Editing Dowsing (section)

==Equipment==
The device used by a dowser is typically referred to as a dowsing or divining rod, even though it may not be rod-shaped.<ref name="inglis245"/>

===Dowsing twig===
[[File:Agriculture in Britain- Life on George Casely's Farm, Devon, England, 1942 D9817.jpg|thumb|right|George Casely uses a hazel twig to search for water on the land around his [[Devon]] farm, 1942.]]
Traditionally, the most common method used is the dowsing twig, a forked (Y-shaped) branch from a tree or bush. Some dowsers prefer branches from particular trees, and some prefer the branches to be freshly cut. [[Hazel]] twigs in Europe and [[witch-hazel]] in the United States are traditionally commonly chosen, as are branches from [[willow]] or [[Peach|peach trees]]. The two ends on the forked side are held one in each hand with the third (the stem of the Y) pointing straight ahead. The dowser then walks slowly over the places where the target (for example, minerals or water) may be, and the dowsing rod is expected to dip, incline or twitch when a discovery is made.<ref name="Inglis">Inglis (1986)</ref> This method is sometimes known as "willow witching." Some dowsers would hang a golden ring on the edge of the dowsing rod, or split the tip to slide in a silver coin.<ref>{{Cite book |first=Vance |last=Randolph |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/868269974 |title=Ozark Magic and Folklore. |date=2012 |publisher=Dover Publications |isbn=978-1-306-33958-2 |oclc=868269974}}</ref>

===Pair of rods===
[[File:Allemanswiro.jpg|thumb|left|Two L-shaped metal wire rods]]
Many modern dowsers use a pair of L-shaped metal rods. One rod is held in each hand, with the short arm of the L held upright, and the long arm pointing forward. The upright arm is often free to rotate inside a tube. When something is "found," the rods move in synchrony. Depending on the dowser, they may cross over or swing apart.<ref name="inglis245"/> If the object is long and straight, such as a water pipe, the rods may point in opposite directions, showing its orientation. The rods may be fashioned from wire coat hangers or wire flags used for locating utilities. Glass or plastic rods have also been accepted. Straight rods are also sometimes used for the same purposes, and were common in early 19th century [[New England]].

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===Pendulum===
A [[pendulum]] weight on a short cord or thread is the tool of choice for many modern dowsers.<ref name="inglis245">Inglis (1986), pp. 245–246</ref>{{obsolete source|date=October 2023}} The dowser holds the cord in one hand and allows the pendulum to swing freely. The dowser then observes how the pendulum is swinging and interprets the motion to offer insights.<ref>William Bown; "[https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg12817373-200-science-the-physics-of-a-dowsing-pendulum/ Science: The physics of a dowsing pendulum] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223185728/https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg12817373-200-science-the-physics-of-a-dowsing-pendulum/ |date=2022-02-23 }}", ''New Scientist'', 6 October 1990.</ref>