Well-finding branch?

Question

Apparently to find wells people use willow branches an walk around with the branch near the ground and then the branch is pulled to the ground where the water is? I'm not sure how it works, do you need a pre-existing "gift" to do it, or can anyone?

Answer 1

a y shaped dowsing rod  cut from witch hazel ( it got its name from being favored for water witching)is supposed to work best,  fruit tree branches like peach or apple are used if witch hazel is not available, willow might work but its not very springy. the branch is cut at a 45 degree angle at the 3 ends & a slight notch cut in the v.

the branch is held with your hands slightly in front of your hips with your palms turned out & the branch twisted up straight in front of you. its held up by twisting it up like a spring with your wrists so any little movement will cause it to bounce up or down.

it probably works by intuition or maybe because theres water under the ground just about anywhere you dig.

but give it a try & see what happens. have fun!

Answer 2

Use a green smooth barked branch with a fork in it, cherry always works the best for some reason.  Two coat hangers will work also, but the tree thing looks cooler.

Answer 3

I think Witching" can be done by most people and it doesn't alway need a branch. I use two pieces of clothes hanger rod.

They are shaped like an "L" and I hold them by the the short ends in my fists. They start out pointing straight out and when I pass over a water pipe or water underground, they will cross.

Answer 4

My uncle came to our lot when we were building our house and did this, but I was very skeptical. I questioned him up and down and then made him show me how to do it - and it worked for me too. His explanation had to do with the roots of a tree having the ability to sense water and growing towards it. I don't know if I believe him, it wouldn't be his first tall tale, but latter that day when my 13 year old daughter came home from school, I showed her how to hold the branch and sure enough, it lurched, yes lurched toward the ground in the same place it did for my uncle and I.

If you try try this the branch has to be fresh, by the next day our branch wouldn't work anymore.

And we drilled the well in another place anyway - the spot the stick was pointing to was just to far from the house.