One of the most basic of all divination tools must be the dowsing rods.  Traditionally used to find sources of water and precious metals underground, today they are widely used for finding answers from our higher consciousness, searching for lost pets and people, and even communicating with ghosts!  Dowsing rods are basically two long pieces of metal bar around 5mm in diameter and 15cm in length with a 90° bend at one end. In recent years it has become common practice to have the rods in a sleeve to aid their mobility.
All that is required to use them is a steady pair of hands.

Getting answers

1. Presuming you have a pair of rods, loosely hold them by the shortest ends being careful to keep them parallel to the ground and taking care not to directly influence their movement.  Now think of a question with a simple yes or no answer, one that you already know the answer to.  This is known as a control and can determine if the rods are being held correctly and how the rods will respond to you personally.
2. Concentrating on the question, you should find that the rods will respond by either crossing paths before you as in the illustration to the right (typically a yes response), or repel from each other (No).  You will soon find by asking a few more control questions how the rods reply to you personally. 

 You’re now ready to begin interrogating the dowsing rods with proper questions.

Locating buried treasures

As mentioned before, traditionally the rods were used to find sources of water, and precious metals buried beneath the surface of the ground.  This requires walking on the ground concentrating on the element required and holding the rods in front of you.  Where the rods behaviour changes dramatically is often where the element can be found.

 Important Note:

1. Always seek the permission of the land owner before venturing on their ground. The police do not take kindly to trespassers!
2. The Treasure Act of 1996 requires archaeological finds made of gold or silver and more than three hundred years to be reported to ‘The Finds Liaison Officer’.  This also includes prehistoric hoards and other items of historic importance.