13. RADIESTHESIA AND OTHER PHENOMENA
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One remarkable form of divination that has continued through the centuries is that of the “divining rod,” which is still used for finding underground streams of water. Some authorities have tried to link the modern art of “dowsing,” as it is sometimes termed, with the ancient science of Rhabdomancy, or divination by use of wands, but while the two have points in common, they apparently differ somewhat in purpose.

DIVINING FOR METALS

In fact, when the divining rod emerged from obscurity during the early 1500’s, it was used for locating mines. A forked stick was cut from a tree, preferably the hazel, which was small and frequently grew in terrain where minerals might be found. The rod was gripped by the forked ends, one in each fist, with the fingers above and pointed toward the body, so that the stem of the rod extended forward and upward.

The diviner then walked about, often muttering incantations, until the stem of the wand began to dip. That was the place where the miners were supposed to dig, and the fact that they often found veins of precious metal brought fame to the diving rod and fortune to the diviners. Naturally, the odds favored those diviners who knew the sort of ground where ore was most likely to be found; but that still did not explain the action of the rod, which often thrust itself downward so forcibly that the forks were known to break in the diviner’s hands.

The fact that the mines were presumably haunted by goblins and other demons may have helped spread the legendary powers of the rod, and by the late 1600’s, it was used for finding treasure, springs of water, and even the bodies of missing persons. The forked wand, it seemed, could uncover whatever its handler “Willed” it to find, provided there was some such substance in the vicinity; otherwise it wouldn’t respond. But by the late 1700’s, “Water witching” had become the chief purpose of the rod and it has remained so ever since.

As early as 1790, spurious dowsers were at work, and books were published telling him how to fake the motion of the rod while locating water sources through patches of green grass, or by following gullies where water was apt to flow. Confederates, acquainted with the area, were also used as aids. All this proved harmful to the honest dowsers, who were also handicapped by the inept members of their craft who operated on a somewhat “hit-or-miss” basis.

Kenneth Roberts, the noted author, who did much to encourage expert dowsing up until the 1950’s, encountered much of this prejudice and fought valiantly and rightfully against it. For the fact stands that the scientifically minded critics, who “explain away” the results of the divining rod, are never able themselves to duplicate or even approach the achievements of a really “gifted” dowser. If the whole thing were purely imaginary or simply mechanical, it should be easy for anyone to do. But it isn’t that easy.

Unquestionably the mental and the physical combine with the divining rod, but the sum total may carry over into the domain of parapsychology. The interesting fact is that anyone can try it for himself and see to what degree he may be “gifted,” though a word of warning is needed here; namely, that no one should go on a few chance results or brief experiments. A dowsing test held with a group of friends is a good preliminary experience, nothing more.

Almost any wood will do for a dowsing rod. Hazel was chosen because of its availability and its flexibility. The latter is important, as the rod should be pliable enough to spread the ends of the fork, thus giving the rod a certain tension. This is essential to success, as the rod is “on a balance,” so to speak, ready to respond forcefully, once the diviner “picks up” a subconscious impression of water or whatever else he is counting upon the rod to find.

Instead of a forked stick, you can use a wire coat hanger, by bending in the center, so that the hanger forms a Y. Bend the ends of the Y slightly outward, grip them in the usual fashion, and use the hook of the hanger as the pointer. Another excellent rod can be formed from two strips of whalebone, or plastic. Simply tape them together about a third of their length, using that end for the pointer, then bend the loose ends outward as the points of the Y.

Many persons can find water with such a rod, by going back and forth over ground where springs or hidden streams are known to be. People familiar with the terrain can check and tell them if they have found the right spot, when the rod shows a powerful dip. Some can find water pipes or wells in the same fashion. But there seems to be a variance among diviners. Some can only pick up springs or streams.

Trying the rod on hidden objects, such as an imaginary “treasure” or some spot in a yard that has a special significance, can often be a rewarding practice. But where the divining rod often becomes most spectacular is in map work. Here, it is moved slowly above a map or chart – particularly one on a very large scale – to see where it dips. Water has been found in this way, and other things presumably can be located. For such work, however, many persons prefer: