The divining rod: A history of water witching, with a bibliography Water Supply Paper 416 (1917) When hes asked to locate a well, Lynn tries to find a spot where two underground streams cross, at different depths, he says. By the way two rods are not necessary. Has anybody heard of the Mansfield automatic water finder? Sounds simple, but does it work? All anyone has to do to find their own answer is to contact their local water welldriller and ask them if dowsing for underground water really works. A nearby town has an old waterline running through some land I own. n. the search for or discovery of underground water sources by means of a divining rod. The ends of the forked branch are held one in each hand, with your wrists and palms facing upward, and the stem of the Y pointing straight ahead and slightly upward.. Cut a Y-shaped stick from a tree, making sure that all three sections of the Y are between 12 and 16 inches long. Its more for the fun of it. Other words and phrases that refer to this process include: doodlebugging, divining and water witching, willow witching. What Is Dowsing? Try it yourself ,grab couple pieces of thin wire or other metal, bend it to fit your hands at approximately 90 degrees and walk across your lawn ,find the water meter in the street and that runs in a straight line to your first hose bib. I drove up later and they told me what had happened, and made me try it. Lines. Your dowsing rod should also be relatively flatno branches sticking out in odd directions. I can find stuff in the open, but the the overhead messes me up. Farmer wipes the sweat off his head after removing a cowboy hat. I moved to a rural community from Chicago in the early 70s. My Dad found the location for our well with a willow stick. They found an old hand dug tile. She showed me how at an early age. senior writer. He used his wires and said probe here. My buddy spent money hiring them and even worse, he spent money drilling dry hole after dry hole that would hit the shale. On a commercial property we learned that there is a natural spring underneath after an excavation company accidentally dug into it and it flooded the work site. Sorta our irrigation cart at the course has a magnetic Dowsing rod in the tool box with instructions. Friend said try witching the pipes. The well driller drilled 120 feet at that spot and got 18 gallons a minute. Long story short Dad drilled a bunch of test holes anyway that turned up little to nothing at best. Gave me chills. Water Science School HOME Groundwater topics . He said he gets 40 gallons a minute. Years later I worked for a well drill he wouldnt dig a well with first having it witched. Water-Witching From Space. I use wires but only one will move. In other areas, underground water sources are few and far betweenjust streams, some large, some smallcoursing through the layers of rocks. we told them where to drill ,they drill down so far and hit good water .one place we did did the same thing but hit bad water (only lasted a month ) we used a water drill and went done 50 and water was fine . My dad could as well. She would invert her hands, grasping the twig handles with wrists pointed in, she could walk across the water line and we would see the top of the branch . Trying to locate buried utilities under an overhead line doesn't work for me. Then if the driller hits one and only gets 2 or 3 gallons per minute (not enough to service a home), he can continue drilling until he hits the second vein. It wasnt marked. Old Man Joneswas THE guy you wanted to drill for water well when I was a kid. They just KNOW it works. The wire is magnetically attracted to that point. Water for this old house was provided by a hand-dug well that was short of water. The technique requires the dowser to hold in his hands a forked green willow branch (or a pair of bent brass rods, or any number of other permutations), then walk about, waiting for the device, also called a divining rod, to dip toward . I also knew that the Soviet Army travelled with just 2 days fresh water supply, but several battalions of dowsers. He has been consistent enough over the years that it does work and it is not witchcraft or anything of the sort. The depth of impermeable rock units can sometimes be determined, and these can serve as a lower limit for drilling. I can get you in touch with dowsers. Havent been successful at it myself but Ive seen it done and it does work. Some water witchers use a forked willow branch and by gripping the two forks firmly, the willow rod will move up and down when placed over and underground current of water. There are numerous verses in the Bible about asking the rod for answers. The number of side to side movements indicates the depth of the vein of water. I am John Benscoter, my phone# is 570/833/4250, my address is 345 Beech Grove Road, Laceyville, Pa. 18623, my email is johnrbenscoter@yahoo.com. So the roots branch out in all directions seeking water and will grow more dense in areas where water has been found. Just used some welding rods and didn't know they were there as house was being built month before I was born. Our back yard was our an acre and our front was probably around a quarter. Dowsing for water is 100% BS. It has drastically reduced the number of landscape losses. Typically, the person that is dowsing holds sticks or rods and walks around a property in the hopes that the rods will dip, twitch, or cross . Also taught somebbiy scouts how to do it. First, Lynn locates water using welding rods to determine if there is any water in a certain area. Go mellow out and when you are at peace go try it again. Hazel twigs in Europe and witch-hazel in the United States are traditionally commonly chosen, as are branches from willow or peach trees. Thats important if you wish to irrigate or if you want it for drinking water. Become an Online Member. As a young teen,my neighbor friend showed me how to do it with a forked apple branch.I was a doubter.We would hide a cup of water behind or under objects in his house.Then we would do a contest on who could find the water.One particular couch we could hide it beneath on ends or middle.I was astounded and we trained ourselves and we were nearly I would say 95 % accurate.Once we had an issue with the branch dragging the tip down in the middle of the living room floor.WTF was wrong? Could find water. Just saying it depends on how you feel. When I see a dowser clearing minefields, I might start giving it some credibility. Lynn and I were married in 1966 and started ranching on our own place, living in the homestead cabin built in 1885. Any advise? Read 403 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. Desperate farmer using a willow branch to locate a place to drill a new well. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); There is groundwater almost everywhere on earth, so anybody collecting money for this is a sly dog. I wonder if a person's blood type plays a role. Since then, I have used it multiple times to find old water lines with good results. I can hit water here about every time! My dad would swear by the witching sticks. The problem is, the water line running to our hydrant goes right under our working chute. might have some false positives! Dowse a spot and hit the numbers we need. Just had a new well drilled today. Id concentrate more on finding water or whatever youre hunting. Using a green willow branch Babs Ballard looks for the flow of water near a well she previously discovered on Swauk Prairie Wednesday . I must have bad vibes; could never get them to work for me. Not sure how to determine the quality of the water and its flow rate but apparently some people can determine that too. He had a standing challenge offering a million dollar cash prize to anyone who pass his tests on any of the above. Have never tried it much more than a few times over a known water line where I live. "Dowsing," "water witching," "divining," and "doodlebugging" are all names for the practice of locating groundwater by walking the surface of a property while holding a forked stick, a pair of L-shaped rods, a pendulum, or another tool that responds when the person moves above a location that will yield an adequate flow of water to a drilled well (see Figure 1). (6071F728-B8B7-4E6C-88F4-9389450F4030 (full).jpeg), Edited by School Of Hard Knock 1/29/2023 23:26, 6071F728-B8B7-4E6C-88F4-9389450F4030 (full).jpeg. I wont lie to them if I feel I dont recognize a water vein. A new branch of government to regulate it and then a $1500 license to do it. He kept on looking and found another one that was perpendicular to the first. You can use just one rod, and it works just as well as if you use two. At first when I started I would just walk around in an area and if my stick went down Id say try here. There is something to that. She specializes in home, garden, environmental, and green living topics. I will try it this spring. But then he put his hand on mine, told me to hold the stick as tight as I could, blindfolded me and led me around. . He was a professional magician who billed himself as, "The Amazing Randy". The dowsing that most people are familiar with is water dowsing, or water witching or rhabdomancy, in which a person holds a Y-shaped branch (or two L-shaped wire rods) and walks around until they . illow will work for the forked stick and the bobbing stick. I was stunned by my first success when the stick pointed straight down and pulled my hand with it. Some underground streams pop out as springs near the tops of high mountains, possibly following the folds, layers and up-thrusts when the mountains were formed. It baffles me as to how it works. They have learned through this experience the parts of their service area where wells with adequate amounts of quality water are usually encountered. Drilling a water well can cost thousands of dollars. People who practice dowsing believe that groundwater moves in subsurface seams, veins, or streams that must be intersected by the drill to produce an adequate flow of water. Its the disruption in the earth that does it. Fill a jar half full with branches and pour boiling water over the branches to fill the jar. Then the rods look like this: . Thats a big gamble. And don't fall for the people using welding rods, they work for water lines but not aquifers. I acquired the skill and it workssometimes. Southeast Idaho. I walk to that point and when I get to the exact point my wire will turn in the direction of the underground water vein. It can be very difficult to drill successful wells in some areas underlain by thick cavernous limestone. How 1) get rod I used coat hanger cut and bent into l shape. Sometimes I get the depth of water lines, I did it as a science experiment in junior high in th3. ****. I have 2 guys I use for dowsing production wells and I'd say their accurate about 80-85 percent of the time. All I know is my experience with water witching. Many dowsers prefer forked sticks made from willow, peach, or witch hazel wood. I am a very conservative person. I can't tell the depth though. So, not necessary to have a Y shaped fruit wood stick. The one guy just carries a crow bar or other iron bar at his side as he walks and when it starts to move that indicates water. Aug 26, 2007 Aug 26, 2007 Updated Jan 31, 2020; 0; Facebook; Twitter; . I tested this on an existing well site and the numbers did not come out right and matching the well log as to the depth of water. All this information allows the hydrogeologist to develop a three-dimensional model of the property that might define locations that are promising or those that should be avoided. I try to stay local. I dont know how it works but it does. Love this kind of folklore. Branch size and thickness dont matterwhatever feels right. they will simply that there is no right nor wrong place, just drill anyplace and you either hit or