Hi sally
The way I use the pendlum is to see if the chakra is flowing correctly. Chakras should spin in a clock wise direction to draw the energy in, if they spin in an anti clockwise direction Ki is being driven out that chakra. The faster the pendlum spins the faster the chakra is spinning and therefore the healthier it is. If you dont get anything over the chakra then it is blocked. No need to ask the pendlum, just hold over each of the chakras in turn :)You might me amazed at how instant the response of the pendlum is.
Reiki will rectify the problems and also find gently circling my hands over the chakra in the clockwise direction, while giving a treatment also has the desired effect.
Barbra Brenans book "Hands of light" has lots of useful information in and its a book you just cannot digest in one go, I find I return to it often and always learn more from it.
Hope that helps
Sky