Divining and dowsing are ancient practices that have been used for centuries to uncover hidden information or locate underground resources. These techniques rely on the belief that certain individuals possess an innate ability to tap into unseen energies or forces. Dowsing, also known as divining rod or water witching, is a method used to locate underground water sources, minerals, or objects. It involves using a Y- or L-shaped rod or a pendulum that is held by the dowser. The dowser walks slowly across the area, and when they pass over the desired target, the rod or pendulum is said to move or react, indicating the presence of the sought-after resource. While the scientific community often dismisses dowsing as pseudoscience, claiming that any movement of the rod or pendulum is purely coincidental, many individuals attest to its effectiveness.
The Hope Diamond passed through the hands of kings and queens before being donated to the Smithsonian Institute. (Photo courtesy of Smithsonian) The stone’s story begins in the 1600s, when French merchant traveler Jean-Baptiste Tavernier purchased a “beautiful violet” 112-carat diamond, thought to be from the Kollur mine in Golconda, India, according to the Smithsonian’s website.
Attack of the Fifty Foot Teenage Lizard Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Betty Bone Voyage The Cream-Pier Strikes Back Haircutastrophe World War Flea Captain Caveman s Super Cold Camper Scamper Fred s Mechanical Dog Grime and Punishment A Tiny Egg The Vet Capt. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, reining monarchs at the time of the revolution experienced the ultimate misfortune the diamond is accused of bringing to its owners.
While the scientific community often dismisses dowsing as pseudoscience, claiming that any movement of the rod or pendulum is purely coincidental, many individuals attest to its effectiveness. In fact, dowsing is still used by some well drillers, archaeologists, and treasure hunters today. Divining, on the other hand, is a broader term that encompasses various practices used to gain insight or knowledge about a particular subject or situation.
The Hope Diamond – Curse of the Most Famous Gemstone
Over the years there have been many gemstones believed to be cursed, but the most famous of the gemstones is the Hope Diamond. This lustrous blue diamond weighing 45.52 carats is surrounded by tales of misfortune.
How did this diamond which originated in India, and accumulated history among Europe’s aristocracy, end up in one of America’s most beloved museums, the Smithsonian? Just like people, stones have stories. Here’s the blue diamond’s fascinating history.
Early History: The French Blue and the Guillotine
The stone originated from the Kollur Mine, Telangana in India before Jean-Baptiste Tavernier purchased it in 1666. Around 1668, King Louis XIV of France purchased the large blue diamond weighing a little over 112 carats from the French merchant.
The king had the stone re-cut into a 67-carat heart-shaped stone (giving it the famous heart shape that we associate with Valentine’s Day) and set in gold by his court jeweler. The stone was named “Le bleu de France” (The French Blue).
This amazing gemstone remained with the French royal family until it was stolen in 1792 during the French Revolution, along with the rest of France’s crown jewels. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, reining monarchs at the time of the revolution experienced the ultimate misfortune the diamond is accused of bringing to its owners. While attempting to flee France they were caught and both guillotined for treason. According to the Smithsonian:
“King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were captured attempting to flee France during the French Revolution. The royal jewels were turned over to the revolutionary government and housed in the Garde-Meuble.”
The French Blue becomes the Hope Diamond
Decades later, the diamond was stolen again and reappeared on the London scene. From there, the famous jewelry kept changing hands, being captured, re-cut, and moved almost as if it had a life of its own.
First, a diamond closely resembling the stolen French Blue reappeared in London, and owned by King George IV of England. The diamond was sold after his death in 1830 to help pay off his enormous debts. It was purchased by Henry Philip Hope, from whom the stone got its name. The diamond remained in the Hope family for many years, until it was auctioned off in 1908 to a Turkish Sultan, who was later dethroned in an army revolt.
Evalyn Walsh McLean
At the turn of the 20th century, the famous diamond crossed the Atlantic Ocean and ended up in New York City. Famed jeweler Pierre Cartier bought the Hope Diamond in 1909. He enticed Evalyn Walsh McLean, an American heiress and socialite to purchase the diamond in 1912. McLean was the last private owner of the diamond, and was not afraid of the stones history.
She did experience tremendous misfortune while owning it, the loss of her eldest son at the age of 9 in a car accident, the loss of her only daughter at age 25 to suicide, and the loss of her husband to insanity, and eventually his death in an insane asylum. There was also financial misfortune, which led to the loss of the family newspaper The Washington Post to a bankruptcy auction. However, McLean did not believe the diamond brought her bad luck, and wore it until she died in 1947.
