Dowsing

From Traditional Witchcraft Wiki Project

Dowsing is a way of divining something, and so a type of divination. Through it one might seek to find water (which is known as water-witching), metals, treasure, lost or hidden objects and so forth.

Dowsing utilises a variety of apparatus, such as a pendulum, forked stick, L-rods, diving wands (see rhabdomancy). Some work without any tools whatsoever, claiming to be able to feel reactions.

The origins of the word dowsing is shrouded in mystery; some think it might come from a Cornish word, whereas others think it might derive from the German deuten, meaning "to indicate or point out", or even from the Middle English word duschen, meaning to "strike" (evoking the downward strike of the rod as a response to water).