How to Make a Divining Rod

Divining, also known as dowsing or water witching, is the practice of finding hidden or underground substances using rods or a pendulum. Although probably most famously used to find water, dowsers also commonly search for oil and minerals. There are two types of divining rods: L-rods (used in pairs) and Y-rods. The classic divining rod, described below, is the Y-rod.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Locate a small, forked branch of live wood. Willow and apple branches are traditional, but not necessary. Some modern dowsers even use plastic or metal rods

2. Cut the branch from the tree. Trim away small leaves or twigs.

3. Trim the branch so that each arm of the Y is approximately equal in length and between one and two feet long (this is a matter of personal preference). The joined section should be three to four inches in length.

4. Connect, if desired, a witness compartment. This is a device to hold a tiny sample of the material the dowser wishes to find. The cap from a ballpoint pen can form a great witness compartment although the end of the rod may need to be whittled down so that the cap will snugly fit over it. Witness compartments are a relatively new invention, and many dowsers choose not to use them.

5. Hold the palms up with an arm of the rod in each hand. Hold the rod away from the body. The rod should be kept parallel to the ground.

6. Walk over the area to be examined slowly and methodically thinking about the item trying to be found (water, oil or gold, for example).

7. Wait for the rod to suddenly swing up or down. This indicates a result, and the exact spot where this occurs should be searched.