Welcome to the Ancient Art of Dowsing and Divining, known and practiced for at least 8000 years. These ancient people used wooden rods, but we, in our highly scientific age use metal coat hangers.

Now take them outside and hold the short end in your hands with your thumb lightly on the top to stop them swinging around all over the place (not with a grip of iron or they won't move at all). Hold them level with your elbows bent at a comfortable angle and about shoulder width apart. Relax, don't hold your breath.

Start walking towards a drain or a known water pipe and see what happens. They will start to cross in front of you. 'YIPPEE' you have just had your first experience of dowsing!

When you have got over the surprise and excitement you will immediately want to show someone that it works. They will want to try and then you will both be fighting as to who has the coat-hangers, (pardon, Dowsing Rods). You should have made two pairs!

Don't be put off by curious neighbours. Check to see if you can find the main sewer in the road, or the main power cable coming into your house. Now you are well on your way to becoming a dowser.

You may want to tart up your rods by fitting handles for comfort to the short ends. Clear or white plastic, old Biro shells are fine or some wooden doweling, but don't use anything of a bright colour.

Having practiced with the rods you can now try a different type - SPRING RODS. These are traditionally made of a Hazel Twig. This is fine if you can find one that is not too thick or too heavy. These twigs can, if you get a strong response take the skin off the palms of your hands, so let's find something kinder.

There are several springy alternatives, I use plastic modeling beam - stuck together with a bit of black insulating tape. I have even used the Packing tape that comes off parcels.
Anything springy will do, about 10 - 12 inches long. - Experiment!