Basic Guidelines When Buying a Pendulum | Article by Margaret I. Jang | One Source Learning Centre, Vancouver, BC

Basic Guidelines When Buying a Pendulum

The pendulum is an indispensible tool that I embrace, teach and practice during Reiki or Crystal & Gemstone Therapy courses. There is nothing new about a pendulum, but in the past it remained cloaked in a shroud of mystery, fear, ignorance or superstitious beliefs. For thousands of years its use has been documented by ancient cultures including China, Egypt, Middle East and Europe.

A major drawback for any healing arts student is building their confidence level while developing their healing ability. Feedback is a necessary factor, but without verbal or visual proof of evidence, it becomes difficult to believe that progress exists.

Scanning energy levels, before and after a healing treatment, can be done using the hand, but this method requires regular practice in order to build hand sensitivity to the different levels of energy. A much more practical and quicker method is to use the pendulum, which also gives instant visual proof for energy flow changes or positive/negative results, thus eliminating the need for verbal feedback or second guessing.

How Does a Pendulum Work?
The pendulum is a form of dowsing. Think of it as a communication tool that directly links to your subconscious mind (or to your soul level). The pendulum reads energy vibration patterns at the subconscious level and then extracts the appropriate information before transferring it to your conscious mind.

When working with a pendulum it is necessary to release ego/personality interference and to have no preconceived expectations to the outcome. The pendulum responds most effectively while the user remains in a calm and clear state of mind.

Caution: It is not advisable to use a pendulum during prolonged illness, extreme fatigue, undue stress, mental or emotional imbalance or while under the influence of mind-altering drugs or alcohol.

Main Uses for a Pendulum

To locate an injured or painful area.
To locate energy blockages.
To silently or verbally ask pertinent questions relating to a healing treatment.
To use as a visual indicator for improved progress.
To answer specific questions.
To aid when making decisions.
To act as a second opinion, like a best friend.
To find lost articles, water sources, people or pets.

Where to Buy a Pendulum
Pendulums are most often found at retail metaphysical books stores or specialty stores that specifically sell natural crystal and gemstone artefacts. They can also be purchased through the Internet, although this method is rather impersonal, since it is impossible to hold, feel or bond with it before purchasing. Rock-hound shows are another source of supply, except these are generally held only a few times a year in various locations.

Choosing a Pendulum
Basically, a pendulum is anything that hangs from a string, thread or chain; there are no set rules for choosing. You can make your own using a paperclip, button, cork, fishing weight, pendant, ring, old key, gemstone in a cage, etc. and then hang it from a string or chain.

Ready made pendulums come in all shapes, colours and sizes made from metal, wood, crystals or gemstones, etc. Examples of ready made varieties are pictured below.

Which Hand to Use?
As a general rule of thumb you will use your dominant hand, but try both and choose the one you feel most comfortable using or the one that receives a better response.

Before Purchasing a Pendulum

First set a price limit. Depending on location, prices can vary from $8.00 to $100 or more.
Look at the selection and choose whatever you are attracted to, whether it’s for the style, shape, colour or stone, etc. It’s like buying jewellery, which is dependent on your personal taste and budget.
Hold it in your hand and observe whether it feels good - notice its weight. As you hold it, observe its energy vibration - do you comfortably resonate to it?
Hold the pendulum by its chain and take 3-deep breaths to relax before asking it questions. Be patient - for new users this can be a slow process, because the pendulum may display either a weak or no response; however, this improves through continued practice.

Silently ask: “Please indicate yes”. Observe which way it swings (clockwise, counter-clockwise, up & down or side to side)

Silently ask: “Please indicate no”. Observe which way it swings (clockwise, counter-clockwise, up & down or side to side)

Silently ask: “Please indicate maybe”. Observe which way it swings (clockwise, counter-clockwise, up & down or side to side)

Silently ask: “Would you like to come home with me?” Observe which way it swings (“Yes” position, or “No” position, or “Maybe” position)

Choose the pendulum that best fits the above criteria.

Cleanse Your Pendulum
After purchasing your pendulum, it is important to cleanse it before using.

