Water Dowsing at Wellcome's Thirst Exhibition

I’m currently writing a a book on dowsing for Moon Books’ Pagan Portals series, so naturally I was interested to see displays of dowsing rods at Thirst: In Search of Freshwater, an exhibition at London’s Wellcome Collection. 

I took the photos above and below. The one at the top shows a 1709 French book called La physique occulte ou traite de la baguette divinatoier (Occult Physics, or Treatise on the Divining Rod) by Pierre Le Lorrain, of the Abbe de vallemont. alongside it are two V finger rods and two forked-twig rods. The description by these reads: 

Pierre Le Lorrain’s 1709 book, Occult Physics, or Treatise on the divining rod, reflects the integration of occult practices with scientific investigation on the 17th and 18th centuries. Dowsing involves holding two rods or a forked stick (known as a dowsing or divining rod) believed to move spontaneously when passed over a hidden water source, minerals or treasure. This book served as a guide for practitioners and the curious alike, offering theories about the physics behind dowsing and instructions on the use of the rods.

Dowsing has been passed down through generations. Dowsing rods are still used today by some communities who live and work closely with the land across Europe.

Another display shows a 19th century picture of Saint Gangulphus (left), who became associated with divination. However, his story isn’t a particularly pleasant one. The description says:

The French saint Gangulphus is shown here striking the ground with his staff, bringing forth a miraculous spring. According to Christian legendshe miraculously moved this water source to the grounds of his home from a property he had bought miles away. Suspecting his wife’s infidelity he instructed her to put her hand into the spring. It scalded her, revealing her guilt. She had her lover then murdered Gangulphus. Following his death in 760, he was venerated across Europe as a ‘well saint’. He became associated with the practice of divination, with people seeking his help to find water sources.

Thirst: In Search of Freshwater earlier is on until  February 2026 at the Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE. Entry is free and you can just turn up to see it. https://wellcomecollection.org/exhibitions/thirst-in-search-of-freshwater

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