Twitching for ground water was a method for finding out where the pioneer should dig for water. It was used to find out where to put the well. Twitching can be done in two ways. Both are basically the same. The first one uses one stick and the second uses two. Twitching is a skill and requires practice to make it work.
• Materials
Y forked stick of Cherrywood
• One Stick Twitching
Grip the stick lightly at the ends of the forks. Hold the stick parallel to the ground. Walk very slowly over the ground. Walk in one direction turn around and try a different area of ground. When you pass over ground water the point of the stick will move down and p oint at the ground.
• Two Stick Twitching
Two stick uses two L shaped sticks held lightly straight out from the body by the small length. Walk over the ground very slowly. When you pass over ground water, the two sticks will cross. They will make an “X”. This
was referred to by the pioneers as “X marks the spot”, referring to where
the well should be dug.
This is a difficult activity. Water is very difficult to find.
