[Gandalf Parker]

a 101 tip:
You can select multiple mages. Either by selecting one then using shift-click to select everyone in-between. Or, the way I usually do, by using Control-click to select each mage you want to do search casting. Then hit shift-M and select each ones search spell.

The advantage of doing it that way is that when you select any of them in the future it will re-select all of that same group.

If you hover over a mage that is doing a monthly search spell then the bottom of the screen will show you where he plans to cast that month (by name which kindof sucks but you can find it on the F1 keys menu or use the 9 key or tab key to turn names on for a minute).

If you have just taken a province higher up on the map that wont get checked for abit and you want to know NOW if its worth more protection or maybe a structure, then selecting one of your mages will select the entire search group. Doing shift-M will let you select the new important province for the search spells. It will search that one next turn then return to working its way thru the map from the bottom up.

If you are using more than one mage for each spell (multiple earth casters doing gnome lore, etc) then you might want to create one group with just one of each spell just for checking out newly captured provinces of strategic importance.