Vastushastra refers to energy fields that govern the EARTH. These energy fields can provide harmonious or disturbed conditions and are believed to flow through structures in a positive or negative manner having a direct impact on the lives of those using these spaces.

In this context, the position of a plot, the direction it faces, the layout of the ground plan of a building and surrounding geographical features are crucial to the activation ofenergy fields.

As electricity has its electro- stress, similarly these earth energies have their effect, which is termed 'Earth-Stress' or 'Geopathic stress'. These are the result of a phenomena emanating from planet Earth itself, for it has its own Electro Magnetic Grid.

From various studies, it has been discovered that many cases of human illnesses as well as diseases in animals, plants and tress were related to underground fissures and streams of water emitting energy vertically to the surface.

Unusually high levels of natural electric currents occur where underground water fissures cross at different levels. The earth energies emanated in grids can be taken care of and healthy livable zone can be provided.

The Lecher Antenna, the latest instrument developed to measure these energies, makes the detection easier and planning healthier.

HOME SICK HOME:

"We asked the family when this work had begun," says Roy, "and they told us, 'about six years ago, not long before mother became ill". They also managed to rid a man of migraines, which he only ever suffered at home.

Earth energy lines, say the proctors flow in one direction, and nearby lived a Pop group whose wild living and drug-taking had turned the earth energy lines beneath their house negative. The migraine-sufferer dived "down-stream", so the energy lines beneath his home were also negative although "upstream" from the Pop group's abode, they were positive.

The proctors were taught their skills by a renowned dowser and healer, and, once given an address on a piece of paper, they will dowse it with a pendulum, to discover if earth energy lines are a problem. If they are, they ask for a ground-floor sketch plan of the house, which they also dowse to find the exact location of the lines.

Traditionally used to find water, the mechanism of dowsing entails asking suitable and specific questions like, "Are the negative energy lines situated here?" The dowser allows his intuition to activate the tool- a pendulum, rod or forked stick-to a Yes or No answer. So, the answer actually lies within the mind of the dowser.

Once they have established exactly where the negative energy lines are, the proctors set about healing. When they first started out, they would visit the house and drive iron stakes into the ground at exactly the points where line crossed. This, they say, changed the polarity from negative to positive, although they had no idea exactly how it worked, believing their mental intent to be as important as any physical action.

Their skills are now so finely honed that they no longer need to visit a home. Both registered with the National Federation of Spiritual Healing, they say: "we have developed a way of healing from a distance, using our spiritual healing capabilities in a finely focused and meditative way".

Roy stood by me in both positive and negative area, without telling me which was which, and asked me to hold my arm up and resist his pushing it down. In the positive area, I was able to prevent him pushing it down for a fair while. In the negative area, I had no strength at all, and my arm fell straight down.

Curiously, it is in this negative spot in the back garden that the proctors' cat loved to bask. "For some reason, cats seem to flourish on negative energies- I call it the Witch's Cat Syndrome," says Ann.