I have recently been intrigued by the idea that dowsing can be used as a tool for creating a successful garden. Following the suggestions of fellow dowsers I am now using dowsing techniques to answer gardening questions.
A year ago, with no forethought to dowsing my gardens, I obtained two Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) plants and stuck them in a small, shaded border garden along the side of my house. Although they have grown well, they do not complement the design of my flowering border gardens.
I have since learned that Black Cohosh is a hardy plant that naturally grows in wooded areas with rich, moist, loamy soil. It prefers full shade to dappled sunlight. The plant can grow up to 6 feet tall and typically has a white floral bloom in late summer. The large, bush-like mature plant provides a strong vertical backdrop with tall flower spires. I’d obviously made a mistake when I placed my plants in a small border garden in front of smaller flowers.
Recently, I resolved to move these plants to a better location. I mentally defined my goal: I want to move my black cohosh plants to a better location in my yard to improve the design of my flower gardens. I next defined my question: Where should I reposition my black cohosh plants for optimal health of the plants and a beautiful, harmonious landscape?
Holding L-rods in hand with the rods initially pointed forward, I began walking my landscape in the direction the L-rods pointed while visualizing my black cohash as healthy, blooming specimens. The L-rods finally crossed at a point near the back of my house where an old picnic table and benches are stored. I guess it might be time to get rid of these old, unused items to make room for plantings. The second location that my rods led me to was an old, abandoned flower bed that has been taken over by an invasive vine. I will definitely need to put some work into that flower bed before planting anything else there.
Now that I know where to reposition my plants, it dawned on me that I needed to determine when I should replant them. With my pendulum, I asked: When is the optimal time to move these plants? Today – no; this week – no; this month – no, this year – no. But wait, I really wanted to move them soon. Trusting in my dowsing, I continued to ask and soon learned that I should wait until next spring to move these plants. And so, I’ll wait for the optimal time to replant my lovely black cohosh in a location that will benefit both the plant and my landscape. And, in the meantime, I’ll prepare the two locations so that they are ready to receive and support these plants. Oh, and I think I’ll dowse what other plants I should use to complete the design of the new flower beds.
How dowsing works
In “The Art of Dowsing” by Richard Webster, he states: “Many dowsers believe that everything vibrates in an individual manner, and it is these vibrations that are being picked up subconsciously by the dowser and revealed by the dowsing instrument.” I believe the world pulsates with energy and universal knowledge and humans have the capacity to detect and differentiate these energies if they are willing to be open-minded and suspend dis-belief.
Dowsers often use tools like L-rods, pendulums, forked branches, a wand, etc. However, the dowsing equipment, itself, has no inherent power to access information. The dowsing tool only serves as a visual readout of our energetic discoveries making the answers visually apparent. Some dowsers don’t require visual instruments and, instead, use their hands or body to dowse. And, some dowsers receive a clear picture in their minds. It doesn’t really matter how a person receives energetic answers, what matters is that we tune in and learn to listen to the universe.
Garden dowsing
Acquiring knowledge about gardening through dowsing requires the use of very specific questions. Dowsers will tell you that it does no good to ask “Is it going to rain today?” when, of course, it will rain somewhere in this world. Thus, it is necessary to ask questions that account for as many variables as possible. Better questions result in more accurate dowsing results.Acquiring knowledge about gardening through dowsing requires the use of very specific questions. Dowsers will tell you that it does no good to ask “Is it going to rain today?” when, of course, it will rain somewhere in this world. Thus, it is necessary to ask questions that account for as many variables as possible. Better questions result in more accurate dowsing results.
In addition to asking questions about which plants and seeds to use in the garden, where to place various plantings, which seeds are viable, and the timing of plantings, dowsing can also be used to locate and define specific energies in the landscape allowing for designs that incorporate locations conducive to meditation, bird watching, or simply relaxing after a full day of gardening.
Dowsing can help you design your personal, sacred space in the landscape. Try dowsing your gardens for ultimate success!
