Hollow Hill

Make Your Own Dowsing Rods

This is from my original Hallowfields’ course about homemade and low-tech ghost hunting equipment: Dowsing Rods for Ghost Hunters.

Here’s how to start working with homemade dowsing rods.

You’ll need two wire coat hangers. They should be thin wire, the inexpensive kind that dry cleaners and laundries use.

Trim each so you’re using a little more than half of the coat hanger. (You’ll discard the part with the hook.)

Here’s the one-minute video.

How to Make Dowsing Rods for Ghost Hunting
Easy directions for making ghost hunting dowsing rods. In this one-minute video, you’ll see how to make free or inexpensive dowsing rods that really work.Yo…

Dowsing Rod Directions

How to Make Dowsing Rods 1.) Use two thin wire coat hangers. (Some people use just one dowsing rod for their investigations. I’ve tried that, and prefer to use two. I think they provide more accuracy and clearer results.)

2.) Cut them so – at the bend – you have one short side (at least 5″ long) and then the long side (the lower part of the coat hanger).

3.) Bend each dowsing rod so each is at a right angle, about a 90-degree angle, not the sharper angle you started with.

4.) Use your pliers to curl each dowsing rod’s longer side, so the pointed/cut end isn’t a hazard. (During “lights out” investigations, it can be far too easy to unintentionally jab or injure a fellow team member.)

The next step is optional. If you want to be sure you’re not influencing your dowsing rods, you have two choices:

Use a hard plastic straw – not the flimsy kind that come with fast food. Grocery stores usually sell them in the soft drink aisle. Cut it into two sections, each about 4″ (9 – 10 cm) long.
Or, get a metal tube (brass or copper can be ideal) that has an opening wider than the coat hanger wire. The tube should be narrow enough to support the dowsing rods, but let them swing freely, as well. (A DIY store may cut the tube for you. 4″ is a good length, or longer if your hands are large. You may also ask them to burnish the cut edges, so you don’t risk cuts.)

Whatever material you use, be sure it’s firm and won’t yield to pressure from your hand. That way, you won’t inadvertently influence the dowsing rods with your hands.

5.) Whether or not you’re using those added handles, the final step is to curl the lower (handle) end of each dowsing rod, for safety.

Note: If you’re using the optional handle protections, be sure each curled handle end is at least 1/2″ below the end of the straw or tube. Otherwise, contact between them could prevent the dowsing rods from swinging freely.

That’s it. You’ve made your first set of dowsing rods.

Use Dowsing Rods to Find Ghosts – How-to Tips

When you’re ghost hunting, dowsing rods can be very useful, especially at outdoor sites such as haunted cemeteries and battlefields. Many ghost hunters consider them essential ghost hunting equipment.

With simple, homemade dowsing rods, you can identify potentially “hot” (very active, haunted) areas.

You’re looking for the rods to swing to the right or left (pointing to a possibly haunted spot) or to cross (like an X) in front of you, suggesting you shouldn’t step forward.

Rods like these can also help you locate areas with false anomalies, by following energy lines the rods indicate. Those lines might be underground streams, water pipes, or buried electrical cables. (That’s especially true if the line is fairly straight and continues at least a dozen feet.)

If you don’t already own dowsing rods, you can find many different styles for around U.S. $20 at Amazon.com. I like the ones with rounded ends so, in the dark, you won’t accidentally jab someone. Here’s one reasonably priced set, similar to the ones I own: 99.9% Copper Dowsing Rods.

Or, you can make your dowsing rods at home. They’re fast and easy, and can even be free. All you’ll need are a couple of wire coat hangers and some tin snips (heavy wire cutters).

These rods can be a great addition to your ghost hunting gear. (I often bring a few extra sets to events, so other researchers can try using them… and keep them if they like.)

Or, you might consider using a homemade pendulum instead, or to confirm what the dowsing rods suggest.

Pendulums – How to Use Them for Ghost Hunting

This article is strictly for professional ghost hunters. If you haven’t researched at 20+ haunted sites, do NOT experiment with pendulums, or any divinatory tools.

What is a pendulum?

In popular use, a pendulum usually refers to any weighted object that can swing back and forth.

You’ve probably seen pendulums (or pendula) on old clocks. The pendulum is the round thing below the face of the clock, and the pendulum swings back and forth, rhythmically, keeping time.

