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From: ncg@ukc.UUCP (N.C.Gale)
Newsgroups: net.games.frp
Subject: Re: Geomancy?
Message-ID: <4980@ukc.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 15-Mar-85 08:13:51 EST
Article-I.D.: ukc.4980
Posted: Fri Mar 15 08:13:51 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 19-Mar-85 04:46:43 EST
References: <4955@ukc.UUCP> <298@cmu-cs-k.ARPA>
Reply-To: ncg@ukc.UUCP (Nigel Gale)
Organization: Computing Laboratory, U of Kent at Canterbury, UK
Lines: 24
Summary: 

In article <298@cmu-cs-k.ARPA> tim@cmu-cs-k.ARPA (Tim Maroney) writes:
>While not commenting on the other changes made, I would like to point out
>that the word "geomancy" is being used incorrectly.  Geomancy is a form of
>divination in which one uses a sand tray (or pen and paper) as a binary
>randomizing device to arrive at a quasi-astrological figure.  This figure is
>then interpreted in traditional ways.  While geomancy certainly could be
>introduced into AD&D, what druids do is definitely not geomancy.


I thought:
geo = that related to the Earth
mancy = magic

therefore geo mancy is earth magic.
Since the concept of 'earth force' is a startlingly common one in
separately developing cultures (Ancient Britons, North American Indians,
Classical Chinese etc), I thought that a system of magic based on
the concept should have some formal title, and 'Geomancy' seemed
to fit. I didn't know that geomancy already had a different meaning.
My most Umble Pologies.

-Nigel Gale

PS I like my meaning better, and I shall continue to use it, so nah.