

To make sure your pendulum works correctly, you’ll need to “program” it. Essentially, this means deciding how you’re going to read the pendulum. What action of the pendulum will mean yes, and what will mean no? Here is my personal “programming” for my own pendulum:

I appreciate a weighty pendulum because my programming relies on the pendulum swinging in one direction. There are other ways you could interpret a pendulum, such as clockwise vs counterclockwise. Please feel free to use whatever feels right to you.

Once you have your programming set up, you may want to put it on paper and have it somewhere easily visible. I have the above diagram pinned next to my altar so that spirits know precisely how I will interpret the pendulum.

There are also pendulum boards available online, but they’re not necessary. However, you’re free to get them instead of creating your own rules for the pendulum.

Step 3: Practice

Now that you know how you will interpret the pendulum, it’s time to test it! Ask your pendulum some questions you already know the answer to, like your name. For example, you can ask, “Do I go by [your name]?” The pendulum should swing to yes. Ask a couple more questions like that to test your pendulum. With newer pendulums, doing this practice step before each use is recommended until you get comfortable with the pendulum. I personally get straight to using my most used pendulum since I’m very comfortable with it and use it regularly. For other pendulums in my possession that I don’t use regularly, I would do this step.

Step 4: Communicate!

Now that everything is set up, you’re now able to use the pendulum to communicate! If you think you’re influencing the pendulum in any way as you hold it, don’t be afraid to ask confirmation questions, repeat the same question, or just come back to it later! Good luck communicating with your spirits!