Pendulum vs Tarot: Which Divination Tool is Right for You?

When it comes to the topic of divination, there are many tools that practitioners have at their disposal, so many so, that it can be confusing as to which is the best tool to gain the answers you seek.

Two of the most popular divination tools are Tarot cards & pendulums, and many practitioners will already own these in some form or another. Whilst they are both excellent tools for divination, they each have their advantages and disadvantages.

What are They and How do They Work? 

Tarot Cards and pendulums are tools that are used for divination- a practice aimed at receiving guidance regarding the future or the unknown, by supernatural means or via your own intuition. 

What are Pendulums and What are They Good for?

Pendulums are a tool consisting of a weighted symmetrical pendant made of either wood, crystal or metal, terminating in a point and suspended by a string or chain.

They work by responding to an individual’s subtle energy shifts- which can be the result of the practitioner’s subconscious or the result of a spiritual connection.

Pendulums are simple tools which are effective for simple answers. They respond to yes/no questions and give yes/no/maybe answers. They are commonly used for simple decision making and energetic work such as energy clearing and chakra balancing, as well as spiritual work such as connecting to one’s guides.  

What are Tarot Cards and What are They Good for?

Tarot cards are a more complicated form of divination than a pendulum. Depending on the deck that you are using, most tarot decks contain 78 cards, each with different symbolism and meanings. There are 22 major arcana that represent big life events and 56 minor arcana cards that represent the everyday/ mundane existence. In a Tarot reading, a practitioner performs a spread or layout where (usually) multiple cards are selected and read together to form the answer to the given question. Due to their complexities, tarot cards can offer a lot more insight into a given situation than a pendulum can. 

Tarot readings are often used for complex situations such as self-reflection, past life exploration and gaining a better understanding of a present situation. You can ask the Tarot a question and if you are performing a past/present/future spread, it can tell you the cause and effect of a current situation. 

When to Use a Pendulum vs Tarot Deck

In general Tarot cards are useful for complex situations, and whilst they can be used to answer yes/no questions, they are not known for this. Pendulums on the other hand are used exclusively for yes/ no questions. They will only respond to simple questions. For example, you can ask a pendulum if you are compatible with your

current partner, and it will only answer in a "yes/no/maybe" format, giving only 3 possible answers. If you ask the same question to your tarot deck, depending on how many cards you draw, you will get a much more detailed response. In the above scenario, a pendulum may tell you that your current partner is not suitable, whereas a tarot reading may tell you that it’s not the right time to be with this person, however you have a chance at a relationship in 6 months’ time. If you proceed to follow the direction of the pendulum reading in this scenario, you may lose the chance at a meaningful relationship in the future.

In general use the following as a guide as to when to use each tool:

Use a Pendulum if:

• You need a straightforward yes/no/maybe answer.
• You’re checking energy fields (chakras, home energy, objects).
• You’re looking for a tool that’s quick and easy to use.
• You want a portable divination tool for on-the-go answers.

Use Tarot if:

• You’re seeking deeper insight into emotions, relationships, or spiritual growth.
• You want a storytelling approach to your questions.
• You’re open to exploring symbolism and layered meanings.
• You’re working through personal growth, shadow work, or major life changes.

 Can you Use a Pendulum and the Tarot Together?

Long story, short- Absolutely.

Many practitioners use a pendulum along side their Tarot cards, and for good reason. 

Whilst Tarot readings offer more in-depth analysis, a pendulum is a good clarifying tool and can be used to confirm an answer given by the tarot cards, thus enhancing the accuracy of the reading.

So if you want to take your divination practice to the next level, why not try incorporating these tools together? You might just discover a new way to get more accurate readings!

So Which Divination Tool is Right for You?

At the end of the day, there is no “better” divination tool- there is only the tool that you have access to and the tool that resonates with your energy and personal style.

I personally love both tools, however, I have always found pendulums to be an “easy” tool to work with, and as such I reach for my pendulum often. On the other hand, some people find that pendulums simply do not work for them, and there is no shame in that. Everyone is different and what works for one person, will not necessarily work for another.

Have you tried both pendulums and tarot? Which one do you prefer? Share your experience in the comments!

If you would like to know how to use a pendulum, check out the blog post I wrote here.

If you are looing to purchase pendulums, check out our collection here.

If you are looking to purchase Tarot cards, check them out here.