Learn about itLearn onlyLiving tradition
This page describes the practice. There is deliberately no automated reading for it — see the notes below.
Background
Dowsing is an attempt to locate water, metals and other things without scientific equipment, also called water witching. Controlled studies, including a large 1987–88 Munich study and its critics, have found no reliable ability beyond chance.
How it works
The dowser walks over ground holding rods or a forked twig, which dip or cross; movements are attributed to the ideomotor response.
Notes and limits
Safety: Dowsing does not work under properly controlled conditions. Use qualified surveys for wells, pipes, cables or anything that affects safety.
At a glance
- Also called
- Water witching, Divining, Doodlebugging, Rhabdomancy
- Traditions
- European folk
- Regions
- Europe, Worldwide / modern
- You need
- Nothing
- Price
- Free