The Aurameter is one of the most distinctive and versatile instruments used in dowsing. Developed by American dowser Verne L. Cameron, its distinctive combination of a handle, flexible wire, coil, and weighted pointer allows it to respond in several different ways. This makes it quite different from a conventional pendulum or pair of dowsing rods.
Although the Aurameter can be used for many of the same purposes as other dowsing tools, learning to interpret its different movements can take some practice. In this article, we’ll look at how the Aurameter works, the different ways it can be used, how to hold it, and what you should know before working with one.
The Verne Cameron Aurameter is a specialized dowsing tool used to detect and measure subtle energy fields, such as auras, electromagnetic fields, and Earth energies. It was developed by Verne L. Cameron, an American dowser and researcher.
Unlike a conventional pendulum or L-rod, the Aurameter combines characteristics of several dowsing tools in a single instrument. The Aurameter consists of a handheld grip connected to a flexible metal wire, with a distinctive coil and a weighted brass tip at the opposite end. The tip itself can be adjusted upward or downward depending on how the Aurameter is being used. Combined with the flexibility of the wire and coil, this allows the instrument to move vertically or horizontally, oscillate, rotate, and assume different working positions for different dowsing techniques.
The Aurameter can be used to locate and investigate things that may not be visible to the eye. Dowsers use it for applications such as locating underground water, detecting the boundaries and strength of energy fields, examining a person’s aura, exploring Earth energies, and determining the direction or location of a target.
One of the Aurameter’s most distinctive characteristics is its versatility. Rather than being limited to the movements normally associated with a pendulum or dowsing rod, it can function in several different ways. This versatility is why the Aurameter is often described as a 5-in-1 dowsing tool.
Verne L. Cameron began dowsing in the 1920s and became particularly interested in locating underground water. Over the years, he experimented with and developed numerous dowsing instruments for obtaining different types of information in the field.
Rather than carrying several different instruments, Cameron wanted a single dowsing tool that could perform multiple functions. This led to the development of an instrument he initially called the Water Compass, designed primarily for locating and investigating underground water.
The instrument continued to evolve, and in 1952 Cameron and Max Freedom Long experimented with using it to investigate and outline the human aura. Its applications had now expanded well beyond water dowsing, and the instrument became known as the Aurameter.
The Aurameter is commonly described as a 5-in-1 dowsing tool, with the following functions:
An especially interesting feature of the Aurameter is that two responses can sometimes be used at the same time. For example, while the pointer follows the course or boundary of an underground water vein, the dowser can ask questions about that vein and use the bobbing or side-to-side movement of the tip for Yes and No responses. This allows the dowser to continue following a target while simultaneously obtaining additional information about it.
The Aurameter can be used for many of the same tasks as a pendulum, L-rod or bobber, but its design makes it particularly useful for detecting boundaries, tracing fields and following targets that curve or change direction. Its adjustable tip and flexible wire also allow the dowser to change the way the instrument responds according to the task being performed.
One of the best-known uses of the Aurameter is detecting and measuring the human aura. The dowser can approach a person with the Aurameter extended and observe its response when the perceived outer boundary of the aura is reached.
By approaching from different directions, the Aurameter can be used to determine the apparent size and shape of the field and to trace its perimeter. Dowsers may also use it to investigate variations or areas within the aura.
The Aurameter is particularly well suited to locating the outer boundaries of an energy field and then following them.
Instead of simply indicating that a field has been detected, the dowser can move along its edge while allowing the Aurameter to follow changes in direction. This can be useful for mapping the shape and extent of energy fields around people, objects or locations.
Underground water was one of Verne Cameron’s primary interests and played an important role in the development of the Aurameter.
The instrument can be used to locate underground water and determine the boundaries of a water vein or underground stream. Once located, the dowser can follow its course even when it curves or changes direction.
The Aurameter may also be used with dowsing questions to investigate characteristics of the water source, such as its direction, depth, width or estimated flow.
The Aurameter can be used to investigate Earth energies, ley lines, energy pathways, vortexes and areas of geopathic stress.
Its ability to follow an irregular path makes it particularly useful when exploring an energy line across a property or natural landscape. A dowser can attempt to determine where the energy begins, its width and direction, and how its course changes through an area.
The Aurameter can also be used for map dowsing. For this purpose, the adjustable tip can be turned downward toward the map and used to search for or follow a particular target.
This technique can be used to investigate locations, water sources, energy lines or other dowsing targets before visiting the actual site.
Like other dowsing tools, the Aurameter can be used to search for objects, minerals and other targets.
However, one of its strengths appears to be following or outlining a target once it has been detected, rather than simply identifying a single location. For pinpointing a precise spot, such as determining exactly where to drill a well, some dowsers may prefer a conventional L-rod or Y-rod.
The Aurameter can also be used to investigate perceived energy fields around crystals, minerals, plants and other objects.
The dowser can approach the object from different directions to detect the apparent boundary of its field and then move around the object to explore the field’s size and shape.
One of the more interesting features of the Aurameter is that it can be used to obtain additional information while a target is being followed.
For example, while using the pointer to follow an underground water vein, the dowser can ask questions about the water. The Aurameter can continue following the vein while its bobbing or side-to-side movement provides a predetermined Yes or No response.