Modern History: A Home at the Smithsonian
Harry Winston, an American Jeweler bought McLean’s entire jewelry collection including the Hope Diamond after her death in 1947, and in 1958, the stone would finally find its permanent home. Winston donated the famous diamond to the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C., where it would no longer be worn, but has since been gawked at, Googled, and admired by over 100 million visitors. The last person to experience the misfortune of the diamond was the mail carrier that delivered the stone to the Smithsonian Institution in a brown cardboard box. He had his leg crushed in an accident and a brief time later lost his home in a fire.
Is the stone cursed, or is this just random bad luck?
The Hope Diamond Influences
The Heart of the Ocean: A Blue Sapphire
Since we’re talking about the Hope Diamond, we’d be remiss not to mention the Heart of the Ocean. Do you remember this famous blue diamond featured in the film, “Titanic”?
The scene: Rose (played by Kate Winslet) is wearing a heart-shaped blue diamond around her neck (and naked body) as she is being sketched and admired by Jack (played by Leonardo DeCaprio).
The Heart of the Ocean was inspired by the Hope Diamond. In other words: it’s a knock-off for the film. And apparently, because that film was such a blockbuster (and its characters and jewels made so famous and iconic), a jeweler wanted to make another knock-off, but this time a real knock-off.
According to Vogue, London jewelers Asprey & Garrad decided to seize the opportunity. They crafted a necklace with a 170-carat heart-shaped sapphire (for it’s rare to find a blue diamond) and 104 sparkling diamonds. Celine Dion (who sang part of the Titanic soundtrack) then wore the necklace during her 1998 Oscar performance of the famed love song, “My Heart Will Go On.”
Restoring Jewelry Pieces
Though we’re not in the business of lifting curses, My Jewelry Repair can clean, polish, restore and repair your favorite pieces of diamond jewelry. Our experts are trained in handling all different metals, replacing gems, and will delicately care for your valuables, new or old.
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Ahead of Halloween, Associate Editor Lenore Fedow shares the spooky tales behind a few famous gemstones that allegedly bring bad luck.
This can involve techniques such as reading tea leaves, tarot card reading, or pendulum divination. The act of divining is often associated with spiritual or metaphysical beliefs. Diviners believe that they can channel higher energies or spirits to receive messages or guidance. They interpret signs or symbols, such as the patterns formed by tea leaves or the cards in a tarot deck, to gain insight into the past, present, or future. Critics argue that divining is simply a form of cold reading or subjective interpretation of symbols, and that any insights gained are based on chance or the individual's intuition rather than any supernatural ability. However, divination continues to be practiced by many as a way to seek answers or find comfort in uncertain times. Whether one believes in the effectiveness of divining and dowsing or not, these practices have a rich history and cultural significance in many societies. They offer a unique perspective on the world and have provided comfort, guidance, and practical solutions to countless individuals throughout the ages..
Reviews for "The psychological and emotional benefits of divining and dowsing"
1. Sarah - 2 stars
I found "Divining and dowsing" to be incredibly vague and lacking in concrete information. The book seemed more like a collection of mystical beliefs rather than a practical guide on how to actually perform divination and dowsing. I was looking for clear instructions and step-by-step techniques, but the book failed to deliver on that front. The author made a lot of sweeping claims without providing any evidence or scientific basis for them. Overall, I felt disappointed and misled by this book.
2. Mark - 1 star
I cannot emphasize enough how much I disliked "Divining and dowsing." It was filled with pseudoscience and New Age mumbo-jumbo. The author seemed more interested in promoting irrational beliefs than providing practical information. The book lacked any solid evidence or logical reasoning to support its claims. I was really hoping to learn something useful about divination and dowsing, but this book did not deliver. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a serious and grounded approach to these topics.
3. Emily - 2 stars
"Divining and dowsing" was a major letdown for me. I expected a more well-rounded exploration of divination and dowsing techniques, but the book focused too heavily on one specific approach. The author's personal beliefs overshadowed any objective information or alternative perspectives. It felt more like a biased manifesto rather than an informative guide. I was left with more questions than answers after reading this book, and I would not recommend it as a reliable source of information on divination and dowsing.