Scan the ground for forked twigs that have already broken – perhaps by the passing of a deer, or perhaps by something more mysterious. If you see a perfect Y-shape that is still growing from a tree, feel free to break it off and use it. If you break the forked branch from a tree, do it with intention. Don’t blindly blunder about, smashing trees to bits. Think about the tree, the surrounding area, and why you are commissioning this dowsing rod. Consider leaving something of your own behind to replace what you have taken from the tree.
Hazel and witch-hazel branches are commonly used in Europe and the U. S. , respectively – as are willow and peach-tree cuttings. [2] X Research source Most of these branches are popular because they are light and porous: many believe that rods from these trees can better absorb vapors rising from buried metals or water, which weighs down the un-forked end so that it points toward the source.
Consider wrapping fabric around the forks of the rod to make it more comfortable to hold. This can also function as decoration.
Choose the rod material based on purpose and availability. Brass and copper are especially popular because they don’t rust. If you have wire fencing or coat hangers readily available, however, it won’t hurt to work with what you have. Use a strong pair of wire cutters to trim the metal to size. There is no hard, fast rule that the wires must be 20 inches long. Make sure that they are long enough to dip of their own accord, and short enough to hold comfortably.
Use a length of 1 inch (2. 5 cm) dowel rod, with a hole through the center. Alternately, glue several cotton reels together into a cylinder. Use a pen. Remove the innards and caps of two cheap plastic pens, then thread the wire through the pen body. You may also pass the wire through a couple of drinking straws. Wrap a rag, a cloth, or a piece of felt around the shorter leg of each “L”. Tie the cloth in place with tightly-stretched rubber bands, a piece of twine, or even a safety pin.
The rod should rest flat over the index finger, while the butt of the handle should fit into the heel of your hand. Do not grip the handles, as the rods must float freely to work. You may, however, close your hand slightly to improve stability.