The Aurameter’s bobbing action can also be used for counting, allowing the dowser to ask questions involving depth, distance, quantity, percentage or other numerical information.
Although the Aurameter can perform a wide variety of dowsing tasks, its ability to trace boundaries and follow changing or curving targets is perhaps what most distinguishes it from other dowsing instruments.
This makes it especially useful for investigating auras, underground water, Earth energies and other fields or targets whose boundaries and direction may be just as important as simply determining whether they are present.
Learning how to hold the Aurameter correctly is important because the instrument is designed to move freely in several directions. Unlike a conventional L-rod, the Aurameter’s flexible wire, coil and weighted tip can respond vertically, horizontally or with a circular movement.
There are several ways to hold an Aurameter depending on the technique being used, but when first learning it is helpful to become comfortable with one basic search position before experimenting with the others.
Hold the Aurameter comfortably by the handle, using a relaxed grip rather than squeezing it tightly. The flexible shaft should extend forward from the hand at a slight upward angle, with the weighted tip also positioned slightly upward. In other words, the working end of the Aurameter should normally rise away from the hand rather than point toward the ground.
This upward position is important because the weight of the tip and the flexibility of the shaft affect the sensitivity and movement of the instrument. The Aurameter should be allowed to respond freely without the dowser unnecessarily restricting its movement.
Avoid touching the flexible shaft while dowsing, as this can interfere with its movement.
The Aurameter does not always have to be held in exactly the same position. Cameron described working with the instrument at different angles, and changing its position alters the mechanical sensitivity and type of response that can be obtained.
The instrument can be held with the hand in different orientations, including palm upward, sideways or downward. When learning, however, it is better to develop consistency with one holding position before experimenting with variations.
The angle of the Aurameter itself can also be changed. Holding the wire more horizontally, inclined upward or inclined downward changes the effect that the weight of the tip has on the flexible wire and therefore changes how readily the instrument responds.
The weighted tip of the Aurameter can be adjusted upward or downward according to the type of dowsing being performed.
For general searching and field work, the tip may be positioned slightly upward. For other techniques, it can be turned downward toward the target.
One example is map dowsing. The tip can be bent downward so that it points toward the surface of the map. The Aurameter can then be moved over the map while the dowser observes the response of the pointer.
The ability to alter the tip position is one of the features that makes the Aurameter more versatile than a conventional L-rod.
A somewhat different technique can be used when following an underground water vein, energy line or the boundary of a field.
Rather than allowing the Aurameter to swing freely into its normal L-rod position, the dowser maintains a slight bend or tension in the flexible wire while moving along the edge of the target. As the direction of the boundary changes, the tip can lead the dowser along its course.
This technique is particularly useful for following targets that curve or wander rather than travel in a straight line.
The Aurameter can also be repositioned for pendulum-style dowsing. By changing the position of the instrument, the weighted tip can be allowed to oscillate or gyrate in much the same way as a conventional pendulum.
In this position, the Aurameter can be used with many of the questioning methods normally associated with pendulum dowsing.
The Aurameter is more complex than a conventional pendulum or L-rod, and becoming familiar with its different movements can take some practice. Begin with the basic search position and observe how the instrument responds before experimenting with different hand positions, angles and tip settings.
As your familiarity with the Aurameter increases, you can learn which position produces the most useful response for the particular dowsing task you are performing.
The Aurameter is one of the more versatile dowsing instruments available, but that versatility also makes it somewhat more complex to learn than a pendulum or conventional dowsing rod. For someone just beginning to dowse, a simpler instrument may be easier to master before progressing to the Aurameter.
For the more experienced dowser, however, the Aurameter offers some capabilities that are difficult to duplicate with other dowsing tools. Its ability to detect boundaries, follow curving or changing targets, operate as several different types of dowsing instrument, and obtain additional information while following a target makes it particularly useful for specialized field work.
It may be especially worthwhile for dowsers interested in aura detection, underground water, Earth energies, map dowsing, or tracing the boundaries of subtle energy fields. On the other hand, if your dowsing consists primarily of asking Yes and No questions or locating a single target, you may find that a pendulum or conventional dowsing rod is all you need.
If you decide to work with an Aurameter, allow yourself some time to become familiar with it. Experiment with the different holding positions, tip adjustments and types of movement, and establish how you will interpret its responses before attempting more complicated dowsing work. As with any dowsing instrument, consistent practice and clearly formulated questions are more important than simply owning a more sophisticated tool.
The Aurameter isn’t necessarily the right dowsing tool for everyone. But for the dowser who learns how to take advantage of its unusual range of movement and its ability to follow and investigate a target, it can become an exceptionally versatile addition to the dowsing toolbox.
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2 Responses
Is your aurameter made by the company that makes the original Cameron aurameter which includes the two springs and counter balanced weights?
Thank you for your question. The Aurameter pictured on my site is exactly the one I carry. I’m not an expert on the Aurameter in general, and I cannot confirm whether the original company that introduced the Cameron Aurameter in the 1950s is still manufacturing them today.
The supplier I work with specializes in dowsing tools, and each Aurameter is tested for accuracy before being offered. From what I understand, the design does include an adjustable counterweight on the wire lead, though I cannot say with certainty whether there are any differences in manufacture compared with the original invention.
While I personally have little hands-on experience with this particular rod, customers who have purchased it have reported being satisfied with both its accuracy and responsiveness.