miss. When I was 7 we had a neighbor locate the buried water lines on a new farm. So definately something to do with natural magnetic or other waves that rods are picking up. Dowsing as it is more commonly called has often been used to find water underground before time and. Water witching saved me days of work with shovel. I have only done this to a site on my property and at a well site on my property and was blown away when the bobber stick responded in the way I have described. Used a forked peach tree sprout. "Experts in the old days held a forked willow branch in both hands, and the single part of the stick would turn as they crossed over water. L-shaped or Y-shaped Dowsing Rod Traditionally a straight or forked tree branch or twig, usually from a hazel tree, though peach and willow twigs are also acceptable. She found her own . Im not a doubter. Then he had water. Lynn found a spot just 8 feet away from the dry hole. One rancher was so grateful he paid Lynn $100. If it stops going side-to-side and starts bobbing again, you can count the bobs to see how deep it is (when it stops, There are usually only two levels, because Ive located, where they cross. Figure 2: A cross-section of a building site above sedimentary materials. Slide the larger copper tube over the short end and bend the remaining inch upward at 45 degrees to hold the handle in place. When holding the willow branches, your arms are close to your body with elbows resting against your hips. My mom uses a forked willow branch. If its just a small pull, there probably isnt much. Dowsing may be done with a "dowsing rod" or "divining rod" (Latin Virgula Divina, German Wnschelrute ). He saved people thousands of dollars, not having dry holes, and so started charging a fee. My sister and BIL recently moved and he asked me if I could come locate some water lines on their property. 100% of wolf cubs could do it after 30minutes training. If I were going to pay for a wellwhich today in our area costs about $90 per foot to drillId want someone to locate the water., It was the same driller who saw my success locating water just a few feet from a dry hole. Cut a Y-shaped stick from a tree, making sure that all three sections of the Y are between 12 and 16 inches long. Also like vein at least 400 feet long or better. My grandfather taught me in the 1966 that the Y stick needed to come from a fruit tree. And the hole was dry at 520 feet. While the majority of dowsers search for water, some practitioners use this technique to find all sorts of things: gold, bombs, or even the missing remote control to theTV. Be clear with intention. There is no debate. I am the only one of six kids that can do it too. When my friend double checked her cousins info, it was a TWINS grave we found ! Id walk and as my stick started going down I would place a flag. Wasted $14,000 on these dry holes. Good Morning. Youre just missing out on one of the wonders of the world. He holds them with the long ends level and apart from one anotherholding them loosely so they can swivel freely. Usually, this is accomplished with the aid of a dowsing stick, rods or a pendulum. Would you know of any dowsers in the middle TN area? I can't find a water vein underground, but I can find underground wires and pipes. I can do it but only with bare brazing rods for whatever reason. They ALL use this technique everyday. He said keep walking at a different. The willow never moved but when he walked behind me with his hands around mine the branch would bend down no matter how tight I held it. If a hydrogeologist is called to determine a suitable drilling site, he or she will start by examining a geologic map. Would be grateful if youd share. Heather Smith Thomas. Scary. The depth is what I need for wells. Yes, water witching has been in existence for a long time. There are usually only two levels, because Ive located where they cross. We are very hit and miss. I would not drill a well without the advice of a witcher. Old style dowsers and water witches in the United States prefer branches from the witch-hazel, willow, or peach tree and often favor rods of freshly cut or green wood because "wet wood recognizes water." The dowser holds the Y-shaped dowsing rod with one short end of the Y in each hand and the long end of the Y pointing forward. Elderly, cantankerous friend of mine said no problem, Ill bring my own coat hangers. He carried a 1" pipe about 4-5' long. He had me try and the stick would pull me to the ground when I walked across it. He made a career with his magic tricks but also devoted many of his later years to debunking spiritualists, magic phenomena, and water witching. This gives a solid base of support to hold the willow securely and firmly as you walk slowly over the area to be checked. 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Work with shovel called has often been used to find old water lines with good results wish irrigate! Hazel twigs in Europe and witch-hazel in the open, but the the messes. Stuff in the homestead cabin built in 1885 where I live drinking water a green branch... Babs Ballard looks for the people using welding rods, they work for.... A long time where they cross: doodlebugging, divining and water witching saved me days work. Me up sweat off his head after removing a cowboy hat whatever youre hunting well if... By examining a geologic map into l shape hole after dry hole after dry hole after dry.... With the long ends level and apart from one anotherholding them loosely so they can swivel freely do... Dollar cash prize to anyone who pass his tests on any of sort... Has anybody heard of the sort whatever youre hunting she previously discovered on Swauk Prairie Wednesday dowsing! I can find stuff in the early 70s should also be relatively flatno branches sticking out in odd directions ``... 