dowsing

edward222

does anyone on boards,have an interest in, or knowledge of dowsing as a pass time.

mcmoustache

I have some knowledge about it. It's rubbish. Nothing more than the idiomotor effect.


As for people who believe in it, they say that it works by channeling the earth's magnetic field which gets distorted by flowing water. This is rubbish.
Using wands (some say conductive, others say insulating) the dowser can detect this change in the magnetic field and the wands move apart according to some or towards each other according to others. This is rubbish.

There have been blind tests carried out plenty of times but so far nobody has been able to demonstrate the ability. Given the amount of doesers in the world, surely one could prove the ability but they can't. Dowsers make up the majority of participants in the JREF's million dollar prize. It's all a pile of rancid, fishy, pungent rubbish.

Genghiz Cohen

My first knowledge of Randi came from an old video of dowsing.
It was a $30,000 at the time. I can't link the vid from here, Google Randi dowsing Australia, it's and oldie

Basically, 10 pipes were buried a meter underground, and marked where they started and ended.
They were all fed from the same water source and each had a tap at either end to ensure no water could get in while they were supposed to be off.

The dowsers were present at every stage and a local Chaplin was made judge, for fairness sake.
For a test the dowsers were shown which pipe water was flowing through and they tried to get a reading, they all did.
Then a pipe was switched on at random without any of the dowsers knowing which one, but they knew a pipe had water.
10 tries each with 10 random pipes on and the rest off.

There was also a block of gold hidden in one of 10 boxes.

I won't spoil the end

deirdremf

Genghiz Cohen wrote: »

My first knowledge of Randi came from an old video of dowsing.
It was a $30,000 at the time. I can't link the vid from here, Google Randi dowsing Australia, it's and oldie

Basically, 10 pipes were buried a meter underground, and marked where they started and ended.
They were all fed from the same water source and each had a tap at either end to ensure no water could get in while they were supposed to be off.

The dowsers were present at every stage and a local Chaplin was made judge, for fairness sake.
For a test the dowsers were shown which pipe water was flowing through and they tried to get a reading, they all did.
Then a pipe was switched on at random without any of the dowsers knowing which one, but they knew a pipe had water.
10 tries each with 10 random pipes on and the rest off.

There was also a block of gold hidden in one of 10 boxes.

I won't spoil the end

I met a dowser once, he found water for my aunt.
They dug a well where he said, and they found water at the depth he said.
Unfortunately, the well dried up later on. So they called him in again, and this time he found them a well that didn't dry up!

meryem

So what does this sum up? It's all depending upon the person not the field. Dowsing activity can be relevant when tested with really capable person. Is that so?

Dave!

meryem wrote: »

So what does this sum up? It's all depending upon the person not the field. Dowsing activity can be relevant when tested with really capable person. Is that so?

More like: sometimes people get lucky, other times they use their existing knowledge of the area to find water and the rod is irrelevant.

mcmoustache

Dave! wrote: »

More like: sometimes people get lucky, other times they use their existing knowledge of the area to find water and the rod is irrelevant.

I agree with this. There is a good chance that humans can have enough knowledge about where to find water without dowsing. For example you might look at the terrain and spot a line of vegetation such as bull rushes which tend to grow in places with more water. You might also find water in the middle of a valley where a river once flowed. There are lots of ways of finding water and dowsing is one of the least effective.

Ticktactoe

I think if you dig deeply enough anywhere, you will eventually find water.

dollydishmop

Hubby has found old water pipes that weren't on the farm plan maps before. More than once too!

Genghiz Cohen

dollydishmop wrote: »

Hubby has found old water pipes that weren't on the farm plan maps before. More than once too!

Have you done science to him?

Melodi

I had a very interesting experience about 15 years ago when we first moved to Ireland, and old Dowser came to visit where we were renting and used his tools to look for water. All that was very interesting, then he let a family friend use his tools and nothing much happened.

Then, he thought it would be fun, to hand them to me (I'll explain later why he thought it was just fun); to my shock and surprise I felt like an electric current going up my arms and the tools starting whirling wildly around in circles. When I stepped back from the area they stopped, when I stepped back on it they started again.

I can assure you I was doing nothing (at least not with my logical brain) to these objects (they were like wires attached to pieces of wood that could turn around or be stationary) and yet as I walked around the property, every so often I would feel the electric sensation and they would almost pull me and start going around in circles.

