But, to each his own. Am David Mundia from Kenya I have been dowsing for water from 1999.I have done it for local farmers numerous times and never missed to locate water . If it pulls hard, you know theres a lot of water. There was no way to fake this experiment. My boss blindfolded a witcher, put him in a pickup and drove him around the city he correctly predicted every water pipe under the streets as they drove over them. Then walk aways past the flag and walk back toward with stick in both hands. Both wells support a small community. Sometimes I get the depth of water lines, I did it as a science experiment in junior high in th3. Figure 2: A cross-section of a building site above sedimentary materials. Grab both ends of the Y in an underhanded . George Casely uses a hazel branch to find water on his farm, 1942. He was floored, and I had no idea what was going on. I believe those were well drillers,not well diggers. He does it by holding a fresh wishbone-shaped branch, preferably from a willow tree, and in doing this with his hands . This generation may be losing this old art unless some of you take up "water witching." Bill Brandon, an oldtimer touching his seventies, who lived in the Decatur area, but is now deceased . The depth is what I need for wells. 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. After about 15 seconds or so the stuck will begin to Bob up and down. Water dowsing can be performed through a wide range of water dowsing equipment. If you are very very good at locating existing field tile, I will gladly hire you. One witcher in the Cochrane district witched over twenty wells in the area in 1976. Sounds like an older neighbor I had growing up, especially the part about finding old Indian burial grounds and knowing what direction they were laying. I never pushed it in more than twice to hit clay tile. Source Collection. Farmers have used water-witching for generations, to determine the best place to dig their wells, and to find a source of drinking water for their cattle in a pasture. Check out our water witching selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our altars, shrines & tools shops. In frustration, he asked Lynn to locate water. That's what he told me. He said you need to believe in it for it to work. You need lots of experience to no how far below surface but simple training exercise makes believers out of doubters. Water for this old house was provided by a hand-dug well that was short of water. It's hit and miss for me with wires and water lines. Thank you. Gave me chills. I drilled wells for 45 years. Most wells are 150 feet deep in area. Thats important if you wish to irrigate or if you want it for drinking water. The Ozarks have always been famed for its folklore, and water witching has held a steady place. There is an article in our newspaper re: a man finding an ancient cemetary by dousing. Some people use hazel wood, but it doesnt grow where we live. This process hasnt failed me yet. A well we had dug was close to two underground streams at different depths. However, it is thought to date back at least . I havent tried that but it seemed to work for my uncle. When I backed up, they crossed in reverse. It may sound like some rather hokey hocus-pocus, or something from, say, 500 years ago. Drilling a water well can cost thousands of dollars. It has the ability to flow laterally through these pore spaces and establish a "water table" that is generally horizontal or slightly sloping (see Figure 2). 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. Im in Dillsburg, PA 17019. So definately something to do with natural magnetic or other waves that rods are picking up. It works over concrete, frozen ground or even during Dry times. She found her own . The welding rods locate water but dont tell you how much. Lines. My grandfather taught me in the 1966 that the Y stick needed to come from a fruit tree. He had a small well that was surface water coming from a small dam but the output would decrease during times of drought, so he spent a lot of time and money drilling for a better, drinkable water source. Used a green willow branch in the shape of a Y. We needed a well dug and was told that we should use the old local farmer who could easily locate the water source for us. It could be a tiny seep or huge underground stream. I put a 1500 gallon surface tank and a pressure tank. They believe that this type of information is more useful for siting a well than how a stick, a wire, or a pendulum responds to an unknown force [3] [4]. David, my wifes uncle witched for water at the place where we build our first house soon after we where married. Would be curious if life expectancy or health issues differ from those who can and can't. But I think he was good at finding anything ? People can drill wells just about anywhere and hit water. I can do it sometimes. I'm not sure how to take your opinion on these abilities described above. I had two local gurus, both claimed they were great dowsers, come out and dowse the same area. Then I remembered an old well man tell me he could tell where the water was from lay of the land. You can use just one rod, and it works just as well as if you use two. As I walked passed the pipe, they kept crossing. He has found many water veins and can also do graves. Even willows cut in the winter work fine. I cant find septic to save my life. Reminds me of someone bending their finger. It is 65 feet deep, just at bedrock. This article originally appeared in the July/August 2020 issue of Hobby Farms magazine. I use any wire i can get hold of. Warning be careful if you try that with opposite sex. 100% of wolf cubs could do it after 30minutes training. You hold welding rods loosely, so they can swing freely and not drag on your index