The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

DIVINING WATER

WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I WERE PLANNING TO CUT OUT A FRUIT
(IT TURNED OUT TO BE A QUINCE) TREE FROM OUR BACKYARD,
MRS. FOSTER ASKED IF IT WERE A PEACH TREE. SHE
WANTED A Y-SHAPED BRANCH FOR A WATER-DIVINING ROD.
SHE AND HER HUSBAND HAVE A COTTAGE IN CANADA AND SHE
WANTED TO SEE WHERE THE WELL SHOULD BE DUG.
WHEN I QUESTIONED HER ABOUT THIS STRANGE REQUEST,
SHE TOLD ME THAT DIVINING WATER BE DONE BY POINTING
A PEACH OR WILLOW BRANCH AT THE GROUND AND THAT THE
BRANCH WOULD REALLY PULL ITSELF TOWARD THE SPOT WHERE
WATER WOULD BE FOUND.
I DON'T KNOW IF SHE HAS EVER DONE IT HERSELF, BUT SHE
REALLY BELIEVES THAT YOU CAN DIVINE WATER THIS WAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Date learned: 00001964 SUMMER