The lady (Inez Adams aka "Granny") who introduced me to dowsing is a well known Cades Cove, TN historian and she says it is a "gift". I use two copper rods, when determining the sex I use one rod. I dowsed a log cabin that once stood, didn't know anything about it, after I dowsed and made a rough drawing I was showed a photo of it, I about fainted....... I have never "talked" to my rods, I have heard also that it can be abused, I do it as a helpful tool. Now with all this talk about dowsing, I need to get the dowsing site finished. Dave, thanks for sharing your dowsing expertise. There are a few photos of my dowsing at this site: http://allencogenealogysociety.homestead.com/societymemberphotos.html I also dowse Indian graves. (The rods act totally different when crossing over an Indian burial) Gloria