MadScientistMatt said:
You've seen one break? I'm curious - at what point did it break?
Also, have you ever seen a diviner hold a traditional forked stick in any manner besides by the forks at the ends? For example, holding it one-handed at the center?
I've actually seen two break, that I can remember. One broke right at the base of one of the forks, about a foot or so from where it was being held, and I can't remember where the other one broke. I just remember it snapping very loudly.
No, I've never seen a diviner hold a stick any other way except by the forks. The only difference I've seen is that some hold the elbows tight in against the body, and others stick the elbows way up in the air.
Now, I don't think it's this way all over, but where I grew up, everyone called the stick a divining rod or divining stick, but the person who used it was called a "dowser." I'm pretty sure the stick is called a "dowsing rod or stick" in many areas. It just depends on where you grew up.
I know that in many places, a willow stick is called a "divining stick," and dowsing rods are actualy two, long, skinny pieces of metal with a bend at one end. You hold one in each hand, by the bend, and when you find whatyou're looking for, the two pieces of metal twist in your hand and cross.
They weren't used in my area when I was young, and my grandpa said people who used those were faking it. They are a whole lot easier to cheat with, so maybe he was right.
But we have a man here in Indiana now who seems to be able to find lost graves with diving rods, though, so who knows.
Anyway, around here, a "diviner" is someone who does the same thing, but who uses the divining rod or stick to look for things other than water. Lost graves, for example.
It's said that each person has a special gift. Some can find water, some graves, some gold or silver, some oil, you name it.
But the only thing I've ever seen actually found on a regular basis, with a divining stick, is water.
And I'm feeling a short story coming on here.