Bletonism

by Craig Shrives

What Is Bletonism?

Bletonism is the art of finding water underground by sensation. It gets its name from a Frenchman (called Bleton) who practised this art.

Bletonists are also called water dowsers or diviners. They often use a forked branch of a tree, bent pieces of metal or plastic wire or a small pendulum to indicate when water is present.

Water Divining

Water Divining, also known as Dowsing or Divining Rods, is a practice that involves using tools or innate abilities to locate underground water sources. It has been employed by various cultures throughout history as a means of finding water for practical purposes such as well digging, irrigation, or locating water sources in arid regions.

The exact origins of water divining are uncertain, as the practice has been used by different cultures worldwide for centuries. The traditional method typically involves using a dowsing rod, which is a Y- or L-shaped rod or a pair of L-shaped metal rods held by the diviner. The rods are held loosely and are believed to respond to the presence of water by moving or pointing downward.

The diviner walks slowly over the ground while holding the dowsing rod, paying attention to any changes in the movement or position of the rod. It is believed that the rod will react or respond when it passes over a water source underground, indicating its presence.

The interpretation of the dowsing rod's movement or response can vary among practitioners. Some believe that the rods are influenced by the diviner's intuition or subconscious mind, while others attribute it to energy or geomagnetic forces present in the environment. It is important to note that the scientific community generally considers dowsing as a pseudoscience and views the results as purely coincidental or based on unconscious cues.

In addition to using dowsing rods, some individuals may possess an innate ability or sensitivity to detect water sources without the use of any tools. This intuitive form of water divining is often based on personal experiences, sensations, or visualizations that guide the diviner to the location of underground water.

Modern methods of locating underground water, such as geological surveys or drilling techniques, have largely replaced traditional water divining in scientific and engineering contexts. However, in some regions or cultural contexts, water divining continues to be practised by individuals who believe in its efficacy or who appreciate its traditional and cultural significance.

Water divining serves as a reminder of humanity's ingenuity and the historical methods employed to find water sources in areas where water availability is crucial. While the scientific validity of water divining is widely debated, it remains an intriguing practice that reflects our ongoing exploration of the natural world and our desire to harness its resources.

Mumbo Jumbo?

There is no scientific evidence that bletonism works or any accepted scientific reason why it should. It's pretty impressive when you see it "working" though. Mumbo-jumbo-meter: 7/10.

Critical Thinking Test

Are you good at spotting the biases, fallacies, and other cognitive effects? Can you spot when statistics have been manipulated? Can you read body language? Well, let's see! Show Instructions

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