Pendulum Accuracy

[yumiko]

Hey guys! It's been like a month since I've been on here, ahhh! I've had a hectic few weeks what with moving and job searching and various internet issues but anyways...

I absolutely love using pendulums as I think they are extremely versatile and travel friendly divination tools. One thing I have wondered about though is how best to ensure that your bias isn't getting in the way of receiving honest answers i.e. you aren't telling yourself/being told what you want to hear as opposed to the truth? Does anybody have any techniques or suggestions on how to avoid this?

Blessed Be! xoxo

[lydiaharper]

I love pendulums too! The only thing I try to do is ask multiple questions in a divination session, so I can track the accuracy of the answers. Other than that, I don't have any special techniques, so I am interested in hearing others responses.

[glowingjade]

Same here, I just try to be as specific as possible when asking questions, and asking them multiple times just to be sure.

I'm not sure if maybe going into trance would help? That way you're a little bit more "disconnected" ??

[yumiko]

Thanks guys! Glowingjade, I've wondered about that... I thought maybe doing a solid meditation beforehand might help rid potential lingering anxieties. I just don't want to ask something and get an answer I hoped for just because I wanted it, you know? Then again, if one's bias keeps getting in the way for a particular question, maybe it's something we aren't meant to know at that moment in time.

[Charlie]

I like that last thought Yumiko, about letting one's bias get in the way, then maybe we aren't to know the answer at that moment.

One of the theories as to how pendulums work is not by supernatural force (I personally don't believe in anything being supernatural myself, but that's just me), but by tapping into the subconscious. And that in doing so, our subconscious triggers specific muscles to make the pendulum swing a certain way.

The way I feel about all forms of divination is not the information being found is ever separate from the user. I feel that divination forms (tarot, oracle, I-Ching, pendulums, tea leaves, palmistry, everything) are simply gateways into a different way of thinking that detaches our ego from the process. Each form of divination has specific triggers that help the user tap into information they already know and remember deep within themselves.

If I want a straight-up honest answer, I have started consulting the I-Ching because it's just freaking awesome. I always wanted to buy it but everytime I flipped through the hexagrams, I was like, "This is way too difficult."

So I guess from my experience, Yumiko, if you're asking a particular question and getting a favorable answer that you don't believe deep down could be what the actual answer is, the question I'd focus on (not necessarily with a pendulum, but contemplation in general) would be: Why do I want to hear that answer? If the answer isn't accurate, what fears could I have about the real answer?

[autumnraiin]

For myself, using the pendulum is the ONE form of divination that I feel I can use unbiasedly (?word lol). I guess because it's specific questions without having to interpret... with tarot and the such I always feel like I'm manipulating it to what I want.

I just try not to think about me manipulating the pendulum, such as glowingjade suggested. If you feel like you're not getting accurate answers, I would suggest putting it down and try it again in a few hours or days when you may be more focused (or unfocused I suppose).

[formosa]

When I use pendulum, I avoid yes-or-no questions. I can get ansers if I search for something, on tables, on charts, but the moment I start asking yes or no, I get what I want.

[yumiko]

Thanks so much for your input everyone! Charlie, I'll definitely have to check out the I-Ching. I've never tried using that for divination but I'm trying to experiment with different tools. Autumnrain I like your suggestion about just putting it down and coming back to it later. I've done that before and it does tend to help! Formosa, that's interesting about your experiences with pendulums. If you were looking for a yes or no answer, would you try to use other means or do you just strictly avoid asking yes/no answers all together?

[raine]

Hi,
I went to a group last night and it was about Tao I Ching, I found it very interesting, as I'd never really heard of it before. Tom Loworthing (think that's correct) came along to introduce it and his book seems quite easy to follow. He gave a great explanation and did readings for the group to demonstrate.

I was going to post a query that came to mind afterwards and then I saw I Ching mentioned in this post.

My query relates to psychology, specifically to the Forer/Barnum Effect-whereby an individual finds personal meaning in a statement that could apply to many people. This has been attributed to many individuals believing a single horoscope.

I was just wondering to what extent, if any, you think this may apply to the given selection of responses provided when using a system such as I Ching?

Just curious what others views are!

Bb
Raine x x

[formosa]

Hi,
I've got one of the old versions of I-Ching at home and follow it. I'm not very familiar with the new ones, but the one I've got came to us in times when forbidden books (in soviet region) still went around on photo-copies.

There are few things the old instructions bring out that I think are quite reasonable to follow.
1. Turn to I-Ching only when you are in real need. Don't bother the tool with questions you easily can find answers yourself.
2. Do it rare. Once a month is normal. Give time for the divination to work and you to understand the message. There are dicinations that you can use often and daily. This isn't one of them.
3. Don't ask the question twice, even if you didn't understand the meaning.

The new rules varie, but I think these are very reasonable.