What is Dowsing? (aka Well Witching or Divining)

Dowsing history
The history of dowsing (aka well witching or divining) some say starts with Moses (Numbers 20:9-11), or with the ancient Greeks, but the first written record of finding anything with a forked twig was in 1556 in a work by Georgius Agricola, "De re metallica" where he spoke of divining for minerals. He did not think much of the practice. No matter where the origin, the practice of well witching is still in use all over the world today. The early settlers preferred a forked branch from the Witch Hazel tree, thus the term well witching was born. Some people have more of the "gift" than others and become well-known in their community and surrounding area for their expertise. There have been scientific experiments done with inconclusive results.

Uses and Tools of the trade
Well witching was used mainly to locate water; however, it has also been used to locate other underground sources of oil, minerals, persons, water and sewer lines, gas lines and even golf balls. Most diviners prefer a forked branch from a fruit bearing tree, willow, or witch hazel. There are also Divining Rods that can be purchased (usually solid copper) or it has been said that Divining Rods made from a simple welding rod bent at a 90 degree angle will work just as well. There are Divining Pendulums used by some Diviners.

The forked twig is held in both hands (palms up), under the fingertips and bent into an arch. When the branch gets over a good water source, the point of the twig will turn downward to the water. You cannot hold the twig tight enough to keep it from turning down! Once passed the vein of water, the twig will come back up to its original position.

Divining rods are held by the handles while each rod points outward. As a water source is approached, the rods will begin to cross. As the source is located the rods will cross further up the rod and uncross as the source is passed

The pendulum is supposedly held loosely and swings to locate sources. I have never seen this done.

Personal experience
In 1972 when we purchased the acreage to build our home, the Rural Water District could not guarantee that we would be connected to rural water when the time came to complete the financing. After paying for a water meter and signing the contract with the Rural Water District, I set out to find the local "Well Witch". Now the local town is small and rural, but the reception I received when asking around for this person was much laughter. I believe the local people thought I was rather silly or maybe even a little crazy for wanting this done and I find that is the normal reception. With perseverance I did locate the Well Witch and made an appointment for him to come out.

On the appointed day and time, he arrived and began to walk the property. He had brought his own twig, fresh cut and he said it was willow. In the entire acreage there was only one spot he located and it was not promising. He said the water was 30 to 40 deep and not enough to supply our 1,500 sq. ft. house. We asked him to drill and what we discovered was just exactly what he had said the day of his Divining. The water was 35 feet deep and only turned 100 gallons in 24 hours, which was not enough to carry the household needs. We had him "plug" the well with concrete and we covered it with dirt and planted a bush on top as not to lose the location. The Rural Water District did supply us with rural water by the time we finished construction. Looking back, I would not have done anything differently.

In Conclusion
Well witching, or dowsing will always be with us, just like the Old Farmers Almanac. Whether you believe in it or not is not the question. Does it really work? Yes, from those of us that have seen it and lived it in our lives. As a girl growing up in a rural setting, I saw people witch for wells, dig and get good water. After moving to a small town, the local utility company used rods to locate water lines, sewer lines and gas lines regularly. It worked then and it still works today.