Sonoma County Dowsers

Sonoma County Water Dowser, Rob Thompson

2008-03-12T15:28:00.000-07:00

In Race to Find Water
It's Science vs. 'Witchers'
The Wall Street Journal
August 3, 2007
By Malia Wollan

NAPA, Calif. -- On a recent afternoon here at the Delectus Winery, Rob Thompson tapped two thin metal rods to the ground. Holding the rods in front of him, he slowly pirouetted, staring down into the dust. When the rods swiveled in his hands, he mumbled to his instruments: "40 gallons at 200 feet? 50 gallons at 210 feet? 30 gallons at 235 feet?"

Miles from a mainstream water supply, Mr. Thompson was looking for water to create a well for the winery. He says the rods help signal water, crossing when near what he calls "water veins." The rods, he says, move on their own. He typically will mark a water source, indicate how many feet below the surface it's located, and how many gallons per minute it's likely to yield. He says he gets all the information through intuition.

Rob Thompson using rods to look for water

Mr. Thompson, 39 years old, is a "witcher" or "dowser" -- someone who says that they can detect underground water using twigs, rods or a pendulum. He's one of what the American Society of Dowsers estimates to be more than 1,500 water witchers in the U.S., many of whom are paid for their services. Even though many geologists say the field is unscientific, Mr. Thompson says business has never been better.

That's because Western states such as California and Arizona are experiencing a well-drilling boom, amid one of the driest stretches in years and a surge of new properties being built in areas off the municipal water system.

Property developers typically look to modern technology first, hiring geologists to search for water using high-tech tools such as satellite imagery and magnetotellurics (a method of creating images of things beneath the earth's surface).

But because their investments could flop without a water source, developers building luxury resorts, orchards and wineries off the water grid aren't taking any chances. Some are hiring witchers as well as geologists, pitting them against each other in the water hunt. Meanwhile, some well drillers have witchers on staff. Other drillers offer witcher referrals or subcontract with independent witchers.

Steve Arthur, vice president of Arthur & Orum Well Drilling Inc. in Fresno, Calif., says that witchers can be effective. "Our customers just want water and dowsers find water," says Mr. Arthur.

Delectus, the winery, hired Mr. Thompson after geologists' data purportedly led to dry wells. Mr. Thompson charges $200 an hour, plus $10 for each gallon per minute produced in a well he has located. He gets paid his hourly rate whether or not he finds water. When a well yields abundant water, he says he can make $7,500 in a day's work, though he sees only a couple such days a year.

Mr. Thompson began water witching as an 11-year-old. The profession runs in his family -- his uncle and his grandfather were also witchers.

People who claim the ability to locate groundwater have been around for hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of years. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the witchers' divining rod was used in the mines of Western Europe in the 16th century. Witchers explain their abilities in myriad ways -- faith in God, electrical impulses, magnetic fields and intuition chief among them. Most witchers say anyone can learn to do it.

Water witching raises many geologists' hackles. The scientific community tends to explain any success witchers have by saying they look for signs of water on the earth's surface, such as changes in vegetation.

George Dunfield, chief of the professional-standards unit at the California Board of Geologists and Geophysicists, says many witchers are frauds who swindle customers. But water witchers, he says, are protected by the First Amendment. Mr. Dunfield says by hiring a witcher, consumers are essentially signing onto a religious doctrine "like voodoo" and the state can do little to protect them. He says there have been a growing number of complaints recently from people who say they paid witchers to find water and were led to dry wells.

Enforcement officers from the California geologists' board and the Contractors State Licensing Board are now planning sting operations targeting witchers and well drillers who use them, says Mr. Dunfield. While low-tech witching isn't illegal, a few witchers who purport to be scientists and use high-tech equipment such as radar to supplement their witching are violating a 1968 law that bans practicing geology without a license.

All of this hasn't stopped some thirsty developers from turning to witchers as a hedge against geologists. When a group of investors called Aqua Trac LLC launched a $160 million 57-mile water pipeline project in western Nevada in 2005, they hired geologist Walt Martin to locate groundwater.

But the Aqua Trac investors also hired a witcher named Jack Coel. "We've seen dowsers find wells out on ranches where no one's ever found water before," says investor Tom Gallagher, a fifth-generation Nevadan who grew up ranching. "We just wanted to have all our bases covered before spending a few million dollars drilling."

One of the coordinates Mr. Coel provided ultimately produced a 5,000-gallons-per-minute water gusher. Even Mr. Martin, the geologist, concedes he was impressed. "He was within a stone's throw of the locations I chose," says Mr. Martin.

When winemaker Gerhard Reisacher looked to buy Delectus Winery, located on a previously dry mountainside outside Calistoga, Calif., in late 2004, his purchase was contingent on finding water. "I put the geologists' report down, picked up the phone and called a water witcher," he says.

