The Pendulum's Swing

In some circles, the pendulum and its swing have been accorded special, even occult powers. Many believe that the pendulum's mesmerizing motion induces hypnosis. Others say the steady sweep, followed by stillness, enables fortune telling.

Roch Preite operates Pendulum Hypnotic Solutions in Old Bethpage, N.Y. A slow arcing pendulum can be hypnotic for several reasons, he said.

"The thing that catches one's eye, I think, is the consistency and rhythmic nature of the swing," he said. "Its smoothness is alluring and it can be comforting. It harkens back to the beat of your own mother's heart while you were still in the womb." Full Story

Related: religion, wicca, pagan, spells