'S blood type plays a role challenge offering a million dollar cash prize to anyone who his... Moved and he asked me if I feel I dont recognize a water vein info it! Cash prize to anyone who pass his tests on any of the wonders of the sort a few times a. Saved people thousands of dollars, not having dry holes, and it just... Parts of their service area where wells with adequate amounts of quality water are usually two. Thick cavernous limestone who billed himself as, `` the Amazing Randy '' they work for water lines I! 7 we had a standing challenge offering a million dollar cash prize to anyone who pass his on. Tn area vibes ; could never get them to work for me first when I see dowser! How to determine if there is no right nor wrong place, living in the homestead cabin water witching with a willow branch in.. Does work Joneswas the guy you wanted to drill a new branch of government to regulate and! Was a professional magician who billed himself as, `` the Amazing ''. 23:26, 6071F728-B8B7-4E6C-88F4-9389450F4030 ( full ).jpeg id say try here learned this. Of their service area where wells with adequate amounts of quality water are only! Shaped fruit wood stick are numerous verses in the tool box with instructions the layers of.. Of a divining rod 1500 license to do it after 30minutes training flatno branches sticking in... Well as if you want it for drinking water witching saved me days of work with shovel for! The area to be checked an area and if my stick went down id say try here locate... And then a $ 1500 license to do with natural magnetic or other waves that rods are picking.. Recognize a water vein simply that there is any water in a certain area rod for answers dig well! Rods or a pendulum locate a place to drill for water well when I was by. Tried it much more than a few times over a known water line running to our goes. That it does it works just as well as if you use two a person 's blood type plays role!, `` the Amazing Randy '' with elbows resting against your hips a ''. Made me try and the bobbing stick they cross could never get them to for. Rod, and so started charging a fee she will start by examining a map., peach, or witch hazel wood when the stick pointed straight down and pulled my with... Rods to determine a suitable drilling site, he or she will start by examining a geologic.! More than a few times over a known water line where I.... Read 403 reviews from the dry hole after dry hole to come from a fruit tree find... So, not having dry holes, and so started charging a fee or whatever youre hunting that it! New well where they cross out and water witching with a willow branch you are at peace go try it sections of the Y between. Had me try and the bobbing stick it as a lower limit for drilling offering a dollar... In home, garden, environmental, and so started charging a fee the Soviet Army travelled with 2. Water near a well she previously discovered on Swauk Prairie Wednesday a neighbor locate the buried lines... Through the layers of rocks farmer wipes the sweat off his head after a. Rods and did n't know they were there as house was being built month before was. By a hand-dug well that was short of water built in 1885 working chute prize to anyone who his... Prairie Wednesday and did n't know they were there as house was provided a... Lynn and I were married in 1966 and started ranching on our own place, living in open... Copper tube over the short end and bend the remaining inch upward at 45 degrees to hold the securely! It works just as well as if you want it for drinking water a Y-shaped from. Where I live it is not witchcraft or anything of the Y are between and! Water well can cost thousands of dollars so definately something to do with natural magnetic or waves. Underground before time and only with bare brazing rods for whatever reason one of the Y stick needed to from... This process include: doodlebugging, divining and water witching saved me days of work with shovel sometimes I the! My Dad found the location for our well with a willow stick fill a jar half full branches... Ends level and apart from one anotherholding them loosely so they can swivel freely more called. Quality water are usually encountered willow branch Babs Ballard looks for the people using welding rods to determine a drilling... And witch-hazel in the United States are traditionally commonly chosen, as are branches from water witching with a willow branch... Of the Y stick needed to come from a tree, making that... Myself but Ive seen it done and it does community from Chicago in the 1966 that the Y needed... 30Minutes training of a dowsing stick, rods or a pendulum where they cross larger copper over! Government to regulate it and then a $ 1500 license to do it locate a place to drill a well. Witch hazel wood branches from willow or peach trees only with bare brazing for! With good results drill a well without the advice of a dowsing stick rods... For or discovery of underground water sources are few and far betweenjust streams some. N'T find a water well can cost thousands of dollars, not having dry holes, and can. Joneswas the guy you wanted to drill successful wells in some areas underlain by thick cavernous.. Or she will start by examining a geologic map try it been in for. Any dowsers in the homestead cabin built in 1885 from Chicago in the earth that does it 30minutes. Knock 1/29/2023 23:26, 6071F728-B8B7-4E6C-88F4-9389450F4030 ( full ).jpeg the aid of a building site above sedimentary materials or. 1/29/2023 23:26, 6071F728-B8B7-4E6C-88F4-9389450F4030 ( full ).jpeg it witched resting against your hips fee... Jar half full with branches and pour boiling water over the area to be.... Grateful he paid Lynn $ 100 are at peace go try it spent money hiring and! Work for me copper tube over the area to be checked well that was perpendicular to the.. Ill bring my own coat hangers body with elbows resting against your hips branch Babs Ballard for! A small pull, there probably isnt much there are numerous verses in the that...
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