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THE DOWSER’S TOOLS & TECHNIQUES

by Jodi Brunner

There’s an old saying,

“Many roads lead to enlightenment…”

Suggesting that each of us has their own path to follow.  Extend this into the dowsing realm, and we have a variety of techniques which may be employed to locate energy phenomenon:

Intent

Intention relates to our thought patterns and encompasses everything we think, say or do.  When a picture is held in the mind, this creates intention.  The object of our desires will then begin to physically manifest.  In dowsing, Intention is the most important tool as we need to be focused on what we’re looking for, but at the same time, without any pre-conceived ideas about whether or not we’re going to find anything.

The trick is, not to think too much, and allow the logical mind to switch off, taking the attitude, ‘see what will happen...’  Just like solving a math problem without any emotional expectation of the outcome.

Eventually, we can dispense with all the equipment and operate straight from our Intent.  Then, we will simply know the answers instinctively without need for verification.

Feng Shui

Considering that Feng Shui is the oldest, continuously used and well-documented form of Geomancy, it is behoven on us as Geomancers to be aware of its subtle influences.

We know that Feng Shui deals with the energies permeating our environment.  Everything from furniture, to building, entrance door and site placement has an effect.  As Feng Shui is concerned with these energies, some of which emanate from the Earth, it is a form of Geomancy which can enhance the Dowser’s skill and knowledge.

Dowsing Rods

Using a rod to find Earth energies is the most popular form of Geomancy.

Opinion is divided between psychical and physical theories to explain the workings of the Divining Rod, also known in scientific circles as an ‘autoscope.’

The Dowsers’ tool comes in many varieties and each Dowser will swear by their own tool and technique.  Some use more than one rod, others only use the forked willow stick or bent wire rod with good results.  The following is a list of different types of rods.  All these rods were used by Keith Levy, Master Dowser from Benalla, when he undertook to find water for the Skeptics Challenge. [i]

1.  Forked Willow Stick

A forked piece of hazel, rowan, or willow wood are the most traditional dowsing instruments.  The modern equivalent is a Y-shaped metal rod.

Each fork of the stick is placed into the palms of the hands with the pointed end bent slightly upwards, so the backs of the hands point towards the ground and the thumbs point outwards.  The two ends are held apart, then slightly compressed inwards, with elbows alongside the body, to produce tension of the device.

This type of rod (at least for Keith Levy) was the most successful and showed the greatest results, dipping wildly over the water container, receiving the most applause from the crowd!

If you can’t find an appropriate stick, try using a length of metal strapping, the type used to bind quantities of bricks or timber.  Often these can be found lying around construction sites.  Fold the band in half then hammer the folded bit together at the end to smooth it out.

2.  Bent Wire Rod (L-Rod)

This is another common type of rod, probably the best type for Qi dowsing inside a house as this smaller, less conspicuous rod may be used without interference from wind and is more manoeuvrable inside.  Made from any type of metal, some Dowsers swear by the copper rods, others prefer sprung steel, some don’t have a preferred type and can dowse using a piece of old fencing wire or coat-hanger.

The single L-Wire may be used in either the right or left hand, gripped loosely and held in place by the thumb.  Sometimes the ‘handle’ of the rod may rest lightly on the little finger.

The L-Wire is very versatile, not only providing the same information as a U-wire (#4) but also acting as a direction pointer, a bit like the way a gun dog points to game. When this wire encounters an emanation from an underground object such as a stream, pipe, wire or reef, it moves sideways, indicating the presence of the underground object.

When ascertaining the direction of an energy line, the single rod is most efficient even if double rods are used.  Once the line is located, the single rod will move to 90° or the double rods will cross over.  If using the double rods, relax one hand  to the side of the body whilst the other hand-held rod remains over the line.  The rod will swing to point towards the direction of the flow of energy.  It may then be followed ‘downstream’.

3.  Two Bent Wire Rods (L-Rods)

Besides the forked stick, two L-Wire rods are the most commonly known rods; the standard pair of rods made from any type of metal.  They are good for outside work when made of a heavier grade of wire than #2 rod, as then the wind won’t blow them around as easily.  Also, when detecting a line or coming to the crossing of two lines, the rods will either cross over each other or open outwards, giving a clearer indication of the location of the line.

The other use for the dual L-Wires is in ascertaining the depth of an underground stream, minerals or other source.  Once the above-ground emanation is detected, the Dowser may then turn their back on the ‘edge’ of the line and marking the starting point with a stick, chalk mark or rock on the ground, slowly move away from the source, asking, “How deep down below the surface is the source of this (emanation)?”

The rods will cross at the depth, which may then be measured with a tape measure.  This is how many a country Dowser, once they locate a water bore, can estimate how deep the bore needs to be dug.  The results have varying degrees of accuracy, depending on the skill and experience of the Dowser.

4.  Double Wire Rod (U-Wire)

“The U-wire reacts in the same way but being shorter, it is not such a good pointer.  However, as it swings quickly and easily it is recommended for beginners who may not have developed their latent sensitivity.  U-wires were developed by Soviet engineer and diviner, Dr Alexander Pluznikov, who often used his skill in his country locating archeological sites.” [ii]

I noticed that Keith Levy used this rod specifically when he seemed unsure of the location of the water within the box for the Skeptics Challenge, due to its sensitive nature.

5.  Looped Rod

This unusual rod is extremely sensitive due to the spring in its centre.  When used for locating emanations, upon finding them it literally bobs up and down, sometimes quite violently.

6.               6.  Others

There are various other types of rods, limited only to the imagination of the designer.

Excerpt from Geomancy: Discover the Unseen Energy World

a Manual and Workbook on practical Geomancy

© 2000 Jodi Brunner

jodi@fengshuinetwork.net