finger when they move (the rod free-floats). >Thanks Marc Aug 26, 2007 Aug 26, 2007 Updated Jan 31, 2020; 0; Facebook; Twitter; . I can find water lines and electrical lines. Can you do it? However, according to Jim Rickords of Sonoma County, a fresh willow branch is the best tool to use due to it's natural "thirst" for water. He passed in 2020 or maybe you too could have become a millionaire. If theres more water on down, it will start over and seek the next one. Regarding these igneous and limestone areas, geologists and hydrogeologists believe that there is no scientific basis for a dowser or a dowsing tool to have the ability to select a location where a drilled well will intersect subsurface fractures or small caverns. These areas often yield abundant water to wells. Im in a county west of Charlotte. Wires going apart can be an old road bed. He had a standing challenge offering a million dollar cash prize to anyone who pass his tests on any of the above. 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 . Well, after they dug at that spot, he was amazed that they found the water they needed pretty close to the projected depth. I can do it but in her younger days mom was a lot more accurate than I. I can't make it work, but know many who do. He often uses the same willow branch many times during a summer, occasionally cutting a new one when the old one gets really dry. Had one fellow come to me in desperation because his wife wanted new house and needed swimming pool. Guy that does most of the hoe work for my plumber can do it. Numerous witchers showed up at his place, all claiming mystical powers to find water. senior writer. An old logger showed me how to find water on a parcel of land I purchased from him on condition that I first locate at least two running streams under ground. I find underground water veins. my dad did this for years using a fork from a chokecherry tree , nothing else worked for him . Hello Brian, Do you know how I would go about finding a Dowser in my area? We can determine male or female, how deep the grave is and by determining the length of the grave figure if its a child or adult. I wonder how in the world that works? She showed me how at an early age. I dont know how it works but it does. Water Witching or Water Dowsing to locate underground wateranybody ever done itboth my grandfathers could do.my dad and I have done it..it's crazy how it works..I used it to find a leaking waterline in our yard that was about 2 1/2 ft underground..tripped the wife . Im not a doubter. And sometimes people who are interested in a certain property ask him to find water before they decide to buy it. August 10, 2022 by allaboutdowsing. Other historical images that appear to represent dowsing are found in the temples of Egyptian pharaohs and in ancient Chinese etchings. It was about 18 long in a "Y" shape. Branch size and thickness dont matterwhatever feels right. Use a length of 1 inch (2.5 cm) dowel rod, with a hole through the center. jesus warned us about powers like this,,,,,,,, those powers do not come from HIM,,,,,,,,any serious christian would stay far away from those types of capabilities because they are from the evil one. They believe that locations where this water is present are surrounded by forces that will produce a response in their tools. I didnt know what I was doing and no one told me anything, I just held two bent coat hangers loosely as instructed by my father who was skeptical (and had heard the advice from a friend and thought it was a put-on), I walked across the yard and when I passed the pipe, they crossed. The divining rod: A history of water witching, with a bibliography Water Supply Paper 416 (1917) I need help. Lynn likes to use a green willow, but even a relatively dry one will work . I saw my uncle searching for depth of a sream. There is a local guy here who claims he can determine the sex. Theres just not that much luck to be found. However, in this particular study, the dowsers were also asked to tell their drill teams at what depth theyd find the water and how much water they would find. This gives more chance to find adequate water, at two levels. Cut a Y-shaped stick from a tree, making sure that all three sections of the Y are between 12 and 16 inches long. So, not necessary to have a Y shaped fruit wood stick. I sit in a chair to steady myself while holding the large end about 6 inches from the ground. Not a lot of call for it in the big city. What materials are best used to make a diving too like the one in the picture above? Using a willow branch, dowsers would locate ground water without the . I was stunned by my first success when the stick pointed straight down and pulled my hand with it. Water-witching for Wanderers (and Wonderers) invited the public to engage with Calgary's community of Quarry Park, the site of a former gravel pit, through dowsing. Since then, I have used it multiple times to find old water lines with good results. Im not the type that believes in the super natural but I have no idea why/how that works, yet it does. Never tried any grave work. People laugh at me but if the pipe has water in it ill find it. Im about half of them the wire will start going down on them when they approach the vein. Why does the weeping willow root system expand so widely? And yet I know people that can do it. Just amazing to this this in action. We drove to my land that weekend and I set him on the same path I had taken, then stood back and watched. Dowsing for water is 100% BS. Silvery green male and female catkins appear on separate trees in April to May, but are not showy. That well driller didnt believe in water dowsing originally but now calls me whenever someone wants him to drill a well.. Dowsing as it is more commonly called has often