Rhabdomancy is a form of divination that utilizes a rod or wand to search for underground water or minerals. It is believed to have originated in ancient Babylonian and Egyptian cultures, and is still used in some parts of the world today (Dawson, 2001; Tran, 2018). The rod or wand used in rhabdomancy is typically made of hazel, hazelnut, elder, or apple tree wood. It is believed that when the wand is held above the ground, it will move or tremble when it passes over an underground water source.
This practice has been used throughout history for a variety of purposes. In ancient times, it was believed that it could be used to predict the outcome of wars or battles, locate underground water sources, and even find buried treasure (Dawson, 2001). In more recent times, rhabdomancy has been used to locate underground water sources for irrigation and other agricultural purposes (Tran, 2018).
Despite its long history, the scientific basis for rhabdomancy is still not well understood. Some believe that the wand may be sensitive to subtle changes in the earth’s magnetic field, while others suggest that it may be a form of psychokinesis (Dawson, 2001). Another possible explanation is that the wand may be sensitive to the subtle vibrations of water in the ground (Tran, 2018).
Although it is still not clear how rhabdomancy works, it is still used in some parts of the world today. In India, for example, it is still used to search for water sources in rural areas (Tran, 2018). In addition, some archaeologists use it to locate ancient underground structures or artifacts (Dawson, 2001).
In conclusion, rhabdomancy is an ancient divination practice that is still used in some parts of the world today. Its exact mechanism of operation is still unknown, but some believe it may be sensitive to subtle changes in the earth’s magnetic field, vibrations in the ground, or psychokinesis. Despite its uncertain scientific basis, it is still used to search for water sources, buried treasure, and ancient artifacts.
References
Dawson, T. (2001). Archaeological divination: A review of rhabdomancy. Archaeological Review from Cambridge, 20(1), 39-48.
Tran, N. (2018). Ancient rhabdomancy: A traditional method of water divination. Journal of Ethnobiology, 38(3), 435-447.