Dowsing: Ask The Pendulum Clear, Specific Questions For Most Accurate Answers

By Adrian Alcaino

December 6th, 2025

Now that you’ve programmed the basic yes/no response code with your pendulum, we can delve into what is arguably the most important skill in dowsing: asking the right question. This is the point where a beginner either becomes frustrated and quits—or develops into a confident, accurate dowser.

What Is a “Right” Question?

A right question is specific, unambiguous, and addresses the essential components:

· Who?

· What?

· When?

· Where?

· How?

Because the subconscious mind interprets everything literally and does not reason or infer, we must take the time to think through our questions and formulate them carefully to avoid misleading responses.

A perfect example of how vague questions can lead to errors is found in Walter Woods’ Letters to Robin:

“In The American Society of Dowsers Quarterly, there was an example of an experienced dowser/instructor who asked his L-Rod to point to north. Instead of pointing north, it pointed to the audience. This was strange because it had always worked before. He tried again with the same results. While he was discussing possible causes with the audience, a hand went up and a man said, ‘My name is North.’

The dowsing was 100% correct to the question asked. I suspect the dowser then changed the question to ‘point to Earth’s magnetic north’ and received a correct response. This demonstrated a very important point about being precise in your question.”

This story highlights our goal: ask questions that are complete, unambiguous, and leave no room for multiple interpretations.

Building a Clear Question

Imagine you want to know whether a specific job offer is right for you. First, decide what “right for you” actually means. This is where your analytical, left-brain reasoning is essential.

Make a list of the job requirements most important to you—salary, commute time, benefits, work-life balance, emotional fulfillment, growth opportunities, etc. Then create a separate question for each factor.

For example, if salary is a priority, you might ask:

· “Will accepting the (position title) with (company name) ensure an annual income of (desired amount)?”

· “Will accepting the (position title) with (company name) provide medical insurance coverage for me and my family?”

· “If I accept the (position title) with (company name), will I consistently have approximately (specific amount) left after bills each month for personal expenses or luxuries such as (list specific items)?”

Continue down your list this way. By breaking a large, vague question into clear components, you eliminate ambiguity and obtain much more reliable dowsing feedback.

Tip: Write down each answer. Later, when you speak with the employer about salary or benefits, you can compare your notes with the information you receive and test the accuracy of your dowsing.

Why You Should Avoid “Should” Questions

Never include the word “should” when dowsing. “Should” implies judgment, morality, or opinion—territory ruled by the analytical mind, not the intuitive or subconscious.

Instead, ask:

· “Is it in my highest good to…?”

· “Is it in my best interest to…?”

These phrased questions remove judgment and request neutral, energetic guidance.

Dowsing for Percentages

If you’re seeking a percentage, always provide a range.

For example:
“On a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 being completely honest, how honest is (mechanic’s name) with me if I choose to accept his services?”

Without a defined range, your subconscious has no measurement system to work with.

Knowing When to Ask

Many dowsers recommend asking a few preparation questions before your main inquiry, such as:

· “Is now a good time to ask about (topic)?”

This helps establish whether you’re in the right state—grounded, centered, and clear. If you get a negative response, take a moment to clear your energy and try again. If the answer continues to be negative, you may need to dowse to determine the block.

Possibilities include:

· Your Higher Self does not want you to know yet

· You’re crossing an ethical boundary

· Emotional interference

· Fatigue or stress

Integrity in Dowsing

Many in the dowsing community believe it is unwise—some say unethical—to explore another person's energy without permission. For this reason, many dowsers first ask:

· “May I dowse about (person/situation)?”

· “Do I have permission to dowse on (topic) for the purpose of (state your reason)?”

I also align with the perspective that if the person you’re dowsing about is offering a service or presenting themselves in a professional or romantic capacity, you are well within your rights to dowse their energy. In such cases, the interaction directly affects you, and gaining clarity can be a responsible part of your decision-making process.

Bottom line: Never use your pendulum to pry into someone’s private life out of curiosity or entertainment.

Finally: Trust the Answer You Get

Once you ask a clear question and receive a response—trust it.
Repeating the same question over and over usually results in contradictory answers, leading to confusion and frustration. This inconsistency comes from you, not the pendulum.

Ask the question.
Receive the answer.
Trust it