Your Complete Guide: How to Use a Pendulum to Talk to Spirits

As a seasoned psychic and medium, I often hear from beginners interested in connecting with the spirit world, but feeling unsure where to start. Trust me, you're not alone in this! I've found that using tools like a pendulum can be an excellent way for newcomers to dip their toes into the fascinating world of mediumship without feeling overwhelmed. This article is a step-by-step guide on how to use a pendulum to talk to spirits, designed specifically for beginners. A spirit pendulum can act as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms, offering you a simple yet effective way to connect with spirits.

This method allows you to explore spirit communication at your own pace, discovering how energy flows and building trust in your connection to the other side. You'll gain meaningful insights and answers from departed loved ones, angels, spirit guides, or even your higher self. What I tell people is that it’s all about intention and establishing a clear connection, and I’m here to show you how.

Are Pendulums Safe for Spirit Communication?

Understanding Potential Dangers

One of the biggest concerns I encounter when people ask about mediumship or spirit contact is safety. Many worry about the risk of possession, hauntings, or accidentally connecting with negative entities. I know that sounds intense, but let me explain. While some argue that any interaction with the spirit world carries danger, in my experience, as long as you're willing to do a bit of protection work, you’ll be well-guarded. In 2025, I'm seeing more people prioritize spiritual safety, which is a great sign.

Pendulums, in particular, are one of the gentler ways of exploring mediumship. Pendulum use is not nearly as intense as other forms of mediumship – there’s no need to enter a trance state or feel spirit energy, for example – and pendulums offer a more relaxed, approachable way to make contact with spirits. This makes them an excellent choice for beginners in the world of metaphysics or for anyone with an interest in pendulum communication.

Essential Psychic Protection Techniques

Before beginning your spirit pendulum work, I advise that you set any protections you feel aligned with and prepare your space if possible. In my article, A Complete Guide to Psychic Protection and Psychic Self-Defense, I offer numerous examples on how to protect your energy, from shielding and crystals to grounding, as well as how to cleanse and protect your space. I’d make sure to perform some sort of energy protection prior to any mediumship work, especially if you have any empathic tendencies or areas where you may be vulnerable to attack. The great news is that you don't need to be an expert to protect yourself; simple intention and visualization go a long way. While using a pendulum is relatively safe even without extensive protections, whenever you’re engaging with the spirit world, it's always smart to be cautious. Think about it this way: you wouldn't leave your front door unlocked in a bustling city, right? It's similar with spiritual boundaries.

It's also important to remember ethical guidelines for spirit communication. Respect the spirits you attempt to connect with, and don't over-rely on the pendulum for critical life decisions. Discernment is key; use the guidance you receive as a complement to your own inner wisdom, not a replacement for it.

Who Controls the Pendulum? Spirit, Subconscious, or Both?

A common question I get asked about using a pendulum in mediumship is: who’s really controlling the pendulum? Is it the spirit you’re contacting, or is it you – your higher self working through your subconscious? The answer, surprisingly, is both! What that really means is it all depends on your intention, how you set up your pendulum session, and who you’re reaching out to. It's okay if you believe it’s your subconscious or a spirit – the guidance is still real. Here's what's really eye-opening:

Spirits can absolutely manipulate the pendulum directly, but they can also influence your energy and subconscious, which then affects the pendulum's movement. If you're asking questions to your guides, angels, or higher self, you’re likely connecting through your subconscious – and that doesn't make the answers any less meaningful. It’s still a valid and powerful way to receive guidance. The beauty of this tool is its versatility; whether you perceive the influence as internal or external, the insights you gain are profoundly personal and relevant.

How Does a Pendulum Work for Spirit Communication?

Many wonder how do pendulums work spiritually. Put simply, pendulums harness subtle energies. From a scientific perspective, this might be explained by the ideomotor response – involuntary muscle movements that your subconscious mind controls. However, when we talk about how does a spiritual pendulum work, we delve into the realm of spiritual influence. In my practice, I've observed that the pendulum acts as a physical amplifier for these subtle energies, whether they originate from a spirit, your higher self, or your intuition. It translates otherwise imperceptible messages into clear, visual movements. This is where things get interesting, as it bridges the tangible with the intangible.

