Pendulums and Scrying: Tools of Divination and Insight

Pendulums and scrying are two distinct, yet complementary, forms of divination that have been used for centuries to gain insight, communicate with the subconscious mind, and even tap into higher realms of knowledge.

Both methods are accessible to anyone, regardless of experience, and can provide profound personal guidance when used with intention and respect. Let’s explore both practices and how they work.

Pendulums: Unlocking Hidden Knowledge

A pendulum is a simple yet effective tool for divination, typically consisting of a small weight (often a gemstone, metal, or wood) attached to a chain or string. The pendulum is used to tap into the energy of the subconscious, higher consciousness, or even spiritual guides to answer questions and gain insight.

How Pendulums Work

Pendulum divination, also known as dowsing, operates on the principle that the subconscious mind can influence the movements of the pendulum. The user holds the chain or string and allows the pendulum to swing freely. The subconscious mind sends subtle signals through the hand, guiding the pendulum’s motion to provide answers to yes/no questions, find lost objects, or locate energy sources.

The motion of the pendulum can be interpreted in various ways. The most common methods include:

Yes/No: The pendulum swings in a circular motion for "yes" and back and forth for "no."
Direction/Location: The pendulum swings in specific directions to locate items or energies, such as north/south or left/right.
Strength of Energy: The pendulum’s speed or intensity can indicate how strong or weak an energy source is.

The key to successful pendulum divination is trust—trusting your intuition, your subconscious mind, and the answers you receive through the pendulum’s movements. As you practice, you’ll learn to distinguish between genuine guidance and random movement.

How to Use a Pendulum

Choosing a Pendulum: The first step is to choose a pendulum that resonates with you. Many practitioners opt for crystal pendulums due to their natural energy and properties. Amethyst, quartz, and obsidian are popular choices. The pendulum doesn’t need to be elaborate; what matters most is that it feels right in your hand.
Cleansing the Pendulum: Before using your pendulum, it’s important to cleanse it of any negative energy. This can be done by placing it in moonlight, using incense, or smudging with sage. Cleansing helps clear the pendulum of previous influences and prepares it for use.
Setting Your Intentions: Before starting, set your intentions by focusing on the purpose of your pendulum reading. You can ask for clarity, insight, or specific answers. Clear, concise questions are best when using a pendulum.
Asking the Question: Hold the pendulum between your thumb and forefinger, letting it hang still. Ask your question, then wait for the pendulum to respond. Be patient and avoid overthinking. If you’re uncertain, try asking the pendulum to show you “yes” and “no” motions first to establish a baseline.
Interpreting the Answer: Pay close attention to the pendulum’s movements. Different practitioners interpret the direction or motion in different ways, but the most important part is how it feels to you. Trust your intuition in interpreting the answers.

Pendulum Tips for Success

Stay Calm and Clear: Keep your mind clear and relaxed to avoid interference with the pendulum’s movement.
Don’t Force It: If the pendulum isn’t responding or moving in the way you expect, it might indicate that you’re asking the wrong question or the answer isn’t meant to be revealed at this time.
Practice Regularly: The more you practice with your pendulum, the stronger your connection to it will become, and the more accurate the answers will be.

Scrying: Divination through Reflection

Scrying is a form of divination that involves gazing into a reflective surface to receive intuitive insights, visions, or guidance. The reflective surface could be a crystal ball, a mirror, a pool of water, or any shiny object that allows you to see your reflection and the surrounding space.

While pendulums tap into subtle energetic movements, scrying works by allowing you to enter a meditative or trance-like state where the subconscious mind can project images, symbols, and messages that are not immediately visible to the conscious eye. Scrying has been used throughout history to predict the future, connect with spirits, or explore the deeper recesses of the mind.

How Scrying Works

Scrying works by utilizing a reflective surface to alter one’s state of consciousness. By focusing on the surface, the practitioner enters a deep, altered state of awareness.

This allows for the subconscious mind to open and release visions, symbols, or even messages from other realms. These images may come in the form of abstract patterns, faces, colors, or symbols that carry deep meaning.

The process of scrying also taps into the principle of mirror consciousness, where the act of reflection helps reveal hidden truths about the self or the world. It’s believed that scrying allows the user to peer beyond the veil of everyday consciousness into deeper layers of the psyche and even the spirit world.

How to Scry

Choose Your Surface: While the most iconic form of scrying is done with a crystal ball, many practitioners use mirrors, water, or even the surface of a flame (like a candle flame). Mirrors are commonly used for divination and spirit communication, while water is often chosen for its reflective and fluid properties. Some also use polished stones or obsidian.
Set the Mood: Create a calm, quiet environment. Dim the lights, light candles or incense if desired, and clear your space of distractions. It’s important to enter a space where you can focus deeply.
Clear Your Mind: Enter a relaxed and meditative state. Clear your mind of everyday thoughts and allow yourself to focus only on the scrying surface. You may want to take several deep breaths to relax and center yourself.
Focus on the Surface: Gaze into the surface without blinking excessively, allowing your eyes to soften. Focus on the center of the surface, keeping your attention relaxed yet alert. As you continue to gaze, you may begin to see images or patterns emerge.
Interpret the Symbols: As visions begin to appear, trust your intuition to interpret what you’re seeing. The images may be symbolic or direct. It’s important to allow the images to unfold naturally, without forcing them. Sometimes, they may come as a flash, while other times, they may be slower and more vivid.
Record Your Impressions: After your scrying session, take the time to write down any visions, thoughts, or messages you received. These impressions may not make sense immediately but could hold significance as time passes.

Scrying Tips for Success

Practice Regularly: Like pendulum work, scrying requires practice. The more you practice, the clearer and more meaningful your visions will become.
Stay Open to Interpretations: Don’t force meanings or try to control what you see. Allow the images to come naturally.
Don’t Get Discouraged: It can take time to see clear visions, especially if you’re new to scrying. Be patient with yourself and trust the process.

Pendulums and Scrying: Complementary Practices

While pendulums and scrying are distinct forms of divination, they can be complementary when used together. Pendulums can help answer specific, yes/no questions, while scrying offers more abstract and intuitive insights.

Both tools tap into the power of the subconscious mind, and both allow practitioners to explore deeper aspects of their psyche or connect with spiritual realms.

How They Work Together

Pendulums: Use pendulums for clear answers to specific questions or for locating things. It’s a direct and straightforward form of divination.
Scrying: Use scrying when you need deeper insight, such as exploring complex emotions, receiving guidance for the future, or connecting with spiritual entities.

Both methods encourage you to trust your intuition, open your mind to the unseen, and embrace the unknown. Whether used independently or together, pendulums and scrying are powerful tools for unlocking hidden knowledge and gaining clarity in your life.

Scrutiny and Considerations

While both pendulums and scrying can be incredibly insightful, it’s important to approach them with caution and respect.

Divination practices tap into deep, sometimes hidden parts of the self, and it’s crucial to stay grounded and centered during the process. Practice regularly, but don’t rely solely on these tools for life-altering decisions.

Use them as aids to gain clarity and guidance, but always trust your own intuition and judgment as the final authority in your life.