Some people use hazel wood, but it doesnt grow where we live. I decided to let him try his spot. It may sound like some rather hokey hocus-pocus, or something from, say, 500 years ago. Check out our water witching selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our altars, shrines & tools shops. I'm not sure about electrical but probably so. ****. Handy having 2 rods. They are simply uneducated on the matter. He holds them with the long ends level and apart from one anotherholding them loosely so they can swivel freely. Could tell how deep to dig and how many gallons youd get a minute. First, Lynn locates water using welding rods to determine if there is any water in a certain area. Works better than a cloth! The driller often has a lot of experience in the area being drilled and knows if the rocks in that area typically yield useful quantities of water. I would love to find a dowser who can find my water line location, which is essential before permit can be given on the replacement of my failing septic system. Although Agricola used this illustration in his book and reported that the dowsing rod was being used to locate minerals, he rejected the practice and instead recommended trenching [5]. Where are you located DryCreek? He'd had a new well drilled for the house but wanted to reactivate the old one for watering his garden. Sometimes, the towns are really far away so you're out for eight hours and you make $200 . This information is very useful in determining the probability of drilling success on a nearby property. How to Dowse for Water. Water Witching or Water Dowsing to locate underground wateranybody ever done itboth my grandfathers could do.my dad and I have done it..it's crazy how it works..I used it to find a leaking waterline in our yard that was about 2 1/2 ft underground..tripped the wife . A friend used it to find a mortar damaged buried cable under a runway in Vietnam. He smokes a lot of dope, that maybe helps. The guy told him the water is 160ft below us. Yes, but with certain caveats. Using a Y branch from a peach or willow tree, he "witched" over 100 wells over the years with a 95% success rate. The depth is what I need for wells. When it works for them, its very convincing. As the point went downward I tried to pull it up and the bark scratched the palms of my hands. There is a local guy here who claims he can determine the sex. It is not easy for adults to do, apparently, because they tense up. Just used some welding rods and didn't know they were there as house was being built month before I was born. Then the rods look like this: . Water-Witching From Space. Water for this old house was provided by a hand-dug well that was short of water. He called me a one-armed water Witcher. Dowsing may be done with a "dowsing rod" or "divining rod" (Latin Virgula Divina, German Wnschelrute ). He said it was the dangest thing he's ever seen. Water witching, also known as dowsing, has been around for a long time but has never been fully accepted as a legitimate tool by the scientific community. Wires going apart can be an old road bed. I have a place in Pigeon Mi. It was dead on and worked backwards and forwards. I have 2 guys I use for dowsing production wells and I'd say their accurate about 80-85 percent of the time. One practicing water witching holds the two branches of the stick in his hands, while pointing the rod upward and outward. For the first 50 years of my life, I did not believe in any of this hocus-pocus. When I locate water for someone, I show them how to hold the rods and try it, he says. So, I thanked him for his time and marked his flags with RTKand with a smile. Most wells are 150 feet deep in area. You can also use apple or peach branches for water dowsing. My religion says that if we are doing something for a good purpose then its alright. The dowsing that most people are familiar with is water dowsing, or water witching or rhabdomancy, in which a person holds a Y-shaped branch (or two L-shaped wire rods) and walks around until they . This generation may be losing this old art unless some of you take up "water witching." Bill Brandon, an oldtimer touching his seventies, who lived in the Decatur area, but is now deceased . Water dowsing, or water witching, runs in the family. illow will work for the forked stick and the bobbing stick. Trying to locate buried utilities under an overhead line doesn't work for me. Itll start to bend down when youre getting near the spot, and if you back up, itll straighten back up. If its a small willow and you are holding it really tight, it can actually take the bark off the willow where you are gripping it, he says. He found every water and sewer line. I know it works I use it nearly everyday. Southeast Idaho. Make a bend about 24.5 inches in, at about 90 degrees. I haven't tried to find water since but I can find water and electric lines with wires. In fact, when California was in the middle of their worst drought, they turned to local dowsers to uncover hidden sources of water. I work for the USDANRCS as a ACES Technician. My husband and I moved upstate n.y. 14 years ago. Had well digger out there and only found 6 dry holes I knew the area was hard place to find water in. Twisted the willow branch until it snapped. This way you can hold tightly and feel the willow pull on your hands and wrists. Grab both ends of the Y in an underhanded grasp (so that the heels of your hands are facing towards the sky, as shown in the photo), and hold the dowsing rod horizontally so that it points in front of you. My FIL who could do water witching told me that one time he was having no luck so he removed his 4 buckle overshoes and suddenly he could then find water again. Of course with permission. He was born in Pipestone, Manitoba in 1933. Most fresh groundwater occurs in the pore spaces of sedimentary rocks and sediments. The newest type of drilling rig was used, and the actual drilling time was 3 hours. Publications. I must have bad vibes; could never get them to work for me. One rancher was so grateful he paid Lynn $100. When holding the willow branches, your arms are close to your body with elbows resting against your hips. I have never tried the Y stick. I worked for the USDA-NRCS for over 28 years. At the big end. When its local I charge nothing because I tell