Choosing Your Pendulum for Spirit Communication

What Makes a Good Pendulum?

There’s no magic formula for picking the perfect spirit pendulum – it’s really all about what feels right to you. You don’t need to go to a specialty shop to find one either! It’s all about what you resonate with. You might be drawn to a pendulum because of the energy you feel from it, the way it sits in your hand, or simply because it’s visually appealing. And here’s the best part: a pendulum doesn’t have to be something specifically made as one! Anything that hangs from a chain or string can work, as long as it’s somewhat balanced and can swing freely. Ideally, it should have equal weight, but that’s more of a preference than a hard rule. The key is choosing something that you connect with and feel comfortable using. If you have a necklace or pendant that you love, or an ornament that’s well balanced – those can be used as pendulums!

Popular Pendulums and Their Energies

Many people prefer crystal pendulums because of the unique vibrations and energies they bring to a session. Clear quartz is a popular choice due to its amplifying and intensifying properties, making it great for boosting the connection. If you’re looking to work with gentle, loving energies, rose quartz is a fantastic option. Amethyst is another favorite, known for enhancing psychic abilities and helping to create a clear, open channel for spirit communication.

If protection is a priority, onyx or black obsidian are excellent choices, as they help shield your energy during the session. Selenite is ideal for connecting with higher frequencies and beings from higher realms, like angels. That said, you don’t have to stick to crystals – metal pendulums or even basic materials such as plastic can be just as powerful IF they resonate with you. Trust what you’re drawn to!

DIY Pendulums: Making Your Own

For beginners, creating your own pendulum can be a wonderful way to personalize your tool and establish a deeper connection. You can use any weighted object that can be suspended from a string or chain. Think about a favorite ring on a necklace, a significant button, or even a small, smooth stone. The key is that it feels special and energetically aligned with you. This is actually a good sign because it shows that intention and personal connection are far more important than the material cost.

What is a Pendulum Used For Spiritually?

While we're focusing on how to use a pendulum to talk to spirits, it's worth noting their broader spiritual applications. Beyond spirit communication, pendulums can be used for dowsing for energy or objects, chakra balancing, energy healing, or even clarifying decisions by tapping into your intuition. Pendulum spirituality is a rich field with many uses.

Preparing Your Pendulum and Space for Spirit Communication

Before you begin any spiritual work, I always emphasize the importance of preparation. This includes cleansing your tool and charging it with your personal energy, ensuring your space is clear, and setting the right intention. This foundation sets the stage for clear and accurate pendulum communication.

Cleansing Your Pendulum

Cleansing your pendulum is one of the first steps you should take before using it or attempting to contact entities or spirits. You can cleanse your pendulum in a few ways! You can smudge your pendulum – using sage or palo santo (or your favorite incense) and engulf the pendulum in the smoke as a way of clearing it. You can use a stone like citrine to help cleanse the pendulum – placing the pendulum in a small bag with a citrine stone can help clear the pendulum of any residual energies.

Sunlight can cleanse pendulums – placing it in direct sunlight for 4-5 hours can cleanse the pendulum (avoid placing certain crystals, like amethyst and fluorite, in direct sunlight, as it can remove their colors). Using moonlight can be a very safe way of cleansing your pendulum if you have crystals that are sensitive to sunlight, and is safe for all types. Lastly, you can use visualization and energy shielding to cleanse your crystal! Visualize a bright white cleansing and healing light (like sunlight hitting fresh snow) engulfing your pendulum. Hold it in your hands, and envision the light engulfing your hands, the pendulum, and radiating outwards. Do this until you feel an energy shift within the pendulum. This may take several minutes.