Mr. Thompson began work at the 112-acre winery in October 2004 and promptly located a well-drilling spot that yielded more than 265 gallons of water per minute. To find water, he says he follows a few basic rules: to trust himself and to stay hydrated, since "you can't find water if you're thirsty," he says.

In May 2006, Mr. Thompson was tasked with finding water for the Napa Valley golf course and estate homes project. He's being pit against a hydrogeologist on the project.

Mr. Thompson believes that finding water is becoming all too easy. "What I'd really like is to try dowsing for oil," he says.

What Is Dowsing?

2008-03-10T00:23:00.000-07:00

Dowsing is an ancient skill that people from many cultures have used to tap into ageless natural knowledge.

Perhaps you have known or heard of a person who "witched" for water with a forked stick. The term came from the belief that a person who found water this way was a witch.

For thousands of years finding water was the prime activity of dowsers. In the 1950s a few curious professionals explored other possibilities. They discovered that dowsing can deliver a remarkable variety of information that is not available to the conscious mind.

Science has not been able to explain it. However, there has been one scientific study of water dowsing in arid regions, which was published in the Journal of Scientific Exploration. To refuse to explore the unexplainable simply because it cannot presently be explained is unscientific. That's what scientists do - continually ask questions and seek answers, but someone or some company has to care about spending a lot of money to pay for the research!

Many professional dowsers have written books about dowsing, but the explanations about it is still not satisfactory for those who are skeptical.

Dowsing is a physical process combined with conscious intention that many believe is connected to a person’s subconscious. For the practiced dowser the information received is verifiable, honest and accurate an amazing percentage of the time.

The quest for answers regarding our life on this planet continuously unfolds. With a desire to explore the mystery of dowsing, a person benefits by experiencing an increased sensitivity and awareness of the oneness of all life and the magnificence of the universe.

Dowers are curious people who allow their minds to be open to possibilities …

who learn how to “ground” themselves or go into an Alpha state of mind to ask questions and receive answers.

who learn to use “tools” such as a pendulum, L-rod, bobber, Y-rod or their hand, which have generally replaced forked sticks.

who learn how to ask sincere questions that can be “answered” with a yes or no,

who practice the techniques and continue to be amazed by the results.

Young people are able to grasp the concept very quickly. (Ask Dianna if you want to view the video "Kids Learn Dowsing".)

An adult may choose to read A Letter To Robin - a Mini-Course In Pendulum Dowsing written by master dowser Walt Woods for a woman, who had written to him asking some very interesting questions about dowsing.

To actually experience verifiable answers, dowsing may take several weeks of consistent practice - or the ability may happen very easily. It may depend upon how soon a person can get their conscious mind out of the way and into a calm, relaxed, expectant state of mind.

For those people who are willing, dowsing has expanded their perceptions beyond three-dimensional limitations and given them the opportunity to achieve peace of mind.

What Can I Dowse For?

2008-03-09T17:05:00.000-07:00

Answers to almost any yes or no question, like ...

The state of your health.
(You do not diagnose an illness, but you can discover contributing factors.)
Choose the best health modality (acupuncture, massage, herbs, and more.)
Choose supplements, herbs or foods.
Determine the amount or dosage and frequency.
Determine if you have allergies or sensitivities.
Determine if food is fresh enough to eat.
Check the compatibility of individuals in a business or personal relationship.
Check a person's spiritual, emotional, intellectual, sexual, energy levels,
sense of humor, goals, value system and more.
Locate missing people, animals or objects.
Determine if food in the oven is done.
Choose which colors are best to wear each day.
Choose the best color to paint the walls in a room to achieve a specific effect.
Choose the best home/car/pet/vacation/career/location to move to/menu item.
Decide what movie you would most enjoy or learn the most from.
Determine if a substance will antidote a homeopathic remedy.
Locate sewer pipes, gas lines and electrical wires.
Diagnose car trouble.
Where can I locate potable drinking water, including the volume, direction, depth and quality.
Where should I plant a tree or garden for the greatest benefit of the plants.
Determine the diseases of plants & find the best remedies to restore them to health.
Is the plant getting too much water, too little, too much sun or needs nutrients.
Where to locate or not locate a septic tank.
Determine directions 'which way is north' .
Determine the best route to your destination during rush hour.
Locate precious metals (gold and silver) and other metals.
Choose an affirmation.
These are only examples of possibilities.
Be creative.

In addition:
Kinesology is another form of dowsing.
So is your intuition.

When you ask questions, are confident of the answers, fear disappears!

One disappointment:
Dowsing for winning lottery numbers or other materialistic advantage does not work.