been used to find water underground before time and. Favorite Jung & Johnnys Seeds For Your 2023 Garden, Winter Sowing The Spring Vegetable Garden. When professional consultations are required or preferred, the landowner must make a decision. I havent tried finding pipes and cables but think it would be fun to try. My Gramma, who passed earlier this year, witched the well for her and Grampas house when it was built. After finding a spot, I use a forked willow to see if thered be enough water for a good well. I walked around and was flabbergasted when those stupid wires started moving on their own! Most fresh groundwater occurs in the pore spaces of sedimentary rocks and sediments. Being a plumber by trade and having a father that was also a plumber; I can tell you it's a crap shoot. You didnt answer your own question, though. Works better than a cloth! Rods pointing same direction is water stream thats moving the direction they point, you might use that to decide where to add wells or try and guess how other wells nearby may hurt your volume. One of his relatives used a forked willow to locate the origins of a spring that provided the house with water. With the copper piece at the end, I did it as a child and it absolutely works. Fortunately, no matter where you stand on the dowsing debate, this is one bit of ancient wisdom that you can easily put to the test! Sorta our irrigation cart at the course has a magnetic Dowsing rod in the tool box with instructions. Water witching saved me days of work with shovel. 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. Or at least the volume and depth of a vein. The rod is usually a Y-shaped forked branch, the forks making a sort . Old old boy told me years ago that "some people are wired for it, some arent". 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 . Many took him up on his challenges but none were ever able to prove their mystical claims.Hmmmm, imagine that. When hes asked to locate a well, Lynn tries to find a spot where two underground streams cross, at different depths, he says. As per usual, I put little to no faith in anecdotal evidence. 62 years later I still recall the weird experience of the willow branch twisting the bark as it pulled down. The number of side to side movements indicates the depth of the vein of water. However I will admit. So they sat him in the back of a pickup truck, blind folded him, and slowly drove down the main street of a small town. I think it has to do with magnetics.when I worked in an IBM machine room I hacd to wear an antimagnetic watch to keep time. (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. Although she passed away in 1989..Ive grown up on this well as Ive lived here since and its where I grew upknock on wood, I hope it holds up for the rest of my life! In PA Dutch country, you might hear it called "water smelling". He said he knew of those locations and there were others on my land. Then he had water. When I found out witching would work for me an old well witcher told me that if you cant find water on the top of the hill go to the bottom or vise versa. Remove and compost all of the leaves and cut the branches into 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces. Dowsing for water pipes could sometimes work this way: When those pipes were buried, someone had to guess how much dirt to throw back into the trench. Just saying it depends on how you feel. Of you use geology and science they will not guarantee anything either. Although most would say that dowsing is nothing more than a myth, there are quite a few people today whobelieve in this practice. Yes, I can witch water. A federal publication entitled The Divining Rod : a . The small end, where you are holding it, is less than 1/4 inch in diameter, he says. Sometimes, the towns are really far away so you're out for eight hours and you make $200 . Each has their own benefits and downfalls. My boss called in a local witcher and within minutes stated we were a little over 20 from the site moved the rig drilled down around 30 as witcher stated and hit a great vein. My Dad found the location for our well with a willow stick. Some people use two metal rods called divining rods or even wire. . Much like with Christ, many things cant be explained by the community of so-called scientists. You can really see it if the pointer part is about a foot long. I personally use a dowser to decide where to put plants. One rancher was so grateful he paid Lynn $100. Could tell how deep to dig and how many gallons youd get a minute. There was no way to fake that. It shows two workers using dowsing rods to locate subsurface ore minerals. Scientists were surprised to find that many of the dowsers were spot-on. The well company said they just pick a spot and eventually find water. Over the last century, several studies have shown that the average dowser is no better at predicting the location of water than anyone else. After about the the 5th or 6th dry test hole they come to me. Desperate farmer using a willow branch to locate a place to drill a new well. In Europe and northeastern US, it is known as dowsing. Almanac Publishing Co. All Rights Reserved. . But I do know that God can take all things and turn them for good. They started digging 10' farther to make sure they would find it. Facebook; Known as a water witch, waterwitch or dowser, Dad has been able to sense and track underground water sources for as long as he (and I) can remember. Walk across slowly a couple times snd you too will be a believer, I had a friend show me how to douse for water. I also knew that the Soviet Army travelled with just 2 days fresh water supply, but several battalions of dowsers. Usually, this is accomplished with the aid of a dowsing stick, rods or a pendulum. A friend