How to Divine with Dowsing

Author’s Note: The materials shared on this blog are based on the author’s own research and interpretation. They are intended as resources for students of Hagstone Witchery and for practitioners exploring traditional, folkloric, and folk magic. All posts are offered in the spirit of shared knowledge and inspiration, not as prescriptions or declarations of the “right” way to practice.

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Dowsing is a simple and relatively accessible form of divination. It can be done with very simple tools. I, myself, first learned with a needle hanging on the end of a bit of thread. But, it can be used for anything from seeking simple yes/no responses to discovering the location of lost objects and hidden treasure. Dowsing can be performed using a store-bought pendulum or copper dowsing rods; it can also be effectively done with any small item on a string or with the more traditional Y-shaped/forked stick. Some practitioners believe that the answers received through dowsing are the result of subtle, subconscious movement used as a tool to unlock the knowledge of the witch’s inner senses. Others may think of the movement of the dowsing tools as being manipulated by spirits or unseen forces that are called on to provide insight. 

What is Dowsing?

Dowsing is done to uncover hidden knowledge or ojects through guided movement of a dowsing tool. Historically, this practice was used to locate water, minerals, and lost objects underground. Early modern and premodern practitioners also used similar feats of object movement to obtain yes/no answers and uncover the identities of unknown persons. In contemporary times, dowsing remains in use for divination and spirit communication.

Choosing Your Tool

Dowsing can be down many different implements, including:

• Pendulums: Any weighted object on a chain or cord, from a crystal teardrop to a key, needle or button on a string.

• Dowsing Rods: Traditionally made of wood and Y-shaped, which are held by the y-ends, allowing the tail to act as a sort of divining compass. L-shaped brass rods are now quiet common as well. These are held loosely in the hands so they can swing or cross.

• Improvised Tools: A necklace, a bent coat hanger, or even two pencils placed in a cross (such as used in the once-viral Charlie, Charlie divination game).

The material matters less than your comfort level and connection with the tool. Choose something that feels right for you.

Preparing to Dowse

Before beginning, it helps to:

1. Ground and Center: Quite your mind as much as possible. (As I mention in my free Foundations in Hagstone Witchery course, this does not need to be perfect silence. Just reasonably focused compared to your baseline.) Steady your breath. Focus on what you want to ask of your tool. 

2. Cleanse Your Tool: Pass it through incense smoke, or simply hold it in your hands to ‘wake’ the tool.

3. Set the Space: Try to work in a calm environment, free from distraction. Candles and incense may be helpful to set the mood and aid your focus. You may also like to say a simple charm to open your dowsing session. 

Establishing Signals

Take some time to determine what movements correspond to “yes,” “no,” and “uncertain.” Hold your pendulum or rods, ask aloud, “Show me yes,” and observe how the tool moves. Then repeat with “Show me no.” Some find that the pendulum swings forward and back for yes, side to side for no; others may see clockwise and counterclockwise circles.

As someone who has been dowsing for twenty-five years, I still find it helpful to establish what movements mean yes and no at the beginning of each pendulum session, as these movements can be easy to forget and may sometimes change. In general, though, I have found that dowsing rods tend to be more consistent. With L-shaped rods, crossing into an X-shape is usually a yes, while opening wide is a no. With a Y-shaped rod, moving up and down tends to be a yes, while moving side to side is likely a no. Experiment to find what works for you and remember that you can always pause a reading to reestablish what movements mean what. Bonus Tip: If you are having trouble getting straight answers when you ask the tool to “show you yes/no”, try asking things like “Is the sky blue?” or “Is the grass purple?” instead.  

Asking Questions

Ask simple, direct questions. Instead of “Will I be happy?” try “Is pursuing this path in my best interest right now?” If you’re searching for an object, walk slowly and allow the rods or pendulum to guide your steps. Avoid stacking multiple questions into one, and take breaks if you feel fatigued or if your tool starts misbehaving.

Practical Applications

• Locating: Water, lost objects, ley lines, or energy currents.

• Divination: Gaining yes/no answers, clarifying Tarot readings, or checking correspondences.

• Healing Work: Some practitioner may use pendulums to detect imbalances or ailments in the body.

• Spiritual Communication: Dowsing practices can be used as a medium to speak with guides or spirits.

Tips for Success

• Stay Neutral: If you are deeply attached to a particular answer, your unconscious movements may sway the results. Take time to clear your bias and consider using a hands-free method of dowsing such as balanced pencil a pendulum on a stand. 

• Practice Often: The more you work with your chosen tool, the more confident and accurate your results will become.

• Record Your Sessions: Keeping a journal helps track patterns, refine technique, and reflect on accuracy over time.

• Respect the Limits: Dowsing is not infallible. Treat it as a tool for guidance, not absolute truth.

Divination Aids

If you are looking to move beyond yes/no answers, you can try printing out or drawing dowsing charts to help you explore more uses for your pendulum or rods.

Closing the Session

When you have finished, thank your tool (and any spirits you may have called on), cleanse it (if desired), and store it in a safe place.

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A D D I T I O N A L R E S O U R C E S

Dowsing Chart Maker