When this first happened, the old man got a look of total shock on his face; as time went on he also had me try to "look" for other things besides water and the same things happened. After about half an hour I was getting tired and handed him back his tools and by now he was nearly dead white and he said,

"I don't understand it, everyone knows that it is simply impossible for women to be dowsers but you are doing it!" He then went on to explain that the reason was because women had to be able to handle more than one task at once, in order to safely care for their children and families. Dowsing took great concentrate on just one task and that was something that men tended to be better at (though he thought they were terrible at doing more than one thing at once). Remember, this guy was really old and we live way out in the country, I did not feel a lecture in women's lib was in order at that point.

Instead I suggested that perhaps it was happening because I had not been able to have children and because I had a over a decade of psychic, trance and meditation training under my belt. To do things like that, you have to know how to focus and concentrate on something.

He excepted that and went home and husband and I went to bed. I had not realized the evening was a dark moon and lets just say the follow up to this story is I had the one of the worst "female times" of my entire life. By the morning I told my husband, "you know I think I now know the real reason women don't do this and unless we are desperate for water, I don't plan on making it a regular practice either.

A couple of hours later, the old man showed up with a set of tools for me and offered to "train me," he said my situation was "impossible" but had obviously happened.

I told him that I was very touched and honored that he would do this, but that I had gotten very ill in the night (did not explain further) and really felt that dowsing was not for me. I promised him I wouldn't try doing it on my own without training either, and in fact I haven't done it at all since. He took it very well and I think was somewhat relieved.

Finally, I had some experience working with pendulums, and dowsing is similar but much more powerful. I have to say that after my experience, that whatever it is, something does happen. I did not expect it, never thought I had any abilities in that direction and had never studied it. But boy, I can still feel that pull and electrical sensation on my arms when I think about it 15 years later.

But then I sometimes crash ATM machines too...my husband won't let me near them if he can help it lol!

An Ri rua

Ticktactoe wrote: »

I think if you dig deeply enough anywhere, you will eventually find water.

Potable water. Will you really?

I think JREF and james randi's ass is well and truly cooked, if ass isn't too pejorative a word considering his 'grooming' antics. Do some recent research. http://www.reddit.com/r/skeptic/comments/l7sjl/who_is_jose_luis_alvarez_james_randis_live_in/

Skeptic shouldn't be religious zealots, they should be curious yet scientific yet ....curious. Most skeptics are zealots. scientific zealots that believe in laws until they're told, no, we got that one wrong, this is how it actually works until further notice.

Get....up .....that.....garden....

ps I dowse. I'm average. But here's a solid story for those who care or are curious http://www.oilandgasinquirer.com/article.asp?article=magazine%2F080324%2FMAG2008_MO0001.html

James Randi is a dirtbird with very little credibility. A man who steals identities of the living is not a man to be trusted. As above, so below, as below, so above. Its all about him, not you. So real politik rules. That is who skeptic religionists have been worshipping, a f*cking liar.

Dave!

Dowser doesn't like skeptics... Shocker!

maccored

Dave! wrote: »

Dowser doesn't like skeptics... Shocker!

Sounds more like dowser doesnt like cynics ...Shocker! Then again, who does?

[skeptics] should be curious yet scientific yet ....curious.

I totally agree. Real skeptics are exactly like that. Others though dont fully realise they arent actually skeptics.

An Ri rua

Dave! wrote: »

Dowser doesn't like skeptics... Shocker!

What's liking got to do with it? Do you feel the need to be liked Dave?

maccored

THought I'd just throw this in .....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeptic

In classical philosophy, skepticism refers to the teachings and the traits of the 'Skeptikoi', a school of philosophers of whom it was said that they 'asserted nothing but only opined.' (Liddell and Scott) In this sense, philosophical skepticism, or Pyrrhonism, is the philosophical position that one should suspend judgment in investigations.[1]

http://www.debunkingskeptics.com/

However, standing in the way are groups of organized fundamentalists who call themselves "skeptics" but in reality know nothing about the true meaning of the word nor practice it. In fact, they've hijacked the word to mean its opposite. Rather than inquiring, or asking questions to try to understand something, they seek to debunk, discredit and ridicule anything that doesn't fit into their belief system.

Well said, that website.

An Ri rua

Dave! wrote: »

Dowser doesn't like skeptics... Shocker!

