Dowsing -- The Hidden Half of Vision
Copyright 1989, 1996, 2002 Bob Fryer

A most important argument used against the acceptance of dowsing has been that scientists had no viable theoretical model for the phenomenon. This despite literally millions of anecdotal reports of dowsing and other psychic occurrences. Yet, perceptive scientists have for many years postulated the existence of a second component of the visual system.

There is now significant evidence in the scientific literature to indicate that dowsing is that second component. In order to stimulate additional investigation, it is imperative that we create a model to demonstrate how dowsing may occur. We must also demonstrate the link between dowsing and vision.

This writer has come to the conclusion that the "Dowsing Sense" and vision are parts of a greater human sensory system which is more intricate than we could previously imagine. The dowsing system seems to operate in parallel with, but subordinate to, the visual system in that it works almost entirely at the subconscious level. This mental/physical system continuously receives, processes, and then stores a variety of signals from our environment, including extreme low frequency (ELF) and ultra low frequency (ULF) electromagnetic signals which are not affected by distance or physical barriers. This data is used by the brain to form a three dimensional model of our surroundings, just as the visual system does. From this model, information can be elicited and brought to consciousness by the use of dowsing techniques.

Using the traditional search for water with a forked branch as an example, we outline a typical scenario:

a) Emission of ELF energies by water moving through the ground,
b) Detection of those energies by physical receptor organs,
c) Transmission to the brain,
d) Processing by the brain,
e) Storage as a three dimensional model,
f) Conscious programming for recovery of data,
g) Physiological response begins movement of the branch,
h) Pseudo-magnetic effect continues the movement with force.

This view may have an impact on the way in which dowsing is taught. The mind already has a "picture" of the unseen environment; and the mind prefers to work with pictures. Therefore the problem is to establish a vocabulary and nomenclature of the hidden; so that the dowsing technique can become a bridge for precise information.

It is important to note that the visual system allows us to make judgements about light from stars at distances of many thousands of light years. Therefore it may be reasonable to believe that map dowsing is "direct" dowsing of reflected energy, at hundreds to a few thousand miles, and that the map is simply a device to allow a precise transfer of information to the conscious mind.

The "pseudo-magnetic effect" is an attraction which is initiated between the dowsing instrument and the target, by the subconscious mind. My investigations suggest that it is a phenomenon which has been improperly included as a part of the dowsing physiological response; it seems to be a separate occurrence which has not been adequately described in the traditional Western literature.

This is my interpretation of works by many scientists: Dr. Zaboj Harvalik, Dr. Robert C. Beck, Dr. C. Maxwell Cade, Prof. Colin Blakemore of Oxford University, and many others.

(This article is slightly modified from that published in The American Dowser, Winter 1989.)


Notes in addition to the article above:

For some reason, the last paragraph was not included in the Journal. Perhaps the editor clipped it to save space as the work of Dr. Harvalik was well known to many readers. Unfortunately, one of two readers who responded did so in an unprofessional manner in a later issue. Criticism I can accept, but the 'gentleman' put many words in my mouth. I hadn't said some of the things he attributed to me. Both responders were unkind in referring to the article as 'worthless.' Perhaps they skipped the first two paragraphs.

A growing body of evidence indicates that the mind may be able to control gravity under certain circumstances. The "pseudo-magnetic effect" may have gravity as a component.


"A Sense of Where You Are"

McPhee, John, "A Sense of Where You Are," in The John McPhee Reader, edited by William L. Howarth; New York: Farrar, Strauss and Giroux, 1976. Originally: The New Yorker, Jan. 23, 1965, p. 40-91.

Bill Bradley at Priceton borrowed his "no look" shot from Oscar Robertson and Jerry West. "He went on to say that it is a much simpler shot than it appeared to be, and, to illustrate, he tossed the ball over his shoulder and into the basket while he was talking and looking me in the eye. I retreived the ball and handed it back to him. 'When you have played basketball for a while, you don't need to look when you are in close like this,' he said, throwing the ball over his shoulder again and right through the hoop. (Then he said,) 'You develop a sense of where you are.'" (p.5)


"the brain itself builds a model of the world..."

Blakemore, Colin, Cortical convolutions (Book Reviews), Nature, v320, 24 April 1986, pp689-690. "...Kenneth Craik and David Marr... for teaching us that the brain itself builds a model of the world..." (Prof., Oxford Physiological Laboratory.)


As graphic representation of the above are the words of Randy Cunningham, U.S. Navy jet fighter Ace who says, "To survive in the sky, in a fighter, you have to know where everything is around you, and be able to keep track of it. If you lose track of who is where, you are going to go down." [That's a three dimensional model.]

Cunningham's and RO Willie Driscoll's fighter combat exploits (US Navy - Vietnam) served as the model for Maverick's (Tom Cruise) combat adventures in the movie "Top Gun."

Yes, there really was a cockpit to cockpit encounter -- but it probably didn't include the sign language. But what the heck, if Hollywood could squeeze them onto the same screen.... They shot down North Vietnam's top Ace, Colonel Toon. [See "Aces of the Air" and "Naval Air War Over Vietnam."]


I will have additional information on Jim Cirillo, a modern-day gun fighter. He was a member of the New York Police "stake-out squad," who participated in 11 gunfights. He has some very interesting things to say, in his video, about the subconscious mind's ability to function during a shoot-out. It compares with my own experience in Practical Pistol competition. With an experienced shooter, the subconscious seems to be able to aim and fire the weapon even while you are moving. The better shots can consistently hit the targets while running.