Charging Your Pendulum with Your Energy

After cleansing, charging your pendulum with your personal energy is crucial for establishing a strong connection. Hold the pendulum in your dominant hand, close your eyes, and visualize your own energy flowing from your hand into the pendulum. Imagine your unique vibration becoming one with the tool. You can also meditate with it, or simply carry it with you throughout the day. This act of charging helps program the pendulum to respond to your energy, making the communication more precise and personal. Put simply, you're making it an extension of yourself, ready for accurate pendulum communication.

What to Say Before Using a Pendulum

Before you start your session, it's beneficial to set a clear intention, either out loud or in your mind. This helps to focus your energy and signal to the spiritual realm your readiness to connect. You might say something like, "I invite only beings of light and love to communicate with me through this pendulum, for my highest good." Or, "I am opening myself to clear and truthful guidance from my spirit guides." This helps establish a sacred and protected space for your pendulum spiritual work.

Getting Started: Holding and Training Your Pendulum

The Proper Pendulum Posture

The best way to hold your pendulum is by gripping it lightly at the top of the chain or cord, especially if it has a ball, notch, or bead at the end. This helps prevent you from unintentionally influencing the pendulum's movement. Use just the tips of your fingers for a gentle hold, allowing the pendulum to swing freely below your hand. For beginners, a helpful position is to rest your elbow on a stable surface, like a table, and hold the pendulum straight up. This minimizes any unwanted movement and gives you a clearer sense of the pendulum’s natural flow. If you're working with your guides, higher self, or angels, try placing your other hand, palm up, beneath the pendulum. This can introduce more of your own energy into the session, enhancing the connection and creating a more focused, powerful interaction.

Establishing 'Yes' and 'No' Responses

Before using your pendulum for spirit contact, one of the most important steps is establishing a connection with it. You need to understand how to communicate with the pendulum and interpret the responses it gives you. After cleansing your pendulum, hold it still in a vertical position and ask (either out loud or in your mind), "Show me yes." Give it a moment, and you should start to see it move. Take note of the direction – it’s telling you how it will indicate a "yes" answer.

Once the movement slows, stop the pendulum and repeat the process by asking, "Show me no." The pendulum will move in a different direction, showing you how it responds to "no." It's important to do this at least three times to confirm consistent results. If the pendulum doesn’t show the same response each time, try cleansing it again.

You can also ask your spirit guides to assist in this process by helping the pendulum swing more clearly or providing more intense movements for clarity. The more you practice, the stronger the connection will become, making it easier to trust the messages you receive. Establishing this bond ensures that the responses are accurate and aligned with your intentions.

Building Confidence with Practice Questions

To build confidence, start with questions you already know the answer to. For example, "Is my name [your name]?" or "Am I sitting in a chair?" This helps solidify the "yes" and "no" responses. Then, move to questions about your feelings, like "Am I feeling happy right now?" or "Am I feeling tired?" This allows you to connect the pendulum's movement to your internal state. Here's what I've noticed: the more you test and trust its responses on known facts, the easier it becomes to believe its answers on unknown matters. It's important to regularly hold and interact with your pendulum. Don’t hesitate to play with it, touch it, and engage with it often. The more time you spend connecting with your pendulum, the stronger and more accurate your bond will become. This connection helps fine-tune your pendulum's ability to provide clear answers during your sessions.

Try keeping it close – whether that’s by holding it, wearing it as a piece of jewelry, or even carrying it in your pocket. By keeping it near you, you allow your energy to blend with the pendulum, which strengthens your connection over time. This process of bonding with your pendulum is usually easy and doesn’t take long, but the more consistently you interact with it, the more precise and aligned it will be in helping you with your spiritual work.

How to Use a Pendulum to Talk to Spirits

Setting Intentions and Calling on Specific Spirits

Hold your pendulum in your hand, settle into a comfortable position, and take a few slow, deep breaths. Clear your mind of any distractions and focus your attention on the energy or entity you want to connect with. If possible, ease yourself into a light meditative state – this will help you stay fully focused on your intention and more aware of any subtle changes within or around you. The more relaxed and centered you are, the stronger your connection with the pendulum and the spirit world will be.