American Society of Dowsers (ASD)

2008-03-08T18:32:00.000-08:00

Who Started The American Society of Dowsers (ASD)?
In 1961 eleven business professionals, most of whom were skilled dowsers, signed the application for the charter to become a nonprofit organization.

Even though they had been subjected to skepticism and ridicule, they knew from their experience, that dowsing was successful in helping people in many ways.

The ASD understands that research remains to be done before dowsing will be accepted by the scientific community - and others.

Throughout the U.S. and Canada and England are many chapters associated with the ASD, who schedule meetings for the curious, learners, teachers and professionals.

Their Objectives
To give dowsing a stature of dignity and authority.
To win respect and recognition for its great worth.
To help members with their dowsing problems.
To give assistance, guidance and encouragement to beginners.
To disseminate knowledge and information about dowsing to the general public.

The ASD Encourages Freedom Of Expression
They hold no corporate views on the nature of dowsing.
They do not favor one technique or tool over another.

ASD Contacts
web site: www.dowsers.org

Office: 1-802-684-3417 (Mon - Fri 9 to 5) (EST)
(ASD does not have a toll-free number, because they are a non-profit organization, whose income generally comes from membership fees and book sales.)

Bookstore: 1-802-684-3826 (Tue - Sat 10-5) (EST)
The ASD bookstore has many books, tools and miscellaneous items available for purchase.
Order an ASD catalogue and ASD Quarterly Digests ($2 for 1 / $5 for 3 / $15 for 10)
ASD has many back issues from Nov 1984. (They are never too old!)

Mail: P.O. Box 24, Danville, Vermont 05828

Become A Member
Membership fees are not usually required by the Chapters.
The Sonoma County Chapter encourages participants to join the ASD.

When a person joins the ASD ($40.00 annually for an individual, with other options available.), a wonderful benefit is to receive the American Dowser Quarterly Digest, which has amazing stories written by professional dowsers and others. These stories are a great way to gain further understanding.

Join the Digital Dowsers (Free)
Receive daily or weekly e-mails by subscribing to the Digital Dowsers.
Send an e-mail to (digitaldowsers-request@photon.

Attend Chapter Meetings
There are at least 13 ASD Chapters in California and many more throughout the US and Canada. If a person wants a short dowsing class, that usually can be arranged before or after the main meeting.

Sonoma County Dowsers
Call Dianna (707-575-9237)
Leave your name, e-mail & phone # in order to receive the next "invitation".

Attend A Conference (West Coasat Dowsing Conference, School, Workshops & Tour)
Go to: www.dowserswestcoast.org for details regarding July 4th - 9th, 2008
held at U.C. Santa Cruz, College VIII.
On campus housing and meals (Minimum Stay of two nights in apartment-style suite
for 4 participants
Daily walk-in available
Check out speakers and their websites. There are certainly several you won't want to miss!

Members of ASD get a conference discount. (There is a cutoff date to qualify for it.)

Who Can Dowse?
Dowsers believe everyone is born with the capability to dowse.

Children up to the age of 15 or 16 are almost universally sensitive and able to experience the mystery and excitement of dowsing.

It has been established that in any group of 25 adults, who have been properly trained, two to five of them will get "correct answers", which have been predetermined by the instructor.

Others may have to practice for a week or two before they manifest what many dowsers believe is a birth-right ability.

How May I Learn To Dowse?
There are many seasoned ASD member dowsers, who enjoy sharing their techniques with students.

Of the many enlightening books in the ASD catalog on dowsing,
The ASD suggests A Letter To Robin by Walter Woods as a comprehensive beginning book.

Dowsing instructors often begin teaching students by showing them how to dowse for underground flowing water.

Those who take the time to learn and practice will discover they can dowse.
Then they are on the threshold of new and challenging experiences.

Dowse every day
Dowsing is extremely useful and a lot of fun.
Dowsing is like exercise.
The more you do it, the stronger and better you become.
You will sense the potential.
Dowsing can take you as far as your sensitivity allows.
You will develop a natural communication with the earth and its inhabitants.
As soon as you develop confidence in the dowsing experience, you automatically begin to develop selectivity.

Some people become excited about exploring geomancy, which is the relationships of natural hills, waterways and earth surface features and energies.

Some people become excited about exploring feng-shui, the study of placement of a home or office and furnishings to facilitate order.

Some people become excited about labyrinths, which are ancient "magical/spiritual" paths that can bring balance, playfulness, spiritual connectedness, and healing to those who walk it.

Some people become excited about exploring energy ley lines, which are natural flows of cosmic energy called "power centers".

You may want to understand an aspect of living on this infinitively wondrous planet that others have not focused on.

Everyone has the same opportunity to contribute to their own or other's knowledge.

If you embark on this path you will find the experience of dowsing a true pioneering adventure.