If you pause the pendulum, the clock stops working.

In ghost hunting, a pendulum is usually a small, heavy object – like a stone, a crystal, or even a piece of metal – suspended from a cord, ribbon, or chain.

A necklace – one you regularly wear – can be ideal for this. (After all, when you’re investigating a haunted site, it’s smart to carry only the most essential, dedicated ghost hunting equipment. A necklace is one less item to pack in your ghost research kit.)

Some pendulums are highly decorative. Some of them have been blessed. Each one is unique and will respond differently.

A person – perhaps a psychic or a medium – holds the cord, ribbon, or chain so the heavy object can swing freely. Then, that person asks a question.

Or someone else in the room may ask the question. Sometimes this works. Sometimes it doesn’t.

The movement of the pendulum determines the answer.

How to Use a Pendulum

The end of the string is held between the forefinger and thumb so that the object can swing freely. You can pinch the cord or chain at the very top, with your hand at an angle so your fingers are out of the way.

Or, you can drape the cord or chain over the middle of your index finger, and keep it from slipping by applying gentle pressure from your thumb onto the cord or chain, against your finger.

Fiona Broome's advice If you’d just like to experiment with this, you can make your own pendulum by tying any heavy bead or small pendant to a string or cord. The string should be about ten inches long.

You should be able to decide if pendulums work for you (they won’t work well for everyone) and if you like them.

The Best Way to Use a Pendulum

Some people are naturally gifted at pendulum use.

That seems to have no connection with whether they’re believers or skeptics.

When trying to communicate with a ghost, they just hold the pendulum at the top of the chain (or cord, or ribbon) and wait for the weighted end – the fob or bob or “weight-stone” – to move.

They’re waiting for something external to move it.

If the bob moves, great. If it doesn’t, maybe the site isn’t haunted. Or the ghost (or ghosts) have nothing to say.

Either way, the person holding the pendulum remains objective and somewhat mentally detached. To them, it’s like asking any stranger a question: Maybe the stranger replies. Maybe they don’t.

But… Don’t Ask Spirits to Talk “Through You”

Sometimes, a person might use a pendulum, but they internalize the energy.

That is, they ask the spirit to speak through them.

(For example, in a haunted setting, the person may ask the ghost to use the investigator’s hand to channel the energy to the pendulum.)

That’s not a good idea. In fact, it can be downright dangerous. (Basically, you’re asking for a spirit – good or evil – to take possession of your body. This can be just as risky as using a Ouija board.)

THIS IS IMPORTANT: If you can’t remain completely separate – mentally, spiritually, and emotionally – from the pendulum you’re using, stop immediately.

Never allow outside energy to be channeled through your body to the pendulum. (And, if you can’t tell the difference, don’t use a pendulum. The risks are too great.)

If you decide that a pendulum is right for you, I recommend professionally crafted pendulums. You’re likely to get better results.

However, try a homemade pendulum or two, before investing in a professional-grade pendulum.

Baseline Every Time

If you’re using a pendulum regularly – especially in haunted locations – start with some baseline readings.

It’s important to verify these every time you use the pendulum.

First, hold the pendulum entirely still. (It’s okay to steady it with your other hand, and then release it.)

Then ask a question with a yes or no answer that you already know.

Note the way that the pendulum swings in response. It may swing from side to side or from front to back. Or, it may swing in a clockwise or counter-clockwise manner.

Now, ask another question with a different yes or no answer, that you already know. Compare the results.

Repeat this several times until a clear pattern is established. (If no pattern emerges, you may need to use other divinatory tools. Pendulums don’t work for everyone, and it has no bearing on the person’s psychic abilities.)

What to Ask in Haunted Places

In haunted sites, you can start by asking, “Is this room (or battlefield, or cemetery) haunted?” or a similar question.

However, if the ghosts think they’re still alive – or otherwise rejects the “haunted” idea – you may need to start with a question like, “Is a stranger present?” (Whether the ghost thinks you’re the “stranger” or they are, the answer should be yes.)

Then you can ask how many spirits are present, or how old the ghost his, and so on.

The more active the pendulum movement, the stronger the spiritual energy is at that site.

Even in the hands of a skeptic, I’ve seen a pendulum swing so wildly, the weight snapped off a new chain and flew across the room.

In other words, pendulums can be very powerful.

