Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1883-10-27
The DivinIng Rod.

repute as a cabalist, and has made
lifelong study of spiritualism, alchemy
and the occult sciences in general.
! "What is the theory of the operation
of the divining rodP"
''Well, in the first movement of the
rod there is evidently an attraction, and
IN the second movement, giving the
depth, a repulsion. The attraction is
destroyed or suspended by covering the
end OF the rod with wet cloth, if it is
attracted by water, or, if by mineral,
by holding the same kind in the hand or
by binding it to the end of a, rod. 1t
can be analysed into an attractive and
repelling energy, and we must believe
that those who are in sympathy with
this energy possess higher state of sus-
ceptibility and consciousness than is
possessed by large majority of the
human family. What is discovered by
the divining rod Is one kind of energy,
the person possessing the conscious
power is the other form of energy, and
the rod is the medium between the two;
in other words. the sensitive person is
but in sympathy with the subjective
magnetism of the mineral through the
medium of the rod" iot
''What is this sensitive organization or
power of consciousness"
IAN intensely acute and susceptible
development of the nervous system, and
of the more delicate mental faculties.
Very few persons have it naturally,
though some may acquire it by means
of meditation, solitude, religious exer-
else of the mind, and determined will
to do right. The great point is to fully
harmonic the emotional faculties. This
consciousness may exist in the male sex
and also in the female. Even children
have been known to have it. Religious
and pious persons are more likely to
have it and to acquire it by cultivation
than others. But, however, there are
very few persons who really are en-
dowed with this consciousness.
''Does the devil have anything to do
with this unseen agencyP'
mo, indeed, not at all. There used
to to be an old superstition that the
evil one had the power of granting the
ability to use the rod. But that is all
an error 1t probably arose from the
legends that he and his proselytes had
all the mines and ore-beds, which were
alleged to be in his kingdom. If he had
anything to do with it, religious persons,
you may be sure would not be suscepti-
ble."
'How long has this divining rod been
knownp"
Modern history locates the first
knowledge of it in the eleventh century,
but in reality it was known long before
that. 1t was known of in the Kabbalah,
fS 10 ~
ancient date. However, the divining
magic wand of the Kabbalah. The two
are entirely different. The magic wand
is used for controlling intelligences as a
hand of authority. 1t controls this in
telligence. Thus, / will intelligently
desire. That desire never dies until it
is fulfilled, or until it meets counter
desire. In willing this desire the wand
is used, and is of vast power The dis
finction between the diving rod and the
wand is that the former controls ener-
gies or physical substances, while the
latter rules over intelligence or spirits. ="
what makes the best kind of rodp"
1.-THE slender branches of the hazel
tree, or, as it is sometimes called, the
witch hazelwood. There is something
singular about the hazelwood in its
power of transmitting what we call SUBJ
jective energy. 1t has this power more
than any other wood. The oak is the
next best, though in other countries,
notably in Europe, the wood of the
rowan tree is greatly used. The hazel
tree surpasses all, however, just as GER
tain metals are better than etAers as
conductors of electricity, copper, for
instance. being one of the best. So is
the wood of the hazel tree the best to
convey subjective energy"
"What notable instances are there in
history of the use of the rotp"
80, there are many ways. One that
is often referred to is that of Jacques
AymM-Vernay, Frenchman, who
lived in the latter part of the seventeenth
century. He was widely known as a
diviner and as one using the divining
rod. He acquired great reputation,
but how far he was really able to use
the rod can not say. There is story
that he was mason. but left his trade
and became a great diviner, discover
inc MANY beds of ore and not few
streams of hidden water. Somewhere
in his neighborhood there was a
mysterious murder. The criminal
could not be found, though the most
diligent search was made in every
section. At last the aid of this Aymar-
Vernay was called in. and he went to
work, and whether it is claimed that he
used any means of divination l do not
know. At any rate he found the murder
CIR, who finally confessed. This whole
affair provoked great deal OF discus
sion, and great many short tracts or
pamphlets we're written about it at the