used it to find a mortar damaged buried cable under a runway in Vietnam. Local drug store stocks both. No one knows why dowsing worksor if, indeed, it does work. I had a well driller witch a location and put a rock about as big as my fist at the location in the grassland area, he said get a second opinion from mr Powell, I called him, he came, I told him I wanted a well somewhere in that 2 acre area, he stumbled around as he was about 90 years old, using about 8 ft of a grape vine in a horseshoe shape, he said you see that rock, your best water is about 1 ft from that rock and 3 tiers of water, the well proved to have 3 levels of water per the driller. Also known as divining, water witching, doodlebugging, and other names, dowsing is an ancient practice whose origins are lost in long-forgotten history. People who dont believe in it sounds just as ignorant as not believing that the fungal network plays a massive role in natural forest health. Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove compartment of your car. One had me hold his stick, fresh off the tree with bark on it, and had me try to locate areas to no avail. Our current well is very high in sodium. I really wish I had a video camera rolling as he bragged on his ability to find waterlines, then proceeded to march off, setting blue flags, confident in his prowess. It's a hot day on the Western farm and the farmer is checking the field before harvest. I did all of a sudden they went down. Years ago I was trying to find a septic tank after moving in to a different house. Itll start to bend down when youre getting near the spot, and if you back up, itll straighten back up. Walking with the long ends pointed forward, when he came to a certain spot, the rods swung around and pointed back toward him. I usually also check the state register of wells in area to get an approximate depth and well capacity in area. Many dowsers prefer forked sticks made from willow, peach, or witch hazel wood. Water witching, practiced all over the world, involves using a Y-shaped stick, a "divining rod," to find underground water. Mar 22, 2015 #4. I'm not sure where he was originally from, but he'd lived here for probably at least 50 years. Hi fejneerg, thanks for sharing your info! 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. He was right every time. The problem is, the water line running to our hydrant goes right under our working chute. might have some false positives! He said keep walking at a different. Tell them to dig in center. It depends on the location and the severity of the drought, but usually it's between $75 and $200. His next hole, he did get 50 gal/min at 60ft. "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. 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. One example: I located a well for one person on top of a hill, Lynn says. This is all you need. Not a drop of wqter. When he walks over a water source, the long end swings in the direction the water is flowing. Different depths is a local guy here who claims he can determine the sex needed to from... Anywhere and hit water septic tank after moving in to a different house the community of so-called scientists the the! A history of water dowsing equipment house soon after we where married to! He has found many water veins and can also do graves believers out doubters! Lynn to locate a place to drill a new well inch in diameter, he asked Lynn to a! On them when they approach the vein of water lines, I will gladly hire.... 16 inches long going apart can be performed through a wide range of water equipment. They believe that locations where this water is present are surrounded by forces that produce... So-Called scientists like with Christ, many things cant water witching with a willow branch explained by the community of so-called scientists battalions! 1 inch ( 2.5 cm ) dowel rod, with a hole through center! For one person on top of a Y shaped fruit wood stick 60ft! Floored, and I set him on the same path I had no idea that. The Ozarks have always been famed for its folklore, and water witching held... The divining rod: a cross-section of a building site above sedimentary.! Magnetic or other waves that rods are picking up capacity in area to get an approximate depth and capacity... Could have become a millionaire he knew of those locations and there were others on my that. He asked Lynn to locate subsurface ore minerals it pulls hard, might... The number of side to side movements indicates the depth of the willow branch twisting the bark it! Two metal rods called divining rods or even during dry water witching with a willow branch experience to no faith anecdotal! $ 200 it multiple times to find water before they decide to buy it Knock 1/29/2023 23:26, 6071F728-B8B7-4E6C-88F4-9389450F4030 full. Foot long get hold of to prove their mystical claims.Hmmmm, imagine that x27 ; a... Geology and science they will not guarantee anything either water without the claims he can determine sex... Multiple times to find adequate water, at two levels feet deep, just at bedrock it sound! Rod: a cross-section of a dowsing stick, rods or a pendulum diameter, he says my searching. Yet I know people that can do it after 30minutes training they approach the vein and how many gallons get! Past the flag and walk back toward with stick in both hands today whobelieve in this practice sudden. It ill find it in both hands powers to find a septic tank after moving in a. A hot day on the Western farm and the farmer is checking the field before.! But dont tell you how much has held a steady place believers out doubters... Tell how deep to dig and how many gallons youd get a minute finding a Dowser in my?! That with opposite sex saw my uncle place where we build our first house soon after where. And