Welcome to Gaia! ::

Wow, I'm actually posting! Anyway, I use pendulums a lot, and thought I'd give a tutorial (for lack of a better word) to explain how to use them.
Aquiring a pendulum is simple, you can make one simply by attaching a ring or some other object to a string, or you can buy one (I got mine at capriconslair.com, it's gorgeous). The only requirement is to make sure the the string or chain is centered and that the wieght is perfectly balanced.
I mostly use pendulums for asking questions, but I believe they can also be used to literally show you the right direction, and possibly other things.
When you use a pendulum, hold the string with your thumb, forefinger, and/or middle finger. Some people put their free hand under, to attune it to themselves more. Sit straight with your feet flat on the floor and rest your elbows on a desk or table.

When asking questions, ask a question that obviously will be 'yes' such as "Are my eyes (color)?" It will then move in the pattern of 'yes'. Then ask a 'no' question, such as "Am I standing on my head?" and it will swing in the pattern of 'no'. Then just go on asking yes-no questions. You should do this before each session, it might suddenly change. If you ever get a pattern that is not 'yes' or 'no', that most likely means 'maybe' or 'indeterminable'.

Another way to use a pendulum is to make it swing in the direction you want using only with your mind. Hold it as you typically hold it, and then focus on the movement you want; circle, back and forth, side to side, etc. Once it gets going in that pattern, you can speed it up or slow it down as you wish. If you want it to stop think or say 'stop' clearly. Note that it will take a few moments for the pendulum to switch directions or stop. Don't move your hand while doing this, of course.

Well, that's how I do it. I'm sure there are other methods and uses of a pendulum. Feel free to add to this or ask questions and... stuff...
Sorry if I misspelled anything, I'm tired!

It's a form of divination, actually...I use it sometimes, more for fun than anything else. I just like making it swing.

I really want a pendulum xd I think its called dowsing right? but I really want one! Anywho Relkin lol I think you were thinking of hypnothearpy to hypnotize someone when Secludere was talking about dowsing, even if you didn't think it was appropriate Umm, WTF is a bit rude lol, It was Secludere first time in a while posting, you dont want to scare now do you 3nodding

What are yes and no patterns? And.. how long did it take you to be able to move the pendelum with your mind?

Yes and no patterns very for everyone (and sometimes every session). My pattern for yes is usually a circle, and no is usually swinging side-to-side. I never tried moving a pendulum with my mind until recently. I was doing a bit of past life work when I remembered my brother saying something about being able to move a pendulum with just thinking it and I gave it a shot. It worked with no problems ^_^
That might have been because I've worked with it for a long time (although in recent months I've been using it a lot more)

Relkin9-- No worries, we're always learning something new, and I've had ruder things said to me ^_^

WHOOOT! i found something i can do for divining!! i tried this last night and i could control the direction and stop it and start it w/ mymind xd

Dowsing is great fun, but always be careful with such 'wild magic' like that, tarot, and 'ouija boards'. Keep the area as pure as possible and put a circle around you of candles or salt (it's messy, I'd go for the candles, myself... or make a represented circle of special objects if you trust in them enough, one in each cardinal point), and try VERY hard not to let your mind wander. It's moments of 'wild magic' like dowsing and ouija that you can leave your area and mind open for negative energies.

Hmm, I'd like to add my own personal notes on pendulum usage.

Pendulums, if made of stones, can be moody. If you have neglected your pendulum for too long, it might try to mess with you and give you funky answers. I thank my pendulum before and after I start each time, and keep it in a place that you might see often, so it feels your attention.

Not everything can be used for a pendulum! Oh I can't begin to tell you. I suggest natural based objects, but it isn't necessary. Stones, ore, a portion of a stick, a small but weighty leaf, etc. If you are making your own, bless it as you are making it. To do this, talk to your god/goddess and ask them to purify and attune the pendulum to you.

Next, make sure your pendulum does like you. Not all things will respond to you. Different stones don't like different people. I remembering taking almost a half an hour when purchasing my pendulum (I got a hematite point pendulum) because most of them were not responding to my queries. Also, a pendulum might reject you because of inexperience or fear that you will not treat it proper.

Like her mind-practicing suggestion, you can also try to make the pendulum levitate on the chain. This is very very difficult, though. It requires a whole lot of concentration, and a lot of practice. This also can help you work your powers with out the idea that your hand might be moving ever so slightly and manipulating the pendulum's movement.

I think everything else was covered rather decently. I like to use my pendulum for advice and such, and its a great practice tool. I was thinking of making a nice pendulum stand that would hold it, made from very pure and blessed materials, and create a chart that will help perhaps understand the common movements of the pendulum. It would have a place to rest your hands so you are still connected to the pendulum without risking moving it yourself as much. So yeah... that's my two cents ^,^