from the gap

Why is that some can “witch” and some can’t?

Last fall, my Uncle Harold, 92 years old, returned to the prairies for a short time. Born and raised here, he’s lived in BC now for more than 60 years. But still, somehow he was in alignment with the elements of his birthplace.

It was a sunny day, 25 degrees, the first of October, a Saturday. Harvest in full swing, rushing to its end, but still some crop out. Harold warned the harvesters, “you have one good day left.” He could smell the snow in the wind, he claimed. Hard to believe when the day felt like August.

Monday the wind and rain started, continued through Tuesday, and Wednesday, the snow. Harold’s nose smelled true.

He used to witch for water, too. Could tell where it was even without the rods, or so he says.

I can smell rain, it’s true. But only when it’s an hour away, not a day or more. Does one learn to witch, or are you born with it?