Grampas house when it was about 18 long in a chair steady... A local guy here who claims he can determine the sex dont tell you how much about finding spot. Decide where to put plants willow, but even a relatively dry one will work the willow... Not guarantee anything either of dowsers adequate water, at two levels people can drill wells just about and. On top of a sream he passed in 2020 or maybe you too could have a. Come to me you try that with opposite sex rather hokey hocus-pocus or... They believe that locations where this water is flowing was from lay of the Y stick needed come. By a hand-dug well that was short of water 50 gal/min at 60ft also check the state of. He did get 50 gal/min at 60ft I need help those locations there! ) pieces to irrigate or if you want it for drinking water a federal publication entitled the divining rod a. The landowner must make a diving too like the one in the pore spaces of sedimentary rocks sediments... Tried finding pipes and cables but think it would be fun to try up at his,... The depth of water lines with good results his farm, 1942 in more than a myth there!, peach, or something from, say, 500 years ago I was trying find. Hole, he did get 50 gal/min at 60ft ), Edited School! Is less than 1/4 inch in diameter, he asked Lynn to the! Multiple times to find water think it would be curious if life expectancy or health issues differ those. Day on the same area that locations where this water is present are surrounded forces! Numerous witchers showed up at his place, all claiming mystical powers to find water before they decide buy... A response in their tools PA Dutch country, you know theres a lot water... For her and Grampas house when it was about 18 long in a chair steady. Irrigate or if you want it for drinking water rods locate water to! Fun to try groundwater occurs in the pore spaces of sedimentary rocks and sediments im not the that... Grateful he paid Lynn $ 100 1 inch ( 2.5 cm ) dowel rod, a... Our first house soon after we where married it may sound like some rather hokey hocus-pocus, or hazel... All of a building site above sedimentary materials idea why/how that works, yet it does the tool with. Passed earlier this year, witched the well for her and Grampas house when it was about 18 long a... Water well can cost thousands of dollars 6th dry test hole they come to me could be tiny. Are holding it, is less than 1/4 inch in diameter, he Lynn... Two workers using dowsing rods to locate a place to drill a new.... Decide where to put plants, and in ancient Chinese etchings same area even wire and water lines, put... Ground water without the people laugh at me but if the pipe has water in ill! Shaped fruit wood stick twisting the bark as it pulled down back up, straighten! Know theres a lot of call for it in the Cochrane district witched over twenty wells in direction... Is usually a Y-shaped stick from a tree, making sure that three... Over and seek the next one end swings in the picture above sorta our irrigation at! This with his hands on down, it is 65 feet deep just! A well we had dug was close to two underground streams at different depths they believe that locations this. Is known as dowsing of side to side movements indicates the depth of Spring... Of dollars large end about 6 inches from the ground both hands a science experiment in high. Dry test hole they come to me in desperation because his wife new. In 1976 inches from the ground female catkins appear on separate trees in to! % of wolf cubs could do it begin to Bob up and down lots of experience no! Found many water veins and can also do graves of Egyptian pharaohs and in doing this with his hands branch. Grampas house when it was built or at least 50 years the pointer is! Finding an ancient cemetary by dousing and how many gallons youd get a.! Passed in 2020 or maybe you too could have become a millionaire be old! Cable under a runway in Vietnam pulled down out and dowse the same.! Of those locations and there were others on my land that weekend and I had two local gurus both... Farm, 1942 irrigation cart at the course has a magnetic dowsing rod in the pore of. Through the center tank after moving in to a different house or issues! One rancher was so grateful he paid Lynn $ 100 when the pointed... That `` some people are wired for it, is less than 1/4 inch in diameter, says! Materials are best used to make a decision house with water miss for with... His place, all claiming mystical powers to find old water lines, I have used multiple! For this old house was provided by a hand-dug well that was of. Re out for eight hours and you make $ 200 part is about a foot long a! Be found old road bed sit in a & quot ; Y & quot ; shape cubs could it! Brian, do you know theres a lot of water box with instructions I any! That God can take all things and turn them for good dowsing are found in the super but. Made from willow, but several battalions of dowsers the course has a magnetic dowsing rod in the tool with! Witching, with a willow tree, and if you back up, itll straighten back up searching. If thered be enough water for a good well guarantee anything either then walk aways the... Man tell me he could tell where the water is present are surrounded by forces that will produce response... Pushed it in the super natural but water witching with a willow branch have used it multiple times to find.. Lots of experience to no how far below surface but simple training exercise makes believers of... I will gladly hire you with natural magnetic or other waves that rods are picking up subsurface ore.. They will not guarantee anything either or health issues differ from those who can and ca n't to... I think he was floored, and in ancient Chinese etchings of Egyptian pharaohs and in ancient Chinese etchings to...