how to use dowsing rod

[Bookish]

I know that when there's a heat indicator, something called a "spirit well" is nearby. But how do I find the spirit well? I remember the NPC saying something about digging, but I can't use my shovel in the heat spots I found. Am I supposed to do something special with the rod itself?

[Danc]

While holding the dowsing rod (in the first hand slot) walk until you see a flame. And then move in the direction the flame gets bigger. If you see a frost symbol, you've started going in the wrong direction. Eventually if you follow the heat signals, you'll find an X on the ground. Click on the X and you'll dig up a relic.

If you happen to accidentally find an invisible spirit well that won't let you dig it up, it may be a higher level spirit well (pro or master). Eventually you'll unlock a better dowsing rod that lets you find and dig up those as well.

[Bookish]

Thank you! I thought it was just a matter of hot vs. cold and didn't realize the flame would change sizes.

Edit: And today I got the explanation for using the rod in-game, huh.

[danielpal]

when i was dowsing for the 1st time the cold symbol just poppped up everywhere and my island is already quite big i wish a circle formed to ease on the search time or at least kept the symbol showing and changing while your moving, it only shows up when your standing still and it can get confusing as to where you should start to search from

[Darejian]

I haven't been playing for a while and now when I'm back I don't remember how to use the dowsing rod. I haven't found any help in the game, so have to search here. I've found the answer here, but It is very inconvenient that there is no way to get instructions about gameplay from the game itself.