Dowsing

Refers to the technique of detecting underground water, minerals, treasure, archaeological remains, and even dead bodies by feeling the motion of a divining rod. A Y-shaped twig is the traditional divining rod, its two prongs twisting or dipping in the hand of the dowser to indicate the nearby presence of the material sought; alternatively metal rods are held parallel a few inches apart and swing across each other. The nature of the stimuli causing these reactions is unexplained, but most dowsers deny that it is a matter of divination.