Dowsing

What is it?

Simply put, dowsing is to search, using hand held tools/instuments, for things which are otherwise hidden from view or knowlege.  It can be used to seach for many things, but most commonly known for the search of underground water.

Less commonly known, dowsing is also used for the search of other underground sources like, archaeological remains, cavities/tunnels, oil, mineral ore, soil testing, healing, building site surveys, missing items and occasionally even missing persons.

Historically
 
Moses, in the Bible, struck a rock to bring forth much needed water was a demonstration of dowsing, but cannot be proven.

At Bet Alfa in Israel's Jezreel Valley there is a mosaic floor in the ancient synagogue which contains a zodiac with a figure under Aquarius holding what could well be a forked dowsing rod.

There is a bas relief in the Shantung Province of China which shows Yu (a master of the science of the earth and in those matters concerning water veins and springs).  The figure is holding a forked instrument rather like a tuning fork.

1556
         Georgius Agricola published De Re Metallica (a piece of artwork).
         This piece shows dowsing activity in a wooded area.  One dowser is cutting a branch from
         a tree, whilst the other two are shown dowsing using forked twigs amongst miners who are
        digging.

        Shortly after this publication, during the reign of Elizabeth I, German miners were employed
        in England to gain the zinc ore necessary to blend with the Cornish copper to make bronze for
        the armaments of the realm.
        J W Gough quoted "great faith was placed in the virtues of the divining rod".
1690's
        Jacques Aymar, already a successful water dowser, discovered that he could also employ his
        gift in searching for missing persons.
1693
        La Verge de Jacob was published which, gives many instances of the use of dowsing rods.
Eighteeth Century
        The modus orerandi of dowsing split into two groups.  One beliving that dowsing was the
        result of a physical influence.  The other beliving it arised from a mental cause.
        This controversy remains with us today and it is possible for both to be correct.
Nineteenth and Twentieth Century
         It was well established for dowsing to be used to "mark the spot" for drilling wells and
         boreholes with exponents such as Mullins and Tompkins combining thier practice as dowsers
         with the business of well drilling, frequently offering their services on the basis of "no water,
         no fee" because they were so confident in their abilities.
1931
         The first dowsing organisation was formed namely the French Les Amis de la Radiesthesie,
         founded by Colonel A H Bell, OBE, DSO, MRI.
         Since then many societies have been formed all over the world, spreading the knowledge and
         practice of dowsing in all its forms.

Whilst a scientific explanation still eludes us, the subject attracts a scientific methodology more appropriate to a Newtonian view of the universe, seeking to detract from the credibility otherwise afforded the art.  The true value and worth of dowsing can be verified from the track record of successful dowsers and the experience of those who willingly spend good money in employing them today.

Tools/Equipment
 
V-Rod;  Traditionally made from a forked twig, however, it can be made up from any springy material such as wood, cane, plastic or metal.

Angle Rods;  L shaped rods, usually in pairs.  The shorter arm of the L is held in the closed palm withe the long section parallel to the ground and to each other.  Typically, when the target is reached the rods will cross to "mark the spot"

Wand;  A single long rod held in the hand and will react with circular or oscillating movements.

Pendulum;  A bob on a twine reacts with a number of different movements and is often used in conjunction with charts or over a map (for distant dowsing).

There are many variations of such tools and they come in all manner of shapes, sizes and designs but, they are almost all variations of the above.