them from the beginning there is no guarantee. My dad wit hed for water for over 50 years. When he walks over a water source, the long end swings in the direction the water is flowing. Many dowsers prefer forked sticks made from willow, peach, or witch hazel wood. After he finished he had me try it. Because a water witch's method is not scientifically proven, reliance on this technique is considered a folk practice. Combining the two levels made a good well.. It's a centuries-old practice. However, it is thought to date back at least . Be open. Feller wanted me to come over and dig up his old well head. Does it work to find overhead power lines? As per usual, I put little to no faith in anecdotal evidence. My Dad found the location for our well with a willow stick. Many took him up on his challenges but none were ever able to prove their mystical claims. An old well striker gave me the cut coat hangers l shaped said walk around. I'd say my brother and I are successful at it 80% of the time with water or tile lines. Worked every time. The force was strong. It took a while to learn how to hold them loosely while balancing them. Being a plumber by trade and having a father that was also a plumber; I can tell you it's a crap shoot. The village maintenance crew (3 of them) were all downers. Cindy, just reading this looking for a witcher or dowser. I have witched successfully for water lines with 2 coat hangers spot on every time. As a practice dating back to the ancient Egyptians and . Try it yourself ,grab couple pieces of thin wire or other metal, bend it to fit your hands at approximately 90 degrees and walk across your lawn ,find the water meter in the street and that runs in a straight line to your first hose bib. Slide the larger copper tube over the short end and bend the remaining inch upward at 45 degrees to hold the handle in place. The guy's name was Lee Modrow, I think he was around 90 when he passed away a few years ago. According to the American Society of Dowsers, divining the location of water dates back many millennia. So I am completely baffled as to why I can witch water. Farmers have used water-witching for generations, to determine the best place to dig their wells, and to find a source of drinking water for their cattle in a pasture. Would be grateful if youd share. Havent been successful at it myself but Ive seen it done and it does work. We contacted him and he came with a hanger wire and took about 20 minutes to locate the water source. The wire always goes across my body when it turns to the side. If theres more water on down, it will start over and seek the next one. I have used bent coat hangers to locate water and pipes underground. Water Dowsing Works (Even If We Dont Know Why), Geologists may have an idea, but this still doesnt tell you, where the seams of water might be, he says. my wife and i had a water witch find water for us to put a well in at our northern pa cabin,he was spot on and the depth also spot on. Warning be careful if you try that with opposite sex. At first when I started I would just walk around in an area and if my stick went down Id say try here. One example: I located a well for one person on top of a hill, Lynn says. If a hydrogeologist is called to determine a suitable drilling site, he or she will start by examining a geologic map. Also like vein at least 400 feet long or better. I have been dowsing for 50 years with complete success. In fact, historical images that appear to represent dowsing appear all over the worldin the temples of Egyptian pharaohs, in ancient Chinese etchings and more. He had a standing challenge offering a million dollar cash prize to anyone who pass his tests on any of the above. Many successful wells are drilled without the cost of a dowser or a hydrogeologist. When hes asked to locate a well, Lynn tries to find a spot where two underground streams cross, at different depths, he says. Just amazing to this this in action. It's a very strong response. As walking back and stick started going down placed a second flag. He also located the geothermal lines that were near the drill site. Willow twigs are long and slim. The willow tree is naturally found around lakes or ponds because is it a water loving tree. I've read through this whole thread. Subject Headings. Heather Smith Thomas. Should have been James Randi. I'm in Lincoln county. "Dowsing," "water witching," "divining," and "doodlebugging" are all names for the practice of locating groundwater by walking the surface of a property while holding a forked stick, a pair of L-shaped rods, a pendulum, or another tool that responds when the person moves above a location that will yield an adequate flow of water to a drilled well (see Figure 1). Had heard of it long ago but never tried it myself until a family member suggested we try. His son & daughter can both find tile & waterlines as well. Call Number/Physical Location. An excellent article, Amber Kanuckel. For the bobber stick (to determine depth of water), Lynn uses a dowsing willow about 3 feet long but small and light. I told him I didnt believe that a stick could find water, he said well come with me he cut a stick and showed me how to hold it and told me to hold tight and start walking , I really didnt know what to say when that stick turn in my hands and I was holding so tight the bark peeled of in my hands it went down then next step it came back up and it did that in the same place every time, So I believe he passed the ability to witch to me when he handed the stick to me that day. Tried it again alone and it wouldnt work. I walked around and was flabbergasted when those stupid wires started moving on their own! I was having a well dug before we built our house 4 years ago. Then I drilled were it was most convenient (my pick) and we hit 20 gallons a minute at 132 feet. Hydrogeologists often examine aerial photos when siting a well in a challenging area. There is an article in our newspaper re: a man finding an ancient cemetary by dousing. A case in point was when a person tried to drill a well within 30 feet of the river that ran past their property. I have seen his fingerprints on something in a few minutes. The well water was so hard that most people had trouble with it especially with washing clothes. . Yes, I can find underground wire, pipes by using a wire in each hand sticking out in front of me. Some of the neighbors have been told that. They are attracted to his body and point back toward him. I have told them that there doesnt seem to be water on their acreage they wish to have well on. Thats important if you wish to irrigate or if you want it for drinking water. No water after 4-5 days of drilling. Many took him up on his challenges but none were ever able to prove their mystical claims.Hmmmm, imagine that. I wont lie to them if I feel I dont recognize a water vein. When it comes to modern-day water witching, I suppose digital imaging and water sniffing drones will win . Have also located water lines. Where do you live? Dowsing for water pipes could sometimes work this way: When those pipes were buried, someone had to guess how much dirt to throw back into the trench. Some people use hazel wood, but it doesnt grow where we live. She has used witching sticks with very good results. Watched a bunch of how to videos. She found her own . Regarding these igneous and limestone areas, geologists and hydrogeologists believe that there is no scientific basis for a dowser or a dowsing tool to have the ability to select a location where a drilled well will intersect subsurface fractures or small caverns. When dowsing for water, Lynn uses two steel welding rods, bent in L shape. Can you do it? Our back yard was our an acre and our front was probably around a quarter. 100% of wolf cubs could do it after 30minutes training. The most popular dowsing tool, however, is the dowsing rod. It is a major investment that many landowners are hesitant to make without professional consultation. This gives a solid base of support to hold the willow securely and firmly as you walk slowly over the area to be checked. Hopefully it means thats where the gold is! I moved to a rural community from Chicago in the early 70s. You may have to ask around to find out methods that work for you. Some dowsers prefer them to be freshly cut. 62 years later I still recall the weird experience of the willow branch twisting the bark as it pulled down. Chinese New Year: Traditions and Superstitions, Spring Equinox and the First Day of Spring, Summer Solstice and the First Day of Summer, Sell the Farmers Almanac In Your Retail Store, Grow Your Business Advertise with the Farmers Almanac, Be The Business Your Customers Will remember. kzks: Posted 1/27/2023 08:26 (#10062732 - in reply to #10062317) . Search Dowsing rods and I'd say it must have some merit. Cut a Y-shaped stick from a tree, making sure that all three sections of the Y are between 12 and 16 inches long. The "water witch" showed up with a willow branch that looked like a forked part of the tree. A well we had dug was close to two underground streams at different depths. I specialise in water mostly , dowsing Fri maps, finding water . Probably any kind of willow will work for the forked stick and the bobbing stick. Other historical images that appear to represent dowsing are found in the temples of Egyptian pharaohs and in ancient Chinese etchings. I am going to talk to a doctor and see if there is some way to monitor my blood pressure and pulse rate when I do this the next time. I could actually feel the pull inside me. Later I told a highly skeptic friend who insisted I show him. Very profound for someone who is very skeptical. Then Lynn began locating wells for family members, neighbors and friends. It's frustrating when you can find 5 tiles lines in a row exactly where the wires say they are and then you dig for two hours where the next was showed and there's nothing within 50 feet. I've never heard that one, might have to try it sometime. It works! English/Irish, now living in Limerick Ireland. Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove compartment of your car. Willow or apple was used to create the strongest 'pull' to the water. Yesterday the young driller cut a y shaped limb from one of our fruit trees, and used that to witch the drill site. Cut a Y-shaped stick from a tree, making sure that all three sections of the Y are between 12 and 16 inches long. However I will admit. Hi Richard, thanks for sharing your story! You didnt tell him that theres always charlatans that impersonate the real thing. Water well witching with wood fits into this 95%, just like angels, demons, or the rest of reality that you cant see. Winter Solstice: When is it, and What is it? He had a small well that was surface water coming from a small dam but the output would decrease during times of drought, so he spent a lot of time and money drilling for a better, drinkable water source. Hold the rods steady in your hands. Dowsers often use a dowsing stick, pendulums, or even water dowsing rods. Water is not always where youd expect. He passed in 2020 or maybe you too could have become a millionaire. "Willow branches," he says. Wells drilled throughout the area will penetrate the same materials and have a high probability of yielding water. Ive seen guys use that method to drive around on a place and find a good general area for I hunt in. When the grateful rancher paid him, Lynn realized his services were valuable. I am John Benscoter, my phone# is 570/833/4250, my address is 345 Beech Grove Road, Laceyville, Pa. 18623, my email is johnrbenscoter@yahoo.com. Used a forked peach tree sprout. . After finding a spot, I use a forked willow to see if thered be enough water for a good well. Wasted $14,000 on these dry holes. Find "Y" shaped branch. Define water witching. None of the dowsers rods or twigs even twitched at this location. When we bought our farm in Ohio, in 1966,it only had a hand dug cistern. Rods will turn in their hands. In other areas, underground water sources are few and far betweenjust streams, some large, some smallcoursing through the layers of rocks. Im in Dillsburg, PA 17019. Leave water/electricity off and nothing happens. Its more for the fun of it. He does this every day he works and with 100% accuracy. American Folklife Center. Looks like a lot of potential millionaires amongst us *****I think he has passed on now but there was a guy named James Randy, who used to appear on the Johnny Carson Show. charles turner obituary, Believe in any of the Y are between 12 and 16 inches.... 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