Tarot is my go-to divination tool. I imagine that we are on the same page here, that you love the cards as much as I do. It is wonderful to dive deep into the imagery, to see how far into the rabbit hole those symbols and archetypes take us. There are endless opportunities for exploration, nuance, and revelation.
However, if you are looking for secondary confirmation of what you see in the cards, especially if you are reading for yourself and doubting your neutrality, it can be helpful to add another divinatory tool into the mix.
Tarot cards and pendulums complement each other nicely in many cases. If you are looking for a clear cut answer, perhaps a yes or no answer, and you’re having trouble getting specific with the cards, adding a pendulum to your reading process is fascinating and revealing.
So what is a pendulum?
A pendulum is a weight or free-swinging object at the end of a chain or cord. It can be something simple, like a button on a piece of thread, or the pendant you are now wearing around your neck, a found object that you hang on a string, or a beautiful crystal or metal piece hung on a metal chain.
Pendulums are used generally for yes or no answers to a wide variety of questions. Some people use them for health and wellness, asking the pendulum which foods will best agree with them. They are also used to locate lost objects, or to find water or other precious items. You can ask your pendulum questions about any area of your life, keeping in mind that the answer will only be yes or no.
How do you use a pendulum?
I always start with an invocation, asking that my guardians and guides provide me with only the most beneficial and truthful information by means of the pendulum. It is a good idea to periodically cleanse your pendulum (just as you do your Tarot deck).
Next, you need to determine what your “yes” is, and what your “no” is. Hold the chain/cord of the pendulum between your thumb and middle finger, about half way along the chain or however feels most natural to you. Ask the pendulum to “Show me my yes”, and make note of how it swings. Does it go back and forth in a line? Does it swing in a circle? Side to side? Once you are clear on the pattern, ask about your “no”, following the same process. You can then ask some simple questions that you know the answer to, to confirm that you have your correct yes and no (eg. Is my name Lori? Is today Friday?).
Now you are ready to go! Ask the pendulum whatever it is you want to know, and see where the answers take you.
How to Use a Pendulum with Tarot
You make use of your pendulum just on its own, but if you are curious about how you can combine it with Tarot, here are five ways that work for me:
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Choosing a new deck or a deck to work with on a particular day or occasion.
If you are at home, you can lay out your decks on a table in front of you, and ask the pendulum for each one, “Is this the best deck for me to work with today?”. Pass the pendulum over each deck, and make note of where you get a yes or a no. Ask clarifying questions if necessary.
If you are shopping for a deck, you can bring your pendulum to the shop, and do the same process, asking, “Is this the right deck for me to purchase at this time?”
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Choosing the cards for your Tarot spread/reading.
When you are preparing to do a reading, shuffle your cards as you normally do, and then fan them out in front of you. Start at one end of the fan, holding your pendulum over the cards. When the pendulum swings in your “yes” pattern, draw that card. If the cards are close together in the pile and you’re not sure exactly which card is being indicated, pull them out or fan them out further and again ask the pendulum for confirmation. You can have a predetermined number of cards that you are drawing in this way, or you can continue until you only get a “no” response from your pendulum. Then, lay out your cards and do the reading.
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Determining which cards are the most significant in the reading or which ones need further examination.
If you reach a point in a reading for yourself, or for someone else, where you are feeling stuck, or you can’t see what else you can get out of the cards, consult your pendulum. Hold the pendulum over each card in the spread, and ask, “Is there something else I need to know about this card?”. For the “yes” cards, pull them aside, and ask further questions with the pendulum, or draw clarifying cards from your Tarot deck.
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Determining the best question to ask your Tarot cards before you start a reading.
Sometimes it can be difficult to decide exactly what you want to ask your Tarot cards. Or, perhaps you aren’t sure what the most useful or powerful question would be. In this case, you can ask your pendulum for insight. Speak your questions aloud, and ask the pendulum, “Is this the most beneficial question I can ask at this time?”. Or, you can write several questions on slips of paper, and ask the pendulum as you hold it over the papers. If you aren’t getting clear answers, ask the pendulum, “Is there a more powerful question I can ask that isn’t represented here or I haven’t mentioned?”. If that’s when you get a strong “yes”, ask for clarification on the topic (perhaps you’re asking about business but relationships are really asking for your attention) and rework your question.
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Asking for confirmation of what you see in the cards.
After you have completed your Tarot reading, come up with a summary of the key insights or actions or advice that came up. Ask your pendulum to confirm that you have fully received the message that you were meant to hear. If you get a “no”, go back to your cards and look more deeply or with a different perspective.
Using a pendulum on its own or with your Tarot cards is a great way to connect with your higher self, your guides, and to work your intuitive muscles. The pendulum can give you “yes” or “no” answers, but trust your intuition about when it is a good time to consult the pendulum, and what the most powerful questions to ask may be.
As with all divination, enter into the process with an open mind, no expectation, and a spirit of curiosity and fun. And prepare to be amazed