I had the opportunity to use and demonstrate the theories behind Dowsing Rods, or divination rods, this weekend at a public event at Waiuku Museum. I already knew about the basics of what they were used for and how to use them, but using them as a communication tool was a little nerve-wracking. However, everyone involved was enthusiastic about the process.
Dowsing is also known as ”water witching” or ”divining”.
We used the typical L-shaped rods, which freely spin in their barrel, separate from your hand. Usually, they are used for finding water and objects underground such as oil, ore and metals. In the 17th century, they were used to hunt criminals and heretics. The rods can cross over each other, usually indicating an area of water, or spread apart to show the area where the water isn’t. They can also line up to create an imaginary boundary. Possibly where the water stops.
In relation to our communication with the spirit world, a cross can mean a ”yes”, and a spread-apart action for a ”no”. Spinning is also a very common action.
Google states, “The effectiveness of dowsing cannot be scientifically proven. It’s considered a pseudoscience because the movements of the rods are more likely due to random chance or the ideomotor effect. The ideomotor effect is when someone makes unconscious movements due to expectations or suggestions.”
I guess here’s where we all have to be aware of our own actions and how we view our subconscious muscular movements and also take into account the environment around us. If you were outside using them, wind could come in as a factor also.
During our communication sessions, everyone was patient and understanding and kept in mind to rule out any possible explanations, like their own movements, drafts and their own enthusiasm, which may be responsible for a session getting out of hand. We kept our cool.
Everyone had questions that related to the place we were in, so eventually, we were able to put a story together that, when shared with the rest of the group, confirmed that they had experienced the same result with their previous attempts of this practice in the same area. Completely unknown to everyone involved. That was quite special to hear.
The group that confirmed were excited to return to the same spot and try. However, this time, they had experienced another “new spirit” come through to talk. Someone related to the area of whom had just recently passed. It was a very interesting and intense session.
We also experienced a spinning action by the door, where whoever was there did not enjoy the jail cell door being closed and claimed to be standing by the door while we were in there. We received some strong answers to questions they knew the answers to already and some new questions that were asked were giving off a very ”conversational” vibe. Like old friends catching up.
Each person who tried the rods claimed to feel a ”presence” holding the rods and using their energy to move the rods. They would also claim to feel them ”let go”, as it were, when they felt they weren’t interested anymore.
This made for a great learning experience that we know what we felt and out of respect for them, we accepted it and moved on. Not needing to doubt their own feelings about the whole thing. Some were nervous to try at first, but afterwards, everyone felt comfortable enough to take a turn.
It was a big relief to have people conquering their fear and walking away proud.
At the end of the night, this was just one way to test whether contacting spirits is that easy or if using our energy helps them to reach through the veil between our world and theirs to tell us where they are and if they’re ok.
As far as I’ve read, no one really knows if (or how) any of it works. The technique has been used for thousands of years, and those who follow the theory base their lives around how it must have some sort of solid science to it. However, unless we can crack the code, it remains something we’ll never truly understand unless we experience it for ourselves.
As Mark told me on our way to the event, “it’s like karaoke; many try it once and get hooked”.