By the way Dave, I don't think the spirit of your post, or some of the other debunking posts here are meeting the demands of the paranormal forum. What do the other Mods think?

The OP was seeking a positive discussion of dowsing as a pastime. Others added to that. Then some debunked. No moderator seemed to pick up on that however. I have responded to some of that negative material with solid, constructive argument and then you have, in my opinion, commented on my views in a negative manner. I think you're well out of order and smart-alecky.

I've reported your thanking of posts that breach the charter of this forum, as the OP clearly was not looking for rubbishing of dowsing. I've also screen-captured it Dave.

"Breach of paranormal forum rules, OP did not ask for this sort of reply. Clearly was seeking positive views of dowsing as a pastime. The thankers also stand guilty, that includes Dave, the skeptic forum moderator, according to the paranormal forum rules."

Hate to be the one to have to report a Mod to Mods. But Boards is for everyone's enjoyment.

Dave!

err, no, you posted a bunch of ad-hominems attacking James Randi's character.

Your post had nothing to do with dowsing at all.

I see you've edited it now.

My post earlier in the thread summarised my views on dowsing rather concisely. If you don't like my tone then feel free to report the post.

Perhaps a mod will also take a look at this part of your post, which is possibly libelous:

A man who steals identities of the living is not a man to be trusted

An Ri rua

Dave! wrote: »

err, no, you posted a bunch of ad-hominems attacking James Randi's character.

Your post had nothing to do with dowsing at all.

I see you've edited it now.

My post earlier in the thread summarised my views on dowsing rather concisely. If you don't like my tone then feel free to report the post.

Perhaps a mod will also take a look at this part of your post, which is possibly libelous:

1. Untrue, my post started out by alluding to the fact that water-diviners, in the main, would always be seeking 'potable' water. Do YOU understand that subtle distinction, scientific one?

2. I edited it to add a link to a prominent wildcatter & dowser.

3. Your post in the earlier thread has no place in this forum, definitely not in this thread, if you were seeking to help the OP and working in accordance to the paranormal charter. You thanked someone who abused the obvious beliefs in dowsing of another. That's one for the Mods I think?

4, Perhaps the Mods should. Perhaps you should too before you put them to that bother. The link I have supplied which you have an issue with is one you clearly haven't read. If you had, you would see that two newspaper reports back up that assessment.

Confidence can turn to arrogance so easily. its ugly. You could do with some self-improvement by studying the Hermetic Principles as laid down by the Kybalion.

Peace, grasshopper.

Riamfada

I think everyone here is entitled to their opinions be it skeptic or believer. The OPs post was very short and open ended and from my interpretation is looking for any experience with dowsing or people's opinions of it. There are some good posts on this thread and can we please keep it focused on the topic at hand?

maccored

All i know is that the fella that stuck in our well didnt even use rods to dowse. he just walked about abit and said "heres a good spot". Unless you can just stick wells anywhere, he was right.

Ive decided for 2012 that I am not a believer, skeptic nor cynic. I shall be a Fallibilist.

An Ri rua

Riamfada wrote: »

I think everyone here is entitled to their opinions be it skeptic or believer. The OPs post was very short and open ended and from my interpretation is looking for any experience with dowsing or people's opinions of it. There are some good posts on this thread and can we please keep it focused on the topic at hand?

I respect your opinion but the OP was looking for discussion on dowsing as a pastime. That implies a positive view of dowsing, Riamfada, in anyone's interpretation. I presume its unusual for a Mod to have so blatantly transgressed the rules of a forum charter by thanking an abusive poster who described our pastime as 'rubbish' and made a strong point of it. I would have thought that made it all the more wrong.

The OP wanted to discuss the hobby / the pastime; as do all in this forum. Denouncer's opinions are not allowed once the OP has set the tone of belief, not so? If the charter has changed, then I apologise and accept your counsel.

An Ri rua

Hi all,

there avery knowledgeable dowsers available all over Ireland. Worth a look is the Irish Society of diviners. See http://www.irishdiviners.com/

Next up, our next door neighbours the British Society of Dowsers. http://www.britishdowsers.org/ and its excellent forum.

For those more water / minerals and treasure-inclined, especially map-dowsing, check Tnet http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php?board=200.0

Other sites of interest include the work of John Living www.in2it.ca, a British Army trained dowser. A Sandhurst man.

The Youtube videos of Raymon Grace are well worth watching also if you are interested in space healing and moving into radionics / psionics.

