Dowsing is another form of divination that connects to the universal flow of energy, and enables us to combine intuition with a physical response from the dowser itself. There are plenty of theories as to how dowsing works from the idea that the dowser itself is connecting and responding to the energy around you and providing the answers you need, that it is in fact the magnetic field of the earth causing the pendulum to move, to the concept that it is minute physical tremors or movements in the arm causing the pendulum to move.

Of course the latter theory is moot if you use a pendulum from a tripod (ie not holding it at all) and it still works! Even if this theory applies, movement in the arm or hand is normally unconscious (unless the dowser is cheating and what would be the point in that!), and therefore is still a genuine answer as the subconscious mind is being allowed to speak through the pendulum telling the dowser the answer they need from within.

Dowsing can therefore work on many levels, allowing your own intuition to have a voice as well as enabling you to connect to the universal energy around you to help guide you on your journey.

A pendulum is a weight held at the end of a string, which then moves in answer to questions. The weight can be anything from a piece of wood or metal, to a personal ring or a crystal. There is no pre-requisite, although for an unbiased response a crystal or some other object from the earth works better. Rings are lovely as pendulums, however as they are often worn when not used as a pendulum will take on the persons inner energy and thus reflect this in the dowsing.

Choosing a dowser is dependant on what you want to achieve, crystals are my personal favourite as they bring with them their own properties, an accepted energy (its hard not to accept that crystals have energy) and are easy to use. There are plenty available and the trick is to choose one that seems to call you (in the same way as you would choose your crystals). A dowser, whether it be made of wood, metal or crystal should be cleansed and charged before use, again in the same way as you would cleanse a crystal (although with wood and metal use smoke from incense or salt to cleanse). The most common crystal dowsers are clear quartz, however amethyst and citrine make great dowsers as well.

When charging your dowser, after cleansing it, you are simply imbuing your dowser with your intent. Keep it simple and open as the more detailed your charging the more restricted you make your dowser. Something like “I ask you to guide me for my highest good, in love and light” would be perfect.

Using a pendulum dowser

Once you have chosen, cleansed and charged your dowser, you are ready to use it. Firstly consider whether you want to keep your dowser to yourself or whether you would be happy for others to use it. If others use it remember that they will imbue their energy into the dowser, and it should therefore be cleansed and reprogrammed afterwards. Its always better therefore to be the only person to use your dowser.

To use it, the first thing you need to do is to discover what its movements mean. Hold the dowser between your thumb and forefinger, keeping your arm very still and hold it up in front of you.

The idea is to find out what your dowser's movements are for “yes”, “no” and “ask again” or “don't know” responses.

Lean your elbow on a table as this will help comfort levels, looking at your dowser ask it to move in any way to indicate yes. Once it starts moving make note of what it is doing, for me yes is a clockwise movement, but some dowsers swing from right to left. Then ask it to stop, or stop it yourself if it takes to long.

Then ask what no looks like, again once it starts moving note what the movement is. No is often an anti-clockwise circle, or vertical swing.

Lastly ask what ask again or don't know looks like - this can be a slight movement, or a confusing movement, or something completely different to the two movements indicated for yes and no.

Now test your pendulum by asking it simple questions you already know the answer to, such as “am I female”, “is my name….”, “is the Prime Minister Tony Blair” – giving correct and incorrect information to test the responses.

Now you are ready to use your pendulum!

There are plenty of ways to use a pendulum, from a simple yes/no session to give guidance on a specific area, to using charts, maps to find lost objects, around the room to identify stagnant energy or increased energy fields.

Yes/No

A while ago Mark needed to know what would happen about his car that had just broken down, he had looked at it and although could usually fix most problems, could not work out what was wrong. He was short of cash and needed to get to work the next day, as it was Sunday he could only phone garages first thing in the morning. As he was worried about the situation I suggested using the dowser to help. We asked it several questions: Would mark be able to fix the car in the morning: No. Would a garage be able to come and tow the car and fix it: No. Would Mark have to get help to fix it: Yes. Would it cost a lot of money: No. Would Mark be able to leave for work by 9am : No, by 10am : Yes.

The next morning Mark was up early to look at the car, again he could not work out how to fix it so he called round the garages. Every garage he spoke to would not come and get the car without a massive fee, and could not fix it for another two weeks anyway due to workload. The last garage he called had the same story, frustrated mark asked if the guy could suggest anything else to him, at which point the guy offered to talk him through fixing the problem himself! After half an hour or so the car started. Mark remembered the dowser from the night before, everything it had indicated had happened, apart from one thing, mark felt sure it was at least lunchtime and not 10am. Anxious to get to work he jumped in the car and looked at the clock: 09:55 .

The key to asking yes/no questions is to try not to be too attached to the outcome, and to ensure that what you are thinking is the same as the question you are asking. I once dowsed for a friend who wanted to know if she would marry the man she was seeing at the time. Unconvinced she'd get the answer she wanted I dowsed and it came out as a yes. To be honest I was shocked as I felt sure this was not the right man for her, and sure enough within the week he had ended the relationship. I was a little disappointed in the dowser and decided it must need a good cleanse! When I saw her again we discussed the dowsing incident and she admitted she'd been thinking “do I want to marry him” although asking “will I marry him”.

Using charts

Sometimes it's a good idea to create a chart of responses and ask the pendulum to indicate which response relates to the question, especially on questions that are time related or have external influences. Draw up a semi circle and put each option in a segment, or a grid with each option in a square. This is ideal if you have several choices to choose between as well.

Pulling power

Pendulums can pull you, or show a degree of strength or sticking, when moving over a map, or plan of your house, or indeed over a grid or chart. This makes them ideal to help you find somewhere, or something in a specific location. For instance, if you wanted to know where you should move house to and are unsure whether to go to a particular area or not, use your pendulum to help you out. Perhaps you'd like to change the internal design of your house around, moving the pendulum over a plan of your house could help you see whether it would work or not, or you can use it to find energy lows and highs in your house.

A friend once lost something valuable to her so I suggested using a pendulum to find it. She felt sure it was somewhere in the house but had looked everywhere and could not find it. We drew up a rough plan of the house, labelling every room and big bits of furniture and asked the pendulum to indicate where it was. It kept sticking on the fridge in the kitchen, which seemed the most unlikeliest place for this object, however sure enough when we went and looked, there it was next to the butter!

This is also a great way to choose crystals too, if you are in a shop surrounded by crystals and are unsure about what you want, pull out your dowser and ask it to show you, walk around the shop and when it starts to move, or pull you go in that direction until you come to the crystals you need. (in fact it can be used in this way for any holistic treatments/therapies - the uses are endless with pendulums)

Pendulums can be your best divination friend, it has so many uses and is so simple to pull out and use whenever you feel like it, and once you start using one you will be hooked! Just remember to cleanse it regularly, especially if it starts to feel sluggish or heavy, or can't quite answer the questions for you.