Dowsing, water witching . . . do you believe it?

Well, I'm the skeptic's skeptic. But today I saw it, and then I tried it, and it worked. We have to connect our house to the new sewer on the street, about 200 feet back. And I knew that the water line was snaky, because when we rented a ditch- witch to put it in 15 years ago, the tracks didn't go at the same speed, and wouldn't dig a straight trench.

So, my husband said he had seen it done years ago, with two steel rods, bent into an l. And he decided to try it. First he walked over where we were pretty sure the line to the septic was, and as he walked slowly, the rods crossed over until they were in alignment. Neither he nor I believe in the supernatural. So, out into the field we went, and sure enough, we were able to mark off an arc that I believe is pretty true to where the water line is. I didn't believe it when I saw it, so I tried it myself. It was unreal, when the rods start to move it is as though they are being pulled by a magnet. Of course, you could hold them rigid, but if left loose, they will align along the water line.

Now, have you ever seen it done? I hadn't, and didn't "believe " in it. Still not sure I do, even though I saw it, and felt it. Next week I am going out with my red tractor (backhoe) and do some digging.

When we needed a new well we had a guy come out and "witch" for a likely spot. In a short time he found where we were to dig. Minutes later he let us know how deep the water was, 26 feet. The spot was marked for the drilling rig due in a couple days. The drilling rig bored out a 3 foot diameter hole. After drilling down 27 feet they hit water and it was a good steady flow. We had them drill down to 40 feet to provide a reservoir to pull water from. Since then we've never worried about water volume even when we had a house full of company for a week or so.

My mind tells me it's an old wive's tale. It's not scientifically provable and easy to call lucky when it happens. I tried it and can't do it. It obviously works with some people more than others.

It's hard for me to believe. I surmised that some people are more sensitive to this method and actually do it themselves, unwittingly. I'm not sure these people couldn't find water without the sticks. Perhaps something subtle like the air pressure or the feel of the soil. Just like animals will sometimes, in drought season, smell out water under the ground and dig open access to it.

My husband told me that the look on my face was priceless, when the two rods starting moving. Truly, it's like they were magnetized.

And I still don't know if I believe it.

There's a fella a few towns over that came out to find our future well site. He used willow branches I think he said apple works well too. Of course there are some around these parts that say if you drill deep enough...you will hit something and no credit to the water witch....but at a fortune per foot for the well... we didn't want to take chances.

so did you have luck? How far did they have to drill?

They hit water at 57 feet or 75 feet (I can't remember which !!) We went down deeper because neighbors have said that there is a history in this area of wells going dry in droughts and we didn't want to take a chance. We wanted a large reservoir.

When I moved to Michagamme MI we needed water and the Lady from the general store came to our house and with a branch in the shape of a Y found us the water. I believe.
Dimmer

John G gave this answer via Yahoo when someone posted a question about types of wood to use. "As a dowser for over fifty years I can confidently say that the wood, or whatever material is used, doesn't matter. It is the dowser that does the work. On the other hand, before folk realised this, the hazel twig was cut simply because it was one of the most flexible and would give a strong reaction. So if I am in the country and want to do some dowsing and haven't got my trusty brass swivel with me, I cut a chunk of hazel and use that.
The tool I referred to above is a home-made brass tube enclosing an inner rod that can rotate freely. This enhances the muscular reaction to the signal and gives me my answers.
There were lots of choices made in the old days loosely based on the old 'tree lore' or tree magic. If you feel that your skills are improved by using a particular wood, then they probably will be but in straight usage, it really doesn't matter what you use.
Dowsing is a 'mind' discipline and a difficult one to master beyond the water tricks. It is basic to the animal kingdom and relates to the period of man's development when his intuitive reactions were a matter of life and death.
Many good books about dowsing and many older historical ones too. As you grow to understand the art, you can make your own judgements and plan your own way."

In New Mexico this is the traditional way of deciding where to dig a well. Many people still use this method altho I can't say I have had any personal experience. It sounds like there is something to it.

Same principal as finding gem stones
and even deciding the sex of the baby (the pendulum above the belly)

my hubby does the two rod things and he is right on every time. me i hold them to tight.

Years ago we needed a well and our new neighbor came over and told us where was the best place for the well was and how deep. He was an odd man and I laughed, but the well drillers used the spot and the water was exactly where he said.

I was amused and asked him about it. He had been doing it for many years. He used metal rods, one type for water another for metal. He told me to put my ring on the ground where he could not see and he found it in minutes with his other rods. I was then a believer.

He showed me how to hold the rods, and they would cross when going over metal. It was amazing. With the water, they would cross also, but then also pull down slightly. After many years, he could read the pull and the speed of the crossing of the rods to the depth of the water below. He said there was no magic, just a law of nature.

I am not sure how it work, but it does, in the right hands.

Thanks for all your replies. The contractor finished the sewer installation today. He had to cross the water line twice, because it was so snaky. But at both points, it was exactly where we had marked! So, no broken water line.

I'm happy everything worked out well for you.

Yes. We have used this method. I was working on an archeological site in N. Alabama just South of the Tennessee River. TVA had already cleared the area for a reservoir. We were to stay in a farm house that had to be condemned for the construction. The former owners told us the well had always had a good supply of water. But when we got there the water level was down because all the trees had been cut. We had to dig a new well. One of the workers claimed she knew how to dowse a well. She used a forked willow branch and found a location. The well was drilled at considerable expense due to the low water table. But she did choose the best location - everyone agreed.