Ask your guides to join you and be present during your session. Personally, I like to ask them to act as gatekeepers, protecting the space and blocking any unwanted or negative energies or spirits. You can also use your pendulum to communicate directly with your guides if you don't have a specific person or spirit in mind.

It’s best to have a clear intention of who or what energy you want to contact. Be specific and call out the individual, entity, or energy by name. Asking general questions like, "Is anyone there?" or "Are there any spirits present?" isn’t advisable. Spirits are everywhere, and it’s highly likely that one is always around. But you don’t want to open the door for just any spirit to communicate with you. Think of it this way: it's like leaving the front door to your house wide open and shouting, "Hey, everyone! Come on in!" While you might meet some friendly, fun people, not everyone who enters will have positive or good intentions.

That’s why it’s crucial to be clear about who you want to communicate with. If possible, visualize the person or entity you're trying to reach, as imagery is the language of the universe and spirit. Pay attention to any subtle shifts in temperature, energy, or sensations in your body, as these can be signs that a connection is forming. Spirits with personal ties to you, such as your guides, angels, ancestors, or crossed-over loved ones, are often easier to reach because they are already connected to you. Their energy is familiar, which can help create a stronger and clearer link during your session.

If you find yourself in a space that feels haunted or if you're looking to explore more “investigative” mediumship, it’s highly recommended that you take extra time to put stronger protections in place. This includes cleansing both your space and your personal energy before you begin. Even in these situations, it’s important to be specific about who you’re trying to contact. Instead of casting a wide net, ask targeted questions like, "Are there any spirits connected to this building that would like to communicate?" or "Are there any human spirits in this area that wish to speak?" The more specific your requests, the more focused the responses you’re likely to get through your pendulum.

If you’re working with your guides, they can help strengthen the boundaries of the session, making sure only the energies you invite come through. Additionally, you can ask your guides to amplify the responses from the spirit world, making it easier for you to understand the answers.

Phrasing Your Questions for Clarity

When asking questions, clarity is paramount. Start simple, with direct yes/no questions you can easily verify. For example, to establish contact with a departed loved one, you might ask, "Are you [loved one's name]?" Once you have a clear "yes," you can progress to slightly more complex questions. Phrase your questions to elicit the clearest possible "yes" or "no" response. For deeper insights, you might ask a series of related yes/no questions. For instance, instead of "Should I take that job?", you could ask: "Is this job aligned with my highest good?" (wait for answer), "Will this job bring me financial stability?" (wait for answer), "Will I be happy in this role?" (wait for answer). This builds a more nuanced picture.

Interpreting Spirit Responses

Once you’ve made contact with the spirit or entity, feel free to ask your questions! There are no right or wrong questions – just follow your intuition and let the conversation unfold naturally. Remember, the more you trust the process and the connection, the clearer the pendulum communication will be. Pay attention not only to the direction of the swing but also to the intensity. A strong, clear swing often indicates a very definite answer, while a weaker or wavering swing might suggest uncertainty or a "maybe."

What Questions Can You Ask a Pendulum?

Beyond Yes/No: Using Pendulum Charts

A pendulum is a wonderful tool, but it’s also limiting in its communicative/responsive abilities. Pendulums are wonderful for yes, no, and maybe answers, but can be more tricky when it comes to more complicated answers. If you want a bit more in-depth information or answers, it may be worth it to invest in a pendulum chart, or make one yourself!

Pendulum charts sit below the pendulum and have multiple answers written on them. However, pendulum charts often take time to adjust to and begin working with, and not all entities or energies will use the chart effectively. If you’re going to use a pendulum chart, it’s best to use it in addition to any pendulum work you do, not alone. Test your pendulum to make sure that the answers you’re getting are true, if not, cleanse, connect, and try again. This is where it gets exciting, as it allows for a broader spectrum of information than simple binary answers.

