Recently, we came across this image, which left us somewhat perplexed.
Who knows what it might be?
The image circulated through the All Cute offices as we discussed the possible applications for what seemed to be a fairly common tree branch.
After wondering for a day about what it might be used for on Earth, we finally received an answer. Since the 1500s, this branch has been used for a particular procedure. The technique was called “Water Dowsing.”
Let’s say you are unfamiliar with “Water Dowsing” or the dowsing tool itself. In that case, you might be familiar with it by one of its other names, like “diviner,” “doodlebug,” “well witch,” or “water-finder.”
If you have not guessed by now, this device is used to find water. This is more of an urban legend, even though it was a common practice.
One branch of the stick would be held in each hand, palms facing up, by the person using the Y-shaped branch. Afterward, the branch’s base, the “Y” stem, is angled 45 degrees from the planet. The person then moves back and forth after setting the tool.
The individual goes back and forth and tries to get the Y’s bottom to rotate toward the ground. An urban myth states that the vibrations at the bottom of the Y indicate the existence of water below the surface of the earth.
As a result, you might be wondering, “How did this start?” Dowsing with metal rods was used in the 1500s to find metals in the ground. Brand-new homeowners in rural areas eventually used the method to find water.
The concept was that it might soon become prohibitively expensive to drill for water in the wrong location. Using a water dowser could help you find water more quickly and cheaply.
The widespread myth was debunked when new technology revealed that water covers most of the Earth’s surface. The actual device, however, was entirely novel for its time.
Water drilling companies still occasionally use the water-dowsing technique before drilling to ensure they receive water.
Let us know if you want to test your friends to see if they know what the tool is for, and congrats if you know what it was for!
