Dowsing is an ancient practice where hidden water, minerals or oil are detected
deep in the ground by using a forked stick which is held between the hands.
Pendulum dowsing is a variation of this which usually uses a weight on the end
of a chain to answer questions, find lost objects, choose lucky numbers and
even for finding ghosts.
How does it work?
There are different theories about how dowsing works although it is not known
exactly how, but the information received is outside the five senses so it appears
that we can use it to tap into our hidden powers by bringing together the rational
and intuitive faculties, the left and the right sides of the brain to access
knowledge outside normal conscious awareness.
Early explanations suggested that there was a sympathetic attraction between
specific minerals and rods cut from certain trees and that underground water,
gold or oil emit a strong natural energy which the diving tool picks up like
an aerial and transmits to the dowser.
Some say that the pendulum has a mind of its own and as an inanimate object
has statues inside waiting to be freed. Divination traditionally meant getting
in touch with a god or 'divus' for inspired direction for a future course of
action.