Psychic Phenomena: A Brief Account of the Physical Manifestations Observed in Psychical Research by Edward T. Bennett

Author:Edward T. Bennett [Bennett, Edward T.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Barnesnoble:
Published: 2010-02-27T00:00:00+00:00

feel the rod move if you take one side of it, and take one of her hands, she

holding the other end of the rod—it struggles up, and would break off altogether if you did not allow it to move. My daughter has since found several springs on the estate, where we have sunk wells. They have stood us

in very good stead these last dry seasons.

MINNIE HOLLANDS.’

“A similar experience is given by Miss M. Craigie Halkett, who

published some excellent photographs of a dowser at work in Sketch for 23rd August 1899. Miss Halkett writes to me as follows:—

“LAURISTON, NEW ELTHAM, KENT,

September 8, 1899.

“The man depicted in the photographs is not a water-finder by profession.

He is a tenant farmer residing at Catcolt, a village near Bridgwater, and merely exercises the art to oblige his neighbours. Several of the country people in this neighbourhood (Somerset) have the gift. It has never been known to fail. Personally I was rather sceptical on the subject, but was converted by the stick turning in my hands when standing over a spring.

There were about six persons present at the time; all tried it, but it would turn for no one excepting the man in the picture and myself. I experienced a

sort of tingling sensation in my arms and wrists, but otherwise was quite unaware when the forked stick began to turn, it seemed to go over so quickly.

“‘MAUDE CRAIGIE HALKETT.’

“Miss Halkett does not say how she knew she was ‘standing over a spring’ when the twig turned in her hands; this statement is very

characteristic of many others that have reached me. “[62]

Professor Barrett’s views as to the source of the power which moves the rod

are entitled to more attention than those of any one else. In a chapter on

“Theoretical Conclusions” in the first of his two Reports, he says: “Few will dispute the proposition that the motion of the forked twig is due to unconscious muscular action.” He then gives a summary of the causes which, he believes, determine that action. Among these he enumerates, impressions from without unconsciously made upon the dowser’s mind from his own trained observation and practice, and from bystanders. He also believed that in some cases an impression appears to be gained through Thought-Transference. He did not, however, think this covered the whole ground. A peculiar pathological effect is

produced on the dowser; but to what this is due can only be ascertained by persevering and unbiassed investigation.

Professor Barrett’s second Report contains a long and interesting discussion of

this problem. His views had undergone some modification. He adheres to his previous view that the “curious phenomena attending the motion of the so-called divining rod are capable of explanation by causes known to science” ( e.g.

involuntary muscular action). But he has become more impressed with the view

that the suggestion may arise “from some kind of transcendental discernment possessed by the dowser’s subconscious self.” And he further says: “For my own part, I am disposed to think that this cause, though less acceptable to science, will be found to be a truer explanation of the more striking successes of a good dowser.” In conclusion Professor Barrett says still more definitely: “This subconscious perceptive power, commonly called ‘clairvoyance,’ may

provisionally be taken as the explanation of those successes of the dowser which are inexplicable on any grounds at present known to science. “[63]

FOOTNOTES:

[55] Proceedings S.P.R. , vol. ii. pp. 79-107.

[56] Ibid., vol. xiii. (Part XXXII.), pp. 2-282, and vol. xv. (Part XXXVI.), pp. 130-

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