Pendulums are simple, physical translators of energy. A tiny swing that can make a felt sense visible. In the hands of someone who is grounded, calibrated, and consenting, a pendulum can help you tune into a subtle yes or no. In the hands of someone hurried, untrained, or checking without permission, it becomes noise.
I keep a pendulum, oracle and tarot cards, and a few crystals on my desk. These are a few of my favorite tools. They are lovely at nudging a feeling into words, especially when I’m working with animals. But after years of practice I learned to trust one guide above all…my own inner voice. Let’s look at how to use tools to clarify, not to hand over your authority because when animals are involved, clarity matters.
A yearly word and the practice of trust
Each year I choose a word as a guide. This year mine is surrender. Surrender isn’t about giving up. It’s about not having to know everything, and not needing to control every outcome. For me it looks like letting go of the small compulsions to predict how things will turn out and trusting that, in time, things will unfold. That practice soothes my anxious mind and makes room to feel what is true, instead of chasing certainty.
I’m sharing this here because surrender is the lens I’m using as I look at how we use tools. For the last several years I have made it a practice to take a step back before I rush into “fix it” mode. When we come at a question from panic or desperation, needing an answer now, the energy behind the question skews the result. I often see people reach for any quick answer they can find, and that urgency can make a tool feel like a magic fix instead of a translator. For me, surrender has become practice: pause, breathe, protect...
What a pendulum actually does
At its simplest, a pendulum is a mirror. It mirrors the energy in the room. Most often that means it reflects the person who is using it, their subconscious knowing, and sometimes the energetic imprint of the animal or situation you are holding. It is not a separate authority that decides for you. It is a translator for impressions you might already have but cannot yet name. When people talk about “asking the pendulum,” they are really using a simple instrument to make subtle, felt responses easier to read.
Practical uses
Finding lost items or helping locate a missing animal (as a supplement to other search methods).
Identifying possible triggers or patterns (food sensitivities, environmental irritants) to guide further observation.
Narrowing between two researched options when you have background knowledge.
Helping with personal decisions when you need to access your own inner wisdom (for example: which job to accept, whether to take a trip, or whether to collaborate with someone).
Every use should be paired with informed context. Use the pendulum to clarify, not to invent answers.
When you should not use a pendulum
Do not use it to dose life-sustaining medications or as a substitute for clinical judgment. This applies to supplements as well.
Do not use it as a shortcut to pick products when you have no background knowledge.
A pendulum is not a replacement for research and training.
Safety first: energetic hygiene and consent
While I’m not teaching a full how-to here, but these basics are worth mentioning. Think of them as your short ‘rules of engagement’ if you pick up a pendulum.
Energetic hygiene and consent are my number-one rules when working with energy. Before beginning a session I protect, ground, and clear. That might be a smoke clear with an herb bundle, a short grounding breath, or a brief protection statement. Different traditions have different language, call in white light, offer a prayer, or invite in ancestors or guides, what matters is the practice.
I always begin by asking the guardian for permission, then introduce myself telepathically to the animal and state my intention so the animal knows who I am and what I plan to do. If the animal signals a clear no, I stop immediately.
Spiritual sovereignty: the real source of the answer
Tools do not supplant sovereignty. The pendulum does not think for you. If you get a ‘no’ from the pendulum, that is usually your own body or subconscious saying no. The goal is to use tools to strengthen your inner voice until you no longer need the instrument for simple choices. That is spiritual sovereignty.
Tools are meant to help you learn to trust your intuition, not to become a crutch. Problems happen when people rely on tools instead of bringing basic knowledge and training, or when tools are used as a crutch to avoid exercising their own discernment.
For example, using a pendulum to randomly choose a supplement off the shelf without any basic knowledge of the product is unwise. There is a difference between using a pendulum to compare two well-researched supplement options and using it to decide on a medication that requires clinical oversight.
Dosing life-sustaining medications should never be left to a swing; for supplements I may use muscle testing to compare options or to check whether skipping a non-critical dose is okay, but only when I already understand the product and the context. When in doubt, consult a practitioner who knows the modality and the substances involved.
Another common misuse is letting a tool become a shield for indecision, saying the tool ‘told me no’ to avoid owning a choice. Tools should help you reflect, not offload responsibility. Used well, they build confidence; used improperly, they can create confusion or harm.
Rules I live by when working with energy and tools
Tools support insight; they don’t substitute training or medical judgment.
Ask permission before checking in with anyone else’s energy. Always.
Protect your field. Don’t show up energetically naked.
Use tools to translate, not to defer your accountability.
When in doubt, favor slowing down over announcing certainty.
A note about animals
Animals give us clear, often immediate signals, but reading them responsibly requires humility. If you’re using a tool to check on an animal’s medical needs, use the tool to explore alongside veterinary guidance, not as a replacement. If you’re unsure, ask for help. Collaboration beats guessing every time.
Tools are beautiful allies. The true work, learning to trust your body, to know your voice, to honor consent,happens between the breaths. When tools point and you listen, you’ll know it because the message sits in your body as much as your mind.
Thank you so much for reading this post!
My name is Melissa, and I’m an animal communicator, energy healer, and holistic pet health coach. I live on a little farm sanctuary where I’m happily outnumbered by animals: seven dogs, three cats, and a mix of other furry, feathered, and hooved friends who keep life interesting. You can learn more about my work at calmingcreek.com
I’d love to hear from you! Whether you have stories to share or questions to ask, don’t hesitate to join the conversation in the comments section below.
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Disclaimer: The information shared in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. I am not a veterinarian, and my services are intended as a complementary practice to support your pet’s overall well-being. They are not a substitute for professional veterinary care, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your veterinarian regarding any medical concerns, conditions, or treatments your pet may require.