Speaker: Dr. Gloria Dodd

2008-03-06T21:37:00.000-08:00

I’m thrilled to announce Dr. Gloria Dodd, Veterinarian, Retired, Holistic, Dowser will be in Sebastopol on March 22 to speak on Penduling For Health.

Everyone and anyone is encouraged to be at the Sebastopol Senior Center by 2:15, so we are ready to hear this remarkable veterinarian share her stories, with time for questions, from 2:30 to 4:30. Then she and her husband must leave to return to Gualala to take care of their 2 dogs and cat.

Hopefully you have a calendar close by, so you’ll remember to come to this very important event and be on time. I don’t want to miss a minute, and hopefully you won’t want to either! Dr. Dodd will bring enough handouts, and I’ll have enough chairs set up for those who RSVP. (dianna@sonic.net)

We’ll be in a larger room with a DVD player and a TV monitor, so we’ll be able to see a touching story about the recovery of a blind horse. If you’re not familiar with the health connection between animals and humans – what makes them sick and what makes them healthy - come and be amazed at what she was willing to learn (outside the box) continues to use, and willing to share with us!

Dr. Dodd: A Brief Biography
After graduating from University of California, Davis Veterinary School in 1960, Dr. Dodd practiced orthodox veterinary medicine for 16 years. However, during those years, she became increasingly frustrated with the inadequacies of drug and surgery medicine.

In 1972 she began studying classical Chinese needle acupuncture from a small group of holistically minded veterinarians, who were instrumental in creating the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) and the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA). These members used a multitude of natural healing therapies.

In 1976 Dr. Dodd traveled to Germany to study with Dr. Rheinhold Voll, a pioneer holistic medical doctor.

It took her two years to prove that Dr. Voll's Electroacupuncture According to Voll (EAV) also worked for animals. Dr. Dodd published her work and taught the method to other veterinarians.

While in Germany she studied with a master dowser of geopathic stresses, which opened up a whole new field of exploration. She learned to use L rods to locate water vein crossings in the homes of her animal cancer cases, and learned how to deray the property.

She not only learned to use a pendulum, but also to map dowse. Now she calls on her professional dowser friend, Carl Bracy of Burney, California to do that work for her.

When Dr. Dodd was in England and South America she learned to do "Radionics" broadcasting of healing remedies for patients remotely.

She visited Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she discovered Hazel Parcells, a world famous legendary healer and teacher in the fields of energy and natural self-healing. Hazel lived to be 106 years old (1889-1996). She also became Dr. Dodd’s favorite mentor. Hazel taught many revolutionary aspects of remote healing, which has served and continues to serve Dr. Dodd and her clients well.

Several years ago Dr. Dodd joined the American Association of Dowser’s Contra Costa County Chapter and attended many North Coast Dowser’s conferences in Santa Cruz. In addition to enjoying the camaraderie of other dowsers, she learned so much more about how dowsing can benefit mankind.

Check out her website www.holisticvetpetcare.net where she has compiled a great deal of information regarding animal diseases and what she has found to help them. You can also learn about and purchase over 150 custom homeopathic remedies she has registered with the FDA, for birds, cats, dogs, horses, reptiles and rodents.

Dowsing In South Korea

2008-03-04T12:37:00.000-08:00

Divining Intentions
These are excerpts from an article
that appeared on the front page of the
Wall Street Journal
November 29, 2002
by John Larkin

SUWON, South Korea
Some 60 miles north looms the armed border that divides South Korea from the Communist North. Choi Min Young paced around a hole he had bored deep into the earth. He was holding a pair of short steel rods.

Suddenly, the rods twitched in his grip. “Right now there are 30 North Koreans right beneath us,” Mr. Choi said in a hushed voice. Northern “solders are patrolling over to the right.”

Mr. Choi uses a scientifically unproven technique called dowsing, or divining, to seek underground objects. The usual dowser searches for water.

In South Korea, Mr. Choi is part of a small band that chases spies. The six-man group calls itself the Invasion-Tunnel Hunters. They have been digging for 10 yeas in search of passageways they believe North Korea has burrowed into the South, as invasion routes or to infiltrate spies.

Dowsers try to act as a human conductor of energy that substances purportedly throw off.

Mr. Choi says he channels vibrations from underground objects through two thin steel rods, bent 90 degrees at their ends to form little handles. He holds the rods out in front of him, one in each hand, parallel to the ground. Mr. Choi insists he can determine the nature, size and location of objects even if they’re 100 yards below ground.

Dowsing is also sometimes used in Korea to find auspiciously located burial grounds that are free from groundwater. “It’s popular among ordinary Koreans, but it’s not scientifically proven at all,” says Lim Mu Taek, a geophysicist at the Korea Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources in Daejon south of Seoul.