There are many different ways to do this, but be aware that some methods may be steeped in specific rituals or superstitious beliefs. If this is comfortable to you, then by all means try it.

These are common methods for cleansing:

Place the pendulum in sunlight for several hours. Note: If the pendulum is made from clear quartz crystal avoid allowing sunlight to shine directly on it; otherwise, it may start a fire.

Place the pendulum in the moonlight for several hours.

Bury the pendulum in the ground for several hours.

Smudge the pendulum.

Place the pendulum on a Master crystal, such as a clear quartz or amethyst geode, to clear any negative energy.

Place the pendulum inside a crystal or brass singing bowl allowing the vibrational toning to clear negative energy.

Soak the pendulum in salt water. Note: Contrary to documentation, it is not advisable to soak a crystal or gemstone pendulum in salt water, because the grains of salt can penetrate into hairline cracks and widen the gap.

Apply Reiki to clear any negative energy.

This is a simple and effective cleansing method:

Simply hold the pendulum in your hand under clear, running tap water while visualizing all toxins, impurities or negative energies being washed away into a recycle bin.

Allow the pendulum to dry on a clean, soft cloth.

Or if you are not near a faucet, simply hold the pendulum in your hand and use visualization techniques for the process. Remember, all thoughts are comprised of energy and it is your focus, intention and belief that initiates the process.

Whatever method you choose, keep in mind that your focus and intention are more important than the cleansing method - make sure you are comfortable with the method.

Program Your Pendulum
After cleansing your pendulum, it is necessary to program it. However, it is important to know that you are actually programming you – your subconscious/intuition/soul/higher self. The programming aligns the energy connection to trigger the correct response between the pendulum and you.

You may also wish to program a pendulum for certain tasks, such as for healing purposes only or for questions and answers only, etc. If you program your pendulum for a specific purpose you can always re-program it whenever you wish. It is not advisable to let others touch or use your personal pendulum; let them use a separate one, but if this is unavoidable, then cleanse it after each use using whatever method of preference.

For a beginner the pendulum may move slowly (or sometimes not at all), but have patience and confidence and with dedicated practice you will become proficient.

To program your pendulum, use the following examples:

Hold pendulum loosely in your dominant hand, between your thumb and forefinger, with 2” to 6” of chain length. Shorten the chain or string accordingly - use the length that's comfortable to you. It may help to rest your elbow on a table.

Program your pendulum for a specific task:

E.g. speaking aloud, say, “I dedicate this pendulum for healing purposes only to check and verify energy flow patterns”. OR

E.g. speaking aloud, say, “I dedicate this pendulum to use for questions and answers only”. OR

E.g. speaking aloud, say, “I dedicate this pendulum for all-purpose use”.

Speaking aloud, say. “Thank you, I am finished programming this pendulum”

A pendulum is not meant to be a "crutch", but rather it is meant to guide the user into accessing higher levels of inner perception. When making daily decisions, apply common sense and try to solve the issue by first using your own experience and knowledge. Consult the pendulum only after you have exhausted these avenues and are still stuck or perhaps require a second opinion for re-assurance. If a pendulum is used for the right purpose it will then become a valuable tool and ally that will beneficially create, as well as encourage, balance, harmony, growth and trust at all levels.

About the author: Margaret Jang is a spiritual poet and inspirational writer, as well as an intuitive arts teacher focusing on psychic/channelling development. She also dedicates her time to soul numerology readings and is a Reiki Master Teacher and practitioner. Margaret established One Source Learning Centre for Inner Healing in 2005 in Vancouver, BC, Canada. She may be contacted via e-mail.

Note: Articles, poetry and soul inspiring expressions are © Copyright protected - all rights reserved. In order to copy, reprint, publish, quote, electronically transfer, post to websites or blogs, or reproduce in any manner, please obtain written permission from author Margaret I. Jang.

Disclaimer
The above information is not intended to replace, diagnose, prescribe or treat any ailment or to be used as a replacement for medical treatment or consultation. It is only intended to enhance your knowledge or general interest and is offered as an alternative and complimentary source of information. In all cases, it is recommended that you continue to follow medical treatment as prescribed by your medical physician.

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