| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Woman and Labour by Olive Schreiner: there is little or nothing which distinguishes materially between the male
and female; in method, manner, and quickness they are alike; in devotion to
man, they are psychically identical. (It is often said the female dog is
more intelligent than the male; but I am almost inclined to doubt this,
after long and close study of both forms.) It is at the moment when the
reproductive element comes fully into play that similarity and identity
cease. In the intensity of initial sex instinct they are alike; the female
will leap from windows, climb walls, and almost endanger her life to reach
the male who waits for her, as readily as he will to gain her. It is when
the bitch lies with her six young drawing life from her breast, and gazing
with wistful and anguished solicitude at every hand stretched out to touch
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Caesar's Commentaries in Latin by Julius Caesar: Deiectis, ut diximus, antemnis, cum singulas binae ac ternae naves
circumsteterant, milites summa vi transcendere in hostium naves
contendebant. Quod postquam barbari fieri animadverterunt, expugnatis
compluribus navibus, cum ei rei nullum reperiretur auxilium, fuga salutem
petere contenderunt. Ac iam conversis in eam partem navibus quo ventus
ferebat, tanta subito malacia ac tranquillitas extitit ut se ex loco
movere non possent. Quae quidem res ad negotium conficiendum maximae fuit
oportunitati: nam singulas nostri consectati expugnaverunt, ut perpaucae
ex omni numero noctis interventu ad terram per venirent, cum ab hora fere
IIII. usque ad solis occasum pugnaretur.
Quo proelio bellum Venetorum totiusque orae maritimae confectum est.
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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 The Girl with the Golden Eyes by Honore de Balzac: Marsay felt his hand pressed by her in a fashion at once so swift and
so passionately significant that it was as though he had received the
emotions surged up in his heart. When the two lovers glanced at one
another, Paquita seemed ashamed, she dropped her eyes lest she should
meet the eyes of Henri, but her gaze sank lower to fasten on the feet
and form of him whom women, before the Revolution, called /their
conqueror/.
"I am determined to make this girl my mistress," said Henri to
himself.
As he followed her along the terrace, in the direction of the Place
Louis XV., he caught sight of the aged Marquis de San-Real, who was
The Girl with the Golden Eyes |
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 Aeneid by Virgil: An orphan now, cut from the mother earth
By the keen ax, dishonor'd of its hair,
And cas'd in brass, for Latian kings to bear."
When thus in public view the peace was tied
With solemn vows, and sworn on either side,
All dues perform'd which holy rites require;
The victim beasts are slain before the fire,
The trembling entrails from their bodies torn,
And to the fatten'd flames in chargers borne.
Already the Rutulians deem their man
O'ermatch'd in arms, before the fight began.
Aeneid |
