| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells: fixed pivot, with circular motions thereabout confined to one
plane. Almost all the joints of the machinery present a com-
plicated system of sliding parts moving over small but beauti-
fully curved friction bearings. And while upon this matter
of detail, it is remarkable that the long leverages of their
machines are in most cases actuated by a sort of sham
musculature of the disks in an elastic sheath; these disks
become polarised and drawn closely and powerfully together
when traversed by a current of electricity. In this way the
curious parallelism to animal motions, which was so striking
and disturbing to the human beholder, was attained. Such
War of the Worlds |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Pagan and Christian Creeds by Edward Carpenter: This comes out very clearly in both instances above--
quoted from the Bible. For in Exodus xxxii. 25 it is said
that "Aaron had made them (the dancers) naked UNTO THEIR
SHAME among their enemies (READ opponents)," and in 2
Sam. vi. 20 we are told that Michal came out and sarcastically
rebuked the "glorious king of Israel" for "shamelessly
uncovering himself, like a vain fellow" (for which
rebuke, I am sorry to say, David took a mean revenge
on Michal). In both cases evidently custom had so
far changed that to a considerable section of the population
these naked exhibitions had become indecent, though
Pagan and Christian Creeds |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Rewards and Fairies by Rudyard Kipling: now the Panama Canal is finished, one end of it opens into the
very bay where Sir Francis Drake was buried. So ships are taken
through the Canal, and the road round Cape Horn which Sir Francis
opened is very little used.]
'"And if I'm not?" he says.
'"Why, then," she says, "Sim's iron ships will be sailing on
dry land. Now ha' done with this foolishness. Where's Sim's shirt?"
'He couldn't fetch no more out of her, and when we come up
from the cabin, he stood mazed-like by the tiller, playing
with a apple.
'"My Sorrow!" says my Aunt; "d'ye see that? The great world
|
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 Flower Fables by Louisa May Alcott: the Father of birds and blossoms, who had made the earth so fair a
home for them.
Then they flew away to the gardens, and soon, high up among the
tree-tops, or under the broad leaves, sat the Elves in little groups,
taking their breakfast of fruit and pure fresh dew; while the
bright-winged birds came fearlessly among them, pecking the same
ripe berries, and dipping their little beaks in the same flower-cups,
and the Fairies folded their arms lovingly about them, smoothed their
soft bosoms, and gayly sang to them.
"Now, little Eva," said they, "you will see that Fairies are not
idle, wilful Spirits, as mortals believe. Come, we will show you
Flower Fables |
