ncg@ukc.UUCP (N.C.Gale) (03/15/85)
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.
tim@cmu-cs-k.ARPA (Tim Maroney) (03/19/85)
I don't have a dictionary here, but I was under the impression that "-mancy" referred specifically to modes of divination. Thus geomancy, chiromancy, oneiromancy, etc. I could be wrong. As for the rest, it sounds like what you really mean is "shamanism". Unfortunately, AD&D druidism is very unlike shamanism, though I try to play my druids in a more shamanistic fashion. -=- Tim Maroney, Carnegie-Mellon University, Networking ARPA: Tim.Maroney@CMU-CS-K uucp: seismo!cmu-cs-k!tim CompuServe: 74176,1360 audio: shout "Hey, Tim!"
play@mcvax.UUCP (Andries Brouwer) (03/20/85)
In article <322@cmu-cs-k.ARPA> tim@cmu-cs-k.ARPA (Tim Maroney) writes: >I don't have a dictionary here, but I was under the impression that "-mancy" >referred specifically to modes of divination. Thus geomancy, chiromancy, >oneiromancy, etc. I could be wrong. You are right. -mancy 'divination by means of'; derives from Greek manteia 'oracle, divination'.