MANY CENTURIES OF DOWSING...

Dowsing, in various forms, has been a valuable "tool" of humanity. Heroditus wrote about dowsing with willow rods in the 5th Century B.C. Evidence from Chinese literature, Central Sahara rock paintings, and Egyptian bas-reliefs all illustrate dowsing, used by these many cultures, mainly as a tool to locate much needed water. German scholar Gerogius Agricola (1494-1555) was known as the "father of minerology." He wrote De Re Metallica, giving detailed descriptions for dowsing to detect minerals. In the 17th Century, Jesuit priests investigated and wrote about dowsing techniques--they concluded that "involuntary muscle action" caused the movement of dowsing tools. Modern studies of all forms of dowsing have tried to understand how it works. One line of thinking connects dowsing power to our body's own energy fields, interacting with the Earth energy from the object or substance we are seeking. We are "tuning in" to it's "vibration." The belief of Taoist and Buddhist philosophies, that everything in the Universe is pure energy, has now been given validity by modern quantum physics. Humans have an "aura" energy field radiating from within, and when a dowsing tool is used it becomes connected to this field. The brain, through intuitive power, focuses on the dowsing target, and "tunes in" to the location or answer. The dowsing rods or pendulum point the way or answer the question. Anyone can dowse, you don't need any special "psychic" skills. What you do need is an open mind, and a few basic dowsing tools...

PENDULUM DOWSING--The pendulum can be made of a shaped clear quartz crystal, or it can be something made of wood, metal or heavy plastic--as long as it is balanced. It is best not to use a piece of jewelry, since it may have some of your own "personal" energy attached to it, and you want the pendulum to be completely neutral, so it can accurately answer your questions and find what you are looking for. Make sure the chain or string is fairly short, perhaps eight to ten inches long. The "bob" at the end shouldn't be too heavy, or too light--around an ounce. Sit at a table and rest your elbow firmly on the surface, grasp the end of the chain or string between your thumb and forefinger. Use your other hand to stop any motion, then relax, quiet the mind, and focus on a yes or no question. Note--when you first get your pendulum you need to ask it to show you a "yes" motion, then show you a "no" motion because it is different for everyone--some may swing side to side, front to back, or go in circles either clockwise or counter-clockwise! If the pendulum doesn't move then ask a more specific question. Remember that the answer is coming from your subconscious, so you may just get the answer you were "expecting" to get--practice, have fun, and don't take it TOO seriously...

DOWSING RODS--Typically made of metal, brass composite or copper, with an L-shaped bend at the end (as shown in the photo above.) You can use coat hangers to start out, just try to get them the same size and as straight as possible! The proportion is approximately one-third handle to two-thirds length. If they are too long it can be very difficult for a beginner to work with them. The biggest challenge is holding them in your hands loosely enough so they can swing freely (you can put the handles inside drinking straws when you are first learning!) Hold the rods out in front of you about eight inches apart, and keep them level. Ask them to show you a "yes" then show you a "no"--again this varies from person to person. Some cross like an "X" for yes then spread wide apart for no. You can use them while walking forward, searching for a lost grave or buried treasure. They may swing to the left or to the right, telling you to turn and follow. Practice using them outside where there are water pipes running under your lawn--see if they "respond"--it's fun!