Pendulum dowsing involves simply letting your intuition subconsciously guide the pendulum or wand that you are using - either to find an object or an answer. People throughout the ages have used hazel wands to dowse for water at physical locations, and pendulums in conjunction with maps to locate lost property or people. Pendulum dowsing can also be used to find answers - the method I use is to write 'yes' and 'no' (or other answers) on pieces of paper, lay them on a desk, and then let the pendulum find the one it feels is right.

Again, dowsing is simply a way of channelling your subconscious - although arguably you should clear your mind of distractions, and you should never consciously try to guide the pendulum towards a particularu answer.

When I dowse, I use a simple crystal or charm and suspend it from a cord made of strands of my hair plaited together. This method might not work for others, but I feel that using such a personalised tool achieves the best results.

I use no special meditations beforehand to focus myself, although some may find that they need to use exercises to help clear their minds and focus their intent. I simply take a few slow, deep breaths before commencing.

Dowsing for answers is how I usually apply this form of divination - I've never attempted to locate people or objects by this method. So, I place the 'choices' on a desk, sit before it, lean my elbows on the table and hold the cord of the pendulum between the thumb and forefinger of my non-dominant hand, using the other hand to steady that one (forming a triangle shape). I wait until the pendulum has stopped swinging and is completely still, then I close my eyes and think upon the question that I wish to ask.

If an answer is meant to be found, the pendulum will start to move again of its own accord and indicate the answer. If after a while the pendulum does not move, I generally surmise that either the answer is not meant to be known, or that I'm asking the wrong question! As the adage goes - there's no point in flogging a dead horse, so don't persist if an answer isn't forthcoming. You might want to change the question to see if that has any effect, but personally I don't see the point in wasting an entire afternoon beating my head against the proverbial brick wall.

To be honest, dowsing isn't one of my favoured methods of divination - but despite that, it does work... however, finding a method that you are really comfortable with is preferable. I tend to use dowsing for finding simple 'yes' or 'no' answers, and keep the more complicated questions for another form of divination.

If you have any questions about, or wish to discuss, dowsing - then please visit www.wildwitchin.co.uk where you will find many people who are willing to help and guide you.