| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from On Horsemanship by Xenophon: can a troop of horses be kept free of one another, if driven in this
fashion from behind?--whereas a horse accustomed to be led from the
side will have least power of mischief to horse or man, and at the
same time be in the best position to be mounted by the rider at a
moment's notice, were it necessary.
[1] See a passage from Strattis, "Chrys." 2 (Pollux, x. 55), {prosage
ton polon atrema, proslabon ton agogea brakhuteron. oukh oras oti
abolos estin}.
In order to insert the bit correctly the groom should, in the first
place, approach on the near[2] side of the horse, and then throwing
the reins over his head, let them drop loosely on the withers; raise
On Horsemanship |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The $30,000 Bequest and Other Stories by Mark Twain: will rescue her from the hands of her oppressors. Will you not,
Miss Louisa, assist me in my capture?"
"I will certainly, by the aid of Divine Providence," answered Louisa,
"endeavor to break those slavish chains that bind the richest of prizes;
though allow me, Major, to entreat you to use no harsh means on this
important occasion; take a decided stand, and write freely to Ambulinia
upon this subject, and I will see that no intervening cause hinders
its passage to her. God alone will save a mourning people. Now is
the day and now is the hour to obey a command of such valuable worth."
The Major felt himself grow stronger after this short interview
with Louisa. He felt as if he could whip his weight in wildcats--
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Richard III by William Shakespeare: DUCHESS. Ay, boy.
SON. I cannot think it. Hark! what noise is this?
Enter QUEEN ELIZABETH, with her hair about her
ears; RIVERS and DORSET after her
QUEEN ELIZABETH. Ah, who shall hinder me to wail and
weep,
To chide my fortune, and torment myself?
I'll join with black despair against my soul
And to myself become an enemy.
DUCHESS. What means this scene of rude impatience?
QUEEN ELIZABETH. To make an act of tragic violence.
Richard III |
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 One Basket by Edna Ferber: Chuck--blue-lined, cheap in quality. A New York fellow, Chippewa
learned; an aviator. They knew, too, that young Hatton was an
infantry lieutenant somewhere in the East. These letters were
not from him.
Ever since her home-coming, Angie had been sewing at the Red
Cross shop on Grand Avenue. Chippewa boasted two Red Cross
shops. The Grand Avenue shop was the society shop. The East End
crowd sewed there, capped, veiled, aproned--and unapproachable.
Were your fingers ever so deft, your knowledge of seams and
basting mathematical, your skill with that complicated garment
known as a pneumonia jacket uncanny, if you did not belong to the
One Basket |