Free Pendulum Charts

I’ve created two different charts for use with your pendulum. Visit my author website, FionaBroome.com, and go to my Free Downloads page.

Scroll down to the Misc Printable Charts section. Download the pendulum charts and print them. (They’re free PDFs.)

To use either chart, hold the string so that the tip of the pendulum is about two inches above the center “dot” at the bottom of the half-circle. Then, ask your question.

One chart is designed for simple, yes/no questions. You can draw this on a sheet of paper, and use it yourself. The pendulum should favor one direction/answer more than any other. If it doesn’t rephrase your question, or take a break and return to this later.

The next kind of chart can be used to ask anything with numbers, such as the ghosts age when he or she left physical form. (Or, if the ghost believes that he or she is still alive, ask what year it is now.)

You can create your own charts on paper, providing many other kinds of answers, too. They could include letters of the alphabet, people’s names, places, or things specific to the life of the ghost you’re contacting.

When the Pendulum Swings the Wrong Way

No matter which chart you use, if the pendulum swings towards you, off the chart, try rephrasing your question. Or, the ghost may want you to answer the question for yourself, first, and then have spirit confirm it with a yes or a no.

If you are adept with a pendulum, I recommend professional pendulums designed for ghost hunters and psychic mediums, such as those from Sean Paradis. (I’m not sure he’s still making pendulums, but his are still among the ones I trust the most.)

Homemade Pendulums or Purchased Pendulums?

If you’re shopping for a pendulum, try it in the store. See how it works for you.

Compare each with your homemade pendulum(s).

If you did just as well (or better) with your own, keep using it. There’s no reason to buy one, unless it seems more powerful or attractive.

I own several pendulums, and choose them intuitively for the location and the energy at it.

Sometimes, I like the conductivity of a copper pendulum. (Some people believe the metal helps spirits make contact with the pendulum.)

Other spirits seem attracted to pretty colors. So, a colorful pendulum with an “ooh, shiny!” attraction might get better results.

Whichever pendulum you use, it should be one that seems attractive to you, too.

You Can Ghost Hunt Without Tools

Some people achieve remarkable results with pendulums.

Others don’t.

Some have a knack for recording EVP, but never get great ghost photos. And vice versa.

It’s not a measure of how good you are at ghost hunting or communicating with spirits.

It’s more like singing or running… different people have different talents. Someone who can play the violin may be perfectly awful at the piano.

However, one of the great things about pendulums, besides their simplicity, is: You can try this on your own without spending a cent.

And then, if pendulums work for you, decide which seem to work best. (I’ve linked to a couple of my favorites, below.)

But really, if a homemade pendulum works well for you, keep using it, at least until you know if it’s a tool you’ll use regularly

Homemade EVP Devices?

tesla-spirit-radio — Image from the Instructables article.

I’m fascinated by things that are emerging from mad scientists’ labs… or at least the kitchen tables of kindred spirits (no pun intended) who think like I do.

Here are a few odd, recent discoveries:

I’m not sure what to think of the Super Beacon Auto-mapper Crystal Quantum Radio.

(I try never to dismiss anything that might help us figure out what anomalies really are.)

Well, the price tag on that tool is a little steep for my experiments.

Then there’s the Beta-Blocker Spirit Radio, at that same website.

As Alice said, “Curiouser and curiouser!”

I recommend cruising through that website. If you’re an electronics geek, you may get some ideas for tools we can actually use in this field.

But wait… there’s more!

The photo at left shows a homegrown variation. It might just work. It’s the Spooky Tesla Spirit Radio.

The complete directions are at Instructables: Spooky Tesla Spirit Radio.

The following video… well, the guy sounds pretty snide at times. However, the tests he demonstrates are worth noting. Be sure to listen to the sounds produced by the color yellow. What is the radio reacting to?

httpv://youtu.be/aFxBmEpGIBw

The “lost journals” of Nikola Tesla might be someone’s clever work of fiction. Nevertheless, Tesla’s life may need closer investigation.

In those “lost journals,” it says:

“Around 1918, Tesla started to receive what he considered to be voice transmissions, except the voices he was picking up were not human. Instead, Tesla wrote that, “The sounds I am listening to every night at first appear to be human voices conversing back and forth in a language I cannot understand. I find it difficult to imagine that I am actually hearing real voices from people not of this planet. There must be a more simple explanation that has so far eluded me.”

