| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from A Pair of Blue Eyes by Thomas Hardy: to put her at her ease. 'Ah, you should see them; you look
shinier than ever. Fancy that I have been able to improve you!'
'Am I really so nice? I am glad for your sake. I wish I could see
myself.'
'You can't. You must wait till we get home.'
'I shall never be able,' she said, laughing. 'Look: here's a
way.'
'So there is. Well done, woman's wit!'
'Hold me steady!'
'Oh yes.'
'And don't let me fall, will you?'
A Pair of Blue Eyes |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Research Magnificent by H. G. Wells: 3
He was as free with these odd people as if he had been talking to
Prothero. They were--alert. And he had been alone and silent and
full of thinking for two clear days. He tried to explain why he
found Socialism at once obvious and inadequate. . . .
Presently the supper things got themselves put away and the talk
moved into a smaller room with several armchairs and a fire. Mrs.
Wilder and the cousins and Amanda each smoked a cigarette as if it
were symbolical, and they were joined by a grave grey-bearded man
with a hyphenated name and slightly Socratic manner, dressed in a
very blue linen shirt and collar, a very woolly mustard-coloured
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Othello by William Shakespeare: Clo. I know not where he lodges, and for mee to deuise
a lodging, and say he lies heere, or he lies there, were
to lye in mine owne throat
Des. Can you enquire him out? and be edified by report?
Clo. I will Catechize the world for him, that is, make
Questions, and by them answer
Des. Seeke him, bidde him come hither: tell him, I
haue moou'd my Lord on his behalfe, and hope all will
be well
Clo. To do this, is within the compasse of mans Wit,
and therefore I will attempt the doing it.
Othello |
The fourth excerpt represents the element of Earth. It speaks of physical influences and the impact of the unseen on the visible world, and is drawn from My Aunt Margaret's Mirror by Walter Scott: "She undid the billet, which was curiously folded and sealed. It
only bore the words, 'ON BUSINESS OF LIFE AND DEATH,' written in
a hand which she had never seen before. Suddenly it occurred to
her that it might concern the safety of some of her political
friends. She therefore followed the messenger to a small
apartment where the refreshments were prepared, and from which
the general company was excluded. She found an old man, who, at
her approach, rose up and bowed profoundly. His appearance
indicated a broken constitution, and his dress, though sedulously
rendered conforming to the etiquette of a ballroom, was worn and
tarnished, and hung in folds about his emaciated person. Lady
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