Divining Using Dowsing Rods

Divining using dowsing rods has been done for centuries by people all over the world.  The Old Testament mentions Aaron, Moses brother, as having used a dowsing rod. Martin Luther declared that dowsing for metals went against the First Commandment in 1518. The Book of Mormon mentions the use of divining rods for discerning messages from God. During the Vietnam War, the rods were used to search for weapons and underground tunnels. Today, divining rods are used to search for everything, from water to ghosts in supposedly haunted places.

The most widely used dowsing rods are made from a single y-shaped twig cut from a witch hazel, willow or peach trees. Some dowsers swear by fresh cut twigs, while others will use the same twig for years. Dowsing rods are also made from other materials, most commonly copper and brass, though they may also be made of glass and plastic. Some dowsers even have success with rods made from wire coat hangers.

Learning to use divining rods is surprisingly simple; after all, it has been done for hundreds of years. To use a y-shaped rod cut from a tree, hold the rod with both hands on the separate "legs" of the y, palms facing down. The single straight part of the y will be facing away from you. The straight part of the rod will dip downward or waver when near what the diviner is seeking.

When using L-shaped rods, they are held in each hand by the short handle. The top part of the rod should be placed slightly above the fingers so that they can rotate freely. Depending upon the user, the rods movement will determine a yes or no answer and cross when the item that is being sought is found. For some, the rods cross when the answer to a question is yes, while for others the rods will point forward and bob up and down. A no answer may be given if the rods do not move at all, or face completely outwards away from each other. The dowser will learn as they go with their rods and develop a rapport with them, soon deciphering what yes or no answers will be.

Dowsing rods can be purchased in most metaphysical stores or online. They can also be made from a witch hazel, willow or peach tree branches as well as from wire coat hangers. It is up to an individual which type of rod feels best in their hands. You may have to buy several different types of rods to discover which feels best for your purposes.

It is also recommended by some experienced dowsers to have different rods for different purposes. For example, if you're dowsing for water, use one set of rods or twig. Another set of rods or twig should be used when dowsing for spirits in a haunted house. For some, this may make for an expensive undertaking. Therefore, use your own best judgment and experiences to discover whether you need an arsenal of divining rods and twigs, or can get the same results using a single set or twig.