I'd seen it pop up once or twice in comments on MM posts, so assumed that the geomancers had picked up the terminology (geomantic spirit) from JMG's books (not to mention their own experience), but it seems it's just more widely understood.

That's an interesting framework by which to consider this (the degrees along an axis of personal-->public question and personal-->general deity (or no deity) involvement.

For myself I'm not that experienced (oh boy, in either divination or deity-relationship!) when it comes down to it, so it's all new territory. If I waited until I "got a reply" --- well, nothing would happen since my receptive apparatus is still dial-tuning in search of signal. Thus far, though, signal seems to appear in the divination itself.

My previous divination experience was with I Ching (back before I'd even attempted prayer) and there's a very strong sense of the I/Yi as a presence with that system. With what I'm doing lately, it seems to be less a "system" presence and more personal. I couldn't tell you for sure who is really there, but I do note that readings are clearer after I make an effort at "checking in" with the one I'm currently calling my guardian angel.

Small steps, but I like them. :)