Ending Your Pendulum Session Responsibly

Expressing Gratitude and Grounding

Ending a pendulum session is just as crucial as starting one! Once you’ve completed your questions, take a moment to express gratitude to the spirit or energy you’ve been communicating with. Gratitude plays a key role in the energy exchange, so it’s important to acknowledge and thank the person or entity that connected with you. If you’ve received any meaningful insights, be sure to write them down right away, or confirm any final details you want to remember.

After you've wrapped up the communication, gently hold the pendulum, take a few deep breaths, and allow yourself to return to a more grounded, present state. It’s essential to bring your energy fully back into the moment, especially after connecting with the spiritual realm. You may choose to cleanse your pendulum at this point, or wait until later if that feels right for you – but be sure to cleanse it before using it again to clear any lingering energies.

Post-Session Cleansing and Protection

Additionally, I always recommend closing your session by visualizing a shield of protective energy around yourself, sealing off any connection with the spirit world until you’re ready to engage again. This extra step can help ensure that you maintain clear boundaries and preserve your own energy moving forward. Some practitioners also use grounding techniques, like placing their feet on the earth or visualizing roots growing from their body, to fully re-center. This helps you integrate the spiritual experience back into your everyday awareness.

Troubleshooting: What If My Pendulum Isn't Responding?

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, your pendulum might not respond, or its answers might seem unclear. Don't get discouraged – this is a common experience, especially for beginners! Here's what I'd tell a friend if they faced this:

1. Re-cleanse and Re-charge: The pendulum might have absorbed ambient energies. Give it a thorough cleansing and then re-charge it with your intent.

2. Check Your Energy: Are you grounded and centered? If you're feeling stressed, distracted, or unenthusiastic, your energy might not be clear enough for the pendulum to respond. Take a few deep breaths and re-center yourself.

3. Clarify Your Question: Is your question too vague? Is it truly a yes/no question? Rephrase it to be as direct as possible.

4. Re-establish 'Yes' and 'No': Go back to basics. Ask it to show you 'yes' and 'no' again to reaffirm your connection.

5. Change Your Environment: Sometimes the energy of the space itself can be uncooperative. Try moving to a different room or even outside.

6. Take a Break: If it's still not working, step away and try again another time. Sometimes you just need to clear your head.

You're not alone in this, and persistence often pays off. Remember, the connection grows stronger with practice and patience.

Questions I Get Asked Most

Is using a pendulum dangerous?

No, using a pendulum is generally safe, especially when compared to other forms of mediumship. The main concern is accidentally attracting negative entities, which can be easily mitigated by practicing psychic protection techniques like shielding, clearing your space, and setting clear intentions. I always recommend establishing spiritual boundaries before any session.

Who am I talking to when I use a pendulum?

You could be talking to a variety of entities, including departed loved ones, spirit guides, angels, or even your own higher self. The identity depends on your intention and how you set up your session. It's crucial to be specific about who you wish to contact to ensure a clear and safe connection.

How do pendulums work spiritually?

Spiritually, pendulums act as amplifiers for subtle energies, translating imperceptible messages from the spiritual realm or your higher self into visible movements. While some theories point to the ideomotor response (subconscious muscle movements), many believe the pendulum's movement is directly influenced by spiritual forces responding to your questions, bridging the gap between the physical and energetic worlds.

Can I use any weighted object as a pendulum?

Yes, you absolutely can! A pendulum doesn't have to be a specially made tool; any weighted object suspended from a chain or string can function as a pendulum. Many people use a favorite necklace, a significant ring, or even a small, balanced ornament. The key is that you feel a personal connection to the object and that it can swing freely to give clear responses.

Bottom line, learning how to use a pendulum to talk to spirits is an accessible and powerful way to explore mediumship and connect with higher guidance. What matters most is your intention, practice, and a commitment to spiritual protection. By following these steps, you're not just using a tool; you're developing a deeper connection to your intuition and the spiritual realm. The great news is, the journey is incredibly rewarding, and with every session, you'll gain more confidence and clarity. Keep practicing, trust your inner wisdom, and enjoy the profound insights that await you!