The Megalithic Portal Mysteries Forum Grand Map Dowsing Competition

Submitted by Andy B on Friday, 11 November 2011 Page Views: 36727

**Turrerich** submitted by Tiompan : Map Dowsing Competition, Target X George 'Tiompan' has kindly put forward a new discovery of rock art for us to try and dowse the location of. (Vote or comment on this photo)

For years, the one topic above all others that has caused the most discussion and discord in the Megalithic Portal Mysteries Forum is that of dowsing. We have decided to hold a competition to test out how people do at map dowsing for two real ancient sites, and the Portal has put up four megalithic themed calendars as prizes.

We always end up with the same stalemate. Dowsers claim they can find anything and non-dowsers doubt that because there is no documented proof. Here is the latest example. Water-divining seems to be accepted as believable across the board, the issue being 'can dowsers reliably find anything else?'

The question often comes up as to whether dowsers can find archaeological features. Roger Albin suggested that we invite map dowsers to send in potential locations of a site, together with their percieved ability level and see if a consensus emerges. To avoid digging anything up, with all the associated permissions and problems, George 'Tiompan' has kindly put forward a new discovery of rock art that we can try and dowse the location of.

This is a real piece of rock art that he has found. It is not yet on any public record but it is in the process of being submitted to the Canmore database so we will be able to reveal the location at the end.

For a second site, Runemage has put forward a quartz-striped boulder close to an ancient site that she has photos of. Quartz is a good choice as it is reputed by some to have special 'energy' qualities that could conceivably help dowsers latch on to it.

To make it more of a competition, the Portal has put up £50 of prizes, in the form of four lovely megalithic themed 2012 calendars.

The way the competition will work is that for each site we will shortly post a Google Earth aerial view, overlaid with a grid of squares, like a noughts and crosses game. To take part, look at the image of the site you are dowsing for, and the aerial view. Whilst holding the rods or pendulum over a square, ask "Is it in this square?" and watch for a response from the rods or pendulum. If there is none, then repeat for the next square until you get a positive response. You may find it easier to print out the maps and lay them flat so you can dowse in the traditional 'map dowsing' way by holding a pendulum on a length of thread.

You may also like to try divining with the entrails of chickens, tea leaves or suchlike but please do not hold us responsible when you are reported to the RSPCA, (or indeed the RSPCT, if such a thing was to exist).

If you are guessing you can of course use whatever means you wish, there is even a true 'white noise' electronic random number generator at www.random.org

We should stress that this is just a light-hearted and fun venture, and not to be seen as a definitive test of prowess on either side, to be quoted down the ages as definitive proof either way! However Andy B will be adjudicating impartially, and sending the results on to Tiompan and Runemage who are ready in either 'corner' as it were.

To enter, please send an email to [email protected] with Subject 'Dowsing Competition'. The closing date is the end of Sun 20th November 2011. Along with your dowse or guess, please indicate whether you are dowsing or guessing, and what your attitude is to such things (see the list of options below). If you are a registered Portal user, you can give your ID and state if you want us to just identify you with your ID rather than your name if you win. Note I will not be using your email for any other purpose than this competition.

Please send your entries like this (for example)

Target X (Rock Art): A1
Target Y (Boulder): A1

1) This entry was by map dowsing and

Please also answer the following question about your dowsing (which letter)

a) I am an experienced map dowser
b) I am someone who map dowses occasionally and believe it works
c) I am going to try map dowsing for the first time and am open minded
d) I am a bit sceptical but will give map dowsing a try
e) I am very sceptical but will give map dowsing a try
f) I don't want to say

2) This entry was by guessing and

a) I am a very strong believer in map dowsing
b) I am a quite strong believer in map dowsing
c) I am open minded / impartial
d) I am a bit sceptical about map dowsing
e) I am very sceptical that map dowsing works
f) I don't want to say

For each group (dowsing and guessing) and for each target site there is the prize of a megalithic themed 2012 calendar for the person who correctly identifies the square that the target is in. Four 2012 calendars in total. If there is more than one correct in a group then a winner will be picked at random from the correct entries.

The competition is open to all, you don't have to be registered with the Portal to enter. You can only enter once, either dowsing or guessing.
Good luck and may the rods be with you! (or something)

Andy B, with Tiompan and Runemage

Note: The aerial photo 'maps' for dowsing are now posted on this page. Entries in by the 20th November if you haven't already done so

Contributor Bio for Andy B: Megalithic Portal Founding Editor.