The Water Witches

The mystery of the Water Witches is a tale that refuses to perish even under the scrutiny of traditional science and the wizardry of modern technology. Modern science rebukes Water Witches and claims the belief of finding water underground with dowsing sticks or divining rods is simply hocus-pocus. Others of a more old-fashioned or mythological viewpoint believe that finding water underground for well drilling is an art or perhaps a mysterious acquisition from ages gone by. Some believe water witching is a hereditary gift that comes from ancient bloodlines or a restless curse that sometimes skips over a few generations.

Our chronicle for this episode begins on Keewaydin Island where a former cold-water diver from Maine began walking the beach with two copper wires held out in front of her. As Morgan Delany walked the beach, the copper wires continued to stand out straight. When she gained higher ground, however, and began to walk among the vegetation, the two strands of copper suddenly crossed and the woman with the wild curly hair and the red bandana began to smile. “This is it,” she explained. “If we were to drill a well here, we would find fresh water. I can’t remember exactly when I became a Water Witch, but it certainly came to me under the water.”

Morgan explained that her tale of Water Witching began in the winter waters deep off the coast of New England. “We could only dive a few times a month.” The Water Witch explained, “On most days, the wind was too strong and the water too rough. We were scallop diving in the waters off Maine and that is serious business. Unless you have been to the northeastern seaboard in winter, it is hard to imagine.”

“When you are a winter water diver, the elements of the ocean seep deep inside you,” she said. “The water is so cold that no portion of your skin can touch the ocean. We wore dry diving suits of thick red rubber. The dry suits are equipped with gloves that seal at the wrists and water socks that seal at the ankles to protect the feet. An even thicker hood covers the head with a full-face mask that resembles a helmet an astronaut would wear. Even with all the gear, and all the protection, as soon as divers enter the winter water, the cold is an unbelievable rush. It takes only a few seconds before the numbing begins, but after a few minutes, the scary part starts and the icy water seems to take over.” 

“When you’re down there,” Morgan the Water Witch reflected with a strange look in her eyes, “The freezing water begins to work into every part of your body. The short-term memory of cold-water divers becomes non-existent, and although ice-water diving is strictly regulated, the phenomenon of near hyperthermia creates strange side effects. When cold water divers return to the surface, there is no memory of being under the water. I know this time spent under the freezing sea was when I came to be a Water Witch.”

“Professional divers work hard and play hard.” Morgan explained,” After cold winters and freezing cold, we all wanted to be warm. I knew I was a Water Witch when I went out to the arid southwest and came across an older man and a well-drilling crew. The leader of the well drillers was holding a stick in the shape of a “Y.” He was the first Water Witch I ever saw. He was walking in a valley and several of the well drilling crew were following. He seemed to be searching in wide circles when we walked up to ask what was going on.

When we shook hands there seemed to be a little shock between us, and then he smiled. Without many words, he handed over the dowsing stick and said I should search for the water that was waiting underground. I thought he was crazy for only a minute before the wood in my hands began to feel like part of my fingers. The touch and the feeling were electric. I felt some odd memory awake from when I was under the freezing Atlantic.”

“After a few moments of walking with the stick in the shape of a “Y,” with the old man who was the Water Witch and his well-drilling crew following, the dowsing rod pulled my hands down and the single end of the wooden “Y” was pointing to a cleft in the earth. I suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of water flow and I knew the water of a spring was down there waiting. It was a shiver as if from the cold of the ocean and an electric tingle like the touching of slightly charged metal wires.”

“The following day the well drilling crew and the old Water Witch began drilling, and after only a few hundred feet of vertical excavation, a fountain of rushing freshwater erupted to the surface. This was when the older man - who was the witch - began to explain the ancient legacy and the gift that is perhaps supernatural.”

“Some are born with the ability to Water Witch.” The old dowser explained. “Male or female. For others it is an acquisition born of experience with great bodies of water. Many believe that working on or near the water enhances the ability. Many Water Witches have more of the gift than others do. Some cannot only find water but also specific minerals in the ground. Others can find hidden graves or even treasure. Once a Water Witch learns that they have the gift they always bring the tools of their craft with them at all times. The methods of Water Witching vary. Some use dowsing rods of a specific wood or lengths of copper, silver, or bronze wire.”

Before Morgan the Water Witch from Maine departed from our balmy shores, the Marco Beach Boys and Girls would recall the isolated homes on Keewaydin Island that have wells for fresh water.