Necromancy

Necromancy, according to the OED, has three definitions:

1. a. The art of predicting the future by supposed communication with the dead; (more generally) divination, sorcery, witchcraft, enchantment.
b. fig. and in extended use. Something resembling necromancy in nature or effect.
2. As a count noun: an act of necromancy; (more generally) a spell.
3. With capital initial. A name formerly given to the part of the Odyssey (Book 11) describing Odysseus' visit to Hades. Obs.

The word comes through Latin, necromantia, from the Greek word nekromanteia which meant the art of predicting the future through supposed communication with the dead. It's made up from the parts nekros νεκρος-, "corpse", and manteia μαντεία-, "divination".

Ι was particularly interested to learn about the last definition concerning the book of the Odyssey, which is instead referred to in my translation as 'The Kingdom of the Dead'. I much prefer the use of Necromancy as the title because it sums up the content of book 11 in one nice little word. Odysseus provide blood to the dead, in order that he may speak with them. In particular, Teiresias, tells him much of what will come to pass and what he needs to do.