Authors of note include Christopher Bird, Tom Graves (The Dowser's Workbook) and Abbé Mermet & Marc Clement (Principles and Practice of Radiesthesia)

Happy Hunting.

MrMojoRisin

mcmoustache wrote: »

I have some knowledge about it. It's rubbish. Nothing more than the idiomotor effect.


As for people who believe in it, they say that it works by channeling the earth's magnetic field which gets distorted by flowing water. This is rubbish.
Using wands (some say conductive, others say insulating) the dowser can detect this change in the magnetic field and the wands move apart according to some or towards each other according to others. This is rubbish.

There have been blind tests carried out plenty of times but so far nobody has been able to demonstrate the ability. Given the amount of doesers in the world, surely one could prove the ability but they can't. Dowsers make up the majority of participants in the JREF's million dollar prize. It's all a pile of rancid, fishy, pungent rubbish.

mcmoustache - I wish to remind you that the above post written by you is in breach of two of the forum Charter rules, namely:

1 ALL belief in the paranormal will be respected.


2 No demands for proof of paranormal validity.

mcmoustache, you will NOT post a dismissive and insulting reply like the above ever again.

If you don't have anything to contribute that is in line with the Charter rules, then please refrain from replying at all.

Furthermore, any posters who 'thank'/support posts such as that of mcmoustache's will also be considered to be in breach of the Charter rules.

I won't tolerate a repeat of this behaviour on here in future.

Broads.ie

maccored wrote: »

Sounds more like dowser doesnt like cynics ...Shocker! Then again, who does?

Did you hear that Dave? You're a CYNIC for not believing in magic.

An Ri rua

Broads.ie wrote: »

Did you hear that Dave? You're a CYNIC for not believing in magic.

I am at a loss to understand how your post adds to the spirit of the OP's question. As I can't backseat mod, I'll leave it at that. I will say its a pretty poor way to conduct yourself in any Boards forum, IMO.

maccored

i think you might might the whole cynic/skeptic definition is a tad more complex than that. then again - it sure beats actually thinking.

Broads.ie wrote: »

Did you hear that Dave? You're a CYNIC for not believing in magic.

wayoutwest

I've been a dowser for around fifteen years,using L-rods[made out of a chopped-up wire coat hanger] rather than a pendulum.

Although I can find underground streams,water pipe,electric wires etc,I mainly dowse for Earth Energy Lines[sometimes called ley lines or fairy paths].I am lucky in that I can also dowse 'remotely' on a sketch map of the area before I go out in to the field-this saves a lot of footwork.
Once I've used the rods to detect WHAT I'm looking for,I then use them as a questioning tool in order to find out more.The trick is to ask the right questions.For instance,if you were looking for well water -then ask for just that-not just 'water'.You would also be asking about quality.depth of source,volume/delivery rate etc.If I'm asking for the rods to indicate when I pass over an 'Earth energy line',then they won't 'twitch' if I happen to walk over a water pipe[and vica versa]

I've never really got on with the pendulum and it is more affected by the wind and by walking on uneven ground.I would'nt use dowsing to be asking questions about life paths,the future or lottery numbers etc.

Hello An Ri rua-nice to come across a fellow dowser on boards.Thanks for providing the O.P and others with info and usefull links.

Sceptics-I've given the rods to lots of complete novices,most of whom have been sceptical to some extent.They are allways a bit gobsmacked when they get the same response as myself-it always makes me smile so it does.

Dave!

Have you ever (for fun, or to test yourself!) had someone organise some sort of experiment/test for you? Say get 5 buckets, put a jug of water under one of them, and see how consistently you get determine the correct one. Get someone to help you hide the jug of course Then do it without the dowsing rod. Run it a good few times and see if you do significantly better with the rod.

An Ri rua

Dave! wrote: »

Have you ever (for fun, or to test yourself!) had someone organise some sort of experiment/test for you? Say get 5 buckets, put a jug of water under one of them, and see how consistently you get determine the correct one. Get someone to help you hide the jug of course Then do it without the dowsing rod. Run it a good few times and see if you do significantly better with the rod.

www.gotpsi.org

wayoutwest

Cant say I have Dave -Not sure if the 'pressure' of performing would affect my dowsing response.Also i would suspect that the jug of water,,being moved about,might not be able to establish its presence or 'energy field',which might confuse the response.This is maybe why nobody has collected Randys prize money.