Simply speaking, a pendulum consists of an object or ‘bob’ suspended from a length of wire or string. The greater the length, the slower the oscillations. Since Galileo first began experimenting with pendulums in 1602, pendulums have been used in clocks, seismographic equipment, and to show the rotation of the earth, as with a Foucault Pendulum.
But what of using a pendulum in conjunction with intuitive ability? What is intuition exactly? A common belief is that intuition is the immediate reception of information from a subconscious process; the act of ‘knowing’ without the support of immediate facts; gut instinct; a hunch.
Subconsciously you may already know the answer to the question, but it remains out of reach of the logical mind. When tapping into the right brain, or intuitive mind, subconscious thoughts can alter the body’s responses, such as steadiness, heartbeat, and breath. This is where practical application and intuition combine.
In blending the science of the pendulum and the intuition of the human interface, determine, in its simplest form, what the results of a yes or no question will be. The pendulum could swing side to side for a ‘yes’, or circle for a ‘no.’ Or perhaps a negative response may leave the pendulum motionless, only moving on the affirmative.
Once the mind has been ‘trained’ with the conditioned responses, begin experimenting with simple yes and no questions while using the pendulum. Try not to force the pendulum to move, but allow a natural rhythm to develop between mind, body, and tool. Experiment with different chain lengths or bob types. Go with what feels natural.
Next, practice with the pendulum while in a relaxed or meditative state. This will free up the subconscious and make it easier for the answers to come through. Keep the questions simple and direct. Don’t worry about trying to consciously answer the question, just let the intuitive mind process the question.
When not working with the pendulum, try to take time during the day to allow the mind to wander. Daydreaming, listening to music, or looking at pictures are all aspects of right brain functioning. 'Exercising' the right brain is beneficial in cultivating intuition.
In the beginning, learning to harness intuition while working with the pendulum may take time. Make time to practice, and don’t get discouraged. Movements may be subtle at first. The key is to stop focusing with the analytical portion of the brain. The more in tune with the right brain, the more accurate the results will be.