Dowsing is using some kind of rod or forked stick to locate underground water.  These rods can be used to find other things like ore, pipes, or lost things, but we are limiting this to water. 

How does dowsing work?

     Dowsers can use different kinds of rods or tools to find water.  Some use a forked stick that might be made of wood but could be made of metal.  Others use two metal, L-shaped rods or a pendulum to locate water.   Our dowser told us that these tools are "amplifiers of our intuition."
     People will call a dowser when they need to find a source of water on their property.  Sometimes their wells have run dry or maybe they are building a new house and don't have a well yet.  The dowser finds the best place for a well on the land.  Some dowsers can tell how deep the water is underground.
     The dowser that we visited said that there is a spiritualism in doing this.  Before dowsers start to look for water on someone's land, they ask [in their minds or out loud], "Can I?" "May I?" or "Shall I?" for permission to look for water.  The rod will move up or down as an answer.  Our dowser said that sometimes the answer is no and then they don't look for water then.
        After they get permission, the dowser walks over the person's land as they hold the dowsing rod.  In the picture above, our dowser is showing our team member how the rod works.  As they walk around the property, the rod is held lightly in their hands.  It is held with their palms up.  Elbows are held closely to their sides and the rod stays level until water is found.  We were told that each dowser's answer of 'yes' or 'no' might look different.  Usually when water is found, we think of the rod pointing to the ground.  Our dowser's rod pointed upwards towards her when she found water.   When it is found, the dowser marks the place and continues walking over the property to find other locations.
     We tried this and did feel vibrations in the L-shaped rods that we used.  The two rods formed a cross when we found water.  The dowser checked where we found it and, each time, agreed that it was there.  We have no way to prove that it was right there, but we really felt that it was!

What is the scientific opinion on dowsing?

     When we mentioned dowsing to someone in the Groundwater Association, we were told that:  "This practice has been discredited by science.  Despite their claims, the fact is that there's a 90% probability anyone could point to a spot where, if a well was drilled, water would be found.  This is true even in arid regions." (Treyens)  
     Dowsing has been going on since the Middle Ages.  There are lots of people who believe in dowsers but there isn't scientific proof that it works.  Intuition is a big part of dowsing and science can't prove that. 
     Scientists, geologists, and mathematicians use other ways to find water.  They drill wells, keep track of layers of rock found in different places, and track the flow of underground water.  Scientists have tested dowsing.  One experiment was when four hoses were put under a carpet.  One hose would have water in it and the other three would be empty.  The dowser found the right hose nine times out of forty.   The scientists said that if anyone guessed, they would get it right 25% of the time.  The dowser found the right hose 25% of the time, so scientists didn't feel that dowsing was real.
     Dowsers believe in their abilities to find water using their intuition.  Scientists work with facts and think that proven scientific tools should be used to find water.  
     What do you think?

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