This is consistent with Tesla’s comments in Talking with the Planets, publishing in 1901:

“My first observations positively terrified me, as there was present in them something mysterious, not to say supernatural, and I was alone in my laboratory at night; but at that time the idea of these disturbances being intelligently controlled signals did not yet present itself to me. “

If you build this radio and test it, please let me know about your results. I’m very interested in homemade devices, and in voice-related ghost hunting tools in general.

Better than a Ghost App…?

Can an inexpensive hiking compass detect ghostly EMF as well – or better than a ghost app?

For years, I thought that was ridiculous.

Then, a series of tests with a sturdy $10 compass surprised me. It worked nearly as well as my regular (and far more expensive) EMF meters.

Now, in some settings, I actually prefer to use a hiking compass when I first explore a haunted site. (That’s still true in 2024, as I’m updating this article.)

And, unlike hi-tech equipment with batteries that can fail in haunted settings, the compass always works.

From my years in Scouting, I know that hiking compasses work like gravity. They’re almost 100% reliable, as long as you aren’t near something magnetic, a large electrical engine, or major power lines.

In other words, compasses react to high EMF levels… the same as EMF detectors do.

But then, when I was documenting a ghost hunt, I brought my compass to Gilson Road Cemetery in Nashua, NH.

I’d only intended to use it to get my bearings when making notes about which areas of the cemetery seemed most haunted.

When our ghost hunting team arrived, I placed the compass on top of Hannah Robbins’ headstone at the northern end of the cemetery.

Her stone appeared to be aligned in a NNE direction, looking towards the carved side of her headstone.

This was what I expected to see, so I didn’t think about it again.

And, while I was busy comparing our past orb photos with existing graves and landmarks, another team member, Alan, picked up the compass.

That’s when “north” seemed to move.

He shouted for me to take a look, and… Well, it was weird.

In the southern half of the cemetery, the compass showed north in one direction.

“Okay, fine,” I thought. “That’s exactly what it should do.”

But, as Alan walked towards the northern half of the cemetery, the needle swung about 30 degrees and stayed there.

We tested this repeatedly, and the results were consistent.

EMF levels should only increase around electrical wiring, etc.

But, at the time, Gilson Road Cemetery was a very rural location, before the subdivision was built across the street. So, there were no nearby generators or significant power lines.

Yes, EMF surges and anomalies have been associate with ghosts and haunted places.

So, maybe it should not surprise me that my compass reacted to energy at Gilson.

Since then, we’ve used a compass on several Hollow Hill investigations. Now, we highly recommend a compass in your basic ghost hunting kit.

How to use a hiking compass in “haunted” locations

Be certain the compass has a free-swinging needle. Test it ahead of time in a not-haunted location. If – especially with a cheap compass – the needle tends to get stuck, it’s useless.
Before you start walking, line up North so the red part (or point) of the needle is over the arrow painted on the compass. That’s North. That’s the direction you’ll walk towards, each time. (Do this in several parts of the haunted site, to determine where the anomalies might be.)
Learn to use the compass in a not haunted site, first. Your backyard is a good place, if there are no electrical wires nearby (underground and overhead, too).
Try to walk in as straight a line as possible, usually towards North. (It can be the easiest to follow.)
Expect the needle to bob and bounce as you walk. This is normal. However, when you pause, it should always return to North.
Keep the compass as flat as possible. If you hold it an an angle, your reading may not be accurate.
If North seems to move, pause. Check how you’re holding the compass, in case it was tilted. North NEVER changes direction!
Debunk odd readings if you can. Look for interference from magnetic deposits (a metal detector can help) and from electrical sources, including power lines. They will “attract” the compass’ needle. (In the U.S., geographical survey maps may help identify areas with likely metal deposits.)
This is worth repeating: North NEVER changes its location. Even a slight 10-degree shift is an anomaly, if you’ve eliminated all other influences. Profoundly haunted sites can show unexplained needle-swings of up to 90 degrees.
If you think you have an anomaly, retrace your steps. See if the compass anomaly repeats. Usually, it will… but only for a while. If you still can’t find an explanation (electrical wiring, etc.), the compass may have been responding to something ghost-related.

From my experience, a compass can work at least as well – and perhaps more reliably – than a ghost app. And every team member can try it themselves, without needing to take out their phone (and possibly be distracted by it).