This popular device was a simple Pendulum. Farmers held a Pendulum over pregnant animals to determine whether offspring would be male or female. They held it over eggs before placing them in the incubator to control the number of roosters hatched - they wanted more laying hens. Many of us can remember a grandmother or aunt using a pendulum to attempt to learn the sex of an unborn child. Pendulums have been used to select winning stocks, choose a compatible lover, assist in health matters, locate lost objects, choose a holiday destination, decide which house to buy, select a job - even choose winning lotto tickets! The art of dowsing - the ability to locate objects using a pendulum or forked twig - is ancient. Dowsing with the help of a pendulum is a fascinating introduction to this art and enables you to tune into your intuition. Pendulums are usually shaped like plumb-bobs suspended from a chain or cord and are commonly made of brass, wood or crystal. If you prefer you can create your own pendulum, perhaps using a wedding ring, favourite piece of jewellery or even a large needle if it is the only thing to hand. The beauty of a pendulum is its ability to only answer yes, no or maybe to a question (unlike consulting the Tarot or Runes), and at times this is exactly what you want - a definite answer to a question. Using a Pendulum can enhance your decision-making process by helping you make more informed choices. Pendulums help you tap into your subconscious mind, which records greater amounts of information from your senses than you are aware of a conscious level. Also, Pendulums help you tap into the 'cosmic unconscious' also known as the Akashic Record, an etheric record of every action, thought and detail of life on Earth.
The first thing you must do is discover how the pendulum is going to respond to your questions. You must therefore ask it to demonstrate its four positions: “search”, “yes”, “no” and “maybe”. You can do this either out loud or mentally. Rest your elbow on a table and hold your pendulum so that it can swing freely. Hold the pendulum as still as possible. Say "Show me yes." In a few moments your pendulum will begin to swing in one of the directions described above. After you have obtained the direction for yes, use your other hand to stop the pendulum's movement. Then say "Show me no." Soon, the pendulum will show you the direction indicating the direction for a "no" answer. Try it out: Begin by asking a simple question of your pendulum. Hold your pendulum still. Then ask, "Is my name (say your name)?" Very quickly the pendulum will start moving in the "yes" direction determined moments ago. Still the pendulum and try it again, only this time give the wrong name. Your pendulum will indicate the "no" direction.
Remember that when you first started driving a car or bicycle you weren't very good, but soon it became second nature to you. The same is true with using a pendulum. Practice will improve your ability. You should eventually be able to come up with variations. For example, put letters of the alphabet around a disk and ask the pendulum to spell out answers for you by the way it is swinging.
